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George Washington Hopkins
Member From: 1833 - 1861
- Birth Date: February 22, 1804 Birth Place:Goochland County
- Death Date: March 1, 1861
- Gender: Male Race: Caucasian
- Spouse: Martha Crump (May 31, 1843)
- Children:
- Religion:
- Education:
- Military Service:
- Occupation/Profession: Lawyer, admitted to the bar in 1834
- Additional Info: George Washington Hopkins was the 21st child of Reverend Charles Hopkins, and the ninth child of his second wife, Elizabeth Anderson Hopkins.
His younger brother, by one year, Henry Laurens Hopkins, preceded him as Speaker of the House of Delegates.
He drafted the first plan to create a Federal "postage label" (stamp) and carried it to the floor of the House. It was quickly approved and signed by the President. "He left no loophole and anticipated every move of those who were strongly opposed to such legislation." The first postage stamp of the United States was issued on May 6, 1840.
His wife's sister, Sarah Amelia, was the first wife of his brother, Speaker Henry L. Hopkins.
Speaker of the House, 1850-1852
- Bio: Born in Goochland County, Va., probably February 22, 1804. Died in Richmond, Va., March 2, 1861. Buried in Sinking Springs Cemetery, Abingdon, Va. George W. Hopkins of Washington County was the son of the Reverend Charles and Elizabeth (Anderson) Hopkins and the next older brother of Speaker Henry Laurens Hopkins. He was a lawyer. He was admitted to the bar in 1834, beginning his practice in Lebanon in Russell County. He was a member of the House of Delegates, representing Russell County, 1833-35, 1850-52, and Washington County, 1859-61; the U. S. House of Representatives, 1835-47, 1857-59; Charge d'Affaires of the United States to Portugal, 1847-49; member of the Constitutional Convention of 1850; judge of the circuit court of Washington and other counties. He drafted the first plan to create a Federal “postage label” and carried it to the floor of the House. It was quickly passed and approved by the President. “He left no loophole and anticipated every move of those who were strongly opposed to such legislation.” The first postage stamp of the United States was issued on May 6, 1840, The uniform he wore when Minister to Portugal is in the John Marshall House in Richmond. He married, May 31, 1843, Martha Cramp, daughter of Dr. (D. D.) Abner and Amelia (Booker) Crump of Powhatan County, leaving no issue. Her sister, Sara Amelia, was the first wife of Speaker Henry L. Hopkins.
- Other Notable Service and/or Elected Offices:
U.S. House of Representatives (1835-1847 and 1857-1859)
Chairman, U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads (28-29th Congress)
Chairman, U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Foreign Affairs (35th Congress)
Charge d'Affaires of the United States to Portugal, 1847-1849
Delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1850-1851
Judge of the Circuit Court, Washington County
| Session | District | District Number | Party | Leadership | Committees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1833-1834 | Russell County | Schools and Colleges | |||
| 1834-1835 | Russell County | Democrat | Schools and Colleges | ||
| 1850-1851 | Russell County, and Washington County | Speaker of the House | |||
| 1859-1861 | Russell County, and Washington County | Privileges and Elections (Chair) Courts of Justice |
*The information within this interactive and searchable application has been researched extensively by the House Clerk’s Office. As with any historical records of this age and breadth, there may be discrepancies and/or inconsistencies within records obtained from a variety of credible sources. Any feedback is encouraged at history@house.virginia.gov.