Lyman Gillett Hinckley was born in the Post Mills area of Thetford, Vermont on April 13, 1832, a son of Lyman Hinckley and Phebe (Gillett) Hinckley.[1][2][3] His father was a noted anti-slavery activist and served in local offices including assistant judge of the Orange County court.[4][5]
Hinckley attended the schools of Thetford and graduated from Thetford Academy in 1851.[6] In 1852, he began attendance at Dartmouth College while teaching school and selling books and newspaper subscriptions door-to-door to pay his tuition.[6] He graduated in 1856, and moved to Chelsea. Hinckley studied law with William Hebard and Burnham Martin and was admitted to the bar in 1860.[7] Hinckley did not actively practice law, preferring instead to concentrate on his duties as county clerk.[8]
Hinckley died suddenly on November 26, 1887 while in Boston to visit his sisters for Thanksgiving.[11] He was buried Highland Cemetery in Chelsea.
Family
In 1861, Hinckley married Mary Sybil Henry of Waterbury, Vermont, the sister of William Wirt Henry.[12] They had a daughter, Hattie, who died in 1872 at age eight.[10] Mary Hinckley died in 1874, and Lyman Hinckley never remarried.[10][12]