Benjamin Hinman
| Benjamin Hinman | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 January 1719 Woodbury, Connecticut |
| Died | 22 March 1810 Southbury, Connecticut |
| Allegiance | Continental Army |
| Years of service | 1745-1777 |
| Rank | Colonel |
Benjamin Hinman (1719–1810) was a Surveyor, Soldier and Legislator.
He participated in the Colonial and Revolutionary Wars and took part in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Notably, he was present at Bernetz Brook where General Howe was killed in 1758. He was also one of the first American officers of the revolutionary war and led a regiment into the field to secure the Hudson corridor from the British a year before the declaration of independence. In later life, he was involved in the exploration and surveying of portions of Vermont. In modern times, he is known for his, often misrepresented, confrontations with Benedict Arnold and New York General Philip Schuyler.
Hinman was born in the town of Woodbury, Connecticut. His family was among the original settlers of that community in the 1670s. His parents were Benjamin Hinman II (b. 1692) and Sarah Sherman. His grandfather, Captain John Sherman, served in the Connecticut legislature and was Speaker of the House of Representatives. Colonel Hinman’s parents perished of sickness in 1727 leaving the young Benjamin and his siblings orphans. The children were taken in by relatives and were raised in the family of Judge Noah Hinman.
Colonel Hinman rose to prominence as a military officer during the era of the French and Indian Wars; first serving as quartermaster in a contingent of Connecticut horse in 1745. In 1751, he served in a troop under General Roger Wolcott in the invasion of Canada. Then in 1753, he received a commission as cornet (a cavalry second lieutenant) in the 13th Connecticut Regiment of foot and horse. Next, he was promoted to Captain of the 6th company of foot and assigned to the regiment of Colonel Elizur Goodrich in 1755. This unit was involved in defending Fort Crown Point near Lake Champlain from the French army. Hinman’s company took part in the battle between the forces of Sir William Johnson and Baron Dieskau in September of that year. Promoted to Major of the 4th regiment in 1756, he participated in the invasion of Canada in Colonel Whiting’s Regiment. In 1757, he was in the field by commission of Governor Fitch and involved in the campaigns around lakes George and Champlain. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the third regiment of Foot by Governor Pitken in 1758,. The famous Israel Putnam was assigned as a Major under him. Hinman was present in the action at Bernitz Brook when Lord Howe was killed and his unit took part in the abortive battle at Ticonderoga under General James Abercrombie shortly thereafter. A great many losses were sustained by the British and Provincial Army at this time and most of the soldiers from Woodbury never returned home again. In 1759, Col. Hinman was again in service in the successful campaign that all but ended the war in North America. In that year, he fought at Fort Ticonderoga, Crown point and Quebec. As hostilities declined, Colonel Hinman was elected to serve as a representative (deputy) in the Connecticut Colonial Legislature serving in sessions from 1760 -1762 and again in 1767 – 1768. From 1767-1771 he held a commission as Lieutenant Colonel of a regiment of Horse and Foot. He became Colonel of the same regiment (the 13th) in 1771 and held this commission through the beginning of the revolutionary war.
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