Accomplishments Of Stephen Hopkins

Stephen Hopkins was a man born into riches, but overcame many struggles like any man. Hopkins was educated through books and not schools as there were none in the early days of American civilization. Although he was not taught very many subjects he still excelled in life and became a knowing and wise man. Hopkins quickly rose up in politics and did many other important things than just signing a paper filled with thoughts of liberty. Stephen accomplished the ultimate goal of being remembered as a kind hearted man that knew what was right and firmly walked in righteousness. Throughout the beginning, middle, and end of his life he still lived in a manner deserving the respect of others. Stephen Hopkins was an American and thought of his country

His first political position was the town clerk of the portion of Providence now called Scituate in 1732. He rose to the town council and stayed part of the town’s government until December, 1741. At that time he was also clerk of the court, and clerk for the proprietors in the county. Hopkins was also the representative for Scituate starting June, 1732. Four years later he was appointed as justice of the court and then three years later in 1739 he was made chief justice. This was all a quick rise from one job to the next starting from town clerk to eventually representing the town. He was a surveyor for many years and it started in 1740 and he worked for Providence. He was so good in fact that one time while surveying he realized his watch was missing. He surmised that it must have caught on a bush so he went straight back in the way they had come and found it hanging from a bush. In 1742, Stephen sold his land in Scituate and moved to the main part of Providence, Rhode Island. In this new place he built a mansion in which he would reside for the rest of his life. The mansions was beautiful and at one point was slept in by George Washington. He went into mercantilism but it was not his main focus for long because he was called to the political world where he would make a name for himself. In Providence he was elected Chief Justice of the superior court 1751-1754. His wife Sara died in 1753 at the age of 47, it was too soon for her to die. Two years later in 1755 He got married to Anna Smith, the widow of Benjamin Smith. Later he was made a commissioner to the Albany convention talking about befriending five indian nations for the upcoming French War. Quickly after that Stephen Hopkins was made chief magistrate of Rhode Island 1756 and had the station for seven years at different times. He retired from this in order to stop the animosity of the different political parties in the area. He had held