There was much opposition to his proposed marriage to Mary Glover byher friends, the reason being that she had only two children and he eight. His second wife was said to be a very beautiful person, and also one of the most accomplished and intelligent women of the colony, her daughters followed in their mother's likeness.
Thomas Hinckley, for over half a century, held offices of trust andpower in the colony. In 1667, he was a member of the "council-of-war" just prior to the King Philip conflict. He was made the first Deputy Governor of Plymouth Colony in 1680, nominated to this position by King James II as Vice-Royalty. When this position was abolished, he became governor in 1681, an office he held until 1692, being the 6th and last Governor of Plymouth Colony before it became a part of Massachusetts. He is said to have been a man of great character, with a distinguished reputation and controlling influence over the average man, while demonstrating good common sense and judgment. To write what is known about this man, giving an account of his accomplishments, or even a short synopsis of his acts, would afford a volume in itself, a undertaking I shall not try to offer.
A man of his prominence was bound to have enemies. The Quakerpopulation was very upset and hostile toward him, calling him "intolerant and cruel," this was unjustly so, as actually he was careful to examine the questions presented to him and was rarely wrong. His opinions were tolerant and independent pertaining to religion. A great deal has been written about him in Mr. Moors book on the Governors of Plymouth and Massachusetts.
On 14 Feb. 1700/1, Mr. Hinckley drew up his will which was veryextensive and may be found in verbatim by searching the Mayflower Descendant, volume 5, page 337. He appoints his wife, "Mary my deare and loving wife to be sole Executrix" as well as naming all others in his family. Because his wife died before the will was changed, the court, after his death, appointed on April 27, 1705, Samuel Prence as the new administrator. Samuel was his son-in-law, married to his daughter Mercy. The estate was inventoried on May 1, 1705 to the amount of £178, 13s, 6p.
Gov. Thomas Hinckley, like his father, had a very large family,seventeen children being considered large, even by colonial standards when the average family was around seven to eleven. By his first wife, Thomas had eight children and nine more followed with his second wife Mary.
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