Dr. Sion Boon Hawkins HUGE THANKS to Caroline Luck for sharing this photo!

Julia Kelsey Hawkins HUGE THANKS to Caroline Luck for sharing this photo!

Click here to read a letter written by Sion Boon Hawkins in 1891.

Sion Boon Hawkins was born in 1818 in Madison, Morgan County, Georgia. He was brought up and educated in Morgan and Walton counties and in early life lived on the farm. In 1836 he chose the medical profession, which he studied under Drs. Jones and Olesby, of Madison, Gerogia. In 1838 he commenced the practice of medicine under the laws then existing in Georgia, at Social Circle, Walton County, Georgia, and remained there until 1841.

On December 16, 1841, in Walton County, Georgia, Sion Boon Hawkins married Julia Kelsey, the daughter of Joel and Ann Kelsey. Julia was born in 1826 in Georgia. To this union eleven children were born: 1) John Willis Alston, born 1843, died 1935 2) Charles Joel Kelsey, born 1847 3) Sallie, born 1851 4) Ellen, born 1853 5) Sion Boon, born 1856 6) Jefferson D., born 1861 7) Neil R., born 1964 8) Vanira D., born 1866 09) infant 10) infant 11) infant.

In late December 1841 or early 1842, he moved to Stewart (now Webster) County and continued his practice until 1866 when he moved to Americus, Sumter County, where he enjoyed a lucrative practice. He was regarded among medical men as one of the leading practitioners of southwest Georgia.

Dr. Sion Boon Hawkins, acquired the "Hawkins Homestead" outside Preston, Georgia by deed from Westley and Harriet Griggs on December 7, 1854. The property contained 650 acres and was purchased for $4,550. It was later increased in size by his son, John W. A. Hawkins, after he purchased it from Dr. Sion and other family members. It was located a mile or two west of the intersection of two creeks, the Kinchafoohee and the Lannahassee.

Sion Boon Hawkins was identified with both F. and A.M. (Masons) and the I.O.O.F. fraternities. In politics he was a Democrat.

The 1860 census list S. B. Hawkins as a physician (spelled phyishian) with a real estate value of $15,000 and a persona estate of $39,250, quite a wealth for the time.

Sion Boon Hawkins died June 11, 1892 in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia. It is believed he is buried in the Americus Cemetery in the southern part of the city. At this time Julia's death date and burial place are unknown but she was dead before August of 1891.

References:
History of Webster County, Georgia
Biographical Souvenirs of Georgia and Florida
Person correspondence

Marriage Certificate for Sion Boon Hawkins and Julia Kelsey

Julia Kelsey Hawkins Obituary

Sion Boon Hawkins Obituary

Sion Boon Hawkins Article