Stephen Hopkins Descendants Will Speak at our October 20 Meeting

Our October 20 meeting will feature two of his descendants to tell us about Stephen Hopkins – After Jamestown and on to Plimouth.

We will hear from Kenneth Whittemore, Jr., Governor of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants in California, and our First California Friend, Bev Nickerson. Governor Whittemore is also on the board of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, headquartered in Plymouth, MA, and Bev Nickerson was also Governor of the San Diego Mayflower Colony and state newsletter editor.

San Diego Yacht Club Entrance

We will meet at noon on Saturday, October 20, 2012  at San Diego Yacht Club, 1011 Anchorage Lane, San Diego, CA 92106. Advance reservations are required. The cost of the luncheon and meeting is $25. A short general meeting will precede the program.

Please make your reservations by Monday, October 15 with Harry H. Holgate, Treasurer, First California Company, 115 West Fourth Street, #208, Long Beach, CA 90802. Company members can also pay their 2012-13 $30 dues with their reservation.

Click here for a map and directions. When arriving at the Yacht Club’s gate, please announce that you are attending “the Jamestowne Society meeting.” As the club has another major event that day, parking may be limited, so we urge that you carpool.

The story of Stephen Hopkins is unique among both Jamestown early settlers and Mayflower passengers. He first arrived in Jamestown in 1610 among the Sea Venture castaways that had been shipwrecked on Bermuda in 1609-10. He then returned to England before 1617 and came back to America on the Mayflower in 1620. The Sea Venture was the topic of Governor Ginny Gotlieb’s post of January 11, 2011.

Governor Kenneth Whittemore, Jr.

Governor Whittemore will speak on Stephen Hopkins’s return to England, about Caleb Johnson’s discovery of the real Stephen Hopkins birthplace and his first wife Mary, whose ancestral information has just been discovered in the past year.  He will profile the Hopkins children born in England and their family voyage on the Mayflower.   Ken will conclude with Stephen’s life in Plimouth (Plymouth), including his special relationship with the local Indians.

Bev Nickerson

Bev Nickerson will speak about the Hopkins children by both wives, Mary and Elizabeth, including Constance, Giles, Deborah, Damaris, Ruth and the 2nd Elizabeth, as well as their marriages and where they lived.   She will also discuss Ken’s third generation descendants, and hers and her husband’s, Bob.

Members, prospective members and Friends will be receiving their invitations by mail. There will be a menu selection of Pan Seared Mahi Mahi – Wild Rice Pilaf, Seasonal Vegetable, Vera Cruz Sauce, or a Point Loma Steak Salad – Grilled 6 oz. New York Strip, Crisp Romaine, Dried Peaches, Roasted tomato, Green Beans, Red Onion, Crumbled Blue Cheese with Balsamic Ranch Dressing. A vegetarian plate will also be available upon request. You can make your selection with your reservation.

For more information contact Governor Ginny Gotlieb.