Request Material





J. Harold Hawkins Papers

J. Harold Hawkins Papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: J. Harold Hawkins Papers
Creator: Hawkins, John Harold, 1892-1961.
Inclusive Dates: 1912-1980
Language(s): English
Extent: 7 box(es) (6 linear fet)
Collection Number: RBRL109JHH
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: John Harold Hawkins was born May 22, 1892, in Forsyth County, Georgia, the son of Perry C. Hawkins and Della Bramblett Hawkins. He was admitted to the Bar in 1916 and served as official court reporter of the Blue Ridge Circuit. Hawkins was nominated Associate Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court in the Democratic primary held September 8, 1948. The papers of Judge Hawkins include correspondence and printed materials related to his 1948 campaign, a small number of administrative and case files maintained by legal assistant Harold Glore, personal correspondence, clippings and photographs.

Collection Description

Biographical Note

John Harold Hawkins was born May 22, 1892, in Forsyth County, Georgia, the son of Perry C. Hawkins (1871-1925) and Della Bramblett Hawkins (1874-1910). His paternal grandfather was Fed M. Hawkins, a member of the House of Representatives of Georgia, from Forsyth County.

Judge Hawkins was admitted to the Bar December 26, 1916. He served as Official Court Reporter of the Blue Ridge Circuit from January 1, 1915 until September 1, 1917. He was appointed Law Assistant to Judge W. F. Jenkins, on the Court of Appeals of Georgia September 10, 1917, and served in that capacity until March 1, 1920, when he resigned to become a member of the Marietta law firm Morris, Hawkins and Wallace.

Governor L.G. Hardman appointed him Judge, Superior Courts, of the Blue Ridge Circuit, effective March 1, 1931, to succeed the Honorable John S. Wood, who had been elected to Congress. He was re-elected to this position four times without opposition.

In 1948 Chief Justice W. F. Jenkins, of the Georgia Supreme Court, announced that he would not seek re-election, and Judge Hawkins became a candidate to succeed Judge Jenkins. He was nominated Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Georgia's highest appellate court, in the Democratic primary held September 8, 1948. Chief Justice Jenkins accepted appointment as Chief Justice Emeritus effective September 10, 1948, and Judge Hawkins was also nominated by the Democratic Executive Committee to run in the November General Election for Jenkins' unexpired term. Hawkins was elected to serve out the unexpired term and succeed Jenkins for a full six-year term. Judge Hawkins was re-elected without opposition in 1954, and chose not to seek re-election in 1960. He was appointed Associate Justice Emeritus effective December 30, 1960, after having served continuously as Judge of the Superior Courts and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court for almost thirty years.

Judge Hawkins was a member of the American Bar Association, the Georgia Bar Association, the Cobb Judicial Circuit Bar Association, The Ten Club, the Atlanta Athletic Association, the Capital City Club, and the Rotary Club. He served as a member and president of the Board of Education, City of Marietta, from 1933 to 1937. He served as Superintendent of Sunday Schools, First Baptist Church, Marietta, for a number of years. He was the first President of the Blue Ridge Circuit Bar Association. He was a Director in the State Y.M.C.A. of Georgia, and President of the Cobb County Federal Savings & Loan Association.

Judge Hawkins and Miss Irene Northcutt were married on April 22, 1914. The couple had two children, Ann and Jane. Judge Hawkins died June 8, 1961.

See also David A. Dosser, Sr. Let Justice Be Done: The Life and Times of Justice J. Harold Hawkins

Scope and Content

The J. Harold Hawkins Papers primarily consist of correspondence, lists of contacts and donations, clippings and ephemera documenting his campaign for the Georgia Supreme Court in 1948. The bulk of the correspondence is from supporters endorsing Hawkins' candidacy. These supporters include lawyers, Justices of the Peace, and state and county officials. In addition to information about the Judge's race against opponent Joe Quillian, relation of Senator Richard Russell, the correspondence yields information about Quillian's connections to Herman Talmadge who was embroiled in the three-governor controversy during this period. Also included is a running record of cases, compiled by legal assistant Harold Glore, heard before Hawkins during his time on the Supreme Court (1948-1960). The collection contains campaign and personal correspondence, certificates, campaign files, individual case files, office files, and photographs.

Organization and Arrangement

Judge Hawkins' papers are organized into five series: personal files, campaign files, office/administrative files, case files, and photographs. The campaign files are further organized into three sub-series: correspondence, general and ephemera.


Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Sensitive materials in the personal and case files are restricted for 75 years from creation.

Preferred Citation

J. Harold Hawkins Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.

Processing Notes

The collection was re-foldered and re-housed in archival boxes and folders during processing. To stabilize the collection, acidic and brittle reply copies from Hawkins have been photocopied onto bond paper.

User Restrictions

Library acts as "fair use" reproduction agent.

Copyright Information

Before material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permissions. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding aid prepared on: 2000.

General Notes

Biographical Note excerpted from Biographical Sketch, State of Georgia Supreme Court, Atlanta, 1960


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Blue Ridge (Ga.)
Fortson, Ben Wynn, 1904-1979.
Georgia -- Supreme Court.
Griffin, S. Marvin, 1907-1982.
Harris, Roy Vincent, 1895-1985
Hartsfield, William Berry.
Hawkins, John Harold, 1892-1961.
Judges -- Georgia.
Lanham, Henderson Lovelace, 1888-1957.
McGill, Ralph, 1898-1969.
Photographs.
Quillian, Joseph Dillard, 1893-1968.
Russell, Richard B. (Richard Brevard), 1897-1971
Sibley, John Adams, 1888-1986.
Talmadge, Herman E. (Herman Eugene), 1913-2002
Vandiver, S. Ernest (Samuel Ernest), 1918-2005.

Related Collections in this Repository

Herman E. Talmadge Collection

Henderson Lanham Papers

Lamartine G. Hardman Collection

Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection

Richard B. Russell, Sr. Papers

Roy Vincent Harris Papers

Charles L. Gowen Papers

George L. Smith II Papers

Related Collections in Other Repositories

1948 Election, 20th Century Georgia Politics Research Materials, Georgia Southern Special Collections

APR 1993.19, Radio Broadcast Recordings Relating to Georgia Politics, 1946-48, Georgia Government Documentation Project, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University

Charles J. Bloch Papers, Middle Georgia Historical Society, Macon


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

I. Personal Files

29 folder(s)
This series, arranged by format, includes certificates, clippings, correspondence, memorials, programs, resolutions and two speeches documenting the life and career of Judge Hawkins. The majority of the files contain materials related to Hawkins' death in 1961 and the subsequent memorials and resolutions that were passed in his honor. Harold Glore compiled the last three files in this series upon the Judge's death. Also there is a copy of a speech, about the history of the legal system and justice, delivered by Judge Hawkins to the American Bar Association in 1951. Included in the personal correspondence are letters from Richard B. Russell, Jr., Mrs. Eugene Talmadge, J.L. Pilcher, John A. Sibley, Ernest Vandiver, Marvin Griffin and Henderson Lanham. The correspondence dates from 1946 to 1948 and 1951 to 1961 and mostly relates to social events and meetings. Of significance is a letter written by Richard B. Russell, Jr. upon the passing of his mother in 1953.
boxfolder
I.1 1[Certificate, District Court of the United States, Harold Hawkins, Attorney and Counselor at Laws], 1920 May 1
I.1 2[Certificate, State of Georgia Office of the Secretary of State, J.H. Hawkins, Associate Justice Emeritus, Supreme Court], 1960 December 30
I.1 3[Clippings], 1913-1977
I.1 4[Correspondence], 1946-1948
I.1 5[Correspondence], 1951-1961
I.1 6[Memoriam for Walter F. George], 1958 October 15
I.1 7[Memorial and clippings], 1961
I.1 8[Memorials], circa 1961
I.1 9[Memorials to J.H. Hawkins], 1961
I.1 10[Blue Ridge Circuit Court Memorial Committee], 1961
I.1 11[Supreme Court of Georgia Memorial Committee], 1961
I.1 12Memorial to Associate Justice Emeritus John Harold Hawkins, 1961 September 11
I.1 13[Newsletter, Lawyers Title & Realty News, "A Lawyer's Views on Liberty], 1952 July
I.1 14[Program, The Georgia Bar Association], 1945 May 30
I.1 15[Program, 65th Annual Meeting of the Georgia Bar Association], 1948 May 27-29
I.1 16[Program, Kiwanews, Kiwanis International], 1948 July 17
I.1 17[Program, First Baptist Church, Marietta, Georgia], 1949 September 25
I.1 18[Inaugural program, House of Representatives], 1951 January 9
I.1 19[Resolution, First Baptist Church, Judge Hawkins Day], 1949 September
I.1 20[Resolution, First Baptist Church], 1959
I.1 21[Resolution, Governing Board of the Capital City Club], 1961
I.1 22[Resolution, Blue Ridge Circuit Bar Association], 1961
I.1 23[Resolution, Grand Jury announcement at the passing of Hawkins], 1961
I.1 24[Resolution, Cobb County Courthouse Commission], 1961
I.1 25[Speech to the American Bar Association], 1951
I.1 26[Speech, The Law and the Lawyer], undated
I.1 27Hawkins, J.H. (Will) Filed for probate [Restricted], 1961 June 14
I.1 28Hawkins, J.H. (Death), undated
I.1 29Hawkins, J.H. (Memorial), undated
 

II. Campaign Files

1.5 box(es)
(1.5 linear feet)
This series documents Judge Hawkins' campaign for Associate Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court and is organized into three sub-series: correspondence, general, and ephemera. The correspondence, arranged alphabetically by correspondent, includes support letters from Charles J. Bloch, Ben W. Fortson, James L. Gillis, Charles L. Gowen, Roy V. Harris, William B. Hartsfield, Henderson Lanham, Ralph McGill, George L. Smith, II, and Herman E. Talmadge. The general files include receipts, invoices, campaign committee files, and lists of supporters and contributors. The types of ephemera include campaign cards and leaflets. Arrangement is alphabetical.



A. Correspondence

boxfolder
II.1 1[Abbott-The Atlanta Journal], 1948
II.1 2[Atwood-Bloch], 1947-1948
II.1 3[Bloodworth-Broom], 1947-1948
II.1 4[Brown-Chance], 1947-1948
II.1 5[Chapman-Custer], 1947-1948
II.1 6[Daley-Dykes], 1947-1948
II.1 7[Earle-Foster], 1947-1948
II.1 8[Fountain-Gower], 1947-1948
II.1 9[Graham-Harris], 1947-1948
II.1 10[Harrison-Hodgeson], 1947-1948
II.1 11[Hogg-Hussey], 1947-1948
II.1 12[Illges-Kimmons], 1947-1948
II.1 13[King-Lyon], 1947-1948
II.1 14[MacDougald-McGraw], 1947-1948
II.1 15[McKelvey-Mooney], 1947-1948
II.1 16[Moore-Owens], 1947-1948
II.1 17[Painter-Pettit], 1947-1948
boxfolder
II.2 1[Phillips-Reinhart]
II.2 2[Refroe-Ryan]
II.2 3[Sams-Smith]
II.2 4[Snow-Tate]
II.2 5[Thomas-Walker]
II.2 6[Walker-Williamson]
II.2 7[Willingham-Zeesman]
II.2 8[Administrative campaign
II.2 9[Blue Ridge Bar Association event]
II.2 10[Endorsement correspondence]



B. General

boxfolder
II.2 11[Campaign invoices and receipts]
II.2 12[Columbus Barr Association endorsement]
II.2 13[Campaign Committee]
II.2 14[Campaign File]
II.2 15[Suggested Circuit Leaders, list and correspondence]
II.2 16[List of Supporters]
II.2 17[List of Contributors]
II.2 18[List Ex-officio]
II.2 19[List of Georgia Justices of the Peace by County]



C. Ephemera

boxfolder
II.2 20[Hawkins campaign letterhead], undated
II.2 21[Hawkins campaign card], 1948
II.2 22[Hawkins campaign leaflet], 1948
II.2 23[Joe Quillian, Hugh J. MacIntrye and John A. Boykin campaign cards], undated
 

III. Office/Administrative Files

14 folder(s)
This series primarily consists of files created or maintained by Harold Glore, Hawkins' legal assistant including administrative records, a complete list of the cases heard by Judge Hawkins between 1948 and 1961, and correspondence.
boxfolder
III.1 1[Harold Glore file, Certioraris, Supreme Court of the State of Georgia], 1944-1961
III.1 2[Hawes-Hill Highway Bill], 1945
III.1 3[Correspondence], 1947-1948
III.1 4[Resignation from Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit], 1948
III.1 5[Administrative file related to various cases, bills, elections, etc.], 1952-1956
III.1 6[Letter from Walter F. George], 1955
III.1 7[Move to new Judicial Offices], 1956
III.1 8[Harold Glore office file], 1957
III.1 9[Henry Holcombe Perry announcement], 1959
III.1 10[L. Harold Glore's resignation], 1960
III.1 11[Resume of J.H. Hawkins' work, 1948 November 30-1960 December 30, compiled by Harold Glore], 1961
III.1 12[Harold Glore], 1980
III.1 13[J.H. Hawkins letterhead], undated
III.1 14[Note cards with the preamble to the Constitution and a "Scoreboard of Freedom of American Citizen"], undated
 

IV. Case Files

26 folder(s)
boxfolder
III.1 15Eskew v. Eskew, [1941]
III.1 16[Case mail] [Restricted], 1947-1948
III.1 17[Various case files, schedules and notes], 1949-1953
III.1 18[Case files] [Restricted], 1950
III.1 19[Bertha Bentley v. Community Theatres Company, no. 18309], 1953
III.1 20Altman et al. v. Strouse, no. HH-3 18414, [1953]
III.1 21Owens Hardware Co. v. Walters, no. HH-1 18428, [1954]
III.1 22Patterson v. Patterson, no. HH-3 18457, [1954]
III.1 23Brewer v. Williams et al., no. HH-2 18438, [1954]
III.1 24State of Georgia, etc. v. Hiers et al., no. HH-4 18469, [1954]
III.1 25State Highway Department, [1960]
III.1 26[Notes on various cases] [Restricted], 1960
 

V. Photographs

33 photographs, 13 negatives
Arranged chronologically, this series consists of black and white and hand-colored photographs of various events attended by Judge and Mrs. J.H. Hawkins. Also included are several photographs of the unveiling of Judge Hawkins' portrait at the Cobb courthouse in 1977.
boxfolder
V.11Portrait of Judge J. H. Hawkins, 1912. (1 (7x9") b/w)
V.12J.H. Hawkins and Irene Northcutt, circa 1914. (1 (2.5x4) b/w, 1 (4x5") b/w)
V.13Portrait of J.H. Hawkins, circa 1914. (1 (8x10") hand-colored, 1 (8x10") b/w)
V.14J.H. Hawkins in the law office of Clay and Morr, circa 1916. (1 (6x8") sepia; mounted)
V.15J.H. Hawkins with three unidentified men in a store, circa 1930s. (1 (8x10") b/w)
V.16J.H. Hawkins in his Marietta office, circa 1930. (1 (5x7") b/w)
V.17Portrait of J. H. Hawkins, circa 1935. (1 (4x5.5) b/w)
V.18Portrait of J.H. Hawkins, circa 1935. (2 (7.5x10") b/w)
V.19Portrait of Irene Northcutt Hawkins, circa 1935. (1 (8x10") hand-colored)
V.110J.H. Hawkins in a group photo at the First Baptist Church, 1944. (1 (8x10") b/w)
V.111Group photo including J.H. Hawkins at the Bell Aircraft Corp, 1945 February 13. (1 (8x10") b/w)
V.112Sunday School picnic, First Baptist Church, Marietta, Georgia, held at Grant Park, 1945 July 11. (1 (8x10") b/w)
V.113Unidentified office personnel, 1956 July. (2 (3x3") b/w)
V.114Portrait of S. Ernest Vandiver, circa 1959. (1 (8x10") b/w)
V.115Judge Hawkins at an unidentified event, circa 1960. (1 (5x5") b/w, 1 (8x10") b/w)
V.116Unveiling of Hawkins portrait at Cobb Courthouse, 1977 April. (3 (8x10") b/w)
V.117Group photos at the unveiling of Hawkins portrait at Cobb Courthouse, 1977 April. (2 (8x10") b/w)
V.118Unidentified group office photo, undated. (1 (3x5") b/w)
boxfolder
V.21Hawkins family portrait, circa 1930s. (1 (10x13") hand-colored)
V.22J.H. Hawkins Portrait, circa 1930s. (1 (10x13") b/w; mounted)
V.23J.H. Hawkins sworn in as Blue Ridge Circuit Judge, 1931 January 8. (1 (10x11") sepia, 1 (10x11") b/w)
V.24Justices of the Georgia Supreme Court, 1950s. (2 (10x13") b/w)