Stephen+Hopkins

[[image:mayflower.jpg width="207" height="145"]]Stephen Hopkins Interview
I was a weaver and my wife Elizabeth helped at times. I traveled to Jamestown in 1609. I was in Jamestown as a minister’s clerk. Later I was ship wrecked in the Bermudas. I had to survive by eating turtles, birds, fish, crabs, and wild pigs. I was sentenced to death because me and other people caused a mutiny against the governor, and people found out. I cried with sorrow and I got my sentence commuted. While I was in Jamestown I learned how to speak Indian and I learned how to hunt too. When I left I have no idea what happened there. I had to adjust to being back in England. I even truly had to work again to support my children Constance, Giles, and Damaris.
 * Tell us about your life in England or the Netherlands.**


 * Why did you decide to go to the New World on the Mayflower? What was that voyage like?**

The first year was hard for everyone but for my wife Elisabeth. We just had a baby and she has been up all night. Even know Oceanus is driving her crazy. She will be ill soon if this keeps up. Many people are ill and tired. About half the people are either dead or ill I am worried about my children not having a mother to care for them. The hardest thing was getting use to the new world. We had to get clean water that is about 4 miles from here my children go fetch some every morning but they have protection I gave my oldest a musket to make sure that they were not attacked by the natives. I am not sure how we will do here but it is worth a try.
 * How did the land and climate of Plimoth compare to what you were used to in England or the Netherlands?**Stephen Hopkins


 * What was the first year like? What was hardest about adjusting to life in a new place?**