In a letter written at Elyria, 15 APR 1879, Mrs. Anna N. Finn, a great granddaughter says:
"At the time her father was killed she (Jane) was a child 8 years old and I can well remember the account she used to give of her poor mother's flight with her seven young children to the hills or mountains near Wyoming Valley. So sudden was the surprise and attack of the Indians in the valley that the husband went to the front door to see what caused the alarm and it is supposed was almost instantly killed as he never returned to the house. The widowed mother and her children were concealed for many days in the woods. Her home and contents were burned by the savages and nothing was saved except the clothing they wore. After a time, with some of her children, the mother found her way to Poughkeepsie. She received a kind welcome from friends on the Hudson River and her surviving daughters married well."
They resided Brooklyn, PA.

He was killed in the Wyoming Massacre.

1. Janetje GEER b. 3 Oct 1763, Brooklyn, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania (probably); d. 1837, Waterford, Rensselaer County, New York (probably).
2. Peter GEER b. 13 Sep 1765, Brooklyn, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania (probably); d. 1842, New Paltz, Ulster County, New York.
3. Elizabeth GEER b. 16 Oct 1767, Brooklyn, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania (probably).
4. Jeremiah GEER b. 24 Dec 1769; d. Aft 1815.
5. Stephen GEER b. 26 Sep 1772, Brooklyn, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania (probably); d. 25 Jan 1847.
6. Mary GEER b. 13 Apr 1775, Brooklyn, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania (probably); d. 10 May 1782, Brooklyn, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania (probably).
7. Rezin GEER b. 5 May 1777, Brooklyn, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania (probably); d. 21 Sep 1778, Brooklyn, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania (probably).

They lived for a few years at Southold, where their eldest son was born. Removed to Norwich, New London Co., CT, in 1733.

She was of Southold, Long Island, NY.

1. Uzziel GEER b. 22 Feb 1732, Southold, Long Island, ? County, New York; d. 26 Aug 1824, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut.
2. Jeremiah GEER b. 17 Sep 1733, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut; d. 12 Nov 1742, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut (probably).
3. Asenith GEER b. 15 Sep 1735, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut.
4. 1. Rezin GEER b. 3 Aug 1737, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut; d. 3 Jul 1778, Pennsylvania.
5. Squire GEER b. 22 Jun 1740, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut; d. 14 Apr 1803, Long Island Sound, Long Island, New York.
6. Esther GEER b. 31 May 1743, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut; d. 17 Aug 1823.

Geer Genealogy does not give place or date.

1. Hannah GEER b. Abt 1708, Groton, New London, Connecticut; d. Between 1741 and 1747, Preston, New London County, Connecticut (probably).
2. 2. Oliver GEER b. Abt 1709, Groton, New London, Connecticut; d. Norwich, New London County, Connecticut (probably).
3. Esther GEER b. Abt 1713, Groton, New London, Connecticut; d. Between 1740 and 1757, Preston, New London County, Connecticut.
4. Zebulion GEER b. Abt 1715, Groton, New London, Connecticut.
5. Ziporah GEER b. Aug 1715, Groton, New London, Connecticut.
6. Jerusha GEER b. Abt 1719, Groton, New London, Connecticut; d. 10 Mar 1735, Preston, New London County, Connecticut.

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. 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. 5. 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.