William Hill (1700) and Susannah Smither

William Hill, Sr. has been erroneously listed as a son of Sion Hill, Jr. of Surry and Sussex Cos. VA. Fact is, there was no relationship of these two families. This William Hill, Sr. seems to have had Maryland origins.

According to the Joshua Hill papers, WILLIAM HILL, SR. was born in the spring of 1700 in Middlesex Co., VA. He may have had several wives . Mentioned are:

Married 1st, 24 April 1729, Middlesex County, Va. to Bridget (Hearn) Mullinax (Page 166 of Parish Records), widow of John Mullinax, married 1st May 1718

A 2nd wife has been named: Elizabeth Williams, born around 1719 in Virginia.

In 1736 when WILLIAM HILL SR. was 26, he first married Susannah SMITHERS, in Caroline Co.,Va. Born in 1716 in Caroline Co.,Va. Susannah died in Rowan Co.,NC bef 1755, she was 39.

(Page 162 of Parish records. William Hill married another time ca. 1736, in King George County, Va. to Susan Smither, widow of Thomas Smither (REF. Page 565 of "Virginia Will Records," indexed by Judith McGhan 1982 by Genealogical Publishing Co. of Baltimore) and settled in Caroline County, Va. where all children were born (Joshua Hill Papers). Susannah Smither was the daughter of THOMAS SMITHER and SUSANNAH SINGLETON. She was born in about 1716 in Caroline Co., VA, and died before 1770 in Surry Co., NC.

[From Joshua Hill Papers: "William Hill married a widow in Middlesex County. She had a grown son." "Morning after (the) marriage (to Hill) (she) brought her apron full of money and poured it into his lap, saying 'give my son 50L (pounds) out of that. (William) moved to N.C. in 1772-died in 1787."

"The said William first migrated from Caroline County, Virginia to Stokes County, N.C. (then Surry Co.) with all his sons in 1772."

"2. WILLIAM HILL born 1700 in Middlesex County, Virginia, married a widow in same county. She had a grown son, morning after marriage brought her apron full of money & poured it in his lap saying "give my son 50 pounds out of that"-removed to North Carolina in 1772-died in 1787."

"John Hill, child of William Hill, wild, stout, fighting cr. (crazy?) moved to Nashville-afterwards to Kentucky."

"Robert Hill captain in Rev. (Revolution)."

In 1760, he moved to Surry Co. NC, known as Stokes Co., NC. He was an important person in his times and he served in the Provincial Congress which met in Hillsboro, NC on Aug 20, 1775 and cast a vote for American independence, setting up the first state government.

i. REV. WILLIAM HILL, JR., born about 1737, Caroline Co., ancestor of Herbert Hill
ii. THOMAS SMITHERS HILL, born 1739, Caroline Co., VA.
iii. ELIZABETH HILL, born September 18, 1747, Caroline Co., VA.
iv. ROBERT HILL, born February 17, 1752 in Caroline Co.
v. EWELL (Uel) HILL, b. 1755.
vi. DANIEL HILL, b. October 1756, Caroline Co., VA, died 1826.
vii. JESSE HILL, born between 1759 - 1761, Caroline Co., VA.
viii. JAMES HILL, born Abt. 1760, Caroline Co., VA.
ix. JOEL HILL, was born May 26, 1763 in Caroline Co., VA.
x. JOSHUA HILL, born May 26, 1763 in Caroline Co., VA.
xi. JOHN HILL

I, William Hill, elder of Surry Co., North Carolina, being of sound mind and disposing memory calling to mind my mortality, that is appointed for men to die, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following is to say: Imprimis I resign my soul to God who gave it through the merits of Jesus Christ my savior, and my body to the dust to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my Executors herein after named, and what it hath pleased God to lend me of this world's goods I dispose of as follows: Item I will that all my debts and funeral charges be paid and discharged by my executors. Item I give unto my son, Dan Hill, the land and plantation on which I now live. Item I give unto my son, Jesse Hill, an improvement on claim of land adjoining the above mentioned plantation Item I give unto my three youngest sons James Hill, Joshua Hill, & Joel Hill, each five pounds to be applied in schooling them at the discretion of my son Dan Hill. Item I will that all my other estate of every kind be equally divided among my ten children, (viz) William Hill, Eliza (Hill) HALBERT, Thomas Smither HILL, Robert Hill, Uel Hill, Dan Hill, Jesse Hill, James Hill, Joshua Hill, and Joel Hill or the survivors of them. Lastly, I do constitute and appoint my sons William, Robert, and Dan Hill, executors to this my last will and testament, signed with my hand sealed with my seal and dated this[Blank] day of {Blank] One thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven. Signed sealed published, & declared to be my last will and Testament of William Hill William Hill (Seal) Abraham Martin Jurant, Johnson Martin, William Follis Jurant North Carolina Surry County, February term AD 1787. Abraham Martin and William Follis two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last Will & Testament of William Hill, made oath that they saw the said William Hill, sign publish and declare the same to be his last will & testament that he was of sound desposing mind and memory and at the same time they saw Johnson Martin sign the same as a witness and ordered to be recorded. Recorded accordingly.Jo. Williams C. C. 7

i. REV. WILLIAM HILL, JR., born about 1737, Caroline Co., VA; died in Rockingham Co.,NC on 29 Sep 1792, he was 55. Occupation: Baptist Minister, ancestor of Herbert Hill . He married Hannah Elizabeth Halbert on January 13, 1758 in Rowan Co. (daughter of Joel Halbert and Frances Elizabeth Jones) who was born September 17, 1742 in Caroline Co., VA, and died after 1811 in Surry Co. See more about them and their family below.

ii. THOMAS SMITHER HILL, born 1739, Caroline Co., VA; died 1825, when he was 86. Surry Co., NC. He married SUSANNA MOSLEY22, daughter of WESLEY MOSELY. I have 8 children for them. Thomas Smithers. Born in 1739 in Carolina Co.,Va. Thomas Smithers died in Surry Co.,NC in 1825,

iii. ELIZABETH HILL, born September 18, 1747, Caroline Co., VA; died November 6, 1836, Belton, SC.; married William Anson Halbert on June 1765 in Anderson Co., SC. He was the son of JOEL HALBERT and FRANCES RANDOLPH. He was born October 14, 1744 in Caroline Co., VA, and died December 28, 1808 in Anderson Co., SC.

William Anson Halbert was a Justice of the Peace. He was a Lieutenant in the Henry Co., Virginia Militia during the American Revolution. He served with Capt. Henry Lee's Troop, 1st Regiment, Light Dragoons. He was a member of the Provincial Congress from Surry Co., NC in 1775 (The Compendium of American Genealogy, page 208) He was given a land grant of 486 acres of land on Russell Creek in SC, issued by Thomas Jefferson, for his service in the Revolutionary War. He had a red beard, blue eyes and was of stout build. This information about William Anson Halbert is from Southside VA Families, by John Bennett Boddie, Southern Historical Families Vol IX, by John Bennett Boddie, Research by Grace Thomas of 4600 S. Wellington, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 and Karen Halbert Moore of 8999 Hillsboro H>S> Rd., Hillsboro, MO 63050 

Source for information on children of William Anson Halbert came from Boddie's Historical Southern Families, Vol. 9, pgs 191-217 and Southside VA Families, Vol. 1, pages 227-331 -

Will of William Halbert, Copied by J.M. Halbert, Clerk of the Dist. Court of the state of IOWA, Montgomery County.

In the name of God Amen, I William Halbert of Pendleton District, S.C., being of perfect mind and memory, thanks to God Almighty, calling to mind the mortality of my body knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say I recommend my soul into the hands of the Almighty God that gave it, my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my executers nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same by the mighty power of God, and as touching such worldly estate wherein it has pleased God to bless me with. I devise and dispose of the same in the following manner.

First my lawful debts be paid. I also lend to my beloved wife, Elizabeth Halbert, two hundred acres of land, including the plantation whereon I now live, also my household furniture with all my stock of old Negroes and other stock of all kinds during her natural life of widowhood, Provided she should marry then she has to have one child's part, after my children is toted off with what I allow them to have at their setting out or leaving me. My will and desire is that all my children at their coming of age or marrying shall have as follows:

I do give to my son Joel Halbert, the land I bought from Ralph Owens and Elijah Owens that he has now in his possession and two Negroes, viz Sal and Mose, with other necessaries he has in possession.
I do give my son Enos Halbert, what land he has in his possession including the land I bought from Henry Burdin, one Negro, viz Reda with the other property he has in his possession.
I do give to my son Arthur's children, two hundred acres of land whereon he died and fifty of a tract we call Hireth to be divided between his children, viz Henry Halbert, Linda and Arthur, when they come of age.
I do give my son James Halbert, two hundred acres of land joining that where Arthur died and running across all tracts, with one young Negro, viz Peter and all the others I gave or put in his possession.
I do give my son William Halbert, two hundred and 32 acres of land including the mill on Big Creek and a tract of ninety acres called Datenial, one young Negro, horse, saddle and bridle, bed with stock of different kinds to begin.
I do give my son Joshua Halbert, two hundred acres of land joining James across all tracts and one young Negro, also thirty acres and the mill shoal on Saluda I purchased from Wm Acker and at his mother's death to have the plantation she lives on with horse and saddle and bed and furniture and stock of different kinds.
I do give my daughter Martha Grisham, two young Negroes, with what other property I gave her that she has in her possession.
I do give my daughter Susana Acker, two young Negroes, with what other property I gave her that she has in her possession.
I do give my daughter Franka Garrison, two young Negroes, with what other property I gave her that she has in her possession.
I do give my daughter Elizabeth Berry, two young Negroes, with what other property I gave her that she has in her possession.
I do give my daughter Mary Halbert, two young Negroes, horse, saddle, bed, and furniture with stock of different kinds to house keep it with.
I do give my daughter Lucinda Halbert, two young Negroes, horse, saddle, bed and furniture with stock of different kinds. I don't mean more but equal to what the rest of you had.
I do declare that my beloved wife Elizabeth Halbert shall enjoy all my personal estate only what my children take as they become of age provided she does not destroy or diminish it during her natural life or widowhood, after her death what is remaining of the estate to be divided amongst my children, Arthur's children to have a share.

I likewise constitute, ordain and appoint Joel Halbert, John Halbert, Enos Halbert,, and John Grisham, Executers to this my last will and testament and I do hereby disallow, revoke and disannul all and every testament, wills, legacies, bequests and executions by me in any wise before names and bequeathed but rectify and confirm this to be my last will and testament, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of July in the year of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ one thousand eight hundred and six.

William Halbert, Signed in the presence of; William Harper, James Brown, and David Brown.

This will was admitted into probate March 6, 1809. The original copy was made by H.I.H. Nance, Probate Judge of Anderson County, South Carolina.

William was a staunch Whig and served in the Revolutionary Was as a Lieutenant in the Henry County, Virginia Militia. Served with Capt Henry Lee's Troop, 1st Regiment, Light Dragoons (The Compendium of American Genealogy, First Families in America, page 334). Member of the Provincial Congress from Surrey County, North Carolina in 1775 (The Compendium of American Genealogy, page 208).

iv. Capt. Robert Hill, born February 17, 1752 in Caroline Co., died August 2, 1834, Stokes Co., NC. He was 82. Buried in Voss Graveyard. Occupation: Blacksmith. He married MARTHA HALBERT September 1769, daughter of JOEL HALBERT and FRANCES RANDOLPH. She was born Abt. 1747 in Essex or Caroline Co., VA, and died September 20, 1833 in Stokes Co., NC.

Robert Hill was born about 8 years before his parents moved to NC. He was well educated as were all his brothers and sisters. He enlisted in the Revolutionary Army in 1776 and served as a private under Col. Alexander Martin. In Jan 1781 he was commissioned as Captain under Major Joseph Winston and after the war, he always carried the title of Captain Hill. His children were very well educated. One son was a Primitive Baptist minister and another son served several terms in the State Legislature and several terms in the U.S. Congress.

One of the sources used in information on this family came from a letter from Capt. Robert Hill's grandson, filed at Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC. Also information came from Stokes Co., Will Book 3, pages 277 and from family group sheets provided by Mrs. M.L. Vernon of Stoneville, NC

Robert Hill was buried Family Graveyard, later known as Voss Graveyard. Martha Halbert was born abt 1747 in Essex or Caroline Co., VA and died 20 Sep 1833 in Stokes Co., NC. Burial: Voss Family Cemetery, Stokes Co., NC

I have 10 children for them. Their son JOHN HILL, born April 8, 1790; died April 24, 1861, Raleigh, Wake Co.; married JULIA CRAWFORD, February 4, 1819. John Hill was educated at the University of NC at Chapel Hill. He was elected seven times to the legislature and once to Congress in 1839. He was opposed to secession, but against his will was elected to the convention that carried the state out of the Union. He said before going that if the state seceded, he did not want to live any longer. He was stricken with apoplexy during the convention and died.

In The Name of God, Amen, I, Robert Hill of Stokes County and State of North Carolina being of sound and disposing mind and memory do make, ordain and establish this my last will and Testament. (that is to say) First, It is my will and desire that after my funeral expenses and just debts are paid, my beloved wife Martha shall have, hold & enjoy and have the use of all my estate both real & personal during her natural life. Secondly, It is my will & desire that after the death of my beloved wife, Martha my estate be distributed as follows. To my son Robert Hill I give & bequeath one negro boy named Damon.To my son Joel Hill one negro man named Lorenzo. To my Daughter Martha Haynes one negro man named Thomas. To my son John Hill all the land or real estate that I may own or possess at the time of my decease, one negro man named Priner, one walnut folding table, one clock, also my Black smith tools.To my grand Daughter Selina Hill one negro girl named Fanny also one sorrel filly. Thirdly, It is my will & desire that the residue of my estate which is not devised in the foregoing clauses of my will be sold by my executors (to be hereinafter named) and the proceeds of said sale to be equally divided among all my children namely, Caleb Hill, Susannah Samuel, Elizabeth Matthews, Robert Hill, Martha Haynes, Joel Hill, the children of my deceased daughter Frances Davis and John Hill share and share alike.

And lastly, I nominate, constitute and appoint my two sons, Joel Hill and John Hill executors of this my last will and Testament.

In witness whereof I the said Robert Hill have subscribed my name and affixed my seal, this sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Signed, sealed, published & delcared by the said Robert Hill testator in the Robert Hill (SEAL) presence of us, who were present at the signing & sealing of the same. Hampton Bynum; Gilbary Phillips STOKES COUNTY SEPTEMBER TERM 1834 The execution of the last will & testament of Robert Hill, dec'd of which the foregoing is a true copy was duly proved in open court by both of Hampton Bynum & Gilbary Phillips, the subscribing witnesses thereto & ordered to be recorded. Jno Hill, c.s.c

v. EWELL (Uel) HILL, b. 1755; d. October 17, 1832, Abbeville Anderson Co., SC. He had three wives, the maiden name of the first was DUVALL, the second Hertisfield. He was a Minister. By Duvall, he had a child named ELIZABETH HILL, who married JAMES HUGHES.

vi. DANIEL HILL, b. October 1756, Caroline Co., VA and died May 28, 1826 in Franklin, Williamson Co., TN. He married MARTHA PATSY HICKMAN on October 16, 1779 in Surry Co., NC, daughter of WILLIAM HICKMAN. She was born October 16, 1758 in Albemarle Co., VA, and died April 20, 1845 in Franklin, Williamson Co., TN. I have 9 children for them.

Daniel Hill served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, during which time his residence was that part of Surry Co., NC that later became Stokes Co.,NC. He is listed as having served in Gen. Nathaniel Green's Army. He inherited the home plantation of his father.

Daniel Hill went to TN in 1788 with a group which included the first Judge for the Nashville area. After living in Nashville a few years, Daniel and his family moved to the southern part of Davidson Co., TN in an area which became Williamson Co. in 1799. Franklin, TN was the county seat and was located a few miles from Hill's plantation called "Garden Hill".

Daniel Hill was engaged in many battles of the Revolutionary War, under Gen. Greene, of which the Battle of Guilford Court House was the basis for his favorite tale to tell his grandchildren.

vii. JESSE HILL, born between 1759 - 1761, Caroline Co., VA and died July 13, 1818. He married MARY PITTMAN FOWLER when he was 34. Two children for them are WILLIAM P. HILL and SUSANNAH HILL. His will: I, Jesse HILL,Do make and ordain this my last WILL and Testament.

I, Jesse HILL,Do make and ordain this my last WILL and Testament. Item - I will that my wife, Elizabeth, (third wife) have possession of all the premises where I now live during her natural life or widowhood. Item - I give unto my daughter, Susannah Cossy (mother is Jesse's first wife, ?Mary), a piece of land and two slaves]. Item - I give to my daughter, Saley GARRET(mother: first wife), all that plantation or tract of land whereon Thomas GARRET now lives and a negro girl Item - I give unto my sons John and William, (mother, second wife - Mary PITTMAN) the balance of my lands, not already bequeathed to be divided according to a plan Item - I will that my son, Joel(mother, second wife, Mary PlTTMAN) have the land I now live after the decease of my wife, and I wish him to make his home and take up his residence with his step mother during her life or until he becomes of age. Also. I give to my wife, Elizabeth (third wife), during her life or widowhood.

viii. JAMES HILL, born Abt. 1760, Caroline Co., VA; d. September 17, 1835, Lincoln Co., NC. He married ANNE ROBINSON March 10, 1785. I have 8 children for them.

"James Hill (son of William Hill) married daughter of Col. Hunt, who lived on the Yadkin, died with s. pox (small pox) about close of Revolution."???

ix. JOEL HILL, was born May 26, 1763 in Caroline Co., VA, and died January 7, 1843 in Jackson Co., AR. He married ANNE WATSON October 16, 1791 in Richmond Co., AR. She was born October 10, 1773, and died after May 5, 1855 in Jackson Co., AR. I have five children for them.

While residing in Surry Co., NC, Joel volunteered and served as private with the NC troops. During this service he was with his brother, Captain Robert Hill's company for a while as they protected the area from the Tories. He was granted a pension for his services in the Revolutionary War. His widow was later granted a pension (Designation File # W-23288)

Apparently Joel was a twin of Joshua.

x. JOSHUA HILL, was born May 26, 1763 in Caroline Co., VA, and died June 20, 1855 in Anderson Co., SC. He married NANCY WYATT COLLIER December 08, 1789 in Abbeville, SC. She was born September 19, 1769 in VA. He was buried: Sandover/China Grove, Abbeville Dist.

xi. JOHN HILL, died when young.