A Dream Delivered: The Lost Letters of Hawkins Wilson

Follow one family’s journey to reunite with relatives of their ancestor, Hawkins Wilson, who was born into slavery and torn from his family as a young boy. As a grown, newly-freedman nearly 25 years later, Hawkins Wilson sent letters to the Freedmen’s Bureau desperately seeking assistance locating his siblings, but unfortunately, the letters were never delivered and his story, like many others, was suspended in time–until now.

This inspiring story of resilience and hope showcases the impact one family history discovery can have on an entire community that has faced many roadblocks when it comes to understanding their past.

With our unparalleled collection of more than 60 billion records, over 3 million subscribers and over 25 million people in our growing DNA network, you can discover your family story and gain a new level of understanding about your life. Over the past 40 years, we've built trusted relationships with millions of people who have chosen us as the platform for discovering, preserving, and sharing the most important information about themselves and their families.

[AncestryUS]

🎥Ancestry’s Nicka Sewell-Smith & Lisa Elzey will be watching along live, sharing behind the scenes details and answering audience questions throughout this premiere! Show them some love in the comments.

[danettecherry]

Young Hawkins made sure to store important names and memories as if he KNEW that one day it would bring his family together, and it did! This is a beautiful story.

[AprilB-vyuq]

Hawkins Wilson's letter reached forward through time and did what he was unable to do in his lifetime; bring his family together. Beautiful.

[sarahcoleman]

I couldn't help thinking the same thing she was saying in the end, that the prayer he put out in the world was answered 150 years later. That little boy was spiritually led back to his family by his own children.

[maryspeer]

Tears are falling. The letter is finally delivered and family gather together due to the biscuit crumbs left along the way.

[ddawe]

All because of a child's memory. Unreal. Hawkins Wilson, you were a strong man. I want to know more about Hawkins.

[tbthom]

The letters STILL got delivered!!! This was powerful reminder that the spirit will never stop until it is fulfilled!!! Simply amazing!

[virginiacorcoran]

While watching celebrities find their roots is fascinating, stories like these really bring to life how slavery was not only horrific, but there is an entire segment of families whose stories that have disappeared.

[dejaamara]

Your Story Is Our STORY !
Hawkins Wilson is Home and ALIVE... Eternally !

[br.claudelane]

What an amazing person Hawkins Wilson was. His mind, his memory, his faith. It’s a testament to the effectiveness of his faith that this story can be told. I wish there had been a picture of him, I’d love to see this beautiful person!

[lynnerussell]

This story is one of millions. Thank you for sharing because it is the story of many.

[DebS]

I'm 66 years old and was born in Ohio. My maternal family traces back to the 1700's in this country, that side of the family moved away from the south to Ohio, because as Quakers they were not in agreement with slavery. My paternal side, I'm just a few generations from ancestors who came from Europe. When we were in school, through history classes, we learned the story of African American slavery in this county....
To hear Mr Wilson's words from his letter how he named his family members and shared who they "BELONGED" to, that really struck
a chord in my heart. Thank you Dr Gates and your team for reuniting this family and for also bringing history to LIFE with the
Finding Your Roots show. !!! 💗

[arlisaburkes]

This is a beautiful love story from a six yr little boy. His family poured a tremendous about a love into young Hawkins. They didn't have much as slaves, but they gave him everything they had. He clung to them in love & spirit, never forgetting. As soon as he was able, he wrote this love letter to his family covered in prayers to let them know he never forgot them. What a blessing to his descendents that they were carried in the heart of that little six yr old boy❤

[kat.b.]

I'm bawling like a baby, so glad you have found each other and the love that Hawkins Wilson shared with us all, yes even with me a white lady in California feels his love today. Please tell more!!! I want more. My Dad had a dairy, one of his favorite milkers was Herman Taylor, a black man from Mississippi. Herman was like family, Dad took care of him, provideing a home for him to live out his days as he grew old. Blessing everyone, is what Hawkins has done today. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.

[DanieVargas]

Of ALL the episodes I’ve watched, this one has me in (happy) tears! Just like Kelly said, her ancestor wrote a letter about 150 years ago that was NEVER delivered until now… it makes a person think that their forefather KNEW how difficult it would be to receive this letter and how important this letter was going to be; that it would become a verbal MAP to at least direct his family to where they needed to go to find him and/or his descendants!! That letter never made it to his sister, but his descendants found it, then they went and found HER descendants. Kinda bringing everyone in a full circle… I’m sure Mr Wilson is VERY happy now that his family members are hunting and searching for each other.

[nokesbob]

Breaks my heart and yes I'm crying. The thought that his letter is now in the hands of his family and they both are now connected. The words he wrote are so powerful. A six year old boy, and he remembered his family and kept them with him his whole life. I can't even imagine human beings so cruel, so money hungry, that they enslaved humans for their own benefit. The power of those letters will, and has moved mountains. The power of the written word. Just think about that.

[darlaobanion]

When those ladies stood face-to-face, I saw in my mind Hawkins looking down and smiling, saying they finally made it. Here is my family together. At last, I truly visualized his huge smile❤

[ceb]

And he remembered so many names and with such accuracy at 6 yrs. old!

[patriciamurashige]

Here on the island of Kauai in Hawaii born and raised Japanese American woman crying my eyes out. I love and admire all of Hawkins Wilson from childhood to adulthood!! His feeling and words touched not only his descendants, but a total stranger (me)! I felt the same the younger generation… I want to hear more… I want his story to be heard!!! I will be so honest the people I have always admired the most are the people who had to live through slavery and their descendants!! The most strongest human beings I have ever known! I sorry I hope I’m not overstepping the boundaries, but wanted to say my heartfelt feelings! I hope there’s a reunion because thst would definitely make Hawkins’ day!!!🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🥰🥰🥰🥰😍😍🙏🏼

[creedking]

This soo amazing to know that im related to Hawkins Wilson & to watch my aunt & cousin get interviewed and tell our family history is soooo amazing to me im soooo lost for words