Sir Francis Hopkins, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Sir Francis Hopkins, 1st Baronet (born August 2, 1756 – died September 19, 1814) was an important Anglo-Irish politician. This means he was from Ireland but had strong British connections.
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Sir Francis Hopkins: A Look at His Life
Early Life and Important Jobs
Francis Hopkins was the son of Francis Hopkins and Martha Burton. As he grew up, he took on two important jobs. He worked as a land agent, which means he helped manage large areas of land for other people. He also served as a magistrate. A magistrate is like a local judge who handles smaller legal cases and keeps the peace in the community.
Keeping the Peace
In his role as a magistrate, Sir Francis Hopkins led a group of militia. A militia is a group of citizens who are trained like soldiers but are not part of the regular army. They helped keep order. He was involved in stopping a group called the United Irishmen. These were people who wanted to change how Ireland was governed.
A Special Honor: Becoming a Baronet
Because of his work, especially his efforts to maintain peace, Sir Francis Hopkins received a special honor. In July 1795, he was made a baronet. This is a hereditary title, meaning it can be passed down in the family, similar to a knight but a bit higher. His title was "1st Baronet, of Athboy" in the Baronetage of Ireland.
Serving in Parliament
Sir Francis Hopkins also became a Member of Parliament (often called an MP). An MP is someone elected by the people to represent them and help make laws. He represented the area of Kilbeggan in the Irish House of Commons. This was part of the government in Ireland before it joined with Great Britain. He served from 1798 to 1800.
Changes in Government
His time in the Irish Parliament ended shortly after 1800. This was because of new laws called the Acts of Union 1800. These laws joined Ireland and Great Britain, creating the United Kingdom. After this, the Irish House of Commons no longer existed.
Family Life
Sir Francis Hopkins married Eleanor Thompson. They had three children together. When Sir Francis Hopkins passed away, his only son, who was also named Francis, took over his title as the next Baronet.
