Hansford Hawkins 1820-1908 (11010)

Hansford Hawkins was the son of John Hawkins and Jane Rogers. He was born 29 Dec 1820, according to his grave marker. His son William W. Hawkins death certificate gives Hansford's place of birth was Bath County, Kentucky. 

Several researchers have identified Isaac Hawkins of Bath County, Kentucky as Hansford's father; however, this is highly unlikely. Isaac's son who was born between 1815-1820, who has been identified as Hansford by other researchers, was already born when the 1820 Census was taken 7 Aug 1820. Given that Hansford was not born until December of that year, he could not have been enumerated. So, Isaac's son is not likely Hansford.

The Bible record [see below] that identifies the children of Hansford and Rhoda (Fletcher) Hawkins has a note on the bottom, written by a J. F. Hawkins, perhaps a grandchild of the couple. This note says that Hansford's father was John Hawkins, it also says that John married a Rogers. The John Hawkins who lived in Bath County KY, and appeared in the 1820 and 1840 Census there, had three sons the right age to be Hansford for the 1840 Census. So, John is the probable father of Hansford Hawkins.

Bath County, Kentucky, where Hansford
was born.

The Hawkins family lived very near the border at which four Kentucky counties meet--Bath, Montgomery, Bourbon and Nicholas Counties. Hansford married Rhoda Ann Fletcher in neighboring Nicholas County, Kentucky. Tradition dictated that the marriage take place in the bride’s county, and Nicholas County was where the Fletcher family lived--just across the border from the Hawkins family.

Their marriage took place in June of 1849, in Nicholas County KY:

Hansford Hawkins to Rhoda Ann Fletcher 5 Jun 1849

[Nicholas County, Kentucky marriages 1799-1855 compiled by Robert E. & Phyllis J. Selby]

The following Bible record identifies the children of Hansford and Rhoda Fletcher:

HAWKINS FAMILY BIBLE RECORD

First owned by Hansford Hawkins. Now in possession of Mrs. Anna Donaldson, Flemingsburg, KY.

Copied by William M. Talley

Births

Hawkins, Hansford was born the 9^th day of Dec., 1820.

Fletcher, Rhodiann was born the 4^th day of June, 1828.

Their children:

Hawkins, William Woles was born the 12^th day of April, 1850.

Hawkins, Francis Ellen was born the 17^th day of June, 1852.

Hawkins, John Jefferson was born the 14^th day of Nov., 1854.

Hawkins, Mary Elizabeth was born the 19^th day of Sept., 1857.

Hawkins, Harvey Breckenridge was born the 17^th day of Apr., 1860.

Hawkins, Matilda Jane was born the 5^th day of Jan., 1868.

Hawkins, James Fielden was born the 9^th day of Jan., 1866.

Hawkins, Tones [Thomas] Madeson was born the 13^th day of June, 1869.

Hawkins, Clisty Emily was born the 3^rd day of Jan., 1873.

Deaths

Hawkins, Hansford died Oct. the 18^th, 1908.

Hawkins, Rhodiann died Jan. 8^th, 1911, aged 82 yrs., 7 mos., and 4 ds.

Hawkins, Hansford, of KY., and Rhodiann Fletcher, of KY., married on the 4^th day of June, 1849, at Nicholas County by John Dyle. In the presence of James M. Hawkins and Arch Prater.

(Note by J. F. Hawkins: “John Hawkins was father of Hansford. John is thought to have married a Rogers. John’s father came from Ireland.”)

Pasted from <http://www.kykinfolk.com/fleming/biblehawkins.htm> 

He was in District 1, Bath County, KY for the 1850 Census. This census also records that Hansford and Rhoda had been married within the year. This is true since the enumeration date was 1 June 1850, and they had been married on 4 Jun 1849. Their son, William, had been born just two months before.

Adair County, Missouri,
where Hansford lived in 1860.

In 1860, the family lived in Clay, Adair County, Missouri (where three of his children, including Matilda were born). He has $800 worth of farmland and $315 worth of personal property. The enumerator must have misunderstood “Rhody”, because they called her "Betty" instead. 

The move to Missouri may have been to take advantage of good land prices at the time. We know that his property value had increased by the following census when he had returned to Kentucky. The move back to KY probably had to do with the rising unrest in Missouri, due to the brewing Civil War. Hansford and Rhoda may have wanted to be closer to extended family during this difficult time.

This map, made in 1884, shows Hansford Hawkins' farm (H. Hawkins on
the right side of this map) in the vicinity of the town of Poplar Plains.

The 1860 and 1870 Federal Census records show Hansford's  occupation as Farmer. Throughout the 1870, 1880 and 1900 Census the Hawkins family can be found in Poplar Plains Township, where he lived just a mile east of the town limits. In 1870 he had $3000 worth of land, and $1000 worth of personal property. This is evidence that he was not severely impacted by the war. Many families lost most of their property during the war years. Hansford and his family seemed to have bounced back quite well.

In the 1880 Census, it records that Hansford was born in Kentucky, his father in Virginia and his mother in Kentucky. He was living near Poplar Plains, Fleming County, Kentucky. The 1890 Census was almost completely destroyed in a fire in Washington D. C., so there is no census for Hansford that year.

In the 1900 Census, Hansford and his family can be found in Fleming County, Magisterial District 2, in Kentucky. It records that Hansford and Rhoda had been married for 51 years, and that Rhoda had given birth to 9 children, all of whom were still living. It records that Hansford, his father and mother were all born in KY, and that Hansford could read, write and speak English. It records that he owned his home, free of mortgage, and that it was on a farm. 

Hansford had given his family a good life, and a comfortable home that saw them safely through terrible times. He died 18 Oct 1908 in Fleming County KY. He and Rhoda are both buried in Bath County KY in Gilead Cemetery, where Rhoda's parents were also buried.