David Hopkins, son of Rufus and Amey (Shippee) Hopkins, was born February 10, 1797, at Exeter, R. I. After spending his childhood on his father's farm, he was employed at the age of fifteen years in a cotton factory, which his father had just purchased in the northeastern part of the town of Exeter. In 1818 he removed to Nooseneck Hill, and there engaged in business on his own account as a manufacturer of cotton yarn. He was highly successful in this line, which he continued to follow during practically his entire life. As a young man he kept entirely out of politics, but later became quite a prominent figure on the Republican side in this region. His death occurred at his home on New Fenner street, Cranston, to which he had removed some years previously, March 17, 1881, and he was buried in the family cemetery at Nooseneck Valley. He married, August 11, 1818, Sarah Franklin, daughter of Joshua and Laurana (Allen) Franklin, and they were the parents of the following children: Julia A., who became the wife of Robert K. Sunderland, and died at West Greenwich; Caroline W., who became the wife of William S. Harris, of Rhode Island; Lyman Rhodes, mentioned below; Marcy M., who became the wife of Charles Tripp, and died at Providence; Edwin W.; and Mary M., who became the wife of the Hon. Ezra K. Parker, of Providence.
