Stephen Hopkins

Stephen Hopkins was a wonderful man. He was born on March 7, 1707. He was a Quaker for almost all of his life so he wore plain clothes.

Stephen Hopkins first came to Scituate when he was a one-year-old. He grew up as a farmer and lived on a farm like most farmers do. He was taught to read and write at home by his mother. Stephen Hopkins liked to read about history and law.

Stephen Hopkins had many accomplishments at a young age. He was a farmer and surveyor. Stephen Hopkins was elected the first town moderator of Scituate in 1731. He was the second town clerk in 1732. He was Scituate’s town clerk for ten years. His clerk book of records is preserved and in the Scituate Town Hall today.

In 1742 Stephen Hopkins sold his farm and moved to Providence. His house was located on Towne Street which is now South Main. He worked with the Brown brothers (also from Scituate) in Providence to build up the business community and the Port of Providence.

Stephen Hopkins became a town moderator in Providence, a House Representative for the General Assembly, and Speaker of the House. He became a justice of the peace, and was Chief Justice of the Superior Court.

In 1754 Stephen Hopkins became a delegate to the Albany Congress. They discussed the French and the Indians. At this time, he became friends with Benjamin Franklin. He learned a lot from him! Then he put Benjamin Franklin’s ideas to work in Providence. He started a newspaper called “The Providence Gazette and Country Journal”, a post office, a library, and a fire department.

Stephen Hopkins established Rhode Island College and became the first chancellor. This school is now known as Brown University.

In 1755 Stephen Hopkins was elected governor of the Rhode Island colony. He was elected 10 times!

In 1765 Stephen Hopkins worked with Nicholas Brown and his company and built the Hope Furnace in Scituate. This Furnace built 76 cannon for the Revolutionary War.

Stephen Hopkins was in congress from 1774-1778.

In 1776 Stephen Hopkins signed the Declaration of Independence. He was the second oldest signer, not the oldest. He said when he was signing, “My hand trembles but my heart does not,” and showed how strongly he felt about the cause. Stephen Hopkins helped create the United States of America by signing the Declaration of Independence.

Today’s Town Clerk Margaret McGraw Long shares the Town Clerk records from 1732 hand written by Stephen Hopkins.

A third grader teaches the Town Clerk how to photograph

Stephen Hopkins’ signature using new technology.

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© 2017 Paula DiLuglio