William Hawkins b. 1490 d. 1553

From Rodovid EN

Person:345545

Lineage	Hawkins
Sex	Male
Full name (at birth)	William Hawkins
Parents ♂ John Hawkins [Hawkins] b. 1450 d. 1498 ♀ Joan Amados [Amados] b. 1464

Events

1490 birth: Plymouth (Devon), England

marriage: Brightorre, England, ♀ Joan Trelawny [Trelawny] b. 1499

1532 child birth: Plymouth (Devon), England, ♂ John Hawkins [Hawkins] b. 1532 d. 12 November 1595

1553 death: Tavistock (Devon), England

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.