Person:Esther Hier (1)

From: <KCSingley@@aol.com> Karen Singley

To: <slimsjim@@hotmail.com> Sent: Friday, December 15, 2000 8:03 AM Subject: Hier family

Dear Jim, You e-mailed me last May about Esther Hier and her husband Elizah Smith. I don't recall if I responded at that time as I had no info for you. However, in the last couple of days I have heard from a fellow researcher about Esther's sister, Fanny (Fanna M), and there is a reference to your Esther.

It is possible that the Smith family were temporarily in Middlebury, VT as an Elijah Smith shows up in the census there (Asahel was son of an Elijah, and had a brother, Elijah, who married Esther Hier.

"Fanna Hier and Asahel Smith went to Lenox Twp., Ashtabula Co. Ohio apparently with his brother Elijah Smith, Jr. and his wife, Esther Hier.

At least you know now that Esther and Fanna were sisters and married the Smith brothers!

I descend from Esther's brother Shubal. I assume you know that Esther was the dau. of Hendrick Hier and Prudence Seelye (she of New Milford, CT; b. 1759; dau. of David and Sibble Seelye). I am still working on Hendrick..........think he was from Germany........but no luck so far. This family kept very few records.

"A family legend said that Fanna Hier had Indian blood, though back in those days they didn't brag about it. What do you think of this fellow researchers family legend that Fanna was part Indian? If this is true, it would mean that Esther and other siblings were also. Have you ever heard this in your family?

Karen Singley KCSingley@@aol.com

Jim, I don't know where to start! First of all, the researcher who gave me the info on the Smith family did not tell me what year they were on the Middlebury, Vt. census. I will ask her and see if she knows. Secondly, I believe that Sally's married name was Kingsbury.

Please be advised that the info on Prudence, Hendrick, Shubal and Eber are from my MY research and most of it is documented. The other info is from other researchers and I can't vouch for their work........

A little background:

There is a Henry Higher (I can't find the paperwork right now so it could be another spelling) was in Cambridge, Washington Co. NY on the 1790 census. Cambridge is right on the border of VT and I believe is one of those towns that didn't know if it was in NY or VT......so in researching their children, I have found that on one census record they say they were b. VT and on another, NY. I am also working on the possibility that Hendrick was a german mercenary (Hessian soldier) and perhaps fought at the battle of Saratoga (which would be near Cambridge....in addition, Benjamin Seelye, uncle to Prudence, purchased 23,000 acres of land in the Lake George area, which would be just north of Saratoga)......

I have never been able to find a marriage record for them nor death records except at the NEGHS, I found a reprint of a diary of a Mrs. Dewey of Middlebury, Vt and her diary states that Mrs. Hier d. June 4, 1832; Mr. Hier d. 1841 and old Mrs. Hier d. 1889. This old Mrs. Hier, is, I believe Hendrick's second wife, Catherine McMaster (probably a widow). They married August 1832, Middlebury (only 2 months after Prudence's death!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?) This Catherine is buried in West Cemetary in Middlebury and her stone says she was the wife of Henry Hier.....but he is NOT buried there with her.

Children of Hendrick and Prudence:

             Ruth, Shubal, Justus, Eber, Wer, Esther Fanna M and I believe                            possibly a John, Henry and Mary.

RUTH-b. 1782; m. about 1802 Paul Pratt, Middlebury. She d. 1842, Salisbury,

             Vt.

SHUBAL-b. about 1785 ?Danby, Vt. He m. Polly Burrel (or Doten) 1810 Monkton,

             VT.  He d. Dec. 23, 1872 of apoplexy ae 87.  He was a widower anda               farmer.

JUSTUS-b, about 1791 (he is listed on the 1850 census of Canton, St. Lawrence

            County, NY as being 59.  Listed with him are:  Betsy 53, b. CT;
            Caroline  25 b. VT; Prudence 18 b. VT; Henry 15 b. VT; Royal 10 b. NY.
            He is also listed in the Addison Vt. census in 1810,1820,1830,1840.
            They also had a daughter named Betsey (?Elizabeth) who m. Zebulon
            Lamphear.  This couple ended up in Wisconsin.

EBER-b.?1796-98 ?Ripton, Vt. He married Sally Doten April 4, 1818, Monkton,

            Vt. His second wife (no children with her) was Harriet Stillwell.
            He d. Feb. 21, 1877 ae 81 of dropsy; widower and farmer.

WER- I have no info on him.

ESTHER-The only info I have on her is what I sent you.

FANNA- Ditto

?MARY (POLLY)-Another researcher believes that this woman, his ancestor is

             somehow connected to these people.  She was b. VT about 1800
             and m. Jan 1 1816 Oliver Rutherford in Middlebury.

So there you have it. I know it is alot to digest and I hope I haven't confused you.