Person:Philip Bill (1)

From History of the Bill Family p78-83

Eldest son of Philip Bill of New London born about 1658, at Pulling Pointe, in the town of Boston, as is supposed. He came with his father, Philip Bill, from Ipswich to Groton, Conn, about 1668. He married (1) Elizabeth Lester, daughter of Andrew Lester, of Groton. (2) Mary ---.

We constantly experience the great loss of the ancient records of New London: in our sketches of the earlier member of the family in Connecticut, nothing scarce remain to us except disjointed and fragmentary scraps of dates and memoranda. Of Arnold, cold-hearted and traitorous as he was, could have dreamed of the additional countless anathemas that were to be heaped upon his name for this wanton piece of incendiarism, by the children of that inhabitance, he surely would have hesitated before giving the order to destroy the town!

The place of residence in Groton is stated as being near the Long Hill.

1698, Nov 24. Philip Bill conveys by deed to his brother Samuel Bill, lands. (Groton Town Record, 2, p67.) 1727, June 1. He gives a deed to his son Joseph Bill of Groton. This deed is witnessed by Thomas Bill. (Ibid. 2:327.) 1733, Dec. 24. Philip Bill, in love and affection for his son Samuel Lester, gives deed of land. (Ibid. 3:-.) 1739, Jan 22. He deeds land to his son Thomas Bill. (Ibid. 4:192.)

The following is a very curious and certainly a very interesting paper. It is a relict of considerable antiquarian interest, and we subjoin it as found on the Groton Records.

To all people to whome these presents shall come Greeting. Know ye that I Philip Bill of Groton in the County of New London within the Colony of Connecticut Yeoman for divers good causes and consideration we thereunto moving Especially for the regard and good will I have to my beloved son Samuel Lester of the town County and Colony aforesaid have given granted confirmed and Delivered and by these present according to Due form of Law do give grant confirm and Deliver unto the son Samuel Lester a Spanish Indian Girl of about ten years of age called Dinah the Indian Girl to have and to hold to the proper use and behoof of him the Samuel his heirs Executors Admrs and assigns forever and I the Philip Bill for myself and Executors and Admrs the bargained premises unto the Samuel Lester his Executors and Admrs and Assigns against all and all manner of persons shall Warrant and forever Defend by these present in witness whereof with the Delivery of Indian Girl I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24 day of Dec 1733. Philip Bill In presence of Chris Avry Robert Allyn Rec. Feb. 27 1733-4

Philip Bill must have been a man of good reputation, and possessing considerable influence. He held the office of constable, and was a Sergeant in the first company of trainbands formed in Groton. He was also ensign in 1722, and was familiarly known by his neighbors as Sergeant Bill, and as Ensign Bill. He was licensed Feb. 23, 1719-20 to keep a house of public entertainment.

We find in the Pat of New London granted by the Colony, the name of Philip Bill; the date of said Patent is 1663, April 23, but it was not sanctioned until Oct 14 1704. There is some reason for supposing this Philip was the elder Philip, but as he never came to New London till 1668, which was after the date of the petition, which, as we have said, was in 1663, and as the elder Philip died in 1689, before the Patent was sanctioned, we are persuaded that it is Philip the younger whose name appears in this document.

In either case, the name had to be inserted after the first date of the instrument, a copy of which we append.

Patent of New London sanctioned by the Governor and Compant, 14th October, 1704. To all persons to whom these present shall come. The Govenor and Company of Her Majesty's Colony of Connecticut in General Court assembled send greating : -Whereas we the said Gov and Comp by virtue of Letters Patent to us granted by his Royal May Charles the Second of England and King, nearing the 23rd day of April, in the 14th year of his reign, A.D. 1663, have formerly by certain acts and grants passed in Gen. Assembly given and granted to John Winthrop Esq. (Gov. of Ct.) and 49 others - among whom appears the name of Philip Bill.

He continued to reside in Groton from 1668-9, till the close of his life. He died July 10, 1739, aged over eighty years. "The church bell (says Hempstead in his diary) tolled twice on that occasion." "We infer from this," says Miss Caulkins, "that it was customary at that day to have only a death-bell to announce decease, but no passing bell to solemnize the funeral."

His will is dated June 22, 1739, and was proved August 2, 1739. Wife Mary got profits of 1/3 of real estate during her life, the use of the Bible, taken care of by son Benjamin. Philip got 5 acres of land, but if he doesn't return to the town, it went to Benjamin. Joseph got all the clothes Thomas got a draft chain, bible Benjamin got house, land, barn, orchard, everything else not given to someone Elizabeth Avery, Hannah Lester, and Sarah Leffingwell each got 3 lbs money Benjamin is executor wit. John Ledyard, John Wills, Joseph Starr

Children by Elizabeth:

Elizabeth, bap. Dec 27 1691 m. Jonathan Avery of Groton Hannah, bap Dec 27 1691 m Samuel Lester of Groton Sarah, m ? Leffingwell Child, bap July 14 1692, died young Philip, bap Jan 13 1694-5 lost at sea Joseph, b near 1695 m Bethia Packer

Children by Mary:

Thomas, b Sept 26 1705 m Abigail Benjamin, b Aug 6 1708 m Sarah Davis

1. ↑ Ledyard Bill. History of the Bill Family. (75 Fulton Street, New York 1867).
2. ↑ Researcher.

   Tim Dowling

3. ↑ William Richard Cutter, A.M. New England Families Genealogical and Memorial Series. (Clearfield Company, NY, 1913; reprinted Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD, 1996, 1997).