Hopkins, Stephen. Autograph letter signed, Philadelphia, 15 Nov 1775, to his daughter-in-law Ruth G. Hopkins

HOPKINS, STEPHEN

AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ("STEPH. HOPKINS") AS DELEGATE TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, TO HIS DAUGHTER-IN-LAW RUTH G. HOPKINS, SHARING GRIEF OVER THE DEATH OF HIS SON

2 pages (9¼ x 7½ in.; 235 x 194 mm), on a bifolium, Philadelphia, 15 Nov 1775, integral address leaf; a few light stains, skillful repairs to folds, integral leaf neatly separated and retaining an old backstrip. 

A sorrowful letter from one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, writing to his daughter-in-law following the loss of his son and her husband, George Hopkins

"Long ago should I have wrote you, had I known how to write, or what to say: a feeling Father mourning for the loss of a hopeful son, how can I write comfortably to a beloved Daughter deprived of a tender Husband. Yet I will not be quite silent tho we drop our sorrowful tears by ourselves far apart. It would rejoyce me much to be at home and afford you every consolation in my power; But as this is not the case we must both look for help from that power that is never removed far from us... Be comforted my child and bear up with Christian fortitude and holy patience in this thy heavy tryal and sore distress. Be assured that while I live I shall afford every help and every assistance in my power for your comfort... give not in to the melancholly idea of being deserted that shall never be your lot..." 

A scarce letter from the man whose palsy-affected signature on the Declaration of Independence prompted his own patriotic declaration: "My hand trembles, but my heart does not." 

LITERATURE:

Letters of Delegates to Congress, ed. Smith, 2:351 

PROVENANCE:

New Jersey Historical Society — Sotheby's New York, 26 Oct 1983, lot 61