Joseph turned out at the Lexington Alarm as a seargeant and was commissioned an Ensign in 1775 in Capt. Nathan Hale's Company, Sullivan's Brigade at the siege of Boston. He served under Colonel (later General) Horation Gates in the Northern Department in the Continental Line as a Lieutenant in 1776.

Children born Killingworth. [Could Sarah Burr be a second marriage? The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Volume 20 page 81, DAR 19213 states that the Oliver Hillard who marries Ann Eliza Crawford is the son of Joseph and Sarah (Burr) Hilliard.}.

Who is the Joseph who married Nancy Crawford?]

1. 2. Freelove HILLARD   b. 5 Dec 1758, Killingworth, Middlesex County, Connecticut; d. 4 Dec 1843, Clinton, Middlesex County, Connecticut (probably); bur. Clinton, Middlesex County, Connecticut (Clinton Cemetery).
2. 3. James HILLARD   b. 20 Apr 1760, Killingworth, Middlesex County, Connecticut; d. 2 Aug 1783.
3. 4. Walter HILLIARD   b. 10 Jan 1762, Killingworth, Middlesex County, Connecticut; d. 24 Feb 1790.
4. 5. Sarah HILLARD   b. 10 Feb 1763, Killingworth, Middlesex County, Connecticut; d. 16 Oct 1857, Eatonville, Herkimer County, New York; bur. Eatonville, Herkimer County, New York (Eaton's Bush Cemetery).
5. 6. Patience HILLARD   b. 30 Sep 1765, Killingworth, Middlesex County, Connecticut; d. 11 Mar 1852, Eatonville, Herkimer County, New York; bur. Eatonville, Herkimer County, New York (Eaton's Bush Cemetery).
6. 7. Lydia HILLARD   b. 10 Sep 1767, Killingworth, Middlesex County, Connecticut.
7. 8. Joseph HILLIARD   b. 27 Oct 1770, Killingworth, Middlesex County, Connecticut; d. 20 Apr 1817, Clinton, Middlesex County, Connecticut; bur. Killingworth, Middlesex County, Connecticut (Old Killingworth Cemetery).
8. 9. Oliver Burr HILLARD   b. 20 Oct 1773, Killingworth, Middlesex County, Connecticut; d. 1828.

Walter was a sea captain as was his father-in-law.

Tombstone says died age 90.