Stephen Hopkins: From Jamestown Survivor to Plymouth Saver

During a voyage in 1609 to resupply England's struggling Jamestown settlement, the Sea Enterprise encountered a hurricane and was wrecked near Bermuda. This incident inspired William Shakespeare's The Tempest and captivated many, but for one of the castaways, it marked just the beginning of their extraordinary journey.

Recounting the intriguing life of Stephen Hopkins, "A Stranger Amongst Saints" follows his journey from being stranded with the Sea Enterprise crew, facing mutiny charges and a death sentence that was miraculously commuted. After surviving this harrowing ordeal, Hopkins found himself in Jamestown for six years before heading back to England. There, he embarked on another colonial venture, this time joining a group of religious radicals aboard the Mayflower.

During the early days of the settlement, Hopkins stood out as the only one with prior experience crossing the Atlantic and encountering America's indigenous people and land. As the Pilgrims grappled with sickness and tense interactions with the native inhabitants, they turned to him for guidance. Hopkins played a crucial role in building trust between the English immigrants and their indigenous neighbors, ultimately ensuring the survival of the settlers during that challenging first year. Without his expertise and leadership, it's unlikely they would have endured those harsh initial struggles.