302 History of Hlngham. 



though there is such confusion in the rolls as to make it practi- 

 cally impossible to give names and time of service. 



The town continued as earnest at home in the support of the 

 patriot cause as it was active in the field. March 18, 1776, 

 Theophilus Cushing, John Fearing, Thomas Loring, Israel Beal, 

 and Peter Hobart were chosen a Committee of Correspondence, 

 Inspection and Safety ; and May 23d, Benjamin Lincoln, Hezekiah 

 Cushing, and Dea. Joshua Ilersey were appointed a committee 

 to prepare instructions for the representatives, Enoch Lincoln, 

 Theophilus Cushing, and John Fearing, just chosen. This they 

 did in the following terms : — 



"O 



» 



To Enoclt Lincoln, Theopftilus Cusliing, and John Fearing : 



Gentlemen, — You are delegated to represent the Town of Hingham 

 in the next General Court to be held in this colony ; and although we 

 entertain the highest sense of your integrity, patriotism, and ability, of 

 which we have given full evidence in appointing you to this weighty trust, 

 yet as matters of the greatest importance relative to the freedom and 

 happiness not only of this but of all of the United Colonies, on which you 

 may wish to have the advice of your constituents, will come before you 

 for your determination — you are instructed and directed at all times to 

 give your vote and interest in support of the present struggle with Great 

 Britain. We ask nothing of her but " Peace, Liberty, and Safety." You 

 will never recede from that claim ; and agreeably to a resolve of the late 

 House of Representatives, in case the honourable Continental Congress 

 declare themselves independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, solemnly 

 to engage in behalf of your constituents, that they will with their lives 

 and fortunes support them in the measure. You will also, as soon as may 

 be, endeavor to procure a more equal representation of this colony in 

 General Assembly ; and that it be b} T fewer members than at present the 

 several towns have a right to return ; and when this is affected you will 

 give your vote for calling a new house. 



Benjamin Lincoln, Town Clerk. 



It is impossible not to notice the signature, or to avoid giving a 

 thought to the man who wrote the words, " Benjamin Lincoln, 

 Town Clerk," at the foot of this document. Within a period of a 

 little more than a year he had as colonel of his regiment been 

 hurrying his men to Lexington and to the investiture of Boston ; 

 been chosen by the Council the first of the Committee, upon which 

 were also Major Fuller, of Newton, Mr. Singleton, Mr. Durfee, and 

 Mr. Dexter, to consider the very important matter of providing 

 each of the soldiers composing the army then rapidly gathering 

 around Boston with the coats which had been promised as a 

 bounty to each man upon enlistment, — from which comes the 

 te.m " Coat Rolls," as applied to the lists of the Massachusetts 

 troops raised to besiege Lord Howe ; been sent to Washington by 

 the Council upon the matter of sea-coast defence ; been promoted 

 to be brigadier-general in the colonial establishment ; in May, 

 1775, served as a member of the Provincial Congress, of which 



