07/03/2026
Stephen Hopkins ~ 250 Years ~
Rhode Island Land Surveyor that made scientific observations of the Venus Transit
Ten-time Governor of Rhode Island; signer of the Declaration of Independence
An affliction of palsy compelled him to use his left hand to guide his right as he signed, and the signature was shaky. Perhaps reacting to something he saw in Ellery's face, he remarked: "My hand trembles, but my heart does not."
Hopkins' Gravestone Inscriptions
West side
SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
THE ILLUSTRIOUS
STEPHEN HOPKINS,
OF REVOLUTIONARY FAME,
ATTESTED BY HIS SIGNATURE
TO THE DECLARATION
OF OUR NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE.
GREAT IN COUNCIL,
FROM SAGACITY OF MIND;
MAGNANIMOUS IN SENTIMENT,
FIRM IN PURPOSE,
AND GOOD, AS GREAT,
FROM BENEVOLENCE OF HEART;
HE STOOD IN THE FRONT RANK OF
STATESMEN AND PATRIOTS.
SELF-EDUCATED,
YET AMONG THE MOST LEARNED OF MEN;
HISHIS GREAT RETENTIVE
AND REFLECTIVE POWERS,
COMBINED WITH HIS SOCIAL NATURE,
MADE HIM THE MOST INTERESTING
OF COMPANIONS IN PRIVATE LIFE.
South side
HIS NAME IS ENGRAVED
ON THE IMMORTAL RECORDS
OF THE REVOLUTION,
AND CAN NEVER DIE:
HIS TITLES TO THAT DISTINCTION
ARE ENGRAVED ON THIS MONUMENT,
REARED BY
THE GRATEFUL ADMIRATION
OF HIS NATIVE STATE,
IN HONOR OF HER FAVORITE SON.
East side
HOPKINS
BORN MARCH 7, 1707
DIED JULY 13, 1785
North side
HERE lies the man in fateful hour,
Who boldly stemm'd tyrannic pow'r.
And held his hand in that decree,
Which bade America BE FREE!
—Arnold's poems
