Hawkins, Benjamin (1754-1816)

US senator and Indian agent. He served as George Washington's aide and translator in his dealing with American Indians during the American Revolution. He was a member of the Confederation Congress (1781-84, 1786-87). He also served as one of North Carolina's first two US senators (1789-95). His most important work was as a commissioner who negotiated treaties with various American Indian peoples, including the treaty of Coleraine with the Creeks in 1796. President Washington then appointed him general superintendent of all American Indians south of the Ohio River. Known as ‘Beloved Man of the Four Nations’, he worked especially closely with the Creeks. Hawkins was born in Bute County, North Carolina.