- March 6, 1809, 217 years ago — Death of Thomas Heyward Jr..
- March 6, 1724, 302 years ago — Birth of Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress.
- March 7, 1707, 319 years ago — Birth of Stephen Hopkins, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- March 7, 1699, 327 years ago — Birth of Susanna Boylston Adams, mother of John Adams.
Stephen Hopkins
Stephen Hopkins was born in Providence, Rhode Island, March 7, 1707. He received a good education, and early engaged in public affairs. He was a member of the Colonial Assembly, and was chosen Speaker of the House. He was also Chief Justice of the Superior Court, and held that office for many years.
He was a delegate to the Colonial Congress which met at Albany in 1754, and was a member of the Committee of Correspondence. In 1774 he was elected a delegate to the Continental Congress, and continued in that body until 1778. He was present at the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, and affixed his signature to that instrument.
He was a man of strong intellect and sound judgment, and was highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens. He wrote several pamphlets in defense of colonial rights, and was a zealous advocate of independence.
He died July 13, 1785, in the seventy-ninth year of his age.
Source:
Lossing, Benson J. The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1855. Patriot Echoes Archive
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