Stephen HOPKINS

Notes:

According the "the Mayflower Increasing": Stephen was married first in 1605. The name of his first wife is unknown. It is possible that it was Constance Dudley since his first child from his first wife was named Constance.

Name:
Stephen Hopkins, born in England, came over in the Mayflower in 1620, bringing with him Giles and Constanta (Constance), children by a first wife whose name is not know, a second wife Elizabeth whose maiden name is not known, two children by her, Damaris and Oceanus (born on the passage), and two servants, Edward Doty and Edward Litster. he d. between June 6, 1644 (date of his will), and July 17, 1644 (date of his inventory). His 2d wife d. in Plymouth between 1640 and 1644....

His bringing two servants shows that he was one of the well-to-do of the pilgrims. The facts hereinafter given from contemporary records will show that he was a man of energy, courage and ability and one of the most prominent and useful men in the colony. he was one of the earliest freemen of Plymouth and was one of the assistants to the governor from 1633 to 1637. 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. he was not without kindness of heart, as appears from his petitioning for the release of his servants from cruel punishment.

He apparently boarded the Mayflower in London with his family about the end of June, 1620, for on the arrival of the Speedwell at Southampton from Holland about July 2 she found the Mayflower there, having arrived with her passengers from London. They sailed from Southampton August 5, but by reason of the claimed unsafety of the Speedwell, they put into Dartmouth. After some repairs, they put to sea again, but after they had got "above 100 leagues without the Lands End:, the master of the Speedwell complained that his ship was very leaky, and after consultation, both ships put into Plymouth. Here it was decided that the Speedwell should not proceed. Some of the passengers returned to London, and the rest sailed on the Mayflower on the 6th of September, reaching what is now Provincetown harbor on the 11th of November. On that day he signed the compact of government on board the Mayflower, his name being 14th on the list of signers.

Stephen married Unknown ? about 1605. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Stephen married Elizabeth FISHER on 19 Feb 1617. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Constance married Nicholas SNOW before 27 May 1627 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Nicholas was born in England; died on 15 Nov 1676 in Eastham, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: Between 30 Jan 1607 and 1608, Hursley, Hampshire, England

Notes:

Name:
Giles Hopkins was the eldest son of Mr. Stephen Hopkins of Plymouth. He was born in England, and came over with his father's family in the Mayflower in 1620, and with the other members of his father's family survived the first winer's sickness, which swept off so many of that company. Of his boyhood days, but little appears. he appears to have been of a retiring disposition, only forward when duty impelled. When, in 1637, the Pequots, a tribe of brave Indians inhabiting the eastern part of Connecticut, commenced war with the English in that region, and overthrow of the Indians, he, with his father and younger brother Caleb, volunteered to go out in the company in the defense of his Connecticut neighbors, but happily for the company, before ready to go forth, the troops under Captain Mason had "vanquished" the enemy, and the company was not needed. The next year, Mr. Stephen Hopkins having been allowed by the Old Colony court "to erect a house at Mattacheese" now Yarmouth, "to cut hay there" and "to winter his cattle," it is supposed his son Giles was at yarmouth in 1639, and with Hugh Tilley and Nicholas Sympkins, "deposed" to the last will and testament of Peter Warden, the elder, deceased, and also courted and married Catherine Whelden daughter of Gabriel Whelden, who was licensed to build at Mattacheese the year preceding.....

It would seem that Mr. Hopkins was not a resident of yarmouth in 1643, as his name does not appear in the list of those able to bear arms that year in the township, but evidence is quite conclusive that he was a resident June 6, 1644. At that date his father made his will, and several times speaks of Giles being at yarmouth in charge of the cattle. It is probable he was not enrolled on account of being physically unable to do military duty. In what year he removed to Nausett or Eastham, is not known. He was there in 1650, occupying the position of surveyor of highways, which he subsequently occupied several years.....

Giles married Katherine WHELDON on 09 Oct 1639 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Katherine was born about 1615; died after 05 Mar 1688 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name:
Caleb Hopkins became a seaman and died at Barbados before 1651. he was made the residuary devisee and legatee and executor by his father's will in 1644. Caleb Hopkins was one of those in Plymouth between 16 and 60 able to bear arms in August, 1643. In 1637 he volunteered in the Pequot war. In 1644 he conveyed a part of his father's lands to his brother Giles.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Death: Bef 1674, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Deborah married Andrew RING on 23 Apr 1646 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Andrew was born about 1618 in Leyden, Holland; died between 22 Feb 1692 and 1693 in Plymouth, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Daughter of Stephen Hopkins and Elizabeth Fisher
• Birth: Aft 22 May 1627, Plymouth, Massachusetts
• Death: Bef 18 Nov 1669

Damaris married Jacob COOKE after 10 Jun 1646 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Jacob (son of Francis COOKE and Hester MAHIEU) was born before 1618 in Holland; died between 11 and 18 Dec 1675 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Death: Bef 29 Sep 1659, Plymouth, Massachusetts