Colonel Caleb Hopkins (1770 – January 14, 1818) was an officer during the War of 1812 and the first town supervisor of Pittsford, New York, United States.
Colonel Caleb Hopkins
United States Collector of Customs Port of Genesee
In 1791, Caleb Hopkins moved from his hometown, Pittsford, Vermont, in Rutland County, to what is now Monroe County, New York, and built the first log dwelling in the present town of Penfield. In 1800, he moved to the town of Northfield and built a house about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) south of the present village of Pittsford. The Hopkins Homestead is identified by a historic marker at 3151 Clover Street.
Hopkins became a prominent businessman in Pittsford as a farmer and in mercantile pursuits. In 1808, he was appointed supervisor of the town of Boyle (which later became Pittsford). In 1809, President James Madison appointed him United States collector of customs for the port of Genesee (now Rochester, New York), a post he held until May 1817.
In 1814, the town of Smallwood was divided into Brighton and Pittsford, and Colonel Hopkins named the latter in honor of his birthplace in Vermont. In 1816 and 1817, he was a member of the general assembly of New York and served on the committee in military affairs.
Colonel Hopkins is buried alongside his wife, Dorothea Mabee, and their three children (Clarissa, James and Marvin) in the Pioneer Burying Ground cemetery 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the village of Pittsford.
Military service in the War of 1812Edit
In 1804, Hopkins was commissioned as a lieutenant of the militia, and was promoted to major in 1807. He was active in the War of 1812, attaining lieutenant colonel in 1812 and colonel in 1813. He was involved in several battles and skirmishes and once was wounded in the shoulder.
Engagement out of Fort GeorgeEdit
It was the afternoon of October 6, 1813. American militia commander Cyrenius Chapin was dining in Fort George. American Colonel Scott informed Chapin the enemy was in the town. Colonel Scott was going to use his artillery battery to bombard the enemy. But Chapin insisted he would attack the enemy personally with his volunteers and militia. Chapin with his force of volunteers and militia marched under the cover of the houses about half a mile from the fort. While Chapin was advancing, he encountered the enemy. The enemy poured in a heavy fire. Chapin’s force returned heavy fire. A Captain and a handful of men of Chapin’s force fled back to the fort. A bit later, Chapin received reinforcements of about 100 militiamen and about 60 allied-indians. Chapin and his reinforced army of militia, volunteers, and allied Indians drove the enemy out of their positions in the bushes and the trees. The enemy had neglected to reinforce his flanks. Chapin had succeeded in cutting off the enemy’s left flank and pursued him across the farm into the woods. Chapin annoyed the enemy and broke the enemy’s lines. American militia colonel Caleb Hopkins came with a militia reinforcement of 60-70 men. Chapin ordered Hopkins to take a position on the left while ordering Adjutant Chesebro to break the enemy’s right flank which were both well obeyed with good precision. After pursuing the enemy for a while, it was nighttime. Chapin decided it was inconvenient to fight any longer. Chapin and his entire force of militia, volunteers, and Indians withdrew back to the fort. Before arriving back at the fort, Chapin met several parties of Americans who said they were coming to relieve his force. The American force only suffered 3 killed and 6-8 wounded. While the British suffered 18 killed and 2 taken prisoner.[1]
Skirmish in New YorkEdit
On January 8, 1814. Lt. Colonel Caleb Hopkins and General John Swift who are both militia commanders led a hit-and-run surprise attack on a British contingent that was out collecting wood. Caleb Hopkins and John Swift led 70 American militiamen in this engagement. The American militia surprised the British party. The British suffered 4 killed and 8 captured. The American militia only suffered 1 killed. The Americans withdrew back to Canandaigua with their prisoners after their successful surprise attack.[2][3]
Later lifeEdit
In March 1816, Colonel Hopkins was commissioned as brigadier general for gallant service during the war, including defending the Port of Charlotte, Rochester, New York against the British.
ReferencesEdit
^"The Documentary history of the campaign upon the Niagara frontier in the year 1813, part IV , October to December, 1813, with additional documents, June to October, 1813" by E. A. Cruikshank pg. 242-243.
^"The War of 1812: A Complete Chronology with Biographies of 63 General Officers" by Bud Hannings pg. 186.
^"The Documentary History of the Campaign Upon the Niagara Frontier " by Lundy's Lane Historical Society pg. 111.
Biographies of Monroe County People - Caleb Hopkins
How Northfield Became Pittsford
Pioneer Burying Ground
October 17, 2023
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this template message Colonel Caleb Hopkins 1770 January 14 1818 was an officer during the War of 1812 and the first town supervisor of Pittsford New York United States Colonel Caleb HopkinsUnited States Collector of CustomsPort of GeneseeIn office 1809 1817PresidentJames MadisonPersonal detailsBorn1770Pittsford VermontDiedJanuary 14 1818 1818 01 14 aged 47 48 Pittsford New YorkResting placePittsford New YorkMilitary serviceAllegiance United States of AmericaBranch serviceNew York MilitiaYears of service1804 1816RankColonelCommandsCommanding Officer52nd Regiment New York Militia 1814 Battles warsWar of 1812 Raid at Charlotte Contents 1 History 2 Military service in the War of 1812 2 1 Engagement out of Fort George 2 2 Skirmish in New York 3 Later life 4 ReferencesHistory EditIn 1791 Caleb Hopkins moved from his hometown Pittsford Vermont in Rutland County to what is now Monroe County New York and built the first log dwelling in the present town of Penfield In 1800 he moved to the town of Northfield and built a house about 0 5 miles 0 80 km south of the present village of Pittsford The Hopkins Homestead is identified by a historic marker at 3151 Clover Street Hopkins became a prominent businessman in Pittsford as a farmer and in mercantile pursuits In 1808 he was appointed supervisor of the town of Boyle which later became Pittsford In 1809 President James Madison appointed him United States collector of customs for the port of Genesee now Rochester New York a post he held until May 1817 In 1814 the town of Smallwood was divided into Brighton and Pittsford and Colonel Hopkins named the latter in honor of his birthplace in Vermont In 1816 and 1817 he was a member of the general assembly of New York and served on the committee in military affairs Colonel Hopkins is buried alongside his wife Dorothea Mabee and their three children Clarissa James and Marvin in the Pioneer Burying Ground cemetery 1 mile 1 6 km south of the village of Pittsford Military service in the War of 1812 EditIn 1804 Hopkins was commissioned as a lieutenant of the militia and was promoted to major in 1807 He was active in the War of 1812 attaining lieutenant colonel in 1812 and colonel in 1813 He was involved in several battles and skirmishes and once was wounded in the shoulder Engagement out of Fort George Edit It was the afternoon of October 6 1813 American militia commander Cyrenius Chapin was dining in Fort George American Colonel Scott informed Chapin the enemy was in the town Colonel Scott was going to use his artillery battery to bombard the enemy But Chapin insisted he would attack the enemy personally with his volunteers and militia Chapin with his force of volunteers and militia marched under the cover of the houses about half a mile from the fort While Chapin was advancing he encountered the enemy The enemy poured in a heavy fire Chapin s force returned heavy fire A Captain and a handful of men of Chapin s force fled back to the fort A bit later Chapin received reinforcements of about 100 militiamen and about 60 allied indians Chapin and his reinforced army of militia volunteers and allied Indians drove the enemy out of their positions in the bushes and the trees The enemy had neglected to reinforce his flanks Chapin had succeeded in cutting off the enemy s left flank and pursued him across the farm into the woods Chapin annoyed the enemy and broke the enemy s lines American militia colonel Caleb Hopkins came with a militia reinforcement of 60 70 men Chapin ordered Hopkins to take a position on the left while ordering Adjutant Chesebro to break the enemy s right flank which were both well obeyed with good precision After pursuing the enemy for a while it was nighttime Chapin decided it was inconvenient to fight any longer Chapin and his entire force of militia volunteers and Indians withdrew back to the fort Before arriving back at the fort Chapin met several parties of Americans who said they were coming to relieve his force The American force only suffered 3 killed and 6 8 wounded While the British suffered 18 killed and 2 taken prisoner 1 Skirmish in New York Edit On January 8 1814 Lt Colonel Caleb Hopkins and General John Swift who are both militia commanders led a hit and run surprise attack on a British contingent that was out collecting wood Caleb Hopkins and John Swift led 70 American militiamen in this engagement The American militia surprised the British party The British suffered 4 killed and 8 captured The American militia only suffered 1 killed The Americans withdrew back to Canandaigua with their prisoners after their successful surprise attack 2 3 Later life EditIn March 1816 Colonel Hopkins was commissioned as brigadier general for gallant service during the war including defending the Port of Charlotte Rochester New York against the British References Edit The Documentary history of the campaign upon the Niagara frontier in the year 1813 part IV October to December 1813 with additional documents June to October 1813 by E A Cruikshank pg 242 243 The War of 1812 A Complete Chronology with Biographies of 63 General Officers by Bud Hannings pg 186 The Documentary History of the Campaign Upon the Niagara Frontier by Lundy s Lane Historical Society pg 111 Biographies of Monroe County People Caleb Hopkins Historic Markers in Monroe County Hopkins Homestead How Northfield Became Pittsford Pioneer Burying Ground Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Caleb Hopkins colonel amp oldid 1158993497, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
