Rufus Hopkins

Rufus Hopkins painted as his father Stephen Hopkins, for whom no portrait was available, in John Trumbull's Declaration of Independence. Rufus Hopkins (February 10, 1727 – August 1809) was a sailor and businessman who served as a Deputy in the Rhode Island General Assembly from 1772 to 1775, and again from 1781 to 1785.

Career Born in Cranston, Rhode Island, the son of Rhode Island colonial Governor Stephen Hopkins, Rufus Hopkins was a sailor, and "is early life was spent in maritime pursuits, in which he attained high rank as a nautical commander". Around 1766 he associated with a group including his father, Nicholas, Joseph, John and Moses Brown, and Jabez Bowen in a project to utilize a bed of iron ore found in Cranston and the building of Hope Furnace.

While working at the furnace, he was appointed as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Providence County, serving in this capacity for several years. During this time he was also elected to represent Scituate in the general assembly.