Robert son of John & Elise Hawes bapt 27.12.1748 Bury St Edmunds
The best source for his family was the will proved PCC 10.4.1801 of his aunt Unica Hawes of Botesdale, Suffolk from which we see he had many cousins, his father had died by 1784, his grandparents John & Ellen Hawes were buried in Rickinghall churchyard, his uncle Robert was an apothecary of Bury St Edmunds (whose will was proved PCC 1784).
Robert Hawes was apprenticed 21.10.1761 for 7 years with a premium of £25 to William Green stationer of Bury St Edmunds. From 1770 he was in partnership with his fellow apprentice Charles Punchard at Ipswich, and from 1772 to 1794 he was trading in London, at 34 Lamb St, Spitalfields, at 49 Dorset Street corner of Crispin St Spitalfields, at the Foundry, Moorfields, and from 1792 to 1794 at 107 Whitechapel Rd and at 12 White Row, Spitalfields (British Book Trade Index). In 1772 he printed the 15th edition of Primitive Physick by John Wesley (DNB 1703-1791), in 1774 An Extract of the Christian's Pattern published by John Wesley, in 1775 Hymns to the Trinity by Charles Wesley (DNB 1707-1788) and A Calm Address to Our American Colonies by John Wesley, in 1776 Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord by Charles Wesley. In 1773 Hawes took apprentice for 7 years premium £10 William Shepherd Andrews, and in 1776 for 5 years premium £20 Robert Hindmarsh (DNB 1759-1835). Hindmarsh's DNB article says 'apprenticed to a Quaker printer in London' but I found no evidence of Hawes belonging to the Society of Friends. On 18.7.1776 at Spitalfields Robert Hawes bach married by licence Catherine Shougholt sp who signed with a mark, witness William Green (presumably his former master?). Their children baptised at Spitalfields were Unica 18.7.1777, Elizabeth 1.1.1779, Unica Catherine 20.8.1780 and Nathaniel 25.8.1782. In 1787 Hawes was in High Street Croydon at the Millenium Press as 'bookbinder, printer, bookseller, stationer author'. Nathaniel Hawes infant was buried 13.1.1787 at Croydon. On 25.3.1789 at the Surrey Lent Assizes, Kingston-on-Thames, George Uwins was condemned to death for highway robbery of Robert Hawes and Valentine Phipps both of Croydon.
"The Monster" by R Hawes being his prologue to "The Star of Peace" sold by the author 12 White Row Spitalfields. Flyer for "The Star of Peace" by the author of "The Star of Liberty" also "The Fan of Benevolence" R Hawes printer 12 White Row Spitalfields. A Letter from a Citizen of London, White Row Spitalfields 1.8.1793 R. Hawes. Nat Arch TS 11/966 other reference 3510B information of John Thomas Slack Sept 1793 Thomas Williams' division met at Robert Hawes' house who wouldn't suffer "La Guillotine, or George's Head in the Basket", a mock play bill to remain in his house (see Thale p83 note49). LCS general committee 10.10.1793 "Ordered that the Treasurer purchase 18 Stars of Peace for the Use of the Divisions from Mr Hawes the printer". 12.11.1793 spy Lynam's report Divs 16 & 25 meeting at Haw's printer 12 White Row Spitalfields (Thale p92 and see p94 exam of Goulding). "An Acrostical Tribute of Respect to the memory of the late right honourable Lord George Gordon who died in Newgate November 1 1793 in which are introduced some prophetic ideas relative to the call of the Jews, expected very shortly to commence" by R. Hawes, printed and sold by the author No 12 White Row Spitalfields, to be had of Mr Slack 62 Compton St Clerkenwell, Mr Battersby Sun St Bishopsgate, Mr Nelson 31 Lamb St Spitalfields "To Lord George Gordon's memory, this verse Hawes writes, who almost envieth his hearse". SunFire 1794 David Rogers gent insured 12 White Row Spitalfields (Hawes printer). 9.5.1794 (LCS debt to) Hawes cleared off (Thale p242 note 14). 26.10.1795 LCS general meeting "prospective members may apply" to Hawes among others. "A Remedy" by Andrew Larcher 1795 printed by R Hawes. "A True Description of the Real Causes and Principles of the British Fraternal and Philanthropic Community, United against Monopoly and Extortion" by Andrew Larcher 1796. See David Worrall "Theatric Revolution" chapter on Political Microcultures. Ellen bapt 7.1.1801 Rickinghall dau of Robert Hawes and Catherine Shaw.