Jonathan Hill

Jonathan Hill was born in Billerica on July 23, 1708, the eldest son of Jonathan Hill and Mary Bracket, on the Hill farm between the Bedford road and the Concord River. In the town records he is Jonathan Hill Jr. His father gave him his portion early: in his will of 1742 the elder Jonathan wrote that "my Eldest Son Jonathan Hill I have already given to him in Lands by deeds to the value of about Six Hundred Pounds," and left the homestead to the younger son, Peter Hill.

His first wife, Abigail, died on January 6, 1738/9, leaving a daughter, Abigail, born August 8, 1736. On November 6, 1740 he married Lydia Osgood of Andover, at Andover, where the record styles him "Jonathan Hill Jr. Esq." Their son Jonathan was born on January 12, 1741/2. A daughter Mary, who had received household goods from him before his death, is named in the settlement of his estate.

He died without a will before July 1755. On July 7 of that year his widow Lydia was appointed administratrix, with Nathaniel Davidson, a Billerica trader, and Stephen Osgood of Tewksbury as her sureties. The inventory of "Mr. Jonathan Hill yeoman," taken on October 1, 1755, came to about 47 pounds and shows a man of some means but little land left in Billerica: land in the province of New Hampshire at 13 pounds 6 shillings 8 pence, his wearing apparel and books, a saddle and furniture, pistols and holsters, a gun and sword, a desk, chests and feather beds, with goods also kept at the houses of Moses Abbot in Bedford and Daniel Stickney in Billerica. Debts were owing to the estate from men of Souhegan, in New Hampshire. Lydia's account, passed in November 1757, paid Capt. Ralph Hill, Peter Hill and taxes at Bedford, and the funeral charges. On April 20, 1756 his son Jonathan, "a minor in the fifteenth year of his age," chose his uncle, Capt. Daniel Stickney of Billerica, as his guardian.

References

1. Hazen, History of Billerica (1883), Genealogical Register p. 70, HILL 16
2. Vital Records of Billerica (1908), births p. 99: Jonathan, s. Jonathan Jr. and Mary, July 23, 1708; children Abigail (1736) and Jonathan (1741-2)
3. Vital Records of Billerica (1908), marriages p. 269: Jonathan Hill Jr. Esq. and Lydia Osgood of Andover, Nov. 6, 1740, in Andover
4. Vital Records of Billerica (1908), deaths p. 367: Abigail, w. Jonathan Jr., Jan. 6, 1738-9
5. Middlesex probate case 11468 (1755): administration of the estate of Jonathan Hill of Billerica, yeoman; widow Lydia administratrix; inventory and account
6. Middlesex probate case 11469 (1756): guardianship of his son Jonathan, minor, Capt. Daniel Stickney guardian

Title References Expand all

Recorded is Book/Page at the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds unless noted; Probate # is a Middlesex probate case, Ctf a Land Court certificate of title.