Updated December 2020
The Hawk family lived in Luzerne County in the mid-1800s. “Genealogy of Conrad and Elizabeth (Borger) Hawk” links John Hawk to Conrad, who immigrated from Germany.
See Jacob D. Bower.
CONRAD and ELISABETH HAWK
Conrad Hawk lived in northeastern Pennsylvania in the late 1700s. It’s possible that he was born in Germany in 1744 and immigrated to America in the mid-1700s. (1)
Married a woman named Elizabeth. Many researchers have identified her as the daughter of Nicholas Borger of Chestnut Hill Township, Northampton County, Pa. (2)
Children: (3)
Conrad Hawk, born between 1765 and 1775.
Nickolaus Hawk, born Feb. 28, 1782.
(For additional information on possible children, see note below.)
Although the name eventually came to be spelled Hawk, it appears in a variety of forms, including Haak, Haag, Hauk, Houck and Hock.
The Hawks settled in Chestnut Hill Township in Northampton County, Pa. Conrad Haag appeared on the Chestnut Hill tax list of 1772 and continued to be listed in the township’s records for another five decades. The township now falls within the boundaries of Monroe County. (4)
In 1775, the Hawks appear in the records of the Evangelical Congregation in Moorestown, Northampton County. Conrad Haak and Elizabeth served as sponsors at the baptism of Maria Elisabeth, daughter of George and Juliana Haak, on June 5, 1775. It seems likely that George and Conrad were brothers because of their link in this and other records.
During the Revolutionary War, Conrad and George served in the Northampton County militia. All able-bodied men in Pennsylvania were expected to serve in the militia or pay a fine. Generally, the units mustered to train or to respond to a threat on the frontier. Conrad and George are listed as privates in Capt. John Gregory’s company, which mustered in Chestnut Hill Township. Their company mustered on May 14, 1778; Sept. 25, 1780; and April 22, 1782. (5)
In 1782, Conrad and Elizabeth again appear in the records of the church in Moorestown. The event was the baptism of their son Nickolaus on May 12, 1782. Baptismal records for the Hawks’ other children do not appear to have survived. Judging from census records, the Hawks may have had as many as five sons and four daughters.
A series of tax records from the 1780s give an indication of how much property the Hawks owned. In 1786, Conrad owned 100 acres, two horses and one cow and was taxed 5 shillings, 1 pence. Conrad appears to have started selling off his property the following year. In 1787, he owned 80 acres, two horses and a cow. And in 1788 and 1789, he owned only 25 acres, two horses and two head of cattle. (6)
The 1790 Census indicates that Conrod Hawke’s household contained five males under age 16, a male 16 or over and five females.
In 1800, the census indicates that Conrad Hawk’s household contained two males under 10, a male age 10-16,two males age 16-26, a male age 45 or older, two females 16-26, a female 26-45 and a female age 45 or older.
On April 28, 1806, Conrod Haack received a warrant for 50 acres in Northampton County, Pa. (7)
In the early 1800s, Conrad appears in the records of the Salem Union Church in Chestnut Hill Township. The church contained both Reformed and Lutheran congregations. On July 17, 1808, an audit was conducted for both congregations. Records list “Conrad Haak, the elder” under both receipts and expenditures. (8)
According to the 1810 Census, Conrad Haake’s household contained a male age 10-16, a male age 16-26, a male age 45 or older and a female 26-45.
It appears that Elisabeth died before the 1810 Census was taken and Conrad had remarried. The age of the household’s oldest female in 1810 is less than the age of its oldest woman in the 1800 Census. In addition, a Conrad Hag and his wife Susanna served as the baptismal sponsors of several children at Salem Union Church from 1811 to 1814. Since the younger Conrad and his wife Margaretha appear in the church records both before and after this date, it seems very likely that the church records refer to the elder Conrad and a new wife.
In 1820, the census shows the household of Conrad Hawk Sen. contained two males under 10, a male age 45 or older and a female age 45 or older. It’s unknown whether the young children listed in this census were Conrad’s children, grandchildren or others. The records of Salem Union Church do not list any children of Conrad born during this time.
According to the Hawk genealogy, Conrad died in 1825 and he is buried in Gilbert, Pa.
NOTE ON POSSIBLE CHILDEN: The only child who has an irrefutable link to Conrad Hawk is Nicholas, whose birth is listed in church records. Judging from census records, Conrad appears to have had at least eight other children. However, it’s difficult to determine who they were based on available documents. Conrad did not leave a will and there do not appear to be any church or real estate records that mention children other than Nicholas. Despite this, there is a solid case for linking Conrad to his younger namesake. The only other Hawk who lived nearby was George. Fortunately, George left a will (Luzerne County Will Book A, page 338) that identifies his children: Sarah, Elizabeth, Caty, George, Peter, John, Michael, Isaac and Margaret. As a result, it can be safely surmised that any other names that appear in local records at this time are children of the elder Conrad. The younger Conrad appears in the same area and even at the same church as the elder Conrad. In addition, the older man is identified as “the elder,” “Sr.” and “Sen.” while the younger man is referred to as “Jr.” While this isn’t necessarily a decisive point, it helps support the case. Identifying other children can be tricky. The younger Hawks who appear in Salem Union Church records and the censuses for 1810s and 1820s are Conrad, George, Nicholas, Michael, Peter and John. The only names that don’t match those on George’s will are Conrad and Nicholas. As a result, it has to be considered possible that George, Michael, Peter and John are children of George rather than Conrad. The elder George Hawk moved to Kingston, Luzerne County, by the time of the 1820 Census, but it doesn’t appear that his children followed. This would seem to heighten the possibility that the men in Chestnut Hill were children of George. In addition to the possible sons, Conrad and his sons served as baptismal sponsors for children of the following women: Susanna, wife of Georg Shupp; Anna Margarethe, wife of Peter Shupp; and Elisabeth, wife of John Sieglin. The sponsorships may indicate they were daughters of the elder Conrad. Other researchers have listed the following as children of Conrad and Elizabeth: George, born 1770; Anna Margaretha, born 1774; Conrad, born 1776; Elisabeth, born 1777; Jacob, born 1779; Nicholas, born 1782; Susanna, born 1784; Catharine, born 1786; John, born 1788; Michael, born 1794; and Peter, born 1791.
CONRAD AND MARGARETHA HAWK
Conrad Hawk lived in what is now Monroe County in northeastern Pennsylvania in the early 1800s. He was probably born between 1765 and 1775. His father may have been an older Conrad Hawk. (1)
Conrad married a woman named Maria Margarthe, who is identified as a Fisher in the Hawk genealogy, by Atwood James Shupp.
Children: (2)
Johannes, or John, born Jan. 7, 1803.
George, probably born Oct. 15, 1804.
Samuel, born Aug. 31, 1809. May have died young.
Johann Peter, born March 19, 1812.
Michael.
Joseph, born July 1, 1816.
Conrad, born April 3, 1819.
The family name, which appears to be of German origin, is spelled a variety of ways, including Hawk, Haak, Haag and Hack.
Conrad lived in what is now Monroe County in northeastern Pennsylvania. During much of his lifetime, the area was part of Northampton County so many records related to the family are found in that county.
In the 1810 Census, Conrad Haak Jr. appears in Chestnuthill Township, Northampton County. His household contained two males under 10, one male 10-16, one male 26-45 and one female 26-45. Just because he is labeled Conrad “Jr.” in this instance does not necessarily mean that he was the son of Conrad “Sr.” In many cases early records used the “Jr.” and “Sr.” designations simply to differentiate between two men of the same name even if they’re not related. However, it seems most likely that he was, indeed, the son of Conrad because there were so few other Hawk families in the area.
In the 1820 Census, Conrad Hawk jr. again appears in Chestnuthill Township. His household contained two males under 10, two males 10-16, two males 16-18, two males 18-26, one male over 45 and one female over 45. Four of the family worked in agriculture and one is listed as a manual laborer.
Conrad died sometime before Nov. 7, 1855, when his will was submitted for probate. At the time his will was written, Jan. 26, 1848, Conrad owned two tracts to land – one 80 acres and the other 17 acres. The land was inherited by Peter, who was instructed to take care of his mother and youngest brother, Conrad, “during his life and give him food and clothing.” Perhaps this indicates that Conrad was an invalid. Conrad’s other sons – George, John, Michael and Joseph – each inherited $10. The will was marked rather than signs, probably indicating that Conrad was illiterate. (3)
Conrad is buried in Kresgeville, Pa., according to the Hawk genealogy, and Maria died in 1870.
(1) Conrad’s probable birth years can be surmised from the 1810 and 1820 census records. He was between 26 and 25 in 1810 and older than 45 in 1820. “Genealogy of Conrad and Elizabeth (Borger) Hawk, 1744-1990,” by Atwood James Shupp, page 246, identifies the Conrad and Elizabeth Hawk as the younger man’s father. I have not yet found documents to back this up conclusively. There were two Hawk families in the area in the late 1700s, Conrad’s and the family of George Hawk, who appears to have been Conrad’s brother. Either man could have been the father of the younger Conrad. That said, a good case can be made that the elder Conrad was our Conrad’s father. The 1820 Census of Chestnuthill Township, Northampton County, list both a “Conrad Hawk sen” and a “Conrad Hawk jr.” However, the junior and senior may simply indicate two men with the same names but of different ages. Also, a “Conrad Haak, the elder” appears repeatedly in the records of the Salem Union Church. The younger Conrad also worshipped at that church, but so did George’s family. One of the problems is that the 1790 Census of Heidelberg Township, Northampton County, Pa., doesn’t list Conrad as having any children. This is almost certainly a mistake because the 1800 Census shows 10 residents in the household, most of whom were older than 10. The only other Hawks in the 1790 Census was Balser, whose household contained one male 16 and older, one male under 16 and one female, and Jacob, whose household contained one male 16 and older, one male under 16 and three females. However, neither Balser, nor Jacob, appears in the 1800 Census or later censuses, which prompts us to believe that they moved out of the area or died. In the 1800 Census, the only other Hawk was George. However, George appears to have been too young to have a son Conrad’s age. He is listed as having only one young daughter in 1800 and appears to have been just barely 26 since he is listed in the “male 26-45” category in each census from 1800 to 1820. In addition, Conrad Sr.’s household contained two males who were 16-26 in 1800. These were probably the Conrad Jr. and Nicholaus who appear near Conrad Sr. in the 1820 Census. As tantalizing as many of these hints are, it’s difficult to say unconditionally that Conrad was the son of Conrad. It’s certainly possible that Conrad Jr. was the son of Balser or Jacob, that the father died and that his children were raised by Conrad Sr. Remember, Conrad didn’t have any children listed in the 1790 Census, while Jacob and Balser each had a son. According to the Hawk genealogy, Conrad Hawk Sr. was born in Germany in 1744 and immigrated to America in the mid-1700s. Conrad married Elizabeth Borger. He lived in Middle Creek, Pa., where he died in 1825. He is buried in Gilbert, Pa. (2) “Salem Union Church (or Church of Peace) Lutheran and Reformed Congregations (Now Gilbert, Monroe County) Pennsylvania,” Vol. 1, compiled by Elizabeth D. Walters. The date for Johannes and probably date for George were found in confirmation records on an insert in the main book at the Monroe County Historical Society in Stroudsburg, Pa. The other appear as follows: Samuel, page 9; Johann Peter, page 13; Joseph, page 20; and Conrad, page 26. Michael is listed in Conrad’s will in Monroe County Will File 92 T. Conrad is listed as Conrad’s youngest son. (3) Monroe County, Pa., Will File 92 T.
JOHN and FANNY HAWK
John Hawk was born Jan. 7, 1803, to Conrad and Maria Margarthe Hawk in northeastern Pennsylvania. (1)
Married Fanny, also listed as Frances and Anna, who was born May 1, 1807. Fanny was possibly the “Fennie Dotter” who served as a baptismal sponsor along with “Johannes Haak” twice in 1824. A “Vronika Dotter,” the 15-year-old daughter of Conrad, took her first communion on Dec. 24, 1821. She may be Fanny. (2)
Children: (3)
Catharina, born March 5, 1826.
Simon, born Nov. 11, 1827.
Aaron, born about 1830.
Johannes, or John, born June 29, 1832.
Sally A., born about 1834.
Conrad Jackson, born Dec. 31, 1836.
Daniel, born May 8, 1837, and died in November 1837.
Lucy Ann, born Oct. 12, 1838. Married Jacob D. Bowers.
Margaret, born in 1841 and died Dec. 5, 1863.
Mary, born in 1845 and died Dec. 29, 1865.
Frances, born Sept. 27, 1846, and died Jan. 31, 1847.
The family name, which appears to be of German origin, is spelled a variety of ways, including Hawk, Haak and Hack.
John first appears by name in census records in 1820, when he is listed in Chestnuthill Township, Northampton County, Pa. His household contained three males under 10, one male age 10-16, one male 26-45, two females under 10, one female 10-16, one female 16-26 and one female 26-45.
On Deb. 15, 1822, Johannes Haack took his first communion at the Lutheran congregation of the Salem Union Church in what is now Gilbert, Pa.
In the 1820s and 1830s, some of John and Fanny’s children were baptized at Salem Union Church, a German-language church that served Lutheran and Reformed congregations in Chestnuthill Township, Monroe County. The family appears to have moved west to Luzerne County in the 1820s or 1830s.
John is listed as a laborer living in Newport Township, Luzerne County, in the 1850 Census. In addition to his wife Fanny, his household contained Simon, age 22, laborer; Aaron, 20, laborer; John, 18, laborer; Sally A., 16; Conrad, 13; Lucy, 11; Margaret, 8; and Mary, 6.
The 1860 Census lists John Hawk as a farmer in Newport Township. It doesn’t indicate that he owned any real estate but says that he owned personal property valued at $400. In addition to his wife Francis, his household contained Conrad, 24, farmer; Margt, 19; and Mary, 14. Next to John, the census lists his sons John Hawk Jr. and Aaron Hawk.
The 1870 Census says John was a retired farmer. He owned personal property valued at $500. The only other member of the household was his wife Frances. The census indicates that neither John nor Frances could read or write. However, neither the 1850 nor 1860 censuses note this. It’s possible they only read and wrote German.
John died Dec. 9, 1877, and Fanny died March 22, 1879. They are buried at Newport Cemetery in Newport Township.
(1) “Salem Union Church (or Church of Peace) Lutheran and Reformed Congregations (Now Gilbert, Monroe County) Pennsylvania,” Vol. 1, compiled by Elizabeth D. Walters. This information was found in confirmation records on an insert in the main book at the Monroe County Historical Society in Stroudsburg, Pa. Date of birth is confirmed in the cemetery records file at the Wyoming Valley Historical and Geological Society in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Pennsylvania is listed as the place of birth in the 850, 1860 and 1870 censuses of Newport Township, Luzerne County, Pa. (2) Birth date comes from cemetery files cited above. The baptismal record is in the Salem Union Church records, page 40. “Genealogy of Conrad and Elizabeth (Borger) Hawk, 1744-1990,” by Atwood James Shupp, identifies Fanny as a Dotter. The confirmation is recorded on the same page of the insert that mentioned John’s confirmation. (3) The births of Catharina, Simon, Johannes and Conrad are listed in the Salem Union Church records, pages 44, 50, 60 and 127. The names and dates for the other children are listed in the census records, which offer a few conflicting dates. In addition, the details on Daniel, Margaret, Mary and Frances come from the cemetery listings cited above. It’s also possible that the couple had a daughter named Rebecca. In the 1860 Census, a 10-year-old Rebecca appears in the household of John Hawk Jr., who is listed next to John and Francis. Since John was 28 and his wife, Amanda, is listed as 22, it seems unlikely that Rebecca was their child – unless John was married very young to another women who had since died.
