Person:John Hopkins (90)

Will Transcript

In the Name of God Amen, I John Hopkins of the County of Sussex in the Delaware State being in perfect health and sound disposing mind memory and Judgment do make this my last Will and Testament.

I give to my beloved Wife Sophia Hopkins the one third part of my Lands during her natural life, to be laid off to her by Marnix Virdin, Sacker Wyatt and William Peery of the County aforesaid or any two of them that shall be living at the time of my death, and to be laid off so as to include the small House which I last built, and not to include my mansion or dwelling House, I also give to my said Wife One bed and furniture and one Chest.

I give to my five Sons Josiah Hopkins, David Hopkins, Samuel Hopkins, Cornelius Hopkins and Samuel Hopkins the plantation whereon I now live to be equally divided among them in quality and quantity the two third part thereof to be divided as aforesaid immediately after the death of my Wife, together with all and singular the Improvements and appurtenances unto the same belonging to them their Heirs and Assigns forever as Tenants in common and not as Joint Tenants.

I give to my four Sons Archibald Hopkins, John Hopkins, William Hopkins and Robert Hopkins all the remaining part of that Tract of Land which my Father bought of Ann Saunders, not heretofore conveyed by me to any of my four Sons last mentioned to be equally divided among them according to quantity and quality to be holden by my said four Sons their Heirs and Assigns forever as tenants in common and not as joint tenants ~

I give to my ^three daughters, Elizabeth the present Wife of David Stephenson, Jannet present Wife of Samuel Hudson and Lydia Hopkins the Sum of two Pounds each to be paid to them in Gold and Silver only ~

All the remaining part of my Estate both Real and personal I give to all my Children, whether Sons or daughters, to be equally divided among them Share and Share alike and in case any one or more of my said Children should die before me, the distributive Share of such Child or Children I give to its? or their legal Representatives.

And I do hereby make, Constitute and appoint my two Sons Archibald and William Hopkins the Executors of this my Last Will and Testament hereby annulling and making void all and every other Will or Wills by me heretofore made, retifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal affixed the twenty fifth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty Seven. 1787. ~

[Signed] John Hopkins [Seal]

Signed, Sealed, Published pronounced and declared by the within named Testator as his Last Will & Testament in the presence of us who signed as Witnesses. William Peery, Joseph Mills, Mary Peery.

Sussex County.

Memorandum the 3d day of March 1789 before us Phillips Kollock Register for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters of Administration for the County afsd. appeared William Peery and Joseph Miller Esq. two of the Witnesses to the within Will, and being solemnly sworn on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God, did foreally depose and say, that in their sight profones? and hearing the Testator John Hopkins, did sign, Seal, Publish and declare the same to be his Last Will and Testament, and that they and each of them together with Mary Peery subscribed this ___ as Witness, in presence of the testator and at his request.

[Signed] Phillips Kollock Regs.

1.   Find A Grave.

   John Hopkins
   BIRTH Apr 1741
   Delaware, USA
   DEATH 3 Mar 1789 (aged 47)
   Delaware, USA
   
   John Hopkins served as private in the Revolutionary War under Captains Vaughan and Moon, Colonels Haslett and Neil, in the Delaware and Continental troops.
   
   He had three spouses:
   1. Bessie Stevenson
   
2. Mary Vint

   3. Sophia McIlvaine
   
   In his will (provided below) he mentions his wife Sophia, nine sons (Josiah, David, Samuel, Cornelius, Lemuel, Archibald, John, William, and Robert) and three daughters (Elizabeth Stevenson, Gennet Hudson, and Lydia Hopkins). His will was dated February 12, 1787 and proved on March 3, 1789.
   
   https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143057103/john-hopkins

2. ↑ Ancestry.com. Public Member Trees: (Note: not considered a reliable primary source).

   https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/170040464/person/142205288051/facts