John Hill (1821 – 1878)

Eliza Hill (1821 – 1878)

John Hill was born 27 March 1821 in Devizes, the son of John and Lucy Hill. He was baptized on 24 April 1821 at St John the Baptist in Devizes.

John married Eliza Francis on 25 November 1844 in Devizes. Eliza was born on 26 February 1821 in Devizes. She was baptized on the same day and venue as John, so on 24 April 1821 at St John the Baptist in Devizes as Eliza Holloway Francis. Her parents were William and Catharine, William was recorded as a tailor.

In the 1851 census John and Eliza were living with daughters Elisabeth aged 4 and Mary Louisa aged 3 in Northbrook Lane in Newbury. John was recorded as a mail contractor.

Ten years later in the 1861 census John and Eliza were living with children Elisabeth aged 14, Mary Louisa aged 13, Edward aged 8 and Ruth Agnes aged 5 in Bartholomew Street in Newbury. John was recorded as a journeyman grocer while Edward and Ruth were both scholars.

In the 1871 census John and Eliza were living with son Edward aged 18 at 14 Bartholomew Street in Newbury. John was recorded as a paper hanger while Edward was a baker.

John died 28 July 1878 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 1 August 1878. An announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News dated 1 August 1878 as below.

HILL – July 28, at Bartholomew Street, Newbury, after a lingering illness, John Hill, manager of the Newbury Cattle Market, eldest son of Mr. John Hill, Long Street, Devizes, Wilts, aged 57 years.

Eliza died October 1878 and was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 14 October 1878.

John and Eliza’s son Edward Mortimer Hill was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 19 May 1891.

Author: Gerald Soper
© FNRC