Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of James Hooper

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Descendants of James Hooper

Generation No. 1

1. JAMES¹ HOOPER (Source: From the James Hooper Family of Union County, Kentucky by Kenneth Verdaine Hooper.) was born Abt. 1743 in Virginia, and died August 1813 in Henderson, Union County, Kentucky. He married ELIZABETH 1769 in Virginia. She was born Abt. 1750 in Virginia, and died Bef. May 24, 1822 in Henderson, Union County, Kentucky.

Notes for JAMES HOOPER:
Based on the census reports, James was born between 1740-50. He was married prior to 1769 to Elizabeth. She was called Betsy by James in his will, but was also called Polly by one son, in the settlement of the estate, after her death. For whatever reason, James moved south into what was South Carolina and served in the Revolution. Filed in the South Carolina Archives, is Audited Account #AA 3739-A, which states: "... at the commencement of the late Indian War, in the year 1776, your memorialist...being a citizen of the State of South Carolina, living then on Pacolot River near the mountains...". Because of this Indian War, James moved his family to safety, across the Broad River and joined Col. Williamson's brigade, a cavalry brigade. According to the petition mentioned above which James filed against the state of South Carolina in 1797, he was wounded ..."... in a general engagement with the savages, your memoralist received a wound through the body near the heart, which was judged by the doctors and others, to be mortal, but through the mercy of God I survived and in less than three years was restored to my former activity and ability and in the year 1778 entered into the service again ...". During his second enlistment, he served in Col. Thomas's Regiment under Capt. James Hamilton as a horseman, in defense of the frontier settlements. Some historians call this regiment The Spartan Regiment and others call it The Fair Forest Regiment. Probably for safety reasons, for his family, James was forced to move into North Carolina where he stayed until after the war and services. As he was in North Carolina at this time, he was never paid for his service. After the war, James returned to Spartanburg County, South Carolina and was empowered to be one of the first census takers in 1790. This is noted from the fact that the enumerators were given the honorary title of Captain; thus Capt. James Hooper, as listed on the 1790 South Carolina census. James then apparently went to Pendleton County to file his petition for payment for his service in the war. On 3 June 1797 in Pendleton County, South Carolina, before Justice John Vernar appeared Major James Hamilton and made the following statement: "1778... no horseman wages for duty performed on the frontier of the aforesaid state against the Indians under the command of Capt. James Hamilton from the first day of September 1778 till the twenty-seventh day of May, 1779 which time amounts to 270 days at one dollar per day, 270 dollars." The petition was filed on 29 November 1797. Possibly as a result of this petition, James Hooper and William Davis were granted 104 acres in Pinckney District, Spartanburg County, South Carolina, surveyed for them 24 May 1799 and granted 16 June 1801. (State Grants, Vol. 47, p. 366). Why William Davis was involved in the grant is still a mystery. A William Davis was married to James' daughter Nancy. If any faith can be put in the census reports, as far as ages are concerned, it isn't likely that this William Davis is the same one...could be the father. As an added note, in Townsend's South Carolina Baptist 1670-1805 a Nancy Hooper and Polly Hooper are in a list of members of Shoal Creek (Chauga) Church 1796-1804. This church is or was in Oconee County, Pendleton District, South Carolina. As stated earlier, James' wife was sometimes called Polly. Going back a few years we find that James had purchased 250 acres of land from a Samuel Young. This land is described as being on both sides of the Pacolot River. This is possibly the same land which is mentioned earlier when James indicates that he was living on Pacolot River, near the mountains. This land was deeded to James 9 Dec 1777, during his recovery time as a result of the injury mentioned earlier. This land was originally granted to Samuel Young on 27 April 1767 by North Carolina and again on 4 May 1775 by the state of South Carolina. This is apparently as a result of the boundary dispute between North and South Carolina. Bailey is listed as paying taxes in Jefferson County, Kentucky on 3 September 1800. An Enoch Hooper paid taxes in Livingston County, Kentucky on 10 March 1800. James had a son named Enoch, also. Now that James had family in Kentucky he apparently was making plans to join them. On 21 April 1802 James sold the two previously mentioned pieces of land (104 acres and 250 acres in Spartanburg District) to Hugh Ewing for $1000. This deed was signed by James in 1802, but witnessed and recorded in the spring of 1804. With this final deed it is thought that James and his family began the long trek from the Spartanburg area of South Carolina to western Kentucky. The Hooper family now begins to separate. It seems that they all came to Union/Henderson County, Kentucky about the same time. From an 1800 tax list for Kentucky, Bailey Hooper is listed as paying taxes in Jefferson County (formed in 1780) on 3 September 1800 and Enoch Hooper is listed as paying taxes in Christian County (formed in 1799) in 1800. So, they appear to be the first to come to Kentucky. By now or shortly after, James has dispensed with his property in the Carolinas and is enroute to Kentucky. Apparently, Bailey, Enoch, Elizabeth and possibly Nancy were all married by the time James came to Kentucky. Bailey migrated on to Humphreys County, Tennessee and, according to Knight's "History of Humphreys County Tennessee", he was among a group of early settlers in the county from Virginia in 1802. Perhaps he and/or the others only stopped briefly in Jefferson County and came on into Humphreys County, still carrying the notation of being from Virginia. It would seem that by the time that James Hooper received his land in Kentucky, most of his children were married and were already in or came with him to Kentucky. We have mentioned that Bailey and Enoch were already there, that William was there, and that John and Samuel bought items at the estate sale of William's property in 1809. We know from other sources that Elizabeth (Betsy) was married at this time and was probably in Kentucky. Nancy was married at the time and probably was in the area. Samuel and Ellima were married in Union County, Kentucky, as was probably Dempsey. Clarendon was probably married in Tennessee about 1812. The place was in Henderson County...a plot of land that had been surveyed for Aaron Jones. From a paper filed in Henderson County, a report of the survey by John Gordon, 25 April 1805 states: "Surveyed for Aaron Jones, 400 acres of land, by virtue of a certificate from the county court of Henderson, in Henderson County on the waters of Cypress, a branch of Trade Water River. Beginning at a poplar, ash and elm, turning South 35 degrees West 253 poles to an ash, sycamore and elm; thence, South 55 degrees East 253 poles to a black oak, white oak and hickory on a ridge; thence, North 35 degrees East 253 poles to a black walnut, ash and elm; thence, North 55 degrees West 253 poles to the beginning." This report is signed by Aaron Higgins and Aaron Jones. Another paper filed in Henderson County, Kentucky states: "...Charles Scott, Esq., Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, agreeable to an act approved for selling and improving the vacant lands of the Commonwealth there is granted to James Hooper assign of Aaron Jones a certain tract or parcel of land containing four hundred acres by survey dated 25 April 1805...". This instrument is dated 5 July 1811. Apparently James would not accept this patent for the land unless it was attested to by a group of men. He, therefore, had a group of twelve men, under a $3000 bond, acknowledge the patent, thereby securing his title to the land. This instrument is filed in the Union County Deed Book A, pp. 47-48. This document states that this is the land on which the said James Hooper now resides, indicating that James had a residence on this land at the time of the filing which was 7 March 1812. In May 1813 James made out his will, naming his wife, children, executors, etc.: I, James Hooper, of the county of Union, and Commonwealth of Kentucky, being for some time past in a bad state of health but perfect sound mind, considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time it may happen, have determined to make this my last will and testament in manner and following, that to say: I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife Betsy, for and during her natural life, this one half of the tract of land where on I now reside, including all my improvements of every description -- also, two Negro women - to wit, Rachel and Silas -- together with all my stock of every description and household and kitchen furniture to use according to her will and pleasure, for the purpose of her maintenance and support during her life and at her death, I will and bequeath the said tract of land, including the other half and making altogether four hundred acres, to my three sons, to wit, Samuel, Dempsey, and Clarendon, to be equally divided among them according to quantity and quality and in a way that each will keep his improvements. Then, I give and bequeath unto my two sons Bailey and Enoch, one Negro woman Rachel and her increase, if any after my death, to be divided between them or their living, according to their good will and pleasure, each to be entitled to half. But this bequest is not to be entered in until the death of their mother Betsy Hooper. I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Mary Hooper, daughter of my son William, deceased, five dollars in addition to what I have already given to her father. I give and bequeath unto my eldest daughter Nancy Davis in addition to what she received when married, five dollars. I give and bequeath unto my son John, one Negro boy named William, one bed and furniture, all of which is in his possession. I give and bequeath unto my second daughter Betsy, during her natural life, one Negro boy named Armstrong and, at her death, the said Negro Armstrong is to descend in pursuance of this will to her daughter Elvina. I give and bequeath unto my son Samuel one bed and furniture. Also, at the death of his mother, the Negro girl Silas and her increase from and after the present time. I give and bequeath unto my son Dempsey, one bed and furniture, now in his possession. Also, one Negro boy named Alford. I give and bequeath to my son, Clarendon, one bed and furniture. Also, one Negro boy namedHenderson. I give and bequeath unto my third daughter Ellima, one bed and furniture. Also, one Negro boy named Marcus. Lastly, it is my will and desire, should it meet with the approval of my wife, that at her death, all the stock of every description that she may be possessed of, should be equally divided among my following children. To wit, Bailey, John, Samuel, Dempsey, Clarendon, Betsy and Ellima. My blacksmith tools to my son, Enoch, and my agriculture tools, of every description, I give to my three sons, Samuel, Dempsey and Clarendon. Should my wife be dissatisfied with this disposition of my stock, tools of agriculture and smith tools, she is surely empowered to make any alterations in that bequest, not to exceed the 1/3 part of the value of the land, stock and tools of every description, as to her may seem right and the remaining two-thirds to be disposed of as stated before. My just debts, if any there are, is to be paid out of my personal estate. My funeral charges and necessary expenses of administration must be paid by my three sons, Samuel, Dempsey and Clarendon. And, this bequest to my daughter Mary Davis of five dollars and to my granddaughter Mary Hooper of five dollars I request my wife to pay. I do appoint Daniel McKinny and Joseph Owen executors to my last will and testament and do revoke all other wills by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal this 29th day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirteen. James Hooper. Signed sealed witnessed and delivered by the hand of James Hooper in presence of us: Samuel Slocumb, Thomas Fletcher, Samuel Gray; Union County. An appraisal of James' property was made by Daniel McKinny, Samuel Slocumb, Harvey Fletcher and David ___ , and turned into the Union County Court on 10 March 1815. The will indicated that James was a farmer and a smith. The smith trade and skill was apparently passed down from generation to generation. One of Enoch's sons was a smith, as was one of his sons and one of his sons. The farming occupation was a part of necessity. The 400 acres was to be one-half to the wife and one-half to three sons. It looks as if the three sons had homes on and a share in the tract of land, as the will states that they are to keep their improvements when the estate is settled, at the death of their mother, Betsy (Polly). Betsy (Polly) died and the estate was settled on 24 May 1822.From the James Hooper Family of Union County, Kentucky by Kenneth Verdaine Hooper

More About JAMES HOOPER and ELIZABETH:
Marriage: 1769, Virginia

Children of JAMES HOOPER and ELIZABETH are:

2.	i.	BAILEY² HOOPER, b. Abt. 1769, Virginia; d. Abt. 1855, Humphreys County, Tennessee.
3.	ii.	WILLIAM HOOPER, b. Abt. 1771; d. Abt. 1809, Henderson County, Kentucky.
4.	iii.	ENOCH HOOPER, b. Abt. 1773; d. Bef. 1840, Perry County, Tennessee.
	iv.	ELLIMA HOOPER, b. Abt. 1774; d. Unknown, Illinois; m. (1) ROBERT CYPERT, September 11, 1813, Henderson County, Kentucky; b. Abt. 1772; d. Unknown; m. (2) JOHN CHARLES SLOCUMB, August 01, 1815, Union County, Kentucky; b. Abt. 1770, North Carolina; d. July 23, 1863, Whiteside County, Illinois.

More About ROBERT CYPERT and ELLIMA HOOPER:
Marriage: September 11, 1813, Henderson County, Kentucky

More About JOHN SLOCUMB and ELLIMA HOOPER:
Marriage: August 01, 1815, Union County, Kentucky

5.	v.		ELIZABETH (BETSY) HOOPER, b. September 15, 1775, South Carolina; d. July 25, 1841, Calloway County, Kentucky.
	vi.		JOHN HOOPER, b. Abt. 1779, South Carolina; d. Unknown.

Notes for JOHN HOOPER:
We don't know very much about John Hooper. There is a John Hooper listed in the 1830 census of Humphreys County, Tennessee that is shown to be 50-60 years of age, living next/near to Bailey Hooper. This is about the correct age for a brother of Bailey. The 1840 census of Humphreys County shows this John Hooper listed on the next line of the census, implying that he lived next door to Bailey. In the 1850 census of the county, a John Hooper is listed as #337-231, while Bailey is listed as #338-231. This John is listed as 71 and born in South Carolina, while Bailey is listed as 81 and born in Virginia.

6.	vii.	DEMPSEY S. HOOPER, b. Abt. 1785, Caswell, Jones County, North Carolina; d. Abt. 1834, Fairfield, Wayne County, Illinois.
7.	viii.	SAMUEL HOOPER, b. Abt. 1786, Caswell, Jones County, North Carolina; d. Abt. 1840, Union County, Kentucky.
8.	ix.	CLARENDON HOOPER, b. Abt. 1790; d. 1830, Lawrence County, Arkansas.
	x.	NANCY MARY HOOPER (Source: LDS Ancestral File.), b. Abt. 1793, Virginia; d. Unknown; m. WILLIAM DAVIS; b. Abt. 1793; d. Unknown.

Notes for WILLIAM DAVIS:
A William Davis was on the South Carolina paperwork involving James Hooper's land sales. A William Davis appears in the 1820 and 1830 Kentucky census for Union County. He and his wife, thought to be James' daughter, Nancy, were both born 1790-1800. This is all based on the idea that the census taker got the age correct, it was transcribed correctly and/or Nancy and William knew how old they were.

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