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Sir William HAWKINS

Sir William HAWKINS[1]

Male 1490 - 1555  (65 years)

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  • Name William HAWKINS 
    Prefix Sir 
    Born 1490  Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    FamilySearch ID L1YS-DXK 
    _UID 5864BE79ADE845FB8282DC165EB58B86E2E5 
    Died 1554-1555  Tavistock, Plymouth, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I11575  Carney Wehofer 2024 Genealogy
    Last Modified 12 Dec 2022 

    Father John HAWKINS,   b. 1450, Tavistock, Plymouth, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1498, Tavistock, Plymouth, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 48 years) 
    Mother Joan AMADOS,   b. 1464, Lauceston, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1500, Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 36 years) 
    Family ID F5850  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Joan Towne TRELAWNY,   b. 1499, Brightorre, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Married Abt 1499  Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. William HAWKINS,   b. 1530, Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 7 Oct 1589, Deptford, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 59 years)
     2. John HAWKINS,   b. 1532, Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Nov 1595, At Sea Off Porto Rico Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 63 years)
     3. Thomas HAWKINS,   b. Abt 1536,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 29 Aug 2016 
    Family ID F5843  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • There are several books about the Hawkins family and their exploits. One is called "Plymouth Armada Heroes: The Hawkins Family" by Mary W.S. Hawkins published in Plymouth, England, in 1888 and found in the State Library called Sutro in San Francisco, and on microfiche in the Carlsbad Genealogical Library. In her book Mary states that "Plymouth was the home or birthplace, not of one distinguished sailor of the Hawkins family only, but of three generations in succession, of men who were celebrated as naval heroes for a period of one hundred years, extending over the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, and James I. For three generations they were the master spirits of Plymouth in its most illustrious days; its leading merchants, its bravest sailors, serving oft and well in the civic chair and in the House of Commons. For three generations they were in the van of English seamanship; founders of England's commerce in south and west and east: stout in fight, of quenchless spirit in adventure-a family of merchants, statesmen, and heroes, to whom our county has no parallel." In the several books there listed many exploits of the three generations. Plymouth was incorporated by Act of Parliament of King Henry VI in 1440. The "Arms of Hawkins and Amadas" has 5 crowns in and "X" on one side and 3 Acorns around an inverted "V" on the other. This coat of arms was probably first used during the reign of Edward III.
      William was an officer in the navy of King Henry VIII, being one of the principal sea captains in the West of England, he obtained a high and just reputation for his skill and experience. He is though to have been the master of the "Great Galley", one of the few Royal ships of that time.
      William was a man of considerable property in the town of Plymouth. He was Lord of the Manor of Sutton. He was Receiver of Plymouth in 1524-1525; and in the Corporation books is mentioned in 1527-28 when he and others manned the bulwarks to defend the argosy against the French. William owned a 200 ton ship called the Paul of Plymouth. On one voyage brought a native king to see Henry VIII, The king spent nearly a year in England, but died on the return voyage. William made his third voyage in 1532 and on his return was chosen Mayor of Plymouth. He was again Mayor in 1538-9; In 1539 he was elected "Burgess" or member of Parliament with James Horewell. In 1544 William purchased the Manor of Sutton Vallcort or Vawler which remained in the Hawkins family for 100 years.

  • Sources 
    1. [S855] Roger Clark [email protected], Roger Clark.