Kay, I know because I have met several Cherokee that can trace back to our area to their patriarchs. We have Court Officials confirmed to be related to the Cherokee. I have cousin DNA matches to enrolled Cherokee or people who have documents of Cherokee but are not enrolled. These DNA tests only prove that I have cousins in the Cherokee but do not prove if we share an AI, European, African etc ancestor. Furthermore DNA tests can not prove tribe. I have cousins also DNA tested matching tribal members. My family did not move and always stayed where they were in NC. These DNA cousin matches to the Cherokee that we have only leave more questions than answers however I still may be able to help some Cherokee trace their ancestors back to where we were even though I cant trace my own family since most of my ancestors got their mother's surname and unk fathers. Without absolute paper proof there is no telling who my ancestors were at a moment in time but paper and DNA testing does prove many are not who they say they are in my lines. This starts to happen in my lines where many thy get their mother's surname and unk fathers before the trail of tears. So we are talking earlier 1800's and I only have 4 people on my tree I can trace to born in the 1700's. My lines go dead to the point I have not one rev war vet on my tree.

"IF" Brian Ward was in Burke ( i need tax records to back up census) this would have been in 1790. I spoke to a Cherokee and they believe Brian Ward in the early 1800's was in Franklin GA. In Burke County NC 1790 there are only 3 wards, Byn (possibly Bryan) Ward, Catherine Ward (possibly Catherine McDaniel Ward) and a Joshuah Ward. Franklin GA tax 1800's there is a Bryan Ward, Joshuah Ward and I think a Samuel Ward ( not looking at it while typing this) The GA records kind of match up to early Burke records and this Byn Ward and Joshuah Ward on the Burke County 1790 census are around descendants of General Joseph Martin's family. As I said this is all under investigation but it would make sense since Byn and Joshua are around General J's descendants that Byn Ward may in fact be "The" Bryan Ward. This would take some court house digging to find more info.

Like I said before I know your Hawkins came out of Granville but If they are a Hawkins line that married into the Cherokee I don't know. I personally am not a Hawkins researcher though my family is from Wilkes so I know this area well. This is why I mentioned to you to post on the Wilkes board since I know there is a specific Hawkins researcher on that board and he may have found connections between your Hawkins line and the Cherokee. I only know that one of your Hawkins line married ( i dont think there is an actual marriage record) in the Benge family and I am related to the Benges.