Veteran Bio
The Kemp Sketch
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HAWKINS, WILLIAM WASHINGTON -- Born in Washington, Mississippi, May 1, 1812, and came to Texas in 1829. He applied for land in Austin's Colony, as is shown in the Spanish Archives, December 24, 1832, the same day that General Sam Houston made application. He received title to one-fourth of a league of land in Austin's second colony, two thirds of which was surveyed in what is now Lee County, and one-third in the present county of Burleson. He was issued a Headright Certificate for one twelfth of a league of land by the Washington County Board, July 5, 1833 having previously received one-fourth of a league.
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In Service Record No. 1613 it is certified that Mr. Hawkins enlisted July 20, 1835, in Captain George W. Barrett's Company; enlisted March 1, 1836, in Captain William W. Hill's Company; fought at San Jacinto; was discharged May 30, 1836, and allowed eight days in which to reach home. He was issued Bounty Certificate No. 3871 for 320 acres of land for serving in the army from March 1 to June 1, 1836.
Mr. Hawkins is shown on an original roll as a member of Captain W. Hill's company at muster April 11, 1836. He was enlisted by Captain Joseph P. Lynch at Asa Mitchell's in Washington County. He was described as being 5 feet, 6 inches high; of dark complexion, with hazel eyes and brown hair. The Probate Minutes of Washington County disclose that Mr. Hawkins was a brother-in-law of Ashley R. Stephens, who was mortally wounded at the battle of San Jacinto.
Mr. Hawkins was issued Donation Certificate No. 170 on May 22, 1838 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto.
On September 29, 1851 Mr. Hawkins was married to Miss Janet B. Edwards, daughter of a Dr. William Edwards and Mrs. Ellenor Hood Edwards, in Burleson County. Mrs. Hawkins was born in Tennessee and died in Texas, May 25, 1874. Mr. Hawkins died July 6, 1886 and was buried beside his wife at Early Chapel Cemetery near Lexington, Lee County, Texas.
Children of Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins were Augustus, William Robert, Sophia Elizabeth, Thomas Jefferson, Vitula, Susan Kiska, Louis Napoleon, and Eugene Adolphus.
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Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.
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Battle Statistics
- Died in Battle: No
- Rank: Private
- Company: Lieut. Robert Stevenson
Personal Statistics
- Date of Birth: 1812 May 1? Nov 11?
- Birthplace: Mississippi, Washington? Missouri, Washington?
- Came to Texas: 1829
- Date of Death: 1886 Jul 6? Jul 16?
- Burial Place: Early Chapel Cemetery, Lee Co., Texas
- Donation Certificate: 170
- Wife: Janet B. Edwards
- Children: Augustus Hawkins; William Robert Hawkins; Sophia Elizabeth Hawkins; Thomas Jefferson Hawkins; Vitula Hawkins Mathis Sills; Susan Kiska Hawkins Ball; Louis Napoleon Hawkins; Eugene Adolphus Hawkins
- Family at San Jacinto: Brother-in-law Ashley R. Stephens fought at San Jacinto.
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