Stephen HOPKINS

1581 - 1644  (63 years)

• Name	Stephen HOPKINS  [1]
  Born	1581	Hampshire, England   [1]
  Christened	30 Apr 1581	Upper Clatford, All Saints Church, Hampshire, England   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Occupation	Between 1609 and 1610	Ship "Sea Venture" Marooned Enroute To Jamestown, Virginia, British America   [2]
  	adventurer to N. America
  Immigration	28 Jul 1609	Bermuda   [2]
  	Aboard The Sea Venture which left Britain in 1609 for Jamestown but was wrecked off Bermuda on 28 July 1609
  Occupation	Bef May 1613	Hursley, Hampshire, England   [2]
  	Merchant/Shopkeeper
  Emigration	1614  [2]
  	Emigrated from Jamestown to England
  Occupation	1620	Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America   [2]
  	Tanner, Merchant, And Assistant To The Governor Of The Plymounth Colony
  Immigration	16 Dec 1620	Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America   [2]
  	1 Of 102 Passengers On The Mayflower including his family and Constance Hopkins, his daughter from his first wife.
  Employment	Between 1633 and 1636	Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America   [2]
  	One of the seven Assistants to Governor Edward Winslow
  FamilySearch ID	LVQ1-FMH
  Freeman	1633	Plymouth, Plymouth, British Colonial America   [2]
  Taxed	25 Mar 1633	Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America   [2]
  	£1 7s.
  Military	1637	Old Mystic, Groton, New London, Connecticut Colony, British Colonial America   [2]
  	Pequot War
  Freeman	7 Mar 1637	Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America   [2]
  Land	7 Aug 1638	Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States   [2]
  Will	6 Jun 1644	Plymouth, Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America   [2]
  	written and signed
  Died	6 Jun 1644	Plymouth, Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America   [1]
  Buried	Jul 1644	Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America   [1]
  Inventory	17 Jul 1644	Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States   [2]
  yDNA	[2]
  	HAPLOGROUP: R-L48
  yDNA HAPLOGROUP: R-M269 (R-FGC71615)	[2]
  	Per Caleb Johnson, Preeminent Hopkins Researcher and Author
  Name	The Pilgrim Hopkins  [2]
  Occupation	[2]
  	Glass seller; tanner
  Occupation	Massachusetts, United States   [2]
  	Signer of the Mayflower Compact
  Person ID	I594776571	Carney Wehofer 2024 Genealogy
  Last Modified	2 Sep 2024

  
  

  Father	John HOPKINS,   b. 26 Nov 1548, Upper Clatford, Hampshire, England ,   d. Bef 4 Sep 1593, Winchester, Hampshire, England  (Age 44 years)
  Mother	Elizabeth WILLIAMS,   b. 1552, Upper Clatford, Hampshire, England ,   d. Aft 4 Oct 1593, Winchester, Hampshire, England  (Age 41 years)
  Married	28 Jul 1579	Upper Clatford, Hampshire, England   [3]
  Family ID	F536731480	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Mary KENT,   b. 5 Jan 1580, Hampshire, England ,   bur. 9 May 1613, Hursley, Hampshire, England  (Age ~ 33 years)
  Married	9 May 1599	St. Mary Matfellon, Whitechapel, London, England   [2]
  Children	1. Elizabeth HOPKINS,   b. 1604, Hursley, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom ,   d. Aft 12 May 1613, Hursley, Hampshire, England  (Age 9 years)   2. Constance HOPKINS,   b. Bef 11 May 1606, Hursley, Hampshire, England ,   d. 25 Oct 1677, Eastham, Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America  (Age ~ 71 years)   3. Giles "Gyles" HOPKINS,   b. 30 Jan 1607, Hursley, Hampshire, England ,   d. 26 Apr 1690, Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America  (Age 83 years)
  Last Modified	2 Sep 2024
  Family ID	F536731476	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Elizabeth FISHER,   b. 1582, London, Middlesex, England ,   d. 4 Feb 1639, Plymouth, Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America  (Age 57 years)
  Married	9 Feb 1618	St. Mary Matfelon, Whitechapel, London, England   [2]
  Children	1. Damaris HOPKINS,   b. 1618, England ,   d. 1627, Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America  (Age 9 years)   2. Oceanus HOPKINS,   b. 1620, Mayflower, Atlantic Ocean ,   d. 22 May 1627, Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States  (Age 7 years)   3. Caleb HOPKINS,   b. 1622, Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America ,   d. Between 6 Jun 1644 and 1651, Barbados, , West Indies  (Age 22 years)   4. Deborah HOPKINS,   b. 1625, Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America ,   d. Bef 1674, Plymouth, Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America  (Age 48 years)   5. Damaris HOPKINS,   b. Abt 1628, Plymouth, Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America ,   d. 18 Nov 1669, Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States  (Age ~ 41 years)   6. Ruth HOPKINS,   b. 1630, Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA ,   d. 30 Nov 1644, Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA  (Age 14 years)   7. Elizabeth HOPKINS,   b. Abt 1632, Plymouth, Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America ,   d. Bef 29 Sep 1659, Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America  (Age ~ 27 years)
  Last Modified	2 Sep 2024
  Family ID	F536731481	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  Hopkins Crest

  
  

• Notes

  WIKITREE: Stephen Hopkins was baptised on 30 April 1581 at Upper Clatford Parish, Hampshire, England, the son of John Hopkins[1][2][3] and Elizabeth Williams. Shortly after his birth and baptism in Upper Clatford, the family moved to Winchester. Marriages Stephen Hopkins first married Mary Kent[4][5] by 13 May 1604 (baptism of a child) with a residence in Hursley. She died (no proof that it was of plague) while her husband was in Bermuda, on 9 May 1613, and was buried at Hursley, Hampshire. She bore him three children. Stephen married second, Elizabeth Fisher 19 Feb 1617/18 at St. Mary's, Whitechapel, London.[6][4][7] Mayflower Families (1975)[8] stated that she died after 4 Feb. 1638/9. But a later edition (2001)[9] revises her death date to "before 06 Jun 1644, the date Stephen executed his will. February 4, 1638/9 is the date of the Plymouth court session that weighed the situation of Stephen Hopkins' pregnant servant, Dorothy Temple; Stephen's wife is not mentioned.[10] She was certainly dead by the time her husband executed his will as he directs his executor to bury him beside his deceased wife.[11] Together they had seven children. Children of Stephen and Mary Kent All baptized at Hursley:[12] Elizabeth Hopkins, bp. 13 May 1604, living in 1613 when she was mentioned in her mother's estate records; no further record found. Constance Hopkins, bp. 11 May 1606; m. Nicholas Snow, by 22 May 1627, when they appeared in Stephen Hopkins' "Companie" in the division of cattle. Giles Hopkins, bp 30 Jan. 1607/8; m. Plymouth, 9 Oct. 1639, Catherine Wheldon.[13][14] The parish registers of Hursley contain the following baptismal entries, transcribed from the original Latin:[15] (1604) decimo tercio die maij Elizabetha filia Stephani Hopkyns fuit baptizata [13th day of May, Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen Hopkins, was baptized] (1606) undecimo die Maij Constancia filia Steph Hopkyns fuit baptizata [11th day of May, Constance, daughter of Steph(en) Hopkins, was baptized] (1607/8) tricesima die Januarij Egiduis Filius Stephani Hopkyns fuit baptizatus [30th day of January, Giles (Egidius is the Latin form of the English name Giles), son of Stephen Hopkins, was baptized.] The following burial record was also discovered, entered in English: (1613) Mary Hopkines the wife of Steeven Hopkines was buried the ix (9th) day of May. Children of Stephen and Elizabeth Fisher The children of Stephen and Elizabeth (Fisher) Hopkins:[9] Damaris Hopkins, b. say 1618, d. before 22 May 1627 (division of cattle). Either Damaris or Oceanus must have d. before the 1623 land division, which indicates as Robert Wakefield has shown, that there were then five members in Stephen Hopkins' family.[16] Oceanus Hopkins, b. on the Mayflower (and named to memorialize that) between 6 Sept. and 11 Nov. 1620 (Old Style), the dates that the ship was at sea, d. before 22 May 1627 (division of cattle) and possibly before the 1623 land division. Caleb Hopkins, b. say 1623, living Plymouth, 30 Nov. 1644, when he signed an agreement with Richard Sparrow to rear his sister Elizabeth, d. Barbados, before spring 1651, when Bradford called him deceased. Deborah Hopkins, b. Plymouth, say 1626; m. Plymouth, 23 April 1646, Andrew Ring (widow Mary).[17][18] Damaris Hopkins (again), b. Plymouth, say 1628 (after May 1627 [division of cattle]); m. shortly after 10 June 1646 (antenuptial agreement), Jacob Cooke (son of Francis of the Mayflower).[19][20] Ruth Hopkins, b. say 1630 (after 22 May 1627 [division of cattle]), d. unmarried after [30 Nov.?] 1644 (distribution of father's estate) and before spring 1651 (since Elizabeth must be the unmarried sister mentioned by Bradford). Elizabeth Hopkins (again), b. say 1632 (after 22 May 1627 [division of cattle). She had left Plymouth by 29 7m [Sept.] 1659 when the process of settling her estate began; the records, however, are careful not to state that she was dead. Voyage on the Sea Venture (1609) Jamestown ships Steven arrived in Jamestown aboard the ship Sea Venture in 1609. It is stated by some that Stephen Hopkins, prior to his migration on the Mayflower, was hired as a clerk for Reverend Richard Buck, assisting aboard the 300-ton "Sea Venture,"[21][22][23] one of a fleet of 7 ships and 2 pinnaces that started a voyage from Plymouth, England to the Virginia Colony on July 23, 1609 and travelling with Sir Thomas Gates, Deputy Governor of the Virginia Colony, and "the old sea rover" Sir George Summers, Admiral of the Seas. The fleet was caught in a hurricane that began July 24, causing much damage.[24][25] The Sea Venture was wrecked on 28 July 1609, driven ashore on the uninhabited Somers Island in Bermuda with 150 men, women & children. The group survived on birds, wild hogs and turtles. A year later, survivors reached Virginia in a small boat they had built. During the sojourn Hopkins undertook to persuade others that it was no breach of honesty, conscience nor religion to decline from the obedience to the Governor since the authority ceased when the wreck was committed. His arguments prevailed little and he was placed under guard, brought before the company in manacles and the Governor passed the sentence of a Martial Court upon him such as belongs to mutiny and rebellion. But so penitent he was and made so much moane...that the whole company besought the Governor and never left him until we had got his pardon. This contemporary account of events is included in William Strachey's record of the voyage and the wreck of the Sea Venture, which also notes that while Hopkins was ultra religious, he was contentious and defiant of authority and had enough learning to undertake to wrest leadership from others. Strachey wrote, "Yet could not this be any warning to others who more subtly began to shake the foundation of our quiet safety. And therein did one Stephen Hopkins commence the first act or overture, a fellow who had much knowledge in the Scriptures and could reason well therein, whom our minister therefore chose to be his clerk to read the psalms and chapters upon Sundays at the assembly of the congregation under him; who in January the twenty-four [16101 brake with one Samuel Sharpe and Humfrey Reede-who presently discovered it to the governor-and alleged substantial arguments both civil and divine (the Scripture falsely quoted!) that it was no breach of honesty, conscience, nor religion to decline from the obedience of the governor, or refuse to go any further led by his authority, except it so pleased themselves, since the authority ceased when the wrack was committed, and with it they were all then freed from the government of any man; and for a matter of conscience it was not unknown to the meanest how much we were therein bound each one to provide for himself and his own family. For which were two apparent reasons to stay them even in this place: first, abundance by God's providence of all manner of good food; next, some hope in reasonable time, when they might grow weary of the place, to build a small bark with the skill and help of the aforesaid Nicholas Bennit, whom they insinuated to them -- albeit he was now absent from his quarter and working in the main island with Sir George Summers upon his pinnace-to be of the conspiracy, that so might get clear from hence at their own pleasures; (that) when in Virginia, the first would-be assuredly wanting, and they miglff-well rear to be detained in that country by the authority of the commander thereof, and their whole life to serve the turns of the adventurers with their travails and labors."[26][27] Although there is no complete list of the shipwrecked party who eventually reached Jamestown in the 2 pinnaces Patience and Deliverance built on the islands, Hopkins did not remain on the Somers Islands and the conclusion is that he traveled to Jamestown with the others before returning to England.[28] Life on the island of Bermuda proved to be so easy, that when Sir George Summers ordered a smaller ship be built from the wreckage of the Sea Venture to take the survivors to Jamestowne, some members of the crew refused to cooperate. In September 1609 there were "dangerous and secret discontents" among the seamen, who tried to lure the would be settlers to the cause of abandoning the effort to reach Jamestown. Before they could carry out their plan, Governor Gates discovered their plot and gave them their wish. They were deposisted on a remote island without provisions, insted of sentencing them to death, the usual punishment for this type of offence.[29] [30] In January, the following year, another rebellion brewed and this time, their leader was Stephen Hopkins. He was apprehended and tried for mutiny and given a much harsher sentence than the sailors, sentenced to death. He was both the captain and only follower of this revolt so death seems rather extraordinary, given the light sentence previously imposed on the group of sailors. It may be due to him verbally opposing Gates right to authority when he spoke to the two listeners. He pleaded for his life, for the sake of his wife and children, so eloquently that he was pardoned. That may be due as much or more to William Strachey and Vice Admiral Christopher Ward who came to Gates asking for leniency. "With humble entreaties and earnest supplication...[we] nebver left him until we had got [Hopkins'] pardon."[31] [32] Jamestown (1610) flag of the Jamestowne Society Steven Hopkins is a Qualifying Ancestor of the Jamestowne Society What do Jamestowne, the Mayflower and Shakespeare have in common? The answer is Stephen Hopkins, a Jamestowne settler,[33] a Mayflower Pilgrim and a survivor of the wreck of the Sea Venture, supposedly the basis for Shakespeare's comedy, "The Tempest ". In May, 1610, the survivors reached Jamestowne. His mutinous efforts in Bermuda gained him such notoriety that Shakespeare wrote him into "The Tempest" as the plotting butler. While "The Tempest" contains only one direct reference to the Bermudas, when Ariel tells how Prospero called him 'to fetch dew...From the still-vex'd Bermoothes' , Stephanos could easily refer to Stephen Hopkins, a caricature portrayed as a drunken clown or court jester with ambitions of grandeur. William Shakespeare moved in the same circle as a fellow writer, William Strachey. Both were writers. Strachey wrote a letter dated July 15, 1610, to an unnamed 'Excellant Lady'. The letter was started while in Bermuda and finished in Jamestown. [34] This letter was the original abbreviated account of the temporary exile and trip to Jamestown. A longer and more polished version was written after he became secretary of the Colony and was published in 1625, now known as A True Reportory. Both the letter and the longer account would have circulated quickly among the Londoners belonging to the Virginia Company. He may have even learned about the voyage from the sailors returning home or from his friends, the Earls of Southampton and Pembroke, who had business interest in the expedition. The theory is that Stephen Hopkins remained in Virginia until at least late 1614, when the death of his wife (May 1613) forced his return to England. A brief English docket item dated 20 September 1614 records a letter was sent "to Sir Thomas Dale Marshall of the Colony in Virginia, to send home by the next return of ships from thence Eliezer Hopkins"[35] Apparently, an examination of the court record by Michael J. Wood verified that this is the correct reading, and the docket item does not refer to Stephen Hopkins. But, as is so often the case, the name could have been entered into the court record incorrectly. The original letter is lost. The date fits when that sort of an order would have been issued for Stephen. If he didn't leave then, he may have finished out the 7 year indenture agreement and left 1616.[36] Back in England (1614-1620) Back in England, Mary's Probate was executed at Hursley, Southhampton, England.[37] We learn from this record that they were shopkeepers, there was a lease on the home and she is listed as a widow, though the burial record calls her his wife. We can assume that the administrator or court thought it more expedient to list her as a widow so the estate could be available for their children's care more quickly, especially since they didn't know if he was alive or dead.[38] Stephen married Elizabeth Fisher in 1617/8. Their home had been just outside of London Wall on the high road entering the city at Aldgate in the vicinity of Heneage House. In this neighborhood lived John Carver and William Bradford of the Mayflower Company; Robert Cushman, the London agent for the Pilgrims; and Edward Southworth, who later came to New England. Perhaps wanting more adventure, he returned to the New World, this time with his wife and three children as they joined the voyage of the Mayflower in 1620. Mayflower Passenger (1620) Stephen Hopkins was invited to and did return to America aboard the Mayflower departing London before the end of June, 1620, with his second wife, Elizabeth, and children, Constance (Constanta), Giles, and Damaris. A fourth child, Oceanus, was born on the ship during the voyage. Hopkins signed the Mayflower Compact on November 11, 1620.[39] At the time of the voyage, he was considered a tanner or leather maker, but later was a merchant and planter.[40] Hopkins was one of twelve Mayflower passengers given the title "Mr." which was reserved for men of high societal standing. This is also reiterated by the fact that he brought along two servants, Edward Leister and Edward Doty. On the 6th of December Stephen Hopkins, in the company of 17 other men, Capt. Standish at the head, started on a second voyage of discovery, with the shallop, which lasted 5 or 6 days, during which they had an encounter with the Indians. They entered Plymouth bay and landed on the 11th of December. In Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth, Mass., there is a painting by Henry Sargent, a Boston artist, a member of the family to which the celebrated John Singer Sargent belongs. A group of men, women, and children are greeted by the Indian chief, Samoset. In the background, a portion of a ship with a British flag can be seen. Text printed under image identifies the figures as: I. Allerton & wife; Elder Brewster; F. Billington; William White & child; Richard Warren; John Turner; Gov. Bradford; John Alden; Gov. Carver & Family; Miles Standish; Samoset; John Howland; Wife of Standish; Steph. Hopkins, wife & child; Gov. Winslow; E. Tilley; Dr. Fuller; Mrs. Winslow[41][42] Life in New England "Steuen Hobkins" received six acres in the 1623 division of land, indicating five people in his household (since Stephen should have had an extra share).[43][44] In the Division of Cattle, 22 May 1627, the seventh lot "fell to Stephen Hopkins & his companie Joyned to him"; wife Elizabeth Hopkins, Gyles Hopkins, Caleb Hopkins, Debora Hopkins, Nickolas Snow, Constance Snow, Wil[l]iam Pallmer, Frances Pallmer, Wil[l]iam Palmer Jr., John Billington Sr., Hellen Billington, and Francis Billington.[45] That Stephen Hopkins was a man of more than ordinary force of character and influence is shown by the part he played in the early history of the colony. In Howard and Crocker's Popular History of New England, we read: "No one can ponder the annals of the early settlement of New England without being profoundly impressed with the rare excellency of the material that went into its foundation. Consider the names of such primitive Pilgrims as Carver, Bradford, Brewster, Standish, Winslow, Alden, Warren, Hopkins, and others."[46] And Moore, in his Lives of the Colonial Governors, says, "Of the Pilgrims who remained in 1634, Stephen Hopkins, Miles Standish, and John Alden were the most prominent individuals. Hopkins was the one of the principle magistrates...Stephen Hopkins was not only one of the first men among the Pilgrims, but he had extraordinary fortune in being concerned with many of the first things that happened to the colonists, whether for good or for evil. Thus, he was one of the signers of the first Declaration of Independence in the New World-the famous Compact, drawn up and signed in the cabin of the Mayflower, November twenty-first, 1620; it has been called 'the nucleus around which everything else clustered-unquestionably the foundation of all the superstructures of government which have since been reared in these United States.[47] Stephen Hopkins headed a list of persons chosen to arrange for trade with outsiders-- a sort of incipient chamber of commerce. He was added to the Governor and Assistants in 1637 as an assessor to raise a fund for sending aid to the Massachusetts Bay and Connecticut colonies in the impending Indian War. In the same year, he and his two sons, Giles and Caleb, were among the forty-two who volunteered their services as soldiers to aid these same colonies. We find also him repeatedly mentioned as an appraiser of estates, administrator, guardian, juryman (foreman, apparently), etc. On 18 June 1621, Edwards Doty and Leister (Mr. Hopkins' two servants) fought what was the first duel on record in New England, with sword and dagger. Hopkins petitioned for the release of his servants from cruel punishment. Both were wounded, one in the hand and the other in the thigh. They were sentenced by the whole company to have their heads and feet tied together and so to lie for 24 hours without meat or drink, 'but within an hour, because of their great pains, at their own & their master's humble request, upon promise of better carriage, they are released by the governor.' [48] Stephen Hopkins also became Indian Ambassador of the Plymouth Colony, during which time he befriended and invited the famous Native American, Squanto, to live in his home. He went with Governor Winslow and Squanto on the first embassy sent to the Massasoit to conclude a treaty. It was in Hopkins' home that the first ever Indian treaties were signed. As Indian Ambassador, Stephen Hopkins participated in the arrangement and planning of the first Thanksgiving. Mr. Hopkins opened the first bar, built the first port of ships and erected the first trading post in American history. He was engaged in trade, selling liquors and various other articles. He was charged at times with abuse of his traffic in liquors and with selling liquors and other articles at excessive rates, according to the views of the period, but he never lost the confidence of the leading men. In January 1633, Hopkins became assistant to the new governor of the colony, Edward Winslow. The former Governor, William Bradford and Miles Standish served as assistants also. He was chosen for this position three years in succession, 1632-5. Jan. 1, 1632/3.[49][50] He was also chosen one of the council for the ensuing year, Edward Winslow being chosen governor. On Jan. 10 of the same year, he was a member of a court that tried a servant who had run away. The servant was privately whipped before the court. Jan. 2, 1633/4: He and John Jenny were the appraisers of the estate of Samuel Fuller, the elder, which included about 30 books.[51] Oct. 1, 1634: He was appointed the first of a committee to treat with the existing partners as to the future management of the trade.[52] Oct. 2, 1634: He and Robert Hicks took the inventory of the goods of Stephen Deans.[52] June 7, 1636: John Tisdale, yeoman, brought an action of battery against Mr. Hopkins, assistant to the government, by whom he alleged he was dangerously wounded. Hopkins was fined L5 sterling to the use of the King, whose peace he had broken, wch he ought after a special manner to have kept, and was adjudged to pay 40s. to the plaintiff.[52] Jan. 1, 1634/5: ""Mr. William Bradford was elected gouernour, & to enter vponit the first Tuesday in march next ensueing, & to serue from the same time one whole yeare. "At the same time wer elected for Asistants, to enter with the Gouernour the day aboue mentioned, and to continue the whole yeare, -- Mr Tho. Prince, Mr Edward Winsloe, Mr John Alden, Mr Steuen Hopkins, Captayne Miles Standish, Mr John Houland, Mr William Collier."[52][53] Jan. 5, 1635/6: ": "Mr. ed: Winslow was chosen Gouer, and William Bradford, Tho: Prence, John Alden, Wm Collier, Steuen Hopkins, Tim: Hatherly, John Browne, Assistants… "At ye same Courte, Jane Waren sued Weekes for 50 li, which she had lent him, to be paid vpon demand. He was ordered to put so much goods into ye hands of Mr Hopkins & Kenelemne Winslowe as should contrauele ye money, & had 3 months time alowed to sell them, or other good, to make her paymente."[54] March 14, 1635/6: He was authorized to mow the marsh between Thomas Clarke and George Sowle, and it was ordered that he and Clarke have the marsh up the river as formerly.[55] Nov. 7, 1636: A way between his land and that of Thomas Pope, Richard Clough and Richard Wright, 'at the fishing point, neer Slowly Field,' is mentioned.[56] Jan. 3, 1636/7: Stephen Hopkins was an assistant on the same date he was made one of a committee to arrange an agreement with those that have the trade in theire hands and report to the court. March 7, 1636/7: In a list of freemen, dated, he is styled "gentleman." 7 March 1636: "Concerning the trade of beaver, corne, & beads, &c., with the Indians, it is agreed, by the consent of the Court, that they that now haue yt shall hold yt vntill the next Court, the beginning of June; and then further conference to be had for the mannageing thereof, that such further course may be taken therein as shalbe thought fitt. And in the meane season, Mr Hopkins, Mr Atwood, Mr Done, & Jonathan Brewster shalbe added to the gounor and Assistant, to aduise vpon such pposicons and wayes so as the said trade may be still continued to the benefit the collony."[57] March 20, 1636/7: Action was taken as to the use of the hay grounds and Mr. Hopkins was made one of a committee to view those grounds between the Eel river and the town of Plymouth, that each man might be assigned a proper portion. He and Thomas Clark were given the hay ground they had the past year.[58] May 10, 1637: A jury impaneled for the purpose rendered a verdict (which was delivered to the General Court July 7, 1637) laying out highways to the Eel river from Plymouth, which mentions Mr. Hopkins' house, one of the ways passing it on the west. June 7, 1637: He with the governor and assistants and other persons formed a committee to consider how the trade in beaver, etc., (which was likely to go into decay) might be upheld.[59] On the same date the committee of which Mr. Hopkins was a member reported that the expenses of the Pequot service would amount to L200, of which L100 was to be paid by Plymouth and L50 each by Duxbury and Scituate. Among the names of those entered June 7, 1637, who willingly offered themselves to assist the people of Massachusetts Bay and Connecticut in their warrs against the Pequin Indians, in reveng of the innocent blood of the English wch the sd Pequins have barbarously shed, and refuse to give satisfaccon for, were Mr. Stephen Hopkins and his 2 sons Caleb and Giles. The soldiers who volunteered for the Pequot war were, however, not required to take the field. On the same date Mr. Hopkins for the town of Plymouth was 1 of 2 men who, together with the governor and assistants, were to form a board to assess the inhabitants for the expenses of that war. July 17, 1637: Stephen Hopkins sold for L60 lawful money of England, to be paid 1/2 on May 1, 1638, and 1/2 Sept. 29, 1638, to George Boare of Scituate his message, houses, tenements and outhouses at the Broken wharf towards the Eel river, together with the 6 shares of land thereunto belonging, containing 120 acres. October 2, 1637: He was appointed one of a committee for the town of Plymouth to act with the governor and assistants and committee from Eel river, Jones river and Duxbury in agreeing upon an equal course in the division of about 500 acres of meadow between the Eel river and South river.[60] 2 January 1637/8: "Presentment by the Grand Jury. "1. William Reynolds is psented for being drunck at Mr Hopkins his house, that he lay vnder the table, vomitting in a beastly manner, and was taken vp betweene two. The witness hereof is Abraham Warr, als Hoop, als Pottle, and sayth that there was in company Francis Sprague, Samuell Nash, & Georg Partrich. 2. Mr Hopkins is psented for sufferinge excessiue drinking in his house, as old Palmer, James Coale, & William Renolds, John Winslow, Widdow Palmers man, Widdow Palmer, Thomas Little, witnesss & Stepheen Travy." [61] Death & Legacy Stephen Hopkins died in Plymouth between 6 June 1644 (date of his will) and 17 July 1644 (inventory of his estate).[62] Among the earliest wills probated at Plymouth, Massachusetts, was that of Stephen Hopkins, 6 June 1644 - August 1644, directing that he be buried near his deceased wife, naming son Caleb, "heir apparent," mentioning other children and naming Captain Myles Standish as overseer of the will. The will was witnessed by Governor Bradford and Captain Standish. The last Will and Testament of Mr. Stephen Hopkins[11] exhibited upon the Oathes of mr Willm Bradford and Captaine Miles Standish at the generall Court holden at Plymouth the xxth of August Anno dm 1644 as it followeth in these wordes vizt. The sixt of June 1644 I Stephen Hopkins of Plymouth in New England being weake yet in good and prfect memory blessed be God yet considering the fraile estate of all men I do ordaine and make this to be my last will and testament in manner and forme following and first I do committ my body to the earth from whence it was taken, and my soule to the Lord who gave it, my body to be buryed as neare as convenyently may be to my wyfe Deceased And first my will is that out of my whole estate my funerall expences be discharged secondly that out of the remayneing part of my said estate that all my lawfull Debts be payd thirdly I do bequeath by this my will to my sonn Giles Hopkins my great Bull wch is now in the hands of Mris Warren. Also I do give to Stephen Hopkins my sonn Giles his sonne twenty shillings in Mris Warrens hands for the hire of the said Bull Also I give and bequeath to my daughter Constanc Snow the wyfe of Nicholas Snow my mare also I give unto my daughter Deborah Hopkins the brodhorned black cowe and her calf and half the Cowe called Motley Also I doe give and bequeath unto my daughter Damaris Hopkins the Cowe called Damaris heiffer and the white faced calf and half the cowe called Mottley Also I give to my daughter Ruth the Cowe called Red Cole and her calfe and a Bull at Yarmouth wch is in the keepeing of Giles Hopkins wch is an yeare and advantage old and half the curld Cowe Also I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth the Cowe called Smykins and her calf and thother half of the Curld Cowe wth Ruth and an yearelinge heiffer wth out a tayle in the keeping of Gyles Hopkins at Yarmouth Also I do give and bequeath unto my foure daughters that is to say Deborah Hopkins Damaris Hopkins Ruth Hopkins and Elizabeth Hopkins all the mooveable goods the wch do belong to my house as linnen wollen beds bedcloathes pott kettles pewter or whatsoevr are moveable belonging to my said house of what kynd soever and not named by their prticular names all wch said mooveables to be equally devided amongst my said daughters foure silver spoones that is to say to eich of them one, And in case any of my said daughters should be taken away by death before they be marryed that then the part of their division to be equally devided amongst the Survivors. I do also by this my will make Caleb Hopkins my sonn and heire apparent giveing and bequeathing unto my said sonn aforesaid all my Right title and interrest to my house and lands at Plymouth wth all the Right title and interrest wch doth might or of Right doth or may hereafter belong unto mee, as also I give unto my saide heire all such land wch of Right is Rightly due unto me and not at prsent in my reall possession wch belongs unto me by right of my first comeing into this land or by any other due Right, as by such freedome or otherwise giveing unto my said heire my full & whole and entire Right in all divisions allottments appoyntments or distributions whatsoever to all or any pt of the said lande at any tyme or tymes so to be disposed Also I do give moreover unto my foresaid heire one paire or yooke of oxen and the hyer of them wch are in the hands of Richard Church as may appeare by bill under his hand Also I do give unto my said heire Caleb Hopkins all my debts wch are now oweing unto me, or at the day of my death may be oweing unto mee either by booke bill or bills or any other way rightfully due unto mee ffurthermore my will is that my daughters aforesaid shall have free recourse to my house in Plymouth upon any occation there to abide and remayne for such tyme as any of them shall thinke meete and convenyent & they single persons And for the faythfull prformance of this my will I do make and ordayne my aforesaid sonn and heire Caleb Hopkins my true and lawfull Executor ffurther I do by this my will appoynt and make my said sonn and Captaine Miles Standish joyntly supervisors of this my will according to the true meaneing of the same that is to say that my Executor & supervisor shall make the severall divisions parts or porcons legacies or whatsoever doth appertaine to the fullfilling of this my will It is also my will that my Executr & Supervisor shall advise devise and dispose by the best wayes & meanes they cann for the disposeing in marriage or other wise for the best advancnt of the estate of the forenamed Deborah Damaris Ruth and Elizabeth Hopkins Thus trusting in the Lord my will shalbe truly prformed according to the true meaneing of the same I committ the whole Disposeing hereof to the Lord that hee may direct you herein June 6th 1644 Witnesses hereof By me Steven Hopkins Myles Standish William Bradford The portions of the estate for the daughters Debora, Damaris, Ruth, and Elizabeth were divided "equally by Capt Myles Standish [and] Caleb Hopkins their brother" at a date not given, and an agreement was reached on 30 9th month [Nov.] 1644 between Capt. Myles Standish and Caleb Hopkins with Richard Sparrow that Sparrow would have "Elizabeth Hopkins as his owne child untill the tyme of her marryage or untill shee be nineteene years of age," noting "the weaknes of the Child and her inabillytie top[e]rforme such service as may acquite their charge in bringing of her up and that shee bee not too much oppressed now in her childhood wth hard labour...." On 15 8th month [Oct.] 1644, Richard Sparrow acknowledged receiving "the half of a Cow from Capt MIles Standish wch is Ruth Hopkins," and on 19 May 1647, Myles Standish acknowledged receiving "two young steers in full Satisfaction for halfe a Cow which was Ruth hopkins which Richard Sparrow bought of me..."[63][64] The "Cattle that goeth under the Name of Elizabeth hopkinses" were valued on 29 7th month [Sept.] 1659, and an inventory of her estate was taken on 6 October 1659. On 5 October, the court ordered that, "incase Elizabeth hopkins Doe Come Noe more," the cattle be awarded to Gyles Hopkins, and that he not "[d]emaund of, or molest...Andrew Ringe or Jacob Cooke in the peacable enjoyment of that which they have of the estate of Elizabeth hopkins."[65][66] From The Mayflower Society: Stephen Hopkins was one of the most adventurous of the passengers aboard the Mayflower. He traveled with his second wife, Elizabeth (Fisher) Hopkins, and children Constanta, Giles and Damaris. Elizabeth was pregnant during the voyage and gave birth to a son Oceanus while at sea. Two indentured servants accompanied the family, Edward Doty and Edward Leister. Stephen was baptized at All Saints Church, at Upper Clatford, Hampshire, England, on the last of April, 1581, the son of John and Elizabeth (Williams) Hopkins. He died at Plymouth, between 6 June and 17 July 1644. Stephen married 1) before 13 May 1604, Mary Kent; he married 2) at St. Mary Matfellon, Whitechapel, Middlesex, 19 February 1617/18, Elizabeth Fisher. This was not Stephen's first voyage to the New World. In 1609 he signed on as a minister's clerk, aboard the Sea Venture at Plymouth, England, the flagship of a fleet of seven headed to Jamestown, along with Jamestown's Governor Sir Thomas Gates and the Rev. Richard Buck. Stephen left his wife Mary and three children behind and would be gone seven years. After a hurricane which sent their damaged ship to Bermuda, they spent many months repairing it so they could continue to Jamestown. During this time, Stephen argued that the Governor had no authority over them while they were on land. He was found guilty of "Mutinie and Rebellion" and sentenced to death. He was so penitent, asking the court to consider the plight of his wife and children, that he was pardoned. The group eventually made their way to Jamestown and spent the next few years rebuilding the colony. When Stephen returned to England by 1616, he learned that his first wife had died. Stephen Hopkins was a signer of the Mayflower Compact, signed at Provincetown, 11 November 1620. In the 1623 land division, he received six acres. The cattle division of 1627 lists he and his wife Elizabeth, with children Gyles, Caleb, Deborah, and daughter Constance and her husband Nicholas Snow. Stephen's experiences in Jamestown made him valuable to the Plymouth settlement. He helped determine a suitable place to settle, and his dealings with the Native Americans were especially helpful. When Samoset and Squanto began their visits to Plymouth in 1621, they were housed in Stephen Hopkins' home. It was also Hopkins who was chosen by Governor Carver to go with Edward Winslow and first approach Massasoit. Stephen went on to serve as an Assistant of the Governor for many years, however he sometimes found himself on the other side of the law. In 1636, in his office as Assistant, he was fined £5.40s for breaking the King's peace in dangerously wounding John Tisdale. At least three times he was fined for allowing men to drink excessively at his house, and several times fined for charging excessive prices for liquor and goods. Children of Stephen and Mary (Kent) Hopkins: Elizabeth Hopkins, baptized at Hursley, 13 May 1604; died after 1613. Constance Hopkins, baptized at Hursley, May 11, 1606; died at Eastham, mid-October, 1677; married at Plymouth, circa 1626, Nicholas Snow and they had 12 children: Mark, Mary, Sarah, Joseph, Stephen, John, Elizabeth, Jabez and Ruth Snow, as well as three children whose names are not known. The possibility that one of the three unknowns may be the wife of Daniel Doane has not yet been proven. Giles Hopkins, baptized at Hursley, 30 January. 1607/08; died at Eastham, between 5 March 1688/89 and 16 April 1690; married at Plymouth, 9 October 1639, Katherine Whelden and had ten children: Mary, Stephen, John, Abigail, Deborah, Caleb, Ruth, Joshua, William and Elizabeth Hopkins. Children of Stephen and Elizabeth (Fisher) Hopkins: 4. Damaris Hopkins, born in England, circa 1618; died young, after 22 May 1627. 5. Oceanus Hopkins, born at sea on the Mayflower, between 16 September and 11 November 1620; died before 22 May 1627. 6. Caleb Hopkins, born at Plymouth, circa 1623; died at Barbados between 6 June 1644 and 3 April 1651; no known issue. 7. Deborah Hopkins, born at Plymouth, circa 1624-26; died prob. at Plymouth, before 1674; married at Plymouth, 23 April 1646, Andrew Ring; they had six children: Elizabeth, William, Eleazer, Mary, Deborah and Susanna Ring. 8. Damaris Hopkins, born in Plymouth, circa 1628; died prob. at Plymouth, between 20 October 1666 and 18 November 1669; married prob. at Plymouth, soon after 10 June 1646, Jacob2 Cooke, (Francis1) and had seven children: Elizabeth, Caleb, Jacob, Mary, Martha, Francis and Ruth Cooke 9. Ruth Hopkins, born in Plymouth, circa 1630; died between 30 November 1644 and 3 April 1651; no further record. 10. Elizabeth Hopkins, born circa 1632 in Plymouth; died unmarried after October 1657 and possibly before 29 September 1659. Sources: Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, Stephen Hopkins, by John D. Austin, vol. 6. Plymouth, 2001. Mayflower Passenger References, (from contemporary records and scholarly journals), by Susan E. Roser. 2011. pp. 249-63. "Research into the English Origins of Mary and Elizabeth, the Wives of Stephen Hopkins," by Simon Neal, Mayflower Quarterly 79 [March 2013]: 52-78. "Investigation Into the Origins of Mary and Elizabeth, the Wives of Stephen Hopkins," by Simon Neal, Mayflower Quarterly 78 [June 2012]: 122-139. "Investigation Into the Origins of Mary, Wife of Stephen Hopkins of Hursley," by Simon Neal, Mayflower Descendant 61 [Spring 2012]: 38-59; Mayflower Descendant 61 [Autumn 2012]: 134-154. [Detailed investigation into the Kent and Back families of Hursley, identifying Stephen's wife Mary as Mary Kent alias Back, daughter of Robert Kent alias Back and Joan Machell.]

  
  

• Sources

  [S1160] FamilySearch Family Tree (http://www.familysearch.org), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ((http://www.familysearch.org)), accessed 2 Sep 2024), entry for Gyles HOPKINS, person ID L848-MF3. (Reliability: 3). [S1160] FamilySearch Family Tree (http://www.familysearch.org), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ((http://www.familysearch.org)), accessed 2 Sep 2024), entry for Stephen Hopkins, person ID LVQ1-FMH. (Reliability: 3). [S1160] FamilySearch Family Tree (http://www.familysearch.org), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ((http://www.familysearch.org)), accessed 2 Sep 2024), entry for John Hopkins, person ID LR6B-667. (Reliability: 3).