NINTH GENERATION

384. Thomas Hawkins was born in 1740 in Mecklingburg Co. , NC. He died between 1790 and 1793 in Rutherford Co. , NC. Little is known of the early life of Thomas Hawkins who was the first known ancestor of so many Hawkins descendants who presently live in Rutherford and surrounding counties. His birthdate has been estimated to be about 1740 and his birthplace is Unknown.
The first record we have of him appears in 1765 when he was granted 200 acres of land, located on Fishing Creek, which was then in Mecklenburg County, but is presently located in York County, South Carolina. This was the beginning of many land transactions by this rather elusive settler. In 1766, Thomas Hawkins sold this tract to John Fondren and began to acquire property in the present Cleveland and Rutherford Counties. By 1774, he owned a tract of land on the North side of Main Broad River, and in 1779 he was granted two hundred acres of land on Jno. Richmonds old mill creek (now known as Beaverdam Creek, in present Cleveland County).
On Feb. 26, 1780, he was granted a tract of 150 acres ‘on both sides of the mouth of Sandy Run of Main Broad River in or near John Dycus’ line” and joining the line of William Johnson. The chain bearers for this survey were William Johnson and Thomas Hawkins, Jr. During this period of time Thomas Hawkins was associated in many ways with the Dycus, Johnson, Kuykendall, Annstrong and other families.
It is not known if, or how, Thomas Hawkins may have been related to other Hawkins families in this area. It is suspected that some relationship was evident with Harburd Hawkins who lived on Puzzle Creek very early, and that Benjamin Hawkins who removed from this area to Christian County, Kentucky may have been a brother to Thomas. Also, Eaton Hawkins who left these parts and settled in Greenville , South Carolina , may have been a near relative . He was married to Nancy Dycus in 1764 in Rutherford Co. , N.C..

385. Nancy Dycus was born in 1743 in Kent Co. , Maryland. She died in Rutherford Co. , NC. Children were:

192 i. Edward Dycus Hawkins.
ii. Sarah Hawkins was born in 1764 in Rutherford Co. , NC.
iii. Margaret Hawkins was born in 1765 in Rutherford Co. , NC. She died in 1811 in Indenpendence Arkansas.
iv. Martha Hawkins was born in 1770 in Rutherford Co. , NC. She died in 1805 in Jefferson Co. , Alabama.
v. Thomas Hawkins was born in 1770.
vi. Jane Hawkins was born in 1774 in Rutherford Co. , NC. She died after 1822 in Trigg Co. , Ky..
vii. Elizabeth Hawkins was born in 1775 in Rutherford Co. , NC. She died in 1850 in Rutherford Co. , NC.