Caleb Hopkins (colonel)

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.

History
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 mi 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 mi south of the village of Pittsford.

Military service in the War of 1812
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 George
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.

Skirmish in New York
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.

Later life
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.