Note -- In 2001 I wrote the following:

This page is currently in the process of development. I believe John Hopkins who appears in Orange County North Carolina records in the early 1750's may be identical to, or a son of, the John Hopkins who sold land in Talbot county MD in 1727. Therefore, I have developed this page on Talbot County Hopkins. It is by no means complete, and most of the sources cited here are secondary. I hope to be able to provide better primary resources in the future. I have decided to post the page with the preceding caveat so that the material that I have compiled so far is publicly available. Under no circumstances should anyone use this material without verification of primary sources.

Many thanks go to LaVonne Ketchum, Harold Hopkins and Bob Hopkins, Hopkins researchers on the Hopkins family of North Carolina and Georgia.

New Information Discovered: 2002 - 2004

Since the timeI wrote the above paragraph a great deal of new information has been uncovered that, I believe, allows us to accept that the John Hopkins who, with his brother Richard and their wives, sold land in Talbot County, Maryland in 1727 and who was named in the will of his father, Dennis Hopkins in 1739, is identical with the John Hopkins of Hampshire County, Virginia, Orange County, North Carolina in 1752, Anson County, North Carolina in 1758, and in Guilford County, North Carolina in 1775. The new information includes:

• conclusions from DNA samples submitted by four surnamed Hopkins males
• legal documents of a John Hopkins in Hampshire County, Virginia
• a deed from John Hopkins of Guilford County, North Carolina selling land in Anson County, North Carolina acquired by John Hopkins at a time when he can be associated with Lambeth Hopkins
• an analysis of "marks" of John Hopkins in legal documents in each of those locations

DENNIS HOPKINS -- IMMIGRANT

Dennis Hopkins first appears in Talbot County MD in land records which indicate that he was transported about 1663. [Barnes & Wright, Colonial Families of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, v. 3, p. 212; Skordas. Early Settlers of Maryland, p. 237] It is unclear whether he was married or whether he was a Quaker at the time of his immigration. Since his son Dennis Jr. was born about 1671 he probably was not married and probably was not a Quaker..

Annie Walker Burns has abstracted the following information concerning Thomas Hopkins "Thomas Hopkins transports Dennis Hopkins, Edward _____, Matthew ______ 1663." [Annie Walker Burns: LDS microfiche 6050235]

ROBERT AND THOMAS HOPKINS

There are records of two Robert Hopkins -- one who was transported about 1650, and one who was transported about 1652..

Annie Walker Burns has recorded: " Matthew Smith married the widow of Richard Manship demands land for the transportation of Rachel Manship, Elizabeth Manship Sr., Mary Manship, Elizabeth Manship Jr. Richard Manship Jr., deceased., which rights the said Matthew Smith assigned in court to Thomas Hopkins demands and Robert Hopkins, land for transporting himself, 1652 and 150 acres. Robert Hopkins transports himself 1652." [Annie Walker Burns. Maryland Early Settlers Land Record : Maryland Land Patents Folio 7, p. 150]

From this abstract it appears that Thomas and Robert Hopkins are from the same family -- probably brothers.

Robert died by 1661 and his will mentioned a brother Thomas. In addition to his brother Thomas he mentions two brothers and sisters.

Baldwin's "Calendar of Maryland Wills" gives abstracts of the will of Robert Hopkins as follows:

"Robert Hopkins' will. March 22, 1661. Probated Nov. 5, 1661. To brother Thomas plantation. To father, two brothers and sisters (not named) personalty. Brother Thomas. Ex teste. John Hambleton and Robert SorelI." The will may be found in the Maryland Will Book, 1: 198. {Barnes & Wright, p. 215]

Robert and Thomas jointly patented Hopkins Point:

Robert and Thomas Hopkins had laid out jointly Hopkins Point. [Talbot County Land Records 12:222; Barnes & Wright, p. 215.]

and on 26 Oct 1695 Thomas and Elizabeth Hopkins conveyed to Dennis Hopkins (brother) a gift of 326 acres of Hopkins Point.:

"Thomas Hopkins of Talbot County for love, good will, and natural affection which I have and beare to my loving brother Dennis Hopkins of ye same county and province 'planter' besides other good causes and considerations and more especially moving by and with the free consent of my wife Elizabeth Hopkins, have given and granted and by those presents we freely change and absolutely give and grant to my 2d brother Dennis Hopkins, his heirs, executors, and assigns all that part or part of land being part of 800 acres called Hopkins Point being and situated on Tread Haven Creek in Talbot County and Province above, 2d and beginning at a marked white oak standing upon a point formally called Cannon Neck belonging to aforesaid 800 acres to a point called Cannon Neck containing and layd out for 326 acres of land and [an?] even part thereof with all and singular appurtenances thereunto belonging or appertaining, as house and houses, tobacco houses' orchards, gardens, corn fields, tobacco fields, woods, timber trees, underwood and fences whatsoever on the 326 acres of land' etc. signed Thomas (X) Hopkins (seal) {T combined with an H] Elizabeth (EH, her mark) Hopkins Signed: Nov. l 1, 1695. [Talbot County Land Records 7: l55. Information supplied by Bob Hopkins; also Barnes & Wright, p. 215.]

This Dennis Hopkins is almost surely Dennis Hopkins Sr. Robert and Thomas together laid out Hopkins Point; Robert named his brother Thomas as his executor; Thomas Hopkins deeded his brother Dennis Hopkins 326 acres of Hopkins Point that he and Robert laid out together. This succession of documents provides the proof that Robert, Thomas, and Dennis were brothers. Thomas and Robert arrived together in 1652 and Thomas was responsible for the importation of Dennis in 1763.

The Quaker Religion and Early Hopkins in Talbot County

I have found no information from the Quaker records that would support a conclusion that either Robert Hopkins or Thomas Hopkins were Quakers active in Quaker religious or social life in Talbot County. The transcribed Quaker records of Third Haven meeting make no mention in any way of these two men. Depending upon the records one chooses to accept, Thomas Hopkins married Elizabeth Towe, sister of Robert Towe (Barnes & Wright), or he married Elizabeth Dulin, daughter of Hugh and Jane Dulin. Both of the following records are found in Barnes & Wright.

There are Talbot County records which support either contention: On 23 Aug 1680 Jane Dulin, widow of Hugh Dulin of Talbot County.made her will naming Thomas Hopkins as executor and sole legatee. Robert Johnson and Jno. Parsons were witnesses. (Maryland Will Book 2:107) Here it could be assumed that Jane Dulin is leaving all of her property to her son-in-law.

On 13 April 1708 Elizabeth Hopkins of Talbot Co., widow of Thomas Hopkins, late Talbot Co., for motherly love and affection conv. to her son William 100 a. Marshy Point. She mentioned her dec. bro. Robert Towe. (Talbot County Land Records 11:41) From this record one could assume that Elizabeth Hopkins was a Towe.

An Elizabeth Hopkins witnessed several Quaker weddings [McGhee. Maryland Quaker Records of Third Haven, v. 3. Talbot County Maryland Marriages, v. 1, p. 1-2}. and it may be that she was Elizbeth Hopkins, wife of Thomas.

George Fox received his enlightenment in about 1650 and Robert and Thomas were both in Talbot County by 1652. It is difficult to believe that they emigrated from England to America as Quakers, particularly as there is no Quaker record mentioning them.

^{Dennis Hopkins Sr.}

If Dennis Hopkins Sr. was transported in 1663, my supposition is that he was probably at least 20 years of age, which means that he was born about 1643. I also have concluded through reasoning presented above, that he was transported to Maryland in 1663 directly from England by his brother Thomas and I conclude that he became a convinced Quaker after his arrival in Maryland from evidence that will be presented below. According to an account of the origins and development of Quaker membership and monthly meetings by Carroll.the first Quakers in Talbot County probably came from Kent Island and the Western Shore of Maryland. [ Kenneth L. Carroll. Three Hundred Years and More of Third Haven Quakerism. Queen Anne Press, 1984, p. 19] By 1661 George Rofe who was one among a number of Friends who traveled in Maryland wrote to London that "Many settled meetings there are in Maryland, Virginia, New England, the islands thereabouts." One of those settled meetings was the Michael's River Meeting (later called Betty's Cove which later became Third Haven Monthly Meeting). The first Betty's Cove Meetinghouse was erected in the early to mid-1660's. "This meeting house at Betty's Cove served an ever-growing Quaker community on the Miles (Michael's) River and on the headwaters of the Tred Avon [Tred Haven, Third Haven]. Before 1672 it had already been enlarged, being doubled in size; yet [George] Fox says that it was still too small to contain all the people who gathered there when he visited Betty's Cove in October 1672."[ Kenneth L. Carroll. Quakerism on the Eastern Shore. Maryland Historical Society, 1970, p. 29] In 1682 the Third Haven Meetinghouse was built and the congregation at Betty's Cove was transferred to this meeting house.

As was noted above George Fox visited Betty's Cove in 1672. Carroll notes two Quaker marriages in 1668 in the Third Haven Minutes and three in 1669. In the Third Haven Minutes transcribed by Lucy Kate McGhee are the records of the marriage of William Southbee and Elizabeth Read at the home of Isaac Abrahams on 29 Jan 1668; the marriage of Richard Lee and Joan Lippit at the home of Peter Sharp on 25 Aug 1668; the marriage of Thomas Taylor of Kent County and Elizabeth Marsh of Severne [Annapolis] at the home of John Webb at Patuxent. The marriage of Henry Wilcocks and Sarah Lewis on 9 Nov 1669 in the first marriage at the meeting house at Betty's Cove . [McGhee, p. 2-3] These are apparently the five marriages of which Carroll speaks. The next recorded marriage is Abraham Strawn of Baltimore County and Mary Halbrooks of Talbot County at the home of Robert Harwood on 29/9/1672; the next marriage is that of Bryan Omelia and Mary Lewis on 27th day 6th month--with no year given -- "joined and united in marriage by and with the consent of their relations and with the consent of the church and churches where they lived being several times manifested to the men and women meeting."[McGhee, p. 2-3] This is the seventh marriage recorded in the Third Haven Minutes and Dennis Hopkins is one of the witnesses. By this evidence Dennis Hopkins was a Quaker by 1672. (Though there is no year given in the record, this marriage is recorded between two other marriages solemnized in 1672. Given the level of activity of preaching and teaching by Quaker visitors, Dennis Hopkins could have been "convinced" to join the Quaker faith any time after his arrival in Talbot County. Quakers were generally accepted throughout the Maryland colony after 1661 and George Fox must have made a number of "convincements" during his visit to Talbot County in 1672. Since Dennis Hopkins was established enough as a Quaker by June of 1672 to witness a marriage he had surely been "convinced" as a Quaker before 1672.

Grace Hopkins, wife of Dennis Hopkins Sr.

When and where Dennis Hopkins Sr. married his wife Grace is unknown. Grace might have been a Brooke. The births of their children are not recorded. Dennis and Grace probably had at least two sons -- Dennis Jr. and Richard. There are two land records abstracted by Barnes & Wright which support a conclusion that Dennis Jr. and Richard Hopkins were brothers:

On 12 Sept. 1709, Richard Hopkins and his wife Mary conv. to Dennis Hopkins Jr., two tracts of 100 a. each, both in the tenure of James Saywell dec.; one was Hoggsdon and the other was part of White Phillips (Talbot County Land Records 11:95)

On 4 Nov 1715 Dennis Hopkins and his wife Elizabeth conv. to his bro. Richard Hopkins, a gift of 150 a., part of Hopkins Point formerly laid out for Thomas and Robert Hopkins for 800 a. [Talbot County Land Records 12:222].

To all Christian people to whom this presents shall or may come, Dennis Hopkins and Elizabeth my wife sendeth greeting in our Lord God everlasting. Know ye that we the said Dennis Hopkins and Elizabeth his wife of Talbot County in the Province of Maryland planter. For ye brotherly love and favor good will and affection which we have and bear to our well beloved brother Richard Hopkins and for several other good causes and considerations was thereunto more especially moveing(?) have given and granted and by these presents doe freely and absolutely give? grant and confirm unto him the said Richard Hopkins and his heirs all that tract or parcell of land commonly cal}ed and known by the name Hopkins Point being part of the manor formerly laid out for Robert and Thomas Hopkins for 800 acres that is to say 150 acres, called Oliver's (?) Rock, more or less lying and being in Talbot Co. on W. side of Tredhaven Creek beginning at a marked hickory tree standing at head of a cove called Fork cove (here followed boundary lines' which I did not copy).

Signed Den's Hopkins Elizabeth (E - her mark) Hopkins

On reverse side of this deed is stated it was a deed of gift of Dennis Hopkins and Elizabeth Hopkins to Richard Hopkins (the exact spelling and capitalizaition were copied). (Information supplied by Bob Hopkins)

Deed from Dennis and Elizabeth, page 1, page 2, page 3 (Warning!! These are very large files so do not download if you are not willing to take the time to download a large file. I did this in the interests of being able to decipher the handwriting.)

Dennis and Grace most likely had a daughter Grace because of the will of Judith Brooke, who left personalty to Grace Hopkins Jr. July 11, 1673 (by personalty was meant personal belongings) although Grace Hopkins Jr. was almost certainly a young child in 1673. It may be that Judith Brooke left personal items to her granddaughter and that Grace, wife of Dennis, was the daughter of Judith Brooke. I do not, however, believe that Grace Hopkins Jr. was the Grace who married Peter Harwood for reasons which I present below.

After looking at the records as presented in Barnes and Wright and the Third Haven Minutes by McGhee, I am convinced that Dennis Hopkins had one wife, Grace, and only two known sons, Dennis Jr and Richard. On the other hand, Barnes and Wright state that he had two wives, Grace and Elizabeth, and ascribe deed records and the will of Dennis Jr. to Dennis Sr.

The following records can, in my view be definitely ascribed to Dennis Hopkins Sr.

§ Witness at the Quaker marriage in 1672.

§ A land deed in 1680 in which John Numan and his wife Elizabeth convey Coventry to Dennis Hopkins. [Talbot County MD Land Records, 4: 1] Scanned images of land deed: page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4, page 5, page 6, page 7, page 8. (Warning!! These are very large files so do not download if you are not willing to take the time to download a large file. I did this in the interests of being able to decipher the handwriting.)

§ 4th month (June) 8th day 1680 Dennis Hopkins witnessed the marriage of William Dixon and Elizabeth Christerson at the house of Elizabeth Christerson (sic). She was the widow of Wenlock Christison, who as an early Friend had suffered beatings and other abuse in Massachusetts. He arrived in Talbot County about 1670 and might have been influential in the "convincement" of Dennis Hopkins. ^[McGhee. p. 11]

§ On 26 Dec 1682 Dennis Hopkins along with 53 others were witness to the marriage of William Johnson of Ratcliffe in Old England, mariner, and Sarah Edmondson at the home of her father John Edmondson. ^[McGhee, p. 15]

§ On the 4th month (June) 8th day Dennis Hopkins witnessed the marriage of William White of Rappahannock River in Virginia, planter, and Martha Smith of the same place, single woman at the house of Howell Powell. [McGhee, p. 16]

§ 28th May 1685 Jacob Abrahams and Isabel Omeli were married at Betty's Cove Meetinghouse. Grace and Dennis Hopkins both witnessed the marriage. [McGhee, p. 22]

§ 28th May 1685 John Edmondson and Susannah Omeli were married at Betty's Cove Meetinghouse. Grace and Dennis Hopkins both witnessed the marriage. [McGhee, p. 22]

§ 2nd day of April, 1686 James Berry, boatwright, and Sarah Woolchurch were married at the house of Henry Woolchurch. Grace and Dennis Hopkins both witnessed the marriage, as well as Elizabeth Hopkins. [McGhee, p. 23] Elizabeth Hopkins is probably the wife of Thomas Hopkins, brother of Dennis Hopkins.

§ Kenellam Skillington and Lydia Croxtill were married on October 20, 1692 at the house of Thomas Skillington. Dennis Hopkins witnessed the marriage. [McGhee., p. 69-70]

§ In 1702 Dennis Hopkins Sr. and his wife Grace conveyed to Gilbert Livesey of Liverpoole, England, mariner, a 1 acre lot in the town of Williamstadt. [Barnes and Wright, p. 212.; Talbot Land Records, 0:123] Williamstadt, one of the oldest towns in Talbot County was founded 1683. and gained its prominence in colonial days by being mandated in 1694 by Maryland legislation as the first and only port-of-entry on the Eastern Shore. Williamstadt, later Oxford, was a booming port for about 75 years with ships from England purchasing tobacco from nearby plantations. The town was named Williamstadt under the reign of Dutch King William III of England. [At: http://www.talbotchamber.org/history/oxford.html, March 26, 2001]

The following records might refer to Dennis Hopkins Sr. (born c 1643) or they might refer to his son Dennis Jr. (born c 1673):

§ On the 12th of Feb. 1722 Edward Parrish of Anne Arundel married  Rachel Harwood, no location given. Dennis, Grace, and Elizabeth Hopkins signed as witnesses for this marriage. These are probably Dennis Sr., his wife Grace, and Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Hopkins.

At Tread Haven Meetinghouse on the same day Grace Hopkins married Peter Harwood Jr. The witnesses to the marriage were Sarah and Susannah Hopkins, Dennis, John and Richard Hopkins, and Elizabeth Hopkins. ^[McGhee, p. 35-36]

According to the will of Dennis Hopkins Jr.(proved 1739) Sarah, Susannah, Dennis, John, and Richard were all sons and daughters of Dennis Jr. The simplest explanation is that these Hopkins were witnesses to the marriage of their sister. Grace Hopkins Harwood is not mentioned in the will of Dennis Hopkins or any other Hopkins. She most likely died before 1739 when the will of Dennis Hopkins Jr. was written.

§ On 2nd day 10th month 1731 James Bartlett and Sarah Hopkins were married at the meetinghouse at the head of the Tread Haven. Signing as witnesses were Elizabeth Hopkins, Sarah Hopkins, Sarah Hopkins (?) Jr., Dennis Hopkins, Dennis Hopkins Jr., Richard Hopkins and William Hopkins. There is no signature for a Grace Hopkins; nor is there a signature of a Grace Harwood, Susannah Hopkins or a John Hopkins. From this it appears that Dennis (Jr.} and Ellizabeth Hopkins, their son Dennis Hopkins, son Richard Hopkins, and son William Hopkins signed as witnesses of the marriage. This might mean that Dennis Hopkins Sr. and his wife Grace were both dead by this time. The signatures of the two Sarahs are more difficult to explain. They might be the wife and daughter of James Hopkins, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Hopkins. Since Susannah Hopkins did not marry Isaiah Parratt until 1734, her absence is difficult to explain. Grace Hopkins Harwood is also not present. Since she was not mentioned in the will of Dennis Hopkins in 1739, she may have died before that date. [This information is summarized from Barnes & Wright, p 212 and 218.]

Two Dennis Hopkins of Talbot County -- Fathr and Son

At this point it may be well to discuss the two Dennises of Talbot County -- apparently father and son. Barnes and Wright have recorded that Dennis Sr. had two wives -- Grace, who disappears from land records associated with Dennis Hopkins by 1708 and Elizabeth who appears in land records at that time. They record that Dennis Sr. had a will dated 19 Feb. 1739 with first son John, second son Dennis, third son Richard, fourth son William, fifth son Samuel, and sixth son Joshua and daughters Susannah Parrat and Sarah Bartlett. However, if, as I believe most likely, the Grace Hopkins who signed as a witness at the marriage of Rachel Harwood and Edward Parrish in 1722 is the wife of Dennis Sr. then Grace was alive in 1722. Since Grace Hopkins was most likely still alive in 1722, I believe that the records for Dennis Hopkins and Elizabeth are records for Dennis Hopkins Jr. and that Dennis Hopkins Sr. had only one wife -- Grace.

I quote from the following record for Dennis Hopkins Jr. from Barnes and Wright: "As Dennis Hopkins, Quaker, he gave his age as 52 in 1725, 55 in 1728 and 58 in 1731. (Talbot County Land Commission 1: 43-44, 120-121, 204) A deposition made in 1731 seems to state that his father was Dennis Hopkins (Talbot County Land Commission 164-165, 166) He was c. 58 years of age April 1730-31 (Talbot County Ejectment Papers: Fletcher, Michael)

On April 23 1728 Dennis Hopkins Sr, age c55, made a statement regarding a bounded tree between Bedsworth and Coventry. (Talbot County Land Commission PFB: 118) On 25 April 1730 Dennis Hopkins, age c56, mentioned his father, Thomas Hopkins [sic] and affirmed regarding the first tree of Hopkins' Point. (Talbot County Land Commission 6:163) [The compiler cannot account for, or resolve, this apparent discrepancy--but it exists!]"¹⁷

A record for a Dennis Hopkins has been entered by Barnes and Wright under information for Dennis Sr. It states: "On 2 June 1726 Dennis Hopkins, a Quaker, age c 52 stated about 26-28 years earlier he was summoned as a juryman on the land related to a contest between William Sharpe and Michael Russell. (Talbot County Land Commission: 42). This is exactly in correlation with information recorded under Dennis Jr. ^{[Barnes & Wright, p. 212-213]}

Let us examine ages of the Dennises. I am going to assume that Dennis Hopkins Sr. was transported to Maryland in 1663 at about age 20, which gives a birth date of about 1643. Most likely Dennis was not married when he was transported and married once he arrived in the colony. From the dates recorded for Dennis Jr. he was born about 1673. If Dennis Sr. were born around 1643 then he would have been about 96 when the will of Dennis Hopkins was probated in 1739. Dennis Hopkins Jr., born about 1673 would have been about 66, a much more reasonable age to have died in 1739. Surely Dennis and Grace had other children besides Dennis Jr., Richard and Grace Jr, but if so, they are not recorded in the minutes of Third Haven Monthly Meeting. This could be because Dennis Sr. and Grace were members of another meeting whose minutes have been lost. I have only checked the records of McGhee, Carroll, and Barnes and Wright but have not been able to deduce from any of these records any other individuals who might have been children of Dennis Sr.

Dennis Hopkins Jr.

According to the information presented above, Dennis Hopkins Jr. was born about 1673. His wife was named Elizabeth. Elizabeth Hopkins was the daughter of John Debruly proven by his will made in Kent County, MD July 12, 1707 and probated April 24, 1710. In this will he bequeaths his property to his son George Debruly and daughter Elizabeth Hopkins (Baldwin's Calendar of Maryland Wills). Kent County then joined Talbot County. (Information supplied by Bob Hopkins.) The evidence of the will indicates that Dennis Jr. and Elizabeth were married some time before 1707, perhaps as early as 1696 though there is no record of the marriage in the Quaker minutes. If the Grace who married Peter Harwood is their daughter, she was almost certainly born by 1700.

The following are land records for Dennis Jr. and Elizabeth Hopkins:

On 13 Sep 1708 Denis Hopkins and wife Elizabeth of TA Co. conv. to Thomas Cooper of TA Co. 100 a. Limrick on Kent Island near Cox's Creek. (Queen Anne Land Records ETA:53)

On 11 Nov 1723 William Clayland and his wife Ann conv. to Dennis Hopkins, 1 a. part of Londonderry. (Talbot County Land Records 13:101) On 12 Nov 1723 Dennis Hopkins and his wife Elizabeth conv. to Anne Clayland and her heirs, the three sons of William Clayland: James Clayland, William Clayland, and Lambert Clayland, part of Londonderry. (Talbot Land Records 13: 102)

On 17 Oct 1727 Dennis Hopkins and his wife Elizabeth conv. to Isaac Johns and Francis Hutchins of CV Co., a 40 ft. square parcel, The Tent House Land, whereon there now stands a house called a Tent House built by the Quakers belonging to the Clifts and Herring Creek Meetings. (Talbot County Land Records 13:376).

On 9 Jan 1734 Dennis Hopkins, Sr. and his wife Elizabeth conv. to Henry Nicols, clerk, 86 a. part of Hopkins Point on the w. side of Threadhaven Creek. (Talbot Land Records 14:59).

From the first of these land records it may be possible to deduce that the 100 a. sold to Thomas Cooper on Kent Island was part of the legacy Elizabeth Hopkins received from her father John, a resident of Kent County.

Dennis Hopkins signed his will on 19 Feb 1739 in Talbot County MD. In his will he provided:

" To eldest son John Hopkins one shilling sterling money and my wearing apparel to be paid him within 12 months if he shall come for it, he having had his part before.* to son Dennis Hopkins all that part of parcel of land that he liveth on being part of Hopkins Point containing about 100 acres, that is to say, as far as the division line between his brother John and he, held now by Henry Nicholls on the upper end between the line of Joseph Hopkins and he which is now Barrets. * To third son Richard Hopkins 1 shilling sterling to be paid in 12 months after my decease if he shall come for it, he having had his part of land already. * To fifth son Samuel Hpkins 1 shilling sterling to be paid within 12 months after my decease, he having had his part of land before, I also leave him at his mother's decease or when she shall think fitting to let him have one young mare or horse and one cow and calf and one feather bed and bolster with rug, blankets, or sheets to make his part equivalent with those that have received theirs, he having received nothing but his land. * To fourth son William Hopkins 12 pence sterling to be paid within 12 months after my decease if he shall come for it, he having had his part of land before and other things.*

To sixth son Joshua Hopkins after my wife's decease the plantation whereon I now live with the land belonging, being 106 acres, part of London Derry, and also after her decease or when she shall think fitting ny Negro girl called Phillis, one cow and calf, one feather bed and bolster with rug and blankets or sheets to make his part even with the rest that have received theirs.* To daughter Susannah Parrot after my wife's decease my Negro woman named Jenny with her future increase.* To daughter Sarah Bartlett my Negro girl named Pegg after my wife's decease.

To wife Elizabeth Hopkins the plantation I now live upon and all my personal estate during her natural life and at her disposal always, provided that she dispose of it among her children. Personal estate to be divided among children living after wife's decease.* I also appoint my wife executrix My will is that she will take the advice of the meeting of friends [Quakers].*

Signed on 19 Feb 1738. Witnesses: Lambert Booker, Russell Armstrong, William Price. Signature attested to 24 Apr. 1739 before Th. Bullen, dep. comsry, Talbot County. Widow relinquished dowry rights on 25 April 1739 before Th. Bullen, dep. comsry, Talbot County.

Image of Dennis Hopkins will page 1. Image of Dennis Hopkins will page 2.

John Hopkins

John Hopkins and his wife Judith, and Richard Hopkins and his wife Mary, conveyed to Bazell Howell of Dorchester County, 100 acres which was a part of the Freshes on Michaells Creek Branch. (Talbot County MD Land Records: 13:414.) Judith and Mary were the daughters of Stephen Reshune [sic] who owned land on Michael's Creek. They were possibly selling land given to them or bequeathed to them by their father. [Deed, p. 1] [Deed, p. 2]

Talbot County [ ] March the sixth Day anno Domini one thousand seven hundred twenty and seven. THEN Came Bazell Howell and brought a Deed of sale with one Indoresement thereon and prayed to have the Same Inrolled amongst the Records of Talbot County and they are Inrolled in these words following, to wit--

THIS INDENTURE made the Sixth day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred twenty and Seven BETWEEN Richard Hopkins and Mary his wife and John Hopkins and Judith his wife, Daughters to Stephen Reshune all of Talbot County in the Province of Maryland of the one part and Bazell Nowell of Dorcheste r County of the afd province of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Richard Hopkins & Mary his wife and John Hopkins and Judith his wife for and in Consideration [sic] of the Sum of Six thousand Pounds of good tobacco to them in hand paid or otherwise Secured, it to be paid before the Ensealing and Delivery of these Presents, the receipt whereof the afd Richard Hopkins & Mary his wife and John Hopkins and Judith his wife doe hereby acknowledge and themselves to be fully Contented Satisfied and paid and doe forever acquit and Discharge the said Bazell Nowell his heirs executs and administrats and by these presents hath granted bargained alliened and sold and Doe by these Presents grant bargain allien and Sell & confirm unto the said Bazell Nowell his heirs and assignes forEver all our right and title of that tract Parcell or Dividend of Land Containing one hundred acres being part of a tract of Land lying and being in Talbot County called or known by the name of the Freshes formerly belonging to Henry Parker of ye afd county of Talbot Meetted and bounded as followeth viz: BEGINNING at a marked Red Oak near Michaells Creek branch that issueth out of ye north side of Great Choptank River being ye first bounded Tree of ye land of James Scott called New mill and runing with the said Land northwest one hundred perches to the land of George Robins called Goldborough to a marked oak standing in ye southwest and by west Lines of the said Land and from thence with a line drawn Parralell with the said Land one hundred and sixty perches and from ye end of ye said Line by a Line drawn South South East One hundred Perches and from thence by a Straight Line drawn to the First Bounded tree and from said tree with a Line drawn with the said Scotts line East One hundred Perches to a marked red Oak then from ye said Oak by a Line drawn South for Length One hundred and Sixty Perches to the Land of Robert Knapp called Knapps Lot then west to the Land of William Taylor called Taylors Ridge one hundred Perches and From thence with a Straight Line drawn to ye first bounded Tree Containing and Laid out for Two hundred acres more or less Together with all rights benefitts profitts Previledges and appurtnances thereunto belonging or appertaining TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the hereby bargained Lands and premises with ye appurtenances thereunto belonging and every part and parcell thereof unto ye said Bazell Nowell his heirs and asignes for Ever more, and the said Richard Hopkins and Mary his wife and John Hopkins and Judith his wife doth further Covenant and grant to and with the said Bazel Nowell his heirs executors and administrators that they the said Richard Hopkins and Mary his wife and John Hopkins and Judith his wife the hereby bargained Lands and Premises with the appurtenances thereunto Belonging and every Part and parell [sic] thereof against all persons whatsoever Claiming by From or under them or any of their heirs Executs and administrats as Likewise from any Person whatsoever Claiming by from or under Stephen Reshune or any of his heirs Executs and administrats or any of their heirs Executs and Administrats they the said Richard Hopkins and Mary his wife and John Hopkins and Judith his wife their heirs Executs and Admisinstrats Shalll and will for Ever hereafter warrant and Defend IN WITNESS whereof ye parties to this present deed have hereunto set their hands and fixed their Sealls the day and year above Specified. Signed Sealled and Delivered In ye Presence of Wm Ayers, Terence Connally.

Richard Hopkins (seal)

Mary Hopkins (seal)

John J Hopkins [J is his mark]

Judith [dJ] Hopkins (seal) [dJ is her mark?]

The Indorsement afd is as followeth viz: Talbot County -- Be it remembered that at a County Court held for Talbot County in the Court house near Pitts his bridge in the County afd the sixth day of March Anno Domini One thousand Seven hundred and Twenty and Seven before the worshipful Robert Goldsborough, Eq. and his associates the same Robert and his associates then Justices of the same County being personally appeared before the same Justices the within Richard Hopkins and Mary his wife and John Hopkins and Judith his wife and did severally acknowledge the within Deed of sale and all the Lands in the same Deed contained unto the within named Bazell Nowell his heirs and assignes for ever according to the form and effect of the same Deed the said Mary and Judith being separately examined privately by the Justices afd out of the hearing of their said Husbands immediately before their acknowledgements of the said Deed who then did severally declare and assert that they and each of them made their acknowldegements of the same Deed Willingly and Freely without being Induced thereto by fears or Threats of or Ill Usage by their Husbands afd or Fear of their Displeasure.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand the day and year written.

THOS. FRANCIS clk of Talbot Couty afd.

[NOTE: all writing in the above document, including signatures and "marks" appear to be written by the court scribe who copied the deed, probaby Tho. Francis, above.....The land sold here appears to be the same as that purchased by Dennis Hopkins on 18 Jan 1680 from John and Jane Nunam of Talbot County for 5,000 pounds of tobacco. Nunam had acquired it 13 Feb 1679 from Henry Parker. It was part of an original warrant for 2200 acres to Parker. -- Harold C. Hopkins

NOTE: The mark of John Hopkins in this deed is very important to tracing his presence in other locations by his mark on legal documents. From the evidence of the deed it appears that both Richard and Mary could sign their names while John and Judith could not. The court scribe appears to have copied everything, including the marks. John's mark appears to be the "J" between "John" and "Hopkins, Judith's mark is nearly illegible. Harold Hopkins believes it is "dJ." I think the second character is probably an "e," but the first character is not one I can recognize from the handwriting in the rest of the document.

Harold transcribed the name of the buyer of the land in the above deed as Bazel Howell. I agree with Barnes & Wright and have transcribed the name as Bazel Nowell. -- Judy Voran]

Stephen Reshune/Reshun/Rashoon

There has been some question about the spelling of Stephen Reshune's name in the above document. After comparing each letter with other letters in the document, I have transcribed it as Reshune. Barnes & Wright transcribed it as Reshun. Harold Hopkins trascribed it as Boshun. The name has been variously spelled as Rashoon, Rashen, Reshun, Reshune, Resho, Rushoon, and Russam. (Barnes & Wright)

The following is found for Stephen Rashoon at the Maryland Archives [Acts of 1711, ch. 20]:

An Act for the Naturalization of Peter Sanders of Talbot County planter, and his Children; Stephen Rashoon of the same County
planter, and his Children; and Wm Cody of Charles County Taylor and his Children.

Be it Enacted by the Queens most Excellent Majty by and with the advice and Consent of her Majtys President Council and Assembly of this province and the Authority of the same, that Peter Sanders of Talbot County planter, Stephen Rashoon of the Same County Planter, and Wm Cody of Charles County Taylor and all and Every of them, and all their Children, already born and hereafter to be born, within this Province shall for Ever hereafter be adjudged deemed and taken, as true ffreeborn Subjects of this province, and be and are hereby Enabled to purchase have, hold and Enjoy, any reall Estates of Inheritance in this province, And to hold & Maintaine any action or actions Reall and Personall in any her Majtys Courts of Record, And to have hold and Enjoy, all Priviledges and Freedoms whatsoever, as any naturall born Subject of this province, any Law, Statute Useage or Custome to the Contrary notwithstanding.

Removal from Talbot County

John Hopkins appears to have moved his family from Talbot County between 1727 when the above deed was signed and 1731 when his name does not appear on the list of witnesses for his sister Sarah's wedding in 1731. John is mentioned in the will of his father, Dennis Hopkins in 1739 -- " To eldest son John Hopkins one shilling sterling money and my wearing apparel to be paid him within 12 months if he shall come for it, he having had his part before." It is clear that John is not in Talbot County in 1739.

He next appears in a land grant he received in 1749 from Lord Fairfax on the Wappacomo [or South Branch of the Potomac River] in Hampshire County, Virginia -- now West Virginia.

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