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My Hand Trembles: The Story of Stephen Hopkins

It is well-known today that Benjamin Franklin was there on July 4, 1776, for the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Perhaps not as well known was the presence of Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island. He is said to be the second oldest men in the Continental Congress and a good friend of the aged Franklin. His is a fascinating story.

Hopkins was born March 7, 1707, in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of William and Ruth Hopkins. He grew up on a farm located in Scituate, Rhode Island, and had very little opportunity for formal education. His mother was his first teacher. Other family members instructed him in mathematics and literature. It set the tone for his life and Hopkins became a profound self-taught intellectual.

He married Sarah Scott October 9, 1726, and to their union was born seven children. Stephen quickly gained the trust of the members of the community and was called upon to hold offices from an early age. He represented his community in the General Assembly from 1744-1751. He became the Chief Justice of the supreme court in 1751. He was elected governor of Rhode Island for the first time in 1755 and would serve in that office several times through 1766.

It was written of him,

Hopkins was largely responsible for transforming Providence from a small village with muddy streets to a thriving commercial center. He was also instrumental in establishing Rhode Island’s present-day boundaries. Besides his political and civic interest, Hopkins had interest in education and science. About 1754 he was influential in establishing a public subscription library, and he was the first chancellor of Rhode Island College, which was to become Brown University. He helped found the Providence Gazette and Country Journal in 1762, held membership in the American Philosophical Society of Newport.

Of those actions by the British Crown that enraged the American Colonists, the Stamp Act of 1765 was foremost. It brought forth the strongest sentiments of patriotism. Stephen Hopkins was among those. He expressed his principles thus, “British subjects are to be governed only agreeable to laws which they themselves have in some way consented.”

In 1774, Hopkins was chosen to represent Rhode Island at the First Continental Congress. It was there that some of the first expressions of American independence from England gained a widespread hearing. With some prescience of events to come, Hopkins made the following bold declaration. He said,

“…. powder and ball will decide this question. The gun and bayonet alone will finish the contest in which we are engaged, and any of you who cannot bring your minds to this mode of adjusting this question had better retire in time.”

When that critical moment came on the afternoon of July 1, 1776, Hopkins voted for Independence. And again, on July 4, 1776, after the Declaration of Independence was edited, he voted in favor of the document and its principles. On August 2, 1776, the engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence was presented to the delegates at the Pennsylvania Statehouse. It is said of Hopkins,

“He suffered from the “shaking palsy” which caused his signature on the Declaration to appear unsteady, and he used his left hand to steady his right. He stated at the signing, “My hand trembles, but my heart does not.””

Three times, Hopkins was asked if he would risk all he had and his very life for freedom and independence, and three times, he said ‘yes!”

On the north side of his grave marker in Providence, RI, are these words,

“Here lies the man in fateful hour,
Who boldly stemm’d tyrannic pow’r,
And held his hand in the decree,
which bade America BE FREE!”

Now today, it is time to ask again, as so many hands and hearts tremble in fear, where is your heart in defense of the agency of man?

Source: https://www.dsdi1776.com/signer/stephen-hopkins/