Abel D. Hawkins

Often referred to as Abel D. Hawkins, this individual settled in Albany as a young adult. He appears to have been born during the 1770s. A number of same-named contemporaries (including three on the census in Connecticut in 1790) are at-risk in the region. We seek defining information on his origins and path to Albany.

In 1800, his household consisting only of a young couple was configured in the second ward. A decade later, the maturing couple was joined by three children but also four additional men of Abel's general age. Assessment rolls for the early 1800s valued his second ward real and personal property modestly. However, his name does not seem to appear on the citywide assessment roll for 1799.

His wife was one Hannah Drew who joined the First Presbyterian church in 1804. Three children were christened to them during the early 1800s.

From the first edition in 1813 on, he (sometimes Holkins) was listed as a builder at several addresses on the Southside of Albany. In 1820, the Albany directory listed "Abel D. Holkins" as a carpenter at 32 Hudson Street.

In 1826, two parcels on the east side of Liberty Street (p.4) under the name of "Abel D. Holkins" were to be sold for delinquent taxes.

After that, none of the more common variants of the name of Abel D. Hawkins, have been encountered in our latest sweeps of community and Internet based records. With unresolved basic elements of his life, we move on for now.

Sources: The life of Abel D. Hawkins is CAP biography number 8374. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.