Articles, genealogy records and posts from 2010 – present from the Hopkinton Historical Association website (formerly hopkintonhistoricalassociation.org).
This monument sits in front of the Hopkinton Town Clerk’s Office. In 1982, for the 225th anniversary of town, the Hopkinton Historical Association paid to have the monument made at Bonner Monument, which was located in Ashaway at the time. The title of the monument is very misleading. The individuals listed on the monument were not “founders” of the town. Their fathers and grandfathers did.... Read full article below ...
His name was Simon Noah Palmer and although he is long gone, his life still feeds our imagination. For at least one year of his life, he kept a diary, an everyday task for him, a treasure trove of information for the historian. The diary intrigues us to look further into his life and the remnants that are left. Enjoy this 26 page article about his life and times ...
450 Woodville Road In the 1700’s the Hill family owned much of the land that was to become the village of Hopkinton City. In May of 1789 Major Benjamin Taylor bought a small house lot from Josiah Hill. The lot was only 13 sq. rods and was on the north side of the road going from Hopkinton City to Woodville. Benjamin Taylor had married Mary Thurston, the daughter of General George Thurston and Dolly (Cottrell) Thurston. Their property abutted Taylor’s new ...
By HHA Member Thomas A Helmer Two years ago, when I completed the first edition of “Walking Together”, I knew the best Stewards of this book would be the Hopkinton Historical Association. This Non Profit organization has, for 57 years, been a true friend for the Town of Hopkinton, keeping who we were, and what we did over the past 257 years from being forgotten in the present. Your local Historical Association is doing the same thing in your town ...
Compiled By HHA Member Lauri Arruda Spanish American War TC 12:251, 2 May 1898 - In accordance with Section 1 - Chapter 296 of the General Laws of Rhode Island you are hereby required to cause to be prepared an alphabetical list of all persons living in you town between the ages of 18 years and 45 years, liable to be enrolled by the laws of the United States, excepting those persons exempted by the provisions of said Chapter 296: and ...
Compiled By HHA Member Lauri Arruda Revolutionary War Volume IV page 138 – Narragansett Historical Register. To the Editor of the Narragansett Historical Register, Dear Sir: Thinking your readers would be interested in knowing who were the patriots of Hopkinton during the struggle for independence, we have thought best to send you the following list which we believe comprises the brain and best portion of our citizens at this time, together with the document to which they had affixed their ever ...
By HHA Members Tom Helmer & Rick Prescott Photos By Bob Miner, Tom Thompson, Tom Helmer & RI DOT In Hopkinton, the stats for this web site on the Home Page attest to the popular interest generated by illustrating the historic legacy that surrounds us. Our Web Pages do this with their many informative photographs, understandable text & maps; together they explain the “What”, “Why” and “Where” the otherwise mute archeology of our Town is important. Hopkinton makes accommodation with it’s ...
By HHA Member Tom Helmer In modern construction, interiors are finished with sheet rock, exterior stonework is held together with concrete. These products have one thing in common: you buy them. They are available “Off The Shelf” at most building supply stores. Our historical ancestors, living in the 17th and 18th centuries, also had one common way to deal with these same problems: you make your own. Along the costal waters of “The New World”, the practice of making plaster, which ...
By HHA Member Tom Helmer Prior to the mid 1700’s, the Colonials and Indigenous Peoples depended on finding stone that was already near to the shape they wanted. The Indigenous developed techniques for refining the shape and adding realistic detail, sculpting the rock for their ceremonial purposes. The Colonials were concerned with staying alive, and had no time for modifying rocks when there was real work to be done. However that attitude changed with the discovery of a way to control ...
The Thurston Cemetery “Time Lapse” Tree Removal, 10/4/2013 By HHA Member Tom Helmer The gratifying Community response to the Hopkinton Historical Association’s recent request for donations to save General Thurston’s Grave produced the required funds to allow Rocky Harkness, of Rocky’s Tree Service, teaming up with Jim Thompson, of James Thompson Native Lumber, to progress to the actual removal of the huge rotted tree. Mr. Harkness graciously lowered his estimate once he learned of the civic nature of what HHA ...
Below are probate records for the Town of Hopkinton for the years 1757 - 1850, with the last names beginning A-B. See also probate records A-B • C-H • I-R • S-Z ALLEN, Gideon TC 4:110 , It has been presented to the Council that Gideon Allen is non-composmentis, or in other words, his faculties and abilities being indisposed and it is thought he should be under guardianship. Captain William Tanner appointed guardian. ALLEN, Green - PR 9:265, ...
Below are probate records for the Town of Hopkinton for the years 1757 - 1850, with the last names beginning C-H. See also probate records A-B • C-H • I-R • S-Z CASWELL, Elizabeth - TC 6:75, 25 May 1835, Edward Barber is appointed Guardian. There is property that has fallen to her and there is a liability of her spending the same. CARPENTER, Hezekiah – PR 4:138 Written, 2 May 1803, proved 4 April 1808 Mentions his ...
Below are probate records for the Town of Hopkinton for the years 1757 - 1850, with the last names beginning I-R. See also probate records A-B • C-H • I-R • S-Z IRISH, George – PR 3:231 Will written, 7 October 1801 Proved (in Middletown, RI) 19 October 1801 He states he is “of Middletown.” Wife: Sarah. *good land descriptions. Sons: Joseph (farm in Hopkinton), Jedediah (farm in Stonington), James (land in Richmond), John (land in Middletown) George ...
Below are probate records for the Town of Hopkinton for the years 1757 - 1850, with the last names beginning S-Z. See also probate records A-B • C-H • I-R • S-Z SABINS, Mariba (nee Lanphere) - TC 15:132, 7 June 1920, was requested to surrender a savings account No. 390 at the Washington Trust Company to the Probate Court. SAMBO, Thomas and George TC 2 :145, 1 November 1784, Mr. John Phillips requested a letter of Administration ...