This Day In Founding Fathers History – 7 March

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This Day In Founding Fathers History – 7 March 2013

One notable birthday on this day in 1707, that of Stephen Hopkins. Hopkins was from Rhode Island, raised on a farm and educated in public schools. He was involved in colonial politics for many years, starting off serving as elected town clerk of Scituate and then serving on the general assembly. He held positions as justice to several courts, including chief justice of the court of common pleas. He moved to Providence in 1742 and engaged in the mercantile business, building and fitting out vessels. He served in the Rhode Island house of representatives on several occasions, once elected speaker. Hopkins served as chief magistrate of Rhode Island in several intervals over more than a decade. Hopkins wrote a pamphlet exposing the stamp act called “The rights of colonies examined.” He also served as a delegate to the Continental Congress.

After the siege of fort William Henry, a volunteer corps of Rhode Island citizens entered an agreement which stated: “Whereas the British colonies in America are invaded by a large army of French and Indian enemies, who have already possessed themselves of fort William Henry…and as his majesty’s principal officers in the parts invaded, have in the most pressing and moving manner, called on all his majesty’s faithful subjects, for assistance to defend the country: — Therefore, we, whose names are underwritten, thinking it our duty to do everything in our power, for the defence [sic] of our liberties, families, and property, are willing, and have agreed to enter voluntarily into the service of our country, and go in a warlike manner against the common enemy; and hereby call upon, and invite all our neighbours, who have families and property to defend, to join with us in this undertaking, promising to march as soon as we are two hundred and fifty in number, recommending ourselves and our cause to the favourable protection of Almighty God.” Hopkins was “the first to affix his name, and was chosen to command the company thus raised.” On the eve of their march, the volunteers were given word that their services were not necessary any longer.

In 1774, Hopkins again served on the Continental Congress, this time signing the Declaration of Independence. He alternately served several more times in the Rhode Island legislature and the Continental Congress in his last years of political service. “Although the early education of Mr. Hopkins was limited, as has already been observed, the vigor of his understanding enabled him to surmount his early deficiencies, and an assiduous application to the pursuit of knowledge, at length, placed him among the distinguished literary characters of the day. He delighted in literature and science. He was attentive to books, and a close observer of mankind; thus he went on improving, until the period of his death.” ₁

 _{1 “Stephen Hopkins” colonialhall.com/Hopkins/Hopkins.php}