Hopkins, Samuel, 1753-1819.

Samuel Hopkins was born in Albermarle County, Va. During the Revolutionary War, he served under George Washington, and was captured in the Siege of Charleston. He moved to Kentucky in 1796, there serving as a judge and in the state House and Senate. During the War of 1812 he led Kentucky troops to Vincennes. After the war he served another term in the House of Representatives.

Hopkins was born in Albemarle County, Virginia in 1753. At the beginning of the American Revolution, he formed a company of soldiers and became its captain. He was wounded at Germantown in 1777 and eventually received promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, serving on George Washington's staff at Valley Forge. He surrendered at Charleston in 1780 and was taken prisoner. After being exchanged, he returned to service until the war ended. Hopkins married Betsy Bugg of Mecklenburg County, Virginia in 1783. They established a home in her county until they moved to Kentucky in 1797. Six of their seven children were born in Virginia. The last was born when they resided in Danville, Kentucky. Hopkins purchased shares in Henderson's land grant of 200,000 acres at the mouth of the Green River from the original proprietors or their heirs. Hopkins received 7,000 acres of land for his services in the Revolution. He was appointed resident agent for Henderson's company. The Hopkins family lived in Danville for two years while they awaited the building of their home and the laying out of the town of Henderson. In Henderson, Hopkins was appointed Chief Justice of the first court of criminal common law and chancery jurisdiction. He was elected several times to the Kentucky General Assembly. Governor Charles Scott commissioned Hopkins a major general in 1812. Hopkins served as commander-in-chief of the western frontier (Illinois and Indiana territories) in the War of 1812. From 1813 to 1815 he represented Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He died at his home, Spring Garden, near Henderson in 1819. Hopkins was honored with the name of Hopkinsville in Christian County in 1804. Hopkins County, to the north of Christian County, was named in his honor in 1806.

Biographical note: Samuel Hopkins was born in Albemarle County, Virginia in 1753. At the beginning of the American Revolution, he formed a company of soldiers and became its captain. He was wounded at Germantown in 1777 and eventually received promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, serving on George Washington's staff at Valley Forge. He surrendered at Charleston in 1780 and was taken prisoner. After being exchanged, he returned to service until the war ended.

Hopkins married Betsy Bugg of Mecklenburg County, Virginia in 1783. They established a home in her county until they moved to Kentucky in 1797. Six of their seven children were born in Virginia. The last was born when they resided in Danville, Kentucky.

Hopkins was an associate of early land speculator Richard Henderson. Hopkins purchased shares in Henderson's land grant of 200,000 acres at the mouth of the Green River from the original proprietors or their heirs. Hopkins received 7,000 acres of land for his services in the Revolution. He was appointed resident agent for Henderson's company. The Hopkins family lived in Danville for two years while they awaited the building of their home and the laying out of the town of Henderson, Kentucky.

In Henderson, Hopkins was appointed chief justice of the First Court of Criminal Common Law and Chancery jurisdiction. He was elected several times to the Kentucky General Assembly. Governor Charles Scott commissioned Hopkins a major general in 1812. Hopkins served as commander-in-chief of the western frontier (Illinois and Indiana territories) in the War of 1812. From 1813 to 1815 he represented Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. He died at his home, Spring Garden, near Henderson in 1819. Hopkinsville in Christian County and Hopkins County were named in his honor.