Memoirs of the Wilkinson Family in America, 1869
Biography No. VIII — Esek Hopkins
Esek Hopkins, the son of
William Hopkins, and Ruth Wilkinson, his wife, was born in Scituate, Rhode Island April, 26, 1718. His birth-place has been described in the biography of his brother
Stephen. During his youth he was a farmer, but the sea had charms for him not found on the land. Whenever he visited Providence he looked upon the sailors and ships with emulous eyes, and longed to be old enough to go abroad and see the world for himself. His desires were at length gratified, and he became an expert navigator.
At the time of his father's death, which occurred in 1738, Esek was dangerously ill, and was not expected to live. His physician had given him up, but his strong constitution rallied and he survived. Upon his recovery his father's funeral train had passed away—the will had been read, and finding himself comparatively destitute and an orphan—his mother had previously died—with no one to aid him, and that he must depend upon himself for a subsistence, he left his native town, as soon as he command strength for the trip, and arrived in Providence with an old fire-lock on his shoulder, a silver pistareen in his pocket, and a handkerchief which contained his entire wardrobe in his hand. Here having found a vessel ready to sail to Surinam, he enlisted as a "raw hand," having disposed of his gun for a Spanish four-piece.
This was the commencement of the sea-life of the first
American Commodore, or "High Admiral,"
* and a more unpromising beginning was never made. But he was possessed with energy of mind and body equal to his ambition, and principles that insured success. Few in his circumstances would have risen above the lot of the common sailor, and would have left no record for future generations; but he was determined to excel; and, if physical prowess and native mental vigor—if obedience to superiors and a fearless discharge of duty—if correct moral principles and rigid temperance—if boldness and noble daring on the bending mast in the howling tempest, and in the ensanguined sea-fight, entitle a person to pre-eminence and public consideration, then Esek Hopkins was worthy the honor his country conferred upon him.
He followed the sea for two or three years at the same traffic. One day when in the port of Providence, he took a little boat and rowed over into Waybosset, which at that time contained a thrifty growth of whortleberries [probably what is now called blueberries or huckleberries] upon which he feasted. While thinking over his sailor life, he felt convinced that the prevalent practice of using 'grog' at 11 o'clock A. M., and 4 o'clock P. M. was a very pernicious custom, and that the sailors were likely to be only sailors, or common seamen during their lives, who continued its use. He therefore resolved to abstain from the habit, and during his long life he totally abstained from the use of ardent spirits as a beverage. Here was laid the foundation of his future eminence.
Another thing should not be lost sight of in the success of Esek as a seaman and a naval officer. It was his practical knowledge of navigation. His grandfather, Samuel Wilkinson, and his brother Stephen, were expert surveyors, and navigation, a kindred science, was inculcated as giving a person pre-eminence on the sea. Esek had availed himself of its advantages, and had some knowledge of it before he sailed on his first voyage.
While at Newport, he made the acquaintance of Desire
Burroughs and on the 28th day of Nov., 1741, they were married by Nicholas Eyres Elder of the Baptist Congregation of that place.
* Four children were born to them here previous to 1748, viz., John B., Heart, Abigail and Samuel. Newport at this time was the metropolis of Rhode Island, and, in consequence of its excellent habor, was far in advance of Providence; so much so, that the General court voted an allowance to the Governor to defray the expenses of moving to the most important town of the Colony. The union of Esek and Desire was a peculiarly happy one, and the incident mentioned by the Rev. C. C. Bemen and previously quoted in the sketch of
Ruth Wilkinson, the mother of Esek, is said to have occurred between these parties. They moved to Providence about 1751.
Esek, though frequently at sea, was identified with home matters, and was perfectly conversant with the political parties, and issues of the day. He was elected Representative to the General Assembly for Providence in 1764, and was frequently returned to the Legislature afterwards. For a number of years he held many important offices, and was instrumental in carrying out some very important political, and State matters. During the exciting times just previous to the Revolution, he was very active and deeply interested in the welfare of the colonies. His influence was felt, and acknowledged beyond the limits of his native State. Firmly believing the doctrine that the people are the rightful sovereigns, and that kings are not necessary in an enlightened nation;—that taxation and representation are inseparable;—that free trade and Sailor's rights should be maintained at whatever hazard, he entered the contest with a zeal worthy of the cause, and a determination to carry the colonies beyond the control of Great Britain, and to ultimate independence. No colony held the mother country in greater veneration than Rhode Island. In fact she had received favors which had been denied to others, but a crisis had been approaching since 1764.
Parliament had passed an act imposing duties on goods from some of the West India Islands not under the jurisdiction of England. About the same time the Grenville resolution was proposed asserting "that it would be proper to charge certain stamp duties on the colonies." Other unwise and oppressive legislation followed. Little by little her feelings were alienated, till many had become absolutely hostile, and were ready to shed their blood in defence of what they deemed to be their inalienable rights. News of the Boston Massacre produced intense excitement and indignation in Rhode Island, and when tidings of the battle of Lexington reached Providence, the wildest enthusiasm pervaded nearly every heart. Gov. Nicholas Cooke took a firm and decided stand in favor of freedom, and made preparations for a sanguinary struggle. Mr. Hopkins was commissioned by him as Brigadier General in command of five companies to be raised for the protection of the colony.
The land, however, was not to be his sole theater of action, for he had hardly completed recruiting and organizing his corps, before he received a commission from the Continental Congress, as "Command-in-chief of the navy." On the 22d of December, 1775, Congress passed the following resolution.
*
"Resolved—that the following naval officers be appointed:
Esek Hopkins, Esq., Commander-in-Chief
Dudley Saltonstall, Captain of the Alfred.
Abraham Whipple, Captain of the Columbus.
Nicholas Biddle, Captain of the Andrea Dora.
John B. Hopkins, Captain of the Cabot.
&c., &c., &c.
Resolved—that the pay of the Commander-in-Chief be $125 per month."
"By this law it will be seen," says Cooper, "that Mr. Hopkins
was not made a Captain, but the Commander-in-Chief
† a rank
that was intended to correspond in the navy, to that held by Washington in the army. His official
appellation among seamen, appears to have been that of
Commodore, though he was
frequently styled
'Admiral' in the papers of that period."
Hopkins assiduously applied himself to perfecting the arrangements for an expedition which was then kept secret, and Feb. 17, 1776, he got to sea from the Delaware—where he had been for some weeks ice-bound—with the first squadron sent out by the Colonies. The fleet consisted of the Alfred, 24 guns; Columbus, 20; Doria, 14; Cabot, 14; Providence, 12; Hornet, 10; Wasp, 8; and Fly, despatch vessel; four ships and three sloops.
Paul Jones was a Lieutenant on the Commodore's Ship, Alfred. It was on board this ship that Jones affirms he first hoisted the flag of the United Colonies, with his own hands, when Commodore Hopkins first visited her. This occurred on the Delaware, off Philadelphia; and the flag was the pine-tree and rattle-snake, the symbol then used by the Colonies.
*Lossing's History U.S. p. 238.
*1 Book of Marriages, p. 159 Providence.
†1. Cooper's Naval History, p. 103.
Of the commissioned officers in the fleet, eight of them belonged to Rhode Island—the result, probably, of the influence of the Commander-in-Chief. On the 19th, the squadron with a fresh breeze was was standing south for the Bahama Islands, and rendezvoused at Abaco. Here final arrangements were made for an advance upon New Providence. The attack was made and the forts carried in gallant style, capturing about 100 cannon, and a large quantity of ordinance stores and ammunition, and the governor of the Island. "On this occasion," says Cooper, "the first that ever occurred in the American navy, the marines behaved with a spirit and steadiness that have distinguished them ever since." The object of the expedition being accomplished, Commodore Hopkins stood north homeward bound. When off Block Island he fell in with and captured the British schooner Hawke, of six carriage guns, and eight swivels, and the bomb brig Bolton, of eight guns, two howitzers,
ten swivels, and forty-eight men, well provided with ammunition and stores. For this act the President of Congress complimented Hopkins officially.
* Two days after this affair, Hopkins with three vessels attacked the Glasgow of 29 guns, Captain Tringham How, with a crew of 150 men. It appears the Alfred was poorly prepared to contend with the Glasgow, as her main-deck guns were so near the water as to be useles
sic in a fresh breeze. On this occasion, however, she was brought gallantly into action, but her wheel-rope was shot away, and broaching to, she was raked by the Glasgow for sometime. The Commodore's son, John B. Hopkins, Captain of the Cabot, seeing the condition of the
Alfred, his father's ship, ran up within pistol shot of the Glasgow, and poured in a destructive fire, and received her broadsides nearly half an hour, manifesting the most undaunted bravery. Captain Whipple of the Columbus was signaled to join in the attack, but failed for some cause to come to the rescue, and the Glasgow made her escape by getting into Newport. For this the Commodore, and particularly Captains Whipple and Hazard were censured. The latter demanded a court-martial, the request for which was forwarded to the President of Congress. The President addressed a letter to Commodore Hopkins, which was concluded as follows: "Though it is to be regretted that the Glasgow, Man-of-war, made her escape, yet, as it was not through any misconduct; the praise due to you, and the other officers, is undoubtedly the same."
The squadron put into New London. The cruise had lasted fifty-three days, and when we remember the prowess of England on the sea, and the indifferent qualities of the vessels, it must be deemed a bold and adventurous one, and not entirely without beneficial results to the cause of the colonists. After a short stay at New London, Hopkins brought his fleet round to Rhode Island, but never made another cruise in the navy.
A celebrated writer says, "Commodore, or Admiral Hopkins, as he was
generally called, even by Washington, who so addressed him in his official letters, performed other
remarkable exploits, though he had great difficulties to contend with. His name became a synonym
for heroism, and for American patriotism. In June, 1776, Hopkins was ordered by Congress to appear
before the Naval Committee in Philadelphia to reply to charges which had been preferred against
him for not annoying the enemy's ships on the southern coast. He was defended by John Adams and
was acquitted. The unavoidable delay at a later period in getting his ships ready for sea, gave
another opportunity for his enemies to complain; and neglecting a citation to appear at
Philadelphia, because no specific charges were made against him, he was dismissed the service
sic Jan. 2, 1777. He resided near Providence, and exerted during a long life a great
political influence in Rhode Island, being often elected to the General Assembly, of that State."
The following incident related by the Hon. Asher Robbins, will
serve to show the legislative influence, as well as the impulsive character of the man while
performing the gravest duties. March, 1786, he was a representative for North Providence, and one
afternoon Dr. Manning, President of Brown University, out of curiosity went to the State House
to look in upon the Assembly, and see what was doing. On his appearance, he was introduced on
the floor, and accommodated with a seat. Shortly after, the Commodore arose and nominated Dr.
Manning, as a delegate to Congress, there being a vacancy to fill in that body at that time. He
was unanimously appointed. Shortly after this event Robbins was at the house of Governor Hopkins,
and there met the Commodore, who informed him that the idea never entered his head until he saw
the President enter and take his seat on the floor of the Assembly, and that the thought
immediately struck him that he would make a very fit member for that august body—the
Continental Congress.
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. . . the estimate which the public put upon his abilities as a man of science.
The Legislature of Rhode Island, in its October session, 1775,
passed an act to raise 500 soldiers. Esek Hopkins, John Sayles and Henry Marchant appointed a
committee to prepare an act to Rhode Island Legislature.
*
After his appointments as Brigadier General he captured a number of
prisoners and a committee was appointed to dispose of them.
January 1, 1776, the naval committee applied for three pilots to
conduct vessels to Reedy Island. Hopkins had been previously appointed Commander-in-chief of the
naval forces—court established and flag hoisted.
† John
Adams and Stephen Hopkins were members of that committee.
The following account of the sailing of the fleet written by an
eye witness expresses the joy and expectation of the people at the time.
Newbern, N. C. February 9, 1776.
"By a gentleman from Philadelphia, we have received the pleasing
account of the actual sailing from that place of the first
American fleet that ever
swelled their sails on the western ocean in defence
sic of the rights and liberties of
of the people of these colonies, now suffering under the persecuting rod of the British ministry,
and their more than brutish tyrants in America. This fleet consists of five sail, fitted out
from Philadelphia which are to be joined at the capes of Virginia by two ships more from
Maryland, and is commanded by Admiral Hopkins—a most experienced and venerable sea captain.
The Admiral's ship is called the
Columbus, after Christopher Columbus, the renowed
discoverer of this western world, and mounts 36 guns, 12 and 9 pounders, on two decks, 40 swivels
and 500 men. The second
ship is called the
Cabot after Sebastian Cabot, who completed the discoveries of America
made by Columbus, and mounts 32 guns. The others are small vessels from 24 to 14 guns. They
sailed from Philadelphia amidst the acclamations of many thousands assembled on the joyful
occasion, under a display of a union flag, with thirteen stripes in the field, emblematical of
the thirteen United Colonies, but unhappily for us, the ice in the river Delaware as yet,
obstructs the passage down, but the time will soon arrive when this fleet must come to action.
Their destination is secret, but generally supposed to be against the ministerial governors,
those petty little tyrants who have lately spread fire and sword through the southern colonies.
For the happy success of this little fleet, 3,000,000 of people offer their most earnest
supplications to heaven."
*
This was called by the British by way of derision the "Misketo Fleet."
Orders given the several captains in the fleet, at sailing from the capes of the Delaware, February 17, 1776, by Commodore Hopkins.
"Sir:—you are hereby ordered to keep company with me if possible, and truly observe the signals given by the ship I am in, but in case you should be separated by a gale of wind or otherwise, you then are to use all possible means to join the fleet as soon as possible; but if you cannot, in four days after you leave the fleet you are to make the best of your way to the southern part of Abaco (one of the Bahama Islands) and there wait for the fleet fourteen days. But if the fleet does not join you in that time, you are to cruise in such places as you think will most annoy the enemy. And you are to send into port for trial all British vessels with any supplies for the ministerial forces, who you may make yourself master of, to such places as you may think best within the United Colonies.
In case you are in any very great danger of being taken, you are to
destroy these orders, and your signals.
Esek Hopkins, Commander-in-Chief."
*
Arriving at their destination the following manifesto was sent on shore at New Providence:
"Admiral Hopkins to the President of Congress.
Ship Alfred, New London Harbour, April 9, 1776.
Sir:—when I put to sea the 17th of February, from Cape Henlopen, we had many sick, and four of the vessels had a large number on board with small-pox. The Hornet and Wasp joined me two days before. The wind came at N.E., which made it unsafe to lie there. The wind after we got out came on to blow hard. I did not think we were in a condition to keep on a cold coast, and appointed our rendezvous at Abaco, one of the Bahama Islands. The second night we lost the Hornet and Fly. I arrived at rendezvous, in order to wait for them fifteen
days agreeable to orders. I then formed an expedition against New Providence, which I put into execution 3d of March, by landing 200 marines under the command of Captain Nicholas, and 50 sailors under the command of Lieut. Weaver of the Cabot, who was well acquainted there. The same day they took possession of a small fort of seventeen pieces of cannon without any opposition save five guns which were fired at them without doing any damage.
I received that evening an account that they had 200 and odd men in the main fort, all inhabitants. I caused my manifesto to be published, the purport of which was, &c., (See anti). Capt. Nicholas sent by my orders to the Governor for the keys of the fort which were delivered, and the troops marched directly in, where we found the several warlike stores, agreeable to the inventory enclosed. But the Governor sent 150 barrels of powder off in a small sloop the night before. I have all the stores on board the fleet, and a large sloop that I found there, and which I have promised the owner to send back and pay him the hire for.
The Fly joined us at Providence, and gave an account that he got foul of the Hornet and carried away the boom and head of her mast; and I hear since she has got into some port of South Carolina. I have taken the Gov. Montfort Browne, Lieut. Gov., who is a half-pay officer, Mr. Thomas Irving, who is a Counsellor sic and Collector of his Majesty's quit-rents in S. C., and it appears by the Court Calendar, that he is also Inspector General of his Majesty's Customs of North America.
Since we came out we have lost company with the Wasp. The 4th inst., we fell in with on the east end of Long Island and took the schooner, commanded by young Wallace, of six carriage guns and eight swivels, and on the 5th took the bomb Brig of eight guns, two howitzers, ten swivels, and forty-eight hands, well found in all sorts of stores, arms, power &c. Th 6th, in the morning fell in with the Glascow sic and her tender, and
engaged her near three hours. We lost six men killed and many wounded. The Cabot had four men killed and seven wounded, the Captain is among the latter. The Columbus has one man who lost his arm. We received considerable damage in our ship; but the greatest damage was in having our wheel ropes and blocks shot away, which gave the Glascow sic time to make sail, which I did not think proper to follow, as it would have brought on an action with the whole of their fleet, as I had upwards of thirty of our best seamen on board the prizes, and some that were on board had got too much liquor out of the prizes to be fit for duty. I thought it most prudent to give over the chase, and secure our prizes; and got nothing but the Glascow's sic tender, and arrived here the 7th inst. with all the fleet.
Among the dead are Mr. Sinclair Seymour, Master of the Cabot, a good officer, First Lieut. Wilson of the Cabot, and Lieut. Fitzpatric of the Alfred. The officers all behaved well on board the Alfred; but too much praise cannot be given to the officers of the Cabot, who gave and sustained the whole fire for some considerable time within pistol shot.
*I expect to leave this place in three or four days, and as Gen. Washington is expected here every minute, if he will give me leave to enlist some of his men—shall be able to get away sooner. I hear since the action of the fleet has gone from Newport; but whether they intend to return again; I cannot tell; bnt sic if I can get the fleet well manned—shall be able to give a more intelligent account.
I have now on board 80 pieces of heavy sail-duck which I purchased at New Providence, and have drawn bills on the Treasurer for.
I am with great Respect, Your humble Servant,
The Captive Gov. applies to Hopkins for an enlargement of his liberty, whereupon he addressed the following line to the Gov. of Conn.
Com. Hopkins had borrowed 200 men of Washington which are demanded. He makes the following reply:
In writing to John Hancock, President of Congress, he alludes to a letter from Capt. Whipple making a request. (J. H. Clark says, it was not to be deprived of his office for not coming up in the fight with the Glasgow.) The following extract refers to it.
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