Hindman, William, 1743-1822

William Hindman (April 1, 1743 – January 19, 1822) was an American lawyer and statesman from Talbot County, Maryland. He represented Maryland in the Continental Congress, and in the federal Congress as both a Representative from the second and seventh districts, and as a U.S. Senator.

Born in Dorchester County in the Province of Maryland, Hindman pursued classical studies before attending the University of Pennsylvania and studying law at the Inns of Court in London, returning to Maryland in 1765. He was admitted to the bar, and practiced law in Talbot County. From 1775 and 1777, Hindman served in Maryland’s revolutionary government, as the state’s Treasurer for the Eastern Shore. He resigned this post when he was elected to the state Senate in 1777. He was re-elected several times, and served until 1784. Maryland sent him as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1785 and 1786.

Hindman returned to Maryland and served on the governor’s executive council from 1789 to 1792. In 1792 voters returned him to the state Senate, but later that year he was elected to the United States House of Representatives after the resignation of Joshua Seney. Hindman served in the Congress from 1793 to 1799, when he lost his bid for re-election, returning to his plantation and serving in the Maryland House of Representatives in 1799 and 1800. Following the resignation of U.S. Senator James Lloyd, Hindman was named to finish his term. He served in the United States Senate from December 1800 until November 1801, declining to run for re-election, returning to his plantation once more.

Hindman died in Baltimore, Maryland, and is buried in St. Paul’s Burial Ground there.