Samuel Thaxter

Col. Samuel Thaxter (1665-1740), of Hingham, Massachusetts, was one of the most prominent and influential citizens in Plymouth, New England.

His son Samuel Thaxter Junior (1695-1732) married Mary Hawke (1711-1798) who was the mother of John Hancock (Signer of the Declaration of Independence).

Col. Thaxter was Colonel of the Hingham regiment of militia and one of His Majesty's Council; magistrate, justice of the peace; delegate to the General Court 1697, and from 1708 to 1712 inc., also from 1711 to 1718 inc.; an assistant, and otherwise distinguished in public posts; selectman 1695, 1705, 1706, and 1717.

In 1664 while serving against the Dutch at New York, he was made Lieutenant under orders from Richard Cromwell.

John A. Andrew, Gen. Benjamin Lincoln and Col. Samuel Thaxter, the two last named past commanders of the company.