Welcome to the Stephen Hopkins Colony of the Mayflower Society! Chartered in 2001, the Stephen Hopkins Colony serves the Treasure and Space Coasts of Florida, which include Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, and Martin Counties. Florida actually has 17 Society of Mayflower Descendants colonies, each representing a geographic area. Regardless of Mayflower ancestry, members generally affiliate with the closest colony to their permanent or winter residences. Members of the Stephen Hopkins Colony include not only descendants of Stephen Hopkins, but also descendants of most of the other passengers who arrived on the Mayflower at Plymouth in 1620. Our membership base is currently 136 regular members with 92 Junior Members.
The Society of Mayflower Descendants in Florida is one of the largest state organizations of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, which “exists to learn and disseminate information about the Pilgrims and to bring together members who document descent from that brave and committed group”. Our members include persons of many different faiths and personal backgrounds, united by a love of history and pride in the accomplishments of the Pilgrims. If your family research shows that you have a Pilgrim ancestor, we encourage you to contact us.
Cordially,
Sharon Paugh, Governor
COLONY BOARD AND OFFICERS 2020-2023
Colony Governor: Sharon Paugh
Vice-Governor: Carolyn “Lynne” Jensen
Corresponding/Membership Secretary: Marsha Adams
Recording Secretary: Susan “Sue” Hunt
Treasurer: Elizabeth “Beth” Dewey
Historian: Kurt Bressner
Elder: Lisa Tompson
Captain: Jeffrey “Jeff” Rogers
Director: Brian McWaters, Past Governor
Director: Janice Sly
Director: Etta Ocker
OTHER COLONY POSITIONS
Education Director: Lynne Jensen and Candi Byers
Junior Chair: Kurt Bressner
Assistant Historian: Carol Robinson
Newsletter Editor: Etta Ocker
Webmaster: Debbie Dalrymple
PAST COLONY GOVERNORS
Janice H Davis; Aurie Morrison; Benjamin Patt; Aline Scott; Alvene Watson; Brian McWaters
IN MEMORIAM
Henry (Tom) Coleman Davis, Thelma Janice Chase (Johnson) D’Amelio, Nances Bennett Duress, Colleen Alice (Brown) Kimball, M. Louise Tappan Scarpate