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Note: William was a cooper, the industry for which Hingham was well noted.Some of their neighbors at Liberty Plain were Humphrey Johnson andson Benjamin; Robert Dunbar (a Scotchman); Capt. John Jacob; andJames Whiton and son James. I could find no record of William participating in church or townaffairs, nor could I find any evidence that he was a property owner..They must have had some relationship with the church because a sisterof Deborah's married a son of Daniel Hobart, who was the twin brotherof Rev. Peter Hobart, the minister of Hingham for many years. There was some indication that they may have had a fire sometime inNOV 1683 because the cause of death of their son Isaac on 25 NOV 1683is recorded as due to "burned in the fire". During the King Philip's war, the home of a neighbor, James Whitonwas burnt by the Indians. Also, the house of Nathaniel Chubbick,probably of nearby Accord Pond, was one of those destroyed on 20APR 1676. No mention is made of William�s home. The family moved to Little Compton, sometime between the birth inHingham of Esther on 8 MAR 1684/5 and the birth in Little Compton ofMary on 3 APR 1687. The original settlement of Little Compton wasabout 1676 and it appears that William may have owned land shortlyafter that date but he was not recorded as one of the original owners. There is a flag denoting military service honoring his grave in LittleCompton. No record could be found showing service in King Philip'swar, but a record exists showing that a William Hillerd had service inthe Sir William Phips' Expedition to Canada in 1690. It shows thatunder Capt. Samuel Gallup, a body of about 60 men sailed from Plymouthin five Shalops. This battle was won at the expense of many lives. Itis hard to believe it is William because he would have been fiftyyears of age, more likely his son, William. William appeared to be more involved in the affairs of the town inLittle Compton than in Hingham. At the 20 MAR 1703/4 town meeting itwas voated that William Hillird is chosen "Clark of the Market" &William or Will Hillird (Hilliard, Hillard) was voated "Clark of theMarket" at the town meeting every year thereafter until and includingMAR 1708/9. He was voated as one of the "Surveyors of the Highways" on18 MAR 1705/6 and 20 MAR 1707/7. On 18 MAR 1705/6 it was also voatedthat Will be chosen as "a monitor to see to our highways". On MAR 1708/9 he was selected for the "Jury of Tryalss". On 5 MAR1710/11 and 10 MAR 1711/12 he was chosen as the "Tithing Man". On 4 JUL 1691, William bought from Joseph Church, Sr., Lot 56 for 5pounds. On 8 FEB 1692/3 he bought Lot 54 from Nathaniel Warren for 10pounds. On 8 APR 1697 he bought from Joseph Church for eighteenshillings Lot 23, Lot 24, Lot 33, 1/2 of Lot 25 and 1/4 of Lot 18 andfor 24 shillings, Lot 11. On 6 JUN 1699 he bought from John Rouse foreighteen shillings, 3/4 of Lot 14. Additional purchases were made thatday from Samuel Bradford and Benjamin Church. The records indicatethat a William Hillard sold land 29 APR 1714, to William Fobes.William had died three months earlier in JAN, so this sale may havebeen finalized after his death. The will of William, recorded in Taunton, book 3, part 1, page 186 wasmade DEC 1712 and proved 1 FEB 1713. ". . .to wife Deborah Hilliard use of real and personal for life. Toson David Hilliard one half of my real estate after the death of mywife. To son Jonathan one half of my real estate after the death of mywife. To daughter Deborah, wife of John Paddock 10 pounds. To daughterEsther, wife of Jeremy Geere ten pounds. To daughter Mary, wife ofJohn Palmer 10 pounds. To daughter Abigail Hilliard 15 pounds. Todaughter Sarah Hilliard 10 pounds. Rest and residue to wife Deborahincluding Indian woman . . . ." William Hilliard Tombstone inscription: Here lyeth the body of William Hillard who departed this life January ye 24th in the 72nd year of his age 1713-14
Note: William and Deborah resided at 'Liberty Plain' in Hingham, where
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