Roswell Hopkins

Roswell Hopkins (May 17, 1757—September 5, 1829) was a farmer, businessman, and government official in Vermont and New York. He served as Secretary of State of Vermont from 1788 to 1802, and was the founder of the town of Hopkinton, New York.

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).

The younger Hopkins worked on his father's farm, and his father relocated to Bennington, Vermont in the 1770s. The younger Hopkins gave up farming after an injury, studied medicine with Dr. Jonas Fay, and became a physician. 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. Hopkins later went to sea as surgeon's mate aboard a privateer, the New Broom. 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.

Hopkins soon became involved in Vermont's government; from 1778 to 1881 he was register of the probate court in Bennington County. From 1779 to 1788 he was Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives.

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. He affiliated with the Federalist Party when it was formed; Hopkins became Vermont's Secretary of State on October 10, 1788, and served until he resigned on October 15, 1802.

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. 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. By the time the town was organized in 1807, Hopkins had sold his interest and was no longer living in Vermont.

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