The home of Declaration of Independence signer Stephen Hopkins, his family and their slaves for 4 decades, on Benefit Street’s “Mile of History.” Built in 1707 and enlarged in 1743, now furnished with period antiques and Hopkins heirlooms. Hopkins was elected Governor of Rhode Island ten times, served in the General Assembly, presided as Chief Justice over the Gaspee Affair, and represented the colony at both Continental Congresses.
Guided tours of the 1707 home of Declaration-signer Stephen Hopkins, his family, and their slaves for four decades, on Benefit Street’s “Mile of History”, a block from Brown University, the RISD Museum, and WaterFire. This 8-room house full of antiques and Hopkins heirlooms includes the bedchamber where George Washington slept, as well as a slaves’ room and gallery currently showing a collection of 18th century samplers.
| Rhode Island History | Life of Stephen Hopkins |
| 1689Rhode Island re-emerged as a separate colony. | |
| 1689–97King William’s War: the French attack Block Island three times. | |
| 1703–13Queen Anne’s War: Rhode Island supplied some soldiers; commissioned privateers. |
1707Stephen Hopkins born on March 7 in Cranston; the family later moves to a farm in Scituate.1726Marries Sarah Scott, both 19.1731Elected town solicitor in Scituate.1732Serves in the General Assemby as representative for Scituate. |
| 1736A slave trade ship sailed from Providence for the first time. | 1735–38Continues in General Assembly. |
| 1739–48King George’s War: 35 Newport merchants were commissioned as privateers. | 1742Moves to Providence.
1753Wife, Sarah, and two sons die. |
| 1754–63The French and Indian War: Rhode Island merchants lost over 200 ships. | 1754Delegate to the Congress of Albany. Hopkins and Benjamin Franklin lobbied fellow delegates for a colonial “union.”1755Marries Anne Smith1765Publishes The Rights of the Colonies Examined to denounce the Stamp Act which the British government levied on the colonies which had no representation in Parliament. |
| 1772RI patriots burned the H.M.S. Gaspee striking the first blow for freedom. |
1772Stephen Hopkins was Chief Justice at the time; no one was ever prosecuted.
1774The Rhode Island General Assembly elected Stephen Hopkins and Samuel Ward as 1776Hopkins signs the Declaration of Independence for Rhode Island. |
