1st wife of William Hopkins

William Hopkins was born about 1625, in England. His parents are unknown at this time. William came to New England about 1650 and settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He could have been married at that time, but it is more likely that he married after his arrival. His first wife’s name is unknown. William first appears in the Town records of Roxbury early in 1656. He is chosen to dig graves for the town, two shillings for adults and twelve pence for children under 10 years of age. Roxbury records list only the birth of daughter Hannah on January 3, 1657 and death of son Ebenezer in 1674. The next entry of his name is in the baptismal records when on the "3 mo. 6 d. 1660" three children of William Hopkins were baptized, -

• William,
• Thomas, and
• Hannah.

This might be close to the time that his first wife died.

He soon married Hannah Andrews of Dorchester, who asked to be transferred from the church at that town to the church at Roxbury on April 22, 1660. William and Hannah had eight children in Roxbury.