William Deacon HOPPER

Sources:

Universal Genealogy, ALIAS: 66050-1657, GENDB
Ancestral File, version 4.19
Pedigree Resource File
Rootsweb.com
Internet IGI, Apr 2007
Ancestry World Tree Project
New.FamilySearch.org, Jun 2011

Notes:

                   NOTE:
They lived near the NC/VA state line, owning land on both sides. They first lived on Matrimony Creek, a branch of the Dan River, in NC and later some lived on Smith River in Henry Co. VA. William surveyed in Rockingham Co. then Rowan Co., in 1753. In 1761 he obtained a grant of 710 acres. An additional grant of 510 acres from the Earl of Granville on May 10, 1762 was confirmed. In 1773 he signed a petition against moving the courthouse in Guilford Co. By 1783 he had died. All five of his sons owned adjouning land on matrimony Creek in present Rockinfham Co., NC. ********************************** Another HOPPER family entered the area of North Carolina that is now Rockingham Co, then Rowan, in 1750, and descendents are in the area today. records of this family are in Rockingham, Rowan and Guilford Co, due to the changes in county lines, while some records are in Henry County, VA.These families lived near the North Carolina/Virginia state line. They first lived on Matrimony Creek, a branch of Dan River, in NC and later some lived on Smith River in Henry Co, Va. The first of record was William HOPPER, Sr., who was surveying land in present Rockingham Co, then Rowan, in 1753. In 1761, he obtained a grant of 710 acres, which was bot confirmed. A grant of 510 acres from the Earl of GRANDVILLE on May 10, 1762, was confirmed, and in 1763, he sold 255 acres in Rowan Co, on both sides of Matrimony Creek, to Joseph SCALES. In 1773, he signed a petition against moving the Guilford County Courthouse, as the area where he was living was in Guilford Co.By 1763, William HOPPER, Sr. had died, and from various records the following are believed to be his surviving sons in the area, all who owned adjoining land on Matrimony Creek in present Rockingham County, NC:William HOPPER, Jr.; Darbey HOPPER; Joseph HOPPER; Joshua HOPPER; and Thomas HOPPER.The Matrimony Church, located on Matrimony Creek, was organized in 1776, and the following HOPPERs were members: Joseph HOPPER and his wife, Jane were charter members, as was Joshua HOPPER, and his wife Lucy, received by letter in 1779. William HOPPER and wife, Catherine were members as were Thomas HOPPER and Darby HOPPER. Joseph HOPPER was the first clerk of the church. He was ordained as a Deacon December 11, 1778 and remained active in the church through 1814, as long as church records are available. This church was located about five miles from present Leaksville, NC community and close to the Virginia State line. On July 28, 1785 a bond was made in Henry Co, VA for one William STEPHENS to perform duties of preacher and minister of the gospel, and in 1788, he became the preacher at the Matrimony Church.