1781 The will of John Hawes was dated May 25 in Essex County, Virginia. [1]
1781 The will of John Hawes was proved in court on November 19. [2]
1783 The inventory and appraisal of the estate of John Hawes was recorded. [3]
1785 Isaac Hawes was appointed guardian of Isaac Spencer and Patty Hawes, orphans of John Hawes deceased. [4]
1792 Isaac Hawes, orphan of John Hawes deceased, had a change in his guardians. [5]
Genealogy notes report the following [6]:
PICKETT, THOMAS OF CAROLINE COUNTY
29 January 1779; Isaac Hawes of Essex County & Thomas Pickett of Caroline County or for natural love and affection that we have for the children of John Hawes, son of Isaac Hawes, and Martha his wife, daughter of said Thomas Pickett, convey in trust to Anthony Sale for Isaac Hawes, Spencer Hawes and Martha Pickett Hawes, children of the said John and Martha () Pickett Have two Negroes. Recorded Caroline Court, June 1789 ESSEX CO. CHANCERY PAPERS Box 10- Folder A 1-116- There is further data here in regard to this family. GK, 1961
A Hawes genealogy reports the following [7]:
WILL OF JOHN HAWES, SON OF ISAAC (1).
Dated May 25, 1781; proved Nov. 19, 1781. In the name of God, Amen. I, John Hawes of Essex Co. being in perfect health and memory do make this my last will and Testament as follows: I give my soul to God that gave it me and my body to be interred in a decent manner.
I lend to my beloved wife Betty Hawes all my estate during her natural life then tis my desire that my child or children by my last wife be made equal with the first children and after that of done the Ballance of my estate and what my father intends to give me to be equally divided among them all.
Lastly I appoint Thomas Hawes and James Hawes my executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this 25th day of May, 1781. Mar
JNO. HAWESWitnessed by James Samuel, Susanna (x) Vawter
At a Court held for Essex Co. at Tappahannock on the 19th day of November 1781 this will of John Hawes, dec'd, was presented in court and proved by Susanna Vawter, one of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and is truly recorded. Teste: Hancock Lee, Clk. (Essex County Will Book $ 15; page 342)
19 Nov. 1781. Samuel Hawes, with Peter Samuel, James Samuel, Robert Parker, appointed to appraise the estate of John Hawes, dec'd. (Essex Order Book $ 30; p. 54). 16 Oct. 1786. Isaac Hawes is appointed guardian of Isaac, Spencer and Patty Hawes, orphans of John Hawes, dec'd, and made bond with Hancock Lee as security (O. B. $ 30; p. 153).
16 June 1788. Isaac Hawes chosen by Isaac Hawes as guardian and made bond with James Samuel as security (O. B. 31; p. 52). 16 July 1792. On the motion of Isaac Hawes, orphan of John Hawes, he is permitted to choose a Guardian and made choice of William Hawes, whereupon the said William Hawes together with Muse Taylor and John Coghill, his securities, entered into bond and acknowledged same (O. B. # 32; p. 168).
16 Sept. 1793. On the motion of Isaac Hawes, the guardian of Isaac Hawes, orphan of John Hawes, that the order appointing William Hawes guardian of the said Isaac be rescinded the same is ordered accordingly for reasons appearing to the Court. (O. B. # 32; p. 368).
21 March 1796. Isaac Hawes, Jun'r, Complainant vs Isaac Hawes, executor & c of Isaac Hawes, deceased; and Spencer Hawes and Martha Pickett Hawes, infants under the age of 21, defendants. Came the Complainant as did the Defendants by James Webb, Esq. their attorney and by consent Isaac Hawes is appointed guardian to the infant defendants, Spencer and Martha Pickett Hawes for the purpose of defending this suit.
March 22, 1796. Heard by consent on bill and answer and an office copy of a deed made by Isaac Hawes and Thomas Pickett annexed to the bill. Slaves, Amey and her children, Rose, Charity, Richard and Larkin, to be divided. (Same; p. 186).
A Hawes genealogy reports the following [8]
6. John Hawes, probably second son of Isaac Hawes and his wife, Burton (?), though not definitely identified as such, predeceased his father. I have placed the date of his birth in the year 1745, which, if correct, would make him 36 years old when he died prior to November 19, 1781, the date on which his will was probated. He married twice, and his wives are believed to have been sisters -- daughters of Thomas Pickett. He left three children all under age. They are not named in the will but from subsequent records in Essex County, Virginia, and in South Carolina, we know their names. For abstract of the will of John Hawes, and excerpts from the Essex County records, see Appendix C. His two sons went south, probably with Isaac Hawes and settled in South Carolina just across the Savannah River from "Uncle Isaac." We can name them as follows:
First marriage:i. Isaac Hawes, b. (c) 1774, or 1775; of age in 1796; d. 1848 in Edgefield District, S. C. His will, dated Nov. 9, 1834, and probated April 21, 1848, names wife, Susanna, and children: (a) Polly (who m. Thomas Martin); (b) Emily (who m. William Bush); (c) Nancy (who m. James Newby); (d) Martha (who m. Francis Owensby); (e) America (who m. George W. Mitchell).
ii. Spencer Hawes, b. will, dated Dec. 24, 1804; proved in Edgefield District, S. C. Nov. 3, 1806; names wife Lucy, son John, and brother Isaac.
Second marriage:
iii. Martha Pickett Hawes (called " Patty "). Nothing further known of her. She no doubt remained in Virginia with her mother, who may have married secondly in Essex, John Searle.
Research Notes:
The will of John Hawes names wife Betty. Was Martha Pickett his first wife? Who was Betty?
[1] Will Book 13, 1775-1785, Essex County, Virginia, Will Books 13-342, IGN=007645974, image 188, [FamilySearchImage].
[2] Essex County, Virginia, Court Order book 29-505,, IGN=007645974, image 188, [FamilySearchImage].
[3] Will Book 13-363, Essex County, Virginia, IGN=007644539, image 376, [FamilySearchImage].
[4] Order Book 30-153, Essex County, Virginia, IGN=008249526, image 101, [FamilySearchImage].
[5] Guardian's Book 2, 1761-1769, Essex County, Virginia: Essex. Guardianship Accounts 2-182, IGN=008360382, image 102, [FamilySearchImage].
[6] George Sanford Harrison King, Card file Virginia Historical Society (Richmond, Virginia), image 311, [FamilySearchImage].
[7] Elizabeth Hawes Ryland, Genealogical notes concerning the Hawes famnily of Caroline County, VA. (1948), Virginia Historical Society (Richmond, Virginia), image 101, [FamilySearchImage].
[8] Elizabeth Hawes Ryland, Genealogical notes concerning the Hawes famnily of Caroline County, VA. (1948), page 22, Virginia Historical Society (Richmond, Virginia), image 31, [FamilySearchImage].