David and Johanna moved from Little Compton to Stonington after the birth of their second child in OCT 1702 and before the birth of their third child in OCT 1703. They were active in the First Congretational Church (Road Church) of Stonington. Their children were all christened there. David was elected Selectman in 1714 and 1715. He was also active in the Town Militia, as the ammunition and weapons were stored in his household.

After the death of Johanna, David returned with his family to Little Compton, where he married Susannah Luther. In little Compton, David obtained the military rank of Captain in the Indian wars. His occupation appeared to be that of a carpenter because he is mentioned many times for receiving payment for constructing wooden items such as caskets, collection plates and ammunition storage chests, etc.

Edward Yeomans of Groton, for 84 pounds to David Hillard.
Parcel of land which I bought of William Marsh except from a small part which was formally disposed of said Edward Yeomans and John Yeomans by William March as shall appear by deed of record which tract of land be it more or less lyeth for 50 acres and lyeth between Samuel Chesebrough, his land, and James York, his land, bounded as follows, beginning at a black oak tree marked on four sides which is the most northwest corner of land laid out to Edward Yeomans from thence running upon a line to a white oak tree marked on four sides adjoining to land of James York and bounded by said James York Land to his northwest corner tree, from hence upon a direct line to the southeast corner tree of land laid out to James Dean, from thence running southerly to a black oak tree marked on four sides which is the northwest corner tree of land laid out to Samule Chesebrough, and is bounded with Samuel Chesebrough, his land, and land of Edward Yeomans to black oak tree first mentioned. Witnessed by Joseph Davoll and Joseph Babcock. Stonington Land Records, Volume 2, page 472 dated Dec. 17, 1711

David Hillard of Little Compton, R.I., and wife Susanna to Jonathan Hillard of Stonington. Feb. 4, 1718.

Land beginning at the sw corner of Moses Palmer, his land, and thence running in a direct line southwest and by west near to a great rock on ye left side of a brook, and a walnut tree standing on ye rock, and a rock marked thus I on ye side of it, and marked D on ye north side, from thence bounded by the brook on the east side until it comes to land laid out to Joshue Holmes, ye northeast corner of it being a pine tree, and so by said land to land laid out to Moses Palmer, and by said palmer to ye tree first mentioned. Witnessed by JohnMcDowell and William Holdridge. Stonington Land Records, Volume 3, page 239

His will recorded in Little Compton Probate, book 1, page 50, made 1 AUG 1748 and proved 6 FEB 1748/9.

"In the Name of God Amen: This First Day of August in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred Forty & Eight I David Hillard of Little Compton in the County of Newport in the Colony of Rhode Island ___ and Providence Plantations in New England. Gentleman being well & in good health of body & of perfect mind and memory Thanks be to God Therefore calling to mond the mortality of my Body & knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, Do make & ordain my Last Will & Testament, That is to Say Principally & First of all I give and recommend my Soul into the Hands of God that gave it & my Body I Recommend to the Earth to be Buried in Decent manner at the Discretion of my Executrixe hereafter Named: And as touching Such Worldy Estate wherewith it hath Pleased God to Bless me in this Life I Give Demise & Dispose of the same in the following manner & form.
Imprimis - I Give & Bequeave unto my Well beloved Wife Susannah Hillard in Lieu of her Thirds Dowry or any other Claim unto my Estate, that is my pew in the meeting-house & my Negro Girl named Kate, & also one third part of all my Personal Estate Except a bond of money Due to me from my son William Hillard of Six hundred Pounds bearing Date The Seventeeth Day of December ____ Domini one Thousand Seven hundred forty three & also a Bond of Three Hundred Pounds which is Due to me from my son Benony Hillard & my Farming Tools and Shop Tools only excepted; & I also give unto my well beloved Wife for her support so long as she remains my Widow the Improvements & Profits of the house I now Dwell in: Except the Great Chamber as I shall herafter Butt it & Bound it: that is Beginning at two large stones lying between eight or ten rods to the northward of my garden wall by the side of the Highway & so running from the two stones above mentioned westerly across a large rock standing in the Pasture & so continuing a straight line to land that is hereafter given to my son Oliver Hillard, Then southerly by Olivers till it comes to Capt. John Palmers land, & southerly by said Palmers land to a Highway, then easterly & northerly to the first bounds mentioned & also the wood & timber that is upon that Lott of Land that I Bought of George Bailey; & this my will is to be understood that my said Wife is to have the Improvements of my house & Lands Wood & Timber above mentioned so long as she remains my Widow: But if my said wife shall see cause to marry, then to have no more Profits of the house orchards or lands; & it is further my will concerning my beloved Wife that what soever crop shall be growing or standing upon any part of my home farm at the time of my decease whether it be grass hay or grain on my said farm it shall be hers to improve on said farm; or to remove it off at any time within six months after my decease as she shall see cause:
Item - I Give and Bequeave unto my Beloved son William Hillard Six hundred Pounds in a bond bearing Date - the Seventeenth Day of December one Thousand seven Hundred Forty & Three, the bond is that my son William Hillard gave to me for part of that farm that he now liveth on in Stonington in Conecticut Colony he my said son William Hillard Paying such sum; or sums of as I shall hereafter order him.
Item - I Give and Bequeave unto my Beloved son Oliver Hillard; to him his Heirs assigns for ever the westerly part of my farm I now dwell on his part being bounded as followeth: To begin at the southwest corner of Joseph Peckmans farm: southerly, by a Highway until it comes to the north-west corner of Capt. John Palmers land; thence easterly by said Palmer's land until it comes to the northeast corner of said Palmers land, thence north or northerly till it comes to the East end of the new field so called & so by the wall to Joseph Peckhams land: & so westerly by Peckhams land to the first Bounds mentionedL & it is to be understood that my said son Oliver Hillard is to make and maintain for ever a good sufficient fence between him & the other part of my said farm & likewise I give unto my said Oliver Hillard to him his Heirs & Assigns for ever all my rights. & Interest in Those Little Lotts in the Eighteenth Fifty acer Lott. In Southworths pasture he my said son Oliver Hillard Paying such sum or sums of money as I shall hereafter order him.
Item - I Give & Bequeave unto my four Grand Children of my Deceased son Joseph Hillard Eighty & five Pounds apeace to each of them to be paid to them as I shall hereafter order as they come of age that is to say the sons to the age of twenty one years & the daughters to the age of eighteen years. But if any of thee Children should die before they come of age; Then the money shall be equally divided amongst them the survivors.
Item - I Give & Bequeave unto my Beloved son Benony Three Hundred Pounds in a bond bearing date 15 Dec. 1743; to sons Joshua and David, north part of my homestead, begins 21 stones north of my garden, east by Peckham, south to the highway, to them my new house and shop; to daughter Deborah Wheaton 5 pounds; to four grandchildren, children of Priscilla Palmer, deceased, 40 pounds to be divided; to daughter Hannah Wilbor, wife of John Wilbor, 30 pounds; to Abigail Hillard 100 pounds; to Church of Christ 10 pounds; wife Susannah executrix . . ."
David Hillard
The property in Stonington that David refers to in the Will is described in the following deed found in the Stonington Court Records.

". . . in consideration of 900 pounds . . . unto sd William Hillard . . . a certain parcel or tract of land situate and lying in Stonington being ninety five acres more or less, beginning at a wallnut tree standing on the south side of Cousadok hill on the north side of a brook, and from thence running East and by North 80 rods to a black oak tree marked on four sides and from thence upon a straight line to a white oak tree markt on four sides, which tree, being the southeast corner of land laid out to James Dean, and from thence easterly to a black oak tree standing by the side of a rock being the northwest corner tree of Thomas Shaws land, then running southwardly by sd Shaws land to a chestnut tree marked, from thence running southwardly by Magduells land to a burch tree marked on four sides, from thence by Magduels land to a heap of stones, and then westerly by Magduels land to a white oak tree marked on four sides, from thence westardly by Jones land ten rods to a black oak tree marked on four sides, and from thence a straight line to the first bounds mentioned. . . . ." David Hillard

Tombstone inscription:
In memory of
Capt. David Hillard
died January ye 11th 1748-9
in ye 71st year of his age

Inscription: "In memory of Capt David Hillard died January ye 11th 1748/9 in the 71st year of his age"

1. Deborah HILLARD b. 4 Apr 1700, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; d. 6 Apr 1777, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; bur. Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island (Old Commons Cemetery).
2. Lydia HILLARD b. 4 Oct 1702, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; d. 31 Aug 1705, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut; bur. North Stonington, New London County, Connecticut (Great Plain Cemetery).
3. William HILLARD b. 28 Oct 1703, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut; d. 7 Oct 1783, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut; bur. North Stonington, New London County, Connecticut (Great Plain Cemetery).
4. Priscilla HILLARD b. 2 Nov 1705, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut; d. 16 Aug 1736, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut; bur. Franklin, New London County, Connecticut (Franklin Plains).
5. John HILLARD b. 17 Nov 1707, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut; d. 30 Jul 1727, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; bur. Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island (Old Commons Cemetery).
6. Oliver HILLARD b. 1708, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut; d. 29 Jul 1792, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut; bur. North Stonington, New London County, Connecticut (Hillard Cemetery).
7. Joseph HILLARD b. Abt Aug 1711, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut; d. 25 Dec 1744, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut.
8. Dorothy HILLARD b. Abt 1713, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut; d. Bef Feb 1743/1744, North Kingston, Washington County, Rhode Island (probably).
9. Benoni HILLARD b. 12 Mar 1715/1716, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut; d. 19 Aug 1801, Clinton, Middlesex County, Connecticut; bur. Killingworth, Middlesex County, Connecticut (Old Killingworth Cemetery).

1. Mary HILLARD b. 23 Jun 1718, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; d. 8 Aug 1740, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; bur. Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island (Old Commons Cemetery).
2. Joshua HILLARD b. 27 Oct 1719, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; d. Bef 9 Mar 1777.
3. Hannah HILLARD b. 11 Oct 1721, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; d. Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island (probably).
4. Samuel HILLARD b. 19 Mar 1723, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; d. 6 Aug 1741, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; bur. Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island (Old Commons Cemetery).
5. David HILLARD b. 21 Sep 1726, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; d. 6 Jul 1816, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; bur. Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island (Old Commons Cemetery).
6. Susannah HILLARD b. 9 Jun 1730, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; d. 26 Aug 1730, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island.
7. Abigail HILLARD b. 11 Oct 1732, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; d. 3 Jul 1753, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; bur. Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island (Old Commons Cemetery).

William and Deborah resided at 'Liberty Plain' in Hingham, where William was a cooper, the industry for which Hingham was well noted. Some of their neighbors at Liberty Plain were Humphrey Johnson and son Benjamin; Robert Dunbar (a Scotchman); Capt. John Jacob; and James Whiton and son James.

I could find no record of William participating in church or town affairs, nor could I find any evidence that he was a property owner.. They must have had some relationship with the church because a sister of Deborah's married a son of Daniel Hobart, who was the twin brother of Rev. Peter Hobart, the minister of Hingham for many years.

There was some indication that they may have had a fire sometime in NOV 1683 because the cause of death of their son Isaac on 25 NOV 1683 is recorded as due to "burned in the fire".

During the King Philip's war, the home of a neighbor, James Whiton was burnt by the Indians. Also, the house of Nathaniel Chubbick, probably of nearby Accord Pond, was one of those destroyed on 20 APR 1676. No mention is made of William’s home.
The family moved to Little Compton, sometime between the birth in Hingham of Esther on 8 MAR 1684/5 and the birth in Little Compton of Mary on 3 APR 1687. The original settlement of Little Compton was about 1676 and it appears that William may have owned land shortly after that date but he was not recorded as one of the original owners.

There is a flag denoting military service honoring his grave in Little Compton. No record could be found showing service in King Philip's war, but a record exists showing that a William Hillerd from Little Compton had service in the Sir William Phips' Expedition to Canada in 1690. It shows that under Capt. Samuel Gallup, a body of about 60 men sailed from Plymouth in five Shallops. This battle was won at the expense of many lives. It is hard to believe it is William because he would have been fifty years of age, more likely his son, William.

William appeared to be more involved in the affairs of the town in Little Compton than in Hingham. At the 20 MAR 1703/4 town meeting it was voated that William Hillird is chosen "Clark of the Market" & William or Will Hillird (Hilliard, Hillard) was voated "Clark of the Market" at the town meeting every year thereafter until and including MAR 1708/9. He was voated as one of the "Surveyors of the Highways" on 18 MAR 1705/6 and 20 MAR 1707/7. On 18 MAR 1705/6 it was also voated that Will be chosen as "a monitor to see to our highways". On MAR 1708/9 he was selected for the "Jury of Tryalss". On 5 MAR 1710/11 and 10 MAR 1711/12 he was chosen as the "Tithing Man".

On 4 JUL 1691, William bought from Joseph Church, Sr., Lot 56 for 5 pounds. On 8 FEB 1692/3 he bought Lot 54 from Nathaniel Warren for 10 pounds. On 8 APR 1697 he bought from Joseph Church for eighteen shillings Lot 23, Lot 24, Lot 33, 1/2 of Lot 25 and 1/4 of Lot 18 and for 24 shillings, Lot 11. On 6 JUN 1699 he bought from John Rouse for eighteen shillings, 3/4 of Lot 14. Additional purchases were made that day from Samuel Bradford and Benjamin Church. The records indicate that a William Hillard sold land 29 APR 1714, to William Fobes. William had died three months earlier in JAN, so this sale may have been finalized after his death.

The will of William, recorded in Taunton, book 3, part 1, page 186 was made DEC 1712 and proved 1 FEB 1713.
". . .to wife Deborah Hilliard use of real and personal for life. To son David Hilliard one half of my real estate after the death of my wife. To son Jonathan one half of my real estate after the death of my wife. To daughter Deborah, wife of John Paddock 10 pounds. To daughter Esther, wife of Jeremy Geere ten pounds. To daughter Mary, wife of John Palmer 10 pounds. To daughter Abigail Hilliard 15 pounds. To daughter Sarah Hilliard 10 pounds. Rest and residue to wife Deborah including Indian woman . . . ." William Hilliard

Tombstone inscription:
Here lyeth the body of
William Hillard
who departed this life
January ye 24th
in the 72nd year of his age
1713-14

Inscription: "Here lyeth ye body of William Hillard who departed his life January ye 24th in the 72nd year of his age 1713/14"

The will of Deborah was recorded in Taunton, book 3, part 1 page 385 made 21 JAN 1717.
". . .to my beloved son David Hilliard two shillings. To my beloved son Jonathan Hilliard two shillings. To my beloved daughter Deborah the wife of John Padduck fifty shillings. To my beloved daughter Esther the wife of Jerimiah Geers twenty shillings. To mty beloved daughter Abigail wife of Warren Gibbs five shillings. To my beloved daughter Sarah Hilliard one cow & all my iron pewter & brass. To my foure grand children that are the children of my daughter Mary Palmer deceased ten shillings apiece. The remainder of my estate shall be equally divided between my two youngest daughters viz. Abigail & Sarah. Executor to be son David Hilliard . . . ." Deborah Hilliard

Tombstone inscription:
Here Lyeth ye body of
Deborah
wife of William Hillard
She dyed February ye 15th 1718-17
in ye 66th year of her age"

Here lyeth ye body of Deborah wife of William Hillard. She dyed February ye 24th 1717/18 in ye 66th year of her age.

1. (child) HILLARD b. 26 Jan 1671/1672, Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; d. 29 Jan 1671/1672, Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
2. William HILLARD b. 21 Jan 1672/1673, Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; d. Bef 1712.
3. John HILLARD b. 8 Feb 1674/1675, Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; d. Bef 1712.
4. Simeon HILLARD b. 14 Mar 1676/1677, Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; d. 22 May 1677, Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
5. 1. David HILLARD b. 25 Feb 1677/1678, Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; d. 11 Jan 1748/1749, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; bur. Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island (Old Commons Cemetery).
6. Deborah HILLARD b. 17 Jun 1680, Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; d. Beekman, Dutchess County, New York (probably).
7. Isaac HILLARD b. 19 Apr 1683, Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; d. 25 Nov 1683, Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
8. Esther HILLARD b. 8 Mar 1684/1685, Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; d. Aft 1721, North Groton, New London County, Connecticut (probably).
9. Mary HILLARD b. 3 Apr 1687, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; d. 16 Feb 1716/1717, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; bur. Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island (Old Commons Cemetery).
10. Abigail HILLARD b. 12 Jul 1690, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; d. Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island (probably).
11. Sarah HILLARD b. 28 Jun 1692, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; d. 24 Oct 1744, Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts (probably).
12. Jonathan HILLARD b. 8 Nov 1696, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; d. Bef 21 Mar 1742/1743, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut.

The family removes from Duxbury and is seen in Hingham 25 FEB 1654/5 when on that date in Hingham a William, Esther, and Mary Hilliard were baptized by Rev. Peter Hobart. I believe that it was the three children who were baptized because baptism of either or both of the parents would leave somebody out; either the child Esther or the mother Hester and it is more logical in my mind that the parents were not baptized at this time, especially since of the four other persons baptized on that day at least three and probably all four were children or youths.
These other four persons were as follows:


1. Hannah Sprague, tenth child of this family baptized by Rev. Hobart starting in the year 1638.
2. Ephraim Foulshom (Folsom), seventh child of this family bapt. by Rev. Hobart starting in year 1641.
3. Simon Burr, probably a teenager. The records show that he does not have children for ten years.
4. Hannah Burr, probably the sister of Simon.

The History of Hingham publication states that the family lived in an area called Liberty Plain., I could find nothing in the Hingham records concerning either William or Hester, not even a record of their death. The Liberty Plain cemetery has many old, unreadable tombstones. The marriages of William, Esther and Mary and the subsequent births of their children are recorded in Rev. Peter Hobart's diary.


He was the emigrant ancestor of his family. He came to Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony in the spring of 1635 on the ship "Elizabeth and Ann", out of London. He was a carpenter, 21 years of age.

If William settled in the Mass Bay Colony, it was for a very short period, because on 24 MAR 1637, he purchased land of Richard Wright at Eele River in what was called the New Plymouth Colony.


MEMORAND the twenty fourth day of March 1637 Richard Wright acknowledged That hee hath sould to Willm Hiller carpenter fiue acres of lands formly graunted to him lying at fishing poynt towards the Eele River together wth the fenc & labours about the same and all his Right title & interrest therein wthall & singuler thapprtences therevnto belonging for and in consideracon of the sume of foure pounds fiue shill sterl To haue & to hold the said fiue acres of land and all & singuler the prmiss therevnto belonging vnto the said Willm Hiller his heires and Assignes for euer and to the onely pper vse & behoofe of the said Willm Hiller his heires and Assignes for euer.

It is obvious he settled on this land because in June of 1638, he was part of a inquistion panel selected to investigate a death of a fellow citizen. This panel was comprised of 'honest and lawfull men' of the New Plymouth Colony. The inquistion from the Plymouth Colony records reads as follows:


An Inquisicon taken at New Plymouth aforesaid, at the General Court there held, the fift Day of June, in the Yeare of our Souraigne Lord, Charles, by the Grace of God of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland Kinge, Defendor of the Fayth, &c., the fourteenth.
Before: Thomas Prince, gent, Gounor William Bradford, Captaine Miles Standish, John Alden, John Atwood & John Browne
Gentlemen, and Assistants of the Goument aforesaid. Whereby it is manefest and appeareth by the oathes of John Done, John Barnes, Nicholas Snow, Richard Burne, Richard Sparrow, Giles Ricards, Josias Cooke, Anthony Snow, William Hiller, Richard Clough, Willm Fallowell, Thomas Atkinson, Richard Wright, John Smaley, Walter Horton, & John Wood, honest and lawfull men of the colony aforesaid, who being sworne, and charged vpon the view taken of the body of John England, found dead vpon the flatts of the shores of Plymouth aforesaid, dilligently to enquire how the said John England came to his death, vpon their oath aforesaid, doe say that the said John England, sayleing in a canow of Mr Thomas Burnes betwixt Greenes Harbor and Plymouth aforesaid, by reason of the insufficiency of the said canow, to make way in stormy weather, was ouer sett, and so the said John England was drowned. And so they say all that the said cannow was the cause of the death of the said John England, and do fynd the said cannow to be forfaited to our souaigne lord the Kinge, and doe apprise it at tenn shillings sterl and haue committed the same to the keeping of the go-ment of new Plymouth aforesaid. In witnesse whereof they haue herevnto put their hands, the day & yeare first aboue written, 1638.

The next appearance is ten months later when William apparently has performed some act without the required license for which he is taken before the court by Richard Clough (of Eele River). The record indicates that William Hiller was to appeare at the next General Court but I could not find this appearance.


Willm Hiller, of Plym, carpentr, acknowledgeth to owe the King, &c, . . . . . The condicon that the said Wilm Hiller shall keepe the peace towards our souaigne lord the King, and all his leigh people, and especially towards Richard Clough, and appeare at the next Genall Court to be holden for our sd souaigne lord the King for this gount, & not dept the same without lycence; that then, &c.

The next record found on William reports his sale of a parcell of land in Eele River, undoubtedly to have assets for the series of agreements and land purchases that follow one day later.


MEMORAND that Willm Hiller for and in consideracon of the sume of foure pounds sterl and twenty bushells of Indian Corne in hand payd by Marke Mendloue hath freely and absolutely sould vnto the said Marke Mendloue all those his fiue acrees of lands be it more or lesse lying at the Eele Riuer betweene the lands of Willm Dennis and Thomas Clark wch the said Willm hath lately bought of Richard Wright and all his right title & interrest of & into the same wth the fence about yt and all & singuler the prmisss therevnto belonging To haue and to hold the said fiue acrees of lands and all and singuler thapprtencs therevnto belonging vnto the said Marke Mendloue his heires and Assignes foreur- to the onely pp use and behoofe of him the said Marke Mendloue his heires and Assignes for eur.

The next few appearances of William in the records show that he would soon, if not already, reside in the Town of Duxbury in the Plymouth Colony. Duxbury was the location where the original pilgrims were given land grants after their seven years servitude to the "Merchants Adventurer's" was over. The pilgrims started to 'improve' their land in Duxbury as early as 1629 but they were required to return to Plymouth during the winter months in order to support the church. Duxbury became incorporated as a town in 1637. Some of the famous pilgrims who settled in Duxbury were John Alden, Miles Standish, George Soule, Alice Southworth, Governor Bradford and Jonathan Brewester, to mention a few. These next few appearances in the records are interesting in that they show the agreement between the Town of Duxbury and the partnership of William Hiller and George Pollard who agree to build and operate the first grist mill for the people of the Town of Duxbury on condition of certain guarantees and promises of land from the town.


MEMORAND That Rowland Leighorne of Duxborrow doth acknowledg that for and in consideracon of the sume of eighteene pounds sterl to be payd in August next hath freely and absolutely bargained and sould vnto Willm Hiller and George Pollerd all that his house & garden place in Duxborrow aforesd and tenn acres of lands therevnto belonging wth one acre of Meaddow therevnto adjoyneing wth all & singuler thapprtencs vnto the said prmisss belonging and all his right title and interrest of and into the same & euery pte thereof To gaue and to hold the said house garden place tenn acres of vpland and one acre of meaddow and all & singuler thapprtences therevnto belonging vnto the said Willm Hiller & George Pollerd theire heires and Assignes for euer to the onely use & behoofe of them the said Willm Hiller and George Pollerd their heires & Assignes for euer.



At a genall Townes meeting holden by the Inhabitants of the Towne of Duxborrow vpon the seauenth day of November in the year of our Lord God 1639 for the making of such lawes and orders as should be thought good and beneficiall for the said Towne of Duxborrow, It was agreed as followeth. viz,
Imprimis It is couenanted and agreed of betweene Georg Pollard late inhabitant of the Towne of Stokeclere in the Realme of England yeoman and Willm Hiller of the Towne of New Plym Carpenter of the one pte and the Inhabitants of the Towne of Duxborrow of the other pte in manner following To witt the said George Pollard and Willm Hiller is at their owne pper cost and charges to build frame and set vp one sufficient water Milne to grind Corne on both English & Indion, within the terme of one whole yeare next after the date hereof. As also stampers to beate Indian Corne at, as speedyly as possible they cann. And that they parties aforesaid are to build the said Milne and Stampers vpon a certain brooke comonly called or knowne by the name of Stony brooke lying by the house of Phillip Delanoy In consideracon whereof we the Inhabitants of the Towne of Duxborrow do bynd our selues to the aboue said pties as followeth.
Imprimis That no other Millne shalbe set up or erected within our Towne limmitts alwayes prouided that the foresaid pties at their Millne be able well & sufficiently to grind all the Corne of thaforesaid Inhabitants of the Towne of Duxborrow in tyme convenyent.
2ly Wee the Inhabitants of the Towne of Duxborrow do pmise to vse all our best endeavours to pcure all the Comon lands that lyeth vpon the north side of the said brooke vndisposed of next to the place where the said Milne shall stand, as also that meddow land that lyeth next to yt.
3ly Wee the Inhabitants aforesaid do pmise to do our best endeavours to pcure the lands of John Irish and Henry Wallis, and to pcure them lands elswhere in exchange or ortherwise, but if said parties will not so exchaung, that then the said Georg Pollerd and Willm Hiller may if they can pcure the said lands either by purchase or otherwise of the owners thereof That wee the said Inhabits do pmise to giue vnto the said parties the sum of six pounds towards the purchase of the same.
4ly Wee pmise to help the said Georg Pollerd & Willm Hiller to land both meddow and arrable in some place further of from the Towne of Duxborrow for their use, when their stocks of cattell shall require the same, as we shall allow to other of our townes man and neighbours.
And also that the said pties are to take a pottle of Corne for grinding euery bushell that shall be brought vnto them and no more. ffurther and lastly It is couenanted graunted and agreed vpon betwixt the Inhabitants of the Towne of Duxborrow and pties aboue said That the said Georg Pollard & Willm Hiller shall haue hold occupie use & ymploy the said Milne, together with all and euery the seuall priuiledges prorogatiues benefits immunities and appurtences whatsoeur before specifyed in this present writing To haue and to hold the same to them their heires executers and Assignes foreur Dated the seauenth day of November in the fifteenth yeare of the now Raigne of King Charles King of England Scotland ffranc & Ireland Defendor of the fayth &c Anno Dni 1639.
Subscribed by
Wm Collier Jonathan Brewster
Christopher Waddesworth Miles Standish



Vpon report made to the Court by Mr Willm Collyer, Capt Standish & Mr John Browne, (who were appoynted to take a view of the water passage desired to be turned to the milne to be erected at Stony Brooke, in Duxborrow, for the good & benefit of the said towne of Duxborrow) that the same will not be any way prejudiciall to any man, the Court doth graunt that Willm Hiller and Georg Pollerd shall haue liberty to turne that part of the said streame so viewed vnto the said milne.



Willm Hiller & George Pollerd are granted a pporcon of land containing about fourty acres, be it more or less, abutting vpon the Stony Brooke, in Duxborrow, & lying on the north side thereof; to be viewed and layd forth for them by Mr Collyer, Jonathan Brewster, & Wm Bassett, which was bounded thus, viz: lying on the south side of a swampe aboue the homesteads on Stony Brooke, or the Milne Brooke, from a marked tree on the north side of the said swamp to another marked tree south & by west along the said riuer side, in breadth containing 80 pole, and in length to another marked tree, west south west, runing to a pcell of land graunted to John washborne, thelder, on thone side of the said land, & on thother side to runn all along by the said swamp as the marked tres are marked on the north side thereof, runing to the head of the said swampe, then from other marked trees to an arme at Greens harbour Brooke; and also all the meddow land that lyeth before the said land vppon the said Stony Brooke on that side the brooke.



Willm Hiller & Georg Pollerd are graunted a pcell of vpland by the heigh way at the Stony Brooke, in Duxborrow, containeing by estimacon three or foure acrees or there abouts, to set the mille vpon, puided that there be a sufficient way left & layd forth; and likewise haue liberty graunted to mowe the two acrees of marsh meddow lying betwixt Rowlands Leighorns & Edmond Chaundlers marsh. The said lands lye betwixt John Irish & John Caruers meadsteads, with a pcell of comon land, lying from the said John Irish marked trees & Edward Bumpasse meddow land lying vpon the said brooke.



MEMORAND the xjth of June 1641 That John Irish doth acknowledg that for and in condiseracon of the dwelling house wherein Willm Hiller now dwelleth in Duxborrow and the meadstead or garden adjoyneing wth the fruits thereon now groweing hath freely and absolutely bargained and sold vnto the said Willm Hillr & George Pollerd of Duxborrow milners all those tenn acrss of vpland lying on the north side of Stony brooke and on the East side of the lands of the said Willm and George wth two acres of Marsh meddow adjoyneing to the said vpland wth all & singuler thapprtencs therevnto belonging and all his right title & interrest of and into the said prmisses and euery pt and pcell thereof To haue and to hold the said Tenn acres of vpland wth the said two acres of marsh meddow wth all and singuler their apprtences therevnto belonging unto the said William Hiller and Geor Pollerd their heires and Assignes for euer to the onely pper vse and behoofe of them the said Willm Hiller and George Pollerd their heires and Assignes for euer.

The mill was a wooden frame building, and William Hiller mortgaged his half of the mill to pay Robert Carver, for the planks. This mortgage was apparently sold to Nathaniel Sowther and eventually paid off.


The relative records I found were a court order relative to the agreement between William and Robert Carver and the transfer of the mortgage as follows:


The differrence betwixt Robte Caruer & Willm Hiller, about the payment of the corne, the Court doth order that the corne shalbe valued by two men chosen by either pt; & if they cannot agree, then they two to choose a third man to apprise yt as corne will then passe when it is payable.



MEMORAND That Willm Hiller doth acknowledg That for and in consideracon That Nathaniell Sowther of Plym is bound with the said Willm Hiller and for his pper debt in the sum of xxviijl for the payment of fourteene pounds sterl in merchantable Corne at certaine dayes menconed in a writing beareing date the last day of May 1642 vnto Robert Carver made betweene the said Robert Carver and the said Willm Hiller Hath (for the securing discharging and saueing harmelesse the said Nathaniell Sowther his heires Executers & Administraters & euery of them of and concerning the said debt) freely & absolutely bargained and sold assigned and mortgaged all that his moyitie of the milne in Duxborrow with all and singuler the prmisss & pfitts therevnto belonging and all his Right and interrest of and into the same & every pt thereof To haue and to hold the said moyitie of the said milne & all thapptencs therevnto belonging vnto the said Nathaniell Sowther his heires and Assignes foreuer to the only pper use and behoofe of him the said Nathaniell Sowther his heires and Assignes for euer. Prouided alwayes That if the said Willm Hiller do from tyme to tyme and at all tymes well & sufficiently saue and keep harmelesse the said Nathaniell Sowther his heires Executers & Administraters and eurey of them concerning the said debt & payments and do well and truly satisfye the said payments as they shall grow due and payable, That then the bargaine & sale aforesd to be voyd or els remayne in full force strengh & vertue.

The mortgage was paid off which indicates a successful mill operation. Although the mill was successful for the builders and the investors, it was not always satisfactory to the customers and employees. A Town Order was issued which reminded the miller to "Keep his Mortars clean and the Dogs from out his milne." Also a court order was issued as follows:


It is ordered by the Court, that Willm Hiller shall pay vnto John Holmes, the messenger, liijs iiijd in corne, for his man wages.



In 1644 William bought a parcell of land, consisting of ten acres of upland and two acres of meadow, from Robert Mendame through a third party, Thomas Clarke, of Eele River. This humorous record reads as follows:

Whereas there was a suite comenced by Arthur Howland against Robte Mendame for the sum of six pounds, for goods which the said Robte Mendams wyfe brought for the said Arthur Howland out of England, and did not deli- them, but sould them, and conurted the money to her owne use, as was proued in the Court; and whereas the said Robte Mendame hath authorized Thomas Clarke, of the Eele Riuer, to sell a pcell of land that said Robte Mendam hath at Duxborrow, viz, tenn acrees of vpland, and two acrees of meddow, the which the said Thomas Clarke had pformed for him, and made sale thereof vnto Willm Hiller, of Duxborrow, for one Dutch cowe, valued at six pounds, and hath confirmed the same vnto the said Wilm Hiller, his heires and assignes foreur, by quiet and peaceable liuery and seisen by twigg & turffe of the pmisses, as appeareth by the oathes of Phillip Delanoy and Thomas Chillingsworth, the same being donn in their psence; and that the said Arthur Howland comenced his suite as aforesaid by attaching the said cowe; and vpon tryall the jury found the six pounds due to the said pltiff Howland, and the charges of the suite. The Court hath, therefore, graunted judgnt and execucon vpon the said cowe for the said pltiff Howland, and do order and confirme the said lands, viz, the tenn acrees of vpland, & two acrees of meddow, with their appurtences, to be and remayne vnto the said Willm Hiller, his heires and assigns fore-, according to the said bargaine and sale made thereof vnto him by Thomas Clarke: to haue and to hold the said tenn acrees of vpland and two acrees of meddow, with their appurtencs, vnto the said Willm Hiller, his heires and assigns foreur, and to their onely pper use and behoofe foreur, prouided it shalbe lawfull for the said Robt Mendam to bringe the suite about againe at any tyme within a yeare and a day now next ensuing if he please.

The next appearance is when William sells the upland parcell of land that he bought from Robert Mendame.


Very few Duxbury Town records survive, if at all they ever existed, for the period prior to 1660. An insight as to what may have happened to the records is that the "Crab House" that William Hillard built on Crab Island became the residence of Constant Southworth and it appears that it was destroyed by fire in 1665 at which time Constant Southworth was the officer of the colony and possibly had possesion of the records. Constant Southworth rebuilt the house and pictures exist of the rebuilt house as it was prior to 4 JUL 1900 when it was burned to the ground as a teen-age prank. The following record was found as one of many in an apparent attempt by the town to recover from the missing or non-existant records.

The Bounds of the upland lands, formerly granted to William Hilier and George Pollard, and now in possession of Samuel West, is as followeth, viz, Lying on the south side of a swamp, and the west side of the Stony or Mill brook, running up said brooke from the north side of said swamp, south and by west, Eighty poles for the breadth, and to a red oak tree marked with stones, from thence by trees marked running west south west to a white oak tree marked, for the corner bound, from thence by trees marked with heaps of stones by them, ranging to a white oak marked, by Green's Harbour brook, with a heap of stones by it, and from said tree, running eastwardly upon a straight line to a red oak tree marked, at the head of aforesaid swamp, and so running a long said swamp on the north side to the homestead, or house lots, with all the meadow land on the north side of said brook lying before the land. -
John Wadsworth
John Soule
John Tracy.



MEMORAND That Willm Hiller of Duxborrow Carpenter doth acknowledge that for and in consideracon of the sum of fourty shillinges to him in hand payd by Willm ffoard of the same Miller wherewth he doth acknowledg himself fully satisfyed & payd Hath freely and absolutely bargained and sold vnto the said Willm ffoard all that pcell of vpland lying on Duxborrow side of the west side of the heigh way leading from Plymouth to Duxborrow mill pcell of the lands lately purchased of Robert Mendame contayneing by estimacon nine acrees be it more or lesse all his Right title and interrest of and into the said prmisss wth all and singuler thapprtences therevnto belonging to Haue and to hold the said nine acrees of vpland be it more or lesse wth thapprtences vnto the said Willm ffoard his heires and Assignes for euer to the onely pp use and behoofe of him the said Willm ffoard his heires and Assignes for euer.



Anno 1646. The .10. of Nouember William Hillier of Duxburie Carpenter came before the Gour and acknowledged ye sale of his house & lands and all ye purtenances belonging to all, or any parte of ye same. And his halfe of ye mille at Duxburie with all ye appurtenances thervnto belonging, or any way appertaineing to ye same, and his parte of all those lands and meadows, that any way belongs to ye same being in partnership betweene Georg Pollerd, and him; To Constant Southworth of Duxburie aforesaid to him & his heires for euer, as appears more at large in the writing following.
These presents doe witnes that William Hillier of Duxburie Carpenter, for & in consideration of ye sume of threeskore pounds sterling to be payed by Constante Southworth of Duxburie planter in maner & forme following, that is to say thirtie pounds in hand twenty pounds of ye said thirtie in money or beauer, and the other tenn pound in Cattle. And the other thirtie pounds in wheat by ten pounds a year, in three seuerall payments, viz. tenn pounds the twenty of october .1647. And ten pounds ye .20. of ye afforsaid month Anno .1648. and the other .10 li. at ye same day Ano: 1649. All which three payments are to be made at Boston in ye Massachusett Bay, as the price goes commonly betweene man & man. Hath freely and absolutly barganed & sould, and by these presents doth bargaine and sell vnto the said Constante Southworth all that right and title which he hath vnto the mille at Duxburie standing vpon Stonie riuer being in partnership betweene him and Georg Pollerd late of Duxbury affore said, that is to say the on halfe therof, and all & all manner of things thervnto belonging, with all the rights, & Interests which he hath, or euer had, or may haue vnto the same and all that parcell of land wher the mille stands being thre or foure acres or ther abouts, with tow acres of meadow be it more or less, lying betweene Rowland leighorns and Edmond Chanlers march, with fortie acres of land be it more or less, abutting vpon Stonie broke in Duxburie, & lying on ye north side thereof, thus bounded, viz. lying on the south side of a swampe, aboue ye home steads on x y brooke, or the mill brook, from a marked tree on ye north side of x said swampe to an other marked tree west southwest, runing to x parcell of land granted to John Washburne ye elder on ye one side of, x land and on ye other side to rune all along by the said swampe as xked trees are marked on ye north side therof, runing to the head of ye said swampe, and then from other marked trees to an arme of greens harbor brooke, and also all ye meadowe lands that lyeth before ye said land vpon ye said Stony brooke, on yt side the brooke. Also ten acres of vpland lying on ye north side of Stony brooke, and on ye east side of ye lands of ye said William Hillier & georg Pollarde, with tow acres of march meadow adjoyning to ye said vpland, with all & singuler the appurtenances ther vnto belonging. And also ten acres of vpland, & one acre of meadow (which the said William & Georg bought of Rowland Leighorne) as it stands bounded vpon recorde, To haue and to hold the said halfe of the mill, and all the halfe of all ye afforesaid vpland & meadows, and all the housing, fences, and all & all maner of appurtenances belonging to any part & parcell therof. vnto the said Constant Southworth his heires and asignes for euer, and to the only proper vse & behoofe of him the said Constante Southworth his heirs and asignes for euer, and with warranties against all people from, by, or vnder him claiming any right, title or Interest of and into the said premisses, or any part therof. Also the said Constante is to be freed from all acconts, reckonings, or charges, aboute ye mille or any of the premises, in partnership betweene ye said William Hillier and Georg Pollard, by the said William, any way acrewing before the day of date herof; prouided notwithstanding it shall be free and lawfull for ye said William to demande satisfaction of the said George Pollerd or his Assignes for any charg he hath been at before the making of this bargane about ye mille, so as ye said Constante be no way charged, or molested aboute ye same. Also one dwelling house with a barne & all other out housing and three acres of land, with garden fences & all, and all maner of appurtenances ther vnto belonging, and also a parcell of vpland lying on ye east side of ye comone hige way and .2. acers of meadow thervnto belonging be it more or less, which ye said William bougte, belonging some time to Robart Mendame. All which dwelling house, barne, out-housing lands fences and ye apurtenances being his owne proper, and no way belonging to ye afforsaid partnership, he for ye afforsaid consideration before expresed, hath freely, and absolutly bargained & sould, and by these presents doth bargaine and sell vnto ye said Constante Southworth, all that his dwelling house barne garden & lands afforsaid with all & singuler ye premises, & apurtenances, to haue and to hold, to the only behofe & proper vse of him, his heires and assignes for euer, with warrenty as aboue said. In witnes wherof the said William Hilliard hath put too his hand to these presents, before ye Gour this .10. of Nouember Ano: Dom. 1646.
In ye presence of Wittnes hereof
Myles Standish
Thomas Southworth

And Captaine Standish gaue in a certificate at ye same time, yt the wife of ye said William Hillier, before him gaue her free consent to ye sale of all ye premises aboue said.
William Hillar.



CONSTANT SOUTHWORTH acknowledge to have sould vnto William Bradford of Plimoth all his lands & meadows lying at the Iland creeke with all & all maner of apurtenances therevnto belonging for ye sume of .12 pounds, ten pounds whereof is to be payd to William Hillier for his vse the twentih of October Anno. 1628 (?). To haue and hold ye said lands, & meadows with all ye appurtenances to his owne proper vse, to him & heires for euer. As may more at larg apear in a writing made therof.

Constant Southworth, son of Alice Carpenter Southworth who married Governor Bradford, moved to a house included in the purchase, a house on the so-called Crab Island. Three generations of Southworths' ran the grist mill. The buildings were destroyed as a prank by teen-age boys on 4 JUL 1900. The fact that there ever was a grist mill is now indicated by the presense of a permant memorial located on the main land.


In August of 1643, William Hillier was on a list of eighty Duxbury men submitted to the Court, who were between the ages of sixteen and sixty and able to bear arms in the Indian wars.

This Plymouth Court Record in 1640 is why historians were unable to determine the maiden name of William Hiller's wife. The record is as follows and as you can see nothing was recorded. It was like the recorder was going to enter the information at a later date and simply forgot


Georg Pidcock & Sarah Ricard marryed the xvjth May, 1640.
John Mynard & Mary Starr marryed.
William Fallowell & Martha Beels marryed.
Benjamin Noye and Katherne Tupper marryed the xixth October, 1640.
Willm Hiller and
William Nelson and Martha Forde marryed the xxixth of Octobr, 1640.

From the above record it can be seen that William married his wife in Duxbury between 19 OCT 1640 and 29 OCT 1640. No records show her surname but her Christian name is believed to be Hester, or Esther. A search of known residents of Duxbury in 1640 failed to reveal any possible 'Esther'. Since the births of their daughters, Esther and Mary, were recorded in Boston and it is known the family lived in Duxbury, possibly Esther went home to her parents to have the babies. The birth record of the son William could not be located.

1. 2. William HILLARD b. Abt 1641, Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts (probably); d. 24 Jan 1713/1714, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; bur. Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island (Old Commons Cemetery).
2. Esther HILLARD b. 25 Mar 1642/1643, Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; d. 3 Jun 1709, Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
3. Mary HILLARD b. 6 Jun 1644, Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts; d. 13 Sep 1689, Hingham, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.