HUTCHINSON, Thomas, American co lonial governor: b. Boston 9 1711; d. Brompton , near London, 3 June 17 80. He was the son of a merchant of Boston who was long a member of the council, and graduated at Harvard College in 1727. He represented Bos ton for 10 years in the general court, of which he was for three years speaker; became judge of probate in 1752, was a councillor from 1749 to 1766, lieutenant-governor from 1758 to 1771, and appointed chief justice in 1760, thus hold ing four high offices at one time. In the dis putes which led to the Revolution he sided with the British government; but he favored a moderate policy. His brother-in-law, Andrew Oliver, was appointed distributor of stamps under the law which was to go into effect 1 Nov. 1765, but was compelled by mobs to resign the office before that time. The mansion of Hutchinson was also twice attacked in conse quence of a report that he had written letters in favor of the act, and on the second occasion (26 August), when the rioters were maddened by liquor, his house was sacked, the furniture burned in bonfires in the street and many manuscripts relating to the history of the prov •nce, which he had been 30 years in collecting and which could not be replaced, were lost. The inhabitants of the town on the following day in public meeting voted their abhorrence of the proceedings; but though many of the actors were well known, no one was punished. He, however, received compensation for his losses. When in 1769 Governor Bernard was trans ferred to Virginia, the government of Massa chusetts fell to Hutchinson. The popular ex
citement had already been increased by the arrival of the British troops, and after the so called Boston massacre a committee of citizens, headed by Samuel Adams, obliged him to con sent to the removal of the regiments. The popular indignation against Hutchinson be came so great that he at last obtained leave of absence and sailed for England, 1 June 1773. The Privy Council investigated his official acts, and decided in favor of This honor, integrity, and conduct?' which decision was approved by the king. He was rewarded with a pension. He published 'History of the Colony of Massachu setts Bay, from the First Settlement Thereof, in 1628 until the Year 1750' (2 vols., 1760-67; Vol. III, 1828) ; 'Brief State of the Claim of the Colonies' (1764) ;