Henry Hawk (bef. 1753 - 1856)

Born before 1753 in Virginia [uncertain]

Died 1856 after age 103 in Hampshire, Virginia

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Biography

BIRTH
Henry Hawk was born sometime before 1753, possibly in Virginia. No documentation found for date or place.

Henry Hawk was probably close to the age of his future wife who was born in 1752. ^[1] By law, he had to be at least 21 ( b 1753) to buy the land he settled in Virginia in 1774.^[2]

1774/1785 Settlement and Land Patent in Preston County, Virginia
The 1914 "A History of Preston County, Virginia" says,

"On the glades of the Upper Youghiogheny ^[3]and Snowy Creek were George and Levi Beatty, Henry Hawk, John and William Pettijohn, Morgan Powers and Stephen West, while Isaac Vanmeter, a speculator, had taken a survey.......These families are enough to account for population of at least 250 souls in 1776. " ^[4]

A "Land Office/Northern Neck Patents & Grants" document dated 1 October 1784 in Monongalia County describes Henry Hawks' land grant as "396 acres of the waters of Yohogania including his settlement made thereon in the year 1774. ^[5]

American Revolutionary War - 11th Regiment of Virginia - Morgan's Rifles
Henry Hawk served in the 11th Regiment of Virginia. Corporal Hawk was with Capt. George Rice's Company at Valley Forge ^[6]on 7 June 1778.^[7]His enlistment was for three years (Feb 1777 to Feb 1780).

"The 11th Regiment was formed in February 1777. The 11th Regiment was also known as Morgan's Rifles. Companies recruited men from Loudoun, Frederick, Prince William, and Amelia counties. Field officers at Valley Forge were Colonel Daniel Morgan, Lt. Colonel John Cropper, Major Thomas Snead, and Major Thomas Massie."^[8]

MARRIAGE
Henry Hawk married in Virginia to the first-born daughter of George Beatty, Alsha/Elsjen Beatty, born in Ulster County, New York in 1752. ^[9] Their marriage year is estimated sometime before Henry Jr's birth in about 1780.^[10]

CHILDREN

1. Henry Hawk Jr. (1780-after 1850) ^[10]
2. Sarah Hawk
3. Joseph Hawk
4. Isaac Hawk (abt 1791-1870)^[11][12]

Hampshire County, Virginia
Hampshire County was formed from the Virginia counties of Augusta and Frederick in 1754. Later, during the American Civil War, it became the first Virginia county wholly in the territory that is now West Virginia.

Under British rule, the Englishman Lord Thomas Fairfax owned a little short of six million acres in several counties in Virginia and West Virginia, including all of Hampshire County. The British were defeated and as early as October 17, 1776, Thomas Jefferson introduced a bill in the Virginia legislature to abolish estates such as those of Lord Fairfax "for the good of the people." Finally, "the Fairfax estate was confiscated, because it belonged to a Tory during the revolution. The land became the property of Virginia, except such tracts as had already been sold, and the purchasers of these received clear titles." ^[13]

George Beatty and Henry Hawk were among those listed as having taken up land in Hampshire county. ^[13]

1779 Land Warrant
At a court held for Hampshire County on 10 August 1779, a bill of sale from Peter Haff to Henry Hawk.

1779 - Henry Hawk - Peter Haff - Land Office Warrants

1784 Heads of Families - Virginia 1784: Hampshire County
Included on the list of Marquis Calmes^[14]

George Beatty, his son Robert Beatty, brother-in-law Peter Haff,
and sons-in-law Henry Hawk and John Cullins

1788 Fairfax Lands Taken Up

Henry Hawk 400 acres, waters of Mill Creek ^[13][15]

1796-1797 Early Records - Hampshire County, Virginia
John and Elizabeth High sold 800 acres to Henry Hawk. The Highs were grandparents of Elizabeth Jane High who married Henry's son Isaac.

1796-1797 - John High and wife to Henry Hawk

Henry Hawk's name appears as a witness on numerous documents of his neighbors in the Mill Creek area.^[16]

Hampshire County, Virginia (now West Virginia):
Volume I--Minute Book Abstracts 1788-1802

15 Apr 1799 - Henry Hawk is appointed surveyor of the road from Benjamin Huffmans on Mill Creek to Crossleys place in the room of Leonard Ludwick. ^[17]

14 Apr 1800 Jacob Beizar is appointed surveyor of the road in Mill Creek in the room of Henry Hawk. ^[18]

1810 US Census
Hampshire, Virginia^[19][20]

Name Henry Hawk

Residence Date 6 Aug 1810

Residence Place Hampshire, Virginia, USA

Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25 1

Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44 2

Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over 1

Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25 1

Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44 1

Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over 1

Number of Household Members Over 25 5

Number of Household Members 7

1820 US Census
Hampshire, Virginia^[21]

Name Henry Hauk

Enumeration Date 7 Aug 1820

Home in 1820 (City, County, State) Hampshire, Virginia, USA

Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44 1

Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over 1

Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15 2

Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44 1

Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture 1

Free White Persons - Under 16 2

Free White Persons - Over 25 3

Total Free White Persons 5

Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other 5

1830 US Census
Hampshire, Virginia^[22]

Name Henry Hawk

Home in 1830 (City, County, State) Hampshire, Virginia

Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59 1

Total Free White Persons 1

Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored) 1

1840 US Census
Hampshire, Virginia^[23]

Name Henry Hawk

Home in 1840 (City, County, State) Hampshire, Virginia

Free White Persons - Males - 60 thru 69 1

Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59 1

Persons Employed in Agriculture 1

Total Free White Persons 2

Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves 2

The last of multiple "Land Office/Northern Neck Patents & Grants" documents for Henry Hawk is dated 1 May 1852 for "70 acres on waters of Paul's Creek in Carrol County." ^[24]

1856 Will and Probate
Henry Hawk's will was written 30 April 1856; probate on 25 August 1856 in Hampshire County, Virginia.^[25]

As written in a Synopsis of his Will, he was indeed "advanced in years" when he died close to the age of 100 in 1856.

1856 - Henry Hawk - Synopsis of Will

Hawk to Hawk
Deed Bk 17 p. 263 FHL film #588709
20 May 1811
Discovered and researched by Helen Pilcher Hall.

This indenture made the 20th day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven between Henry Hawk Sen. and Alsha his wife, Robert Beatty and Sarah his wife John Beatty and Lucy his wife of the one part and Abraham Hawk of the other part. Whereas George Beatty late of the said County of Hampshire departed this life intestate leaving the said Robert Beatty, John Beatty and Alsha Hawk, wife of said Henry Hawk, his children with five others who are all heirs and legal representatives of said George Beatty each entitled to one equal undivided ninth part of the estate of the said George Beatty both real and personal. And whereas the said George Beatty died seized in fee of and in certain Lands in the said County of Hampshire on one tract or parcel of Which he resided at the time of decease, and other tracts of said Land lay contiguous thereto or not far distant therefrom. The said George Beatty also left at the time of his decease a certain personnal Estate consisting of Divers goods and chateles. Now this Indenture witnesseth that the said Henry Hawk Sen. and Alsha his wife, for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars to them the said Henry Hawk and Alsha his wife in hand paid by the said Abraham Hawk at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents. And the said Robert Beatty and Sarah his wife for and in consideration of the like sum to them paid in like manner by the said Abraham Hawk and the said John Beatty and Lucy his wife for and in consideration of a like sum to them in like manner paid by the said Abraham Hawk, have granted bargained and by these presents do grant bargain, sell alien release and confirm unto the said Abraham Hawk [Hawk is blacked out] all their right Title claim interest and demand whatsoever of in and to the said lands at which the said George Beatty died seized or possessed or had title unto as well as all their claim to the personal Estate of said George Beatty decd and all their Estate right title and Interest coming or descending to them from the said George Beatty both real and personal Estate to have and to hold the said Land and Estate with the appurtenances unto the said Abraham Hawk his heirs and assigns forever, to and for the only proper use and behoof of the said Abraham Hawk his heirs and assigns forever and the said Henry Hawk and Alsha his wife their one undivided ninth part of said lands and the said Robert Beatty and Sarah his wife their one undivided ninth part of said Lands and the said John Beatty and Lucy his wife their one undivided ninth part of said Lands unto the said Abraham Hawk and his heirs shall forever warrant and defend. In witness whereof the said Henry Hawk and Alsha his wife the said Robert Beatty and Sarah his wife the said John Beatty and Lucy his wife have herunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.

Assigned sealed and delivered Henry (x) Hawk Seal

in presence of Alsha (x) Hawk Seal

Robert (x) Beatty Seal

John Beattie Seal

At a Court held for Hampshire County the 20th day of May 1811. This Deed was acknowledged by Henry Hawk and Alsha his wife and Robert Beattis on their parts (the said Alsha being first privily examined as the Law directs) and at another Court held for the siad County on the 17th of June following the same was acknowledged by John Beatty on his part and ordered to be recorded.

[Cannot read signature]

Sources

1. ↑ Zimm, Louise Hasbrouck, "Marbletown Dutch Church, Stone Ridge, Ulster County, New York, baptisms, 1746-1769" Publication date 1938, Publisher [Stone Ridge, N.Y.] : [The Church] [1]
2. ↑ In 18th century Virginia, the legal requirement for a person to be "of age", an adult, was 21 years. A person had to be at least 21 to sell property, to serve on a jury, to sue in his or her own name in a court of law, to sign a bond or promissory note or to marry for the first time without parental consent (males):: From Rootsweb. LAWS IN EARLY VIRGINIA [2]
3. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Youghiogheny River," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, (accessed January 28, 2024).
4. ↑ Morton, Oren F., "A History of Preston County, West Virginia" The Journal Publishng Company, 1914 p 57, 541, 536 [3]
5. ↑ Land grant 1 October 1784. Hawk, Henry. grantee.; Virginia. Land Office. Register.; Library of Virginia. Archives. 1784 - 1001 [4]
6. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Valley Forge," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, (accessed February 5, 2024).
7. ↑ Ancestry.com. U.S., Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007.[5]
8. ↑ Original source: "11th Virginia Regiment," Valley Forge Legacy: The Muster Roll Project, (link no longer available) from https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/11th_Virginia_Regiment_(Revolutionary_War)#cite_note-1
9. ↑ "New York Births and Christenings, 1640-1962," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2H2-QBF : 11 February 2018), Elsje Bittys, 24 Sep 1752; citing FIRST DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH,MARBLETOWN,ULSTER,NEW YORK, reference ; FHL microfilm 974.734 M2 K2Z.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} "United States Census, 1850", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8DQ-XP7 : Wed Oct 04 17:51:13 UTC 2023), Entry for Henry Hawk and Sarah Hawk, 1850.
11. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. [6]
12. ↑ Ancestry.com. Ohio, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1786-1998 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.[7]
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1 13.2} Maxwell, Hu, "History of Hampshire County, West Virginia, from its earliest settlement to the present" Land and Landowners, Publisher Morgantown, W. Va., A.B. Boughner, printer, 1897, Chapter XXXV, pp 391-407 specifically Henry Hawk p 401 [8]
14. ↑ Heads of Families - Virginia 1782: Hampshire County, p 27; 1782: Frederick County, p 20; 1784: Hampshire County, p 71 [9]
15. ↑ Early Records, Hampshire County, Virginia Fairfax Lands Taken Up, 1788-1800 [10]
16. ↑ Early Records, Hampshire County, Virginia Grantor-Grantee, Surnames, A-B, G-H, O-P, S-T[11]
17. ↑ Volume I--Minute Book Abstracts 1788-1802, page 416 [12]
18. ↑ Volume I--Minute Book Abstracts 1788-1802 p 163 [13]
19. ↑ "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH2Q-FTB : accessed 20 March 2020), Henry Hawk, Hampshire, Virginia, United States; citing p. 802, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 69; FHL microfilm 181,429.
20. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1810 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.[14]
21. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1820 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.[15]
22. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1830 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.[16]
23. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1840 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.[17]
24. ↑ Land grant 1 May 1852.Hawks, Henry. grantee.; Virginia. Land Office. Register.; Library of Virginia. Archives.1852 - 0501 [18]
25. ↑ Ancestry.com. West Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1724-1985 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.[19]