Stephen Hopkins

1581 - 1644

"Sea Venture" - Bermuda - Jamestown - "Mayflower" - Plymouth

Tenth Great Grandfather of Merle G Ladd

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BACK TO LONDON /"MAYFLOWER" PASSENGERS / VOYAGE OF THE "MAYFLOWER" / EXPLORING CAPE COD / FOUNDING OF PLYMOUTH

MEETING THE INDIANS / THE FIRST THANKSGIVING
LAW MAKER AND BREAKER / LAND AND POSSESSIONS
NEW NEIGHBORS / STEPHEN'S LAST YEARS / CHILDREN

FAMILY

The parish church of Upper Clatford as it would have looked at the time Stephen Hopkins was baptized there in 1581.

ENGLAND

Queen Elizabeth I

Hursley Church Before reconstruction

Ruins of the 12th century Merdon
Castle.

Pinnace - A ship rigged vessel popular in northern waters through the 17th-19th centuries, used as a tender to larger vessels

John Hopkins married Agnes Borrow. Agnes, John's wife of five years, died in 1578 probably from complications of childbirth. They had two children, William and Alice. John married Elizabeth Williams, at the Church of All Saints, on 28 July, 1579, not long after Agnes' death; baby Stephen was their first child together. [5]

The Hopkins' and Williams' families had been in Upper Clatford for a couple generations at least; They had been raising crops on a farm with three common fields, called Norman's Court Farm. Three years after Stephen's baptism, the Hopkins family was back at All Saints for another; newborn sister Susanna. Susanna would be Stephen's only full-blooded sibling, [5]

John and Elizabeth Hopkins and their family of four children did not remain in Upper Clatford much beyond the birth of Susanna. By the time Stephen was five or six, the family moved about ten miles south to the bustling city of Winchester. John Hopkins first shows up n the parish of St. Thomas, Winchester, in 1586, where he was assessed a lay subsidy - a tax that Queen Elizabeth I used primarily to subsidize the English navy. He paid additional lay subsidy taxes, usually about £4, in subsequent years as well. He also appears to have been an archer in the local militia. John Hopkins died unexpectedly around August of 1593. Exactly what happened to the family following John's death is unclear. [5]

Stephen Hopkins was born during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and came of age as England was experiencing great economic growth, increased overseas exploration, and a renaissance in the arts. Stephen was among the new class of Englishmen who left the countryside for London to become merchants, seamen, or settlers in the New World, but his adventuresome nature would eventually put him in a class by himself. [3]

The parish of Hursley, Hampshire, is where Stephen Hopkins emerges as an adult, from the black hole that was his teenage years. Merdon Castle, built there in 1138 by Henry de Blois, Bishop of Winchester, had been abandoned and in ruins a few decades before Stephen arrived. [5]

Stephen's first appearance in the parish records of Hursley, occurs on 13 March 1605, when his first child, a daughter named Elizabeth, was baptized at the local parish church of All Saints. Stephen was married to a woman named Mary. With little circumstantial evidence there is hints that she might have been the daughter of Giles Machell of Hursley- but that identification is far from conclusive. Stephen and Mary's marriage would have likely occurred around 1602 or 1603. On 11 May 1606, Stephen and Mary baptized their second daughter, Constance. On 30 January 1698 Stephen and Mary baptized their first son, whom they named Giles. If suspicions are right about Mary's identity, then their son was named after Mary's father, Giles Machell. [5]

On 19 May 1608 Stephen Hopkins' lease at Hursley's Merdon Manor, where the family had apparently been residing for the past several years, was turned over to a "widow Kent". Stephen would not hang around Hursley for much longer. [5]

Stephen somehow managed to get himself associated with a group of investors and colonist headed for the newly-founded Jamestown Colony in Virginia. Stephen signed on as a minister's clerk for Rev. Richard Buck, an Oxford-educated minister described as an "able and painful preacher." [5]

On 2 June 1609, Hopkins boarded the Sea Venture in Plymouth, England, the flagship of a fleet of seven ships and two pinnaces headed for Virginia, to start his new life. Wife Mary, two daughters Elizabeth and Constance, and young son Giles - then barely a year old - were left behind in Hursley to fend for themselves until he would return, or send for them to come; seven years later by contract. It must have been a difficult time for Mary. Life without a husband present in 17th century England was tough indeed, especially with three young children. [5]

In his contract with the Virginia Company, Stephen would serve three years as an indentured servant, his labors profiting those who had financed the venture. In exchange, he would receive free transportation, food, lodging, and 10 shillings every three months for his family back home. At the end of three years, he would be freed from his indenture and given 30 acres in the colony. [2]

"SEA VENTURE"

In response to the inadequacy of its vessels, the Virginia Company built, probably in Aldeburgh ,Sea Venture as England's first purpose-designed emigrant ship. She measured "300 tunnes", cost £1,500, and differed from her contemporaries primarily in her internal arrangements. Her guns were placed on her main deck, rather than below decks as was then the norm. This meant the ship did not need double-timbering, and she may have been the first single-timbered, armed merchant ship built in England. The hold was sheathed and furnished for passengers. She was armed with eight 9-pounder (4.1 kg) demi-culverins, eight 5- pounder (2.3 kg) sakers, four 3-pounder (1.4 kg) falcons, and four arquebuses. The ship was launched in 1609, and her uncompleted journey to Jamestown appears to have been her maiden voyage. [7]

On May 15, 1609, the Sea Venture, sailed down the Thames followed by the rest of the Virginia Company's fleet – The Sea Venture with Captain Christopher Newport; The Blessing with Captain Gabriel Archer and Captain Adams; The Lion with Captain Webb; The Falcon with Captain John Martin and Master Francis Nelson; The Unitie with Captain Wood and Master Pett; The Diamond with Captain John Ratcliffe and Captain King; The Swallow with Captain Moone and Master Somers; The Virginia of the North Colony with Captain Davis and Master Davis; The Catch with Master Matthew Fitch. On the Sea Venture, were the "sturdy soldier" Sir Thomas Gates, Deputy Governor of the Virginia Colony, and "the old sea rover" Sir George Somers, Admiral of the Seas. The Captain was the famous Christopher Newport who had made many trips, including the first, between England and Virginia. Hodges writes, "For seven weeks the ships stayed within sight of each other, often within earshot, and captains called to one another by way of trumpets. On the Sea Venture all was peaceful. Morning and evening, Chaplain Buck and Clerk Hopkins gathered the passengers and crew on deck for prayers and the singing of a psalm." [3] [12]

The ships were only eight days from the coast of Virginia, when they were suddenly caught in a hurricane, and the Sea Venture became separated from the rest of the fleet. William Strachey chronicled the Sea Venture's final days.

"On St. James Day, being Monday, the clouds gathering thick upon us and the wind singing and whistling most unusually, a dreadful storm and hideous began to blow from out the northeast, which, swelling and roaring as it were by fits, at length did beat all night from Heaven; which like a hell of darkness, turned black upon us . . . For four-and- twenty hours the storm in a restless tumult had blown so exceedingly as we could not apprehend in our imaginations any possibility of greater violence; yet did we still find it not only more terrible but more constant, fury added to fury, and one storm urging a second more outrageous than the former . . ." [7]

The next day was worse. "It could not be said to rain," wrote Strachey."The waters like whole rivers did flood in the air. Winds and seas were as mad as fury and rage could make them. Howbeit this was not all. It pleased God to bring greater affliction yet upon us; for in the beginning of the storm we had received likewise a mighty leak." [7]

Comparably sized ships had survived such weather, but Sea Venture had a critical flaw in her newness: her timbers had not set. The caulking was forced from between them, and the ship began to leak rapidly. The ship had begun to take on water and every man who could be spared went below to plug the leaks and work the pumps. The men worked in waist-deep water for four days and nights, but by Friday morning they were exhausted and gave up. [7]

Another chronicler, Silvester Jourdain, wrote that those who have a private stock of alcoholic beverages; "having some good and comfortable waters [gin and brandy] in the ship, fetched them and drunk one to the other, taking their last leave one of the other until their more joyful and happy meeting in a more blessed world." Then there was a crash and the Sea Venture began to split seam by seam as the water rushed in. Jourdain continues:

“… we were taken with a most sharp and cruel storm …which did not only separate us from the residue of our fleet … but with the violent working of the seas our ship became so shaken, torn, and leaked that she received so much water as covered two tier of hogsheads above the ballast; that our men stood up to the middles with buckets … and kettles to bail out the water and continually pumped for three days and three nights together without any intermission; and yet the water seemed rather to increase than to diminish. Insomuch that all our men, being utterly spent … were even resolved, without any hope of their lives … to have committed themselves to the mercy of the sea … seeing no help nor hope … that [they] would escape … present sinking.”

"And there neither did our ship sink but, more fortunately in so great a misfortune, fell in between two rocks, where she was fast lodged and locked for further budging; whereby we gained not only sufficient time, with the present help of our boat and skiff, safely to set and convey our men ashore . . . " [3]

The Sea Venture had been thrown upon a reef off Gate's Bay about a mile from Bermuda, then known as the "Isle of the Devils." Those who could swim lowered themselves into the waves and grasped wooden boxes, debris, or anything that would keep their heads above water. Stephen made it to shore clutching a barrel of wine. The entire crew, including the ship's dog, survived. It was stripped of all useful parts and materials, not only by her crew and passengers, but by subsequent settlers; what was left of her eventually disappeared beneath the waves. Two of her guns were salvaged in 1612 and used in the initial fortification of Bermuda (one was placed on Governor's Island, opposite Paget's Fort, the other on Castle Island. After the wreck's submergence, her precise location was unknown until rediscovered by sport divers Downing and Heird in October 1958. Despite the lack of artifacts to be found, she was positively identified in 1959, in time for the 350th anniversary of the wrecking. [7]

As it turned out, on July 23, 1609, the Sea Venture did not break apart and the men were able to retrieve the tools, food, clothing, muskets, and everything that meant their survival. Most of the ship's structure also remained, so using the wreckage and native cedar trees, the 150 castaways immediately set about building two new boats so that they could complete their voyage to Jamestown. [2]

The ships had run into a massive forty-four hour 'tempest' on July 25, and became separated. Thirty two people from two ships were thrown overboard with yellow fever, and the London plague broke out on the Diamond. After the storm, The Blessing, the Lion, the Falcon and the Unitie (all on board were sick) came together and headed for Virginia, "falling into the James River." The Diamond appeared a few days later, and the Swallow a few days after that. The Catch was lost at sea, and nothing has been found as to when the ship Virginia arrived. The Diamond, Falcon, Blessing, and Unitie would return to England leaving October 14, 1609, with John Smith and thirty unruly youths sent from England but rejected by the colony. [12]

About 150 persons were cast ashore There is no complete list of the shipwrecked party

"ISLE OF DEVILS"
BERMUDA

Sea Venture Beach

Bermuda cedar, fully grown can be 50' tall and have a 4 ft wide trunk

Spanish feral hogs, a choice source of food for the newcomers.

Longboats were normally rowed but often had a removable mast and sail

Chief Powhatan

Sea Venture Monument - A nine-foot wooden cross. It is a recreation of the original cross that was made by the survivors to claim the island for England. The wood from the original cross has been salvaged to build the new monument.

John Rolfe and Pocahontas

Deliverance Replica in Bermuda

The Coat-Of-Arms of Bermuda features a representation of the wreck of the Sea Venture

The question had not occurred to anyone during all the hubbub and frenzy to get ashore and save their lives; but now that they had a moment to think about it, ...just here were they? Word quickly spread around: they were on the most feared island in the world, the Isle of Devils, so named because they were thought to be haunted, enchanted, and deviled by spirits and apparitions. [5]

There were upwards of 150 people onshore, including ten women, who now needed food, water and shelter. First up was to figure out who was in charge. Sir George Somers was the fleet's Admiral, whereas Sir Thomas Gates was the colony's appointed governor. Since they were not at sea, Sir George Somers was not really in charge any longer. But since they were not at Jamestown, Sir Thomas Gates was not really in charge either. Luckily for everyone involved, there was no power struggle to speak of--that could have doomed the group from the very start. Gates took charge, and Somers remained a strong ally sharing in that authority, as did Christopher Newport, the Sea Venture's captain. [5]

The men were pleasantly surprised to find that the island's climate was agreeable, food plentiful, and shelters easily constructed from cedar wood and palm leaves. The Isle of the Devils, turned out to be paradise, and a few began to wonder why they should leave. Strachey recounts that some of the sailors, who had been to Jamestown with the Second Supply, stated that "in Virginia nothing but wretchedness and labor must be expected, there being neither fish, flesh, or fowl which here at ease and pleasure might be enjoyed." [2]

THE TEMPEST

The Shipwreck in Act 1 Scene 1

William Shakespeare

Strachey's account of the wreck of the Sea Venture had made it back to England. Strachey was no stranger to the theater people who met regularly at the Mermaid Tavern, so it's probable that Shakespeare was among those who got a preview of the work. Some believe he used it as the basis for his farewell play, The Tempest, which relates the story of a shipwrecked group stranded on an enchanted island. In a play to be performed for King James I and his royal court at Whitehall on Hallowmas Night or All Saints Day, November 1, 1610. A rebel could only be shown as a clown or a villain, so Shakespeare created a drunken, mutinous butler (or bottler) with delusions of grandeur who he named Stephano. [3]

It is set on a remote island, where Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place using illusion and skillful manipulation. He conjures up a storm, the eponymous tempest, to lure his usurping brother Antonio and the complicit King Alonso of Naples to the island. There, his machinations bring about the revelation of Antonio’s low nature, the redemption of the King, and the marriage of Miranda to Alonso’s son, Ferdinand. Stephano is a boisterous and often drunk butler of King Alonso. He, Trinculo and Caliban plot against Prospero. In the play, he wants to take over the island and marry Prospero’s daughter, Miranda. Caliban believes Stephano to be a god because he gave him wine to drink which Caliban believes healed him.. [2]

It was revitalized to decorate for the wedding festivities of Princess Elizabeth in 1613 and was incidentally the last play performed in London in 1642 when the Puritan Party closed play houses until restoration from the Stuarts in 1660. [3]

Hodges writes, "To have provided some of the fabric for Shakespeare's vision of The Tempest and to appear in the play, even in the absurd disguise as Stephano, this in itself is a kind of immortality for Stephen Hopkins." [3]

JAMESTOWN

Jamestown settlement in 1607

Jamestown Starving Time Dead

Thomas West, Baron De La Warr

John Rolfe was born in Norfolk, England

At last, on May 10, 1610, the two new ships set sail for Virginia, laden with supplies and all of the survivors but three, mutineers who remained on Bermuda and allowed the English to maintain a claim to the islands. Ten days later the ships sailed into the Chesapeake Bay and made their way toward Jamestown.

The relief and elation the survivors felt gave way to horror and despair when they saw the condition of the Jamestown settlers. Arriving at the end of what is known as the “Starving Time,” they found the fort in shambles and the few remaining settlers hungry and hopeless. The Bermuda survivors soon decided that the situation was futile and chose to abandon Jamestown along with the 60 surviving Jamestown settlers. On June 7, 1610, they fired a final salute and sailed down the James River to make their way home to England. [3]

Strachey wrote of Jamestown: [2]

“the palisades torn down, the ports open, the gates off the hinges, and empty houses rent up and burnt, rather than the dwellers would step into the woods a stone’s cast off to fetch other firewood. The Indians killed as fast, if our men but stirred beyond the bounds of their blockhouse, as famine and pestilence did.”

When Stephen saw these things, like everyone else his stomach must have sunk. He had been right all along; they never should have left Bermuda, full of so many plentiful resources and so much potential. Now he and all the others would either starve, get sick, or be killed. [5]

In this desolation and misery our governor found the condition and state of the colony and (which added more to his grief) no hope how to amend it or save his own company and those yet remaining alive from falling into the like necessities. For we had brought… no greater store of provision … than might well serve… for a sea voyage. And it was not possible at this time of the year to amend it by any help from the Indian… Nor was there at the fort… any means to take fish… All which considered, it pleased our governor to make a speech unto the company… [that] "he would make ready and transport them all into their native country…" at which there was a general acclamation and shout of joy on both sides, for even our own men began to be "disheartened and faint when they saw this misery amongst the others and no less threatened unto themselves". William Strachey [8]

Before they could even make open water, they met the newly arrived military governor, Lord de la Warr, with his three ships of new settlers and supplies. With new hope, everyone returned to Jamestown, determined to make it succeed. [8]

Using the same discipline in Virginia as the castaway leaders had in Bermuda, the colonists’ fate changed for the better. They found food, security and better organization in the company of such strong leaders. Along with providing guidance, the survivors of the Sea Venture also contributed to the financial success of the Virginia Company. One of them, John Rolfe, planted the tobacco seed he brought and produced the first profitable crop of tobacco by 1614, thus ensuring the success of the colony with his “cash crop.” [8]

When a permanent residence was established in Bermuda. It became a supplier of materials to Virginia, thus establishing trade between the two colonies. Over the years Bermuda developed into an overseas territory within the British Commonwealth. The story of the Sea Venture and the founding of Bermuda is in fact a crucial part of American history. Without those who had been aboard the Sea Venture or their experiences in Bermuda, the story of Jamestown and English America may have been very different indeed. [8]

Stephen Hopkins would not see England again for five or six years. Jamestown was his new home. [5]

BACK TO LONDON /"MAYFLOWER" PASSENGERS / VOYAGE OF THE "MAYFLOWER" / EXPLORING CAPE COD / FOUNDING OF PLYMOUTH

MEETING THE INDIANS / THE FIRST THANKSGIVING
LAW MAKER AND BREAKER / LAND AND POSSESSIONS
NEW NEIGHBORS / STEPHEN'S LAST YEARS / CHILDREN