A Journey From Somerset, England To Ohio: For the Hawkins and Haine Family 1700-2000

Life in the West Country of England in the early 1800’s had its hardships and struggles. Sailing to America brought a final separation for brothers, sisters and friends. With their faith, love and kinship it made life worthwhile. In 1836 the Haine family purchased land in Bloomfi eld, Ohio. Their daughter Frances, at age twenty, could never imagine that her diary would be read, 150 years later. Her writing described country life in Ohio, her impending marriage, and the sorrow of the Civil War. Her home, Clover Hill, is still alive connecting the past to the present. Living in Ohio in the 1970’s and finding the old family Bible, was the start of my research. On the center pages of the Bible, I saw births and marriages listed, along with the name “William Dredge Hawkins, born the 7th of August, 1804” at Chesterblade Hill, Evercreech, Somersetshire, England, but where was this place called Somerset? Meeting cousins from around the world has been part of the fun and journey.