WILLIAM H. HILL is a descendant of Joseph Hill, who was the first of the Hill family to settle in Washington county. He was an Irishman, and first came to Maryland in 1774, thence moving to West Bethlehem township, he settled on Plum run, west of Bealsville, and took up 600 acres of land. The Indians at this early date were so numerous and hostile that he was obliged to abandon the tract, and go east for a time; upon his return later he was not molested. Here he lived the remainder of his days, dying upon the farm in about 1820. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Ackley, and his second a Miss Margaret Joy. From these marriages thirteen children were born: Joseph, married to Mary Jamison; James, married to Ann Hill; Thomas, married to Rachel Speers; John, married to Nancy Sargeant; Margaret, wife of James Beatty; Elizabeth, wife of John Welsh; Sarah, married to John Sargeant; Benjamin, married to Delilah Notestine; William, married to Narcissa Beatty; Atkinson, married to Miss Reemer; Rebecca, who became Mrs. William Freeman; Eleanor, married to William Hawkins, now living in Kansas; and Henry, a bachelor, who removed to Ohio. Politically Joseph Hill was a Federalist and a Whig. James Hill was born on the old home place, March 21, 1777, and spent his whole life there. He received a fair education in a country school, but was a great reader, and possessed a good memory. At twenty-one years of age he engaged in farming, and cleared up the home tract of 160 acres. On October 20, 1797, he married Annie, daughter of Robert Hill. To them eight children were born, viz.: Joseph, Margaret, Nancy, John, Fanny, James, Stephen, and Robert. The last died January 29, 1893. To each of them he presented a good farm. Joseph, Mrs. Richard Morton, Stephen, Mrs. Henry Weaver, James, Fanny, Robert, and John are all gone. Mr. Hill was first a Whig then a Republican. He was an earnest Bible student, and a deacon of the Baptist Church for many years, which office he retained until a year prior to his death, which occurred in 1861. Mrs. Hill always remained in the Church of England. She died November 12, 1856, and both are buried in the family burying ground. James Hill, Jr., was born November 27, 1810, on the homestead where his youth was spent. He received the usual education of those early days, became a well-informed man, a good scholar, and taught school several terms. In 1830 he engaged in farming on the place where his son now lives, following this occupation very successfully all his life; he added sixty acres to the 100 which he owned, thus making a valuable farm. He was married April 14, 1831, to Charlotte, daughter of William Horner, of Fayette county, and the following children were born to them: Mrs. Cynthia Weaver (deceased); Mary Jane (deceased); Margaret Ann and William Horner. Mr. Hill was school director of his township for twelve or fifteen years, and also filled several different offices in the township. He did a great deal of business in settling estates. He was a Whig and Republican in politics, and his religious views leaned towards the Baptist Church. He died October 1, 1890. William Horner Hill, the only son of James and Charlotte (Horner) Hill, was born July 3, 1841, on the old farm, and has always remained there. He began his education in the common schools, but his health failing, was compelled to give up study when young; but he has been a great reader and is especially interested in works of history and sacred literature. He began business on the farm with his father, having an equal share in the profits, and has since been very successful, still retaining the old farm of 160 acres. Mr. Hill is a Republican, but is inclined to independent views regarding men and political parties. He and a sister are members of the Methodist Church.

Text taken from page 742 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by Tom Lum Forest of Somerville, MA as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]