Hawfields, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Hawfields is an unincorporated community in Alamance County
, North Carolina
, United States
.
Hawfields was first populated by Ulster Irish and Western African immigrants as early as the 17th century but a firm establishment was not achieved until 1740-1750 and was originally called "Haw Old Fields" by the settlers because of the Haw River which runs partially through Hawfields and neighboring Mebane. Haw River itself is named so because of the Sissipihaw Indians who settled in the entire county of Alamance which is named for a Sissipaw word for the blue mud found at the bottom of the river.
Hawfields is located on North Carolina Highway 119
, southeast of Mebane
. It is one of the oldest communities in Alamance County, being referenced in historical works on the Sissipahaw
. It is the site of the oldest church in Alamance County - Hawfields Presbyterian Church, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. This church was the seat of Orange Presbytery, which was formed in 1770.
Alamance County, North Carolina
Alamance County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It coincides with the Burlington, North Carolina, Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Hawfields was first populated by Ulster Irish and Western African immigrants as early as the 17th century but a firm establishment was not achieved until 1740-1750 and was originally called "Haw Old Fields" by the settlers because of the Haw River which runs partially through Hawfields and neighboring Mebane. Haw River itself is named so because of the Sissipihaw Indians who settled in the entire county of Alamance which is named for a Sissipaw word for the blue mud found at the bottom of the river.
Hawfields is located on North Carolina Highway 119
North Carolina Highway 119
North Carolina Highway 119 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It runs from NC 54 in Swepsonville north via Mebane, Hightowers, and Semora to the Virginia state line, where it continues as State Route 119.-Future:...
, southeast of Mebane
Mebane, North Carolina
Mebane is a city located mostly in Alamance County, North Carolina, United States, with a part of it in Orange County, North Carolina. It is part of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. The current population estimate is 10,624. According to the , the town was named for...
. It is one of the oldest communities in Alamance County, being referenced in historical works on the Sissipahaw
Sissipahaw
The Sissipahaw or Haw Tribe were most likely a Siouan tribe of North Carolina. They are also variously recorded as Saxahapaw, Sauxpa, Sissipahaus, etc. Their settlements were generally located in the vicinity of modern-day Saxapahaw, North Carolina on the Haw River in Alamance County upstream...
. It is the site of the oldest church in Alamance County - Hawfields Presbyterian Church, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. This church was the seat of Orange Presbytery, which was formed in 1770.
Notable residents
- Alexander MebaneAlexander MebaneAlexander Mebane, Jr. was a U.S. Congressman from the state of North Carolina from 1793 to 1795. He was also a brigadier general in the North Carolina militia during the Revolutionary War....
, member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. The nearby city of Mebane, North CarolinaMebane, North CarolinaMebane is a city located mostly in Alamance County, North Carolina, United States, with a part of it in Orange County, North Carolina. It is part of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. The current population estimate is 10,624. According to the , the town was named for...
is named after him. - Thomas Samuel AsheThomas Samuel AsheThomas Samuel Ashe was a U.S. Congressman from North Carolina between 1873 and 1877. He had previously served in the Confederate Congress.-Early years:...
, member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and Congress of the Confederate StatesCongress of the Confederate StatesThe Congress of the Confederate States was the legislative body of the Confederate States of America, existing during the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865...