When the Civil War began Frances Alexes Fawcett Smith Hopkins was about 30 years old and newly married to her second husband Dr. Benjamin Franklin Hopkins. Frances brought a daughter Josephine Smith from her first marriage to Joseph Smith and the Hopkinses soon had Nannette in 1860. The first years of the Hopkins' life together were full of anxiety and grief---the lot in life for women of her generation.
Once the shooting war commenced Dr. Hopkins left his wife and two daughters to join the Confederate Fifth Virginia Regiment, soon becoming surgeon of the Seventh Georgia Regiment.
In September, 1861 Frances's sister Nancy L. Fawcett died of consumption (tuberculosis) at the age of 29. Fortunately, Benjamin, who signed her death certificate, survived the War. Records inform us "badly afflicted with rheumatism" he was mustered out.
William H. Hopkins, Benjamin's brother, also enlisted in the Confederate Army. In June, 1863 he was wounded at the Battle of Upperville in Loudon County. His obituary 30 years later said he "was shot through the lungs and carried the ball in his body to the day of his death."
"In Sorrow I announce to you the death of your poor brother and my unfortunate son Abner. he died on board the steam boat Magestik opposite to a Town called Bambridge on the Mississippi on the 10th Inst [of this month] and was buried on the say [same?] day a short distance above the Grand Tower on the Missouri side of the river. how oft have the errors of this son pained and grieved me yet how awful was the intelligence of his death.... some times he was wayword but at other times he performed acts of genuine kindness poor dear fellow." March 14th 1835
A quilt made by lost family members might have been set aside for generations, one reason it was in such excellent condition 4 or 5 years ago.