Family Histories
Laura Peterson's Ancestors
Linda Peterson's Mayflower Ancestors, Stephen Hopkins
Clicking the photograph of the Mayflower Ancestors album will open the Peterson Family's ancestry collections.
1581-1644
Stephen Hopkins, prior to his migration on the Mayflower, was hired as a clerk aboard the "Sea Venture." The fleet was caught in a storm, likely of hurricane force, causing much damage. The Sea Venture was wrecked in 1609, driven ashore on Bermuda with 150 men, women, and children. The group survived on birds, wild hogs, and turtles. A year later, survivors reached Jamestown, Virginia, in a small boat they'd built.
During the sojourn, Hopkins undertook to persuade others that it was no breach of honesty, conscience, or religion to decline obedience to the Governor, since the authority ceased when the wreck was committed. His arguments prevailed little, and he was placed under guard, brought before the company in manacles, and the Governor passed the death sentence upon him. However, he pleaded with sorrow and tears. "He made so much moane, alleging the ruin of his wife and children, as it wrought in the hearts of all the better sorts of the company." He managed to get his sentence commuted.
What do Jamestowne, the Mayflower, and Shakespeare have in common? The answer is Stephen Hopkins, a Jamestowne settler, a Mayflower Pilgrim, and a survivor of the wreck of the Sea Venture, supposedly the basis for Shakespeare's comedy, "The Tempest."
Stephen Hopkins remained in Virginia until 1614, when his wife's death (May 1613) forced his return to England to care for his children.
Stephen married Elizabeth Fisher in 1617. Still longing to return to the New World, he, his wife, and three children, Constance, Giles, and Damaris, joined the voyage of the Mayflower in 1620. A fourth child, Oceanus, was born on the ship during the voyage.
Hopkins signed the Mayflower Compact on November 11, 1620. At the time of the voyage, he was considered a tanner or leather maker, but later was a merchant and planter.
Hopkins was one of twelve Mayflower passengers given the title "Mr.," which was reserved for men of high societal standing. This is also reiterated by the fact that he brought along two servants, Edward Leister and Edward Doty. Edward Doty is the ancestor of our friend Gary Johnson.
"Of the Pilgrims who remained in 1634, Stephen Hopkins, Miles Standish, and John Alden were the most prominent individuals. Hopkins was one of the principal magistrates ... Stephen Hopkins was not only one of the first men among the Pilgrims, but he had an extraordinary fortune in being concerned with many of the first things that happened to the colonists.
Mr. Hopkins opened the first bar, built the first port of ships, and erected the first trading post in American history. He was engaged in trade, selling liquors and various other articles.
Stephen Hopkins also became the Indian Ambassador of Plymouth Colony, during which time he befriended and invited the famous Native American Squanto to live in his home. He went with Governor Winslow and Squanto on the first embassy sent to the Massasoit to conclude a treaty. It was in Hopkins' home that the first-ever Indian treaties were signed. As the Indian Ambassador, Stephen Hopkins, participated in the arrangement and planning of the first Thanksgiving.
Sam Peterson's Ancestors
Clicking the photograph of the ancestors album will open the Peterson Family's ancestry collections.