WHITE CO., TN - REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION APPLICATION - JESSEE HOPKINS Contributed by: Mary Lu Johnson [hellomlu@bellsouth.net] ******************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ******************************************************************************** HOPKINS, JESSEE, RWS W665, NC Line; BLW 26905-160-55 Widow Mrs. Polly Vaughn Extracted by Mary Lu Johnson 15 April 1834: White Co., TN. Jesse Hopkins, age 75, states in 1777 he substituted for John Champion for a 3 months' term where he lived with his father. Officers were Richard Bradford, Captain; Ephraim Bradford, a nephew of his captain, was Lieutenant. The company met at Granville Old Court House, marched to Halifax Court House, then to Wilmington, then Hillsborough where he was discharged as his 3 months expired. Col. Aulston commanded the regiment. He was home a few days, then substituted for John Kettle for 6 months. Phil Bradford was Captain; he was a relative of Capt. Richard Bradford. Ephraim Bradford was again Lieutenant. Marched from Granville Old Court House to Cross Creek, then Halifax Court House to Hillsborough where he was stationed until his six months' expired, and returned home. Regiment was commanded by Col. John Dickerson. Had not been at his father's long, when he was drafted for 9 months under Richard Bradford. Marched near Wilmington where he was transferred to Capt. [blank] Wade's Company, then marched to Halifax Court House. Was transferred several times during this tour, does not recall names of officers. Was stationed along the border of North Carolina and South Carolina, looking for a Tory captain named John Fanning who was doing much mischief. Then marched to Salisbury, then Hillsborough and was in the Battle of Camden; his nine months' expired and he was discharged. After being home a few days, he enlisted under Capt. Richard Hopkins, a recruiting officer, and marched under him to Harrisburg Old Court House and the Roanoke River where he was placed under Edward Williams. The company was out four weeks, and they reached the residence of [Blank] Wilson, Esq. on the North side of the Roanoke River where the news reached them of the surrender of Cornwallis and he returned home. His father had removed to the Western part of Virginia to Elkgarden. At this time he had served a total of 18 months; he volunteered 3 months to go against the Indians under Capt. Hays and Lieutenant Charles Price. Was marched to Robinson's Station thence Blackamore's Station on the Clinch River, thence Martin's Station in Powels Valley; his three months were up, and he was discharged. This tour he was under Col. John Cowan and Genl Andrew Cowan. "His captain's brother was with the troops". Volunteered another three months under the same officers and marched from Elk Garden to the block house on Clinch River and to Long Islands of Holston, served three months and was discharged. He was home a few weeks, and volunteered for 3 months, same officers as last tour. Marched to same places and Washington Court House, now Abbington, where his three months' expired and he was discharged. Served a total of two years four months. There were some encounters with Indians; at Blackamore's Station, Martin's Station and the mouth of Bull Run on the Sandy River and at the foot of Black Mountain on the Cumberland River. At the latter place, Indians took them by surprise and killed five mates. They killed 17 and took the 18th and only one left a prisoner. Soldier was born Granville, NC on 17 October 1758, no record of his birth. Lived in Granville, NC at his first enlistment. At his last two, he lived in Western North Carolina at Elk Garden. Since the revolution he has resided in Stokes, Guilford and Burk counties, NC; then to Spartanburg District, SC and from there to White County, Tennessee. His discharge papers and other important papers were in his pocketbook, which was stolen from him at the Three Forks of New River. States individuals who can testify as to his service: Samuel Moore, Jesse Davis, Elijah Hill, Thomas Hill, Joel Smith, Rev. Arnold Moss, Joseph Cummings, Esq. Jesse [his X mark] Hopkins Wit: Joseph Cummings, Samuel W. Moore 29 May 1834: West Tennessee, Certificate of Pension #26793 issued to Jesse Hopkins, of White County, Tennessee, private in the company commanded by Capt. Bradford of the regiment commanded by Col H_ _ on in the N Carolina Line for 1 year; $40.00 per annum. 4 July 1853: Van Buren Co., TN, Affidavit of Elijah Hill & Joab Hill; state Polly is the widow of Jesse Hopkins. Justices present: John Gillentine, G. W. Sparkman, John Pain, James A. Haston/Huston, Elijah Hill, Harmon York, F. E. Plumlee, Wm Johnston, Lewis Carmac, John Fleming, John B. Hill, James Durham, Major Parsons, William Thomason, W. B. Cummings. [Signed] Elijah Hill, Joab Hill 4 July1853: White County, Tennessee, Mrs. Polly Hopkins, age about 70, states she married Jessee Hopkins 21 July 1833 in White Co., TN by Jos. Cummings, and that Jesse died 1846 in White Co., TN. White County, Tennessee, Affidavit of Jacob A. Lane, Clerk that Jesse Hopkins and Mrs. Polly Vaughn were married 21 July 1833 in White County, Tennessee, by Jos Cummings, Esq., J.P. 7 April 1855: Van Buren Co., TN, affidavit of Polly Hopkins that she and Jesse Hopkins were married in White Co, TN [blank] day of [blank] by Joseph Cummings, Esq. Wit: William Worthington, J.P. Polly [her X mark] Hopkins 7 April 1855: Van Buren Co., TN, affidavits of William Grissom & John E. Clark state they are well acquainted with Mrs. Polly Hopkins, widow of Jesse. [Both Signed] 26 January 1865: City of Spencer, Van Buren County, Tennessee, Polly Hopkins age about 90 has resided since January 1861 in Van Buren County, Tennessee; that she has not given aid or sympathy to the Rebels, requests new certificate of pension. Polly [her X mark] Hopkins Wits: William Shockly, G. M. Cummings Wm W. Ingersoll of Nashville was attorney. 26 January 1865: Van Buren Co, TN, Loyalty Oath signed by Polly Hopkins. 29 December 1868: Van Buren Co, TN,Affidavits of George W. Sparkman and James Hunter state they know Polly Hopkins to be the widow of Jesse Hopkins. Wit: William B. Cummings, Wm J. Loudermilk 29 December 1868: Van Buren Co, TN, Affidavits of James Hunter & Harrison Madewell state they know Polly Hopkins and know her to be supported by the County as a pauper, that she did not aid the Rebels and wants her pension restored.