Person:James Hill (104)

James Hill is tithed for 2 people on the Lancaster County TIthe Lists 1717-1720 (when tithe lists in the order books stop being recorded in the county order books).

Will of Thomas Buckley:

22 JAN 1702/03. Date recorded not given. Lancaster D&W 8, p. 128 (254). Will of Thomas Buckley, of Lancaster County. Leaves his plantation to his wife Frances for her life, and at her death to his grandson James Hill, on the condition that he, James Hill, "makes over to his brother William Hill his whole [interest] in the land where his father dwelt" in Lancaster County, bounded by Christopher Kirk. Personal estate to wife Frances. It further directs that the estate of Robert Hill, dec'd be cleared of all encumbrances and "may be for the sole use of his children." He also leaves to Richard Stephens 5 shillings to buy a pair of gloves, and the same amount for the same purpose to John Chilton, "son." (Examined.)

The wife Frances died in 1703, shortly after husband. Either James Hill made no deed to his brother William, or, if he did, William died with no wife or children, and it reverted back to James prior to 24 NOV 1710, when he sold it to John Kirk on 24 NOV 1710:

24 NOV 1710, 9th year of the reign of Queen Anne. James Hill of Christ Church Parish, Lancaster County, to John Kirk of the same place, for 2,500 pounds of "good legal aronoco tobaccoe and casque", one tract of land containing 85.5 acres being the moeity (one half) of 175 acres formerly occupied by John Gibson, late of this county, dec'd, and by him sold to Roger WIlliams on 9 MAR 1680/81, and by him sold to James Hill of Northumberland on 13 JUN 1681, and by said James Hill given to his son Robert Hill on 1 SEP 1693, and said Robert Hill dying intestate the land descended to James Hill as heir at law of his father Robert Hill; bounded at a swamp above Walkers. Witnessed by Joseph Tayloe, David "DM" Masey, and Christopher Kirk. Signed by James Hill (no wife relinquishes dower).

The deed was conveyed in the old fashioned English manner, "Memorandum. That this day (to witt) ye 24th day of Novr: 1710, the within named James Hill made livery & seizen of ye lands comprized in ye within Deed by the delivering of ye Latch of ye Mantion House & Turff & Twigg on part of ye p:misses in the name of seizin of ye whole unto ye sd. John Kirk in the p:senxe of us who are hereunto subscribed." [Sparacio, Lancaster County Deeds 1701-1715 (1995, pp. 111-112, citing Deed Book 1701-1715, pp. 399-401)].

LANDHOLDERS & LANDHOLDINGS, CHRIST CHURCH PARISH, LANCASTER COUNTY, VIRGINIA by Nancy T. Sorrels (Historic Christ Church, Lancaster, VA). LANDOWNERS 1720-1750 PRECINCT F.

F-2 James Hill II          225 acres

"James Hill II inherited this land from his father, also James, in 1748 [DWB 14:196]  The Hill family had possessed this parcel since James Hill II's grandfather, Robert Hill, married the daughter of the owner, Thomas Buckley, sometime before 1700"

This is not exactly true. Thomas Buckley's will was written and proved in 1703, leaving his land to his wife Frances for her life, and to his grandson James Hill I. The wife Frances died shortly after Thomas Buckley, and the land went to James Hill II. However, Buckley's will stipulated that James Hill had to convey his father's(Robert) property to his brother William Hill. William Hill died without issue and the land reverted back to James Hill, who sold it on 24 NOV 1764 to John Kirk.

Thus, the land in question was in inherited through Thomas Buckley to James Hill II, and up to Hill's death in 1749 it went to his son John Hill, Sr. (except for 25 acres deeded to his daughter Margaret wife of Thomas Floreane in 1739).

Christ Church, Lancaster Records at Weems, VA, visited June 2008:

Tithe Lists and Quit Rent Rolls: 1720, 2 tithes 1746, 5 tithes 1721, 225 acres, Quit Rent Roll 1748, 225 acres, Quit Rent Roll 1750, 225 acres, Quit Rent Roll

This last year, 1750, is the year following the death of James Hill II. It does not apply to his son James Hill III (d. 1773) He should, however, only be on the list for 200 acres due to the 25 acre gift to his daughter Margaret in 1739. By 1782, the land is taxed as 200 acres to the widow of John Hill, Sr. (d. 1789) who apparently inherited it from his father, James II.

8 AUG 1739. DW 13, p. 141. James Hill and Elizabeth his wife, gift of 25 acres to their daughter Margaret Flowrane and Thomas Flowrane, her husband, for love and affection, on the river side of Back Cove. James and Elizabeth both sign by signature. Witnessed by John Wood and Temperance Cornelius.

13 MAY 1748. Court Order to make inventory of estate of James Hill.

9 JUN 1748. DW 14, p. 196. Inventory of estate of James Hill, returned by Elizabeth Hill, admx. One slave, Dick, worth £35. Total value of estate was £95, 16 shillings, 1 pence. Appraisers were William Stephens, Thomas Gressett and Thomas Yerby. Returned by Elizabeth Hill, admx. Total value £95.16.1. No slaves. Recorded 10 JUN 1748 (Lancaster County, VA DW 14, p. 196r).

10 APR 1749. DW 14, p. 236. Additional inventory of estate of James Hill returned by Elizabeth Hill, admx, recorded 14 APR 1749.

1. ↑ WB 14:196, 236