Hopkins Family Line

Hopkins Family Line

________________________________________________________________________________

Grandy's 8x Great-Grandmother:

My 10x Great-Grandmother:

Laila Laemmel-Gordon's 11x Great-Grandmother:

Constance Hopkins (1606 - 1677)

Constance Snow

Also Known As: "Constancia Hopkins", "Constant Snow", "Constanta Hopkins", "Constanta", "Hughes", "Constancia", "Constantina"

Birthdate: May 11, 1606

Birthplace: Hursley, Hampshire, England

Christened: at All Saints Church, Hursley, Hampshire, England

Denomination: (probably) Puritan / Congregationalist

Arrival: 1620 aboard the Mayflower, along with her father and stepmother, Elizabeth (Fisher) Hopkins. Two other children accompanied them and Elizabeth had a baby during the voyage.

Date of Marriage: May 22, 1627

Place of Marriage: Plymouth Colony (present-day Massachusetts)

Death: October 25, 1677 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony

Burial: Cove Burying Ground, Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts

Parents:

Stephen Hopkins

1582-1644

Mary Kent

1580-1613

Family

Spouse:

Nicholas Snow

Nicholas Snow, III

Birthdate: ca. 1599

Birthplace: Middlesex, England

Christened: St. Leonard's Church, Shoreditch, Middlesex, England

Denomination: (probably) Puritan / Congregationalist

Arrival: arrived in Plymouth, New England, as a young man aboard the ship “Anne” in 1623.

Occupation: Cooper (a person trained to make wooden casks, barrels, vats, buckets, tubs, troughs and other similar containers from timber staves that were usually heated); Carpenter

Public Service: Town Clerk; Highway Surveyor

Death: November 15, 1676 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony

Burial: Cove Burying Ground, Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts

Immediate Family:

Son of [disputed] Nicholas Snow, of Yorkshire and Elizabeth Rowles

See: Snow Family Line

Children:

1. Mark Snow 1628–1695

2. Mary Snow 1630–1704

3. Sarah Snow 1632–1703

4. Joseph Snow 1634–1723

5. Stephen Snow 1636–1705

6. John B Snow 1638–1692

7. Elizabeth Snow 1640–1678

8. Jabez Snow 1642–1690

9. Samuel Snow 1643–1653

10. Ruth Snow 1644–1717

11. Constance Snow 1646–1682

12. Infant Snow 1648–1648

About Constance Hopkins

Constance (Hopkins) Snow was a passenger on the Mayflower.

Biography

Nicholas Snow was born around 1599-1603 in England. His parents are not known.[1] He arrived in Plymouth on the “Anne” in 1623. He married before 1 Jun 1627 in Plymouth, Plymouth Colony, New England, to Constance Hopkins. He and Constance were among the first settlers of Eastham, on Cape Cod, across Plymouth Bay, in 1644. He was a freeman, in Eastham in 1655, and served in many town offices. Nicholas died 15 Nov 1676 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, and is buried in the Cove Burying Ground, Eastham.

Constance Hopkins was baptized 11 May 1606 at Hursley, Hampshire, England. Her parents were Stephen Hopkins and Mary (Kent) Hopkins. Constance was a Mayflower passenger, along with her father and stepmother, Elizabeth (Fisher) Hopkins. Two other children accompanied them and Elizabeth had a baby during the voyage.

Constance (Hopkins) Snow died about 15 October 1677 in Eastham, Plymouth Colony, and is buried in the Cove Burying Ground, Eastham, Cape Cod, near her late husband.

Constance’s father, Stephen Hopkins, was born about 1580 in Hursley, Hampshire, England and was baptized 30 Apr 1581 in Upper Clatford, Hampshire. He first married Constance’s mother, Mary (Kent) Hopkins, b: 1583 in Hampshire, England. After having had 2 children: Constance and Giles, she died. Stephen Hopkins then remarried to Elizabeth Fisher.[2]

That first spring in the new land, the colonists looked on as the two young men, Edward Doty and Edward Leister, carried on a dual courtship for the hand of pretty Constance [Hopkins]. On 18 June 1621, the colonists were awakened at dawn by the sound of the clash of cold steel. Rushing outside, they found Leister and Doty slashing away at each other in a duel.

"They were quickly disarmed and haled before Governor Bradford, who ordered them strung up with head and heels tied together so they could cool off their hot blood." Governor Bradford said later that "Edward Doty retrieved his character by change from youthful folly."

The fair Miss Constance never married either swain. Instead, she later married the honorable Nicholas Snow, one of the founders of Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts.

The information just below is from: the Pilgrim Hall Museum

Nicholas and Constance Hopkins Snow

Constance Hopkins was a Mayflower passenger. She journeyed with her father and stepmother, Stephen and Elizabeth Hopkins, her brother Giles, her half-sister Damaris and her half-brother Oceanus who was born during the voyage.

Sometime before 1627, Constance Hopkins married Nicholas Snow. Nicholas Snow had arrived in Plymouth on the Anne in 1623.

The inventory of Nicholas’ estate, taken at the time of his death, includes carpenter’s tools. This may have been his trade. His inventory also included books, so he was most-likely literate. Nicholas held various minor positions in Plymouth, such as highway surveyor.

The Snows moved from Plymouth to Nauset, on Cape Cod in 1643. The town was then renamed "Eastham" and still retains that name today, nearly 400 years later. On the Cape (in Barnstable County), Nicholas served as surveyor, constable and selectman. He was a carpenter and also ran a family farm with the help of his sons and daughters.

Constance and Nicholas Snow had 12 children. Nicholas died in November 1676, Constance about a year later in October of 1677. Before his death, Nicholas Snow wrote a will. See below.

The Pilgrim Society displays one artifact that is attributed to Constance Hopkins. It is a beaver hat, made in England, c.1615-1640. Steeple crowned hats, usually with a decorative band, were popular for both men and women in the early 17th century. Beaver fur, imported into England from the colonies, was processed into felt to make hats.

Baptism

"Constancia Hopkins" was the daughter of Stephen Hopkins and his first wife, Mary Kent, of Hursley, Hampshire, England. Her baptism is noted in the Hursley, Hampshire, parish register, available at the Hampshire County Archives, Winchester, England.

"[1606] undecimo die Maij Constancia filia Steph Hopkyns fuit baptizata [11th day of May, 1606, Constance daughter of Steph[en] Hopkins was baptized]"

Date: 11 MAY 1606

Place: Hursley, Hampshire, England[3]

Constance Hopkins had a younger brother, Giles Hopkins, born in Hursley, Hampshire, England, in 1607. Their father, Stephen Hopkins, by all accounts a world-traveler and adventurer, left his family in the care of their maternal grandmother, "the widow Kent," in Hursley, while he traveled to Jamestown, Virginia colony, being shipwrecked in Bermuda for over a year. Shortly thereafter his wife, Mary Kent, died. Stephen Hopkins remarried to Elizabeth Fisher in 1617. In 1620 he embarked with his entire family, including older children, Constance and Giles, on the "Mayflower," bound for "Northern Virginia," landing at Plymouth Rock in New England that November.

Nicholas Snow did not sail on the "Mayflower" but arrived at Plymouth 18 months later, in 1623, aboard HMS "Anne". It's not known whether he already knew young Constance Hopkins in England and followed her to America but it is certain that after 1623 Constance never considered anyone else to share her life with. They were married within a few years of Nicholas' arrival in Plymouth.

'The will of Nicholas Snow of Eastham, dated 14 Nov. 1676 and proved 5 March 1677, left livestock and household goods to his wife constant for life use and then to his youngest son Jabez, and devised various parcels of land to sons Mark, Joseph, Steven, John and Jabez. The description of land near the testator's house mentioned 'son Thomas Paine' <actually son-in-law> as an abutting owner. Nicholas also gave, after the death of his wife, the sum of ten shillings `to the Church of Eastham for the furniture of the Table of the Lord, with pewter or other Necessaries.' He named Deacon Samuel Freeman and John Mayo as executors. Letters of administration were granted to Constanta, Mark and John Snow on 6 March 1677. A lengthy inventory, including many cooper's and carpenter's tools, was sworn to by widow Constant Snow on 22 March 1677. 'Governor Bradford wrote between 6 March and 3 April 1651 that `Constanta is also married, and hath 12 children, all of them living and one of them married.'

Marriage

Husband: Nicholas Snow

Wife: Constant Hopkins

Marriage Date: Before 22 MAY 1627

Place: Plymouth, Plymouth Colony, New England[4]

Children: all born in Plymouth or in Eastham:

Mark Snow, b. 9 May 1628;[5][6] m(1) 18 Jan 1654 Ann Cooke;[6][7] m(2) 9 Jan 1660 Jane Prence;[6][7] d. bef. 9 Jan 1695[6][7]

Mary Snow b. c1630;[6][8] m. bef. Apr 1651 Thomas Paine;[6][8] d. 28 Apr 1704[6][8]

Sarah Snow b. c1632;[6][9] m. 24 Feb 1655 William Walker;[6][9] d. aft. 25 Oct 1703[10]

Joseph Snow b. c1634;[6][11] m. 1670 Mary (Unknown);[6][11] d. 3 Jan 1723[6][11]

Stephen Snow b. c1636;[6][12] m(1) 28 Oct 1663 Susanna Deane;[6][12] m(2) 9 Apr 1701 Mary Cottle;[6][12] d. 3 Jan 1723[6][12]

John B. Snow b. c1638;[6][13] m. 19 Sep 1667 Mary Smalley;[6][13] bef. Apr 1692[6][13]

Elizabeth Snow b. c1640;[6] [14] m. 13 Dec 1665 Thomas Rogers;[6][14] d. 16 Jun 1678[6][14]

Jabez Snow b. 1642;[15][14] m. bef. 6 Sep 1670 Elizabeth Smith;[15][14] d. 27 Dec 1690[15][14]

Ruth Snow b. c1644;[15][16] m. 10 Dec 1666 John Cole;[15][16] d. 27 Jan 1717[15][16]

(child) traditionally "Constance Snow" b. ca. 1646

(child) traditionally "Hannah Snow" b. ca. 1648

(child) No name [Samuel ?] b. ca. 1650 in Eastham

If Governor Bradford's 1651 account of 12 living children is accurate, Constance's last 3 children may have been sons who predeceased their father Nicholas Snow, without issue, and thus were not mentioned in his will; or they may have been daughters. Like many others at the time, Nicholas Snow did not specifically name his daughters in his will, only his wife and his living sons.

Josiah Paine, town clerk and historian of Harwich, wrote that Nicholas and Constance Snow had a daughter named for her mother (i.e., Constance) who was the first wife of Daniel Doane of Eastham. Daniel Doane was born most-likely in Plymouth ca. 1636; died in Eastham 20 Dec. 1712 in his 76th year. He had the following children: Joseph, Israel, Daniel, Nathaniel, Constant (twin son) & Constanta (twin daughter), Rebecca, Abigail, Ruth and Hepzibah. Daniel's first wife, by tradition Constance Snow, was undoubtedly the mother of all of these children, except Hepzibah.

Most believe that Constance Hopkins is buried at the Cove Burying Ground, in Eastham, Massachusetts. A monument is erected to her and the Snow family there. [17]

Death

"Constant Snow which was the Wife of Nicholas Snow died about the Midle of october in the year 1677." This was less than a year after Nicholas' death in March 1677.

Date: October 1677

Place: Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts[18]

Sources

↑ Many earlier genealogies state he was born 18 Jan 1600 to Nicholas Snow & Katherine Rolles and christened at St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, Greater London, on 25 Jan 1600. However, Mayflower researcher, Caleb Johnson, has disproven this lineage as the baby christened 25 Jan 1600 at Shoreditch died on 28 Jan 1600 as per London records. Chet Snow, 15 Oct 2019.

↑ Miner Descent

↑ Johnson, Caleb H. Here Shall I Die Ashore : Stephen Hopkins, Bermuda Castaway, Jamestown Survivor, and Mayflower Pilgrim .Xlibris Corporation (2007,) p. 148 (citing Hursley parish records ).

↑ Bowman, George Ernest. Mayflower Descendant: Plymouth Colony Division of Cattle in 1627, Vol. I (Broderbund's Family Archive CD #203 Publication: Jul 1899) p. 151, citing PCR 1:50-57

↑ Mayflower Descendants: a Quarterly Magazine of Pilgrim Genealogy and History. Boston: Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, vol 7 (1905), p. 14, the birth of Mark.

↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 Roser, Susan E. Mayflower Increasings for Three Generations. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. (1989,1991,1994) p. 77.

↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Austin, John D. Mayflower Families Through Five Generations. Vol. 6, Stephen Hopkins. Plymouth, Massachusetts.: General Society of Mayflower Descendants (2001) p. 12

↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Austin, John D. Mayflower Families Through Five Generations. Plymouth, MA: General Society of Mayflower Descendants (2001), vol. 6 Stephen Hopkins, pp. 13-14.

↑ 9.0 9.1 Austin, John D. Mayflower Families Through Five Generations. Vol. 6, Stephen Hopkins. Plymouth, Massachusetts.: General Society of Mayflower Descendants (2001) p. 14-15.

↑ Barnstable County Probate Records, Vol. 2:159-161 Will, letters Admin., and inventory William Walker, Eastham, 1703.

↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Austin, John D. Mayflower Families Through Five Generations. Vol. 6, Stephen Hopkins. Plymouth, Massachusetts.: General Society of Mayflower Descendants (2001) p. 15.

↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Austin, John D. Mayflower Families Through Five Generations. Vol. 6, Stephen Hopkins. Plymouth, Massachusetts.: General Society of Mayflower Descendants (2001) p. 16.

↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Austin, John D. Mayflower Families Through Five Generations. Vol. 6, Stephen Hopkins. Plymouth, Massachusetts.: General Society of Mayflower Descendants (2001) p. 17.

↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Austin, John D. Mayflower Families Through Five Generations. Vol. 6, Stephen Hopkins. Plymouth, Massachusetts.: General Society of Mayflower Descendants (2001) p. 19

↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 Roser, Susan E. Mayflower Increasings for Three Generations. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. (1989,1991,1994) p. 78

↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Austin, John D. Mayflower Families Through Five Generations. Vol. 6, Stephen Hopkins. Plymouth, Massachusetts.: General Society of Mayflower Descendants (2001) p. 20-21.

↑ Find A Grave Memorial# 8634 - Constance Hopkins Snow

↑ Early Vital Records of Barnstable Co., MA to about 1850 Eastham Vital Records & Cemetery Inscriptions (CD: Search & Research, Wheat Ridge, CO, 1997) Eastham VRs, p. 40

See Also:

The American Genealogist. Demorest, GA. vol. 14, p. 229.

Ames, Azel. The Mayflower and Her Log. Boston: Houghton Mifflin & Co. (1907), available here.

Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633. Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic Genealogical Society (1995), vol. 3, pp. 1701-1704.

Austin, John D. Mayflower Families Through Five Generations. Vol. 6, Stephen Hopkins. Plymouth, Massachusetts.: General Society of Mayflower Descendants (2001) pp. 5, 7-8, 12-21.

Banks , Charles E. The English Ancestry and Homes of the Pilgrim Fathers. NY (1919); repr. Baltimore (1962, 1968, 1976, 1980), p. 160. .

Bradford's List of Mayflower Passengers. Mayflower Descendants: a Quarterly Magazine of Pilgrim Genealogy and History. Boston: Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, vol. 1 (1899), p. 10, 14.

Bradford, William. History of Plymouth Plantation. Massachusetts Historical Society (1856), p. 448 "8. Mr. Steven Hopkins, & Elizabeth, his wife, and 2. children, caled Giles, and Constanta, a doughter, both by a former wife; and 2. more by this wife, caled Damaris & Oceanus; the last was borne at sea; and 2. servants, called Edward Doty and Edward Litster." " p. 452 (5.)Mr Hopkins and his wife are now both dead, but they lived above 20. years in this place, and had one sone and 4. doughters borne here. Ther sone became a seaman, & dyed at Barbadoes; one daughter dyed here, and 2. are maried; one of them hath 2. children; & one is yet to mary. So their increase which still survive are 5. (4.) But his 4. some Giles is maried, and hath 4. children. (12.) His doughter Constanta is also maried, and hath 12. children, all of them living, and one of them maried.

Bradford, William, 1590-1657. Of Plimoth Plantation: manuscript, 1630-1650. State Library of Massachusetts, list of Mayflower passengers in Bradford's hand .

Death records for Constance and Nicholas recorded in Eastham Vital Records. Mayflower Descendants: a Quarterly Magazine of Pilgrim Genealogy and History. Boston: Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, vol. 6 (1904) p. 203.

Doane, Alfred A. The Doane Family: Deacon John Doane of Plymouth. Boston (1902), vol. 1, pp. 26-30; Vestal, NY (1975), vol. 2, p. 2. both volumes available here.

Ferris, Mary W. Dawes. Gates Ancestral Lines: A Memorial Volume Containing the American Ancestry of Rufus R. Dawes. Milwaukee: privately printed (1943), vol. 1.

FindaGrave Memorial 8634 - Constance Hopkins Snow

Freeman, Frederick. The History of Cape Cod: The Annals of The Thirteen Towns of Barnstable County, Boston: Geo. C. Band & Avery and Cornhill (1858), vols. 1 and 2.

Genealogical Journal. Salt Lake City, UT: Utah Genealogical Association, vol. 13, pp. 153, 176.

Genealogies of the Mayflower Families.NEHGR. Baltimore, MD (1985), vol. 2, pp.79-80; vol. 3, pp. 348-51.

Johnson, Caleb. Updated research on Constance Hopkins.

Lowell, D.O.S. A Munsey-Hopkins Genealogy, Being the Ancestry of Andrew Chauncey Munsey and Mary Jane Meritt Hopkins. Boston: private printing (1920), available online.

Savage, James. A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, Showing Three Generations of Those Who Came Before May 1692. Boston (1860-62); repr North Scituate (1899), Baltimore, MD (1969), vol. 4, pp.138, 149.

Shurtleff, Nathaniel B. and David Pulsifer. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England. Boston: William White (1855). vol. 1: pp. 4, 10, 27, 31, 44, 52, 87-8, 141, 151, 155; vol. 2: pp. 115, 123, 125, 154; vol. 3: pp. 9, 33; vol. 4: p.15; vol. 5: pp. 35, 57-8, 92, 144, 164, 220, 278; vol. 7: pp. 7-8, 16-17, 20, 23, 34-5.

Smith, Leonard H. (compiler). Cape Cod History of Local History and Genealogy: A Facsimile Edition of 108 Pamphlets Published in the Early 20th Century Baltimore MD: Genealogical Publishing Co (1992). This compilation names Hannah & Rebecca as the 2 "missing" children for Nicholas & Constance Snow. Other genealogy sources state that Samuel Snow, who died as an infant, was the "Unnamed Infant Snow" mentioned in 1651 by Governor Bradford.

Stratton, Eugene Aubrey Plymouth Colony, Its History and People 1620-1691. Salt Lake City, UT (1986), pp. 307, 354.

Torrey, Clarence Almon. New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Baltimore, MD (1985), p. 692.

References:

https://www.geni.com/people/Constance-Snow-Mayflower-Passenger/6000000001495386244

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8634/constance-snow

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Hopkins-5

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LTGV-JVQ

https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Constance_Hopkins_%281%29

https://mathcs.clarku.edu/~djoyce/gen/report/rr02/rr02_310.html#P10586

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

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Grandy's 9x Great-Grandfather:

My 11x Great-Grandfather:

Laila Laemmel-Gordon's 12x Great-Grandfather:

Stephen Hopkins (1582 - 1644)

Stephen Hopkins, of Upper Clatford

Also Known As: "Steven Hopkins", "Steven", "Stephen Hopkins", "Stephen "Mayflower Compact" Hopkins*", "III", "Stephen Hopkyns"

Birthdate: ca.1581-1582

Birthplace: Upper Clatford, Hampshire, England

Christened: All Saints Church, Upper Clatford Parish, Hampshire, England

Denomination: (probably) Puritan / Congregationalist

Event: 1609–1617 ship 'Sea Venture' marooned enroute to Jamestowne, Virginia.

1st Arrival: May, 1610, reached Jamestowne. Returned to England between 1614-1617.

2nd Arrival: 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. At the time of the voyage, he was considered a tanner or leather maker, but later was a merchant and planter.

He was a "Stranger"

People who came on the first Mayflower voyage were known as Saints-those looking for a place to freely worship as they chose, or Strangers-those who were on the ship unassociated with the religious reasons for taking the voyage.

Military Service: 1637 Pequot War Veteran (War Council member)

Public Service & Occupations: Merchant/Shopkeeper; Adventurer; One of the seven Assistants to Governor Edward Winslow 1633-35; Magistrate, Appraiser of Estates, Administrator, Guardian, Juryman (foreman, apparently), Tanner, Glass Seller, Signer of the Mayflower Compact, Minister's Clerk, Tavern Owner, etc.

Death: bet. June 6, 1644 and July 17, 1644 in Plymouth, Plymouth Colony

Place of Burial: Plymouth, Plymouth County, Massachusetts

Parents:

John Hopkins

1550-1593

Elizabeth Williams

1558-1593

Family 1

Spouse:

Mary Kent

1580-1613

Mary Hopkins

Also Known As: "Giles Stepmother", "Constance Dudley"

Birthdate: ca. 1580

Birthplace: Ratlake, Hampshire, England

Christened: at All Saints Church, Hursley, Hampshire, England

Denomination: (probably) Puritan / Congregationalist

Death: before May 9, 1613 in Hursley, Hampshire, England

Burial: May 9, 1613 in All Saints Churchyard, Hursley, Hampshire, England

Immediate Family:

Daughter of Robert Kent and Joan Machill

Children:

1. Elizabeth Hopkins 1604–1615

2. Constance Hopkins (Snow) 1606–1677

3. Giles Hopkins 1607–1688

Family 2

Spouse:

Elizabeth Fisher

1595-1644

Elizabeth Hopkins

Also Known As: ""Mayflower Passenger""

Birthdate: 1595

Birthplace: St Mary's Whitechapel, London, Middlesex, England

Denomination: (probably) Puritan / Congregationalist

Date of Marriage: February 19, 1617

Place of Marriage: London, England

Death: bet. February 4, 1639 and June 6, 1644 in Plymouth Colony

Immediate Family:

Daughter of [unknown Fisher] and [unknown Fisher]

Children:

1. Damaris Hopkins 1618–1627

2. Oceanus Hopkins 1620–1627 (born on the Mayflower)

3. Deborah Hopkins 1621–1669

4. Caleb Hopkins 1623–1651

5. Damaris Hopkins 1627–1669

6. Ruth Hopkins 1630–1644

7. Elizabeth Hopkins 1632–1659

About Stephen Hopkins

Qualifying Ancestor of the Jamestowne Society

Stephen Hopkins was a passenger on the Mayflower

Signer of the Mayflower Compact 1620

Tavern Keepers and Brewers of Early America

Biography

Stephen Hopkins

Born 1581, Upper Clatford, Hampshire, England

Died 1644, Plymouth Colony

Shortly after his birth and baptism in Upper Clatford, the family moved to Winchester. By 1603/4 Steven was married to Mary and living in Hursley. He had the following 3 children all baptised at Hursley:

Elizabeth (born 1603)

Constance (born 1606)

Giles (born 1607)

Stephen Hopkins was hired by the Virginia Company to be a minister’s clerk for the Jamestown, Virginia, settlement.

Stephen was on the Sea Venture which was shipwrecked in Bermuda. They built two boats and arrived at Jamestown 11 months later. The situation in the Jamestown settlement was critical (illness and little food left); but just as they were about to evacuate everyone a relief ship arrived.

The shipwreck was a well known story in London. Shakespeare wrote his play, 'The Tempest’, reflecting many of the incidents that happened to the Sea Venture and her passengers.

Stephen remained in Jamestown for several years.

His wife, Mary, died in May 1613. In September 1614 he received a letter with the news and returned to England.

In 1617, he married Elizabeth Fisher in London. Their daughter Damaris was born in 1618. When he learned of the Pilgrims planned voyage to Northern Virginia he paid for his and his families passage, plus 2 servants, Edward Doty and Edward Leister. He did not pay for his eldest daughter Elizabeth (born 1603), so it is assumed that she had died. His pregnant second wife, Elizabeth, gave birth while at sea and they called him Oceanus.

Stephen was a valued and active member of the Pilgrim community. He died in 1644 either at Plymouth or Yarmouth. [1]

Origins

Stephen Hopkins was christened at Upper Clatford Parish, Hampshire, England, the son of John Hopkins[1][2] and Elizabeth Williams.

Marriages

Stephen Hopkins first married Mary Kent[3][4] by 13 May 1604 (baptism of a child). 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.[5][3][6] Mayflower Families[7] states that she died after 4 Feb. 1638/9. We have not been able to find a primary source that she was alive on this specific date. 4 Feb. 1638/9 is the date of the Plymouth court session that weighed the situation of Stephen Hopkin's pregnant servant, Dorothy Temple; Stephen's wife is not mentioned.[8] She was certainly dead by the time her husband executed his will. Together they had seven children.

Children of Stephen and Mary Kent

All baptized at Hursley:[9]

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.[10][11]

The parish registers of Hursley contain the following baptismal entries, literally transcribed from the original Latin:[12]

(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

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.[13]

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). [14][15]

Damaris Hopkins (again), b. Plymouth, say 1628 (after May 1627 [division of cattle]); m. shortly after 10 June 1646 (antenuptial agreement), Jacob Cooke (Francis of the Mayflower). [16][17]

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)

Stephen Hopkins was hired as a clerk for Reverend Richard Buck, assisting aboard the 300-ton "Sea Venture,"[18][19] one of a fleet of 7 ships and 2 pinnaces that started a voyage to Virginia 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 storm that began July 24, likely of hurricane force causing much damage.,[20][21] The Sea Venture was wrecked on 28 July 1609, driven ashore 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'd 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."[22][23]

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.[24]

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.[25] [26] 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 extroidenary, given the light sentence previously imposed on the group of sailors. He 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 Strauchey and Vice Admiral Christopher Ward who came Gates asking for leniency. "With humble entreaties and earnest supplication...[we] nebver left him until we had got [Hopkin's] pardon."[27] [28]

Jamestown (1610)

What do Jamestowne, the Mayflower and Shakespeare have in common? The answer is Stephen Hopkins, a Jamestowne settler, a Mayflower Pilgrim and a survivor of the wreck of the Sea Venture, 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 caracature portrayed as a drunken clown or court jester with ambitions of grandeur. William Shakespeare moved in the same circle as a fellow writer, William Strauchey. Both were writers. Srauchey wrote a letter dated July 15, 1610, to an unnamed 'Excellant Lady'. The letter was started while in Bermuda and finished in Jamestown.[29] 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.

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"[30] 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.[31]

Back in England (1614-1620)

Back in England, Mary's Probate was executed at Hursley, Southhampton, England.[32]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 expediant to list her as a widow so the estate could be avaliable for their children's care more quickly, especially since they didn't know if he was alive or dead.[33]

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. Still longing to return to the New World, he, his wife and three children 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. At the time of the voyage, he was considered a tanner or leather maker, but later was a merchant and planter.[34]

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[35][36]

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).[37][38] 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.[39]

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."[40]

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.[41]

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 dual 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.' [42]

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.[43][44] He was also chosen one of the council for the ensuing year, Edward Winslow being chosen governor. 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.[45]

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.[46]

Oct. 2, 1634: he and Robert Hicks took the inventory of the goods of Stephen Deans.[46]

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.[46]

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."[46][47]

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."[48]

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.[49]

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.[50]

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."[51]

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.[52]

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.[53]

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 1 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.[54]

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." [55]

Death & Legacy

Stephen Hopkins died in Plymouth between 6 Jun 1644 (date of his will) and 17 July 1644 (inventory of his estate).[56]

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 Captin Standish.

The last Will and Testament of Mr. Stephen Hopkins[57] 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 b eburyed 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..."[58]

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."[59]

Research Notes

Caleb Johnson's discovery [60] of the family of Stephen Hopkins in Hursley, Hampshire, eliminates at last the suggestion that Stephen Hopkins was son of Stephen Hopkins, a clothier, of Wortley, Wooten Underedge, Gloucestershire.[61]

Recently, Caleb Johnson has given a few talks[62] where he discussed circumstantial evidence that points to parents for Stephen-- John Hopkins and Elizabeth Williams?? In the past, he had said there was none. To reflect that we are now connecting the parents that he is supporting, and have included sources from recent journals to reflect that, as well as the maiden name of his first wife, Mary Kent (?). -- Brown-8212 13:42, 8 August 2014 (EDT) .

That Mayflower Hopkins and Sea Venture Hopkins were the same man, is supported by the following:[63][64]

They both answer a common description.

Stephen Hopkins was not of the Pilgrim group, but is mentioned as a stranger[65] and one of three of London on board. He was married in the Anglican Church and was clert to an Anglican minister.

He was a man of mark and evidently of learning and experience (as shown by appointment as clerk) for when Captain Myles Standish made his first exploratory trip from the Mayflower, upon arrival in the new world, Hopkins was appointed with Bradford and Tilley to attend the party to give counsel and advice - ' this, despite the fact that he had displayed his contentious nature upon arrival, declaring, as he had on the Somers Islands, that none had power to command since the expedition bound for Virginia had landed in New England instead where Virginia had no jurisdiction.

Hopkins' ability to identify to the exploring party, which he accompanied, a deer trap, a contraption which had puzzled the others, indicates previous experience in the new world. The scribes of the period recorded that the party came upon a limb of a tree bent curiously over a bow and that Stephen Hopkins sayd it had beene to catch some Deere. It seems probable that Hopkins was selected by Weston to accompany the Pilgrims because of his previous experiences in Virginia.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC NOTE: In 1992 John D. Austin published an excellent and extensive account of Stephen Hopkins and his descendants as the sixth volume in the Five Generations Project of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants [cited herein as MF 6].

In 1998 Caleb Johnson published his discovery of the baptismal place of the children of Stephen Hopkins by his first wife [ TAG 73:161-71].

Johnson's discovery also strengthens the argument that this was the same Stephen Hopkins who was the minister's clerk on the vessel Sea Venture which met with a hurricane in 1609 while on a voyage to Virginia [ TAG 73:165-66]. One of one hundred and fifty survivors marooned on a Bermuda, he fomented a mutiny and was sentenced to death, but "so penitent he was and made so much moan, alleging the ruin of his wife and children in this his trespass," that his friends procured a pardon from the Governor [ MF 6:3, citing William Strachey's account].

In his listing of the Mayflower passengers Bradford included "Mr. Stephen Hopkins and Elizabeth his wife, and two children called Giles and Constanta, a daughter, both by a former wife. And two more by this wife called Damaris and Oceanus; the last was born at sea. And two servants called Edward Doty and Edward Lester" [66] Stephen Hopkins signed the Mayflower Compact. In his accounting of this family in 1651 Bradford reported that "Mr. Hopkins and his wife are now both dead, but they lived above twenty years in this place and had one son and four daughters born here. Their son became a seaman and died at Barbadoes, one daughter died here, and two are married; one of them hath two children, and one is yet to marry. So their increase which still survive are five. But his son Giles is married and hath four children. His daughter Constanta is also married and hath twelve children, all of them living, and one of them married" [67]

In June 1621 Steven Hopkins and Edward Winslow were chosen by the governor to approach Massasoit, and Hopkins repeated this duty as emissary frequently thereafter [ Young's Pilgrim Fathers 202, 204].

Despite his social standing and his early public service, Stephen Hopkins managed to run afoul of the authorities several times in the late 1630s. In June of 1636 while an Assistant, he was fined for battery of John Tisdale, whom he "dangerously wounded" [ PCR 1:41-42]. On 2 October 1637 he was fined for allowing drinking on the Lord's day and the playing of "shovell board" [ PCR 1:68] and on 2 January 1637/8 he was "presented for suffering excessive drinking in his house" [ PCR 1:75]. On 5 June 1638 he was "presented for selling beer for 2d. the quart, not worth 1d. a quart" [ PCR 1:87]; for this and other similar infractions he was on 4 September 1638 fined £5 [ PCR 1:97]. He dealt harshly with his pregnant servant Dorothy Temple and only the intercession of John Holmes freed him from being held in contempt of court [ PCR 1:111-13]. In December 1639 he was presented for selling a looking glass for 16d. when a similar glass could be bought in the Bay for 9d. [ PCR 1:137].

A letter written by William Bradford on 8 September 1623 shows that Stephen Hopkins had a brother in England who provided nails to the Pilgrims:

"About Hobkins and his men [Edward Dity and Edward Leister] we are come to this isew. the men we retain in the generall according to his resignation and equietie of the thinge. and about that recconing of .20 ode pounds, we have brought it to this pass, he is to have. 6. li. payed by you there, and the rest to be quite, it is for nails and such other things as we have had of his brother here for the companies use, and upon promise of paymente by us, we desire you will accordingly doe it."

The Hopkins families of Hampshire are found in three main regions: Andover and surrounding parishes, Isle of Wight, and Hursley-Winchester. The parish registers of Hursley, unfortunately, do not begin until January 1599/1600, and there is no mention of Hopkinses in the eleven wills surviving from the Peculiar Court of Hursley, 1566-1705; no wills in this court survive between 1599 and 1682. Hursley wills in the Consistory Court of Winchester and the Perogative Court of Canterbury from this period were also read without finding any mention of Hopkinses; there are no Hursley wills in the indexes of the Archdeaconry Court of Winchester from 1590 through 1613. Some significant clues were discovered, however, and are briefly summarized below.

Hursley had one manor at the time, Merdon; and Stephen Hopkins is mentioned in these records on "** 19.. may 6 James I (1608) as one of the men who were penalized or fined. [68] The records are not clear as to why he was penalized.

The name Giles was somewhat uncommon in the area. There were three men of that name in the 1598 lay subsidy of Hursley: Giles Hobby, Giles Kinge, and Giles Machilde;[69] no connections have yet been found to Stephen Hopkins or his wife Mary.

The name Constance was extremely rare in Hampshire, and only one occurrence of the name was found during the course of this research: the marriage of William Hopkins to Constance Marline at St. Swithin-over-Kingsgate, Winchester, Hampshire, on 16 april 1591. [70] The Soke of Winchester borders Hursley. The lay subsidies of Winchester list a John Hopkins in 1586, 1589, and 1590.[71] On 4 October 1593, administration on the estate of John Hopkyngs of Winchester was granted to the widow Elizabeth, Wm Hopkines posting bond; the inventory had been taken on the previous 10 September. [72] It seems probable that William Hopkins was the son of John Hopkins of Winchester and that he was the William who married Constance Marline. Stephen Hopkins of Hursley and Plymouth may also be a son of John, though no direct evidence for this relationship has been found. Listed in the lay subsidies in 1589 and 1590 is Rainold Marlin, who may have been the father of the Constance Marline who married William Hopkins. [73]

A Stephen Hopkins was named as a son in the 1636 will of Thomas Hopkins of Blashford in the parish of Ellingham on the Isle of Wight.[74] No records were found that could tie this Stephen Hopkins to the Mayflower pilgrim.

Sources

↑ England & Wales Christening Index 1530-1980 from British Isles Vital Records Index 2nd Edition. Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City and Provo Utah, database online, Ancestry.com. Stephen Hopkins Christening 30 April 1581, Upper Clatford Parish, Hampshire, England.

↑ England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. 2014 Ancestry.com, database online. FHL Film Number1041257; Reference ID2:DNQ83N

↑ 3.0 3.1 Torry, Clarence A. New England Marriages Prior to 1700. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004. Pg 387.

↑ See sources and Simon Neal's research on Mary's probable family in Mayflower Quarterly article (thanks V in NC).

↑ Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812. London Metropolitan Archives. Stephen Hopkins Eliza Fisher marriage feb 19 1617 St Mary, Whitechapel, Tower Hamlets 1558-1643, image 87 of 234

↑ Bradford, William, 1590-1657. History of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647 Vol 1 (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1856) and Volume 2 Vol. 2:406.

↑ John D. Austin, Mayflower Familes Through Five Generations, 15 vols. to date (Plymouth, 1975- ) 6:7

↑ Shurtleff and Pulsifer, Records of the Colony of New Plymouth Press of W. White, 1861, 1:111-13

↑ For further details on the children of both marriages, see Families, 6:7-14, and Migration, 2:986-89; we have followed Anderson's "say" birth years, except for Caleb, whose birth year Anderson places as "say 1624." Researchers should also consult George Ernest Bowman's discussion of the Hopkins children ("The Mayflower Genealogies: Stephen Hopkins and His Descendents," MD 5[1903]:47-53.)

↑ Shurtleff 1:134.

↑ For the Wheldens, see Maclean W. McLean, "John and Mary (Folland) Whelden of Yarmouth, Mass.," TAG 48(1972):4-11, 81-88; McLean accepts Catherine (Whelden) Hopkins as a daughter of Gabriel Whelden of Yarmouth, Lynn, and Malden, Mass., but points out that explicit evidence for this relationship has not been found (TAG 48:4-5).

↑ Hursley, Hampshire, parish register [FHL film #1,041,201]

↑ Wakefield, "1623 Plymouth Land Division," Mayflower Quart. 40:8,10.

↑ Shurtleff2:98.

↑ For the Rings, see John Insley Coddington, "The Widow Mary Ring, of Plymouth, Mass., and Her Children," TAG 42(1966):193-205; and Migration, 3:1586-88.

↑ Shurtleff MD2(1900):27-28.

↑ For this Cooke family, see Families12: Francis Cooke, by Ralph Van Wood Jr. (Camden, Maine, 1996); and Migration, 1:467-71.

↑ Mack, Jonathan. A Stanger Among Saints: Stephen Hopkins The Man Who Survived Jamestown And Saved Plymouth. 2020 Chicago, IL Chicago Review Press INC. Mack, Pgs.1, 6-8.

↑ Johnson, p. 160.

↑ Smith, John (1580-1631). The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles: With the Names of the Adventurers, Planters, and Governours from Their First Beginning, Ano: 1584. To This Present 1624. With the Procedings of Those Severall Colonies and the Accidents That Befell Them in All Their Journyes and Discoveries. Also the Maps and Descriptions of All Those Countryes, Their Commodities, People, Government, Customes, and Religion Yet Knowne. Divided into Sixe Bookes. By Captaine Iohn Smith, Sometymes Governour in Those Countryes & Admirall of New England. 1624 London. Printed by I.D. and I.H. for Michael Sparkes. Digital version 2006, part of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill digital library.Smith, Chapter XII, Pgs 89-90.

↑ Mack, Pgs. 10-13 citing StracheyChapter 1.

↑ William Strachey. "A true reportory of the wracke, and redemption of Sir Thomas Gates Knight; vpon, and from the Ilands of the Bermudas: his comming to Virginia, and the estate of that Colonie then, and after, vnder the gouernment of the Lord La Warre, Iuly 15. 1610" in Hakluytus posthumus; or, Purchas his pilgrimes, Samuel. Purchas, ed. 4 vols. (1625), vol. 4, 1734-1758. Transcription at http://www.virtualjamestown.org/TR%20original.doc or https://fas-history.rutgers.edu/clemens/Jamestown/Strachey.html

↑ Strachey Chapter 2.

↑ Robert Charles Anderson, New England Historical Genealogical Society (NEHGS) Pilgrim Family Sketch Stephen Hopkins I Archived 16 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine

↑ Mack Pg 21 citing Strachey.

↑ Strachey

↑ Mack Pg 24 citing Strachey.

↑ Strachey

↑ Encyclopedia Virginia: This Day to an Excellant Lacy see image

↑ Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reign of James L 1611-1618 (London 1858), p. 253; Calendar of State Papers, Colonial Series, 1574-1660 (London 1860), p. 17.

↑ Mack Pg 39

↑ Hampshire Records Office . Winchester 1613AD/046

↑ Johnson, pgs. 149-151.

↑ Bradford List of Mayflower Passengers Vol. 2, Pgs. 399-412.

↑ World Cat

↑ [https://aarauctions.com/live/images/auction-1637/large-72281.0_12.jpg see image'

↑ Shurtleff 12:4

↑ Robert S. Wakefield, "The 1623 Plymouth Land Division," Mayflower Quart. 40(1974):7-13, 55-59, at 10.

↑ Shurtleff12:11.

↑ Howard, R. H., ed; Crocker, Henry E. editors. A history of New England, containing historical and descriptive sketches of the counties, cities and principal towns of the six New England states, including, in its list of contributors, more than sixty literary men and women, representing every county in New England. Boston, Crocker & co.1881.

↑ Lives of the Governors of New Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. United States: Moore, Jacob Bailey. Gates & Stedman, 1848. Pg 140.

↑ Miles Standish. N.p.: Outlook Verlag, 2019. Abbott, John S.C. Pg 67.

↑ Mack Pg 191.

↑ Shurtleff 1:5.

↑ Edwards, William Hopple. Genealogical and Ancestral Notes: ser. 1, v. 2. 47 families of Robinson ancestors. United States: W.H. Edwards, 1957. Pg 348.

↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 Stephen Hopkins Pilgrim Hall Museum.

↑ Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 32.

↑ Records Vol. 1, p. 36.

↑ Records Vol. 1, p. 39-41.

↑ Records Vol. 1, p. 46

↑ Records Vol. 1, p. 54

↑ Records Vol. 1, p. 55-57.

↑ Records Vol. 1, p. 60-62.

↑ Records Vol. 1, p. 67.

↑ Records Vol. 1, p. 75.

↑ Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633, Volume 2, Pgs 986-9.

↑ "Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Probate Records, 1633-1967," images, FamilySearch ( : 20 May 2014), Wills 1633-1686 vol 1-4 > image 71 of 616; State Archives, Boston.

↑ George Ernest Bowman, "The Portions of Stephen Hopkins' Daughters, and the Estate of Elizabeth Hopkins," in Mayflower Descendant 4(1902): 114=19, at 114-17; Simmons, Plymouth Colony Records, 1:137-39.

↑ Bowman, "...Estate of Elizabeth Hopkins," MD 4:118-19

↑ Caleb Johnson, Article title?, in The American Genealogist, 73:161-71

↑ Families 6:3, citing "[t]he Wortley historian"].

↑ Johnson

↑ Mack

↑ Johnson

↑ Mack, Pg 51 citing Willison, Saints and Strangers, Pgs 129-130.

↑ BradfordPg 442.

↑ BradfordPg 445.

↑ Merdon manorial court rolls [FHl film #1,471,826].

↑ Douglas F. Vick, Central Hampshire Lay Subsidy Assessments, 15588-1602 (Farnham, Hants., n.d); Hereafter cited as Vick, Central Hands. Subsidies.

↑ St. Swithin-over-Kingsgate, Winchester, Hampshire, parish register [FHL, film #1,041,221]

↑ Vick, Central Hants, Subsidies, 29-30.

↑ Winchester administrations [FHL film #197,336].

↑ Vick, Central Hants. Subsidies, 29-30

↑ Archdeaconry Court of Winchester, original wills [FHL film #186,925].)