GeneaBlogs

Daniel Hoopes, 1672 – 1749

December 20, 2009 - 1:04 pm No Comments

Born: 27 May 1672 in Skelton, York, England
Married: Jane Worrilaw on 10 Oct 1696
Died: 1749 in West Town, Chester, Co., PA
Buried: Edgemont Township, Chester Co., PA

Daniel Hoopes fought in the war with Cromwell. In company with an unmarried brother he came to this country in the year 1683 on the Ship Providence. The brother, soon tiring of the pioneer life, returned to his home in England. Therefore, Daniel and family were the first of the name in America. Daniel Hoopes first settled farther north in this State [PA] but soon after procuring the right of 64 acres from William Penn in what is now Chester and Delaware Counties and in the township of Westtown, made that his home. It is related that some of the older children were born in a cave, which was the first home of the family and, in those primitive times, not an exceptional case. The line of Delaware county runs through the lower portion of the estate. On the main portion of the land there was built in 1723 what at that time was considered an elegant mansion. It contained about twelve rooms and has its secret closet, etc. This house has quite a history. The old homestead is still standing and looks as though it would for several years to come.

Of interest is the obituary of Joshua Hoopes, grandson of Daniel:
“Joshua Hoopes, aged 88 years and 7 months; the oldest of the name of Hoopes in the country. At Downingtown, on the evening of the 11th of same, granddaughter of the above; aged between 3 and 4 years. In Sadsbury, on the 25th of the same Francis W. Hoopes, grandson of the above Joshua; age near thirty years (not 40 as stated) He has left a widow and three small children.
As instances of longevity are occasionally noticed, the following may not be uninteresting. Daniel Hoopes, grandfather of the above named Joshua Hoopes, was married in 1696. The issue of that marriage was seventeen children; nine of whose ages averaged more than 84 years; and seven of the nine were living about 100 years after the union of their parents. The last of them died about 120 years after her parents marriage. The sum of the ages amounts to about 1036 years. If we add the ages of Daniel and his wife, we have about 1200 years. There are probably very few instances in modern times of the immediate issue of a single marriage enjoying 1036 years of life.
When a boy Daniel came into this country with his father Joshua Hoopes, in company with William Penn. Joshua took an active part in the Government; it also appears that Daniel was a member of the Legislature in the years 1708-9; since which the family seem not to have engaged much in public business. From Daniel are descended all the Hoopes of America.”

Daniel Hoopes’ signature on a land deed dated 5 Dec 1730. He transferred 200 acres to his son of the same name.