Ezekiel Hobbs (1762 - 1835)

Born 1762 in Washington County, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Sarah (Bluebaugh) Hobbs — married 1787 (to 1802) in Washington County, Virginia

Husband of Elizabeth Hannah (Lilley) Hobbs — married 27 Jul 1803 (to 1835) in Washington, Rappahannock, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died 13 Jun 1835 at about age 73 in Washington, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Ezekiel Hobbs lived in Virginia.

Ezekiel Hobbs is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A055927.

Transcriptions of Ezekiels Revolutionary War pension statement, Hobbs vs Benjamin Hobbs admins and children listed on his will are exactly as they were written on the original documents. Although I am human and may make mistakes I do not make edits or corrections to formatting, spelling, grammar and punctuation. I also removed "Ezekiel was born about 1775. He passed away in 1850 from biography. Doesn't apply to this Ezekiel Hobbs and unsourced. Bradley-4416

Research Notes

Identification of Ezekiel's mother as Ruth Thomas Hobbs Ruth Thomas is based on a Revolutionary War pension application of his older brother, Job Hobbs, who claimed his (and his younger siblings') mother was Ruth Thomas Hobbs. However his father, Vincent Hobbs, Sr., married Mary Hannah Shelby in 1742, and she was listed as his wife in a Court Order of 26 MAY 1800. Therefore the relationship of Vincent Hobbs, Sr., and Ruth Thomas Hobbs is in some doubt….

Private Ezekiel Hobbs served with Washington County Militia, Virginia Militia during the American Revolution.

HOBBS, EZEKIEL Ancestor #A055927
Service: VIRGINIA Rank(s): PRIVATE
Birth: 1762 VIRGINIA
Death: 6-13-1835 WASHINGTON CO VIRGINIA
Pension Number: S*W8940
Service Source: S*W8940; BLWT 26632-160-55
Service Description: 1) CAPTAIN GEORGE ADAMS, MAJOR DANIEL SMITH,1778
2)COLONEL WILLIAM CAMPBELL,1780
SPOUSE
1) ELIZABETH LILLEY^[1]

Ezekiel was born in 1762 in Washington County, Virgina. Ezekiel was married twice. Identification of his first wife is still unknown. He married Elizabeth Lilley the daughter of Hardin Lilley. A marriage bond was executed in the clerks office of Washington County on July 27, 1803 by Ezekiel and Hardin Lilley, but no record of marriage has been found. He passed away in 1835 and is buried at The Vincent Hobbs Cemetery in Dryden, Lee County, Virginia.

Land Grants and Residence

30 acres by warrant #1924 dated 12-12-1781, on both sides of the north fork of Holstein River, corner to his own land that he Iives on - on south side of Poor Valley Knobs – 1-21-1797.

Washington Co. Survey Records: Ezekiel Hobbs, 71 acres, part of two preemption warrants, 41 acres by warrant #2534 dated 8-15-1783.

1785 Personal property tax list of Washington County, Virginia. James Fulkerson's return for 1785.
Joab, Vincent Sr., Vincent Jr., Ezekial Hobbs, John Thomas, William Blanton. David and John Shelby image 312. ^[2]

1786 Personal property tax list of Washington County, Virginia. Mr. James Fulkinson's Return for 1786.
Ezekiel, Job, and Vincent Sr. Hobbs. Next image 298 Thomas, Joel, Vincent Hobbs.^[3]

1787 Russell County, Virginia tax list = I poll, 4 horses, 4 cattle.

Washington Co. Survey Records: Ezekiel Hobbs, 29 acres, Treasury Warrant #10179, dated Dec. 22, 1791, on the south side of the land he now lives, corner to Chiles - April 26, 1795.

• Ezekiel Hobbs. Land Grants.16 June 1797, 28 February 1800.

Library of Virginia. Online Catalog. Washington County Land Office Grants. Available on microfilm. Virginia State Land Office. Grants A-Z, 1-124, reels 42-190; Virginia State Land Office. Grants 125- , reels 369-

1810 Washington County, Virginia^[4]

1820 Washington County, Virginia ^[5]

1830 Washington County, Virginia ^[6]

Revolutionary War Pension Statement

Washington County to wit

On the 6th day of October in the year 1834 personally appeared in open court before Benjamin Estill Judge of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery being a Court of Record Ezekiel Hobbs resident of the County of Washington in the State of Virginia aged seventy-two & upwards years Awho being first sworn according to law upon his oath doth make the following declaration in order to obtain the pension or provision made by the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832.

That he was drafted in the year 1776 in the County of ___ but now the County of Washington having been divided and sent to Fort Shelby where he did duty [perhaps James Fulkerson] at that time the Army under the command of Colonel Christian [William Christian] marched & into that Country with which he went as a volunteer against the Cherokees and was in that service two months fully.

In 1777 he was drafted to do duty in Buchanan's Fort on the North fork of Holston River remained there one month and then marched over the mountain to Cowan's Fort on Clinch [River] to prevent that Fort from being taken by the Indians which was effected and the lives of a large number of Women & Children as well as men saved – there he served one month, he then was marched back to Buchanan's Fort and there employed two months as a guard in that year (1778) he believes in the month of August an expedition mounted to Kentucky against the Indians in which he was drafted – and put under the command of Captain George Adams who was commanded by Major Daniel Smith, they returned not long before Christmas making a tour of service of four months in which he encountered great hardships he was in that year 1778 nearly the whole year in actual hard service against the Savage enemy on the frontiers.

In 1779 he was drafted for one months service at Binham's [?](Benham's) fort being all of his service in that year. In 1780 he was drafted to march against the British and Tories in Carolina they rendezvoused at one Evan Baker's and marched with the Regiment commanded by Colonel William Campbell on the expedition to King's Mountain but being taken sick was left and did not share in the glory of that Battle [October 7, 1780] – he was on the two weeks in that service and was the last.

He was living on the North fork of Holston River when he was first called into service on the same farm where he now resides in the County of Washington, Virginia and where he has always resided. Ezekiel his X mark Hobbs

From notes included on his statement:
Copy of a marriage bond issued in Washington County Virginia July 27, 1803 to Ezekiel Hobbs and Hardy Lilley conditioned upon the marriage of Ezekiel Hobbs to Elizabeth Lilley.

On March 7, 1854 in Washington County Virginia, Colonel Abram Mongle & John Gobble gave testimony that they served as executors of the estate of Ezekiel Hobbs; that they believe he died in the year 1835 in Washington County Virginia; that they have been acquainted with Ezekiel Hobbs and his wife Elizabeth and know that they lived together as man and wife.^[7]

Signers of the Petition to the of Holston Division. These were men who were engaged in the Cherokee Expedition and were not present when there was a Division of Fincastle in the year 1776. Fincastle County, Virginia was created in 1772 from Botetourt County and abolished in 1776. It was divided into Montgomery, Washington and Kentucky Counties. The petition is a grievance sent to the President and the House of Delegates. Vincent Senior, Joel and Ezekiel Hobbs are listed on page three.
https://www.anamericanfamilyhistory.com/TennesseeFamilies&Places/1777%20Petition.html

[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $33.33 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831.]^[8]

Elizabeth was awarded a widow's pension issued 3rd day of May 1854 and sent to John W. Stevens Abington, Virgina. Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 124 Vol. A. Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Dec ? and ? Hon. J. (or I.) H. Fulton. Arrears to the 4th of September 1834 $116.65. Recorded by Nath Rice, Clerk Book E, Vol. 6 1/2, Page 18 Virginia 29.597.

Marriage to Elizabeth Lilley

Marriage Bondsman: Know all men by these presents that we Ezekiel Hobbs and Hardy Lilley are held and firmly bound to John Page esq Governor of Virginia in the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars: To which payment well and truly to be made to the said Governor and his successors in office we bind ourselves our heir executors and administrators jointly and severally firmly by these presents. Witness our hands and seals this 27th day of July 1803.

The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage shortly intended between the above bound Ezekiel Hobbs and Elizabeth Lilley. Now if there is no lawful cause to obstruct the same, then the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force.

Ezekiel Hobbs seal

Hardy Lilley seal

The foregoing is a true copy of the bond executed in the clerks office of Washington County by Ezekiel Hobbs on obtaining license for the marriage of himself and Elizabeth Lilley, and is the only record evidence of such marriage in this office. In testimony whereof, I Jacob Lynch clerk of the court of the said county of Washington have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said court this first day of November 1853.

Hardin aka Hardin Lilley^{[9] [10]}

Jacob Lynch C.C.

Children

Mary “Polly” Hobbs Gobble
John
Vincent
Joel
Nathan
Nancy Hobbs Rouse
William
Issac
Ruth
Rebecca
Benjamin
Ezekiel
Polly
Rachel Hobbs Grant
Elizabeth “Betsy” Hobbs Rollins
Wayne
Greenberry “Green”
Washington
Jackson
Harrison
Shelby
Matilda
Preston
Madison
Harriet
From the will of Ezekiel Hobbs^[11]
Transcribed here Space: Hobbs_Documents

Ezekiel Hobbs vs. Benjamin Hobbs Admins

To the worshipful of county court of Scott in letting? Chancery.

The bill of complaint of Ezekiel Hobbs of the county of Scott

humbly represents. That about the year 1809 a sale of the

goods and chattels of Benjamin Hobbs (who died intestate)

took place. That at the said sale your orator bought of the

effects to the amount of $29 and some cents or thereabouts.

That by the terms of the sale 12-months credit was given the

purchaser, he giving bond and approve security before sun

down of that day. That the evening being stormy your orator

wishing to crop the river to his house proposed

executing his note for the property purchased, but there being no

note prepared it was not done. That she widow of the

said Benj Hobbs being the adm. your orator rested satisfied

that the business could at any time be amicably arranged.

But your orator afterwards understood that the said administra-

tix (Agatha) claimed the forfeit which by the terms

of the said sale accrued by his not executing bond and

security on the day of sale. At the time of the said sale

the estate of the said Benjamin was indebted to your orator

in a greater sum than the amount of his said purchase.

And your orator expected and intended to offset so much

thereof as was necessary against his said purchase.

Your orator afterwards met with the said Adm. in Abingdon

who threatened to sue him, but by the interference of others

accepted a note with good security for the amt purchased

at the sale. The said administratix afterwards brought a

suit before Stephen Lett esquire for a settlement of their

accounts, who upon inspecting the accounts due your orator

from the estate [“and having witness” is crossed out] found that after

paying the said note there was due your orator about $30.

Afterwards a settlement of accounts was proposed by arbitra-

tion. Your orator told the said Adm. to choose two men.

Stephen Lett and Peter Countis were chosen. Your orator being

unwilling to injure his daughter-in-law and grandchildren offered

In presence of the said arbitrators to give the balance of his debt

Provided the adm would give up his note. The said arbitrators

so awarded; but the said adm. refused to stand to the award.

Your orator still being unwilling to bring suit against her

to the injury of herself and children told her that if she would

give up his note she might occupy for one year a plantation

with 10 acres of land included and also to give her the lease of

a mare to his horse to this she agreed took possession

of his land and cultivated for 1 year and lent her mare to his

horse but afterwards refused to give up the note she has since

intermarried with one Joseph Head who talks of sueing for the

for the amount they're out of therefore of your orator is that

the said Joseph Head and Agatha his wife may be made

debts to this bill and fully answer to same on oath and that

an account be directed to ascertain the sum due your orator

for the rent of his land, the account due the said estate

& that the said note be delivered up to be canceled

and your orator be suffered to remain in peace and

undisturbed thereby may it please your worship to

grant the commonwealth said writ ed [illeligible] directed &

your orator will further state that the said Head and

your orator already agreed to arbitrate this business but your

your orators only material witness resided and still resides

in Lee County Virginia and could not be had.

The said Head and wife are about to remove out of the country and

and thereby your orator will lose his [crossed out]

debt unless relieved by this worshipful court which

is the reason why he has instituted this suit at this

time. he would have waited until another effort

to arbitrate, but said Head and wife will remove in a

few days # & your orator therefore prays that the writ of

ne exect be awarded him as auxiliary

process to effectuate the justice of this

worshipful Court.^[12]

Son of Vincent & Ruth (Thomas) Hobbs. Buried: Hobbs Cemetery, Washington County, Virginia.

Sources

1. ↑ Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed February 4, 2018), "Record of Ezekiel Hobbs", Ancestor # A055927.
2. ↑ Washington County, Virginia Personal Property tax lists of Washington County, 1782-1850. (Image ) Item 4. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSY6-3S52-H?i=308&cat=408206
3. ↑ Washington County, Virginia Personal Property tax lists of Washington County, 1782-1850. (Image 297) Item 4. Washington County, Virginia Personal Property tax lists of Washington County, 1782-1850. (Image 297) Item 4. Family Search https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSY6-3S5Z-S?cat=408206
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH2B-M43 : accessed 5 February 2018), Ezekiel Hobbs, Washington, Virginia, United States; citing p. 233, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 71; FHL microfilm.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBM-9QPY?cc=1803955&wc=3L7F-8GL : 16 July 2015), Virginia > Washington > Not Stated > image 27 of 48; citing NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5J-3FY : 17 August 2017), Ezekiel Hobbs, Washington, Virginia, United States; citing 255, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 200; FHL microfilm 29,679
7. ↑ Southern Campaigns Revolutionary War Pension Statements & Rosters. Pension application of Ezekiel Hobbs W8940 Elizabeth Hobbs f48VA. 3/17/07 rev'd 4/5/14 Transcribed by Will Graves http://www.revwarapps.org
8. ↑ "United States Revolutionary War Pension Payment Ledgers, 1818-1872," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WB-9GPT?cc=2069831&wc=MXMQ-5TL%3A355664701 : 22 September 2016), 5-vol E Revolutionary War pensioners > image 348 of 436; citing NARA microfilm publication T718 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1962).
9. ↑ "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YY2-RQB?cc=1803765&wc=QZZC-BF6 : 1 December 2015), Virginia > Washington > Not Stated > image 68 of 78; citing NARA microfilm publication M252, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
10. ↑ "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBM-9QPY?cc=1803955&wc=3L7F-8GL : 16 July 2015), Virginia > Washington > Not Stated > image 27 of 48; citing NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
11. ↑ "Washington County, Virginia Will books, 1777-1908;" Family Search general index to wills, divisors and divisees, 1777-1937 Will books, Vol. 7-9 1834-1845 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9TC-NSJM-F?cat=366153
12. ↑ [Scott County] (Va.) Chancery Causes, [1809 - 1838]. Ezekiel Hobbs vs. Benjamin Hobbs Admins,[Cite style of suit and 1838-0001. Local Government Records Collection, Scott Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

• https://archive.org/details/ezekielelizabethhobbspensionfile

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/174496096/ezekiel-hobbs: accessed 27 October 2022), memorial page for PVT Ezekiel Hobbs (1762–13 Jun 1835), Find a Grave Memorial ID 174496096, citing Hobbs Cemetery, Washington County, Virginia, USA; Maintained by Kathy Jennings Brown (contributor 47272624) .

Notes

From several contributors;
Washington County Cemetery Records: Hobbs' Cemetery, McFadden's Ford, northwestern section of Washington County, near Little Mountain River and southwest of Pine Grove - Ezekiel Hobbs buried, Revolutionary soldier. Another report has him married to Hannah Hardy before 1777

The Vincent Hobbs Cemetery in Dryden, Lee County, Virginia. Plot: Off Screech Trail Road Memorial ID 187268136 (This cemetery was designated and commemorated as a Revolutionary War Cemetery in 2009 after the discovery of the graves of Vincent Sr, and his sons Absalom and Vincent Jr.)

Vincent Hobbs, Sr., arrived in America with his two brothers, Beale and William, in 1735. He was 15 years old at the time. Their port of arrival was Dover, Delaware; they sailed from Wales, although sources state that they are "of English stock".It appears likely that they came from central England, though that is not proven at this time.All three brothers remained in Maryland, where they originally settled for a time -- Beale was still located in Ann Arundel County, Maryland, during the 1790 Federal census.William eventually migrated to North Carolina.

Vincent settled a claim on the bank of the Potomac River near the present site of Hagerstown, Maryland. He married Mary Hannah Shelby, who may have been a cousin of Evan Shelby, founder of the City of Bristol, Tennessee, and they had ten known children. In 1769, while his youngest child was small, Vincent resettled his family on the North Fork of the Holston River in what is now Washington County, Virginia, where they lived on a sizeable claim adjacent to that of John Benham, famous Indian fighter, who married their daughter Polly. In 1780 they moved further onto the frontier, settling at Turkey Cove (now located in Lee County, Virginia). During their stay here their oldest son William was wounded and captured by Indians. He was believed to have been tortured and burned alive. As a result, Vincent and Mary Shelby Hobbs and their remaining children returned to their original claim in Washington County the following spring.

Vincent served in the Virginia State Militia, at various times serving with Captain Daniel Smith's Company at Elk Garden (October 1774), with Captain Joseph Cloyd's Company in Montgomery County (Febraury 1788), and with Colonel Reese Bowen's Company at the Battle of King's Mountain.

Known children of Vincent and Mary Shelby Hobbs (order of birth not proven) were: William, who was killed by Indians; James, who enlisted in a company to go against the Indians and was on the frontier, lost to his family and presumed dead, for 21 years; Joel, who also served at the Battle of King's Mountain; Ezekiel; Vincent, Jr.; Abner, who married Peggy Rigder; Absalom; Polly, who married John Benham; Rachel, who married John Russell; and Rebecca, who married William Blanton.

Vincent and Mary Shelby Hobbs suffered many material losses at the hands of Indians and additional losses as a result of the Revolutionary War.On 26 May 1800, the Court of Quarter Sessions of Washington County ordered that the overseers of the poor accept them on their list and provide for them according to law. Their exact dates of death are unknown, though they were both still residing on their Washington County farm in 1804 (Vincent was 84 years of age). Historians believe that they are buried near their farm, though their graves have never been identified.

Vincent Hobbs may have been married twice. Various records indicate that he was married both to Mary Hannah Shelby and Ruth Thomas. It is believed that Mary Shelby was his first wife and the mother of James, Mary 'Polly', Vincent Jr., Thomas Joel, and Rebecca Hannah. Some researchers indicate that Rebecca Hannah was born in 1751, and we know that Job was born in 1759 and his mother was Ruth Thomas. Many researchers believe that Mary Shelby probably died between 1751 and about 1755 or 1756. Then Vincent married Ruth Thomas about 1758 or so. Some feel the children of Vincent and Ruth were Job (b 1759), William (b1760), Ezekiel (b 1762), Ruth, Rachel, Abner and Absalom.

Copied from FindAGrave by Brenda Gregg
Find A Grave: Memorial #63021824 Vincent “Vinson” Hobbs, Sr BIRTH 1720 Dorchester, West Dorset District, Dorset, England DEATH 28 May 1808 (aged 87–88) Dryden, Lee County, Virginia, USA BURIAL DeBusk Family Cemetery Lee County, Virginia, USA MEMORIAL ID 63021824 ·

__________________________

Chief Robert "Bob" Benge, also known as "The Bench," raided as far as the westernmost counties of Virginia, attacking Gate City, Virginia in 1791, and Moccasin Gap and Kane's Gap on Powell Mountain in 1793.

He was killed April 6, 1794 in an ambush in what is in what is now Wise County, Virginia during an extended raid deep into enemy-held territory, while escorting prisoners captured from a settlement earlier in the day back to the Lower Towns. The militia took his scalp and sent it to the Governor of Virginia, Henry Lee III, who sent it on to President George Washington. Credit for killing Benge went to militia leader Vincent Hobbs Jr, son of one of the original white settlers of current Lee County, Virginia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Benge

The History and Legacy of the Frontier and Pioneer Hobbs Family of Virginia: "Vincent Hobbs Sr was among the earliest settlers of Dryden, and thus in the general area of Big Stone Gap. He and his family played pivotal roles on the frontier, and in later years. He was born in England in 1722, married Mary Shelby, and they migrated to America via Delaware, then on to Montgomery County, VA. In 1774, the Shawnee Indians of Ohio, under the leadership of Chief Cornstalk, planned an invasion of western Virginia with the goal of driving the settlers out. That year, Vincent joined Capt. Daniel Smith's Company of the Fincastle Militia." ("On the Trail", Sept 2009 Issue, article written by Lawrence J. Fleenor, Jr)

About Ezekiel's father: Vincent Thomas Hobbs Sr: Vincent came to America in 1735 into the Port of Dover, Delaware. He and his brothers William and Beale settled in Maryland. Vincent married Mary Hanna Selby about 1742 and produced several (10) children. As Vinson Hobs he signed the 1777 Petition of the North of Holston Men, along with Zekle Hobs and Joel Hobs, and men from other related families,

Later became the first documented white settler in Southwest Virginia what is now Lee County, Virginia,

Vincent at one time owned 10,000 acres in Virginia. About 1780 the Hobbs family moved to Powell Valley, most of the married children moved also. They came to the settlement known as Turkey Cove. Vincent and Mary purchased a 330 acre farm in 1793, located on both sides of Powell River two miles south of Dryden, Virginia. They built a three story house and he is buried on the farm in Dryden, Virginia in the Debusk Family Cemetery.