Rev. James B. Jopling was born in Casswell [sic - Caswell] county, North Carolina, November 27, 1802; departed this life July 26, 1876; aged seventy-three years and eight months, lacking one day.

His father, William Jopling, moved to Maury county, Tennessee, in 1806. Bro. Jopling was then about four years old. He was brought up on the farm, and knew something of the hardships and independence of a pioneer life. His educational advantages were limited. He was a poor boy, but had life and energy. He was persevering. He would work morning and evening and Saturday to pay his board while he went to school.

He was married to Miss Ann G. Hicks, of Giles county, Tennessee, February 3, 1831. He was convinced of the error of his way under the preaching of father King, and professed religion at McCain's campground, near Columbia, Tennessee, in 1832. He was baptized by Rev. James B. Porter, of precious memory, and was ordained an elder in Mt. Carmel church in 1833 or 34.

Bro. Jopling moved to the State of Mississippi in 1834. He assisted in the organization of Shiloh congregation in Madison county, Mississippi. This church was organized by Dr. Beard. He joined the Presbytery of Mississippi about 1837 or 38. He was one of the first members of the Presbytery of Yazoo, and remained a member of this Presbytery until his death. He organized several churches in the bounds of his Presbytery, and was pastor of old Salem church about twenty-five or thirty years. Here he has had as many as one hundred members at one time. Here Bro. Jopling prayed and preached, and God in mercy answered his prayers and blessed his labors.

During this active life he was in the habit of spending three months in every year in protracted meetings. He preached with power and earnestness. He lived the Lord, and loved his cause. He was charitable toward other denominations, still he loved the Churh of his choice. He was a Cumberland Presbyterian in principle as well as in faith. He continued to preach as long as his health would admit of it. I have thought that he could excel in praying for mourners. I will never forget him in this respect.

Bro. Jopling was a good man, a kind husband, and an enterprising citizen. He leaves his widow, with many friends to mourn their loss. But our loss is his eternal gain. He is gone to heaven where "the wicked cease from troubling and the weary be at rest."

To his bereft widow we would say, Trust in God. It will not be long before you will meet your husband where parting is no more. See Rev. xiv. 13.
     Vaiden, Miss.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, December 7, 1876, page 2]

1852
J. B. Jopling - Commissioner to General Assembly, May 18-25, 1852, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Minister - Yazoo Presbytery
Served on the Committee on the Minutes of Kentucky Synod.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1852, pages 5 & 9]

1853
Presbyterial Directories weren't listed in the General Assembly Minutes until 1854.

1854
J. B. Jopling, Black Hawk, Miss.
Minister - Yazoo Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1854, page 94]

1855
No Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes this year.

1856
James B. Jopling, Emory, Miss.
Minister - Yazoo Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1856, page 64]

1857
James B. Jopling, Emory, Miss.
Minister - Yazoo Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1857, page 76]

1858
No Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes this year.

1859
No Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes this year.

1860
Yazoo Presbytery not listed in Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes this year.

1861-1864
No Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes for these years.

1865
Yazoo Presbytery not listed in Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes this year.

1866
No Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes this year.

1867
No Presbyterial Directories in General Assembly Minutes this year.

1868
J. B. Jopling, Vaden, Miss.
Minister - Yazoo Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1868, page 109]

1869
J. B. Jopling, Vaiden, Miss.
Minister - Yazoo Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1869, page 91]

1870
J. B. Jopling, Vaiden, Miss.
Minister - Yazoo Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1870, page 86]

1871
J. B. Jopling, Vaiden, Miss.
Minister - Yazoo Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1871, page 86]

1872
Jopling, J. B., Vaiden's Station, Miss.
Minister - Yazoo Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1872, page 123]

1873
Jopling, J. B., Vaiden, Miss.
Minister - Yazoo Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1873, page 99]

1874
Jopling, J. B., Vaiden, Miss.
Minister - Yazoo Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1874, page 98]

1875
No current information from Yazoo Presbytery. They used information from 1874.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1875, page 88]

1876
No current information from Yazoo Presbytery. They used information from 1874.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1876, page 98]