BINGHAM, Hiram (1804-1874) and Mary (c. 1809-1882)

Hiram Bingham, who lived out his life in Morristown, Vermont, took part in the Millerite movement of the mid-1840s and became a Sabbathkeeper in 1850 or 1851. His wife, Mary (née Joy), although sympathetic, never joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church. A prosperous farmer, Hiram Bingham gave generously to many branches of church work as well as to needy people in his community. He also shared his administrative talents as a member of various Vermont Conference committees. To a lesser degree Bingham engaged in preaching.1EGWLM 793.2

In an 1859 vision Ellen White saw that Hiram Bingham had “a good gift, and can do good, fill in here and there,” but was not suited to full-time preaching. Rather, “his good influence should tell in the neighborhood.” At Hiram Bingham's funeral, a Baptist minister testified that the Binghams “had done more to relieve the poor, afflicted, and destitute families than any other two persons of his knowledge.”1EGWLM 793.3

See: Theodore A. Bingham, The Bingham Family in the United States, Especially of the State of Connecticut (Easton, Pa.: Bingham Association, 1927), vol. 2, p. 328; obituary: “Hiram Bingham,” Review, Dec. 22, 1874, p. 206; obituary: “Mrs. Mary Bingham,” Review, Feb. 27, 1883, p. 143; 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Mary Bingham,” Vermont, Lamoille County, Morristown, p. 170; H. Bingham, “From Bro. Bingham,” Review, Feb. 4, 1858, p. 102; search term “H. Bingham” in Review and Herald online collection, www.adventistarchives.org; Ellen G. White, Ms 1, 1859 (Sept. 24).1EGWLM 793.4