Hawkins Family

The Hawkins Family descends from Harriet Hawkins, a formerly enslaved woman (1807-1886). Harriet was head dressmaker for the Ridgelys and is believed to have been enslaved by John Ridgely prior to his inheritance of the Hampton plantation. At age 17, Harriet gave birth to her firstborn, a child by John Ridgely, named Charles Hale Brown. Harriet never married and only gained her freedom through Maryland’s statewide emancipation in 1864. Her son Charles, however, was freed in 1846, the only person ever freed by John Ridgely. After the Civil War, Harriet and her younger children moved to the Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore City, where she worked as a dressmaker.

Harriet’s skill and talents continued through her well known and influential descendants....

 

Individuals

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  Harriet Hawkins

  Learn about the story of Hampton's head dressmaker and how the story goes deeper than other enslaved people.

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  Charles Hale Brown

  Charles Hale Brown was Harriet Hawkins’ eldest child, fathered by John Ridgely and born into chattel slavery.

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  Nelson Hawkins

  From Chattel Slavery at Hampton to a new life in freedom as a successful cook and "Famous Caterer"

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  Anita R Williams

  Her family made a new life in freedom. She accomplished a lot in her life, including the first Black Catholic social worker in the country.

 

Learn More

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  Revealing the Lives of the Enslaved

  A recent Ethnographic Study uncovered major information on the lives of those enslaved at Hampton and their descendants. Read about it here.

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  Chattel Slavery at Hampton

  From the colonial period through 1864, the Ridgelys enslaved over 500 people, from young children to the elderly.

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  Forms of Control

  From physical to mental abuse for the youngest ages to the oldest. Learn about the harsh truths and forms of control.

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  Descendants of the Enslaved

  Learn about the amazing things the descendants of the enslaved would go on to do.

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  Learn about more

  People of Hampton

  Hundreds of people lived, worked, and were enslaved at Hampton coinciding America's development as a nation. Explore more of their stories.