Samuel Hopkins (congressman)
Encyclopedia
Samuel Hopkins was a U.S. Representative
from Kentucky
.
Born in Albemarle County, Virginia
, Hopkins was educated by private tutors. He served in the Revolutionary War
, for a while on the staff of General Washington, and later as lieutenant colonel and colonel of the Tenth Virginia Regiment.
In 1796, Hopkins moved to Kentucky and settled on the Ohio River
in 1797 at a point then called Red Banks, now called Henderson, Kentucky
.
He studied law and was admitted to the bar. Hopkins was appointed chief justice of the first court of criminal common law and chancery jurisdiction in 1799, and served until his resignation in 1801. Hopkins served as a member of the State house of representatives in 1800, 1801, and 1803–1806. He later served in the State senate from 1809 to 1813.
In 1812, Hopkins was appointed Commander in Chief of the western frontier (Illinois
and Indiana Territory
), with the rank of Major General
. He participated in the Peoria War
and was commander at Spur's Defeat; after these series of losses, he resigned from active duty.
Hopkins was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Thirteenth Congress (March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1815). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1814.
Samuel Hopkins retired to his country estate, Spring Garden, near Henderson, Kentucky
, and died there September 16, 1819. He was interred in the family burying ground at Spring Garden.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
.
Born in Albemarle County, Virginia
Albemarle County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 79,236 people, 31,876 households, and 21,070 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 33,720 housing units at an average density of 47 per square mile...
, Hopkins was educated by private tutors. He served in the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, for a while on the staff of General Washington, and later as lieutenant colonel and colonel of the Tenth Virginia Regiment.
In 1796, Hopkins moved to Kentucky and settled on the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
in 1797 at a point then called Red Banks, now called Henderson, Kentucky
Henderson, Kentucky
Henderson is a city in Henderson County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River in the western part of the state. The population was 27,952 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Evansville Metropolitan Area often referred to as "Kentuckiana", although "Tri-State Area" or "Tri-State" are more...
.
He studied law and was admitted to the bar. Hopkins was appointed chief justice of the first court of criminal common law and chancery jurisdiction in 1799, and served until his resignation in 1801. Hopkins served as a member of the State house of representatives in 1800, 1801, and 1803–1806. He later served in the State senate from 1809 to 1813.
In 1812, Hopkins was appointed Commander in Chief of the western frontier (Illinois
Illinois Territory
The Territory of Illinois was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 1, 1809, until December 3, 1818, when the southern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Illinois. The area was earlier known as "Illinois Country" while under...
and Indiana Territory
Indiana Territory
The Territory of Indiana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1800, until November 7, 1816, when the southern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Indiana....
), with the rank of Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
. He participated in the Peoria War
Peoria War
During the War of 1812, the Illinois Territory was the scene of fighting between Native Americans and United States soldiers and settlers.Tensions in the Illinois Territory between U.S. settlers and Native Americans were on the rise in the years before the War of 1812...
and was commander at Spur's Defeat; after these series of losses, he resigned from active duty.
Hopkins was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Thirteenth Congress (March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1815). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1814.
Samuel Hopkins retired to his country estate, Spring Garden, near Henderson, Kentucky
Henderson, Kentucky
Henderson is a city in Henderson County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River in the western part of the state. The population was 27,952 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Evansville Metropolitan Area often referred to as "Kentuckiana", although "Tri-State Area" or "Tri-State" are more...
, and died there September 16, 1819. He was interred in the family burying ground at Spring Garden.