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Descendents of Thomas & Martha Hill

Generation No. 1

THOMAS HILL was born 1780 in Dunstable, England, and died July 01, 1839 in Beamsville, Clinton twp., Lincoln Co., Ontario. He married MARTHA SEAR on 17 June 1802 in Bletchley Bucks. England.  Martha was born in Water Eaton England in 1781, d/o John SEAR. Thomas is buried in Beamsville First Baptist cemetery where his tombstone refers to him as Elder Thomas Hill, age 59. Martha died in 1840 and is buried with her husband.

Children of THOMAS HILL and MARTHA SEAR are (all born in Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire):

i. MARY ANN HILL, b. 10 Jan 1806; d. 1859, Paris, Ontario.

ii. CHARLOTTE HILL, b. 14 Feb 1804; d. June 20, 1841, Beamsville, Clinton twp., Lincoln Co., Ontario.

iii. SELINA HILL, b. 22 Jan 1813,  England; d. Townsend twp., Norfolk Co.

iv. ELIZBETH HILL, b. 1810, d. 1879 in Waterford, Norfolk Co.

 

Generation No. 2

2. MARY ANN HILL (THOMAS) was born 1806, and died 1859 in Paris, Ontario. She married CHARLES JAMES SR GURNEY July 22, 1828 in Beamsville, Clinton twp., Lincoln Co., Ontario, son of CHARLES GURNEY and JANE KNIBBS.

 

3. CHARLOTTE HILL (THOMAS) was born Abt. 1804, and died June 20, 1841 in Beamsville, Clinton twp., Lincoln Co., Ontario. She married JAMES FREED Bef. 1833. James FREED still remains somewhat of a mystery This James Freed is possibly the same who married Elizabeth Burness in Wentworth Co in 1864. At that time, this James was age 56, s/o William & Sarah, born Kent, England. There is also James Freed in the 1871 census, a bricklayer in Onondaga twp., Brant Co and this is the James who married Elizabeth Burness. Theory only that the two James Freeds are one and the same

In the Beamsville directory of 1851, there is an Edmund Freed, bricklayer, and this is a cousin of James.

Children of CHARLOTTE HILL and JAMES FREED are:

Egerton R. FREED, b. June 20, 1841, Beamsville, Clinton twp., Lincoln Co., Ontario; d. August 24, 1841, Beamsville, Clinton twp., Lincoln Co., Ontario. Egerton is buried at Beamsville First Baptist cemetery with his mother (but not father)

John B. FREED - died 1922 (see obituary below).  John's daughter Florence May FREED married Thomas BOOKER on 20 Dec 1893 at Hamilton.  Florence was age 19, born in New York, d/o John B. FREED & Ellen S. CAMPBELL.  Thomas was a wood engraver, age 23, born in Hamilton, s/o John BOOKER & Jane GIBB.  Marriage registration 14611-93

  • Nettie Louise FREED, age 20, born New York City, d/o John B. FREED & Nelllie Louise, married David Clarence KNAPMAN, 23, driver, born Hamilton, s/o John KNAPMAN & Sarah, 1 May 1901 in Hamilton. Witnesseses were Aggie FREED & Wm RUMPLE. Reg 18243-01
  • Agnes FREED, 19, born Hamilton, d/o James FREED & Nellie CAMPBELL, married Robert J. BOYD, 23, b. Dumfries, s/o James BOYD & Jennie YOUNG.  Witn - Edwin & May PERKINS of Hamilton, 11 May 1903  Reg 20023-03
  • Benjamin Ballard FREED, age 24, b. Hamilton, s/o John B. FREED & Louisa Ella CAMPBELL, married Jessie Edna STONE, 24, b. Burlington, d/o John STONE & Carrie WILKINS, witn: Eliza CONLEY & Herbert PARKER, both of Hamilton, 27 Sept 1917 at Hamilton  Reg 21492-17.  Benjamin was born 23 Jan 1893 (birth reg 36837-93)
  • Mabel FREED, 21, of Hamilton, married George HUTCHESON, age, 25, carpenter, of Hamilton, s/o George HUTCHESON, farmer & Helen AIKEN.  Witneses - F. & H.A. LIVINGSTONE of Hamilton.  20 Sept 1911 at Hamilton
  • 1901 census - Hamilton, Thomas & Florence BOOKER.  Thomas is a wood engraver, no children.
  • 1911 census - Thomas & Florence were in Hamilton (68 Victoria) where Thomas is a commercial illustrator.  No children
  • 1911 census - David & Nettie KNAPMAN were in Hamilton (18 Harvey) where David was a laborer.  They had 4 children: Ida b. Feb 1902, Edith b. 1904, Ralph b. 1908 & Mable b. 1910. [Ida Kathleen KNAPMAN was born 13 Feb 1902 in Hamilton, Ralph Lloyd KNAPMAN was b. 17 May 1908 at Hamilton]
  • 1911 census - Agnes & Robert BOYD were also in Hamilton (146 Rebecca) where Robert was a goas fitter - no children
  • 1911 census - John B. FREED, head of household, married, 578 Barton St. in Hamilton, age 65, pickle factory, no sign of his wife.  Also in that household, daughter Mable b. Sept 1889 and son Benjamin.   Mable FREED b. 26 Sept 1889 at Hamilton (Birth reg 40723-89)
  • 1922 death reg for James Boehler FREED, age 77, b. Dundas Ont. on 4 Aug 1845.  Parents names  not given.  Died at 544 Barton St. East.  Manufacturer.  Informant was son Ben B. FREED of 556 Barton St.  Buried at City Cemetery
  • border crossing at Detroit in 1923 - Ida KNAPMAN, age 21, book keeper, single, of Hamilton, n-o-k: father David Knapman of 94 Sandford Ave in Hamilton,
  • Death reg 35435-34 is for the death of a stillborn son of Ralph Lloyd KNAPMAN & Iris Ellen FISHER on 29 June 1934 at Fruitland Ont.  Iris was born in England.
  • Birth reg 47996-03  is for Charles John KNAPMAN, s/o David & Nellie, born 4 Ooct 1903 in Hamilton.   He died on 18 Feb 1904.
  • Birth reg 36816-94 is for an unnamed son of Thomas BOOKER & Florence FREED, born 25 May 1894.  He died on 26 May 1894, age 9 hours. Premature birth.

William Stafford FREED b. about 1834.  He married Martha GERRISH (b. New Hampshire).

  • 1871 census - printer, Dundas Ont., age 37

  • 1881 census - age 44, tinsmith, Westminter BC (same person?)

children of William & Martha:

Sarah FREED b. 4 June 1872 in Dundas Ont. Birth reg 26129-72

Marie Antoinette FREED b. 23 Dec 1869, called Nettie.  She married William KEARNEY abt 1898

  • 1910 census: in Seattle Washington where Nettie was age 40 born Canada with mother b. New Hampshire & father b. Canada.  William was a stationary engineer

  • 1918 living in Vashon Washington

  • 1924 living in Ogalsby Illinois

 

Selina Hill FREED, b. about 1832 in Beamsville. She married William Best ELLIOTT in 1856 and they lived in Copetown, Beverly twp., Wentworth Co. In the 1861 census William was a farmer & a lumberer (with 500 pine logs on hand valued at $300). They had a 4 year old son, Franklin. Selina was refered to as the eldest daughter in a wedding anouncement in the Christian Messenger. Selina died in 1864 and she is buried in Copetown cemetery. In March of 1865, William B. ELLIOTT married Marion DEAN, a first cousin of Selina Hill FREED's, and daughter of Selina HILL & Stafford DEAN (see below).  William Elliott then died on 17 Jan 1876.

There was a Franklin ELLIOTT is Burford in 1881, age 24 (born in Ont with English ancestry) with his wife Ida who was 19 & also born in Ontario. Burford is also where William's widow Marion is living in 1881. Franklin William ELLIOTT, age 22, farmer, born in Beverly twp & resident of Burford twp. married Ida Josephine RENNER, age 18, born in & resident of Townsend, d/o George & Elizabeth Ann, married on 25 Dec 1879 at Townsend. Reg # 6961-79. Witnesses at the wedding were Charles DEAN of Hartford & George RENNER, also of Hartford. On the marriage registration, Franklin gives his parents as William B. & Marian Amanda ELLIOTT [my note: his step-mother]

Selina & William also had a son, Augustus Hartley ELLIOTT b. 8 Aug 1861 in Copetown.  On 5 Sept 1883 he married Eva S. WINTER (Nov 1868 - Nov 1939), d/o George WINTER & Sarah.  Their daughter, Evelyn Hope ELLIOTT was born in Jan of 1888.  Augustus died 23 Dec 1908.  In the 1911 census, Eva was a widow, living in Brantford.  Evelyn Hope ELLIOTT married  William BEDFORD (b. Campbellford in 1888) on 16 Sept 1915 in Brantford.

James S. FREED

Augustus Toplady FREED, born 1835 in Beamsville. Married Mary Elizabeth PARKER (20 June 1841 - 13 Nov 1903). No children found yet (none survived Augustus). Augustus died in Hamilton on 27 Sept 1924. He was an editor of the Hamilton Spectator at one time. His obituary mentioned a brother who pre-deceased him by a few years (in Hamilton), plus a neice, Mrs. BOOKER.

  • Augustus Toplady Freed wrote a book called Hancock: The Life and Public Service of Winfield Scott Hancock, published by H. A. Sumner & Co., 1880
  • Also, there is a book, Augustus Toplady Freed, Grand Master 1835-1924, by E.F. Greer, Cdn Masonic Research Assoc
  • Death reg 35097-24, Augustus Toplady Freed died at St. Joseph Hospital in Hamilton.  Born in Beamsville on 8 Nov 1835.  Parents names not given.

Children of James and Elizabeth: Benjamin Ballard FREED b. abt 1854 & David FREED b. abt 1867

Benjamin (s/o James & Elizabeth) married Myra WEAVERLING on 8 Dec 1882 in King Co., Washington USA

It is also possible that James was married after Charlotte died but before he married Elizabeth, as in 1864 in Wentworth Co. there was a Sarah R. FREED who married an Alexander BELL of Ancaster. This Sarah Freed was age 21, d/o James and Milcah, and a resident of Copetown. A William FREED & and a William B. ELLIOTT were witnesses. Wm B. ELLIOTT was the husband of Selina Hill Freed (above) and they too were in Copetown, Beverly twp. In "BDM's from the Christian Messenger, Jan 1863 - Aug 1864": Sarah Rebecca FREED was the daughter of Deacon James FREED. From the same book: "11 Feb 1864 - On 2nd inst. at Hamilton, by Rev. W. CALDWELL, Mr. James FREED of Copetown, deacon of the Baptist Church in Dundas, to Miss Elizabeth BURNESS of Hamilton".

 

4. SELINA HILL (THOMAS) was born Abt. 1815 in England, and died in Townsend twp., Norfolk Co. She married STAFFORD DEAN (b. about 1811) January 22, 1834 in Clinton twp., Lincoln Co, Ontario. In 1834, both Selina & Stafford were resident of Clinton twp., their marriage was performed by Selina's father. In 1834 Stafford's occupation was given as "tanner & currier". By 1851 they were in Townsend twp., Norfolk Co where they owned 100 acres, lot 24, con 4. Stafford died in 1893 and in his will, his grandson Albert inherits his watch, his son Charles inherits iron kettle & his adopted daughter Florence WICKHAM inherits his golden anniversary (illegible)armed chair. After Selina died (before 1886), Stafford married Frances Charlotte HORNING on Aug 8, 1886 at Ancaster twp. Frances was the d/o of Luis & Kezia HORNING and she was born abt 1826. Stafford was s/o Stafford & Percsy(?).

In the 1881 census, Stafford & Selina are living alone in Townsend. Stafford was born in Ontario and is of German ancestry. Stafford is 70 and Selina is 68.

Children of SELINA HILL and STAFFORD DEAN are:

i. EMILY ALEXOURIA DEAN, b. December 21, 1841, Hartford, Norfolk Co., Ontario; d. 1927; m. (1) WILLIAM W. BACKUS; m. (2) SAMUEL HUNTER (Jan. 22, 1842 - 1917), after 1875. Samuel HUNTER was first a blacksmith (for 25 years), then he "engaged in fruit growing and bee-keeping" on the 50 acres of land he owned in Scotland, Brant Co., Ontario.

Samuel was the son of Alexander HUNTER who was born in Ireland and died there, January 20, 1882. Alexander HUNTER married MARY FINLEY 1839 in Ireland. In 1883 Mary was living in Belfast.

Emily was Samuel's second wife. His first wife's name was Sarah and they were married April 20, 1869. They had two children:

ALBERT W. HUNTER, b. 1870; d. July 27, 1871, Scotland, Brant Co., Ontario.

ARTHUR A HUNTER, b. May 17, 1872.

Children of SAMUEL HUNTER and EMILY DEAN are:

ALEXOWNA M. S. HUNTER, b. 1879; m. unknown BRONSON. She was called Lena.

INFANT SON HUNTER, b. 1877; d. Bef. 1883.

ii. FLORENCE A DEAN, b. Abt. 1856. adopted, married a WICKHAM

iii. CHARLES A. DEAN, b. 1846, Townsend twp., Norfolk Co., Ontario; d. 1928, Townsend twp., Norfolk Co.; m. (2) AMELIA DREDGE; m. (1) RACHEL M. RENNER, June 05, 1866, Hartford Baptist church, Norfolk Co., Ontario. Charles DEAN is buried at Hartford Baptist cemetery, Townsend twp., Norfolk Co

RACHEL M. RENNER was born Abt. 1849 in Ontario. She was the daughter of John RENNER and she had a brother John D. RENNER (born 1843). John D. married Mary CHALLON on March 5, 1867 in Norfolk Co. Mary CHALLON was born in England in 1839, the daughter of John CHALLON.

Children of RACHEL RENNER and CHARLES DEAN are:

i. WILLIAM DEAN, b. Abt. 1867.

ii. ADA DEAN, b. Abt. 1869.

iii. ALFRED DEAN.

In the 1881 census, Townsend, Charles DEAN is age 35, born Ontario of German ancestry. Rachel is age 32, born Ontario of German ancestry. Children are William 13 and Charles A. age 1.

AMELIA DREDGE, who died in 1932, is also buried at Hartford Baptist cemetery, Townsend twp., Norfolk Co, but with Edward R. COURTNAGE, 1881-1908

iv. MARION DEAN, b. 1839, USA; m. WILLIAM B. ELLIOTT, March 09, 1865, Brookfields, Hartford, Townsend twp., Norfolk Co. The wedding took place at Marion's father's house and the ceremony was performed by Rev Jacob Van Loon Jr., and was witnessed by Elizabeth DEAN & John NICHOLSON

In the 1881 census, Marion is a widow, age 41. She was born in New York. With her are two children: Emily age 14 and Charles age 12. Both children were born in Ontario and are of English ancestry. They are living in Burford, Brant Co.

ELIZABETH HILL was born 1 Nov 1810 in Fenny Stratford.  Her first husband's name was Orin HALL, by whom she had two sons, Thomas & James.  Her second husband was Charles MERRILL whom she married on 3 Aug 1845 in Gore District Ontario.   Elizabeth died in Waterford on 31 Dec 1879 of consumption (9502-79)

1861 census: Townsend twp

Charles MERRILL Jr. married Annie Rebecca SCHRAM and they had a daughter Ida May Elizabeth MERRILL in Waterford  on 26 May 1875 (17505-75)  They are in Waterford in the 1881 census.

Charles MERRILL Sr. was still alive at the time of the 1881 census; he was an 86 year old widower & was living with his son Charles.

Thomas Augustus HALL (son of Elizabeth & Orin - b. 1832 - d. 1906, d. near Auburn California) married Mary SHEARER on 17 April 1862. In 1874 Thomas was a teacher in Stromness Haldimand Co. but by 1900 he was in Lone Star California (Place Co) where he was a teacher.  I do not have a death date for Mary nee Shearer but she was alive at the time of the 1910 census.  Thomas & Mary had 3 daughters - Elizabeth (b.1864), Nellie Dorah (b. 1869) and Rosa Evangeline (b. 1873).  In the 1910 census,  the 2 older girls are unmarried and living together in San Francisco.  Rosa married August SCHNEPF about 1903.  August was a carpenter, born in Germany and in the 1910 census he & Rosa are in San Francisco as well.  They had no children in 1910. 

California Death records (online) has an

  1. August Schnepf with birth date 3/25/1875 and a death date of 11/23/1953, died in San Francisco, mother's maiden name was Gunter

  2. Evangeline Schnepf, birth date 4/21/1873 in Canada, father's surname as Hall, death date as 11/21/1957 in San Francisco

 

 

On a website with some inscriptions of cemeteries in the Niagara Region where for Beamsville Baptist there was: "It is remarkable that such old stones are so legible, but it is said that Mrs. Boughner, a daughter of Elder Hill, paid to have these cleared from moss and mould." which led us astray, since so far we have found no daughter of Elder Hill marrying a Boughner!

Sept 18 1922 [Christian Messenger]
Old resident died at his home yesterday...John B. Freed , an old and highly
esteemed resident of Hamilton passed away suddenly yesterday at his residence
544 Barton Street East . Deceased was born in Dundas 77 years ago . Fifty seven
years ago he left that town and moved to New York City where he resided for 20
years . Returning he settled in Hamilton and engaged in the pickle
manufacturing business . He was a Baptist in religion and a member of Britannia
KCCM also  Court Orient IOOF and in his younger days he was an enthusiastic
cricketer and umpired many games in the SOE league. Surviving are one son
Benjamin of this city ; four daughters Mrs Thomas Booker , Mrs D. C. Knapman ,
Mrs G. Hutchinson all of this city; Mrs R. Boyd of Toronto and three brothers
A.T. Freed of this city and James Freed of Newark New Jersey and Benjamin B.
Freed of Seattle Washington . The funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon at
2:30 o'clock from his residence to Hamilton Cemetery

------------------------

Obituary , Freed ---In Waterford , on Dec 16th , Martha G ., wife of W.S. Freed , aged 43 years. [Christian Messenger]

The Subject of the above notice was the daughter of Abiel Gerrish , a resident of Boscawin New Hampshire , and who was a descendent of the Pilgrim Fathers , and more remotely of the Martyr John Rodgers who sealed his devotion to the truth in the fires of Smithfield.

Under the influence of pious parents , and particularly of a mother who was much in prayer as well as judicious in precept and admonition , she was led from childhood to cultivate a reverential regard for the truth as it is in Jesus , and early she enjoyed the proof that she was not her own.

Just when the change of heart took place she was not able to determine , but she enjoyed the sweet assurance that the Redeemer was precious to her.

Mount Holyoak Seminary afforded her the advantages of a liberal education and on leaving that institution she was engaged in teaching for two years afterwards in the States of Illinois and Indiana . The family having removed to the latter State she remained there until the time of her marriage.

At the age of 19 she became a member of the congregational body , and about seven years ago she united with the Baptist Church in Dundas Ontario , then under the pastoral care of Rev. F. Ratcliff , to which place she in company with her husband had removed. Over two years ago the family settled in Waterford when she with her husband united with the church in that place , and from which she was removed to the church triumphant.

Her victory was complete yet she had no visions of the " pearly gates " but like a weary traveller she fell asleep , leaving behind the memory of a life that is sweet.

She was a systematic student of the Bible , and seldom absent from the home of God.

Of a cheerful disposition she sweetened home from which she was seldom absent realizing that her great life work was to train her four tender children for the better home above.

The funeral took place on Sabbath Dec 19 , when a sermon improving to a large congregation , the event of her death was delivered by her pastor Rev A. Slaght.

The following letter of condolence was sent to her bereaved husband by the Dundas church and was read on the occasion of the funeral:

Dundas Dec 17 1875

MY Dear Brother Freed : I am instructed by the Church here to address you these few lines , and to assure you of the deep heart felt sympathy of all your Brethren and Sisters of this Church in your recent sad and unexpected bereavement. Your dear wife who has now gone " to be with Christ" was known here only to be universally beloved – as a noble , devoted , faithful Christian, She was beloved by ties which even death cannot sever by all who knew her. It is therefore , with hearts bowed with sorrow that the church recognizes how great is your present loss . We crave the privilege of mingling our tears with yours as she who was so universally beloved is laid beneath the clods of the valley.

Your grief , my dear brother , will however be lessened by the memory that your dear partner is at rest. That even now while you are weeping , she is singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Oh what a flood of joy and light and love must have thrilled her ransomed spirit as she passed " through the gates into the city " .

Her absent Saviour whom having not seen she so faithfully loved has greeted her to the skies , and she now she is with him for she has seen him as he is.

For yourself my dear brother in your cold desolate home surrounded by your weeping motherless children , you have put to rest all the heavier on the strong arm of Him whom we know you love. How precious it is to remember that " He knows our griefs" There is not an unexpressed sorrow or emotion in our hearts but he knows it and we don’t mind. He will take the rushed and bleeding heart and wipe away all tears from our eyes ; and open up a pathway before you in the deepest night. There is the blessed thought that at most it will not be long and you too will pass to that " city of light " whither the lost has gone before.

Praying that God may sustain and strengthen you and that your children may be enabled by grace Divine to walk in the footsteps of her who has left them for the skies.

Assuring you of every sympathy from your brethren and sisters here , and , although personally a stranger to you , yet having the privilege of joining with my people here.

I remain yours by order and in behalf of the church.

J.I. Campbell