384 LINCOLN COUNTY. 



times for the last five years, curious sounds, resembling those 

 of distant thunder, have been heard. The noise has been so 

 great as to produce a shaking of the glasses, fences, &c. 



There is a young gentleman novv^ living in this county, Mr. 

 Sterne Simmons, who is 25 years old and weighs 504 pounds. 



Name. — Major General Benjamin Lincoln, to commemo- 

 rate whose worth this county was named, deserves a high rank 

 in the fraternity of American heroes. He was born in Hing- 

 ham, Mass., January 23, 1733, in the same house in which he 

 died on the 9th of May, 1810. He was not favoured with a 

 good education; but by reading, compensated in a great mea- 

 sure for this defect. For forty years he followed the occupa- 

 tion of a farmer, although during this period he was honoured 

 with many civil and military offices. Having taken a firm 

 stand in favour of his country, he determined to devote himself 

 to her liberties ; and Washington, knowing his integrity and abi- 

 lity, recommended him to Congress as an excellent officer, and 

 he was appointed by that body a Major General in the conti- 

 nental establishment. He w^as in several engagements with 

 the enemy, in one of which he received a severe wound, which 

 occasioned lameness during the remainder of his life. Wash- 

 ington selected him to take the chief command of the southern 

 department. Upon coming to Charleston, in 1778, he found 

 himself embarrassed by circumstances which would have en- 

 tirely discouraged any man not possessing unconquerable 

 energy. In the attack upon Savannah in 1779, in conjunction 

 with the French, he was repulsed. At the siege of Yorktown 

 he distinguished himself, and his name is to be found among 

 those of the general officers whose services were particularly 

 mentioned. In 1781 he was chosen by Congress Secretary at 

 War, which he resigned, October, 1783. In 1786-7, he was 

 appointed to command a detachment of militia to oppose 

 Shay's insurrection ; and by his prudent measures the insur- 

 rection was suppressed. In 1789, Washington appointed him 

 Collector of the port of Boston, which office he held until within 

 two years of his death. In Lincoln's character strength and 

 softness, the estimable and amiable qualities, were happily blend- 

 ed. His mind was quick and discriminating. As a military 

 commander he was judicious, brave, and indefatigable. From 



