An Oration

Commemorative of

Col. Philemon Hawkins Senior, Deceased

Who was

Born on the28th of September, 1717

and which

Was Delivered on the 28th Day of September, 1829

At his late residence in the county of Warren,

North Carolina

by

John D. HAWKINS ESQ.

Raleigh:

Printed by Lawrence & Lemay,

printers to the State,

1829.

(Located in the Library of VA (Richmond)

As the title suggests, this is an oration to celebrate the memory of Col. Philemon Hawkins Sr. of Pleasant Hill, Warren County, North Carolina. This was the occasion of what would have been his 11th birthday. One of his grandsons was called upon to deliver a prayer, and his son John D. Hawkins was called upon to deliver an "oration commemorative of his history and virtues". There was a "large assemblage" for the occasion. This writeup is "information" in another author's words of what was said that day. It is not exactly as given by John D. Hawkins.

Philemon Hawkins, head of his family association, was born September 28, 1717, on the Chickahominy River, near Todd's Bridge in Charles City County, Virginia, this day 112 years ago. he was the oldest child of his parents, Philemon and Ann. the father died when this Philemon was of "tender years" and left three children -- Philemon, John, and Ann. Philemon "the elder" died leaving his children a "scanty patrimony" at age 18. Evidently, this was an earlier age than usually received such, and the confidence in his children was "not misplaced".

Widowed Ann "afterwards intermarried with a native of Ireland" (no name given). By the time Philemon was 18,he had "in his celebrity in duty and manly deportment excelled". He began working for Col. Lightfoot in Williamsburg, and the colonel was well pleased with his work. Ann, meanwhile, was unhappily married. It was "her misfortune not find in her husband that conjugal tenderness, affection and forbearance, which the wedded estate should issue tho those who enter into it". Ill treatment by her husband rendered the protection of her son Philemon necessary for her safety. Her husband's embarrassment and difficulty resigned him to move to North Carolina. Ann needed Philemon to go with her to protect her. She went to Williamsburg to se eCol. Lightfoot to request that he release Philemon from his work. Col. Lightfoot refused because he liked Philemon's work. Ann wrestled with the problem overnight and returned to Col. Lightfoot the next day to explain the real reason she need Philemon -- for her protection. Because Col. Lightfoot was a man of chivalry, he released Philemon when he learned the true nature of the request.

the entire family went to North Carolina and settled on Six Pound Creek, then Edgecombe, now Warren County. At the time, this was a "wilderness inhabited by Indians and wild beasts of the forest. Persecution fixed the destiny of this branch of the Hawkins family in this country." Other family members of Chrale3s City county family scattered-- one to Kentucky and produced the Joseph Hawkins Members.

In 1743 Philemon Hawkins married Delia Martin, daughter of Zachariah Martin. esq. Philemon and Delia had a daughter Fanny who married Major Leonard Bullock. Philemon was a signer of the North Carolina Constitution and in 1757 was the high sheriff of Granville County.

During the "struggle for liberty" Philemon was "three score" old, but his sons went to war (He was 5 feet and ( inches tall, and weighed 158 pounds). Since the early education was scanty due to poverty and loss of a father, he was determined to give his sons a good education. some of them went to Princeton--Benjamin Hawkins being one of these. Philemon had a land office. He worked hard and went from poverty to wealth due to "good conduct and superior good sense". Son Benjamin spoke French, and they had lots of visitors--many men of note from France.

"This day 112 years ago, Col Philemon Hawkins, deceased, was born, and he died on the 10th day of September, 1801, having lived nearly 84 years--now being dead upwards of 28 years."