Moses was a sea captain, an adventurous energetic man of no small fame in his day. He was master of the ship that brought to America the first news of the burning of Moscow. It is an interesting fact . . . that when Napoleon, after his overthrow at Waterloo, though of flying to this country, friends of his sought and were pledged the aid of Captain Hillard, then in France, in carrying out the design. It was fully arranged between him and them that the emperor should be concealed in a water casket on his vessel's deck and so escape through the English fleet, but for some reason he was not conveyed on board.

Have not been able to determine parentage of Benjamin. His parents have to be one of the following: Benoni and Martha (Lord) Hillard; or Joshua and Esther (Burgess) Hilliard; or David (son of Jonathan and Abigail (Wilbore) Hillard); or Azariah (son of Jonathan and Abigail (Wilbor) Hillard). Most likely, Joshua and Esther (Burgess) Hillard because of his residence of Preston and because most of Joshua's children born in probably Preston were not recorded.

Benjamin served as sergeant in Captain Mott's company, raised for the defense of New London Harbor, 1776.

Will of Benjamin Hillard
I Benjamin Hilliard of Preston in the County of New London being some advanced in years and sick in bed though by the blessing of God, of sound mind and memory. Calling to mind the mortality of my body and that all must die and how soon I must go the way of all living, I know not. I do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament commending my Soul to God that gave it me and my body to the dust to be decently buried at the direction of my Executor hereafter named, and as to my wordly interests which I am blessed with here I dispose of it in the following manner (viz)
1st I give to my loving wife Sabra Hilliard the use and improvement of one third of my real estate during her natural life. I also give to my said wife the one third part of my live stock as her own property. I also give to my said wife the use and improvement of so much more of my real estate as to include and contain the one half of my dwelling house at the west end. I also give to my said wife the whole of my household furniture excepting one cherry tree bedstead with a sacking bottom, the sd. bedstead with a sacking bottom I give and bequeath to my daughter Sally.
2nd I give to my five sons (viz) Moses, John, Chester, George Washington & Benjamin Franklin. To each two hundred dollars.
3rd I Give to my five daughter (viz) Sally, Esther, Clarissa, Sophia & Betsey. To each eighty three dollars and one third.
4th If my estate should surmount, or should fall short of amounting to the above legacy my Will is that the said legacy shall be increased or diminished in proportion.
5th My will is that after the appraisment of my whole estate all my just debst and funeral charges first be paid by my executor before the sum of the legacys are ascertained and my will is that all parts of my estate herin disposed of in this will shall be equally liable to the payment of my debst & funeral charges excepting the bedstead given to my daughter Sally,
6th and I do also order & my will is that my said five daughters shall have the improvement of the west half of my dwelling during the time that they or any of them shall remain single & unmarried, and not interupting my sd. Wife in the improvement so long as she shall need it. And my will is also that in case anyone or more of my sons should die in homage and without issue the share or shares coming to him or them shall revert to my other sons, & that it fare in like manner to my daughters - and farther my will is that in case my son Moses is desirous of having my desk & bookcase he shall have the priviledge of it in paying to his mother twenty dollars therefor, and I do hereby appoint my said wife, Sabra Hilliard together with Chester Smith of Stonington the Executor of my last willand testament. Revoking any will by me heretofore made and declaring this to be my my last in witness so hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of April A.D. 1801
Benjamin Hillard
Signed Sealed & Declared
In presence of
Sam Mott, Sarah Smith, Hannah Fillmore

Barbour did not give a date. Date of 11 JAN 1780 possibly came from DAR record from the "Boston Transcript" for February 1910. Bob Gardner has a letter written by Erastus Brewster Hillard in 1894 that gives date as 1 JUN 1780. I don't have an Erastus Brewster Hillard in my data base. Could he mean Elias Brewster Hillard?

1. 1. Moses HILLARD b. 28 Sep 1780, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut; d. 30 Sep 1837, Preston, New London County, Connecticut.
2. Sarah HILLARD b. 2 Jun 1782, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut; d. 3 Jun 1805, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; bur. Preston, New London County, Connecticut (Palmer Cemetery).
3. John HILLARD b. 15 Jun 1784, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut; d. 8 Apr 1853, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut.
4. Chester HILLARD b. 13 Jun 1786, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut; d. 27 Oct 1818, Havana, Cuba.
5. Esther HILLARD b. 2 Oct 1788, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; d. 1 Aug 1826, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; bur. Preston, New London County, Connecticut (Palmer Cemetery).
6. Clarissa HILLARD b. 29 Jan 1792, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; d. 18 Dec 1846, New York City, New York County, New York.
7. Sophia HILLARD b. 22 Feb 1794, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; d. Bef 1821.
8. George Washington HILLARD b. 23 Jul 1796, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; d. 3 Mar 1830, Africa; bur. Preston, New London County, Connecticut (Long Society Cemetery).
9. Betsey HILLARD b. 20 Sep 1798, Preston, New London County, Connecticut.
10. Benjamin Franklin HILLARD b. 27 Feb 1801, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; d. 28 Jul 1820, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; bur. Preston, New London County, Connecticut.

Joshua left Little Compton and probably moved to Stonington, CT, where additional children (unrecorded) were probably born: Benjamin, Richmond, Luther and Lucy. Later, Richmond, Luther and Lucy are found in Cornish, NH, where it was believed they were siblings of Samuel. Undoubtedly true since, Richmond was the maiden name of Esther's paternal grandmother and Luther was the maiden name of Joshua's mother. Benjamin is thought to be a son because it is known that Benjamin arrives in Preston ca 1767 while the land records show that Joshua buys land in Preston in 1768. Also, Joshua's daughters, Mary and Elizabeth appeared to have married in Preston and the first three children of his son, Samuel were born in Preston.

Esther was admitted to full comunnion on this date as a widow.

Esther is a great-great-granddaughter of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins. Esther was the third wife of Joseph Edmonds and he was possibly of Dudley, MA.

Esther Hillard, widow.

1. Mary HILLIARD b. 23 Jun 1745, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island.
2. Samuel HILLIARD b. 28 Jul 1747, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; d. 16 Nov 1831, Clarendon, Rutland County, Vermont; bur. Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire (Johnson Farm Cemetery).
3. Elizabeth HILLIARD b. 18 Dec 1749, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island.
4. 2. Benjamin HILLARD b. 29 Jan 1753, Rhode Island; d. 5 May 1801, Preston, New London County, Connecticut.
5. David HILLIARD b. EST 1756, Connecticut (probably); d. Bef 28 Jun 1813, Nassau, Rensselaer County, New York.
6. Luther HILLARD b. 5 May 1759, Connecticut (probably); d. 2 Dec 1850, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; bur. Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire (Edminster Cemetery).
7. Lucretia HILLARD b. Abt 1763, Connecticut; d. 5 Feb 1823, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
8. Richmond A. HILLARD b. 25 Jan 1764, Connecticut; d. 3 Mar 1846, Brandon, Knox County, Ohio; bur. Miller, Knox County, Ohio (Miller Cemetery).

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"

Tombstone inscription:
In memory of
Susannah
widow of Capt. David Hilliard
who departed this life
April 6, A.D. 1777
in the 91st year of her age

Inscription: "In memory of Susannah widow of Capt David Hilliard who departed this life April 6 A.D. 1777 in the 91st year of her age"

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. 4. 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).