Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791

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Francis Hopkinson (October 2, 1737 [O.S. September 21, 1737] – May 9, 1791) was an American Founding Father, judge, author and composer. He designed Continental paper money and two early versions of flags, one for the United States and one for the United States Navy. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence in July 1776 as a delegate from New Jersey.

Born in Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania, British America, Hopkinson received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1757 from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) and an Artium Magister degree in 1760 from the same institution. He was the first native American composer of a secular song in 1759. He was secretary of a commission of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania which made a treaty between the province and certain Indian tribes in 1761. He entered private practice in Philadelphia from 1761 to 1766. He was collector of customs in Salem, Province of New Jersey in 1763. Hopkinson spent from May 1766 to August 1767 in England in hopes of becoming commissioner of customs for North America. Although unsuccessful, he spent time with the future Prime Minister Lord North, Hopkinson's cousin James Johnson, and the painter Benjamin West.

Upon his return to Philadelphia in 1768, he sold varieties of fabric and port wine. In 1768 he was elected to the revived American Philosophical Society and served as its curator from 1776 to 1782. He was collector of customs for New Castle, Delaware Colony from 1772 to 1773. He resumed private practice in Bordentown from 1773 to 1774. He was a member of the New Jersey Provincial Council from 1774 to 1776. He was a member of the Executive Council of New Jersey in 1775. He was admitted to practice before the bar of the Supreme Court of New Jersey on May 8, 1775. He was elected an associate justice of that court in 1776 but declined the office. He was a delegate to the Second Continental Congress (Continental Congress) from June 22, 1776, to November 30, 1776. He was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. He was a member of the Navy Board in Philadelphia from 1776 to 1777. He was treasurer for the Continental Loan Office in Philadelphia from 1778 to 1781. He was judge of the Admiralty Court of Pennsylvania from 1779 to 1789. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Convention which ratified the United States Constitution.

Hopkinson was nominated by President George Washington on September 24, 1789, to the United States District Court for the District of Pennsylvania. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 26, 1789, and received his commission the same day. On May 9, 1791, Hopkinson died in Philadelphia of a sudden apoplectic seizure. He was interred in Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Miscellaneous works, [n.d.], n.d. American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Miscellaneous works, [n.d.]. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Bamberger, Louis, 1855-1944,. Autograph collection, 1683-1929. New Jersey Historical Society Library
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. ALS : Philadelphia, to Thomas Harwood, 1781 Apr. 28. Rosenbach Museum & Library
creatorOf Ward, R. D. George Washington tunes / arr. R.D. Ward. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. ALS, 1784 June 4, Philadelphia, to Charles Thomson. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Ewan, Nathaniel Rue, 1870-1961. Early homes of Burlington County, New Jersey : photograph albums, 1932-[1939] / Photographed by N. R. Ewan. Rutgers University
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. [Fragment of a song book]. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention. 1765 - 1821. Papers of the Continental Congress. 1774 - 1789. Reports on Administrative Affairs of the Congress. 1775 - 1788. Francis Hopkinson's Second Design for the Great Seal Reverse National Archives at Washington, D.C
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Correspondence and poem of Francis Hopkinson, 1788-1789. Library of Congress
referencedIn Washington, George, 1732-1799. George Washington letter, 1785, 1928. Louisiana State University, LSU Libraries
creatorOf Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention. 1765 - 1821. Papers of the Continental Congress. 1774 - 1789. Reports on Administrative Affairs of the Congress. 1775 - 1788. First Design for the Great Seal Obverse by a Mr. Hopkinson National Archives at Washington, D.C
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Papers, 1773 March & 1787 December 5 [manuscript]. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Rosenbach, A. S. W. (Abraham Simon Wolf), 1876-1952,. Signers of the Declaration of Independence autograph collection, 1756-1818. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Thomas Addis Emmet collection, 1483-1876 (bulk:1700-1800) New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn United States. Board of Treasury. Exchequer bill, 1781 June 21, Paris, pay to William Bradford / F. Hopkinson. Texas Tech University Libraries, Academic Library
referencedIn United States. Continental Loan Office. Bill of exchange to be paid to Tobias Ten Eyck. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Letter, 1788 July 15. Camden County Historical Society
creatorOf Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention. 1765 - 1821. Papers of the Continental Congress. 1774 - 1789. Reports on Administrative Affairs of the Congress. 1775 - 1788. Second Design for the Great Seal Obverse by Francis Hopkinson National Archives at Washington, D.C
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Order for payment signed : [n.p.], 1780 Dec. 29. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Benjamin Franklin Papers Part 8 -- Letters to Franklin, 1783 December-1786 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Benjamin Franklin Papers Part 3 -- Letters to Franklin, 1778 April-December American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Morris, Robert, 1734-1806. Robert Morris papers, 1751-1802. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Harpsichord. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Letter to Thomas Harwood, 1779 March 2. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Franklin-Bache Papers, 1707-1799 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Lessons. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Autograph letter signed : Philadelphia, to Thomas Harewood in Annapolis, 1780 Feb. 8. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis,. Accounts, 1778-1780. Historical Society of Pennsylvania
creatorOf Shield, William, 1748-1829. Tune from the Highland reel. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Gwathmey collection, 1708-1852 University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf New Jersey. Treasury Dept. Accounts of interest paid on Continental Loan Office certificates, 1785-1791. New Jersey State Archives
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. [Selections / Francis Hopkinson]. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention. 1765 - 1821. Papers of the Continental Congress. 1774 - 1789. Reports on Administrative Affairs of the Congress. 1775 - 1788. Francis Hopkinson's First Design for the Great Seal Reverse National Archives at Washington, D.C
referencedIn Hopkinson, James. Letters, 1836-1846. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Archives. Record Group IIj, 1898-1988 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Hastings, George E. George E. Hastings essay on Francis Hopkinson poem, 19--. New-York Historical Society Library
referencedIn Henry A. Willard II Collection, 1743-1888, (bulk 1770-1840) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Bennett, Daniel A. Francis Hopkinson / submitted by Daniel A. Bennett. Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Music of Francis Hopkinson. Library of Congress
referencedIn Papers, 1658-1957, 1658-1854 (bulk) New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Walter Nickerson Hill Papers, Hill (Walter Nickerson) Papers, (bulk 1870-1884), 1860-1905 John Hay Library, Special Collections
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Order : to Clement Biddle, 1786 July 5. Rosenbach Museum & Library
creatorOf Francis Hopkinson poems, [n.d.], n.d. American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Memorable facts -- events opinions -- thots [sic] etc., 1789-1791, 1789-1791 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Marian S. Carson collection of manuscripts, 1656-1995 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker correspondence, 1844-1910, 1844-1910 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896,. Sanitary Fairs Collection, 1749-1867 (bulk 1864). Porterville Public Library
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. His book. Library of Congress
referencedIn Franklin-Bache Papers, 1707-1799 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Hopkinson family. Papers, 1735-1941 (bulk 1800-1841) Historical Society of Pennsylvania
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis. Autograph letter signed : Philadelphia, to Clement Biddle, Esq., 1786 Sept. 10. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Hill, Walter Nickerson, 1846-1884. Papers, 1860-1905. Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
referencedIn Wills, 1790-1822, of signers of the Declaration of Independence. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Benjamin Franklin Papers Part 13 -- Miscellaneous Franklin Materials, 1640-1791 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Autograph File, H Houghton Library
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. General Washington's march. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Rush, Benjamin, 1745-1813. Memorable facts -- events opinions -- thots [sic] &c., 1789-1791. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Marshall, George Nichols. Patriot with a Pen. University of Pennsylvania, Archives & Records Center
referencedIn Wills, 1790-1822, of signers of the Declaration of Independence, 1790-1822 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Benjamin Franklin Papers Part 1 -- Letters to Franklin, 1730-1776 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Benjamin Franklin Papers Part 4 -- Letters to Franklin, 1779 January-November American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Benjamin Franklin Papers Part 5 -- Letters to Franklin, 1779 December-1780 December American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Gibbs, Mary Channing, 1747-1824. Dictionary compiled by Mary Channing Gibbs [manuscript] 1787 April 15. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Haym Salomon collection, undated, 1777-1982 American Jewish Historical Society
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Archives. Record Group IIa, 1743-1806 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Notebook, 1784-1791. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part I: The Revolution and the Administration, 1669-1958. Houghton Library
referencedIn Robert Morris papers, 1751-1802 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Colonial-Revolutionary manuscripts, 1738-1808. Historical Society of Pennsylvania
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Correspondence, 1771-1772. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Letters and documents of signers of the Declaration of Independence, 1750-1933. Houghton Library
referencedIn Haines & Twells, account book, 1767-1770, 1767-1770 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Phillips Family, papers, undated, 1752, 1758-1955 American Jewish Historical Society
creatorOf New Jersey Historical Society. Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1664-1956 New Jersey Historical Society Library
referencedIn Benjamin Franklin Papers Part 7 -- Letters to Franklin, 1783 January-November American Philosophical Society
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Library. Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection. 1668-1983. American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Francis Hopkinson notebook, 1784-1791, 1784-1791 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Hopkinson family selected papers Archives of American Art
creatorOf United States. Continental Loan Office. Bonds, 1778-1782, n.d. University of Pennsylvania Library
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. A pretty story, written in the year of our Lord 1774: photocopy of essay, 1774. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. ALS, 1780 August 11, to Matthew Clarkson, Marshall & Co., Philadelphia. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Poems, [n.d.]. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. ALS : Bordentown, N.J., to Robert Morris, Manheim, Pa, 1778 Apr. 6. Rosenbach Museum & Library
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. ALS : Philadelphia, Pa., to Gov. William Livingston, 1777 March 28. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Haines & Twells. Account book, 1767-1770. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis. Autograph document : Port of Philadelphia, to Clement Biddle., 1781 Mar. 5. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Taylor, R. (Raynor), 1747-1825. The bells / composed by R. Taylor. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866. Jared Sparks collection of American manuscripts, 1582-1843 Houghton Library
referencedIn Robinson, Elmer E., 1894-1982,. Americana, 1765-1969. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1786, n.d. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Benjamin Franklin Papers Part 6 -- Letters to Franklin, 1781-1782 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Benjamin Franklin Papers Part 14 -- Materials held at the University of Pennsylvania, 1705-1788 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Hopkinson, Francis, 1737-1791. Bill of exchange signed : Pennsylvania, 1778 Sept. 2[4]? Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Buddhist text, [n.d.], n.d. American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Gibson, James. Papers, 1712-1846. Historical Society of Pennsylvania
creatorOf Battle of the kegs, 1866 American Philosophical Society
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
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associatedWith American Philosophical Society. corporateBody
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associatedWith Banks, Joseph, Sir, 1743-1820 person
associatedWith Bennett, Daniel A. person
associatedWith Betsey (Ship). corporateBody
associatedWith Biddle, Clement, person
associatedWith Bremner, James, d. 1780. person
associatedWith Bremner, W. person
associatedWith Bristol (Packet) corporateBody
associatedWith Carson, Marian S., person
associatedWith Chappel, Alonzo, 1828-1887. person
associatedWith Chew, Benjamin, 1722-1810 person
associatedWith Clarkson, Matthew, 1733-1800. person
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associatedWith Curtis, John. person
associatedWith Cuvier, Georges, Baron, 1769-1832 person
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associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
associatedWith Dennis, Seth, Mrs, person
associatedWith Edison, Thomas A., (Thomas Alva), 1847-1931 person
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associatedWith Emmet, Thomas Addis person
associatedWith Everett, Edward, 1794-1865 person
associatedWith Ewan, Nathaniel Rue, 1870-1961. person
associatedWith Fitch, John person
associatedWith Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790 person
associatedWith Fuld, James J., 1916-2008, person
associatedWith Genth, F. A., (Frederick Augustus), 1820-1893 person
associatedWith George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820 person
associatedWith Gibbs, Mary Channing, 1747-1824. person
associatedWith Gibson, James. person
associatedWith Goodyear, A. Conger (Anson Conger), 1877-1964, person
associatedWith Gray, Asa, 1810-1888 person
associatedWith Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872 person
associatedWith Haines & Twells. corporateBody
associatedWith Harding, Warren G. person
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associatedWith Hastings, George E. person
associatedWith Hill, Walter Nickerson, 1846-1884. person
associatedWith Hooker, Joseph Dalton, Sir, 1817-1911 person
memberOf Hopkinson family. family
associatedWith Hopkinson, James. person
associatedWith Howe, Richard Howe, Earl, 1726-1799. person
associatedWith Hubbard, John, collector. person
associatedWith Kountze, De Lancey, d. 1946, person
associatedWith Lewis, Ruth. person
associatedWith Livingston, William, 1723-1790. person
associatedWith Lonchon, Chevalier. person
associatedWith Longacre, James Barton, 1794-1869. person
associatedWith Marian S. Carson Collection (Library of Congress) corporateBody
associatedWith Marshall, George Nichols. person
associatedWith McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, person
associatedWith McKean, Mary Borden, d. 1773. person
associatedWith McKean, Thomas, 1734-1817. person
associatedWith Merritt, Jesse. person
associatedWith Morris, Robert, 1734-1806. person
associatedWith Negro Charity School (Philadelphia?, PA) corporateBody
associatedWith Newcomb, Simon person
associatedWith New Jersey. Treasury Dept. corporateBody
associatedWith Newton, Isaac, Sir, 1642-1727 person
associatedWith North, Anne Speke North, Lady, d. 1797, person
associatedWith Parnell, Thomas, 1679-1718 person
associatedWith Pennsylvania. Court of Admiralty. corporateBody
associatedWith Pennsylvania Hospital. Managers. corporateBody
associatedWith Phillips Family family
associatedWith Poinsett, Joel Roberts, 1779-1851 person
associatedWith Port of Philadelphia (Firm). corporateBody
associatedWith Redman, Thomas, 1742-1823 person
associatedWith Rittenhouse, David, 1732-1796 person
associatedWith Robinson, Elmer E., 1894-1982, person
associatedWith Rosenbach, A. S. W. (Abraham Simon Wolf), 1876-1952, person
associatedWith Rush, Benjamin, 1745-1813. person
associatedWith Salomon, Haym, 1740-1785 person
associatedWith Schoolcraft, Henry Rowe, 1793-1864 person
associatedWith Schrider, Jacob. person
associatedWith Seybert, Adam, 1773-1825 person
associatedWith Shield, William, 1748-1829. person
associatedWith Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866 person
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associatedWith Sully, Thomas, 1783-1872 person
associatedWith Taylor, R. (Raynor), 1747-1825. person
associatedWith Thomson, Charles, 1729-1824. person
associatedWith United States. Board of Treasury. corporateBody
memberOf United States. Continental Congress corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Continental Loan Office. corporateBody
memberOf United States. District Court (Pennsylvania) corporateBody
associatedWith Warren, J., fl. 1771, person
associatedWith Washington, George, 1732-1799 person
associatedWith Waterton, Charles, 1782-1865 person
associatedWith Wayne, Anthony person
associatedWith Willard, Henry A. (Henry Augustus), 1902- person
associatedWith Young, Nicholas. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Bordentown NJ US
Philadelphia PA US
New Castle DE US
Salem NJ US
Philadelphia PA US
Subject
Actions and defenses
Bills of exchange
Citizenship
Customs administration
Diplomatic privileges and immunities
Harpsichord music
Harpsichord music, Arranged
Hymns, English
Instrumental music
Literature, Arts, and Culture
Litigation
Loans, Foreign
Mental illness
Music
Music
Operas
Patronage, Political
Philadelphia History
Portraits
PRO Hopkinson, Edward Jr. (donor)
PRO Hopkinson, Francis
PRO Hopkinson, Oliver
Psalms (Music)
Sacred vocal duets with harpsichord
Sacred vocal trios with harpsichord
Shipping
Songs with harpsichord
Songs with harpsichord
Violin music (Violins (2))
Vocal duets with harpsichord
Vocal music
Occupation
Authors
Composers
Delegates, U.S. Continental Congress
Jurists
Lawyers
Loan officers
Painters
Public officials
Public officials
Statesmen
Activity

Person

Birth 1737-09-21

Death 1791-05-09

Male

Britons,

Americans

Italian,

French,

English

Information

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