Brown-Crocker

The Mayflower and Plymouth Colony

Stephen Hopkins was a “merchant adventurer” with the group that planned
the voyage to what was to be the Plymouth settlement. He had been to the New
World before and perhaps this was a factor in the attraction of this undertaking.
He may have seen a more prosperous future for him and his growing family than
possible in crowded London.

The Mayflower finally left Plymouth, England on 6 September 1620 after
several delays. There were 102 passengers on board. Stephen Hopkins, wife,
three children and two servants constituted the largest family group (seven) on
board. Their son, named Oceanus, was born on board.

As the ship neared the coast of Massachusetts there was a near mutiny on
board. A few of the passengers claimed that as the patent was for Virginia and not
for New England, they would be free to do what they wanted when they landed.

This led to the Mayflower Compact that was signed off Cape Cod on 21
November 1620 (new style). There were 41 adult men that signed the document
in order of their social-economic station in life. Stephen Hopkins, listed as
“Mister,” was the 14th signer.