Stephen Hopkins Stephen Hopkins is not very well known outside Rhode Island, but he was very popular and influential in his day. As the oldest member of the Continental Congress, he was respected for his knowledge, experience, and political insight. Stephen Hopkins was born March 7, 1707, in Providence, Rhode Island. His parents were William and Ruth Hopkins. On his mother’s side, he was a descendant of Benedict Arnold, who was the first governor of Rhode Island. He never received a proper education, but he educated himself, with help from his wealthy family. He also developed a love for reading. Hopkins was orphaned at an early age and was raised by his uncle, William Arnold. His grandfather, Samuel Wilkinson, taught him the skills of …show more content…
This Congress was organized to help manage the war effort, and to declare independence from Great Britain, which is where the Declaration of Independence was born. Hopkins was very zealous in signing the Declaration. He had to support his palsied right hand with his left when he signed, saying, “My hand trembles, but my heart does not.” Hopkin’s previous experiences as a merchant made him very useful to the Naval Committee, established by Congress. The Naval Committee purchased, outfitted, manned, and operated the ships of the Continental Navy. Stephen Hopkins died July 13, 1785, at the age of 78. He is buried at the North Burial Ground in his hometown of Providence. His gravestone reads: Here lies the man in fateful hour, Who boldly stemm’d tyrannic pow’r. And held his hand in that decree, which bade America BE FREE! Even though he is not well known, Stephen Hopkins accomplished many things. He is a good example of the spirit of the American Colonies. He was well deserving of the respect he received; he was hard working, concerned about the good of the Colonies, and ready and willing to sign the Declaration of Independence, even though it could have cost him his