Thomas Hopkins, was an early settler of Providence Rhode Island, and the great grandfather of Stephen Hopkins who was many times colonial governor of Rhode Island and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Background
Thomas Hopkins was baptized in Yeovilton, county Somerset on 7 April 1616, the son of William Hopkins and Joane Arnold. His mother was the sister of early Providence settler William Arnold, and the daughter of Nicholas and Alice (Gully) Arnold of Northover and Ilchester in Somerset.
Career
The Arnolds first settled in Hingham in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, but in less than a year, in April 1636, they joined Roger Williams, and were among the first settlers of Providence. Soon thereafter they were the first English settlers on the Pawtuxet River, the southern edge of Williams"s Providence purchase. Hopkins was not yet of age when they settled here, but soon reached his majority, and in 1640 he was one of 39 signers of an agreement to form a government in Providence, he signing his name with a mark.
In 1676 King Philip"s War raged in Rhode Island, and all of the Pawtuxet settlement, and most of Providence was destroyed.
lieutenant was in the home of Kirby that Hopkins was living when he died in 1684.
Membership
From 1652 to 1672 Hopkins served in a number of civic positions in Providence, including Commissioner, Deputy, and member of the Town Council.