The history of Waterbury, Connecticut - citizen hylbom blog

APrENDix. 403
Jan. ]8, 17G9. Long afterwards, on looking back to the distracted con-
dition in which his parish was left—their divisions and destitution for
many years—he feared he did wrong to leave them. He might, he said,
have given up study and supported himself by laboring on his farm, and
at the same time, preached to his people, " after a sort," without com-
pensation. Nothing better illustrates the simplicity of his character, his
honesty and self-denying nature, than these reflections. At this dis-
tance of time and place, it would seem obvious enough that the evils
which Hopkins deplored were not of a sort to be removed by his minis-
trations.
Our theologian was not fortunate in his early matrimonial enterprises.
An engagement which he formed at Northampton was broken off " with-
out any fault of his." Another, made in Great Barrington, terminated
in the same way, the young laJy, " rather of a belle" in the place, and
of a bright intellect, preferring, at the critical time, another lover. This,
he said, " was a trial, a very great trial ;" but he was, as usual, resigned.
At length, however, he conquered adversity, and married, Jan. 13, 1748,
Joanna, daughter of Moses Ingersoll of Great Barrington. She is de-
scribed as delicate in her person, sprightly, intelligent, of much decision
of character; but of a consumptive tendency and a great sufferer from
ill health after marriage. About 1786, she was afflicted with temporary
insanity, and died Aug. 21, 179."J, aged 67. She was the mother of
eight children, all born in Great Barrington. The eldest son was Gen-
eral David Hopkins, an influential and wealthy man who lived near
Baltimore, Md., and died leaving several children. The second son,
Moses, was a magistrate and farmer in Great Barrington, eminent for
his strength of mind and sterling virtue. He was County register, and
died at the age of 84, having had nine children. The third, Levi, lived
and died in Virginia, leaving six children. The fourth, Samuel, was a
thrifty farmer, resided on the homestead in Great Barrington, and left
three children. The fifth, Daniel, died in Maryland, in 1788, aged 24.
The eldest daughter, Elizabeth, was an accomplished lady, married Dr.
John Sibley, an eminent surgeon in the Revolutionary army, and died
at Fayetteville, N. C, in 1790, leaving two sons. The second, was Mrs.
Joanna Fisher of Medway, Mass., who died in 1786, leaving one daugh-
ter. The third, Rhoda, married Capt. John Anthony of Newport, and
died 1792, aged 2\), leaving one child.
Mr. Hopkins' second wife was Elizabeth West, piincipal of a celebra-
ted boarding school for females in Newport, a woman of rare endow-
ments, to whom he was married, Sept. 14, 1794. She died in Taunton,
Mass., April 9, 1814, aged 75.