Subject: Hopkins-POWG-2\last From: gslat Date: December 19, 1999 Benjamin Hopkins was born Jan. 4, 1802, on Sanfusky Island, S. C., son of Gen. Francis Hopkins and grandson of Admiral Francis Hopkins of the British Navy in the Revolutionary War. The family moved to McIntosh County where Benjamin grew to manhood. He was married at Fairfield, in Camden County, Feb. 28, 1822, to Susan Lodviski Dixon Floyd, born March 7, 1804, daughter of Gen. John Floyd (Vol.III). They had eleven children, viz: 1. John Francis b. Jan. 4, 1823, died Nov. 6, 1823. 2. Chas. Rinaldo Floyd b. Dec. 1, 1824, m. Frances Humphries. 3. Cornelia Caroline b. Dec. 23, 1826, m. 1st. Dr. Francis W. Sams, June 1, 1843; 2nd. Daniel P. Smith, June 2, 1861. 4. America Rebecca b. Jan. 19. 1829, died young. 5. Floyd b. May 21, 1830, drowned Sept. 1858; single. 6. Mary Hamilton b. Mar. 22, 1835, m. Spencer Brooks. 7. Isabella Maria b. Jan. 29, 1838, m. Capt. John Loper, 1864. 8. Henry Floyd b. May 7, 1842, m. Mary K. Buddington. 9. Joseph M. b. Jan. 6, 1845, died young. 10. Francis b. Apr. 9, 1848. died young. Following his marriage, Benjamin Hopkins with his wi e went back to McIntosh County to live with his widowed mother at Baisden's Bluff, but after,her death returned to Camden County to live. He was active in the militia, and served as Captain of the 31st district militia, Camden County, 18261833, then as Major of 8th Battalion, 1833-36. He was Representative From Camden in the legislature, 1846. Soon after his legislative service he moved to Jacksonville, Florida. His wife died there Dec. 27, 1873. They were buried in the old cemetery there. In Florida, Maj. Hopkins continued his military activities, serving in the Florida militia in the Seminole War, attaining to the rank of Brigadier-General, 1855. He was too old for service in Confederate Army, but nevertheless organized a company of rangers for service in the state troops, and served as captain of the same until his death which occurred in St. Augustine, in 1862. His remains were taken back to Jacksonville for burial. HOPKINS, FRANCIS 1772-1821 McINTOSH Brig. Gen. Francis Hopkins of the Georgia Militia and prominient citizen of McIntosh county in the early 1800s, was born near Bluffton, S. C., the only child of his parents, Francis Hopkins and wife Mary Martinangel. The elder Francis was a Loyalist in the Revolutionary War and served in the British Navy under Sir Peter Parker and died at Charlotte Amalie, Island of St. Thomas, West Indies, in 1780; his wife, Mary, was born Dec. 16, 1745, and was a daughter of Capt. Phillip Martinangel of the loyal South Carolina militia in the Revolution, who was assassinated by the "Bloody Legion" in Dec. 1781; Capt. Martinangel's wife was Mary Foster of S. C. Francis Hopkins, the subject, was married in April, 1794, to Rebecca Sayre, born March 1776, in S. C., daughter of Jeremiah Sayre (from Elizabeth, N. J.) and his wife Elizabeth Fripp Green of Hilton Head Island, S. C. They had eleven children, viz: 1. John L. b. Feb. 10, 1795, m. Ist, Sarah McKee; 2nd. Nancy Stephens of Tenn. 2. Mary Martinangel b. Mar. 10, 1796, died 1808. 3. Francis, III b. Nov. 10, 1798, died single 1847. 4. Benjamin b. Jan. 4, 1802, m. Susan Floyd, Feb. 28, 1822, dau. of Gen. John. 5. Georgia b. Nov. 11, 1803, m. 1st. Don Josef Mulvey,Spanish Consul at Darien, March, 1828; 2nd. Capt. Robert Day, Apr. 29, 1834. 6. William Proctor b. Jan. 23, 1805, m. Malinda Isabelle Floyd, dau. of Gen. John. 7. Edward Stevens b. Feb. 11, 1809, m. Mary Evelina Dufour, 1832, dau. of Lewis. 8. Charles Harris b. July 6, 1812, m. Mary Givens of Beaufort, S. C., May 1, 1834. 9. Elizabeth b. Nov. 11, 1815, died 1818. 10. Thomas Spalding b. Dec. 15, 1818, m. Ist. Julia Mary Dufour, dau. of Lewis; 2nd. Jane Elizabeth Gignilliat, Nov. 4, 1847. 11. Octavius Caesar b. July 9, 1819, m. Elizabeth Aurelia King, Apr. 7, 1861. Following their marriage, Francis and Rebecca Hopkins lived with his widowed mother on the May River near Bluffton, S. C., where they had a fine plantation and many slaves. But a bad storm on Sept. 8, 1804, resulting in twelve of the slaves being drowned and much property lost, caused the family to consider leaving there. Later, the same year, on a trip to Savannah, Mr. Hopkins met his friend, Thomas Spalding of Darien, who persuaded him to move to McIntosh County, agreeing to sell him two or three of his valuable plantations. In 1805, after having disposed of their property in S. C., Mr. Hopkins, wife and five children and his mother moved to Georgia and settled first on Sapelo Island at "Chatelet". a plantation which he bought from Mr. Spalding Jan. 22, 1805. But in 1808 because of the island's exposed situation to storms he bought a home at Bellville on the mainland and lived there about a year, then moved to High Bluff Plantation which he had bought and where his mother died in 1812. Other plantations owned by him then or later wereSapelo, Skiesfield on Heard's Island, Bellville and Baisden's Bluff. Gen Hopkins began his military career in the state militia as lieutenant in the 21st district, McIntosh County, commissioned July 17, 1810. The War of 1812 coming on he was advanced to captain, then to Major of the McIntosh County Battalion. On Nov. 6, 1817 he was commissioned Brigadier-General, 1st Brigade of the 1st Division, in command of the militia in the counties of Wayne, Camden, Glynn, Liberty, McIntosh, Bryan, Chatham and Effingham. He was a very capable officer. He served until his death. Gen. Hopkins served eight terms in the legislature as Representative from his county, viz: 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, elections being annually in those days. He also served as State Senator, 1815, 1816. He also served as a Justice of McIntosh Inferior Court from 1813 until his death in 1821. Gen Hopkins died May 5, 1821, and was buried in a family cemetery at Bellville, on his old home plantation. His wife lived nearly thirty years and died Aug. 3, 1850, and was buried by him. The sons of Gen. Hopkins all became prominent men. The oldest, John L., became a lawyer, served as Representative from McIntosh, moved to Tennessee where he was serving as Circuit Judge when assassinated by criminals fearing prosecution. Francis Jr., Benjamin, William P., Edward S., and Charles H. served in public office and had distinguished military careers, and Thomas S., (Vol.II) became a Medical Doctor and civic leader. HOPKINS, DR. T. S. (p. 153): He was anti-secession candidate for delegate From Wayne County to the Secession Convention in January, 1861, and was defeated, receiving 50 votes to 85 votes for Henry R. Fort, pro-secession candidate. ==== SCROOTS Mailing List ==== Go To: #, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, Main |