Hello,
I apologize up front for this message being so long winded. However, I have a lookup request on some Wills. My family and I have had a brick wall with our ancestor, Richard Hill, born in 1810 in "Yorkshire", England. (about the most descriptive place I have found as far as his birth location.)
What I know:
Richard Hill married Sarah Ann Chapman on 6 January 1843 in Parke County, IN. Had 3 sons: George C Hill, Thomas, and James.
1900 census shows he arrived to America in 1840.
Naturalization Papers show he "reached" America on 16 June 1841.
Circumstantial Evidence: A Richard Hill was aboard the Barque Hope on 28 May 1841. Other passengers ended up living in the same town Richard did in Indiana. Including Chapmans (in laws) and Nelsons (possible extended family).
Found a possible baptism record showing a Richard Hill was baptized on 1/1/1811 in Hubberholme, England. Parents Thomas and Agnes Hill. (this fits the naming convention narrative of the times….first son born of Richard's (with Sarah) named after mother’s father (George C) and second son named after Richard’s father (Thomas).
Marriage bans were published on 10th, 17th & 24 April 1808 at Arncliffe for Thomas Hill & Agnes Nelson, but the marriage did not take place there – they married 30 Apr 1808 in Dent.
Baptised at Hubberholme chapel (Arncliffe) as sons of Thomas Hill:
21 May 1809 Leonard son of Thomas Hill of Cray, Farmer
1 Jan 1811 Richard son of Thomas Hill of Cray
13 Dec 1812 Thomas son of Thomas Hill of Deepdale
Agnes Nelson born 6 Sep 1788 d/o Richard & Ann….There is a burial in Dent 2 Mar 1815 for an Agnes Hill.
In 1841 there is a Thomas Hill aged 60 (rounded) Cattle Dealer at Buckden, Parish of Arncliffe On 20 Dec 1846 there is a burial at Hubberholme for Thomas Hill of Buckden, aged 69.
We were able to find record for Thomas Hill (Richard’s brother) and his family though. Thomas was baptised 1812 but his age is a bit all over the place in the census and he gives his place of birth as Horton, except for 1851 when he says Buckden. There is a marriage 19 Mar 1849 in Kettlewell, Yorkshire (about 5 miles from Buckden): Thomas Hill, of full age, Bachelor, Servant, Kettlewell. Father: Thomas Hill, Cattle Dealer - AND - Jane Walker, of full age, Spinster, Housekeeper?, Kettlewell. Father: Thomas Walker, Labourer. Witnesses: James Jaques & Elizabeth Walker. All were able to sign, except Jane. The witness James Jaques is interesting, as the record set "All West Yorkshire, England, Select Land Tax Records, 1704-1932" filtered for Buckden show land occupied by Thomas Hill 1808-1811 and owned by John Jaques. In 1850 Thomas & Jane have a son, who they name RICHARD HILL. Their first daughter, born in 1857, is named AGNES, after Thomas & Richard's mother (Jane's mother appears to be named Sarah). Agnes dies in 1860, and they name another daughter Agnes in 1862. The family can easily be found on Familysearch by searching for Richard Hill born 1848-1851 Kettlewell. In 1841 Thomas is here:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQPW-NYV .
A James Nelson was on the Barque Hope passenger list. When look for him….
Looking for a James Nelson baptised in Dent around 1798 brings up this: 16 Aug 1797 James s/o Richard & Ann Nelson We don’t know Agnes Nelson’s YoB, but with a marriage in 1808 I’d expect around 1787, so there are these two, both in Dent 17 Feb 1783 d/o James & Alice 6 Sep 1788 d/o Richard & Ann So potentially James Nelson could be Richard Hill’s uncle, and they travelled together on the Barque Hope. Searching for the children travelling with James brings up this: Marriage 28 Dec 1825 Dent, James Nelson & Margaret Middlebrook 31 Oct 1826 Thomas s/o James & Margaret Nelson 11 Feb 1829 Alice Ann d/o James & Margaret Nelson 18 Nov 1831 William s/o James & Margaret Nelson 23 Apr 1837 (born c1834) Mary Ann d/o Ellen Nelson I can’t find a death/burial for Margaret, but in 1837 there is a marriage registered in Sedbergh Registration District (which includes Dent) between James NELSON & (same page) Jane CHAPMAN, followed by this baptism, in Dent 28 Oct 1838 Margaret d/o James & Jane Nelson This looks like her birth registration, followed by Agnes: NELSON, MARGARET mmn CHAPMAN GRO Ref: 1838 S Quarter in SEDBERGH Vol 23 Page 500 NELSON, AGNESS mmn CHAPMAN GRO Ref: 1841 M Quarter in SEDBERGH Vol 23 Page 535 A Richard Nelson, Farmer of BAZELBUSK (sic), Dent (Sedbergh Registration District) died in 1848 aged 82. According to FindmyPast he is included in the Probate Index for the Archdeaconry of Richmond with a probate date of 8 Mar 1849 (their reference R646/50).
Continued...
