Revitalizing the UCLS A New Era for Surveying Professionals 2025 PUB. 17 ISSUE 1 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE UTAH COUNCIL OF LAND SURVEYORS In conjunction with the National Society of Professional Surveyors and the Western Federation of Professional Surveyors
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©2025 UCLS Foresights is published by the The newsLINK Group LLC for the land surveyors profession of the state of Utah and similar organizations on a complimentary basis. UCLS Foresights is not copyright protected, therefore articles, except where specifically copyright noted, may be reprinted with proper credit given. Articles appearing in the Foresights publication do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint or endorsement of UCLS, its officers, board of directors or the editor. Contributions are encouraged and may be submitted to UCLS at ucls@ucls.org. Utah Council of Land Surveyors EXECUTIVE BOARD 2025 State Chair DARRYL FENN Chair Elect CHRIS DONOGHUE Past Chair CHAD HILL NSPS Representative SEAN IRELAND WFPS Representative MIKE NADEAU Treasurer BRAD MORTENSEN To contact any of the UCLS officers, please visit ucls.memberclicks.net/officers. 16 14 Cover Photo Credit: Amos Wilson, PLS Contents 4 Learning, Adapting and Growing Together 5 Revitalizing the UCLS A New Era for Surveying Professionals 8 Advocating for Surveying Key Takeaways from the 2025 NSPS Spring Meeting 10 UCLS Standards and Ethics Committee 11 Western Federation of Professional Surveyors Report 14 Updates to the Geospatial Community 16 Recognizing Excellence: UCLS Award Recipients at the 2025 Convention 18 2025 UCLS Annual Conference in Photos 20 Surveyor and Revolutionary Stephen Hopkins UCLS Foresights 3
Learning, Adapting and Growing Together Letter from the Editor AMOS WILSON, PLS As the chair of the Publication Committee, I am pleased to share this edition of Foresights — a collection of articles inspired by the diverse topics discussed at our recent UCLS Convention, Mapping the Future: Lessons from the Past, Tools of Tomorrow. The convention offered a valuable forum for examining how our historical foundations inform the future of surveying, while also embracing the emerging tools and practices shaping our profession. I especially enjoyed learning about real estate law from our keynote speaker, Kris Kline, whose insights brought a fresh perspective to the legal dimensions of our work and helped us to know when to apply the different legal concepts. I also appreciated the practical tools shared to help us better manage our firms — the presentation on Key Performance Indicators, in particular, was both timely and useful. Another standout moment was the spirited discussion surrounding the new boundary line adjustment legislation in Utah. The debate underscored the evolving nature of our field and the challenges that come with regulatory changes. A sincere thank you goes out to all of the presenters and to the convention committee for organizing such a meaningful and well-executed event. Their hard work helped create an environment full of learning and connection. This year’s convention fostered some great discussions. I hope you find this issue informative and engaging as we continue to learn, adapt and grow together. Thank you for being an essential part of our professional community. UCLS Foresights 4
We owe a heartfelt THANK YOU to those who paved the way for us, from the dedicated leaders and members of the Utah Council of Land Surveyors (UCLS) to the educators and practicing surveyors who have tirelessly pushed and pulled us forward. Their collective efforts have brought us to where we are today, with a hopeful gaze towards the future. Now, it is our turn to carry the torch. In this exciting era where technology and innovation are transforming industries, the UCLS is courageously stepping forward to align with the evolving landscape of the surveying profession. As the essential foundation of boundary and infrastructure development, surveyors hold a pivotal role in shaping our world. The UCLS is passionately committed to equipping its members with the latest understanding of tools and knowledge to face today’s challenges confidently. One of our longstanding goals is the seamless integration of innovative technology into traditional surveying practices. With remarkable advancements in GPS/GNSS, drones, 3D scanners, AI and the latest software, surveyors can now achieve unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. The UCLS is proudly leading training programs, workshops and chapter meetings to empower professionals to stay ahead, ensuring they can fully harness these and other technologies. Equally dear to us is the emphasis on community and collaboration within our DARRYL FENN, CHAIR, UTAH COUNCIL OF LAND SURVEYORS profession. The UCLS deeply values the strength that comes from our unity. By nurturing a supportive network, surveyors can share insights, overcome shared challenges and drive innovation together. This spirit of collaboration enriches individual careers and elevates our entire profession. Furthermore, the UCLS is passionately working to encourage and welcome new talent into our field. By highlighting the diverse opportunities within surveying, from boundary and topographic surveys to environmental conservation to urban planning, we aim to inspire the next generation of surveyors. Our mentorship programs and outreach initiatives are vital to this mission, ensuring that newcomers receive the guidance and support they need to flourish. The UCLS is not merely keeping pace with the changing landscape of surveying; we are proudly leading the way. By embracing technology, fostering community and nurturing Revitalizing the UCLS A New Era for Surveying Professionals Thoughts from the Chair UCLS Foresights 5
new talent, the UCLS is setting a benchmark for excellence and innovation. As we support one another and grow our profession, we not only secure our future but also contribute to Utah’s sustainable development with pride and purpose. In closing, I would be remiss if I did not mention how much fun the 2025 UCLS Annual Conference was. From the vendors to the attendees, I believe we all had a good time while learning new skills and the applications of new laws. Sean Ireland deserves a big thank you for coordinating and arranging the venue, topics and speakers, and, of course, Chad Hill for his all-around service as our past chair. With that said, I personally look forward to our next conference in Las Vegas; it will be huge and jointly held with Nevada, serving as host, as well as California, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, Utah and WestFed. It is possible that other states may participate, but this has not been confirmed. The tentative date is March 18-21, 2026. Details will be forthcoming. Yours is a rich and time-honored profession! Be proud of who you are. Thank you for your dedication and passion. I wish you continued success and fulfillment in all you do! Darryl Fenn UCLS Foresights 6
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NSPS Update Advocating for Surveying BY SEAN IRELAND, UTAH DIRECTOR, NSPS Advocacy for the surveying profession remains a top priority, and I recently had the opportunity to meet with representatives from three of Utah’s Congressional Delegate offices: Congressman Burgess Owens, Sen. John Curtis and Sen. Mike Lee. These discussions focused on two critical issues championed by the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS): protecting professional licensure and ensuring survey mark preservation in disaster cleanup. Each conversation underscored the growing need for awareness and legislative action to support surveyors across the country. Defending Professional Licensure Professional licensure ensures that surveying remains a regulated and respected profession, safeguarding both public and private interests. During my meeting with Congressman Burgess Owens’ office, I was pleased to receive strong support for this issue. The staffer I met with expressed enthusiasm, noting, “This is something the Congressman needs to see and would support.” I emphasized the critical role surveyors play in major infrastructure projects and in safeguarding private property boundaries. Currently, Rep. John Joyce (R-PA) is seeking cosponsors for a resolution reinforcing professional licensure standards, presenting a valuable opportunity for Congressman Owens to step up in support. It is highly beneficial for individuals in Utah’s 4th Congressional District to reach out to Congressman Owens’ office and encourage his support for this measure. The more voices we can gather, the greater traction we can gain. Rep. Joyce, a licensed doctor whose father was a licensed engineer and surveyor, understands the importance of our profession and the necessity of protecting professional licensure. My meeting with Sen. John Curtis’ office was also productive, though slightly less direct. The staffer I met was not the primary contact for licensure matters but acknowledged the importance of maintaining professional standards. Despite the office’s temporary relocation in the basement of the Russell Senate Building, there was still an understanding of the issue’s significance. Preserving Survey Monuments in Disaster Cleanup Another major topic of discussion was the importance of protecting and replacing survey monuments, particularly after natural disasters and large-scale cleanup efforts. My meeting with Sen. Mike Lee’s office was highly engaging, lasting nearly an hour. The staff were eager to understand the funding sources for surveying monuments and whether insurance covers their replacement. After answering their questions, I explained that insurance does not cover the costs of replacing these monuments, creating an ongoing challenge for surveyors. One staffer recalled a previous meeting with Dan Perry, where they discussed the history of markers such as the Benjamin Banneker stones. This allowed me to highlight both the historical and practical importance of survey monuments. Our discussion extended beyond preservation efforts, as I also introduced the topics of professional licensure protection and the Military TAPS Program, which helps transitioning service members enter the surveying profession. Key Takeaways from the 2025 NSPS Spring Meeting UCLS Foresights 8
Looking Ahead These meetings reinforced the value of continued advocacy and relationship-building with policymakers. The positive response from Congressman Owens’ office presents a clear opportunity for Utah’s surveying community to encourage his support as a cosponsor for the licensure resolution. Meanwhile, the engagement from Sen. Lee’s office suggests promising discussions ahead regarding monument preservation. Moving forward, surveyors must remain proactive in educating legislators and the public on the importance of our profession. Our work underpins the nation’s infrastructure, property rights and historical preservation, making it critical that we secure the necessary legislative protections. By staying engaged in these discussions, we can help shape policies that will benefit the surveying profession for generations to come. Military Committee: Expanding Career Opportunities for Veterans One of the newest NSPS initiatives is the Military Committee, which was established to tap into the 10,000 service members who exit the military each week. The committee is working to secure a grant from NCEES to collaborate with “Hire Our Heroes,” an organization that sets up job recruitment events at military installations nationwide. The schedule for Hire Our Heroes is currently planned through June, starting on the East Coast and working westward. The NSPS vice president, Jeff Clendenning, chairs the committee and has laid significant groundwork over the past year, attending recruitment events at various bases, including Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, home to the Military Services’ Surveying School. For the upcoming year, the committee has set a goal of participating in 12 recruitment events. I plan to take part in events held in the Western states whenever possible. As a former army surveyor with the Corps of Engineers, I understand firsthand how military training and experience can set service members up for success in our profession. Military personnel need our support transitioning from active duty to civilian careers. They are some of the most dedicated and hardworking professionals, making them valuable additions to the surveying industry. The committee is actively working to integrate these efforts with the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP) to help address the shortage of skilled surveyors. Additionally, we aim to encourage service members to utilize their education benefits to pursue degrees in land surveying and work toward professional licensure. If you are interested in being involved in these efforts, please reach out to me. NSPS Structural Changes: Enhancing Member Engagement Lastly, NSPS is implementing a significant change to improve engagement. Instead of meeting only twice a year, directors will now hold monthly Zoom meetings. This change acknowledges NSPS’s role as the national voice for the land surveying community and aims to ensure that members’ concerns are addressed more frequently. Each month, these meetings will include updates on topics from the spring meeting, along with discussions on new issues brought forward by members. If you have topics or concerns that need to be addressed at the national level, please reach out to me. I will ensure that your voices are heard, and together, we will continue to build upon our profession’s foundation while advancing it into the future. UCLS Foresights 9
UCLS Standards and Ethics Committee BY KURT FALKENTHAL, STANDARDS AND ETHICS COMMITTEE CHAIR Recent Endeavors Land Surveying Services Being Misrepresented With the recent increase in the availability of geospatial information, the committee has been addressing companies that offer services that represent property/boundary lines when the location of said lines has not been determined by a licensed land surveyor. Some of this effort has been coordinated with WestFed. The committee has also pursued action against companies that offer fence line staking along property lines without performing a Record of Survey. Monument Standards Discussion The committee has been reviewing the existing Utah State Code and the UCLS Model Standards related to survey monument construction standards to assess the need for updates or modifications. The committee also looked at the monument standards of surrounding states to compare and contrast Utah’s current standards. Corner Record Report Discussion The filing of corner record reports is administered inconsistently throughout the state of Utah. The committee has been exploring ways to standardize the recording of corner records statewide and discussing ideas to promote their importance to the surveying profession as a whole. County Recorder Concern with Failures to File Records of Survey A county recorder reached out to the committee to express frustration with the lack of records of surveys being filed in their county. The recorder stated that residents had come into their office inquiring about a boundary survey that was performed on their property. When the recorder tried to locate it, many times, none were found. The committee contacted the surveyors in question with a Letter of Concern, reminding them about the requirement to file a Record of Survey when boundary lines have been established or retraced. UCLS Foresights 10
Western Federation of Professional Surveyors Report Greetings, fellow UCLS members! As we welcome the arrival of summer, I am pleased to provide updates from the recent Western Federation of Professional Surveyors (WFPS) Board Meeting, held virtually on Feb. 7, 2025. While I personally prefer in-person meetings, this virtual format allowed participation from all 13 western states. Virtual meetings offer both advantages and challenges. On the downside, they limit the informal yet invaluable discussions that often take place outside of formal sessions — those “shop talk” conversations over dinner that can provide critical insights and strengthen professional relationships. Additionally, the absence of face-to-face interaction can diminish the sense of camaraderie that in-person meetings foster. However, the financial benefits of virtual meetings cannot be overlooked. By eliminating travel and accommodation expenses, UCLS ensures responsible stewardship of our members’ financial resources. While I recognize the necessity of virtual meetings, I look forward to future in-person gatherings, where deeper engagement and valuable networking opportunities can take place. Key Updates from the Board Meeting • Expansion of the 2026 Western Regional Conference: As Conference Committee Chairman for WFPS, I am excited to announce that the upcoming 2026 Western Regional Conference in Las Vegas is growing! In addition to the WFPS, the event will now include Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona and Wyoming. Furthermore, New Mexico is in discussions to join as well, with confirmation expected soon. If finalized, this will bring six states together in one location. Mark your calendars for March 18-21, 2026, at the Horseshoe in Las Vegas — you won’t want to miss it! BY MICHAEL NADEAU, PLS, CFEDS, DIRECTOR, WFPS UCLS Foresights 11
• Outstanding Contributions to Outreach: Our colleague from Nevada, Trent Keenan, continues to make remarkable strides in advancing the profession. As Outreach Committee chairman, Trent has been instrumental in engaging the next generation of surveyors through initiatives such as Mentoring Mondays and Wisdom Wednesdays. His dedication deserves recognition — thank you, Trent! • Scholarship Committee Update: The WFPS scholarship committee recently awarded its final two scholarships to deserving surveying students in the West, effectively depleting the fund. Given WFPS’s commitment to avoiding competition with state-level scholarship and education funding, the committee is currently inactive. The future of this initiative remains to be determined, but we will provide updates as discussions evolve. • Potential “Mapping Pathway” to Professional Licensure: NCEES is exploring the development of a new “mapping science” pathway to professional surveying licensure. According to recent information released from NCEES, this pathway would establish a non-boundary professional surveying license focused on authoritative mapping disciplines such as remote sensing, hydrography, photogrammetry and geodesy. Licensees would hold the same professional surveying credentials as traditional surveyors but would be expected to practice within their specific area of expertise. This proposal raises important questions for our profession. I have my own perspective, but I am eager to hear your thoughts. What implications do you foresee for the profession, and how should UCLS respond? Please reach out to me or any UCLS board member to share your insights. • CFedS Program Review and Its Impact: Several states have been affected by the federal government’s review of the CFedS (Certified Federal Surveyor) program. As you may be aware, this review led to the cancellation of CFedS training at our UCLS Annual Conference in February. • Wyoming Corner Crossing Case and Its Implications: A significant legal ruling has emerged from Wyoming regarding “corner crossing” on checkerboard-patterned lands, where private and public land ownership alternate in square-mile sections. Hunters who crossed from one public section to another at the corners were initially charged with criminal and civil trespassing by a private landowner. However, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of the hunters, setting a precedent that could impact similar cases throughout the West, including in Utah. This ruling warrants close attention as it may influence land access rights across multiple states. UCLS Foresights 12
WFPS Professional Surveyor (PS) Exam Study Course WFPS is in the process of developing a virtual study course for the NCEES PS exam. If you are interested in participating in this project, please email admin@wfps.org. WFPS Fundamental of Surveying (FS) Exam Study Course WFPS online FS Study Course includes approximately 16 hours of videos and a manual. The program not only helps to bring affordable study resources to future surveyors but also generates revenue for our state association members. To date, WFPS has shared over $4,000 in profits with our state association members. Information on the program can be found at wfps.org. Steve Parrish Continuing Education Library WFPS has captured over 18 hours of webinars with respected speaker Steve Parrish. The webinars are available to purchase as a full library or as individual modules. For those that require a certificate of completion for continuing education, exams are available. Please check with your state licensing board to confirm that continuing education credit for self-study webinars. Information on the program can be found at wfps.org. WFPS Editor’s Forum WFPS continues to host an Editor’s Forum to share information and exchange ideas for building better magazines. For information, please email the WFPS Executive Office at admin@wfps.org. What WFPS Can Do For You In line with my previous reports, I continue to encourage UCLS members to raise any surveying concerns that can be addressed at a regional level through the WFPS. As your director and representative to WFPS and the former WFPS chairman, I am here to represent you. So please don’t hesitate to contact me at mikenadeau.ucls@gmail.com. About WFPS WFPS was formed in 1979. The board of directors includes two delegates from each of the 13 western states. WFPS serves as a regional voice for land surveyors and meets quarterly to discuss practice issues affecting western state surveyors. For more information about WFPS and the state associations, visit wfps.org. UCLS Foresights 13
It was a great pleasure to meet so many Utah surveyors and geospatial professionals at the February Utah Council of Land Surveyors conference in St. George. The enthusiasm this group has shown for utilizing and maintaining geodetic control is an asset to your state. I commend this community for committing to real-time Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) networks and for embracing the new opportunities in digital data deliveries to streamline data collection and simplify inspections. In the next year, the modernization of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) will give our country’s geospatial framework its most significant update in more than 40 years. Whereas previous datums were introduced before the prevalence of GNSS, our modernized reference frames have taken advantage of satellite observations to align the datum origin with Earth’s center of mass. This provides a datum commensurate with the centimeter-level accuracy available with GNSS. The new reference frames will also rotate with the tectonic plates, recognizing time-dependent positions and providing consistency of coordinates over time. Next, the North America-Pacific Geopotential Datum of 2022 (NAPGD2022) uses advances in gravity measurement techniques to provide better accuracy and consistency of heights throughout the U.S. and its territories. This will improve height determination across remote mountainous regions like Utah’s, where elevations range by more than two vertical miles. The modernization of the NSRS will include access to the new 2022 State Plane Coordinate System. Utah has worked closely with NGS to create 91 individual Grid Coordinate System zones for the new NSRS, which is more than any other state. These zones will allow surveyors and engineers to minimize ground versus grid discrepancies for more consistent length and area computations across all disciplines. This update will have widespread ramifications BY KEITH KOHL, SOUTHWEST REGIONAL GEODETIC ADVISOR, NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY UCLS Foresights 14
across surveying, mapping, construction and many other industries. Our geospatial community will rely on sound leadership and real-world experience as we move to the North American Terrestrial Reference Frame 2022 and NAPGD2022. To realize the full benefits of modernization, we will need all stakeholders to work together to understand and implement the changes that are necessary. Help your fellow geospatial professionals by supporting working groups in your offices and communities. Put yourselves in positions to review and approve changes to standards documents. Together, we can build a future where highly accurate geospatial data is quickly, accurately and reliably accessible. Keith Kohl Southwest Regional Geodetic Advisor (Utah, Arizona, New Mexico) National Geodetic Survey Flagstaff, Arizona New Datums Email Subscriptions Federal Register https://geodesy.noaa.gov/datums/ newdatums/index.shtml https://geodesy.noaa.gov/INFO/ subscribe.shtml https://www.federalregister.gov/ documents/2024/10/09/2024-23347/ updated-implementation-timelinefor-the-modernized-national-spatialreference-system-nsrs UCLS Foresights 15
Recognizing Excellence: UCLS Award Recipients at the 2025 Convention Each year, the Utah Council of Land Surveyors (UCLS) recognizes professionals who have made notable contributions to the field. At the 2025 UCLS Convention, two surveyors were honored for their dedication and impact on the profession. Riley Lindsay was named Surveyor of the Year in recognition of his professional achievements and service within the surveying community. His work reflects a strong commitment to the industry and the advancement of best practices. Ryan Savage received the Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledging his long career and contributions to land surveying in Utah. His years of experience and involvement have helped shape the profession and support future generations of surveyors. This article features the nomination letters submitted by UCLS members. UCLS Foresights 16
2024 Surveyor of the Year Riley Lindsay 2024 UCLS Lifetime Achievement Award Ryan Savage Riley Lindsay is the ROW/utilities manager for UDOT Region 4 and has worked at UDOT for the last 10 years. Riley has worked to influence younger generations to investigate and pursue land survey careers within the public and private sectors. He has overseen numerous rotational employees in the Land Survey Department at UDOT and goes above and beyond to train new hires. He is open to sharing all his knowledge about land surveying and shows his enthusiasm through his work ethic. Riley has also worked to create land survey positions for interns in order to benefit others and our community. He is dedicated to his land surveyor profession and is a great influence on the UCLS community. Riley is at the forefront of technology when it comes to utilizing new surveying tools and software. He is a member of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program and is on a national committee for implementing new training and ideas as the UAS leg of land surveying evolves in the future. He was invited to attend Clemson University in January to participate in the pilot program flight proficiency test for UAS pilot classifications. Riley represented our state and UDOT as a member of this committee. Ryan has been surveying in Utah since the early ‘80s when he began as an apprentice to Rowen Butler in Richfield, Utah. His surveying career has spanned much of the West, completing seismic surveying in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and California in his early career. He later settled in Utah, became a Utah Licensed Land Surveyor in 1993 and obtained his Nevada license a few years later. He has mentored many in the industry and has owned and run his own company from 2005-23 in the central Utah area. Ryan has worked in the surveying profession for over 40 years. He is very thorough in his work, and in helping others understand the principles behind completing an accurate survey. Ryan has been a great mentor for other young surveyors as they progress in their field. Ryan started out in the surveying profession as a helper. By keeping his eyes and ears open as to what was being done, he learned the ins and outs of surveying. He studied and learned on his own while working as a surveyor. Ryan gained the skills and the knowledge to become a professional surveyor and has been an asset to those he worked for and with in the profession.
2025 UCLS Annual Conference in Photos St. George, Utah February 19-21 UCLS Foresights 18
UCLS Foresights 19
In the U.S., everybody knows a little bit about the Declaration of Independence. This document was the formal announcement of the split between the Colonies and the British Crown — ultimately creating the United States of America. Of the 56 signers, six of them were surveyors. I’ve written about one of them already — the lead author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson. Until I started researching the history of the document, I thought George Washington was also one of the signers. I’m sure he would have been, but at the time, he was in New York with his army. But he did get a copy of the Declaration soon after it was signed, sent to him by John Hancock. On the evening of July 9, 1776, he gathered his troops at the parade grounds in Lower Manhattan at 6:00 p.m. so they could listen to the Declaration of Independence … even as thousands of Hessian and British soldiers were landing on Staten Island. We all know how this story ends, but we don’t know much about the other five surveyors who signed the Declaration of Independence. Stephen Hopkins, Surveyor and Revolutionary One of them was Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island. His signature is by far the shakiest, but it wasn’t because he was afraid. At the time he signed the Declaration at age 69, he was dealing with palsy and was reported to say, “My hand trembles, but my heart does not!” BY EMILY PIERCE, PLS, CFedS Copy of the Declaration of Independence Surveyor and Revolutionary UCLS Foresights 20
Stephen Hopkins’ signature on the Declaration of Independence. His whole family was involved in civic activities. For example, his great-grandfather was appointed as a member of the Newport Town Committee in 1661, and his maternal great-grandfather was a member of the Colonial Assembly in 1659. Hopkins’ cousin, Benedict Arnold, became a Revolutionary War general who subsequently committed treason. Hopkins was definitely not a traitor. After marrying at age 19, he became a surveyor at age 24, a prominent position that subsequently led to him becoming the Scituate town clerk, then president of the Town Council in 1735. He represented the township at the General Assembly from 1732 to 1741 and became speaker in 1742. By 1774, he and his growing family had moved to Providence, where he continued his public service career that included stints as justice on the Court of Common Pleas, justice of the Superior Court and then chief justice. In 1755, he was elected governor of Rhode Island for the first of nine terms. He was also appointed as Rhode Island’s delegate to the pan-colonial congresses in four consecutive sessions. Stephen Hopkins’ house in Providence, Rhode Island Hopkins was born in 1707 in Providence and grew up in a nearby small farm town now known as Cranston. His mother was from a prominent Quaker family and, contrary to the existing Quaker disdain for learning, invested in Stephen’s education. Along with his farm chores, his grandfather and uncle taught him Greek, Roman and British history and English poetry, as well as mathematics. UCLS Foresights 21
The Right Place at the Right Time His time at the pan-colonial congresses was pivotal. He became friends with Benjamin Franklin as well as others who would become leading revolutionaries. In the years leading up to the Revolutionary War, he authored pamphlets attacking the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act, both of which were punitive taxes levied by the British crown. And in 1768, when John Hancock’s ship was seized by the British and sent to Newport to become part of the Royal Navy, it was burned by an angry mob. When the British ordered those involved to be apprehended and tried, Hopkins, as chief justice, refused to do so. At a meeting of the General Assembly of Rhode Island in 1774, Hopkins introduced a bill to prevent the further importation of slaves and freed those slaves that he owned. Since the slave trade was a core economic driver in Rhode Island at the time, this was a notable stance from a leading politician. Even as he was holding public office, he also went into business with his brother to build and outfit shipping vessels. He also founded the Providence Athenaeum, which is an association for the advancement of learning, an institution first created by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in about A.D. 133. He was the first chancellor of Rhode Island College (now Brown University), helped found the Providence Gazette and contributed to building a telescope in Providence for observing the transit of Venus. Hopkins was named as one of two Rhode Island residents to the First Continental Congress in 1774, where he made this declaration concerning the resolution of the differences between the colonies and the British: “… powder and ball will decide this question. The gun and bayonet alone will finish the contest in which we are engaged, and any of you who cannot bring your minds to this mode of adjusting this question had better retire in time.” In June of the same year, Hopkins was appointed to the 13-member committee (one from each state) to draft the country’s first constitution, The Articles of Confederation. With his health failing, he returned to Rhode Island soon thereafter. Hopkins died on July 13, 1785, and is buried in the North Burying Ground at Providence. An extensive assembly of notable people followed the funeral procession of Hopkins to the cemetery, including court judges, the president, professors and students of the college, citizens of the town and inhabitants of the state. The Rhode Island Legislature dedicated a special monument at his gravesite in his honor, and it provides an elaborate testimony to the life of the patriot. The more I learn about this country’s early surveyors, the more I am amazed by their incredible contributions to shaping the nation. They not only set boundaries and settled disputes, but they were civic leaders, legislators and visionaries. I’m not a civic leader, but I know the work I do matters. It’s essential to the very foundation of our economy — and it’s the foundation that we all build upon. Resources https://www.dsdi1776.com/signers-by-state/stephen-hopkins/ UCLS Foresights 22
Stephen Hopkins in the famous painting by John Trumbull UCLS Foresights 23
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