Hawkins in Bedford County

Hawkins DNA Group #1  Possible Connections to Bedford County, VA

A genealogy buddy of mine and I were chatting about the importance of looking at original documents.  Transcriptions and reports are great for getting clues, but often there is much more to the story when one looks at the originals for oneself.

My friend told me that the wife of one of her husband’s ancestors had been reported to have been Mary Cope.  This lady’s ancestry had proved to be a dead end.  On a trip to the VA library in Richmond, my friend found that the lady had actually been Mary Hawkins before her first (and very brief) marriage to William H. Cocke who was killed during the Civil War.  Mary Cocke had then married George William Johnson in 1868 in Bedford County, Va.  All of this was very clear upon looking at only one page of marriages for Bedford County for herself.

The Bedford County caught my attention as while I don’t seem to have any documentation for the Hawkins families found in Bedford County to be a part of DNA group #1, there are many guesses and premises that would point to that being the case.  

So here is the little bit that I know.  I challenge readers to find errors in my information or to give documentation that I am correct or to add new information that has come to light that I am unaware of for the next issue of the Hawkins DNA newsletter.

If you are interested in knowing more about Mary Hawkins Cocke Johnson my friend has information about her at:  http://www.benbowfamily.com/getperson.php?personID=I2806&tree=B1

Kit #68105 is well documented back to Benjamin (b. 1762) and Hannah Hawkins who lived on what is now a part of the Biltmore Estate in Buncombe County, NC.  Dot’s best guess BEFORE this family lived in Buncombe County is  Bedford County VA/ Campbell County  (Campbell County was carved out of Bedford in 1781)  A William Hawkins died in 1793 in Campbell County and his will lists all of his sons and 1 daughter for sure with the possibility of a second one.  This William's wife was Mary (according to the will) and some say she was a Littleberry.  The curious thing is that William's sons names appear in the Benjamin of Buncombe County family with 2 prominent uncommon names for Hawkins -- Robert and Littleberry.  This William of Bedford County was born c1735 +/-, and that's about all we know about him at this time.  

Kits #95267 and #11301 are Hawkins DNA group #1 matches.  Both believe that they descend from a couple named John and Winnie Hawkins.  John (b.1754) left a will in Henry County, Ky when he died in 1821. 

John and Winnie Hawkins had children who seem to have lived in Bedford County, VA.  One son, William was married to Jane Bayne and the couple lived in Bedford before they moved to Craig County where this WIlliam died.  

Another genealogy buddy of mine, Sara Powell, has Hawkins lines in Bedford County, VA as well.  The name that connects to her that pops to my mind is Lucas Powell Hawkins.   Sarah has indicated that she has no participant who has done  DNA testing for this connection.  My notes say that Lucas Powell Hawkins lived from 1803-1889.  I have wondered if Lucas Powell Hawkins connects to the man that I call Thomas Hawkins of Old Rappahanock County, VA (1635-1677).  Thomas Hawkins of Old Rappahanock County had a  wife with maiden name Lucas.  This family favored male names of William and Thomas.  May be a coincidence.....maybe a real clue