Benjamin HOPKINS

Benjamin married Rachel LINCOLN on 13 Feb 1717/8 in Harwich, Massachusetts. Rachel was born on 8 Nov 1696 in Hingham, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts; died before 15 Jun 1758. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Stephen married Mary MERRICK on 23 May 1667 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. Mary (daughter of William MERRICK and Rebecca TRACY) was born on 04 Nov 1650 in Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died between 15 Apr 1692 and 07 Apr 1701. [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]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Daughter of Gabriel Wheldon
• Baptism: Between 06 Mar 1616 and 1617, St. Leodegarius Church, Basford, Nottinghamshire, England

William married Rebecca TRACY about 1642 in Eastham, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. Rebecca (daughter of Stephen TRACY and Tryphosa LEE) was born between 1624 and 1627; died in 1668 in Eastham, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 28 Dec 1596, Great Yarmouth, England

Notes:

Excerpt from "The Tracy Genealogy": Stephen Tracy,son of Sephen ad Agnes (Erdley) Tracy, was baptized at Great Yarmouth, England, on 28 December 1596. Some time in 1620 or perhaps even earlier, Stephen came to a decision and took a step which had a far-reaching effet on his own life and the lives of all his descendants. he decided to break all home ties and join the colony of Pilgrims at Leyden, Holland. It is possible that he was following the lady of his choice, for in Great Yarmouth there was then a Lee family and in a "Betrothal book" of the Leyden Archives is found the full record concerning the marriage of Stephen Tracy to Tryphose Lee. This includes the entry of their appearance before the officials on 18 December 1620, and publishing of the Banns on 19 and 24 December and on 1 January, and finally the marriage itself on 2 January 1620-1. This record calls Stephen a "say-worker, bachelor fromEngland" and adds that AAnthony Clements a friend came with him, while Tryphosa Lee is called "spinster, also from England" and an acquaintance Rose Jennings accompainied her.
The Pilgrim Community at Leyden numbered about three hundred members, most of whom migrated to America. Including friends who joined them at Plymouth, England, one hundred and two Pilgrims set out for the New World on the "Mayfloer" and arrived at the coast of what was afterwards known as Plymouth Colony 21 December 1620; thirty sailed on the "Fortune," arriving 9 November 1621; and sixty sailed on the "Ann" and "Little James" in 1623.
Stephen and Tryphosa lived at Leyden for a time and doubtless their daughter Sarah was born there, but evidently they were imbued with the same ideals as the Pilgrims for Stephen came to the New World among those on the "Ann" which sailed from England in the latter part of April 1623 and arrived at Plymouth late in July or early in August of that year........
In 1639 he was constable of Duxbury. He served as a grand juryman 1640-42, and was employed at surveying at various times. In 1643 and 1646 his name appeared on the list of freemen. He had an interest in the purchase of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, as shown in the account of the shareholders' meeting at Pymouth, 7 March 1652. Apparently his wife Tryphosa had died, and desiring to visit his hative land and relatives at Great Yarmouth he returnedc to England about 1653-4. He became ill there within a year and realizing that he would be unable to return to America he signed a power of attorney which was the equivalent of a will....

Stephen married Tryphosa LEE on 2 Jan 1620/21. Tryphosa died before 1653. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]