Gardner Hopkins 1750-1832
Gardner served at a private in the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment, commanded by Col. John Lamb, in the Company commanded by Capt. Thomas and Lieutenant Stephens. He served 2-3 years in this New York Regiment, and was awarded a pension for Revolutionary War veterans (Pension Claim #W.8945). His wife was able to collect the pension after his death. The pension amount was $8 per month.
At the time of his original pension application in 1822, he stated that he had no real income and that the value of his estate was as follows:
30 acres of land $50
1 old horse $10
2 cows $14
7 sheep $ 7
8 hogs $ 4
$85
From the documentation below, it is clear that Hopkins’ 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment fought in the following battles:
Battle of Trenton Battle of Princeton Battle of Ridgefield Philadelphia Campaign
Battle of Monmouth Sullivan Expedition Battle of Springfield Siege of Yorktown
Information regarding his service is gathered from several sources.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lamb_(general)
John Lamb (1735–1800) was an American soldier, politician, and Anti-Federalist organizer. During the American Revolutionary War he led the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment.
He was born January 1, 1735 in New York City, the son of Anthony Lamb. His father was a convicted burglar who was transported to the colonies in the 1720s. John was initially trained as an optician and instrument maker in New York City and became a prosperous wine merchant.
Prior to the Revolutionary War, Lamb was a leading member of the Sons of Liberty.[1] He wrote articles in and published anonymous handbills. When the news of the Battles of Lexington and Concord was received he and his men seized the military stores at Turtle Bay.
He was commissioned a captain of an artillery company and served under Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold in the Battle of Quebec. He was wounded and captured at the assault on Quebec city and was released on parole a few months later. He was appointed major of artillery on January 9, 1776. In January 1777 he was appointed colonel of the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment. He commanded the artillery at West Point, New York in 1779 and 1780. During the campaign and Siege of Yorktown, Lamb continued to command the 2nd Regiment. A monthly strength report from September 26, 1781 showed 200 officers and men under Lamb's command.[2] On October 9th, Lamb was the Officer of the Day when General Washington fired the first American cannon to open the siege. During the siege, the artillery served with distinction.
The artillery detachment, and Lamb's artillery in particular, were accorded high praise by both Washington and General Henry Knox, chief of artillery for the Continental Army. A General Order from the Commander-in-Chief relayed his thanks and appreciation to Lamb's artillery unit.
After the British surrender, Lamb was placed in temporary command of all the artillery, and oversaw its return to New York.
He was breveted a brigadier general on September 30, 1783.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Continental_Artillery_Regiment
The 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment also known as Lamb's Continental Artillery Regiment was authorized on 1 January 1777 as Colonel John Lamb's Continental Artillery Regiment. As originally constituted, the regiment included 12 artillery companies from New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. The bulk of the regiment served in the Hudson Highlands, though some companies fought with George Washington's main army from 1777 to 1779.
On 10 August 1779 the unit was renamed the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment. Two companies were transferred to the 4th Continental Artillery Regiment on 1 January 1781 to form a 10 company regiment. In August 1781 the regiment was reassigned to the main army in time to fight at the Siege of Yorktown. The regiment returned to the Hudson Highlands in the summer of 1782. It was reduced to two companies in June 1783. The regiment was dissolved on 1 January 1784 except for one company which remained in the regular army.
