Benjamin Hawkins

Photo by Ed Gordon

North Side of Monument
Photo by Ed Gordon

South Side of Monument
Photo by Ed Gordon

East Side of Monument
Photo by Ed Gordon

West Side of Monument
Photo by Ed Gordon

The Benjamin Hawkins Memorial is located on Wright Avenue in
Roberta, Georgia. The Benjamin Hawkins Monument
was erected in the City of Roberta in 1931
by the U.S. Government.

Photo by Ed Gordon

Benjamin Hawkins' grave is located on Benjamin Hawkins Road
off Highway 128 near the Taylor County line.

From the Crawford County Sesquicentennial Book

Benjamin Hawkins was the first white man to settle in
Crawford County. Along with two others,
he was appointed commissioner to the Southern
Indians in 1785. As Indian Agent,
he helped write the treaties of Golphington,
Hopewell, and Coleraine. He kept peace between the
Indians and white settlers for 16 years. The coming of the
War of 1812 in which the British stirred up the Indians
was the only thing that disturbed this peace.

There were many skirmishes between Indians
and the settlers. Fortunately the settlers of Crawford County
never has war on their homeland. Since Benjamin Hawkins
had lived at the Old Agency from appromixately 1800 - 1816,
friendlier relations were established here.

Although the Creek Indians were drawn into the War of 1812, Hawkins'
influence with the local tribes was sufficient to keep them virtually
out of the conflict and Crawford County was freed from frontier danger
and warfare.

On the Indian Agency on the banks of the Flint River, Hawkins established Fort Laurence on the west bank and a model
farm on the east bank. On this farm he raised crops and
animals to show the Creeks how to make a better living.

Perhaps the greatest civic event ever occurring in Roberta was the
unveiling of the Monument to Benjamin Hawkins, who died in 1816.

Restoration of Benjamin Hawkins' grave was begun by a Boy Scout Troop
from Macon, Georgia. Local interested citizens have been instrumental
in the upkeep of the grave site. Legend has it that Hawkins' faithful
old servant and a favorite dog were buried at the same site.

This page was last updated Monday, November 14, 2005 02:42 PM

Graphics by Ed ←

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