Stephen Hopkins (Mayflower passenger)

Stephen Hopkins (1581 – June or July 1644) was a passenger on the Mayflower in 1620, one of forty-one signatories of the Mayflower Compact, and an assistant to the governor of Plymouth Colony through 1636. He worked as a tanner and merchant and was recruited by the Merchant Adventurers to provide the governance for the colony and assist with the colony's ventures. He is known as the only Mayflower passenger with prior New World experience, having been shipwrecked in Bermuda in 1609 and then serving for several years under Capt. John Smith at the Jamestown Colony.

Hopkins was baptized 30 April 1581 at Upper Clatford, Hampshire, England, the son of John Hopkins and Elizabeth Williams. He died between 6 June 1644 and 17 July 1644.

Not much is known about his early life in Hampshire, but his family appears to have removed to Winchester, Hampshire, by 1586. His father died there in 1593, and by 1604 he had moved to Hursley, Hampshire.

Recent scholarship believes that this is the same Stephen Hopkins who was the only Mayflower passenger who had previously been to the New World, and that Hopkins had adventures that included surviving a shipwreck in Bermuda ("Isle of Devils") and working from 1610–14 in Jamestown.

In early 1609 Stephen Hopkins began employment as a minister's clerk, reading religious works to a congregation including members of the Virginia Company. On 2 June 1609 Hopkins left his wife and family, and in his ministerial clerk's position departed for Jamestown in Virginia on the 300-ton Sea Venture, flagship of a flotilla led by Sir George Somers. The Sea Venture was carrying the new Jamestown governor, Sir Thomas Gates, to his post, as well as resupplying the colony with goods and new settlers.

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