Stephen Hopkins (politician)

Stephen Hopkins
28th, 30th, 32nd, and 34th Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
In office
1755–1757
Preceded byWilliam Greene
Succeeded byWilliam Greene
In office
1758–1762
Preceded byWilliam Greene
Succeeded bySamuel Ward
In office
1763–1765
Preceded bySamuel Ward
Succeeded bySamuel Ward
In office
1767–1768
Preceded bySamuel Ward
Succeeded byJosias Lyndon
3rd, 5th, and 17th Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court
In office
May 1751 – May 1755
Preceded byJoshua Babcock
Succeeded byFrancis Willet
In office
August 1755 – May 1756
Preceded byFrancis Willet
Succeeded byJohn Gardner
In office
June 1770 – October 1775
Preceded byJames Helme
Succeeded byJohn Cooke
Personal details
BornMarch 7, 1707
Providence, Colony of Rhode Island
DiedJuly 13, 1785 (aged 78)
Providence, State of Rhode Island
Spouse(s)(1) Sarah Scott
(2) Anne Smith
RelationsMartha Hopkins Round (sister)[1]
Esek Hopkins, brother
OccupationSurveyor, Politician, Chief Justice, Congressional Delegate, Governor
Known forsigner of the United States Declaration of Independence
Signature

Stephen Hopkins (March 7, 1707 – July 13, 1785) was a Founding Father of the United States.[2] He served as governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, and was a signer of both the Continental Association and Declaration of Independence. Hopkins was from a prominent Rhode Island family. His grandfather, William Hopkins, was an influential colonial politician, while his great-grandfather Thomas Hopkins was among the original settlers of Providence Plantations. Thomas sailed from England in 1635 alongside his cousin, Benedict Arnold, who later became the first governor of the Rhode Island colony under the Royal Charter of 1663.

References

  1. Romig, Walter (1973). Michigan Place Names. 081431838X: Wayne State University Press. p. 272. ISBN 9780814318386. Retrieved February 16, 2016.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  2. Bernstein, Richard B. (2009). "Appendix: The Founding Fathers, A Partial List". The Founding Fathers Reconsidered. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 176–180. ISBN 978-0199832576.