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SOURCE: Tree Builders Volume XIII Issue 1 Page 1

GENERAL SAMUEL HOPKINS, for whom HOPKINSVILLE, KY, WAS NAMED

The original plat for the county seat of Christian County, KY, dated Sept. 13, 1799, created the city of "Elizabeth," though how and why it was so named is not clear. Perrin's History of Christian County, Kentucky states:

At the April term of the court, 1804, is the first time the name Hopkinsville appears in the records, and then without any explanation as a to the cause of a change of name.

From local authority it is ascertained that a change of the name of Christian's seat of justice was necessary on account of Hardin County having adopted the name of Elizabethtown for her seat of justice, and being some four years the senior of Christian, it naturally fell to the latter to make the change. The name "Hopkinsville" was then adopted in honor of Gen. Samuel Hopkins, a gallant officer of the Revolutionary army, and a native of Albemarle County, Va. No officer bore a more conspicuous part in the great struggle for freedom; he fought in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Monmouth, Brandywine and Germantown, in the last of which he commanded a battalion of light infantry, and was severely wounded, after those of his command had nearly all been killed or wounded. He was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Tenth Virginia Regiment at the siege of Charleston, SC, and commanded that regiment after Col. Parker was killed until the close of the war. In 1797 Gen. Hopkins removed to Kentucky and settled on Green River. He served several sessions in the Legislature of Kentucky, and was a Member of Congress for the term commencing in 1813. In October, 1812, he led a corps of 2,000 mounted infantry against the kickapoo villages in Illinois; but being misled by his guides, after wandering over the prairies for some days to no purpose, the party returned to the capital of Indiana. After the close of the war Gen. Hopkins served one term in Congress, and then retired to private life on his farm near Red Banks.

SOURCE:

Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine June-July 1973 page 623

GENERAL SAMUEL HOPKINS CHAPTER
National Society Daughter of the American Revolution Henderson,
Kentucky present their Bicentennial Commemorative Project honoring
General Samuel Hopkins on his two hundred and twentieth Birthday-
April 9, 1973

General Samuel Hopkins---- born April 9, 1753 in Virginia, was one of
the most distinguished men of the Revolutionary War. Serving through
eight years. He was wounded at Germantown and taken prisoner at
Charleston. He was one of the picked men who crossed the Delaware
with Gen. George Washington on Christmas night in sleet and drifting
ice to surprise the Hessians at Trenton. He was a member of
Washington's staff and was with him at Valley Forge. He fought at the
Battles of Princeton, Trenton, Brandywine, Monmouth and Germantown.
Gen. Hopkins was an original member of the Society of Cincinnati in
Virginia.

In 1797, the Transylvania ( or Richard Henderson) Co. engaged Gen.
Hopkins to survey and lay out the Town of Red Banks, later named
Henderson, Ky. This he did in 141 days. A most intelligent piece of
work with streets 100 feet wide. Through the center of the town was a
park, the first municipal park west of the Alleghenies. The Hopkins
family was one of the first to come to the new town and occupy the
land grant Gen. Hopkins had received for his work. He was a man of
great ability and energy. He became the first Judge of the first
Court held in Henderson. He represented his district in the State
Legislature, State Senate and Congress of the United States. As
Presidential Elector from Kentucky he cast his vote for Madison. Gen.
Hopkins was considered one of Kentucky's most talented sons. For him
were named, Hopkinsville, Ky, Hopkins Co Ky and the Henderson Chapter,
DAR.

General Samuel Hopkins closed his life at his home, "Spring Garden"in
Henderson, Ky.--- September 16, 1819.


[The article then goes on to list all the members of General Samuel
Hopkins Chapter, Henderson, Ky. I did not copy those names.]



SOURCE:

Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, March 1974 pages
234-239 &304.

General Samuel Hopkins Soldier-Statesman-Cartographer

by Katheryn Howe Baskett

General Samuel Hopkins Chapter, Henderson, Kentucky.

General Samuel Hopkins was destined to become a very great and famous
man. He was born, April 9, 1753 in Albemarle County, Virginia, the
firs son of Dr. Samuel Hopkins and His wife, Isabella Taylor, and a
grandson of Dr. Arthur Hopkins and his wife, Elizabeth Pettus. Dr.
Arthur Hopkins was the first of the Hopkins name to settle in
Virginia. He came to America from Ireland with his two brothers in
the year 1705. One of his brothers settled in the East and from him
descended Stephen Hopkins, one of the Signers of the Declaration of
Independence. John Hopkins, founder of the University of that name,
and Bishop Hopkins were also descendants of this line.
Samuel Hopkins, through his mother, Isabella Taylor, was a descendant
of many very prominent and distinguished Virginia families, namely
Pendleton, Taylor, Barbour, Innises, Wickliffe, Breckenridge, Bibb,
and Cabell. Isabella Taylor Hopkins was a first cousin to Patrick
Henry and was closely related to both President Zachary Taylor and
President Madison. Her lineage has been traced back to William the
conqueror and to Emperor Charlemagne.

Samuel Hopkins studied to become a lawyer and a surveyor. But when
the great struggle began with the British for our freedom and
independence, he at once answered the call of his country. He was one
of the most distinguished officers of the Revolutionary War and played
a conspicuous and noted part for eight long years. Few officers of
his rank or station performed more active duty, rendered more
essential service to his country or enjoyed in a higher degree the
respect and confidence of the Commander-in-chief, George Washington.
He served with distinction as a member of General Washington's staff
and was one of the picked men who crossed the Delaware in a driving
storm of sleet and drifting ice when Washington surprised the Hessians
at Trenton. In the old original orderly book of the Tenth Virginia
Regiment there were frequent entries recording the devoted and arduous
duties of Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Hopkins during the terrible winter
at Valley Forge--from presiding at Court Martials to maintaining the
"esprit de corps" of Gen. Washington's ragged veterans.
The services of Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Hopkins as given in
Heitman's "Historical Register of Officers in the Continental Army--
1175-1783" are as follows: Captain--- 6th Virginia
Regiment---2-26-1776
Major--- 6th Virginia Regiment--11-29-1777
Lieutenant Colonel--14th Virginia Regiment-- 6-19-1778
Lieutenant Colonel-- 10th Virginia
Regiment --10-14-1778
Samuel Hopkins fought valiantly in the Battles of Brandywine,
Princeton, Trenton, Monmouth and Germantown. In the Battle of
Germantown, he commanded a Battalion of Light Infantry, and while
nobly battling for his country and for her rights, he received a very
severe wound, after almost the entire loss of those under his command,
either killed or wounded. He was Lieutenant Colonel of the Tenth
Virginia Regiment at the siege of Charleston in South Carolina, and
after the death of Colonel Richard Parker, he became the Colonel of
the Regiment and served as such until the close of the War. At the
surrender of Charleston on May 20, 1780, Colonel Hopkins was taken
prisoner along with his officers. After a short detention on an
island, the prisoners were conveyed in a British ship around the coast
to Virginia. During the voyage, which was a long one, the prisoners
suffered many privations and much harsh treatment, being often
insulted by the Captain. Colonel Hopkins became indignant at the
cruelty and insolence of the Captain of the Vessel and determined at
all costs to complain in behalf of his brother officers. On receiving
his daily ration of one mouldy biscuit, he demanded of the Captain if
he thought that was enough to keep body and soul together. "Sir,"
continued Hopkins, " the fortune of war has frequently placed British
soldiers in my power and they have never had cause to complain of my
unkindness nor want of hospitality. That which I have extended to
others I have the right to demand for my companions and myself. And
now, Sir," he continued, "unless we are treated as gentlemen and
officers, I will raise a mutiny and take your ship." The Captain of
the British ship was so taken by surprise that from then on the
prisoners were treated with more kindness and respect.

After sometime, the prisoners were exchanged and Colonel Hopkins was
transfered to the 1st Virginia Regiment on February 12, 1781.
Colonel Samuel Hopkins was an original member of the Society of the
Cincinnati in Virginia.

Agent for Transylvania Company Cartographer of Henderson, Kentucky

In the year 1775, the year before the Declaration of Independence, the
Transylvania Company, sometimes called the Richard Henderson Company,
of North Carolina began planning to found a series of new towns. This
Company, among the first of the many land companies, was formed August
27, 1774 and was composed of a "Company of Gentlemen Adventures"---
nine in number, North Carolinians--- Virginians and Scotchmen, all
living in North Carolina. Their President and leader was the
brilliant and eloquent Jurist and colonizer, Richard Henderson. He
has been called the "Political Father of Kentucky" and "one of the
greatest of American land speculators and Commonwealth builders." His
talents demanded stirring and brilliant opportunities-- so he turned
towards Kentucky, then a most exciting subject.
Under the leadership of Richard Henderson, it was the Transylvania
Company who engaged Daniel Boone to explore the beautiful lands of
Kentucky, later commissioned him to establish the Transylvania or
Wilderness Trail. They negotiated the Great Treaty at Sycamor Shoals
of the Wataugua and assigned Richard Callaway and their associates to
build the Transylvania Fort at Boonesborough and convened the first
assembly ever held west of the Alleghanies. It was the Transylvania
or Richard Henderson Company who laid the foundation on which Kentucky
was built.
The settling of the new towns began after the loss by the Transylvania
Company of their vast land purchase from the Cherokee Indians. The
state of Virginia "in consideration" of the very great expense
incurred in the purchasing and settling of the lands, voted and
granted to the Company 200,000 acres of land situated between the Ohio
and Green Rivers. In 1783, the North Carolina Legislature granted a
like amount in Powell's Valley in Tennessee. Two of the new towns
were settled: Nashville in Tennessee thrived from the beginning.
Boonesborough, in Kentucky, had a brief but glorious life, but became
a historic and sacred spot, revered as the birthplace of Government
and Christan worship in Kentucky. The settling of Henderson was long
delayed. The "Grant" lay far beyond the frontier and was considered
the "Far West" open to Indian raids and over run by a ruthless band of
River pirates. The red men did not live on the Grant but the Indian
village of Shawneetown, across the river was not far away.
Near the end of the eighteenth century, all the member of the
Transylvania or Richard Henderson Company had passed away except
three, Judge John Williams, James Hogg and Nathaniel Hart. But there
were heirs from the deceased members, and Amelia Johnston, the only
child and heir of William Johnston, became the only woman member.
William Johnston was the secretary and treasurer of the Company and
for over a decade, until his death May 3, 1785, he had never missed a
meeting of the Company.

He proved to be a financial wizard who successfully negotiated the most

complicated financial transactions totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

He was diligent, able and a Scotchman.
This group rallying from their discouragement and great financial
losses decided to found a town on the Richard Henderson Grant along
the Ohio river at Red Banks. They had some knowledge of the chosen
site, as it was known to the river men as "Red Banks" from the high
red bluffs that lifted the land far above the highest floods. For
that reason the town became known as the "Floodless City" on the Ohio.
The Company also knew that a few settlers had come down the river on
flatboats and landed at Red Banks and had built cabins and a small
stockade. This was at the crossroads of the Shawnee Trail and the
Natchez Trace. These pioneers, fifteen families in all, had settled
within the Grant with neither title or grant to the land, as early as
1791-1792.
It was about this time, now that the Revolutionary War was over, that
Samuel Hopkins had left his home in Virginia and gone to Hillsborough,
North Carolina. Here he contracted for the erection of the first
building ever erected upon the Campus of an State University in
America, the Old East Building, and also the erection of the official
home of the President of the University of North Carolilna. Because
of his efficient direction of these building operations at the
University, and as a competent man of affairs, Colonel Robert Burton,
secretary of the Board of Trustees, urged the Richard Henderson
Company to engage Samuel Hopkins as agent to arrange for and direct
the subdivision of the land lying on the Ohio and Green rivers.
Early in the year 1797, the Company did engage Samuel Hopkins as agent
and attorney and Captain Thomas Allin as surveyor and sent them to the
Henderson Grant to lay out the town. They were to follow, as nearly
as possible, a plan laid out by the Henderson Company some years
before.
Hopkins and Allin kept very complete notes of their work and from
these notes we learn that "Samuel Hopkins set out from his home in
Hanover County, Virginia on February 16, 1797 for Kentucky." After
passing the first mountains, the weather became very violent, with
much rain and snow. Reaching Danville, Kentucky on March 10, 1797, he
was joined by Captain Thomas Allin who was to survey the "Grant."
Three hands were also engaged as chain men and markers. At Lexington,
Mr. Purviance, a land speculator, was prevailed upon to accompany the
party on to Red Banks. On the way, Elisha Howard was employed as
guide, hunter and messenger. The horses and supplies were sent on by
land but Hopkins and his group of men came down the Green river to the
Ohio in a parogue. They reached the site of Red Banks, March 30,
1797. The business of laying out the town of Henderson began
immediately. The work was greatly retarded by heavy rains and
flooding rivers--it rained for twenty days and both the Ohio and Green
rivers were greatly flooded.

Samuel Hopkins did a most intelligent piece of work in laying off the
Town. The original plan of the "Old City" shows that four streets
were two and a quarter miles long and parallel with the Ohio river;

three of them one hundred feet wide, the fourth street, Water Street
was two hundred feet wide. These four streets were intersected by
twenty-five cross streets, also one hundred feet wide. These
beautiful wide streets in Henderson came about because Samuel Hopkins
had a haunting fear of fire. Therefore he made the streets one
hundred feet wide so a fire could not "jump across" and only one block
was likely to burn down at a time. Six blocks cutting through the
exact center of the town were given by the Company for a park and
other public uses. This was the first municipal park west of the
Alleghenies and was named Transylvania Park in honor of the founding
fathers. Later, it was renamed Central Park.
Despite the bad weather, the plotting and laying out of the Town was
completed on Thursday night, April 13, 1797, Then began the laying out
of the out lots---sixty-four in number and each containing about 1875
acres.
On July 15, 1797, Samuel Hopkins sent his report, together with
Captain Allin's description of the tract to the Transylvania Company
in North Carolina. The report closed with these words: "As to our
work, I hope and believe it will be found as accurate as a work of the
kind can well be--that there may be imperfections in it, I have no
doubt, but I am morally certain that it contains as much perfection as
is necessary.--- We left the grant on the 1st of June, when we arrived
in Mercer, it employed the Surveyor twelve days to finish the platts,
certificates, etc. I left that place 22nd June and arrived at my home
on 6th July, 1797, having been out 141 days." Signed --- Samuel
Hopkins
A meeting of the Transylvania company was held at Williamsborough,
North Carolina on Monday, 31st of July, 1797. Samuel Hopkins met with
them and reported his proceedings in the said business with a Plat and
description of the survey--all of which was unanimously approved. It
was also approved that the new town was to be called Henderson in
honor of Colonel Richard Henderson, who had been the guiding influence
of the Transylvania Company until his death. But the old name "Red
Banks" still clung to the town for many years.
At a meeting of the Company, August 9, 1797, it was resolved that
Samuel Hopkins be entitled to a preference in the choice of the ten
acre lots laid out surrounding the Town of Henderson, and that he
receive the thanks of the Company for the faithful and complete manner
in which he performed the duties of his appointment.
The Hopkins family was one of the first to return and settle on the
newly opened Grant. Samuel Hopkins became a promoter, conceiving and
starting many good things for the new town and county of Henderson.
He wrote glowing reports to his friends in Virginia and North Carolina
and soon many of the heirs of the members of the Transylvania Company
came and settled on their land in the grant. Others came and built
their homes on plantations or in the town. In 1817, James Audubon and
his family came from Louisville, Kentucky to the new Henderson. The
land outside the grant was given by Virginia to officers and soldiers
of the Revolutionary War.

Samuel Hopkins began the practice of law and became the first Judge of
the first Court held in Henderson. The following story is recorded in
one of the old Court books: ---Being angry, he uttered an oath by
saying "By God." The law at that time was that whosoever uttered an
oath should pay a fine to be determined by the Court. So, Hopkins was
presented before the Commissioners and upon being examined, he
confessed his crime and paid five shillings to the Court. He then
took his seat and presided as Judge on the first day of the first
Court.
As Judge, lawyer, business man and farmer, Samuel Hopkins kept in
touch with every phase of life in Henderson and Henderson County. As
a farmer, he took great delight in the rich Kentucky soil. He
experimented with different crops and kept exact records of the
results of these crops, where sold and the prices obtained. By 1800
the crops were so abundant that immense quantities of tobacco, wheat,
hemp and other products were floated down the Ohio to New Orleans.
The health of the settlers of the new town seemed to be excellent.
Samuel Hopkins recorded in his notes on July 15, 1800---"There is not
at this time ten sick persons of all disorders in Henderson County.
The health of our family and neighbors could not have been better on
top of the Allegheny." Again on July 18, 1802, he wrote in his
notes:--"Through this year we have in our family and through all our
settlement been extremely healthy. I have not heard that anyone in
the county has been sick enough to take physic or had died."
By the year 1799, Henderson did not have representation in the
Kentucky Assembly. Hopkins commented on this state of affairs in a
letter written to Colonel Thomas Hart of Lexington, Kentucky:--"I hear
your town and neighborhood are deeply engaged in politics-- the
subject of the approaching election will cause the explosion of much
wind and the shedding of much ink. Not so here. I do not think
one-half hour has been consumed with us on the subject. The Assembly
in their law arranging the places of holding the elections and
appointing the Representatives did us such manifest injustice that we
care very little for the present. Besides in a few years you know,
there will be another convention conjured up by some restless Spirits
and then perhaps we shall be thought entitled to an equal
representation."
In the years 1800-1801-1803-1806, Samuel Hopkins represented his
district in the House of Representatives. He procurred the passage of
a law, "Enabling aliens residing in the State of Kentucky to hold
lands in fee." This was a privilege not extended to that class in any
other State. He also caused to be passed another law granting the
vacant lands to actual settlers." Hopkins also served as a member of
the Kentucky State Senate from 1809 to 1813. In 1809 he was one of
Kentucky's Presidential Electors, casting his vote for Madison.
In the year 1808-1809, Samuel Hopkins predicted another War. In his
records he complained the price of goods of every sort was going down
and the freight costs were going higher. The Spaniards had closed the
port of Havana keeping prices down, French privateers had captured
several Spanish vessels. Money was very scarce. Quoting from his
notes---" War, embargo and Shakers infest us. We are in high order
for War."

With the outbreak of the second war with Great Britain, Samuel Hopkins
again answered the call of his Country. In this War of 1812, he was
commissioned as Major General by President Madison. After that he was
always referred to as "General." He was put in charge of 2,000 men
whom the United States could not accept because the Kentuckians who
had already volunteered exceeded the number for which supplies had
been provided. In October 1812, Governor Isaac Shelby gave him
permission to take these 2,000 mounted volunteers against the Kickapoo
Indian villages on the Illinois river. This party was misled by
guides and after wandering for several days about the prairie, the men
began to desert against the wishes and commands of the officers.
There was a lack of porvisions as some of their beef had been lost on
the trail. Other provisions had not been delivered to the camp.
Brent Hopkins, grandson of the General, had in his possession one of
the old "General's Orders, " issued in October 1812, when there seemed
to be a mutinous spirit in the Army under his command. The document
was a valuable addition to the history of the time in which it was
issued, well written and forcible. It is repeated here with the exact
words, capitals, and punctuations.

GENERAL ORDERS:
"The Commander-in-chief feels Great reluctance in publishing to the
army the factious, mutinous spirit that was manifest in COL. MILLER'S
Regem't this morning by a few men who shewed every disposition to
Disgrace themselves, their Corps and their Country. Is this the
Spirit that Kentuckians have so often and so justly boasted of?--to
resist the Lawful orders of their Officers, because they miss now and
then Rations of flour?--and evince that the patient and suffering
virtue of a Soldier can not be endured by them?--No, these men are not
true Kentuckians--the Noble-Minded, High-Sould Kentuckian, is ready at
all times, and in all Situations to Serve his Country in "Spirit and
in Truth, " for her he is ready to Suffer Cold, Wet, Hunger and
thirst, if Necessity Compels it, and to offer up his life, or
Courageously Risque it, when required. The Commander-in-chief
therefore will never associate in those who have been guilty, the
impulse of Passion, has prevailed, over the dictates of a sound
Discretion.
"The Commander-in-chief recommends to officers of Every Grade a Strict
attention to their men-- to see themselves that those who are put
under their care receive every justice--and in all respects that they
are treated with Humanity and Kindness- Particularly the Sick,
Convalscents." Signed- General Samuel Hopkins.

In November, 1812, General Hopkins collected another band of infantry
and marched up the Wabash as far as Prophets Town, destroying several
Indian villages, but lost part of the force by ambuscade. The Indians
refused to combat and later sued for peace. Samuel Goode Hopkins, son
of the General, served as Captain in the United States Army in the War
of 1812.

Again General Samuel Hopkins returned to his home in Henderson, but he
was elected Representative to the 13th United States Congress from
Kentucky, and took his seat- June 26, 1813. After one term, he
returned to his plantation and his family and friends.
General Hopkins had married Elizabeth ( Betty) Branch Bugg, the
daughter of Jacob Bugg. Their marriage license was dated January 10,
1783 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. To this union was born, in
Virginia, eight children. They were: Samuel Goode Hopkins-born 1784,
Died in Missouri, Elizabeth Branch Hopkins-born 1786, Married Colonel
Philip Barbour, Nancy Taylor Hopkins-born 1788, Married Judge Thomas
Towles, Jacob Bugg Hopkins-born 1790, Married Carolina Imlay Brent,
Lucinda (Lucy) Bugg Hopkins- born 1792, Married Dr. James Wardlow.,
Sarah Pettus Hopkins-born 1794, Married Nicholas Horseley. She was
noted for being the most intelligent and best informed woman in
Kentucky. Martha Isabella Hopkins- born 1796, Married George Lynn of
Henderson, Mary (Maria) Bush Hopkins-born 1796, unmarried.
General Samuel was certainly an extraordinary man. He was the first
person of the Episcopalian faith in Henderson and often read services
in the Union Church, located on the hill in Transylvania (now Central)
Park. He was a self-made man and rose to such a position of
popularity that he was considered, all over the State of Kentucky, as
one of her most talented sons. Hopkins County, Kentucky was named in
his honor, also Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Such was the character of
General Samuel Hopkins, that without doubt he did more for the good
and prosperity of the early settlement of Red Banks, later named
Henderson, than any other man. He can truly be called the "Gather of
Henderson and Henderson County, Kentucky."
General Hopkins was quite a rich man in his time and "Spring Garden"
his beautiful plantation, located about two miles east of Henderson,
was among his landed possessions. On page 335 of Will Book A, the
first record book in the Archives of the County Clerk's office in
Henderson is found the appraisement of the estate of Samuel Hopkins.
And in this record of appraisement, the pages are yellow and worn by
the heavy hand of time, much interesting reminiscent matter is found.
The appraisement covers three pages. The total was $20, 474.00, a
fortune at that time.
At the age of sisty-six years, the "Old General"died- September 16,
1819 at his home. His remains were interred in the family burying
ground at "Spring Garden." A simple marble shaft was placed on his
last resting place. The inscription on this monument reads thus:
Sacred to the Memory of Gen'l. Samuel Hopkins who was born 9th Apr.
1753 died Sept. 16th 1819. Firm with Temperance, Benevolent with
Sincerity and Liberal without Ostenation. He closed in the Bosom of
his family, a Long Life of Exemplary Usefulness in Military and Civil
Employment, Characterized by Ardent Devotion to his Country and the
Best Interests of Man.

Reference: Records from the files of the old Henderson Historical
Society
"Report Made by Samuel Hopkins as Agent for the
Transylvania Company"
Family Records from Mrs. Mary Elizabeth
McMarland, a direct descendant of General Sam Hopkins
"Historical Register of Officers in the
Revolution"- by Heitman
Virginia magazine of History and Biography Vol.
XXXIV- pg. 380-381
History of Hopkins and Hart Families of Virginia and
Kentucky- by C. F. Hopkins
Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography
Records from Members of General Samuel Hopkins Chpt.
DAR- Henderson, Ky
County Court records- Henderson County Court House
" Memorial Celebration in Honor of the Transylvania
Company and the Founding of Henderson" at Henderson, Ky - Oct. 11,
1929
An Address by Dr. Archibald Henderson of Chapel
Hill, N.C.- Oct. 11, 1929

[On page 235 there is a picture of General Samuel Hopkins and it says
that a very large painting of the same picture hangs in the Audubon
Museum, Audubon Park, Henderson, Kentucky.]

Source: Sun Cities Genealogist Volume XIV Number 3 Fall 1993
page 59


A Strange Twist by Philip D. Huff

We think of the Pilgrim's landing at Plymouth Rock as these
Englishmen's first look at the new world. This is not so-- according
to "Rebel With Influence" by Patricia Dalbey Jorgenson, an article
from a new England genealogical quarterly found in the Allen County
Public Library, Ft. Wayne, Indiana. According to Jorgenson, Stephen
Hopkins was born at Wortley, parish of Wooten-Under- Edge,
Gloucestershire. He married early and in 1609 left his family to join
a fleet of nine ships headed for the Virginia colony. They were
beached in Bermuda and a mutiny broke out with Stephen Hopkins as a
ringleader. The mutineers were overthrown and he along with several
others were sentenced to be hanged. Hopkins was freed and he went on
to the Virginia colony. Eventually he returned to England, married
again, and made a second trip to the Virginia colony with the company
of people which became famous.

Source:

Register of Kentucky State Historical Society. page 54, 55 and 56.

Heroes Buried in Henderson

Mrs. C. S. Green's paper on the "Two Revolutionary Heroes Buried in
Henderson County," was listened to with much interest. It was as
follows: Gladstone says, "No greater calamity can happen to a people
than to break utterly with its past."

Being requested by the gracious chairman of your program committee to
write a paper upon some Revolutionary topic, the subject bearing upon
the western part of the State, after some thought and deliberation, I
decided upon giving a brief sketch of the two most noted Revolutionary
officers, who after fighting valiantly for the freedom of their
country, settled in Henderson county.
General Sam Hopkins, for whom the chapter in Henderson is named, and
for whom Hopkins county, which was formed in 1806 was named, was born
in Albemarle county, Virginia, in 1758. He was an officer of the
Revolutionary war, and bore a conspicuous part in that great struggle
for freedom. Few officers of his rank performed more active duty,
rendered more important services, or enjoyed in a higher degree the
respect and confidence of the commander-in-chief. He fought in the
battles of Princeton, Trenton, Monmouth, Brandywine and Germantown: in
the last of which he commanded a battalion of light infantry and
received a severe wound after the almost entire loss of those under
his command in killed and wounded. He was lieutenant -colonel of the
Tenth Virginia regiment at the siege of Charleston, and commanded that
regiment after Colonel Parker was killed, until the close of the war.
The following anecdote is told as being characteristic of the man:
After the surrender of Charleston, on the 20th of May, 1780, he was
made a prisoner of war. After a short detention on an island, he and
his brother officers, his companions in misfortune, were conducted in
a British vessel around the coast of Virginia. During the voyage,
which was a protracted one, the prisoners suffered many privations and
much harsh treatment, being often insulted by the Captain General
Hopkins became indignant at the cruelty and insolence of the captain
of the vessel, and determined at all hazards to resent the harsh and
unkind treatment to which himself and brother officers had been
subjected. On receiving his day's allowance which consisted of a
mouldy biscuit, he deliberately crumbled it up into a wad, and then
presenting it to the captain demanded of him whether he thought that
was sufficient to keep soul and body together. The cruel tyrant was
taken by surprise and had no reply. "Sir," continued Hopkins, "the
fortune of war has frequently placed British soldiers in my power, and
they have never had cause to complain of my unkindness or want of
hospitality. That which I have extended to others I have a right to
demand for my companions and myself in similar circumstances. And now
sir,"he continued with much emhasis, "unless we are treated as
gentlemen and officers I will raise a mutiny and take your ship."
This determined resolution had the desired effect. His companions and
himself during the remainder of the voyage were treated with kindness
and respect.
In 1797 General Hopkins came west and settled at the Red Banks, now
Henderson. He was the agent and attorney for Richard Henderson, and
laid out the town of Henderson.
On Tuesday, the second day of July, 1799, the first court of criminal
common law held its sitting in the village of Henderson, General
Hopkins being one of the presiding justices. He was commissioned a
major-general during the war of 1812 by President Madison, who was his
second cousin.

Here again under the most adverse circumstances he
displayed great courage and strength. At the close of this campaign
the general returned to Henderson and settled upon the old Spring
Garden farm about three miles east of Henderson. He served several
sessions in the Legislature of Kentucky, and was a member of Congress
for the term commencing in 1813 and ending in 1815.
When General Hopkins emigrated to Kentucky he brought with him an
Episcopal clergyman named Kavanaugh as a tutor for his children: he
was the father of the eminent Bishop Kavanaugh of the Methodist
church. He was buried at Spring Garden, but his son, the bishop,
afterwards had his remains removed to Louisville.
General Hopkins died September 16, 1819, and was buried in the family
graveyard at his old homestead.



Source: Distant Crossroads April 1990 page 44.

THE VAUGHAN/HOPKINS/CLOUD/WILFREY CONNECTION

compiled by: Shirley Vaughan Praytor
4304 Burney Drive
Austin, Texas 78731

Thomas Hopkins Siblings

Judith married James VAUGHAN 27 February 1783, Goochland County
Virginai and their children:

Thomas
John M., married first --------? CLOUD, daughter of Jeremiah
CLOUD.
married second Elizabeth WILFREY, daughter of
Christopher
WILFREY

Mary married Robert FRENCH and their children:

John H., married L. Virgina SMITH
Mason
Robert

??? married -----? CAMPBELL

Mary

Robert W.


Ann married Robert HONSLEY (HORSELY)

Elizabeth married Jno RODES ( may also have been married to Samuel
RICHARDSON).