John Hopwood

For the English Member of Parliament, see John Turner Hopwood. For the British painter, see John Hopwood (artist). For the English cricketer, see John Hopwood (cricketer).

John Hopwood (1745 – June 2, 1802) was an American civil servant during the American Revolutionary War and founded the town of Hopwood, Pennsylvania (originally named "Woodstock") in western Pennsylvania. John Hopwood was born in Virginia and married Hannah Bearcroft/Barecroft Humphreys, the young widow of Joseph Humphries, in 1770.[1]

According to local and family lore, he was a neighbor and trusted friend of George Washington, who in recognition of his merit, selected him as an aide-de-camp and assigned him the responsibility of selecting winter quarters for the French Army.[2] However, there is no supporting evidence of this beyond local histories compiled in the late 19th century; per the Daughters of the American Revolution, Hopwood was only recorded as having "furnished supplies" and having served as a juror.[3]

Continental Army (1779–1783)
  1. ^ Nelson, Nelson's Biographical Dictionary: Fayette Co. - History of Pennsylvania pp. 689–727.
  2. ^ Gresham, Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Fayette County, Pennsylvania pp. 349–350.
  3. ^ DAR Genealogical Research Service