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Joseph Richard Hawthorne Early Settler

 

 

Tribute to J. Richard Hawthorne

 

"Tribute to J. Richard Hawthorne",
copied from History of Conecuh County by Rev. B.F. Riley, page 115

 

J. Richard Hawthorne is a native of Robinson County, North Carolina, where he was born March 8th 1805.  Five years later, his father removed with his family to Wilkinson County, Georgia.  Here the family resided until 1817, when they removed to Conecuh County.  The first place of permanent residence was near the home of the late Henry Stanley, now in the beautiful little village of Bellville.  Here was pitched the family tent when Richard was a bright boy of twelve summers.  At the time of the settlement of this this locality it was known as "The Ponds"-- a name derived from the extensive lakes which lay to the east of the community.  Highly gifted with native powers, mental and physical, Mr. Hawthorne's influence was felt as he advanced toward the period of manhood's perfect mould.  He was equal to the hardships incident to a frontier section, and from straitened circumstances he rose to the possession of considerable wealth.   In 1837, Mr. Hawthorne was the nominee of his (the Democratic) party, against a very formidable opponent, Jeptha V. Perryman.  And though he belonged to the minority party of the county, his popularity came well nigh securing for him the laurels of the contest.  For when the ballots were counted he came within seven votes of  victory.  No man who has ever lived in Conecuh exerted a broader or more wholesome influence, than did J. Richard Hawthorne.  His zeal in all matters relating to the public weal was proverbial.  He occupied several positions of public trust before his removal to another section.  In 1854 he removed to Pine Apple, Wilcox County.  Here his influence was not inactive, and soon public appreciation summoned him to active usefulness.  He was sent to represent the county in two terms of the legislature, and has been frequently called upon to act in matters requiring calm and dispassionate consideration.  He has reared a large and respectable family, and accumulated considerable property. He still lives to wield a godly influence in the promotion of the general good.  Generous, hospitable as a prince, warm-hearted and public spirited, and above all, a devout Christian gentleman, his usefulness is destined to be commensurate with his days.

 

Submitted by Bill King

 

 

1880 Alabama Census Information

 

Note of Caution: 

 

Found cemetery & census records in Wilcox County, AL that leads me to believe that Hawthorne's daughter,  Annie E. Hawthorne (Annie E. CRINN), was actually married to a man named CRUM.  I believe that the transcription of  Annie's married name transcribed in the will was actually shown in error as CRINN and should have been CRUM. 

 

(See cemetery & census records below.)

 

Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery Graves, Pineapple, Wilcox Co., Alabama

J.R. Hawthorne; Mar 8, 1805 - Apr 12, 1889  (Senior)
Mary E. Hawthorn, wife of J.R. Hawthorn, Jr.;  May 3, 1840 - Oct  27, 1862
       (nee: Buford, first wife of Jr.)

 

Also buried at Friendship Cemetery:
 *Annie E. Crum  Dec 15, 1847 - Feb 4, 1910
  Cassie Hawthorn(e)  Sept 7, 1839 - Apr 26, 1915 (daughter of Joseph Richard Hawthorne)

 

 

 

 

Submitted by Bill King

 

 

Will of J.R. Hawthorne
State of Alabama, County of Wilcox

 

In the name of God--AMEN

 

   I, Joseph R. Hawthorne, knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die, and being old and weak of body, but of mind and memory perfectly sound, do make this my last will and testament.

   First of all I commit and commend my soul to God, who gave it, and my body to the dust from whence it was taken.

 

   In consideration of the fact that my two daughters Cassie E. Hawthorne and Laura W. Powell have remained with me, and done, as I believe, all in their power to protect and promote my interest and cheer, and comfort me in my declining years, I give and bequeath to my two said daughters Cassie E. Hawthorne and Laura W. Powell, my homestead, consisting of my residence and 80 acres of land. The said 80 acres of land consisting of the 40 acres of land on which my said residence and the buildings connected therewith are located, and the other 40, being the 40 acres lying immediately north of, and being adjoining to the first named 40, being the same 40 on which the Baptist Church is located, together with all my household furniture of every description, and my buggy or carriage I may have on hand at the time of my decease.  To have, to hold to use, to control the said residence, furniture and lands as to them may seem best, so long as they remain single and in the occupation of the same. But if either of them should marry, move off of or in any way abandon said premises the rights herein be fore given shall be forfeited as to the one so marrying or leaving, and immediately vest in the one remaining, who shall exercise them exclusively and solely.  But if both of them should marry, move off, or abandon the said premises then and in that event the said premises and effects shall be rented out for fifteen consecutive years from the date of my decease, and the annual proceeds thereof be annually and equally divided among my heirs. But unless for the causes herein before enumerated my two said daughters are not to be disturbed in their possession, use and control of said premises as long as they may live. But if both of my said two daughters should die, at the expiration of the aforesaid period of fifteen years, then the property both real and personal aforesaid should pass to my executors and be sold and the proceeds thereof be equally divided among my heirs.  But until that period of event my homestead shall remain and be kept in the family for the comfort of my children.

 

   I give to my daughter-in-law Hannah J. Hawthorne, widow of my son Joshua R. Hawthorne, for the use and comfort of herself and her children, the offspring of my said son, the house she now occupies and the land therein before described, with the garden and yard attached thereto, the privilege of taking from the timber on said lands firewood for home consumption, and for repairs for said premises, also the privilege of clearing around said residence four or five acres of said land. But no more. To have, to hold to use and control the same until the youngest of her said children, the offspring of the said Joshua R. Hawthorne, shall become fifteen years of age.  But if before the period named shall have arrived, she remarries or moves off or abandons said premises, she forfeits all the rights herein before bequeathed and the said premises shall at once pass to my said executors and be rented out, and the proceeds thereof, as fast as they accrue to be applied to my debts, if any, or be equally and annually divided among my heirs.

   If my daughter Annie E. Crinn should desire to build and live on the lands herein before described, I give her the right to do so.  She and her two said sisters, Cassie and Laura agreeing as to the particular piece of said lands she shall locate on and the extent of her possession.  I give her the use, possession and control of the same as long as she remains a widow and resides thereon.  But if she should marry or abandon or move off said premises as she forfeits her rights to the same unless she and her two said sisters Cassie and Laura should agree otherwise.  But her two said sisters must pay her a fair value for any improvements she may put on said premises and interest on her money so invested.   If either of my two daughters Emma Ramsey or Sarah Harris, should become widows, and desire to build and live on the lands herein before described, I give them the right to do so, with the rights and privileges, and on the same conditions to do so, with the rights and privileges, and on the same conditions as are given and prescribed in the case of my daughter Annie Crinn.

 

   It is my desire that all my honest debts & property, other than that herein before named and bequeathed, shall be sold and the proceeds thereof be applied to the payment of my honest debts. If the proceeds thereof does not pay them, then my executors will sell off my real estate what may be necessary for that purpose.

   After setting apart the property herein before bequeathed to my daughter Cassie and Laura and paying off all of my honest debts, my executors will lay off my real estate into parcels as nearly equal as possible and my heirs draw for them. The lands given to my two said daughters are not to be included in parceling, but my two said daughters are entitled to and must have an equal share in the drawing.

 

   If my son, J. R. Hawthorne should desire to build and live on my herein before described homestead lands, I give him the right to do on the same terms and conditions as in the case of Annie E. Crinn.  In the case of any improvements being made on said lands and afterwards abandoned said improvements will be rented out by my executors, and the rents annually and equally divided among my heirs.

 

   It is my will that my estate shall be administered outside of the Probate Court, and that the costs of administration shall be equally divided among my heirs any and all other legitimate costs of winding up my estate, shall be so assessed and paid first.

 

   I nominate and appoint my daughters Cassie E. Hawthorne and Annie E. Crinn and my friend Joseph E. McWilliams as my executors, without bond and with full powers to execute the provisions of this my Last Will and Testament.

 

J.R. Hawthorne

 

Submitted by Bill King