Thomas Hawkins was an English pirate active during the late 17th century, primarily known for his association with the infamous pirate captain Henry Every.
Hawkins served as a crew member aboard Every's ship, the Fancy. He was part of the crew that executed one of the most successful acts of piracy in history: the capture of the Mughal treasure ship Ganj-i-Sawai in September 1695. This vessel, laden with immense wealth from the pilgrimage to Mecca, was intercepted in the Arabian Sea, yielding an extraordinary amount of gold, silver, and jewels for Every's crew.
Following the dispersal of Every's crew in the aftermath of the Ganj-i-Sawai raid, Hawkins was among those who made their way to the American colonies. He, along with several other members of Every's crew, eventually settled in Rhode Island, where they were able to obtain pardons from the colonial authorities. The specific details of Hawkins's life after receiving his pardon are not extensively documented in historical records.
His participation in Every's legendary crew connects him to a pivotal period of piracy known as the Golden Age, demonstrating the allure of treasure and the challenges faced by maritime powers in protecting their trade routes.