Stephen Hopkins (M)
b. circa 1578, d. 1644

Stephen Hopkins was born circa 1578 at probably Hampshire, England.1 He married Mary (?) before 1604 at probably Hampshire, England.1 Stephen Hopkins married Elizabeth Fisher on 19 February 1618 at St Mary Matfellon, Whitechapel, Middlesex, England.1 Stephen Hopkins died in 1644 at Plymouth, Plymouth Co, Massachusetts; between 6 Jun 1644 and 17 July 1644.
A major breakthrough was made when Caleb Johnson published "The True Origin of Stephen Hopkins of the Mayflower" in the July 1998 issue of The American Genealogist. He proved, once and for all, that Stephen was not from Gloustershire, and his first wife was not Constance Dudley. He had located records within Hursley, Hampshire that verified baptisms of his children Constance and Giles, and gave evidence of a third child, Elizabeth. It is possible that Stephen was actually the son of John Hopkins of the city of Winchester, but no substantiation has been made at this writing (Jan 1999).
One of the very few passengers to have made a previous trip to America, Stephen Hopkins had been on the "Sea Venture" headed for Jamestown in 1609. He, as well as about 150 others, wrecked by a hurricane in the "Isle of Devils" (the Bermudas) were stranded on an island for nine months. Stephen led an uprising challenging the governor's authority and was sentenced to death. He was eventually pardoned, and the castaways erected a boat and made their way to Jamestown. After a few years at Jamestown, he made his way back to England before 1617. HIs first wife had already died in 1613.
Little is known of his early background. When the Mayflower left, he was accompanied by his two children by a previous marriage, and his second wife, Elizabeth, with their daughter Damaris, along with two apprentices, Edward Doty and Edward Litster. On the passage, a new son, Oceanus, was born, but did not live very long. Nevertheless, he was the first to be born aboard the Mayflower.
Stephen was one of the signers of the famous compact in Cape Cod harbour on 11 November 1620. Out of 41 signers of this famous document, only twelve were given the title of "Mr." in later life, Stephen Hopkins being one of them.
From Plymouth Colony records it can be learned that Stephen took an active role in Colony affairs. He was a member of the early exploring parties and in 1621 accompanied Edward Winslow on a visit to Massasoit. He was engaged in trade as well as farming, rendered a great deal of public service as tax assessor and a juryman, and frequently helped in the settlement of estates.
In 1636, Hopkins was fined for the battery of John Tisdale, and in 1637 he was found guilty of allowing men to drink at his house on Sunday. He also accumulated several other fines and charges - several having to do with selling liquor or allowing others to get drunk at his house. In any case, he was still highly respected and served as Assistant Governor from about 1633 to 1636.2,1

Children of Stephen Hopkins and Mary (?):
Elizabeth Hopkins b. Mar 1604
Constance Hopkins+ b. May 1606, d. Oct 1677
Giles Hopkins+ b. c 1608, d. 1690

Children of Stephen Hopkins and Elizabeth Fisher:
Damaris Hopkins b. 1618, d. 1627
Oceanus Hopkins b. 1620, d. c 1627
Caleb Hopkins b. c 1622, d. b 1651
Deborah Hopkins b. c 1625, d. 1666
Damaris Hopkins b. 1627, d. b 1669
Ruth Hopkins b. c 1629, d. b 1659
Elizabeth Hopkins b. c 1631, d. b 1659

Citations of above information

1. [S201] MayflowerHistory.com, online http://mayflowerhistory.com.
2. [S319] Caleb Johnson, "True Origins of Stephen Hopkins".


Mary (?) (F)
b. circa 1580, d. May 1613
Relationship=11th great-grandmother of Pamela Joyce Wood.

1. Giles Hopkins b: 1608 in Hampshire, England