Rhoda Ann Fletcher 1828-1911 (11011)

Rhoda A. Fletcher was born 4 June 1828 in Montgomery County, Kentucky. She was the second of nine children born to Fielding Fletcher and Elizabeth Sharpe. The Fletcher family lived near the border where four counties meet—Montgomery, Bath, Bourbon and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky. Rhoda lived in three of these counties during her lifetime, as well as Fleming which was just east of both Nicholas and Bath Counties. She also spent a brief time living in Missouri.

Rhoda’s father lived near Somerset Creek, which flowed from southern Montgomery County, and emptied into Hinkston Creek on the eastern border of the county.  

The church the family attended when Rhoda was a girl was near the city of Mount Sterling in Montgomery County. This was an historically important church. Rhoda was born during the Second Great Awakening (1790-1870), when religion was the most important topic of discussion. Kentucky was a hot spot for the the new Restoration movement, which some describe as the oldest ecumenical movement in America. John “Raccoon” Smith was a preacher at the church that Rhoda attended, and during her early childhood he became a leader in the movement in western Kentucky. Rhoda’s family was therefore heavily influenced by his preaching to embrace the new faith.

The Restoration movement wanted to do away with creeds and rituals that tended to divide christian churches. They tried to bring the church back to essentials upon which all christians could agree—faith in Christ, baptism by immersion for the remission of sin, and close adherence to scriptural teachings. John “Raccoon” Smith had united Rhoda’s parents in marriage just a few years before her birth. Rhoda was undoubtedly highly influenced by his preaching. 

While Rhoda spent her early life attending the Mt. Sterling church, when she was about nine years of age, her family moved to Bath County. They spent a brief period of years living in Bath County, near Flat Creek, before moving north into Nicholas County where they lived just south of the city of Carlisle. They still lived near the border between Bath County and Nicholas County, which is how Rhoda met and fell in love with Hansford Hawkins who was resident in the northern part of Bath County. They would have registered their marriage at the county courthouse in Carlisle, and married at the Old Concord Church just nine miles south of Carlisle. 

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 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> 

The blue dotted line traces the path that the family traveled while traveling from Bath County, Kentucky
to Adair County, Missouri, a journey of about 562 miles.

The family settled in Bath County, Kentucky after their marriage, where they lived for many years. In 1857, they moved to Adair County, Missouri, to take advantage of the land prices there. There three of their children were born. They stayed in Missouri for about ten years, through the terrible ferment of the Civil War. They returned to Kentucky shortly after the war ended, purchasing land in Poplar Plains, Fleming County, Kentucky. This was about twenty miles north of where they had lived after their marriage. 

Rhoda (Fletcher) Hawkins in the household of son James Hawkins for the 1910 Census
in Poplar Plains District, Fleming County, Kentucky

Here Rhoda lived out the rest of her life in the Poplar Plains area. The family thrived there, and continued to grow. Rhoda lost her husband in 1908. Their son James Hawkins and family moved into the family estate, where Rhoda can be found in his household in the 1910 Census.  

On 9 January 1911, Rhoda died suddenly of natural causes at 82 years of age. She is buried in Gilead Cemetery in Bath County Kentucky. Rhoda Ann and Hansford Hawkins share a gravestone, which confirms her birth and death dates.

James Hawkins 1764-After 1830 (1101000)

The Licking River in Kentucky,
near which James Hawkins raised his family.

James Hawkins was born 14 Feb 1764. His birth date comes from parish records in Harford, Maryland, where he was registered as a son of Gregory Farmer and Elizabeth Hawkins, the third of nine children. He moved with his family from Maryland to Kentucky by about 1800.

James appears in Montgomery County, Kentucky with his father Gregory Farmer Hawkins in the 1800 Census, and tax records from 1801 through 1810:

1801 James next to "Grigory" on Flat Creek, no property

1802 James near Gregory on Flat Creek, no property

1803 James next to Gregory, no property

1805 James near Gregory, no property

1806 James next to G. Farmer, 120 ac Flat Creek

1807 James near F. Gregory, 120 ac Flat Creek

1808 James not near F. Gregory, 2-- ac F. Creek

1809 James has two sons with him, 126 ac Flat Creek

1810 James next to Gregory, one son home, 120 ac Flat Creek

These Montgomery County tax records begin in 1797, but the Hawkins do not appear until 1801, the year after they first appear in the census records. It is not known if they lived in another county before moving to Montgomery County, or if they arrived there directly from Maryland. More research needs to be done.

It is not yet known who James married, but he must have been married before 1787, when his first known child was born. In the 1810 Census, James is found in Montgomery County KY with 1 m over 45, one female 10-15, one female 26-44. This is probably James, his wife and an unidentified daughter.

In 1811, the part of Montgomery County KY in which they lived became part of Bath County.

James appears in a road order in 1818:

Bath Co., KY Court Order Books; Vol. A (Cont)

1818 (Cont.)

Aug court, 1818

pp 327 - ordered that Robert Alexander, Charles Taylor, John Robertson & James Hawkins or any three of them view nearest & best way for road from John Robertson's on the Nicholas Co. line thence through said Roberton's line & through the lines of John Burton thence to little flat creek thence down the creek to the lower end of the widow Nesbits field thence to intersect the bluelick road at the mouth of Robert Alexanders land

[Pasted from <http://webspace.webring.com/people/jg/gallagher45_2000/Court.htm>]

Licking River watershed in Kentucky

Note that the road was being built near their home on Flat Creek, which is a tributary of the Licking River. There are three branches called Flat Creek. The first feeds into the east side of the Licking River, which would put it in Rowan County, Kentucky. The second feeds into the west side, and is the likely location of James’ home. The third--Little Flat Creek--is located about two  miles north of where they lived. All three branches feed into the Licking River, which flows along the east border of Bath County, Kentucky (then part of Montgomery). The mouth of Flat Creek is found about twenty miles north, and slightly west of Cave Run Lake, where James’ son John Hawkins purchased land in 1829. 

James can be found in Bath County KY for the 1820 Census, 1 male over 45 and one female over 45. 

In 1830, he was still in Bath County with 1 m under 5, 2 m 5-9, 1 m 60-69, 1 f under 5, 1 f 30-39. These young children suggest that his first wife may have died, and he remarried a younger woman, or he took in a widowed daughter and her children. More research needs to be done to determine these circumstances.

The death date (1835) comes again from Family Search, so the source still needs to be discovered. It may mean that he last appeared in the 1835 tax list, or that he showed up in a deed at that date, and is not seen in later records. These records have yet to be searched to verify this information. I know that he disappears after the 1830 Census.

Research into James Hawkins' deeds may yield much information. These may identify his wife's first name. It may also identify other family members, including in-laws, which may lead to discovery of his wife's parents. Probate records for Bath County, Kentucky have also yet to be searched. 

John Hawkins 1792-After 1850 (110100)

Post card showing the Licking River

John Hawkins was born about 1792 in Montgomery County, Kentucky. John's father has been identified as James Hawkins, the son of Gregory Farmer Hawkins. James can be found on the same page as John in the 1820 Census in Bath County, Kentucky. James Hawkins is one of  two male Hawkins in Bath County old enough to be John’s father. The other man was John Milton Hawkins who died in 1823. We know that John Milton Hawkins is not likely the father, because he had a son named John Milton Hawkins Jr. who died in Tennessee. Since it is unlikely that he would have named two sons John (they were English, not German), that leaves James as the only likely father. 

Further evidence of paternity is that James Hawkins had one male aged 16-21 living with him for the Bath County Tax Lists in 1809 and 1810. John would have been 17 and 18 years of age at the time. 

John married Jane Rogers in Bath County KY on 2 Nov 1815 [Kentucky Marriages 1802-1850].

They can be found in Bath County for the next census:

1820 Bloomfield, Bath, KY 

John Hawkins 1 m 16-25, 1 m 26-44, 2 f under 10, 1 f 26-44 [John was 28]

Note that his father-in-law, James Rogers, is listed as a next door neighbor, and father, James Hawkins, is just a few doors away. The following Deed Records, found in a Bath County KY Deed Record Index, are probably for our John Hawkins (they have yet to be examined):

Grantee	Acres	Book	Date	County	Water Course
John T. Hawkins	65	X	16 Mar 1829	Bath	bet Beaver & Indean Crs
John T. Hawkins	50	X	17 Mar 1829	Bath	bet Beaver & Indean Crs
John T. Hawkins	150	X	14 Mar 1829	Bath	Fk Beaver Cr

Beaver Creek runs about forty miles south-west of Lexington, Kentucky. It feeds into the modern Cave Run Lake, which was created during the years between 1965-1973 by the damming of the Licking River. Beaver Creek was originally a tributary of the Licking River. The Licking River has constituted the eastern border of Bath County, since it’s creation in 1811.

John is missing for the 1830 Census, but should have been in Bath County KY still. In 1840 he shows up:

1840 Census in Bath County KY

John Hawkins  1 m 5-9, 3 m 15-19, 1 m 40-49, 2 f 5-9, 1 f 10-14, 1 f 40-49 [John was 48]

And in 1850 he and Jane are still in Bath County KY, with some of the children still at home. In addition, there are grandchildren living with them. This information shows that a tragedy occurred in the Hawkins family. Their daughter, Mary Ann Hawkins married James H Kincaid on the 22nd of January in 1838 in Bath County KY. Just eight years after their marriage (in 1848) they both died, leaving four young orphaned children. John & Jane Hawkins took in their deceased daughter's children to care for them. It must have been a difficult time for the family, but they were together and supported one another in their grief.

1850 Census Bath County KY

John Hawkins	58
Jane Hawkins	56
James M Hawkins	27
John J Hawkins	25
Sarah E Hawkins	22
Martha J Hawkins	20
Amanda M Hawkins	18
Harvy O Hawkins	15
W R Kincaid	11
Martha J Kincaid	9
John Kincaid	7
Mary R Kincaid	4

Before the decade was out, John died as well. No records have been found for him after the 1850 Census, he probably died before the 1860 Census was taken. No burial record has been found for him, but he was probably buried on family property in Bath County.

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.

Matilda Jane Hawkins 1863-1933 (1101)

Licking River

Matilda Jane Hawkins was the daughter of Hansford Hawkins and Rhoda Ann Fletcher. She was born 5 January 1863 in Adair County, Missouri (we know from Census records that her parents were living in Clay Township then, post office Wilmothville). Her marriage license confirms her maiden name. Her son, James Travis Hyatt's Social Security Application as well as his death record also confirm her maiden name was Hawkins. Her birthdate is confirmed by her death certificate.

Matilda was born during her parents temporary residence in Missouri. They had moved there with extended Hawkins family, to take advantage of the lower rates for land. Within a few years of their arrival there, the coming Civil War began to cause outbreaks of violence in Missouri. It must have been a difficult time for the family. Matilda's father relocated the family back to Kentucky to be near family.

The Hawkins family moved from Clay Township, Adair, Missouri back to
Popular Plains Precinct, Fleming, Kentucky about 1863

Though the war years devastated many families, Matilda's family came through without a great deal of loss or hardship. This was probably due to the fact that the mountainous region in which they lived was spared any battles or depravations from enemy troops. Matilda appeared in the 1870 Census (Poplar Plains Precinct, Fleming County, KY) with her parents (Hansford Hawkins and Rhoda Ann Fletcher).

1870 Federal Census

Bath & Fleming Counties share
a border along the Licking River.
The Hawkins family lived on
land adjacent to this river.

Matilda was married in the family home on the 28th of August in 1879, to Jonathan Edgar Hyatt in Bath County Kentucky. The license reads, "State of Kentucky, Bath County. It is hereby certified, that under and by virtue of the within License, I did, on the 28th day of August 1879, at the house of Hansford Hawkins in said county, celebrate the rites of Matrimony between the within named J. E. Hiatt and Matilda Hawkins and that Charlie Wallingford, W. N. Hiatt were present and witnessed the celebration. Given under my hand, this 28th day of August 1879. J. H. Wallingford, Minister, C. A. Baptist Church"

Marriage License of Matilda Jane Hawkins

She appears in the 1880 Census in her in-laws home with her husband (where she is listed as daughter-in-law to the head of household).

1880 United States Federal Census

Name:	Edgar Hiatt [Edgar Hyatt]
Age:	27
Birth Year:	abt 1853
Birthplace:	Kentucky
Home in 1880:	Bethel, Bath, Kentucky
Race:	White
Gender:	Male
Relation to Head of House:	Son
Marital Status:	Married
Spouse's Name:	Matilda Hiatt
Father's Name:	William Hiatt
Father's Birthplace:	Kentucky
Mother's name:	Lavina Hiatt
Mother's Birthplace:	Kentucky
Occupation:	Laborer
Household Members:	Name Age William Hiatt 59 Lavina Hiatt 58 Richard Hiatt 22 Robert A. Hiatt 20 Jennie Hiatt 18 Edgar Hiatt 27 Matilda Hiatt 17 William W. Hiatt 31 Rosa Hiatt 26 Lavina Hiatt 8 Ella Hiatt 1 William Hiatt 5 Robert Hiatt 4 William Campbell 6

Jonathan and Matilda Hyatt had the following children:

1) Lavina Hyatt b. Feb 1881 Bath, KY

2) George William Hyatt b. 22 May 1884 Bath, KY

3) Robert Hyatt b. 13 Jul 1887 Bath, KY; m. Mary Thompson

4) Rhoda Hyatt b. Sep 1890 Bath, KY; m. John Frank Igo

5) Edgar Hansford Hyatt b. 29 Jul 1893 Bath, KY

6) Jefferson Evert Hyatt b. 16 Nov 1896 Bath, KY; d. Feb 1969 Douglas, Cochese, AZ; m. Iva M. Hyatt

7) James Travis Hyatt b. 16 Jul 1899 Bath, KY; d. 25 Jun 1969 Morgantown, Monongalia, WV; m. Letha Victoria Fortney

The 1900 Census says they had been married 22 years. They lived in Owingsville, Bath County, Kentucky.

After Jonathan Edgar Hyatt died, Matilda married again. She shows up in the 1920 Census living with Frank and Rhoda Igo (her daughter), and named Matilda Brooks. She was already widowed again.

In 1930 she is still living them (Frank and Rhoda Odo) in Cass Township, Monongalia, WV and still Matilda Brooks. Her death record (which gives her name as Matilda Hawkins Brooks) gives her birth and death dates, as well as her mother's maiden name (though her father's name is wrong).

One of Matilda's granddaughters said that her grandmother was full of superstitious beliefs about many things. The granddaughter was sympathetic about her beliefs in some things, particularly in that Matilda would often tell stories about people who had premonitions about things to come. One story she remembered in particular was of a woman who heard a sound like a load of coal being delivered to her doorstep that woke her in the night. As she came to her door to see what had happened, she heard the alarm sound at the mine where her husband worked. She knew at that moment that he had been killed in a mining accident, and he had.

James Travis Hyatt, Matilda's son, was always skeptical of his mother's stories. He would shrug them off as part of her ignorance. But on the day that Matilda died, he came to believe. He heard a knock on the door, and told his daughter to answer it. The doorway was at the end of a narrow passage that led past their front window, and they had not seen anyone pass by. The daughter went to answer the door, but no one was there. When she returned to tell him that, he got a peculiar expression on his face as if he were frightened. That night they learned that Matilda had passed away about the time of the knock on the door.

Her granddaughter also said that the spirit of her grandmother, Matilda, came to visit her shortly after Matilda's death. The granddaughter dreamt that the wall of her room moved aside like a curtain, and her grandmother came through it with two beings dressed in white. Matilda would not let her granddaughter approach her, but told her she had a message for her. She insisted that her granddaughter never lose her faith in God. When the granddaughter awoke the next day, she turned to her sister to tell her about the vivid dream that she'd experienced. As she described it, her sister looked at her with a surprised expression, and said that she had the same dream that night.

Matilda's death date comes from her death certificate which gives her death date as 21 Jun 1933 in Monongalia WV. Her death certificate also says that she is buried in Monongalia County Cemetery. I have not yet obtained a photograph of her grave marker.

Note: There is a Kentucky Death Record listed that is NOT her. Do not be fooled by it. If you look at the actual record it says that she is colored, her husband's name is Ruben Hyatt, and her father's last name is Bonner, not Hawkins. Name: Matilda (Hawkins) Hyatt  Death Date: 26 Oct 1927  Death Place: Jefferson  (KY) Age: 069   Volume: 47   Certificate: 23190.