Person:Phoebe Hawkins (2)

A Story of Two Brothers and One Woman

Stephen and Charles Smith (or Noblet) were brothers. They apparently shared more than the same parents; they also shared the same woman, Phoebe Hawkins, daughter of John Hawkins and Mary Long. The scandalous relationship between them is supported by records, as listed below:

Based upon records in Virginia, Phoebe Hawkins appears to have had two daughters born out-of-wedlock, both likely fathered by Stephen Smith (sometimes referred to as "Stephen Noblet" or "Stephen I.K. Smith" in some records). This is proven by the following record in Spotsylvania County:

Phebe Hawkins, and infant, by Mary Hawkins her next friend, complains July 1735, of Stephen Noblit (otherwise called Stephen Smith). Charles Noblit alias Smith, brother of the defendant, being possessed of divers goods and chattels to the value of 200 pounds intended to marry Phebe. On the last day of March, 1733-4 the defendant scandalously and maliciously did say “Phebe Hawkins is a whore and I have lay’n with her” . She has thus fallen into great infamy and Charles has refused to marry her. She asks damages of 250 pounds current money. .....Dismissed.

(Note: the Mary Hawkins listed as "her next friend" was likely her mother).

The two daughters, apparently born out-of-wedlock to Stephen Smith and Phoebe Hawkins were as follows:

1. Lucy Smith, who was born abt. 1734/35 (and was likely the "infant" listed with Phebe in the record above). She married Lt. John Robinson on 24 November 1757 in Orange County, Virginia.

2 Agnes Smith, who was born abt. 1738 in Spotsylvania County. She married William Robinson, who was the father of John Robinson, noted above, as unlikely as it may seem. Agnes at the time of her marriage on 27 January 1757 would have been 29 years younger than her husband. William Robinson's 1st wife, Agatha Beverley had apparently died prior to their marriage.

The following record in Orange County, Virginia confirms their marriage:

Orange County, Virginia Wills

Indenture between WILLIAM ROBINSON of Spots. County, and AGNES SMITH, Spinster of other part, daughter of Stephen Smith of Orange. Whereas a marriage is intended by the Grace of God shortly to be had between William Robinson and Agnes Smith, this Indenture in consideration of said marriage... William Robinson hath devised unto Agnes Smith two negroes .. one feather bed .. during her natural life .. if William Robinson should have any children by Agnes, that after her death, negroes and bed to be divided equally between them, but if no such children, then they are to return to my former children .. 2 Feb 1758.

Witnesses: W. Robinson

Francis Smith, An Rice

Recorded Orange County 22nd June 1758

After the record listed above in 1735, it appears that Phoebe did later marry Charles Smith (sometimes referred to as "Charles Noblet"), by about 1740. They were the parents of six children.

1. ↑ International Genealogical Index. ( The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint, 1999-2008).

   Note: there varied estimates of Phoebe Hawkins' birthdate from 1704 to 1740. As she clearly was the mother of Lucy Smith, who married Lt. John Robinson on 24 Nov. 1757; and of Agnes Smith, who married William Robinson on 27 January 1757, Phoebe was very likely married by abt. 1734, placing her likely birthdate sometime between 1715-1717.