James Hawkey

James Hawkey is the son of Foster Hawkey II and Hannah Kirtley, both of England. Hannah Kirtley died in 1847. James’ father, Foster, remarried Hannah Middleton. In 1852, when Foster was repairing a ship mast, a storm swept him into the ocean and he drowned.

Foster's second wife, Hannah, immigrated with the children to America. After arriving, they joined the Edward Martin Handcart Company with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from England.

Annie Hicks Free, one of the Saints traveling with the company wrote: “I recall very clearly ... as we crossed the Platte River. The stream was very strong and the water bitter cold, making it very hard to cross. In the company was a widow with her family. Her oldest boy, a fine young chap, had started across the river with his handcart but the current was so strong that he was borne downstream. Seeing the boy’s condition I ran down the bank of the river and went out into it in time to catch the boy and his handcart. I helped the boy to shore but he was almost frozen. That evening when the company made camp, the boy’s mother was going out to gather chips of wood but the boy insisted upon going himself. When he had been gone a long time, a search was made for him and he was found frozen to death with his sticks in his arms."

Brave and faithful, 14-year-old James Hawkey, passed away just west of the Platte River, and was buried near that area.