Est. 1994 · Huntington, West Virginia
Preserving the genealogical history and heritage of the Henchman, Hensman, Hinchman, and Hincksman families since 1994.
Who We Are
The Hinchman Heritage Society was formally organized in Huntington, West Virginia the weekend of April 23, 1994. This organizational meeting was attended by thirty family members from Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The founder and first president was Robert Hinchman, Jr. of Dallas, Texas.
1921–1996 · Founder & First President
Robert Hinchman, Jr. was the visionary founder and first president of the Hinchman Heritage Society, organizing its inaugural gathering in Huntington, West Virginia in April 1994.
A resident of Dallas, Texas, Robert devoted decades to researching and preserving the Hinchman family lineage. His tireless dedication brought together family members from across the country and inspired the Society's enduring mission.
He was a founding benefactor of Marshall University's Special Collections and the driving force behind the creation of PANA (Pan-American Numismatic Association), reflecting a life of broad intellectual curiosity and civic commitment.
Gathering genealogical, historical, and biographical knowledge about our family heritage.
Establishing and maintaining a centralized archive for family records and documents.
Helping our scattered family stay connected across the country and around the world.
Our English Roots
"Legend has it that Thomas Crosborough of Magna Doddington, Northamptonshire, saved the life of King Henry VII during a hunt. Upon being rescued from the tusks of a wild boar the King said to him: 'Truly, thou art my veritable henchman.' Thomas thereupon changed his name to Henchman, and thus, the family began."
His great grandson Thomas was apprenticed at the age of 12 to William Cokayne, Master of the Skinners' Guild, and subsequently became a prominent merchant and Freeman of the City of London during the latter part of the reign of Elizabeth I. Thomas was the father of Humfry who was instrumental in aiding Charles II escape to France during the English Civil War. Thus, two Henchmans have helped save the lives of two English kings.
The family began its migration to New England in 1637, to Maryland in 1664, and to Australia in the 1860's. Our generation, wherever we live, are descendants of Thomas Crosborough Henchman, his sons and grandsons. It is an adventure for each of us to discover our particular origins.
— Written by Robert Hinchman, Jr., October 1992
1592–1675
Bishop of Salisbury (1660–1663) and Bishop of London (1663–1675), Humphrey Henchman was a prominent English clergyman and key ancestor of the Hinchman family line.
A staunch supporter of the Stuart Restoration, Henchman played a crucial role in restoring the Church of England to its former prominence after the English Civil War. His ecclesiastical authority shaped the religious landscape of 17th-century England.
From 1667 until his death, Henchman served as Governor of the Charterhouse in London, a prestigious charitable institution. His leadership elevated the school's academic standing and charitable mission.
His descendants emigrated to America, establishing the American branch of the Hinchman family and contributing significantly to early colonial and post-colonial society.
Family History
Hover or tap any event to read the full story
Mounted royal attendants known as 'hengestmann' serve the English crown.
Thomas Crosborough saves Henry VII from a wild boar, earning the name 'Henchman'.
Born in Barton Seagrave, Northamptonshire — future Bishop of London.
Humphrey Henchman helps King Charles II flee to France after the Battle of Worcester.
First Henchman family members arrive in Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Family branches establish roots in Maryland, expanding the American footprint.
Descendants push into Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and beyond.
Family branches reach Australia during the colonial era.
Mortimer L. Hinchman publishes a landmark genealogical compilation of the family tree.
The Society is established to preserve and share family history for future generations.
Official Publication
From 1637 to the Present
Researched & compiled by Mary Wilhelm Hinchman. This definitive family history is the result of Mary's extraordinary dedication — decades of tireless research tracing the Hinchman lineage across generations, states, and centuries. Her contributions to preserving our family's legacy are immeasurable.
A Kind of Homecoming — by Stephen F. Hinchman
In my restless wanderings throughout our nation I have always compared myself to the early American pioneer, forever moving on, each of us following our own dreams. But I wondered exactly what our early ancestors were after, these people whose pursuit of happiness paved the way for the waves of 19th century immigrants. Little did I know that this summer's migration had taken me on a path that my own ancestors had trod two centuries before. The route led this first generation of Hinchmans from the Maryland shore across the Virginian Blue Ridge and deep into the Mountains of West Virginia sometime in the 1780s, and would lead me to some well sought after answers in the 1980s.
1637
First Family
12+
Generations
8+
States Covered
Latest Updates
A remarkable archive of Henchman family papers spanning over 150 years — including diaries, letters, and photographs connecting the Australian branch of our family to relatives in America and England — has been uncovered at the State Library of New South Wales.
A former pitcher in the New York Mets' minor league system, Grady Hinchman was released at 26 and reinvented himself as a franchise entrepreneur, growing to five Altitude Trampoline Park locations, winning the 2025 Franchise Innovation MVP award, and building a 10,000-member retention program adopted system-wide.
Born in Murphysboro, Illinois in 1946, Bert Hinchman built a 35-year acting career appearing in some of the most beloved television series and films of the 1970s–1990s, from Hill Street Blues and Matlock to Dragnet and The Greatest American Hero.
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Reach Out
Have a question about your family history or want to get involved with the society? We'd love to hear from you.
