Roswell Hopkins

Roswell Hopkins was born in Amenia, New York on May 17, 1757, the son of Roswell Hopkins (1733-1829), and Mary Cook Hopkins (1736-1803).[1]

The younger Hopkins worked on his father's farm, and his father relocated to Bennington, Vermont in the 1770s.[1] The younger Hopkins gave up farming after an injury, studied medicine with Dr. Jonas Fay, and became a physician.[1] He served as a surgeon in the militia during the American Revolution, and took part in the Battle of Bennington and the Battles of Saratoga.[1] Hopkins later went to sea as surgeon's mate aboard a privateer, the New Broom.[1] In October, 1778, the New Broom was captured by the British, and Hopkins was briefly held as a prisoner in Newport, Rhode Island; he was quickly exchanged, after which he returned to Bennington.[1]

Hopkins soon became involved in Vermont's government; from 1778 to 1781 he was register of the probate court in Bennington County.[1] From 1779 to 1788 he was Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives.[1]

In 1786, Hopkins moved to Vergennes; he was selected to serve as clerk of the court in Addison County, and he held this position until 1801.[1] He affiliated with the Federalist Party when it was formed;[2] Hopkins became Vermont's Secretary of State on October 10, 1788, and served until he resigned on October 15, 1802.[1]

Hopkins received a land grant from Vermont's government in lieu of a salary; this grant of more than 11,000 acres in Caledonia County was conveyed to him in 1790.[1] Hopkins called the town granted to him "Hopkinsville"; this parcel was subsequently combined with a 2,500-acre parcel from the town of Burke, and later renamed Kirby.[1] By the time the town was organized in 1807, Hopkins had sold his interest and was no longer living in Vermont.[3]

In 1801, Hopkins relocated to St. Lawrence County, New York, and founded the town of Hopkinton.[1] In addition to farming, Hopkins remained active in government; He served as Hopkinton's town supervisor in 1806, 1810, and 1820 to 1822.[4] He was town clerk in 1807, a justice of the peace from 1805 to 1808, and judge of the court of common pleas from 1810 to 1812.[4] From 1810 to 1813 he was a member of the New York State Assembly.[5]

Hopkins also had several civic and business interests; he was a member of the board of directors of the Lansingburgh Bank, and a member of the board of trustees of the St. Lawrence Academy in Potsdam.[1] He was also an active Freemason, and was a founder of the North Star Lodge in Brushton.[1] In addition, he served in several leadership positions with the Grand Lodge of New York, including four years as Grand Secretary.[1]

Hopkins was traveling to Vermont to visit a family member when he was thrown from his carriage in Chazy, New York.[1] He died in Chazy on September 5, 1829.[1] Hopkins was buried at Hopkinton Fort Jackson Cemetery in Hopkinton.[6]

In 1780, Hopkins married Lydia Dewey (1761-1816).[1] In 1829, he married Mary Armstrong (1767-1850).[1]

With his first wife, Hopkins had seven children who lived to adulthood:[7]

• Roswell Dewey (1781-1862), who married first Mary Strong, and later Sarah Ferris.
• Benjamin Wait (1783-1819), the husband of Harriet Woodbridge.
• Maria C. (1785-1847), the wife of Artemus Sawyer.
• Isaac Roswell (1788-1853), who married Sophia Woodbridge.
• George (1791-1820), the husband of Harriet E. Newcomb.
• Sarah "Sally" (1796-1842), the wife of Sewall Raymond.
• James Gillingham (1801-1861), who married Elizabeth Rosseel.