Sources for the Hopson family history and family tree

Hopson Family History Sources

Court and Civil Records

1819 - Claiborne Co., TN Court Records, Claiborne Co TN court minutes 1818-1819. Feb. 8 1819 (page 162) ...estate of Martin Bunch deceased, Ann B. Bunch now Ann HOPSON administrix and William Bunch Administrator of said estate.

1820 - Claiborne Co TN Court Records, Harrad Hopson called as a juror May 11, 1820 (by 1830 Penelope was head of household in the 1830 census, page 14).

1824 - Claiborne Co TN Court Records, Wed June 23, 1824, page 361. Jesse Hopson appeared before the court to swear to the signature of James Hopson on his will. Daniel stated that he had signed as a witness. Witnessed by Herrod, Jesse and Daniel Hopson. Penelope Hopson was executrix.

1827 - Claiborne Co TN Court Records, John Evans, Hirum Hurst & John Simmons to allot a year's provisions for Ann, widow of Daniel Hopson. 5 Oct, 1827. Ann Hopson makes bond to become administrator of Daniel Hopson's estate. Marginal note says dec'd and gives exact date.March 18, 1830. Ann Hopson administrator for Daniel Hopson, deceased vs Harrod Hopson. She is suing him for some money that he owed to Daniel.

1830 - Claiborne Co TN Court Records, Court minutes, March 18, 1830. Ann sues Harrod Hopson for 43 dollars, 87 1/2 cents, which Daniel Hopson deceased had put up as surety for Harrod.

1835 - Tennessee State Archives, Divorce papers, Sarah divorced Harrod in Claiborne Co in 1835. She does not appear as head of household in 1840, nor in the home of her son Richard. In 1840 Harrod is openly living with and possibly married to Prudence.

1844 - Rev. War widow's pension application, Elizabeth Henderson Maples' application for widow's pension from Rev War, Testimony made in 1844 is signed by Prudence Hopson.  Henderson, Elizabeth Maples: Rev War pension application # W933, Prudence' various testimonies are contradictory, but it appears she was born to Elizabeth Maples before her marriage to Isaac Henderson, which took place in 1789.

1848 - Claiborne Co TN Court Records, deed book T page 524-5. 2 October 1848, James C Hopson buys 75 acres of land in 'Island Ridge' for $100.

1864 - Lyon Co KY tax list, The family was there 1864-68. Mrs. Levina Hopson was owner in 1872 and 1874.

1870 - Lauderdale County, Alabama Estate Records, Estate File #2258, Isaac Whitsett, Jr., Receipt from William Hopson to Joseph Whitsett for $67.00 for the boarding Isaac Jr., from the estate of Isaac Whitsett. [William Isaac Whitsett].

1870 - Lauderdale County, Alabama Estate Records, Probate Minute Book E, pg. 4 [photo copy of original document], This day came Mary Ann Terry and asked this Court to grant her letters of Guardianship upon the Estate of Isaac Whitsett and it appearing to the Court that said Mary Ann Terry is a fit and proper person to act as such guardian It is ordered by the Court that said Mary Ann Terry be and she is hereby appointed Guardian of said Isaac Whitsett Jr. The said Mary Ann Terry then tendered her bond conditioned as the law directs in the penal sum of one hundred dollars with O.B. Sullivan, P.H. Cunningham and H. Richardson as securities which bond being deemed good and sufficient is hereby approved and ordered to be filed and recorded. It is further [intend] that letters of Guardianship issue to said Mary Ann Terry. Sept. 27, 1870.

1888 - Claiborne Progress, Obituary says Aunt Prudy Hopson died March 1, 1888, having seen the frosts of 102 winters.

1891 - Grainger Co Voters Registraton, William Hopson is a registered voter.

1904 - Knoxville City Directory, Jacob H. Brown 1119 Folsom. 1907: Elizabeth Brown widow of J. H., on Harvey St.

1914 - Tennessee Death records, Grainger CO, # 9 for 1914.

1919 - Tennessee Death records, Grainger Co, William Tennessee Hopson died 1919 age 62.

1921 - Tennessee Death records, # 51 for Grainger Co. for 1921.

1921 - Tennessee Death records, # 78 for Grainger Co for 1921.

1924 - Tennessee Death records, Grainger Co., Abraham Hopson was 61 when he died in 1924.

1924 - Union Co TN Death Index, # 362; Mahulda Barnard Hopson.

1944 - Thomas Brinktom Hopson's death certificate filled out by his son Wm Fielden Hopson, says Thomas' mother was Martha Wells, born Claiborne County TN.

Marriage Records

1840 Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 3 page 29: Daniel Hopson married C. Carter. "Clary Harrell" married John Carter in 1840. Fulkerson articles say Daniel Hopson, son of Richard, married Kate Herrell.

1843 - Alabama Marriage Records, online at Ancestry.com. Lauderdale County, May 11, 1843; Thomas Hopson and Catherine Owens.

1844 - Claiborne Co Marriage Index book 2 page 70; James C. Hopson and Martha Wells, Oct. 24, 1844.

1845 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 2 page 79. Richard Hopson & Hannah Ritter.

1847 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, Marriage Records, Vol. 2, 1838-1850; Claiborne Co., TNFHL Film No. 24,619, Item 3 Page 58 of Film, Page 117 of Records. (William Hopson and Chloe Arnwine)

1847 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 2 page 177. Harrod Hopson & Elizabeth M Ritter.

1849 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 2 page 131; Emily Hopson and Drury Harrell.

1851 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 3 page 8. David R Hopson to Eliza Rosembalm.

1853 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 3 page 27, Mar. 3, 1853; Marriage performed by Hiram Hurst, William Y. Hopson to J. Ritter.

1856 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 3 page 67, Thomas B. Hopson and Esther Stansbury.

1857 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 3 page 83; Nancy Hopson and George Rosenbalm.

1872 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 4, page 152, Dec. 29, 1872; William Hopson and Louisa Hurst.

1874 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 4 page 204, June 11, 1874; Henry Hurst to Jane Bunch.

1874 - (?) Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 4 page 212.

1875 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 4 page 236; Jesse Hopson and Elizabeth Johnson.

1875 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 4 page 246. William Greer to Nancy Hopson, Aug. 19, 1875.

1875 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 4 page 248, John Hopson and Mahulda Barnard.

1875 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 4 page 254. James Brooks to Ann Hopson, Dec. 16, 1875.

1879 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 5 page 41. A J Hopson to M J Hurst, Oct. 29, 1879.

1895 - Union Co TN Marriage Records, Dec. 7, 1895, Andrew Hopson and Sarah Cabbage.

1880 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 5 page 41, Mary E. Hopson and James C. Lawson.

1897 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 6 page 142, Jesse Hopson and Martha Tenneson.

1900 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 8 page 31, Rueben Hopson and Mary Jane Harper.

1901 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, vol 8 page 105, Noah Hopson and Matilda Pillion.

1905 - Claiborne Co TN Marriage Records, book 8 page 219. Amanda Hopson and Thomas Hatfield.

1908 - Union Co TN Marriage Records, Charlie Hopson and Donna Smith.

Census Records

1800 Census, Wake Co NC, Harrard Hopson age 16-26; one female age 16-26. page 735 of the original census.

1880 Census, LDS CD collection, CD 25, Missouri, Webster Co. Hazelwood, page 286A. Head of household, Thomas Hopson is 64, born TN.He is a farmer. Birthplace of both parents is left blank.

1830 Census, Claiborne Co TN, page 105. Moses Ritter.

1830 Census, Claiborne Co., TN, page 113. Richard Hopson age 20-30. Wife age 20-30. Males under 5: 2; 15-20: 1. Females 10-15: 1.

1830 Census, Claiborne Co TN, In the home of James Bunch is a female age 60-70. Cannot know if she is his mother.

1830 Census, Claiborne Co TN, page 114. Sarah Hopson is head of household, age 50-60. Males 10-15: 1; 15-20: 1.

1830 Census, Claiborne Co TN, page 114. Penelope Hopson is head of household; age 30-40. Males under 5: 3. 5-10: 2. Females 5-10: 1; 10-15: 1; 15-20: 1.

1840 Census, Claiborne Co TN, Harrod Hopson is head of household that includes a female age 40-50 and another age 80-90, probably Prudence and her mother.

1840 Census, Claiborne Co TN, page 203. Hannah Ritter head of family, age 40-50. Males age 5-10: 1; 10-15: 1. Females 5-10: 1; 10-15: 1; 15-20: 2.

1840 Census, Claiborne Co TN, page 214. Richard Hopson age 30-40; wife age 30-40. males under 5: 1; 5-10: 2; 10-15: 1. Fems under 5: 1; 50-15: 1; 15-20: 1.

1850 Census, Claiborne Co., TN, household 109, head of household Penelope Hopson.

1850 Census, Claiborne Co TN, household 114; Eldridge Hopson.

1850 Census, Claiborne Co., TN, household 115, head of household J. P. Carter (wife Clary).

1850 Census, Claiborne Co TN, household 684, George Rosenbalm (head of household not listed in source).

1850 Census, Claiborne Co TN, household 685. Head of household is Richard Hopson.

1850 Census, Claiborne Co., TN; household 688; head of household Drewery Harrell.

1850 Census, Claiborne Co TN, household 694. Prudence Hopson, wife of Harrod Hopson, is 52, birthplace unknown.

1850 Census, Claiborne Co TN, household 695. James Hopson is head of household, age 24.

1860 Census, Claiborne Co., TN, household 849, head of household Thomas B. Hopson, age 24.

1860 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 8th dist; household 850, head of household George Rosenbalm.

1860 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 8th dist; household 856, James Hopson is head of household age 34.

1860 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 8th civil district; household 855. Herod Hopson age 83, b NC Prudence 71, b SC. William & Sarah Hodges (Prudence's grandchildren). By 1870 he is gone and Prudence is living with Sarah Hodges Hurst.

1860 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 8th dist; household 859. Head of Household George Rosenbalm, Nancy is 26. There are no children in the household. They are living 3 doors away from Nancy's father Richard Hopson.

1860 Census, Claiborne Co., TN, 8th dist.; household 861, head of household Drury Harrell.

1860 Census, Claiborne Co., TN, 8th dist.; household 866, Head of Household Martin Bunch.

1860 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 7th civil district; household 870.

1860 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 7th Civil Dist. households 896, head of household, Mahulda Hopson.

1860 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 7th Civil Dist. household 897.

1870 Census, Claiborne Co., TN, 7th Dist., post office Sycamore, head of household, D. P. Harrell.

1870 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 10th dist; household 47, head of household, James Hopson is 44.

1870 Census, Claiborne Co., TN, 8th dist., household 51, head of household, Daniel Hopson.

1870 Census, Claiborne Co TN, household 53, household of Jesse Hurst and his wife Sarah Hodges, Prudence Hopson is 77, born TN.

1870 Census, Claiborne Co TN, dist 12, household 69, head of household Thomas Hopson.

1870 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 8th dist; household 83, head of household Martin Bunch.

1870 Census, Claiborne Co TN, household 112, 8th district Big Springs. Mahulda Hopson.

1880 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 8th civil dist, household 14. Wm B Hodges, head of household, age 33. Pruda Hopson is listed as 'mother' age 100.

1880 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 10th dist; household 17/17. Head of household James Hopson is 50.

1880 Census, Claiborne Co. TN, 8th dist., page 170D, head of household Martin Bunch.

1880 Census, Claiborne Co TN, dist 8, household 176, head of household Jesse Hopson.

1880 Census, Claiborne Co TN, dist 8, household 177. page 177C Hulda Hopson is head of household that includes Mary age 19, Cynthia 14 and James Lawson, 26, son in law. Next door is her son Jesse & his family.

1880 Census, Claiborne Co TN, original census page 487. Dist 12 household 45. Head of household Richard Hopson.

1880 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 8th dist, household 81, head of household, William Hopson.

1880 Census, Claiborne Co TN, dist 8. household 191, head of household Henny Hurst.

1900 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 8th dist; household 25, head of household, James C. Lawson.

1900 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 7th dist; household 122 family 127, head of household Jesse Hopson.

1900 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 8th dist. household 257 family 59, head of household William Hopson.

1900 Census, Claiborne Co TN, Household 285 family 286, head of household George Bunch.

1900 Census, Claiborne Co TN, household 288/9, head of household Richard Bunch.

1910 Census, Claiborne Co TN, 4th dist, household 121-122. Silas Hopson is head of household age 25 (gives exact birth date).

1920 Census, Claiborne Co TN, dist 3, Lone Mountain, household 85, head of household Rubin Hopson.

1930 Census, Claiborne Co TN, dist 3, Lone Mountain, household 310, head of household Reuben H. Hopson.

1830 Census, Grainger Co TN, John Hopson age 30-40. males under 5:1, 10-15:2. females 5-10:2, 30-40:1.

1850 Census, Grainger Co TN, 12th dist, page 96. Caroline Hopson age 45., head of household.

1850 Census, Grainger Co TN, 12th dist. page 96; head of household William Hopson age 21, Chloe is 35.

1860 Census, Grainger Co TN, 12th dist, household 1485. Richard Hopson is head of household, age 25.

1860 Census, Grainger Co TN, 12th dist, household 1488. Caroline Hopson is a widow living alone, age 55. She was born in Virginia.

1860 Census, Grainger Co., TN, 12th dist., household 1490, head of household William Y. Hopson.

1860 Census, Grainger Co TN, 12th dist household 1493. David Hopson is 32, head of household.

1860 Census, Grainger Co TN, 12th dist household 1513. William Hopson, wife Clary is 40, born Tennessee.

1870 Census, Grainger Co TN, 12th dist; household 66.

1870 Census, Grainger Co TN, 12th district, Clear Spring. Household 68. Head of household, Richard Hopson.

1870 Census, Grainger Co., TN; 12th dist., Thomas Hopson is head of household age 34. Living next door to his father Richard.

1870 Census, Grainger Co TN, dist 12, household 71.

1880 Census, Grainger Co TN, 12th dist, household 12.

1880 Census, Grainger Co TN, original census page 486, household 27, head of household July Ann Hopson, age 47.

1880 Census, Grainger Co TN, 12th dist, household 28. William Hopson is head of household age 51.

1880 Census, Grainger Co TN, page 486. William Hopson is 51; wife Chloy is 69. David Hopson is head of household, age 52.

1880 Census, Grainger Co TN, original census page 487, 12th dist, household 12.. Richard Hopson, head of household, age 45.

1880 Census, Grainger Co TN, Original census page 487. Abrahan L Hopson is head of household, age 18. Susan A, listed as 'wife' is age 36. He is next door to his father.

1890 - Census of Civil War Veterans, William Hopson is alive in Grainger County, ED 81 pg 2.

1850 Census, Lauderdale Co AL, 1st dist, pg. 277, household 657 family 679. William Hopson (Mary Ann Hopson is 15, born TN).

1850 Census, Lauderdale Co., AL, 1st dist., pg. 277-278, household 663, head of household, Thomas Hopson.

1850 Census, Lauderdale Co AL, Dist. 1 household 658 family 674.'Herold' Hopson is head of household, age 32. His occupation is Hunter. At the bottom of the census page is written "pine, oak and poplar. Game plenty such as deer, turkey.." The bottom of the page is cut off on the microfilm.

1860 Census, Lauderdale Co AL, Waterloo, Western Division page 158 lines 32-39. Eldridge Thompson [Hopson] (along with Penelope, this family is listed as "Thompson)."

1860 Census, Lauderdale Co AL, page 158 line 31, Waterloo, Western Div. Penelope "Thompson" [Hopson] Says she is 82 and born in Maryland. Eldridge is next door - we do believe this is our Penelope, wife of James Hopson. She was living alone.

1860 Census, Lauderdale County, Alabama, pg. 159, fam. 427, Head of House William Whitsett, next door to Isaac Whitsett family (wife Mary Ann).

1870 Census, Lauderdale County, Alabama, pg. 480.

1880 Census, Lauderdale County, Alabama, pg. 2, family 3, William Hopson; living in household is Isaac Whitsitt, grandson.

Church and Cemetery Records

Tombstone, Arnwine Cemetery, Grainger County. Stone says Cloey Hobson. Gives exact dates.

Tombstone, Evans Cemetery, Lone Mountain, Claiborne Co TN. (Elizabeth Mahulda Ritter Hopson)

Tombstone, Hopson Cemetery; Dutch Valley Rd, Washburn, Grainger Co,.

Tombstone, Seymour cemetery, Grainger Co TN.

Big Springs Primitive Baptist Church minutes, "Sister Hulda Hopson, a beloved sister and member of Big Springs Church in full fellowship with us departed this life Feb (blank) 1913.

Big Springs Primitive Baptist Church minutes, William Hopson's death date Sept. 20, 1911.

Tombstone, Lynnhurst Cemetery, Knoxville, Tennessee: Hugh L Caldwell 1855 - 1929 and Sarah Hopson Caldwell 1865 - 1949.

Tombstone, Taylor Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 17 miles above Maynardville in Union Co., Winnie Hamic Hopson.

Tombstone, Kitt Cemetery, 2 1/2 miles east of Washburn. Andrew J. Hopson and Malissa J.Hopson.

Tombstone, Frye Cemetery, Dutch Valley Road, Grainger Co., TN: Henry D. Hopson, August 2, 1872 - April 15, 1891.

Published Sources

Hansard, Mary: "Old Time Tazewell", (published 1880's or 1890's).

Fulkerson, P G, Early Settlers of Claiborne County, article on the Hopson family.

McGinnis, Clarence, Grainger County Cemeteries, 1985, Frye Cemetery, Hopson Cemetery, Dutch Valley Rd.

Claiborne County, Peoples History, page 148, 149 (no author or publication data given).

Treadway, Mark, Claiborne County, Tennessee Obituaries, page 92. Elder A. J. Hopson died age 81, having lived in Grainger County all his life.

Johnson, Paul, Cemeteries of Claiborne County Tennessee, Evans Cemetery; Jackson cemetery, Reese Cemetery.

Hopson Descendants

Cooper, Nelda, William Cooper Family, (neldac@pernet.net), "Electronic."

Nelson, Nancy Cassada, Descendants of John Bunch, (FamilyTreeMaker Online), (nancycassadanelson@yahoo.com), "Electronic."

Nelson, Nancy Cassada, Our Hopson and Bunch Ancestors of East Tennessee, (Received Aug. 11, 2003, nancycassadanelson@yahoo.com), "Electronic."

Brummett, Barbara; Hopson descendant. She quotes her sources as "Aunt Eva and Pa Hopson."

Hopson, Tilman, Family Bible, (Bible entries made by Tilman), son of Eldridge and Luvina Hopson.

Conner, William, Hopson-Ritter descendant.

Hopson, William F., son of Thomas B. Hopson and grandson of James C. Hopson and Martha Wells - letter to his daughter Dorothy Nelson. Letter dated Oct 7, 1951.

Walker, Edna, descendant of Eliza Hopson Brown (great granddaughter), quoting from a Bible kept by Prior Draper, second husband of Eliza Hopson.

Hopson, John, grandson of John Hopson and Mahulda Barnard.

Hayes, Reba Hodges: descendant of William Y. Hopson.

Hoffman, Florence: Hopson descendant.

Other Sources

Knox County Marriages, transcribed by Brenda Jordan Raymond , this on-line database says Hugh L. Caldwell to Sallie Hopson.

Pension application: Wm. Y. Hopson # 240156, Dr J. P. Legg, MD, in his testimony regarding the general health of William Younger Hopson before the War, states that William's father died of old age. Does not give date; other claimants note that William's father married for a third time. His 2nd wife died April 23, 1873.

Pension application: T B Hopson, cert # 654862, August 31, 1888. Thomas Hopson states that his commanding officer, Capt D P Harrell is dead and therefore cannot testify.

Pension application: T B Hopson, cert # 654862, certificate #508671, April 8, 1891, Esther M. Hopson's application for a widow's pension states the date and place of her husband's death.

Social Security Death Index, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah.

Ronald N. Wall

Modified: 31 July 2020