Hawkins the Hatter, Matawan (1872)

The 21 Dec 1872 edition of The Matawan Journal, pg 4, contained an advertisement for Hawkins the Hatter. The ad read:

"Excelsior! Hawkins the Hatter has opened the fall and winter trade with an entire new stock of men's and boys' hats and caps. Call and examine the quality and compare prices with those of other houses in the trade."

The 1870 Federal Census showed John H Hawkins, age 37, born in England, as a hatter living in Matawan. His wife was Johanna A Hawkins, age 33, born in Switzerland. They had daughters Albertina (12), Margarit (11) , Susan (9), and Carrie(2), and sons Frederick (9) and Charles(5/12). Susan and Frederick were twins. The youngest two children were born in New Jersey after a seven year gap; the older children were all born in New York.

John was a liquor dealer in the 1880 Federal Census. He and his family were living at 30 Charles Street in Manhattan. His wife was going by her middle name, Albertina. Their son Frederick was a bartender. There were two new children: Henry (5 NJ) and William (3 NY), while Margarit and Carrie were no longer listed. The birth places of the boys suggests that the family moved back to New York circa 1876.

I had no luck finding John in the 1860 Federal Census. He should have been found in New York with his wife and one or two children. They are likely misindexed or were not enumerated for some reason.