Individual Details

Birth

probably between 1750-1753. 17 Dec 1750 Wise County, Virginia.

Military

Hawkins, James, b VA; esf 1778 Orange Co, VA, where res; mvd 1789 to Anderson Co. KY where dd 3/2/19; md 4/12/1779 or 4/12/1781 Jane, Culpeper Co. VA, who PN ae 73 Anderson Co., KY, 1836; dd there 9/24/42, leaving ch: James, Jane Hackley, Elizabeth Foster, Ohio Coleman, Sarah Boston & Mary Jordan; 1st ch b 3/9/1783 mbnn. F-W8886 R1227


The following article is from the blog by Janet Shahmiri :

CAPTAIN JAMES HAWKINS' SERVICE IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR

Through a series of affidavits by troops and one of a soldier's father, under Captain James Hawkins' command, who recounted their service along with their commanders. Hawkins was in the 8th Regiment and served for 9 months in 3 month spans.

Captain Hawkins commanders during his stint were Colonel Thomas Barbour and Colonel Thomas Matthews. The third commander was indecipherable, looked like Wass? possibly.

It is noted that prior to James' service, British Major General Burgoyne had been to the colonies several times to help defeat the militia. He began developing a strategy to cut New England off from the rest of the American colonies. In 1777, Burgoyne arrived in Canada. He gathered a force of 7000.Though faced with several issues of delays and not gathering enough forces from Natives and Loyalists along the way. He advanced, but was further slowed by Americans who put trees in their path and burned bridges. He further found out that others British forces would not be joining him, he went ahead pushed forward, but with worsening supplies and lack of sufficient transport, he ended up surrounded by soldiers from the American side and defeated. He finally electedto surrender after facing several blows. The commander then returned to Britain dishonored.

Then in August of 1777, Captain James Hawkins was under the command of Captain Moore, his rank went from 2nd Lieutenant to 1st Lieutenant and finally to Captain.

In 1778. Captain Hawkins met his troops at the Orange County Court House, they marched to Richmond and met Colonel Matthews and his adjuvant Major Taylor.Under Matthews they marched moving the British back as they advanced and they stayed for 4 days at Four Mile Creek in Henrico County. As they continued movements, they spotted the British Fleet off Jamestown moving through Scotch Town as well. They marched through Hampton and Norfolk. From there they went to Williamsburg, which took a week to reach and stayed for one night. They marched back to Hanover Court House, crossing the Pamunkey River 2 miles from the courthouse. They moved on to Poage's Mill/Warehouse and onto Bowling Green they kept fighting the opposition through Fredericksburg across a bridge and creek branching from Rapidan River and men were discharged at Raccoon Ford and reinforcements picked up.

During this time, under Hawkins' command the militia were charged with picking up the prisoners, the men under the control of British Commander John Burgoyne and took the contingent under his direction. He marched them back to Albemarle Barracks and guarded the said men there for a few months.

His third enlistment was at Yorktown in 1781 at the end of the war.

Various drafted men reported they were under the command of Captain Hawkins and the years covered from 1777 to 1781, which covered his enlistment. He served 3 months x3 in the militia. The dates are: He joined on 08/28/1777 for 3 months under Captain Moore, appointed 2nd Lieutenant and later 1st Lieutenant and then and appointed Captain in late 1777 or early 1778; In January, 1778, he took prisoners of Major General Burgoyne's troops and guarded them at Albemarle. The last date being July, 1781, with time of Yorktown when finally discharged at the end of the Revolutionary War.

The following pension file affidavits were reviewed from microfilm and sources for the above summary:

Abner Shropshire W.8724
Ephraim Seamond R.9336
Isaac Oaks S.14048
James Sleet R.9658
John Morrison R.7424
Darius O'Neil W.5448
Philomen Conner S.17364
Presley Thornton S.3809
Reuben Boston S.16330 (part of Captain James Hawkins's pension file, W.8886)
William Powe S.11252
James Young W.8886 (part of Captain James Hawkins pension file W.8886)
Affidavit of Reuben Boston Sr., Anderson Co., KY (part of pension file W.8886).

SAR CEREMONY

On a sunny Saturday morning on May 28, 2008, a ceremony was held at the Salt River Church by Sons of American Revolution (SAR) to honor Captain James Hawkins' service in the American Revolutionary War. It was attended by family and friends, a nice gathering and celebration to honor our ancestor. The service was conducted by Reverend Forrest Chilton representing SAR. He and his fellow SAR representatives were in Colonial dress in respect for the soldier's service. I had initiated this rite being held to honor Captain Hawkins. I provided the supporting paperwork needed and completed application with Rev. Chilton's help to receive a bronze plaque from Department of Veterans Affairs.

--- Janet Shahmiri, Jacey

Marriage

Her fathers will names her as Jane Hawkins.

James would have been around 27 to 31 depending on the wedding date used of 1779 or 1781. There are several affidavits done by Jane Hawkins, Reuben Boston and Mary Jordan that gave both years, but in later affidavits by Jane and Mary corrected to 1781 while Reuben stayed at 1779. Given the correction by the women, I think we will lean more toward 1781 as the date of marriage (Shahmiri, 2013).

Census (family)

James Hawkins 01101 12400 08
1 boy 10-16, James M. 16/17 yrs
1 male 16-26, Wm. Hardin 19
1 male 45+, James
1 female under 10 Frances
2 females 10-16, Mildred & Jane
4 females 16-26, Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary &
? Jane 48
Lucy was married

Burial

Inscription:
James Hawkins
CAPT COL MATHEW'S REGT
VA LINE
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
1750 Mar 2 1819
YORKTOWN