Brig. Gen. James Hogun

Marker located NC 125 northwest of Hobgood, Halifax County, North Carolina.

James Hogun, a native of Ireland, settled in Halifax County near Hobgood around 1751. Not much is known of his first twenty-three years in North Carolina other than that, on October 3, 1751, he married Ruth Norfleet, and they had a son, Lemuel. Hogun’s first known entry into public service came in 1774 when he became a member of the Halifax County Committee of Safety. He then represented Halifax County in the Provincial Congresses of August 1775, April 1776, and November 1776. Because of his interest in military affairs, Hogun was appointed the first major of the Halifax militia on April 22, 1776. In this capacity he served on a committee to reorganize the militia. Later that year he was promoted to the position of colonel of the Seventh North Carolina Continental Regiment. He led the Seventh to serve under George Washington at the Battles of Brandywine and Georgetown during July 1777.

In 1778, the Continental Congress called for the creation of four new North Carolina regiments. Hogun returned to North Carolina to help recruit the men for the new units. By August 1778, the first new brigade was full, and, taking command of it, Hogun marched all the way to White Plains, New York, where Washington was camped. From there they traveled to West Point to reinforce the poorly equipped fortifications. On January 9, 1779, the Continental Congress chose Hogun as a brigadier general for the North Carolina Line. Thomas Clark actually received more votes for the position, but ultimately Hogun was chosen because of his higher rank and his performance at Germantown. Hogun was one of five North Carolina Generals to serve in the Revolution. Others were Generals Robert Howe, James Moore, Abner Nash, and Jethro Sumner. On March 19, 1779, Hogun succeeded Benedict Arnold as commandant of Philadelphia.

In November 1779, General Hogun marched the North Carolina brigade down South Carolina to defend Charles Town. He became a prisoner of war when Major General Benjamin Lincoln surrendered to the British on May 12, 1780. As a prisoner at Haddrel’s Point on Sullivan’s Island he declined parole and chose to endure the same hardships of the men of his brigade. During the winter of 1780 his health began to fail. He died at Haddrel’s Point on January 4, 1781.

References:

• Dumas Malone, ed., Dictionary of American Biography, IV, 123
• William S. Powell, ed., Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, III, 163—sketch by Hugh F. Rankin
• Samuel A. Ashe, ed., Biographical Dictionary of North Carolina, IV, 196

http://www.ncmarkers.com/Markers.aspx?MarkerId=E-57

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Will of James Hogun - 1781

Halifax County Wills 1781-1824

Will Book 3, Page 22

In the Name of God Amen, I JAMES HOGUN of the County of Halifax and Province of North Carolina being in perfect health and sound memory, do make this my last Will in manner and form following-

Item I give unto my son LEMUEL HOGUN all my land to him an his heirs forever.

Item I lend unto my well beloved wife RUTH HOGUN during her life my Negro man CEASER and boy SAM my Negro woman HANAH and old BRIDGE with one half of my stock of all kind and houshold furniture, and after her deceased I give the sd Negroes stock and furniture to my well beloved son LEMUEL HOGUN and his heirs forever.

Item I give all the rest of my Negroes stock and furniture to my son LEMUEL and I do appoint him my said son LEMUEL HOGUN my Executor to this my last Will and Testament revoking all others by me made in Witness whereof I have set my hand and seal day of __1775.

JAMES HOGUN

Signed Sealed Published and Declared in presents of us

Test ROBERT COTTON, ABSELEN COTTON

Halifax County SS- August Court 1781

Then this Will was Exh'd in open Court by the Extr. and duly proved by the oath of ROBERT COTTON who on his oath did say that he saw the Testator sign seal publish and declare this to be his Last Will and Testament and that he was of sound mind, at the time signing the same and that he ABSELLA COTTON signed witness with himself at the Testators request whereupon LIM HOGUN qualified as Ex'r & on motion ordered to be recorded. Test

WM WOOTTEN CCt

http://www.ncgenweb.us/halifax/wills/wills5-halifax.htm

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https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/hogun-james

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hogun

http://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/patriot_leaders_nc_james_hogu...