Stephen Hopkins: A Founding Father's Bold Stand for Independence

Stephen Hopkins: A Patriot's Journey

• 💡 Stephen Hopkins, a farmer's son and shipbuilder, was a key figure among the signers of the Declaration of Independence, second only to Benjamin Franklin in age.
• 🧠 He was a self-taught intellectual who began his public service at 23, rising through the ranks to become Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Early Calls for Independence

• 🎯 As early as 1764, Hopkins articulated the principle that the crown had no right to tax the colonies without the consent of the people.
• 🗣️ He recognized the escalating tensions, stating at the First Continental Congress in 1774 that "Powder and ball will decide this question."

Signing the Declaration

• ✍️ Despite suffering from palsy, which caused his hand to tremble, Hopkins bravely signed the Declaration of Independence at age 69.
• ❤️ His famous declaration, "My hand trembles, but my heart does not," encapsulates his unwavering commitment to the cause of liberty.