3. Sarah Hill
Sarah Hill, born April 7, 1661, married Pendleton Fletcher, a man of distinction in Saco. He died a prisoner in Canada and his widow married William Priest.
He died a prisoner in Canada
See: http://www.gustafsonfam.com/
4. Hannah Hill
Hannah Hill, born Sept. 7, 1664, married Lieut. Joseph Storer, who was an active officer in the second Indian war in Wells, and had a garrison near the late Dr. Hemmenway's church. He was the ancestor of the Hon. Joseph Clement and Woodbury, and of Commodore Storer and Prof. D.H. Storer of Boston. Joseph Storer (b.8/23/1648, Dover NH) is listed as a twin; he was the son of William and Sarah Starbuck. He was married to Hannah Hill on or before May 23, 1681. They had nine children: Hannah, Sarah, Mary, Abigail, Joseph, John, Keziah, Ebenezer, and Seth. This is a very prominent family leading to Horatio Robinson Storer, Bellamy Storer, and John Humphreys Storer
JOSEPH 6 STORER (WILLIAM 5 STORY, AUGUSTINE 4, THOMAS S 3 STORER,
JOHN 2, GERVIS 1 STORRIS) was born August 23, 1648. He married
HANNAH HILL Bef. May 23, 1681. She was born December 07, 1664
in Saco, Maine, York, and died June 30, 1748 in Wells, Maine,
York.Notes for JOSEPH STORER:
Joseph Storer of Wells was one of the heroes of Indian times.
He was an equal partner with his brother Benjamin, whose estate
he administered and by agreement with the heirs had the home he
had built, all cattle and moveables the were Benjamin's except
a horse and half the meadow. He was called Ensign in 1680, was
a Deputy 1681, 1684, 1685; Lieutenant in Feb 1690. Deacon,
Selectman in 1713. he held a retail and tavern license many
times.Ref: Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, by
Libby, Noyes and Davis, Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc,
1979.Notes for HANNAH HILL:
Birth: "Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire"
by Libby, Noyes and Davis, "Wells, The Frontier Town
of Maine" by E.G. Perkins.Death: Cemetery Inspection, Wells, Maine, NEGHR Vol 93
Children of JOSEPH STORER and HANNAH HILL are:
i. HANNAH7 STORER, b. May 06, 1680; m. JOSEPH HAMMOND.
ii. SARAH STORER, b. December 09, 1682; d. January 21, 1770, New York; m. EBENEZER COBURN; d. December 28, 1749, New York.
iii. MARY STORER, b. May 11, 1685; d. Abt. 1747; m. JEAN GAULTIER.Notes for MARY STORER:
Mary was captured by Indians and taken to Canada.
She was baptized at Boucherville as Marie on
25 Feb 1704. Her husband was Jean Gaultier, dit
St Germaine. Calling her Mary St Germaine, he father
willed to her a large sum of money if she returned to
New England, almost nothing if she did not. All her
children were born in New York."Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire",
Libby, Noyes and Davis, Genealogical Publishing Co,
Inc, 1979.iv. ABIGAIL STORER, b. October 29, 1687; m. JOSEPH LITTLEFIELD.
v. JOSEPH STORER, b. August 29, 1690, Wells, Maine, York; d. October 1707, Wells, Maine, York.Notes for JOSEPH STORER:
Joseph was drowned going over Wells bar in a small
sloop. He was baptized at Charleston, Massachusetts
on Nov 8, 1696"Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire",
Libby, Noyes and Davis, Genealogical Publishing Co,
Inc, 1979.vi. JOHN STORER, b. September 05, 1694, Wells, Maine, York; d. September 28, 1768, Wells, Maine, York; m. ELIZABETH HILL.
Notes for JOHN STORER:
John was executor of his father's estate and inherited
the homestead. According to a newspaper report when
he died, he left a woman to whom he had been married
for 46 years"Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire",
Libby, Noyes and Davis, Genealogical Publishing Co,
Inc, 1979.vii. KEZIAH STORER, b. May 02, 1697; m. BENJAMIN PLUMMER.
Burial: November 03, 1715
viii. EBENEZER STORER, b. June 04, 1699, Saco, Maine, York; d. May 22, 1761, Boston, Massachusetts; m. MARY EDWARDS, June 12, 1723.
Notes for EBENEZER STORER:
Data from "Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New
Hampshire", Libby, Noyes and Davis, Genealogical
Publishing Co, Inc, 1979.ix. SETH STORER, b. May 26, 1702, Wells, Maine, York; d. November 27, 1774; m. MARY CONEY, May 09, 1734.
Notes for SETH STORER:
Rev Seth Storer was ordained as a minister at
Watertown 1723."Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire",
Libby, Noyes and Davis, Genealogical Publishing Co,
Inc, 1979.
19. Mary Storer
Mary Storer, married Jean Gauthier dit St. Germain 1708 Boucherville Quebec. The source is the Jette.
20. Abigail Storer
Abigail Storer b 29 Odt 1687 Maine, married Joseph Littlefield 4 Aug 1709
5. John Hill
John Hill, born May 28, 1666 married Mary Frost Dec. 12, 1694. He was born in Saco and there, like his brothers and sisters, received a good common-school education. In 1686, he entered into partnership with Francis Backus in building a sawmill at a place called Backus's Creek, they owning equally. By the contract, Backus was to furnish timber, and Hill "to lean how to kilter the saws, and keep them in order".
In 1689 the Indian wars broke out, called King William's War, which lasted nearly ten years. A military company was called into service this year, under the command of Edward Seargent, and John Hill was commissioned by Tomas Danforth its ensign. After this, he was employed sometimes in scouting, but served mostly in the forts at Saco, Wells and South Berwick. In 1690, the settlement at Salmon Falls was destroyed and many killed or carried in captivity, and also the forts at Falmouth, near Portland. The neighboring garrisons drew off to Saco, and from thense the inhabitants mostly fled to Wells for protection, and among them the Hill family, where Joseph and Samuel, Hannah, and Mary, with their parents, remained permanently. John, however, remained in the fort at Saco.
He had, the preceding autumn, received orders from Col. Benj. Church, the renowned Indian fighter, to scout, and "to command the twenty soldier quartered at Saco garrison". It was ordered too, that "the 40 soldiers posted Saco, Scarboro", and Spurwick (Cape Elizabeth) be in separate commands, but are to attend to the commands of Ensign John Hill, respectively, as they are concerned upon the scoutings." (Signed Benj. Church)
The mother of Ensign Hill probably remained in the fort with her son at Saco, as we find the following letter, written to her from Wells, the 7th of May, 1690, by her husband, Roger Hill: -
"Dear and Loving Wife
These are to let you know that we are all well here, blessed by God for it, and all our children remember their duty to you. The Indians have killed Goodman Frost and James Littlefield, and carried away Nathaniel Frost, and burnt several houses, here in Wells, and I would have our son John Hill to hire a boat if he can, to bring you and some of our things by water for I fear it is not safe to come by land. Son John, be as careful of your mother as possibly you can, for it is very dangerous times; the Lord only knows whether we shall ever see one another any more. Praying for your prosperity.
Your loving husband until death,
Roger HillThe following year, Mr. Hill was stationed at Wells, where is received the following note form the Governor's Secretary, dated Boston:
"Ensign Hill at Wells June 4, 1691
These come to accompany 35 soldiers ordered for the enforcing of the garrisons at Wells, who are to be put under your conduct until Captain Convers returns with ten days. Expecting you will carefully improve them for scouting to observe the motion of the enemy"On the 25th of January 1692, the Indians surprised the town of York, killed seventy-five of the inhabitants, carried about the same number into captivity, and nearly destroyed the town. On the 10th of June following a large force of more than two hundred French and Indians made a furious attack on the garrison at Wells, commanded by Captain Convers, who, with fifteen regular soldiers, aid by a few families collected there for protection, repulsed the enemy with heavy loss. This was considered the most brilliant achievement of the war. Cotton Mather, in his "Magnalia" describes Ensign Hill's good conduct in the fight, and of his meeting a flag of truce of the enemy to hold a parley, and of his escape from the garrison, women as well as men, assisted bravely in passing cartridges and firing muskets at the enemy.
After this victory Hill was promoted to a lieutenant, and was stationed at Quampegan and Newichewannock, in South Berwick, under Major Charles Frost, who was stationed at Frost's Garrison, at Kittery, and commanded all the forts on the east side of the Pascataqua. Spies were usually sent by the Indians to reconnoiter before the enemy approached places intended for destruction, who lurked about the woods, and required a constant ward and watch. The following letter to Lieutenant Hill gives an idea of the vigilance and circumspection necessary to be observed in these trying times.
"Leiut Hill April 2, 1693
Last night a little after sun set Noah Emory was coming from Kittery to Sturgeon Creek and by the yie sid herd som cracking of stickes; and herd a man whissell; upon which he stopt under a bush; and went on other waie; John Smith coming after him saw a man nere Sturgion Creke bridge who ran a waie down the creke; Smith being on horse back came to my Garison - this morning I sent out some men who saw the Indian track at the same place where Noah Emerey herd him whissell - Kepe out scouts about the borders of the towne; I will send out from hence' all or soldiers at the banke are drawen of those yt belong to you are sent up; dispose of them to such garrisons at present as you thinke fitt: I have given two of them liberty to go home for a few days.
In hast I remaine your friend,
Charles Frost - Major
(Superscribed )
for Leiut John Hill
at Newitechawoneck
Hast Post HastHill's station was about five miles from Major Frost' Garrison and dwelling, where official duties required his frequent visits. A daughter of the Major, name Mary, attached his attention, and soon after became his wife. Toward the close of April, 1693, Hill received the following letter from three of the Council in Boston:
"Capt. John Hill
Sir, His Excellency hath been pleased to commissionate and appointe you to take the charge of a company for their Majesty's service, and pursuant thereunto hath sent you a Commission of Captain. By virtue of a Commission and Instructions given to us by his Excellency, with the advice and consent of the Council, we have ordered Capt. Convers to erect a garrison upon Saco River, where his Excellency intends to be, to give further orders and directions about the same; - these are to order you to march, with such of your company as are suitable unto Saco, there to attend Capt. Convers' orders or such other orders as you shall receive from his Excellency, Major Frost, or from us, from time to time. There are 80 men to be sent to Saco' for dispatch, in erecting 3d garrison, - fifty whereof will be drawn off with Copt. Convers, to march east, in an expedition for their Majesty's services, and then the remainder, which will be 30, together with those posted ____your company, yourself to keep the post at Saco and see the garrison finished. Those at Wells to be left under the conduct of your lieutenant, Jeremy Storer.
Signed:
Barth Gedney
Elisha Hutchinson
John WallyImmediately after John Hill's arrival at Saco, his brother-in-law, Ichabod Plaisted, writes to him, June 9th 1693,
"Last night we had four persons carried away for the garrison by the Indians, and one wounded. The place was at Sturgeon Creek, and those carried away were Nicholas Frost's wife, and two children and the widow Smith"
Settlements were continued at Saco River until after the first outbreak of the Indian Wars, when the English planters were driven westward as far as Wells. The devastation at this point was almost complete. Hubbard's account, made soon after the event, stated that the savages had burned all of the houses at Saco which were situated "above the Fisher-mans Stages'' near the mouth of the river.
In 1708, a fort was built upon Parker's Neck, at the expense of Massachusetts government, to provide protection for the few remaining settlers against the raids of the Northern Indians. This fortification, located upon the point below Biddeford Pool, was named Fort Mary. 165-190 of 'Pioneers On Maine Rivers' Fort Mary was named for the wife of John Hill.
from http://www.geocities.com/naforts/me2.html
Fort Mary (1708 - unknown), Biddeford Pool Located on a bluff overlooking Winter Harbor. It was rebuilt in 1710. Also known as Fort Hill. A stone monument was erected here in 1903.
Captain Hill remained in the command of Fort Mary (named after Mary Frost his wife; "Old Kittery and Her Families", Everett S. Stackpole, 1903) for many years, until 1700. His commission, of the same tenor as the former one by Governor Phips, was renewed in Sept 1696, by Lieut. Governor Stoughton. The following letter was addressed to him by his father-in-law, Major Frost, soon after the cowardly surrender by Capt.Chubb of Fort Pemaquid, on the Kennebec, and when the combined force of French and Indians had devastated the whole province of Main, with the exception of Saco, Wells, York, and Pascataqua, and when it was feared these must soon fall.The fort at Saco was not surrendered by Hill, although all the inhabitants of the town were driven away or killed, and many of Hill's soldiers were waylaid and murdered while venturing out of the fort.
Early this year, 1696, died Roger Hill, the father of Capt. John Hill. A division of the movable estate took place soon after, as appears by this receipt of the children:
"Wells December 18, 1696 -Received of Capt. John Hill Administrator to father Hill's estate of the movable to our satisfaction. Received by us whose names are hereunder writer, - Joseph Storer, Samuel Hill, Joseph Hill, David Littlefield, Pendleton Fletecher"
The real estate was divided among the children in Oct. 1702, by mutual agreement; John the oldest son, taking a double portion, Fletcher had died in captivity in Canada, and his widow had married William Priest, who name appears among the signers of the agreement. And Ebenezer Hill was absent in Saco, otherwise the names were as in the former paper relating to movable estate.
The widow of Roger Hill made her home with her son, John, and conveyed to him or his widow all her property at Berwick, in 1720 where she died soon after.
Captain Hill, while at Saco, acted as agent for Col. William Pepperell, father of Sir William, in directing the building of vessels, to who Pepperell writes on Nov. 2, 1696.
"Sir, with much trouble I have gotten and sent men for the sloops and desire your to dispatch them with all speed. I think it may be safest to mast and bend her sails before you launch her. Desire you to hasten them night and day, for, sir, it will be dangerous tarrying there, and chargable keeping men on pay. I shall send you a barrel of rum and a barrel of molasses, and there is a cask of wine to launch her with. So with my services to yourself and good lady, your humble servant,
William PepperellCapt. Hill received the following sad tidings of the death of his father-in-law, Major Charles Frost, dated Well, July 10, 1698 from this brother-in-law Joseph Storer:-
"Brother Hill.
It has please god to take away Major Frost, the Indians waylaid him last Sabbath day as he was coming home from Meeting at night and killed him and John Heards' wife and _enes Lowning and John Heard is wounded. The good Lord santifies it to us all. It is a great loss to the whole Province and especially to his family and last Monday the post that cam to Wells as they went to go home the Indians killed them about the marked tree, namly Nicholas Smith Proper and Hennery Simson. Brother mistress Frost is very fill of sorry and all of her children. Cousen Chales and John was with their father and escaped wonderfully and several other with the,. Capt. Brekett went with som of his Company On Monday by way of Neckewanack and I see your wife full of grief and your child is well. Mrs. Fron and sister & all you brothers & sisters remember their love to you and earnestly desired you to com over if you can possible without danger. Pray do not venture in the day to com. Remember our love to all our brothers and sisters and cousins and the good Lord keeps us in these perreles times and santifie all his awful dispensations to us. No more at present. Praying for you.
Your brother,
Joseph StorerMajor John March, who succeeded to the command after Major Frost's murder, writes to Captain Hill.
"Capt. Hill Wells, August 3, 1697
Sir, My kind respects and service to yourself, hoping these will find you in health, as I am, blessed be God for it. Sir, I thought it good to write to let you understand I am now at Wells, and thought it convenient to inform you of my proceedings as to ordering our scouts from Wells to Saco to yourself, by reason of the inhabitants of Wells standing in much need of hoards in marshes now in their hay season. I have ordered scouts to come every two days to you, but they shall come mounted and in the night and stay with you the next day, and to return to Wells the next night. Likewise I have sent out two or three Englishmen with Lieut. Leatherby, with about 30 Indians, who have orders from myself to go out as far as Casco (Portland) and Black Paint, and they are to lay out in ambuscade a week or ten day. I in hopes they will make some discovery of the enemy, or come up with them and sir if they should have occasion for any provisions or any assistance by way of advice, pray sir supply and assist in the matter, and sir for what provision they have, I will give you a receipt, and in so doing you will oblige.
You friend and servant to command
John March, MajorThe number of soldiers in the garrison at Fort Mary, in February, 1699 was sixteen, including officers, viz. Capt. John Hill, Lt. Joseph, his brother, Corporal Ebenezer Hill, Pendleton Fletcher, nephew of the Hill, Thomas Harvey, Samuel Smith, Edmund Leverett, John Crocker, Benj. Mayers, Humphrey Deering, Shubael Henning, John Sweeting, Henry Taylor, Davis Jones, Mark Round and Jeffry Mercy, two thirds of whom, excluding the officers, could not write their names as appears by the payroll.
In November 1699, Capt. Hill, having served through the war over ten years-resolved to resign his commission and retire to private life. The Governor, in compliance with his request, granted him permission "to visit Boston to adjust his accounts" and in the following April received his resignation.
By his Excellency the Earl of Bellamont
"Whereas, upon your request to be discharged from his Majesty's service, I have thought fit to appoint and commissionate George Turfrey, Esq. Gen. To be captain of his Majesty's Fort Mary, at present under your command.
You are therefore hereby ordered, upon receipt hereof (which I send by Captain Turfrey) to surrender and deliver up to his the said Turfrey's charge and command the said Fort Mary, and all the guns, artillery, ammunition, stores, provisions and appurtenances thereunto belonging, and the soldiers now posted in garrison there; as also to deliver unto his custody all such Goods and Effects remaining unsold in your hands of what was committed to you for trade with the Indians. Taking the said Turfrey's receipt for what you shall deliver to him. Hereof fail not, for which this shall be your sufficient warrant. Any you are upon receipt hereof according discharged from his Majesty's service.
Given under my hand at Boston the eighth day of April 1700, and in the 12 years of his Majesty's reign.To Capt. John Hill Bellamont
Commander of his Majesty's
Fort Mary at SacoCapt. John Hill removed from Saco to Berwick and built a house a quarter of a mile west of Great Works' falls. His brother-in-law, Ichabod Plaistad, resided between him and the falls. Mr. Hill followed the occupation of a planter and owned mills.
http://www.library.umaine.edu/speccoll/FindingAids/Hilljohn.htm is special collection of Captain John Hill papers and his eldest son, John Hill.
The late 1600's brought conflict to South Berwick. During King Phillip's War in 1675, Native Americans and colonists fought each other. King Phillip was a Native American. Most white homes were burned by 1690, including the Humphrey Chadbourne House, which has been an archeological dig site during the past few years. To protect themselves during an attack, the settlers built garrisons: 16 by 16 ft. square-shaped structures. What remained of the Hill Garrison still stands on Brattle Street. Today's Salmon Falls Nursery is the site of a massacre at the Tozier Garrison, which took place on September 24, 1675. During King William's War of 1690, the French got Native Americans to fight the colonists. At the Plaisted Garrison (near Leigh's Mills), fighting lasted for several days and the settlers lost. This could have been when the Humphrey Chadbourne House was burned. 54 prisoners were marched to Canada.
From http://www.southberwickme.com/South%20Berwick%20History.htm
Ichabod related to Sarah Plaisted, spouse of Samuel Hill Jr.. No record of proof.
6. Samuel Hill
He was commander of a packet that carried supplies from Boston to the forts eastward, in the time of the Indian Wars and thus acquired the title of Captain. He was taken captive by the French and Indians about 1702 and detained some years in Canada with his wife.
"Raid of 1702
Samuel, wife and children were among the victims of this memorable raid. His house and all his household goods were committed to the flames. He could have been married but four or five years, and it is probable that his family consisted of three or four children only. Some of these, too young to travel, were killed; others, with the father and mother, were carried into captivity.The Indians were then, in fact, fighting for the French, and the prisoners taken by them were delivered into their hands in Canada. They were thence saved from those terrible cruelties which they might have experienced in the hands of their captors. Hill seems to have had some freedom while his in captivity. It was a singular coincidence, that his brother Ebenezer Hill, and his wife, then living at Saco, were captured at the same time, and that they were imprisoned together. Samuel had been an efficient actor in the preparations for the defense and was captain of a packet, which was employed in bringing provisions to the various ports on the coast. The loss of such a man at this time was a severe one for the people of Wells." Reprint from Bourne's History of Wells and Kennebunk, pg. 249 and 250.
On October 7, 1704, he writes to his brother John, from Canada:"Loving brother and sister - My kind love with my wife's, hoping these few lines will find you in good health, as they leave us at this time, blessed by God for it. This is to give you to understand that we are not likely to come home until next summer, when there will be a general exchange of prisoners, and the reason of my not coming home this fall is because our government sent no prisoners home, for those which this governor sent by Livingston, for which there was a great deal of reason to have done, and in the mean time we remain sufferers, whereas, if the governor at Boston had sent them, I should have come home with my family and a great many others. Nay, in so much that if the governor of Massachusetts had but sent one man for me, this governor would have let me had my family home with me. But I desire to wait, as Job did, for my appointed time is not come. I pray give my respects to Major Hammond and wife, cousin Pearce, Charles Frost, John Frost and their wives and to Mr. Whittemore. Brother and sister Hill (Ebenezer and wife) desire to be remembered to you both and all friends desiring your prayers, and of all God's people.
Your loving brother and sister
Samuel and Elizabeth HillThe Governor of Canada sent this Capt. Samuel Hill to Boston to arrange an exchange of prisoners. From Kittery he write to John Hill at Berwick, May 10, 1705
"Loving Brother, These are to acquaint you of my health, and to let you know I have got leave of his Excellency at Boston to go to Wells and visit my friends there. Here are Brother and sister Storer and Brother Hill (Joseph) come from Wells yesterday, with who I intend to go thither in their boat, and I hope to return next week. The Governor has promised that I shall continue here till the messenger returns from Canada. Your loving Brother"
The following year, Jan., 13, 1706, Samuel writes from Portsmouth thus:
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=sheliah&id=I1710
"Loving Brother, - After my kin love to you and to your wife, praying that you would be very careful of yourself in going into the woos, for the enemy will assuredly be skulking about to take all advantage, and I am afraid they are near at hand, for they did design mischief this winter, before I came out of Canada, and people's boldness and securith denote sudden destruction, therefore I pray, let no people's carelessness be your danger."
7. Joseph Hill
Joseph Hill, born 1670, resided in Wells, where he died in July 12, 1743. He married Sarah (Hannah) Bowles in 1689, daughter of Joseph Bowles of Wells and sister of Mary, the wife of Major Charles Frost of Kittery, who was killed by the Indians in 1697. [From record below, Joseph married Hannah Littlefield Jan.24, 1694 Hannah Littlefield was first child of Francis Littlefield and Meribah Wardwell, born abt 1673, died Oct. 10, 1738, and then married Sarah Sayer in 1638.]
NOTE: The history of Joseph Hill differs in several particulars from the record as given in "Memoirs of Captain John Hill" by Tristram Frost Jordan. In this account, differences are: Joseph Hill was born April 5, 1670. He first married Hannah Littlefield and secondly Sarah Sayer, daughter of Daniel Sayer of Wells. By this union he had two sons, Joseph Jr. and Nathaniel.
Mr Hill purchased the estate of Mr. Bowles. He had two sons, Joseph and Nathaniel, to who he bequeathed a large estate, and among the property were several negroes. Joseph Jr. died before his father. Joseph left a large estate to Nathaniel which he ordered to remain in the Hill family, to perpetuate the name; and if the two sons should die without issue, the real estate was to pass over to their cousins John and Elisha Hill of Berwick. He provised liberally for teaching his children, and indeed, it may be said that all the immediate descendants of Roger Hill, were well educated for their day. The estate was administered by his son, his son-in-law, Sawyer and his nephew, Hon. John Hill of Berwick. This Joseph Hill, Sr., served as lieutenant under this brother Captain John, at Saco Fort and he held various offices in the town and parish, and was Collector of Customs.
Died July 12, 1743, Joseph Hill, aged 73. He was the son of Roger Hill, of Saco, who married Mary Cross, of Wells, 1658. He was a prominent man among the inhabitants, though he does not appear to have been much in public office. We are inclined to the opinion that he sympathized much with the English aristocracy, and that his intercourse was marked with that courteous and gentlemanly demeanor which the best civilization of that day inculcated. He had a good property, and indulged in a style of life above that of most of the people of that period, and was anxious that the dignity of the family should be maintained through all coming time. He therefore made such an entail of his estate that from generation to generation it should "bear up" the name of Hill He was commissioned as a magistrate, and was representative in 1727; collector of the excise in 1734. Various municipal offices were committed to him, and in the disposition of pews in the meeting-house the best appears to have been conceded to him, as a matter of propriety. He had three slaves, Sharper, Plato and the "negro boy Tom." In his will he gave the first and the last to his wife, Plato to his son Nathaniel, and to the church and the minister each ten pounds. His wife, the mother of his children, was Hannah Littlefield, who died Oct. 10, 1738. Having no sympathy with celibacy, and his own experience concurring with the declaration afterward, Dec. 12, 1738, married Sarah, daughter of Daniel Sayer. He had five children, Joseph, Benjamin, Hannah, and Peninah. Joseph married Mary Emery, Nathaniel married Priscilla Littlefield, Hanna married Rev. Samuel Jefferds. From "History of Wells and Kennebunk" by Edward E. Bourne.
His birth date has also been listed as 05 Apr 1670 in Biddeford, ME,so the 25 June 1672 date may be a baptism. Maine Wills, Sargent;Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, pp. 328-9;. Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts, Hoyt, p. 987;History of Greene, Androscoggin County, ME, Mower, p. 415; Births,marriages, and deaths from the First Book of Town Records, Wells, MEp. 13. Source Page: Probate Office, 6, 49.
Will Text: In the Name of God Amen the twenty third Day of March in the year of the Incarnation of Christ one thousand seven hundred & forty two and in the sixteenth Year of the Reign of King George ye second, I Joseph Hill of Wells inthe County of York within ye Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England Esqr being by the providence of God reduced to a Low state of health and Expecting that the time of my Departure is at hand Knowingthat I must shortly Dye yet being at present of a sound Mind Do make and Ordain this my last Will & Testament resigning my Soul into the Mercifull hands of Christ my Redeemer hopeing for Salvation in and through him alone; as touching such worldly Estate as God hath been pleased to bless me with in this Life I Give Devise & Dispose of the same in the following manner, viz:Imprimis, My Will is that myExecutors pay all my Just Debts and such Expence as shall be Necessaryfor a Decent Funeral at their Discretion out of my moveable orPersonal Estate in Convenient time after my Decease but not to pay yesame out of such of said moveables as shall be hereafter mentioned and given away to any as Legacies.Item, I Give and bequeath to Sarah mywell beloved Wife all the Household Stuff and Every other thing She brought to me when I Married her (Except such things as are wasted inye useing) also one good Feather Bed and Furniture besides ye Goodsaforesaid such as She shall Choose of those that I have also my NegroBoy Tom--and one third part of all such of my Personal Estate that shall remain over & above what shall pay & satisfy all my Debts &other Charges & Legacies in this my Will given & to be given toothers.Item, I Give & bequeath to my said Wife the Use & Improvement of one half part of my Homstead whereon I now Dwell Viz: Lands &Meadows which I bought of Joseph Boles with the half of ye buildings & privilidges thereto belonging--her half ye Dwelling House to be ye Western End of the same as also half of my Saw Mill & priviledge at Merryland in Wells aforesaid and the service of my Negro Man named Sharper--and this Viz: the said half of said Houses Land Mills &service of said Negro Sharper to be for her use during her Widowhood.Item, I Give & bequeath to my well beloued Grand Daughter Hannah Hill the Daughter of my Son Nathaniel Hill one Feather Bed &Beding & also half a Dozn of silver Spoons.Item, I Give & Bequeath to my Grand Son Joseph Hill my Silver Tanker provided he live to full age but if he dont live to that age then to his next Brother in the same manner but if he Dyes before he Comes of age then to the next & to b eunder the Care of my Son Nathaniel Hill till some one of them shall be of full age--also one feather Bed & Beding to such of my Grandsons as shall first arrive to full age.Item, I Give and bequeath unto the Church of Christ in Wells whereof I am a Member ten pounds old tenor.Item, I Give and Bequeath to ye Reverend Mr Samuel Jefferd sPastor of the Church in Wells ten pounds old tenor.Item, I Give and Bequeath unto my Grand Daughter Abigail Haley ye Daughter of my Son Joseph Hill Decesd ten pounds old tenor & one Good Cow over & abov ewhat I have already given her--which shall be in full of all her Portion of my Estate.Item, I Give and Bequeath to my well beloved Nephew John Hill of Berwick Esqr one Good Feather Bed & Suitable bedding belonging to it & to take his Choice next after my WifesChoice of a Bedd--I also give to him the said John Hill my best Rideing Mare & ye best Tackle viz. Sadle & Bridle--I also give him mybest Loose Coat.Item, I Give & bequeath to my well beloued Nephew Elisha Hill of Berwick one Good feather Bed & sutable bedding belonging to it. I also Give to him my said Nephew Elisha Hill my blew Cloth Coat Jackit & Briches.Item, I Give and Bequeath unto mytwo aforementioned Nephews John Hill and Elisha Hill in Equall halves in fee simple all my Right title Interest & Estate that I have of inand unto all & any Lands lying in and adjoining to the Township of North Yarmouth in this County of York be the same more or Less, sometimes Called Gednys Claim.Item, I Give and Bequeath unto my well beloved Son Nathaniel Hill my Negro man named Plato and after ye termis Ended which my Negro Sharper is to serve my Wife, my Will is tha tthe said Negro shall be ye servant of my said Son Nathaniel. I alsoGive to my said Son all ye rest of my wearing Cloathes.Item, I Give and Bequeath unto my said Son Nathaniel Hill all my Goods and Chattells and other Personal Estate of what nature kind & Quality so ever that shall remain after my Debts and Funeral Charges are paidand all ye Legacies & bequests in this my Will are satisfied & otherCharges that shall arise upon & Concerning ye Executeing of this my Will are Defrayed I give the same to my sd Son Nathl Hill forever. Item, Whereas I formerly have Given to my Son Nathaniel Hill avery Considerable Estate in Lands & Marsh in this Town of Wells whreon he now liues which Lands & Marsh I gave to him for Life & after his Decease to his two Sons namely Joseph & Nathaniel. and to the Intent that they the said Joseph & Nathaniel may Each of them have a Sufficient Inheritance in Severalty and that my Name may be perpetually remembred upon that Estate and also upon this Estate whereon I now Dwell my Will is and I Do hereby Give Devise & Dispose of my Lands Houses Marsh Meadows & Mills in ye following manner,Viz:My Will is and I hereby Give Divise & bequeath unto my well beloved Grandson Joseph Hill the Son of my Son Nathaniel Hill all thismy Dwelling House Lands & Marsh whereon I now Live which I bought of Joseph Boles with all my other Marsh in Wells & Lands Mills & meadows lying at Merryland in Wells aforesaid not heretofore Disposed of and all ye Common Rights belonging to the same to him ye said Joseph(Excepting ye tenn herein before bequeathed to my Wife in ye same)provided the said Joseph shall at ye Age of Twenty one Years make and Execute a Good Conveyance of all his Right title & Interest of in and unto the Estate afore mentioned as Given to him after the Death ofhis Father--to his aforesaid Brother Nathaniel--but if my said Grandson Joseph shall not se Cause to Convey his Right in the other Estate aforesaid to his said Brother Nathaniel and accept of this as I herein give it then my Will is that the said Nathaniel my Grandson shall have & Enjoy this Estate Viz. my House Land Marsh & Meadowshere with all my Lands Marsh & Mills at Merryland aforesaid & Common Rights aforesaid he makeing & Executeing a Good Conveyance of all hisRight in ye other Estate aforesaid unto his Brother Joseph aforesaid ,but if boath ye said Joseph & Nathaniel shall refuse to Convey Eachor Either of them to the other as aforesd then my Will is that my Grandson Benjamin Hill shall haue the Estate herein Bequeathed asaforesd which the sd Joseph & Nathaniel shall so refuse to have.And my Will is that my Estate whereon I now live with ye Marshes aforesaidnot heretofore Conveyed away together with my Mills Lands & Meadows at Merry Land and Common Rights aforesaid if my said Grandson Joseph shall accept the same in manner aforesaid it shall be to him my said Grandson Joseph & to his next Male Heir & so from Generation to Generation sucessively for ever. And if the same shall come to my said Grandson Nathaniel it shall Descend to his Male Heir Lawfully to be begotten & so sucessively from Generation to Generation for ever, and in the same manner if my Grandson Benjamin shall have the same in manner aforesaid the same shall Descend in manner aforesaid and inCase that there shall not be left any Male Issue of my Son Nathaniel Lawfully to be begotten or Descended from him to bear up my Sir name upon this my Estate my Will is that the same House Lands Marshes &Buildings whreon I now live with all my Marsh not Disposed of and allmy Lands Mills Marshes & Meadows at Merryland, and all the Common Rights belonging to the same with all ye Privilidges & appurtenances shall be to my two Nephews John Hill Esqr & Elisha Hill in Equallhalues to them and to their Heirs for ever. my meaning is that whilemy said Estate shall be to my said Grandsons or Either of them & theirMale Heirs as aforesd it shall be kept whole & Intire to & for ye Useof but one at a time which shall be Lawfully and Linealy Descended from some one of my aforesaid Grandsons a Male Bearing my Sirname always Excepting my Wifes term in my Real Estate as afore mentioned &from thence to remain intire as aforesaid.Item, my Will is that theProffits or incomes of my Reall Estate (Excepting what I have hereingiven to my Wife) together with such moneys and Bonds for money as I have with the Interest thereof that is to say the income of my said Real Estate untill ye same shall be determined for one or the other ofmy aforementioned Grandsons & moneys & Bonds for money aforesaid shall be Disposed of at ye Discretion of my Executors from time to time &applyed to & for the Education & best advantaige of my said Grandsons Joseph, Nathaniel & Benjamin Excepting out of it so much as myExecutors take to Defray their Necessary Charges in Executeing thismy Will.Item, I Give and bequeath to my Son in Law William Sawyer one good Cow.Lastly, I hereby Nominate and appoint my well beloved Nephew John Hill Esqr and my well beloved Son Nathaniel Hill & my well beloved Son in Law William Sawyer to be Executors of this my Will hereby utterly revokeing Disallowing all & every other & former Willor Wills Legacies & Bequests Testaments or Executors by me in any manner before made hereby Declareing this & no other to be my last Will & testament In Witness whereof I the said Joseph Hill hereuntoSet my hand & Seal ye Day & Year first above written. I the saidJoseph Hill Esqr before named Do hereby Give and Bequeath unto mywell beloved Nephews Ebenezer Hill and Benjamin Hill (Sons of my Brother Ebenezer Hill) all that my half part of the Lands Meadows Mill privilidges & premises which I purchased of Mr Henry Gibbs &others in partnership with John Storer Esqr lying at & near CapePorpus River in Wells, also all that my half of ye Lands & Marshwhich I bought of Mr Gilman in Partnership with ye said Storer lyingin Wells by or adjoining on said Cape Porpus River I also give them aparcel of fresh Meadow Laid out to me by vertue of a Town Grant lying near Elwive Pond in Wells aforesaid to them ye said Ebenezer &Benjamin my said Nephews in Equall Shares in fee.Note that some wordswere obliterated in ye third Item of ye first page & one in the lastItem of ye second page & some in the third page & ye word (Grandson)Interlined in several places in ye third page & some few other words before signing.Signed Sealed published pronounced & Declared by thesaid Joseph Hill to be his last Will & Testament in presence of John EldredgeSamuel Hatch JurBenjamin CrediforNoah EmeryJoseph Hill(Seal)Probated 19 July 1743. Inventory returned at œ1222: 15: 10 1/2,by Samll Wheelwright, Daniel Chaney and Noah Emery, appraisers, 17Aug. 1743. Besides Debts and Bills due the estate aggregating œ664:11: 0, from Richd Kimbal, Samll Adams, Daniel Morrison, Samll Stuartand Abel Merrell. (maine Will Extracts 1640-1760)
Folsom's History of Saco and Biddeford give Mary Hill's name as Mercy and that she married a David Littlefield
Jeremiah Littlefield, (bapt April 4 ,1708- d March 4, 1779) m. Lydia Sayer, November 12, 1729.
David Littlefield, b. 1696-d May 20, 1760) m. SARAH SAWYER, January 25, 1725/26.
Nathan Littlefield, (b. 1703 - d. 1777) m. Lydia Winn, September 23, 1724.
Meribah Littlefield, (bapt. August 20, 1710) m. Joshua Wells, December 25, 1729.
Tabitha Littlefield, (bapt May10, 1713) m. Nehemiah Littlefield, December 18, 1735.
Eleanor Littlefield, b. July 20, 1696), Wells, York Co., Maine; m. DANIEL MORRISON, December 15, 1715.
42. Mary Littlefield
Descendants of William Harmon
Generation No. 1
1. CAPT. WILLIAM2 HARMON (JOHN1) was born February 25, 1698/99 in Wells, Maine, and died December 30, 1766 in Scarborough, Maine. He met (1) MARY LITTLEFIELD, daughter of DAVID LITTLEFIELD and MARY HILL. She was born ca. 1704 in Wells, Maine. He married (2) MARGARET NICHOLS September 12, 1734 in Boston, Massachusetts. She was born ca. 1714.
Notes for CAPT. WILLIAM HARMON:
Wm Harmon was most likely the illegitimate father of Ithamar Littlefield. (Littlefield Family Newsletter)
See York County Genealogical Society Journal, Vol 4 No. 2, 1989, by Dotty Keyes reprinted in the Littlefield Family Newsletter Vol 1 page 30 & 31:
The most likely parentage of Ithamar Littlefield, son of Mary is:
"In October of 1722 David Littlefield, Sr. accompanied his daughter Mary Littlefield, Jr. as she made her appearance in court for the offense of having had an illegitimate chile born earlier that summer. The illegitimate child was probably the elusive Ithamar. If so, his parents were William Harmon b. 1699 and Mary Littlefield, the daughter of David Littlefield, Sr., ... Mary Littlefield did not marry Old Wells' most ardent suitor, but married William Sawyer b. ca. 1706.
COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS, 2 OCTOBER, 1722: William Harmon is bound over to the Court upon suspicion of committing carnal copulation with Mary the daughter of David Littlefield.
Mary Littlefield appeared to answer to her having a bastard child: she owning the fact it is considered by the Court that she receive seven stripes on her naked back at the post or pay fees of court: 10s. Whereas Complaint hath been made to me by David Littlefield that William Harmon hath layn Carnaly in Copulation with his daughter Mary .... it being reasonably suspected that she is with Child by the said Harmon . . . .
Signed John Wheelwright
Justice Peace
24 Feb. 1721/2
Deposition of John Wells, Jr.:
....saith that some time last summer in the year 1721 William Harmon gave him the said Wells a powder and told him that it would make the gurles love him, or much to that purpose.
Acknowledged 20 Feb. 1721/2
Deposition of Joseph Taylour, William Sawyer and Magdelen Mason:
They heard William Harmon say to Mary Littlefield when she desired him to Claim or Condemn her, that he was sorry for what he had done; with that the said Mason asked him whether he had ever approached the said Mary's bedroom when she was abed and asleep and he said yes he had; then she asked him whether ever he had had Carnal Copulation with her, and he said yes he had, then Mason said "what and she not know anything of it?" and he said yes he believed she never knew anything of it..... Acknowledged 26 Feb. 1721/2
Not withstanding Harmon's gallantry, it should not come as a surprise that in a patricentric society he was acquitted of all responsibility after paying costs of court.
The subsequent damaging testimony of Mary Littlefield, Jr. procured her own conviction:
May it please Your honors what I can say in the matter is as followeth:
Sometime in October last past, I waked in the night and found the clothes pulled off me, and felt Somebody on the Bed, which by the Effect must be a man, and likewise felt him go off the bed, & heard him go away and go up stairs and go to bed; & the Second Night after the person came again, and I waked as Before in the Night; and felt Somebody on the Bed again, upon which I waked my Sister that lay with me who felt him likewise, and when he felt himself discovered he went off the Bed as before; after which my sister and my Self got up and went to the door of the house...
This is the truth of what I know of the Matter, and I hope your honours will Judge Charitably of me though I have been unaccountably Ensnared by the Villany of him that dars't not Bring his Actions to the light.
From FTM CD194, Mass. & Me. Genealogies, Vol. II, Harmon of Wells & Scarborough:
He received a grant of fifty acres of land in Wells in 1720. In May, 1722, he was indicted as the father of the illegitimate child of Mary Littlefield, daughter of David Littlefield of Wells, but was acquitted for lack of evidence. He was in Capt. John Wheelwright company in 1722, serving in the Three Years War. He was an oar maker in Boston in 1730, when he sold his Wells land. He married Margaret Nichols Sept. 12, 1734, in Boston. They were living in Baker's alley, near Scarlet's wharf, in 1740, when one of their children, aged about six years, was taken sick with small-pox and was removed, with the mother and two other children, to the hospital. Harmon eventually joined his brothers in Scarborough, where he died Dec. 30, 1766.
Family Tree Maker Online: GenealogyLibrary.com, The Harmon Genealogy by Artemas C. Harmon, Call Number: R929.2 H28, Washington, D.C., Gibson Bros., Inc., 1920:
Page 12:
WILLIAM HARMON (John). b. Feb. 25, 1699, at Wells, Me., prob. m. Sept. 12, 1734, Margaret Nichols, in Boston, Mass. He was bp. Sept. 21, 1718 at Wells, and d. Dec. 30, 1766 in Scarborough, Me., prob. without issue. In 1720 a grant of land containing 50 acres was made to William Harmon, in Kennebunk, (Wells). William Harmon, of Boston, was a grantor of 50 acres of land in Wells, Me., dated Sept. 10, 1733. William Harmon, of Wells, appears in a muster roll of Capt. John Wheelwright's company from Aug. 22 to Nov. 27, 1722.
FTM CD523, Geneal. Dict., ME & NH by Sybil Noyes, Charles Libby, Walter Davis, GPC, Baltimore, 1979.
pg310-311:
WILLIAM, b. 25 Feb. 1699. Indicted on charge of Mary Littlefield in May 1722, he was acquit. thru lack of evid. In Capt. Wheelwright's co. 1722. Oarmaker of Boston, 1733, he sold his 1720 Wells gr.; m. there 12 Sept. 1734 Margaret Nichols and aft. 1740 joined the others in Scarb., where he d. 30 Dec. 1766. 4 ch. bp. Boston.
More About CAPT. WILLIAM HARMON:
Misc: September 12, 1734, m. Margaret Nichols
Source 1: FTM CD194,MA&ME Fam,Harmon,pg 151
Source 2: Harmon by A.C.Harmon, 1920, pg 12
Source 3: FTM CD523Gen.Dict.ME & NH, 1979
Source 5: LFNL 1-10, 1-30, 1-31
Notes for MARY LITTLEFIELD:
See notes on Mary under Wm. Harmon.
More About MARY LITTLEFIELD:
Issue: 1 ch-Wm Harmon, 6 ch by Wm. Sawyer
Misc: April 1728, (1) William Sawyer b.1706
Source 1: FTM CD523Gen.Dict.ME & NH, 1979
Source 2: FTM CD194,MA&ME Fam,Harmon,pg 151
Source 3: LFNL 1-10, 1-30, 1-31
More About MARGARET NICHOLS:
Source 1: FTM CD194,MA&ME Fam,Harmon,pg 151
Child of WILLIAM HARMON and MARY LITTLEFIELD is:
2. i. ITHAMAR3 LITTLEFIELD, b. Bet. 1722 - 1723, Wells, Maine; d. Aft. 1790, Sanford, Maine.
Children of WILLIAM HARMON and MARGARET NICHOLS are:
ii. JOHN3 HARMON, b. ca. 1735, Boston, Massachusetts.
More About JOHN HARMON:
Bp/Chr: April 21, 1735, Rev. John Moorhead's church, Boston, MA
Source 1: FTM CD194,MA&ME Fam,Harmon,pg 151
iii.ELIZABETH HARMON, b. ca. 1737, Boston, Massachusetts.
More About ELIZABETH HARMON:
Bp/Chr: March 13, 1736/37, Rev. John Moorhead's church, Boston, MA
Source 1: FTM CD194,MA&ME Fam,Harmon,pg 151
iv.WILLIAM HARMON, b. ca. 1739, Boston, Massachusetts.
More About WILLIAM HARMON:
Bp/Chr: July 22, 1739, Rev. John Moorhead's church, Boston, MA
Source 1: FTM CD194,MA&ME Fam,Harmon,pg 151
v. SARAH HARMON, b. ca. 1740, Boston, Massachusetts.
More About SARAH HARMON:
Bp/Chr: August 3, 1740, Rev. John Moorhead's church, Boston, MA
Source 1: FTM CD194,MA&ME Fam,Harmon,pg 151
10. Ebenezer Hill
Ebenezer Hill, born Feb. 14, 1679, married Abiel Snell (Daughter of George Snell), and settled in this town (Saco) in 1703. Soon after their marriage they were captured by the Indians and carried into captivity. They were taken in the following manner: - Several Indians in Saco, who professed to be friendly and were frequently in the house of the inhabitants, called at Mr. Hills' in the usual manner on morning and partook of some food which was offered them. They left the house, but soon after returned, and, finding Mr. Hill gone, told his wife they must make prisoner. They proceeded to plunder such articles as they could carry away, and destroyed others. When Mr. Hill returned, he found his wife secured, having her arms pinioned, and the savages employed in emptying a featherbed. He gave himself into their hand, and the Indians decamped with their prisoners. They were carried to Canada, where they remained three years. They were redeemed and returned to Portsmouth, where they lived three years more, and then returned to their former home. Mr. Hill's house was on the western side of the river, near the head of "Ferry Lane". Their oldest son, Ebenezer was born in Canada and was afterwards called the Frenchman. Mr. Hill held many town and parish offices, was deacon of the church, and a conspicuous inhabitant of the town for many years. He died March 26, 1748. His wife died Nov. 10, 1750.
Ebenezer Hill, a younger brother of Capt. John Hill, being in Canada with his wife and child at the same time, writes from Quebec, March, 1704-5 to his brother John at Berwick, expressing great discontent in Canada, adding,
"Cousin Pendleton Fletcher of Saco,Mary Sayer, brother Joseph's daughter and Mary Storer of Wells with our other friends and neighbors here, are all well, and myself, wife and child are well, and send kind love to you all, begging your prayers that God will direct, protect and keep us and in due time deliver us.
Your loving brother and sister
Ebenezer and Abiel Hill
Children
1. James Emery
2. Jonah Emery
3. Joshua Emery
4. Ebenezer Emery
5. Thomas Emery
6. Nathaniel Emery