Philemon Hawkins II


Philemon Hawkins II was a planter, an officer in the North Carolina militia during the American Revolution, and a public officeholder in North Carolina.

Early life and political career

Philemon Hawkins II was born on September 28, 1717 in Charles City County, Colony of Virginia. His parents were Philemon Hawkins I and Anne Eleanor Howard. He was initially known as Philemon Hawkins, Jr. His parents were from Devonshire in England, and settled in the Colony of Virginia in 1717. His father was the grandson of Sir John Hawkins,the English naval commander, and died in Gloucester County, Virginia in 1725.
After his father's death, Philemon Hawkins II moved to Bute County Province of North Carolina in 1735, along with his mother and two siblings, John and Ann. In 1743 he married Delia Martin, daughter of Colonel Zachariah Martin of Mecklenburg County, Virginia. He filled many public positions in Bute County and became the wealthiest man in the county. In 1771 he served as an aide-de-camp to Governor William Tryon during the expedition against the Regulators. He served as a delegate to both North Carolina Provincial Congresses in Halifax in 1776. He served seven terms representing Granville County in the North Carolina General Assembly between 1779 and 1787. In 1782-1783, he was elected to the North Carolina Council of State by the General Assembly.
Philemon and Delia had six children: John Hawkins, Joseph Hawkins, Benjamin Hawkins, Philemon Hawkins, III, Delia Hawkins, and Ann Hawkins. Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Hawkins and Major John Hawkins served in the Warren County Regiment, along with their father.

Military service

He served in the North Carolina militia during the Revolutionary War:
He died on September 10, 1801 in Warren County, North Carolina and was buried at the family homestead, along with his wife who died in 1794.