One branch of the tree that appears destined for battle was the Hinman clan. Perhaps it was a matter of time and place for this family. They settled in Connecticut from around 1650-1810; a region that witnessed many wars and skirmishes throughout that span of years.
The Hinmans originally hailed from England, but Edward Hinman first brought the line to the Americas, arriving in Boston, Massachusetts on the William & George of London ship in June of 1650 as a crewman, refusing to reboard and return to London.
It's alleged that either he or his father (who also carried the given name of Edward) served as Sergeant-at-Arms in the body guard for King Charles I and had to flee during Oliver Cromwell's reign as Lord Protectorate. King Charles I had been executed the year prior, so the timeline of his emigration would appear reasonable.
The Dutch records of Albany, New York reported that Sergeant Edward Hinman and Captain John Underhill offered their military services to Governor Stuyvesant to fight the Indians. It's likely this refers to the immigrant Edward, as his will names him as Sgt. Edward Hinman. And so, the Hinmans' military history in American begins.
Many of Edward's descendants entered the service and several participated in the Revolutionary War in some capacity. His grandson, Samuel Hinman (son of Edward Hinman, Jr.) was given the title of Captain. For what? It's not clear. He was a land surveyor, held in high regard among the townspeople of Litchfield County, Connecticut, but whether he bore arms is not yet known.
His twin sons, Asahel and Asher, both responded to the Lexington Alarm and then served in different regiments in the American Revolution. Asahel was also listed on the 1762 payroll of Connecticut soldiers in the French & Indian War. His tombstone reads CAPTAIN ASAHEL HINMAN, a title possibly gained while serving in the New Jersey Militia. He certainly would have made his father proud. As would Asher with his tombstone reading REVOLUTIONARY WAR SGT. ASHER HINMAN.
Asher's son, Arad Hinman, then continues the line of service, joining the King's Regiment of the Ohio Militia as a Private during the War of 1812. The next generation appeared to get the slightest bit of luck. Arad's son, Orlin Oliver Hinman, was born just a few years early to be drafted for the Civil War (though technically men of his age range were ultimately sent out to battle).
Orlin got passed over, but that didn't mean he didn't sacrifice during those years. His eldest son, Lewis Stark Hinman, joined Company D 32nd Regiment of the Iowa Infantry, fighting for the Union.
It would seem the Hinmans were raised for war even once they left the New England area.
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