Altha Hawkins

Born: ?
Died: c1840 (?)
Buried: ?
Parents: Silas and Hannah Hawkins, Castleton, VT?
Married: John D. Clemons, 18 Jun 1836
Children: Helen M. Clemons


According to the Clemons Bible owned by Dale Clemons, John D. Clemons married Altha Hawkins in June 1836. Their daughter Helen M. Clemons was born on June 5, 1839. But then John married Polly Leet on June 3, 1840. The 1840 census, which was supposed to represent the situation as of June 1, 1840, shows John Clemons living with a female age 20-30 and a female under 5. The child was certainly Helen, but the woman could be either Altha or Polly.

Most likely Altha died sometime after Helen's birth in 1839. Helen was taken in my her grandparents, Silas and Hannah Hawkins of Castleton, VT. One Timothy Rice of Fair Haven, VT was appointed her guardian in 1854. Helen was dead by 1910 because she was not part of the settlement of the estate of her half-brother George L. Clemons. The estate documents show that George had a niece named "Gene Mitchell" was living in Milwaukee. So Helen had a daughter named Gene (or Jean) Mitchell.

Census Data:
1840:    Federal Census, New York, Washington Co., Town of Dresden, p. 255 "John Clemens"
1850:    Federal Census, Vermont, Rutland Co., Town of Castleton, p. 187B "Silas Hawkins"

Sources:
Clemons Family Bible, Dale R. Clemons.
Washington County, NY Probate records. Estate of George L. Clemons.
Fair Haven, VT Probate Court, Bk 23, p. 404.



Copyright © 2004,2012 By Bob Clemons. All rights reserved.