by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2025

ACTIVELY RESEARCHING. Additions/Corrections welcomed!

BIRTH

James HOPKINS was born in 1828 in Georgia (parents unknown. Possible father John Douglas Hopkins.)

CURRENT (2025) Georgia map

MARRIAGE 

James HOPKINS married Frances Elizabeth HARRIEDE in Leon, Florida, on September 29, 1850, when he was 22 years old.

CHILDREN

  • Jane Ann was born on September 18, 1847, in Colquitt, Georgia.
  • Charles W was born in 1854 in Colquitt, Georgia.
  • James Berrian was born on November 1, 1857, in Colquitt, Georgia.
  • John Simon was born on January 14, 1859, in Colquitt, Georgia.
  • Henrietta “Rita” was born on December 3, 1863, in Colquitt, Georgia.

Family stories suggest that James and Francis moved to the Florida Keys to escape the yellow fever epidemics sweeping the country.

Jane Ann HOPKINS Knowles
James Berrain HOPKINS
John Simon HOPKINS Frow

In 1850, James and Francis lived in Leon County, Florida with their daughter, Jane. Next door lived James and Martha(?) Harriede and Jacob Harriede. James and Martha are possibly Francis’ parents?

In 1860, James and Francis lived in Colquitt County, Georgia with four children: Char W., James H. (11), J.B. (3), J.R. (4 months). James was a farmer with $350 in real estate and his personal estate was worth $150.

1847-1856 Colquitt town was called Springtown.

Maps of Colquitt County drawn just seven years after its creation show only two communities, Greenfield (no longer extant) and Moultrie (formerly known as Ochlockney), today the county seat (Cooksey, Elizabeth).

“…Isaac Bush gave five acres of land for the (courthouse) site where the small hamlet of ‘Springtown’ had begun to grow near the east bank of Spring Creek nearly in the center of Miller County.” (Davis, Nellie Cook. The History of Miller County, Georgia. Citizens Bank, Colquitt Georgia. April 1980. p. 37)

1860
1870

DEATH

James Hopkins and Frances Elizabeth Harriede Hopkins died on the same day, August 11, on Knockemdown Key, and as yellow fever was raging through the islands at that time, it is likely that they succumbed to it. 

Knock ’em Down Key

At least one family account says that baby Rita died with her parents. This fact comes from a letter from a family member describing how James, Frances, and Rita all died of the yellow fever in August 1865. However, the 1870 census shows Henrietta living with Justin Everett Knowles and Jane Ann HOPKINS Knowles so it is assumed that they adopted her.

READ MORE ABOUT Yellow Fever (Yellow Jack or the Yellow Plague) in Florida

Frances’ Bible 1846

I am in possession of Frances’ bible, passed down to me by my aunt, Jane GARCIA Rowland. I am able to transcribe much of it because I know the names. The underscores I couldn’t figure out. I do know that Justin was born Jan 8th. My records say 1847 in Long Island, Bahamas. Also George Washington’s biological parents were Justin’s parents, John Thomas Knowles and Hannah Elizabeth PRANCE. He is Justin’s brother. Their mother died 20 days after giving birth to George. Infant George was adopted and raised by Justin and his wife, Jane Ann.

Jane Ann HOPKINS Knowles’ bible

TRANSCRIPTION

Frances Elizabeth and James Hopkins died on the 11th August 1865.  Henrietta Hopkin born the 3 of December 1863 Thomas Knowles son was married to Jane Hopkins at Key West the 11th of May 1865  George Washington Knowles was born May the __ in the year of our lord 1866. May 7th 1866 Much of this I am able to transcribe because I know the names. The underscores I couldn’t figure out.

SOURCES

1850 United States Federal Census; 1860 United States Federal Census; Dodd, Jordan R, et. al., Early American Marriages: Florida to 1850.; Dodd, Jordan R, et. al.. Florida Marriages, 1822-1850; State Archive, Tallahassee and Clerk of Courts; Various Counties; County Marriages, 1803-1963; Family Interviews; Davis, Nellie Cook. The History of Miller County, Georgia. Citizens Bank, Colquitt Georgia. April 1980. p. 37; Cooksey, Elizabeth. “Colquitt County.” New Georgia Encyclopedia, last modified Jul 12, 2022.

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