Stephen Hopkins

Historical figures

Stephen Hopkins was born in Cranston, Rhode Island in March 1707 on 7 days, the family later moved to Tin Chu Aitken (Scituate) a farm.

1730 years, the tin Chu Aitken and Providence separation, the town was formally established in 1731. The first town meeting was held at the Angell Tavern Nancy Chu Aitken and Stephen Hopkins was elected the first president.

1731 years, the town of Hopkins was elected attorney Aitken of tin Chu. 1732 as the representative of tin Chu Aitken in colonial parliament. Later, he was appointed a judge of the Court magistrates and civil litigation. In 1733, he became Chief Justice of the Court.

In the same year, he as a representative was sent to the colony of Providence parliament and was elected Speaker.

1751, he was elected to the fourteenth, and later that year was appointed to the Chief Judge. He is a Rhode Island to attend the meeting on behalf of 1754 in Albany, purpose of the meeting is to develop a plan to unite the colonies, and decided to form an alliance with the Indians, in case of the law of war imminent. In the same year, and Benjamin Franklin lobbied on behalf of other established colonies "alliance."

1756 years Hopkins was elected to the colonial governor, in addition to a year, but he has been serving in that service until 1764 (four were any). Hopkins during his tenure as governor, on the problem of illegal imports of French colonies, and British Prime Minister William Pitt (William Pitt) differences. Hopkins is oldest colonial rights and one of the most powerful advocates. In 1765, he wrote a pamphlet "Facing the American colonies of discontent" (The Grievances of the American Colonies Candidly Examined), this booklet is printed according to the command of the General Assembly, later the same year re-released in London. In 1765, he was elected Chairman of the Committee appointed by the Providence City Council, responsible for drafting the instructions on the "Stamp Act" to the General Assembly. Almost the same with the resolutions adopted by the Patrick Henry introduced to the colony of Virginia Dominion Parliament resolution.

1772 years Hopkins was re-elected as a Member. In 1773, he freed his slaves, next year, he introduced a bill to ban the slave input colony. August 1774, he was chosen to represent Rhode Island in conjunction with Samuel Ward, participate in the first Continental Congress. 1775 and 1776, he was again on behalf of Rhode Island to attend the Second Continental Congress. In 1776, he had the honor to sign the "Declaration of Independence", declared the colony is free, sovereign and independent state. He recorded his name with trembling hands, which is 56 to write his name only way to see the Patriots in an unstable signature examples. For some time, Hopkins has been plagued by this situation, the situation forced him at the time of writing, the right hand with his left hand guide.

With the adoption in 1776, "Lee Resolution" and "Declaration of Independence", the challenge facing the Continental Congress legislation that will convert many of the United Colonies is a unity and can manage 13 independent states of the United States constitution. Even before accepting these two important documents, the drafting of the constitution issue June 12, 1776 to get serious attention to the Continental Congress, when the Continental Congress decided to appoint a 13-member committee to draft a constitution for the new republic. Resolution by the committee composed of one member of the colony, is responsible for the preparation and digestion confederation between these colonies to be established. Stephen Hopkins on behalf of Rhode Island, was appointed member of the Drafting Committee of the "Articles of Confederation." July 12, 1776, the Commission presented a first draft of the "Articles of Confederation" (the Articles of Confederation) of.

Hopkins has worked in the Continental Congress, bold orator known. He admitted to a colleague: "America's freedom will be a cheap deal, only loss of 10 million lives." His knowledge of the shipping industry makes him particularly useful as a member of the Navy Board, which is established by the Committee He planned armed vessels, and to develop the Navy's rules and regulations.

From 1777 to 1779, Hopkins has been an active member of the Rhode Island state legislature. In 1750, he became the founder of Providence town library, and later burned down in 1760, but through his influence and participation in the reconstruction of the library.

Hopkins rest of his life doing the work of local public service, died in Providence home July 13, 1785, at the age of 78 years.

Personal life

Before fame, Stephen Hopkins is an astronomy, mathematics, literature and scientific interest. Although Hopkins keen to read Greek, Roman and British history, like English poetry, but he almost no formal education. He was trained to be a farmer, he inherited his father's estate in Tin Chu Aitken, even though he is engaged primarily in land surveyor.

1726 Nian Stephen Hopkins and Sarah Scott (Sarah Scott) got married when both were 19 years old. After marriage, he and his wife have seven children.

1742 years Stephen Hopkins sold in tin Chu Aitken father's farm and moved to Providence, where he conducted a survey of streets and lots, and built a house, where he lived until his death. As a wholesaler and shipbuilders, he was still in Rhode Island Providence bought a shop. The store has brought a successful and lucrative career.

1753 years, the wife and two sons died. 1755 married Anne Smith (Anne Smith).

The main contribution

participation in the Continental Congress and signed the "Declaration of Independence" drafted "Articles of Confederation", became the founding yuan Xun.

as the four-term Governor of Rhode Island colony.