The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-08-03
THE HAWKES. FAMILY.
The Late Reunion at Saugus.

On Thursday last the descendants of Adam
Hawkes.. one of the oldest settlers of Lynn,
Mass, assembled at the old homestead, in what
is now Saugus, for grand reunion. On Fri
day there were most interesting exercises, owe
which Hon. N. M. Hawkes., of Lynn, presid-
ed. Samuel Hawkes., of Saugus, President of
the Association, made an address of welcome.
There were genealogical addresses by Frederic
Hawkes., of Greenfield, Mass, and DIR. j. M
Hawkes., of Florida; address on the character
of our ancestors by Rev. W. Scott Hawkes., of
South Hadley; military history by Gen. Geo.
P. Hawkes., of Templeton: poems by Mary B.
and Sarah P Hawkes., of Lynnfeld, and Rev.
Dr. 7. FL. Hawkes., of Ohio, was chaplain
The speakers stand occupied the site of the
cabin built by the original Adam Hawkes.,
older brother of the first settler of that name.
Many curious documents were exhibited in
Guiding the Articles of Agreement by which
the original estate of Adam Hawkes. was di-
vided in 1862, and an inventory of the proper
ty, which amounted to EST lis.
In his address President Hawkes. said eight
of the name of Hawkes. came to the Massachu-
sets Bay colony in the 18th century. Of five
little is known. Three gained a permanent
settlement. This family are the descendants
of John and Adam Hawkes. John took the
oath of allegiance and went with the first
church to Windsor. Adam was twice in office.
In 1867 he served on the committee to lay
out the Nahant lands in equal division, and in
1860 as grand juror. The records of Charles
town show he was admitted an inhabitant in
1854, and in 1886 he was granted four acres of
land and built a temporary house there. The
next year he moved to Saugus and established
his new home by the forest stream in the path
less wood He reached Saugus by water and
had for neighbors the Burrills, Newhalls, Dex-
tiers, Bancrofts, Hudsons and Walkers. On
Close Hill he erected his first log cabin, soon
The records show he was good farmer and
received a grant of 100 acres. In 1867 he be-
came owner of tract in Lynnfeld which,
since 1880, has been occupied by and in the
possession Of one branch of the family. He
lived peacefully with his Indian neighbors.
The other speakers showed the Characters
tics of the stock whence they sprung. Their
ancestors were of medium height, slim, blue
or gray eyes, thin hair, boards grisled early in
life. They have been thrifty industrious, and
not ambitious for political honors. They were
in the front ranks of progress and great friends
of the slave. They were supporters of law
and order, advocates of advanced education,
and noted for patriotism, strong minded, God
fearing, brave and hardy, producing many
clergymen and physicians. In England they
were noted for their wit and humor and for re-
ligious fervor. Thomas Hawkes. suffered mar
tyrdom June 10, 1866. They have produced
two bishops, several doctors of divinity, and
deacons without number. They have always
honored women, and when his cabin was
burned the wife of Adam Hawkes-a woman
who had bravely withstood many hardships-
was barely saved together with three of her
children.
Among the distinguished soldiers were Col.
John Hawkes., of Deerfeld, who received a
large grant of land for his services in the
French and Indian wars; Nathaniel Hawkes.,
Of Deerfeld, soldier in Capt. Kellogg's COM
pany, same war; Eleazer Hawkes. at the
battle of Turner's Falls in 1876; another
Eleazer Hawkes. in the battle of Bennington
July 10, 1777; Reuben Hawkes. in 1872, and
large number in the late war, including Rev.
W. S. Hawkes. and Gen. Geo. P. Hawkes..
A beautiful poem, entitled ga Retrospect
by Miss Alice G. Hawkes., of Ashfeld, Mass,
was read by Mrs. Nettie F. Lewis, professional
reader of Boston.
The spot where the celebration was held is
delightful one, the forest shrubs offering cool
retreat, and the little stream wandering
through the fertile fields, with the signs of in
dustry and thrift, that formed a charming pic
ture. Near the homestead is the old Close
Hill where Adam Hawkes. built his first log
cabin. An arch marked the entrance in
scribed "1634-Hawkes Reunion-1SS0." On
the knoll large tent was pitched, used for the
accommodation of visitors and speakers. The
house was decorated with the British and
American flags. All parts of the country
were represented by the family and new &C
quaintances were found every moment. All
sorts of games for the children, with swings,
were provided on the lawn. Palfrey, the
Lynn caterer, furnished tempting meals for
all. Among other old relics exhibited was
lot of bricks of the date of 1910, imported for
the chimney, and an iron fireplace back with
the British arms in alto-relievO.