Tom Hawkins (abt. 1844 - 1948)

Born about 1844 in Belton, South Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Died 23 May 1948 at about age 104 in Clarke, Georgia, United States

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Biography

Tom Hawkins is a part of US Black heritage.

Tom was born enslaved on a small plantation where the owner enslaved Tom's mother as well as his siblings. Tom also stated that his father was enslaved on a plantation about a mile up the road, p. 127^[1] After Slavery ending in 1865^[2] Tom made reference to staying there with his enslaver after the war had ended and continued in her service, p. 133^[1]

Marriage - De fust time I married me and Ad'line Rogers stood up by de side of de big road whilst de preacher said his marryin' words over us, and den us went on down de road. Me and Ad'line had six chillun. Mary, Lucy, Annie, Bessie, John and Henry Thomas. Atter my Ad'line died, I married Daisy Carlton, p. 134.^[1]

Living in Atlanta, GA with Daisy and children in the 1930s. ^[3]

Enumerated on the 1940 U.S. Federal Population Census in Athens, GA living with his wife Daisy. ^[4] Tom passed away in 1948 and was laid to rest in Athens, GA. ^[5]

Interview

Tom was interviewed by Sadie B. Hornsby sometime during 1936 in Athens, Georgia as part of the Federal Writer's Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The results are presented in narrative form, most, allegedly, in the first person, and made available by the Library of Congress. ^[1]

Tom recalls when asked about freedom and the Yankees - I never will forgit de day dey told us de war was over and us was free. One of de 'omans what was down by de spring a washin' clothes started shoutin' Thank God-a-Moughty I'se free at last! Maser Tom heared her and he come and knocked her down. It was 'bout October or November 'fore he ever told us dat us was free sho' 'nough. Dat same 'oman fainted dead away den 'cause she wanted to holler so bad and was skeered to make a soun'. De yaakees come thoo' soon atter dat and said us was free and 'vited all de Niggers dat wanted to, to go 'long wid dem. I never will forgit how bad dem yankees treated Old Miss. Dey stole all her good hosses, and her chickens and dey broke in de smokehouse and tuk her meat. Dey went in de big house and tuk her nice quilts and blankets. She stood all of dat wid a straight face but when dey foun' her gold, she just broke down and cried and cried. I stayed on and was Miss Annie's houseboy long as she lasted, p. 133.^[1]

The total interview can be read beginning here Plantation Life as viewed by Ex-Slave, TOM HAWKINS.

Family

• Father - Tom Hawkins
• Mother - Morning Poore
• Grandfather - Wade Poore
• Grandmother - Jennie Poore
• Siblings -

Johnny Hawkins

Mollie Hawkins

Slave Owner

Johnny Poore - Belton, SC ^[6][7]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Federal Writers' Project: Slave Narrative Project, Vol. 4, Georgia, Part 2, Garey-Jones, Library of Congress - TYPEWRITTEN RECORDS PREPARED BY THE FEDERAL WRITERS' PROJECT. 1936-1938 ASSEMBLED BY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS PROJECT WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - SLAVE NARRATIVES - Tom Hawkins - Images 129 - 138
2. ↑ The 13th Amendment, adopted on December 18, 1865, officially abolished slavery, but freed Black peoples' status in the post-war South remained precarious, and significant challenges awaited during the Reconstruction period.
3. ↑ "1930 U.S. Federal Population Census," Name Thomas Hawkins | Birth Year 1865 | Gender Male |Race Negro (Black) |Age in 1930 65 | Birthplace South Carolina | Marital Status Married | Relation to Head of House Head |Home in 1930 Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, USA |Map of Home Atlanta,Fulton,Georgia |Street Address Florence St. N.E. |Ward of City Fourth |Block 119 |House Number 2 | Dwelling Number 48 | Family Number 56 |Home Owned or Rented Rented | Home Value 9. | Radio Set No | Lives on Farm No | Age at First Marriage 24 | Attended School No | Able to Read and Write No |Father's Birthplace South Carolina |Mother's Birthplace South Carolina |Able to Speak English Yes | Occupation Tile Maker |Industry Stone tile Co |Class of Worker Wage or salary worker | Employment No | Veteran Yes | War Sp | Neighbors View others on page | Members in Household Daisy Hawkins (46 yrs) Rosetta Latimer (25 yrs) Adell Hawkins (18 yrs) | National Archives and Records Administration
4. ↑ "1940 U.S. Federal Population Census," Name Tom Hawkins | Age 72 | Estimated Birth Year 1868 | Gender Male | Race Negro (Black) | Birthplace Georgia | Marital Status Married |Relation to Head of House Head | Home in 1940 Athens, Clarke, Georgia | Map of Home in 1940 Athens,Clarke,Georgia | Street Bremen Street | House Number 163 | Farm No | Inferred Residence in 1935 Athens, Clarke, Georgia | Residence in 1935 Athens | Sheet Number 4A | Number of Household in Order of Visitation 61 | House Owned or Rented Owned | Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented 400 | Attended School or College No | Highest Grade Completed Elementary school, 8th grade | Weeks Worked in 1939 0 | Income 0 | Income Other Sources No |Neighbors View others on page |Members in Household Daisy Hawkins (51 yrs) | National Archives and Records Administration
5. ↑ Death: "Georgia Death Index, 1933-1998"
   citing Clarke, Georgia, certificate number 12086, Georgia Health Department, Office of Vital Records, Atlanta
   Name Tom Hawkins | Gender Male | Race Colored (Black) | Age 83 | Birth Date 1865 | Residence Place Clarke, Georgia, USA | Death Date 23 May 1948 |Death Place Clarke, Georgia, USA |Certificate Number 12086 | FamilySearch Record: V43R-9L5 (accessed 6 January 2024)
6. ↑ "United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1850 ", database with images, FamilySearch ([1] : 23 February 2021), John Poor in entry for MM9.1.1/MVZ2-XQ4:, 1850.
7. ↑ "United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1860", database with images, FamilySearch ([2] : 16 October 2019), John Poor, 1860.