Vincent Hobbs of Lee Co., VA

Randall,

My grandmother was from Lee County, VA and I’ve heard her mention the name Hobbs and of course, I know well the story of “Chief” Bob Benge and that Vincent Hobbs killed him in an ambush in 1794. My dad and I are making a trip to Lee County in May and I can see what I can find on the Hobbs family which I believe is still in the county if you like. I am related to the Benges through Bob Benge’s white father John “Old Trader” Benge but not directly to Bob Benge. But I’ll see what I can find out for you. I’ve never heard the Hobbs as being Indian either.

Jim

Randall,

I’ll see what I can come up with. I also have a cousin that who does our family’s genealogy from this area. We’re descended from the Carters of Scott Co, VA and the Thompson’s of Lee Co along with the Coles and Bowmans from Harlan Co, KY and Lee Co. Also the Benge’s and Mark families are in our genealogy. The Hobbs and the Thompsons have been in Lee Co for 200 years and the Carters date to the 1780’s as do the Hobbs and other families. There’s a lot of good info and stories on the web about the area of Southwest VA, especially about Bob Benge and the episode that eventually led to his death. I try not to judge either side. Both were committing horrible deeds, both the settlers and Indians. And both had good reasons to believe there actions were justified. I have a personal contact in Ewing, VA even though all my family has either died or moved from there. And our “homeplace” of 100 acres is still owned by the family, although the old house of my gr. grandfather that I stayed in as a child is gone now. Many great memories in that old house.

I talked to my cousin today on my way to work and it just so happened that he was up on the “White Rocks” when I called him. We had hiked to Sand Cave this last January in 7 inches of snow and it was beautiful but didn’t have time to go to White Rocks.

Again, I’ll see what I can find for you and report back after the trip. Good talking to you.

Jim

Randall,

I found something interesting in the 1860 Lee Co. Census that my wife bought for me several years ago on eBay. While browsing through the census, I found a Jefferson Cole, age 15, that seems to be living with Solomon Hobbs, age 31, who I’m sure is s relative of Vincent Hobbs. The census is listed by households/house numbers, Solomon Hobbs house being House 302, Family 313, from the “Old Book , Page 722”. Also listed in the household is; Sabina E. age 30, Wm C. age 3, Robert H. 7/12th of a year, and Jefferson Cole age 15. The note in parantheses says, “(the Indians by name of Cole spelled their name “Cole” instead of Coal in Harlan Co, KY) in 1860 and 1870 Census.” This says nothing directly about the Hobbs being NA, but it at least shows Solomon had an Indian living in his household. This is particularly interesting to me because myself and Aubrey Cole are researching the Cole and Bowman families who are Cherokee (and maybe Catawba). This info probably isn’t much help, but it does indicate an association.

Jim