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.

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