Esther is a great-great-granddaughter of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins. Esther was the third wife of Joseph Edmonds and he was possibly of Dudley, MA.

Esther Hillard, widow.

1. 2. Mary HILLIARD   b. 23 Jun 1745, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island.
2. 3. Samuel HILLIARD   b. 28 Jul 1747, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island; d. 16 Nov 1831, Clarendon, Rutland County, Vermont; bur. Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire (Johnson Farm Cemetery).
3. 4. Elizabeth HILLIARD   b. 18 Dec 1749, Little Compton, Newport County, Rhode Island.
4. 5. Benjamin HILLARD   b. 29 Jan 1753, Rhode Island; d. 5 May 1801, Preston, New London County, Connecticut.
5. 6. David HILLIARD   b. EST 1756, Connecticut (probably); d. Bef 28 Jun 1813, Nassau, Rensselaer County, New York.
6. 7. Luther HILLARD   b. 5 May 1759, Connecticut (probably); d. 2 Dec 1850, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; bur. Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire (Edminster Cemetery).
7. 8. Lucretia HILLARD   b. Abt 1763, Connecticut; d. 5 Feb 1823, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
8. 9. Richmond A. HILLARD   b. 25 Jan 1764, Connecticut; d. 3 Mar 1846, Brandon, Knox County, Ohio; bur. Miller, Knox County, Ohio (Miller Cemetery).

1. 10. Stephen FRINK   b. 18 Jan 1776, Preston, New London County, Connecticut (probably); d. 11 Jan 1860, Cherry Valley, Otsego County, New York (probably).

It is said that he was a soldier of the Revolution, and participated in the battles of Bunker Hill and Bennington. He supposedly served as a drummer in Capt. Joshua Hayward's company, Col. David Gilman's regiment, New Hampshire militia. They resided in Preston, New London Co., CT, then Cornish. After his settlement in Cornish, he helped organize the Cornish Baptist Church in 1789, and was one of its first deacons. On 3 JUL 1792, the church expressed their approbation that "Deacon Hilliard improve his gift in public." He soon after became as popular as a Baptist preacher, but after some years his religious views changed and he became a Universalist, and as such was settled as pastor in Shrewsbury and Wallingford, VT, and finally at Clarendon, VT, where he died. His remains were brought to Cornish and buried besides those of his wife, Phoebe, in a lot, that in 1910 was an open pasture belonging to Freeman A, Johnson.

Samuel 'Hillard' also owned the covenant on 5 DEC 1779.

1. 11. Sarah HILLIARD   b. 16 Nov 1768, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; d. 5 Jul 1798, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
2. 12. Amos Avery HILLIARD   b. 7 Jul 1770, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; d. 24 Apr 1856, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
3. 13. Benjamin HILLIARD   b. 19 Mar 1773, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; d. 4 Jul 1858, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
4. 14. Mary HILLIARD   b. 10 Dec 1776, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; d. 7 May 1822, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
5. 15. Phoebe HILLIARD   b. 17 Sep 1780, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
6. 16. Samuel HILLIARD   b. 6 Apr 1784, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
7. 17. Joseph HILLIARD   b. 1 May 1787, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; d. 1 Jul 1870, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
8. 18. Esther Burgess HILLIARD   b. 18 Jan 1788, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.

1. 19. Caroline HILLIARD   b. 26 Sep 1801, New Hampshire; d. 19 Oct 1881, Hartland, Niagara County, New York.
2. 20. Pashur Lathrop HILLIARD   b. 8 Sep 1803, Vermont; d. 1879.
3. 21. Lois HILLIARD   b. 11 Jul 1806, Vermont; d. 1888, Hartland, Niagara County, New York.
4. 22. Harry HILLIARD   b. 19 Dec 1807, Vermont.
5. 23. Jerome Bonaparte HILLIARD   b. 22 Jun 1810, Londonderry, Windham County, Vermont; d. Bef 1880, Wallingford, Rutland County, Vermont (probably).
6. 24. Pamelia HILLARD   b. 17 Sep 1813, Rutland, Rutland County, Vermont; d. 13 Nov 1883, Caledonia, Shiawasse County, Michigan; bur. Corunna, Shiawassee County, Michigan (Corunna Cemetery).

Have not been able to determine parentage of Benjamin. His parents have to be one of the following: Benoni and Martha (Lord) Hillard; or Joshua and Esther (Burgess) Hilliard; or David (son of Jonathan and Abigail (Wilbore) Hillard); or Azariah (son of Jonathan and Abigail (Wilbor) Hillard). Most likely, Joshua and Esther (Burgess) Hillard because of his residence of Preston and because most of Joshua's children born in probably Preston were not recorded.

Benjamin served as sergeant in Captain Mott's company, raised for the defense of New London Harbor, 1776.

Will of Benjamin Hillard
I Benjamin Hilliard of Preston in the County of New London being some advanced in years and sick in bed though by the blessing of God, of sound mind and memory. Calling to mind the mortality of my body and that all must die and how soon I must go the way of all living, I know not. I do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament commending my Soul to God that gave it me and my body to the dust to be decently buried at the direction of my Executor hereafter named, and as to my wordly interests which I am blessed with here I dispose of it in the following manner (viz)
1st I give to my loving wife Sabra Hilliard the use and improvement of one third of my real estate during her natural life. I also give to my said wife the one third part of my live stock as her own property. I also give to my said wife the use and improvement of so much more of my real estate as to include and contain the one half of my dwelling house at the west end. I also give to my said wife the whole of my household furniture excepting one cherry tree bedstead with a sacking bottom, the sd. bedstead with a sacking bottom I give and bequeath to my daughter Sally.
2nd I give to my five sons (viz) Moses, John, Chester, George Washington & Benjamin Franklin. To each two hundred dollars.
3rd I Give to my five daughter (viz) Sally, Esther, Clarissa, Sophia & Betsey. To each eighty three dollars and one third.
4th If my estate should surmount, or should fall short of amounting to the above legacy my Will is that the said legacy shall be increased or diminished in proportion.
5th My will is that after the appraisment of my whole estate all my just debst and funeral charges first be paid by my executor before the sum of the legacys are ascertained and my will is that all parts of my estate herin disposed of in this will shall be equally liable to the payment of my debst & funeral charges excepting the bedstead given to my daughter Sally,
6th and I do also order & my will is that my said five daughters shall have the improvement of the west half of my dwelling during the time that they or any of them shall remain single & unmarried, and not interupting my sd. Wife in the improvement so long as she shall need it. And my will is also that in case anyone or more of my sons should die in homage and without issue the share or shares coming to him or them shall revert to my other sons, & that it fare in like manner to my daughters - and farther my will is that in case my son Moses is desirous of having my desk & bookcase he shall have the priviledge of it in paying to his mother twenty dollars therefor, and I do hereby appoint my said wife, Sabra Hilliard together with Chester Smith of Stonington the Executor of my last willand testament. Revoking any will by me heretofore made and declaring this to be my my last in witness so hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of April A.D. 1801
Benjamin Hillard
Signed Sealed & Declared
In presence of
Sam Mott, Sarah Smith, Hannah Fillmore

1. 25. Moses HILLARD   b. 28 Sep 1780, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut; d. 30 Sep 1837, Preston, New London County, Connecticut.
2. 26. Sarah HILLARD   b. 2 Jun 1782, Stonington, New London County, Connecticut; d. 3 Jun 1805, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; bur. Preston, New London County, Connecticut (Palmer Cemetery).
3. 27. John HILLARD   b. 15 Jun 1784, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut; d. 8 Apr 1853, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut.
4. 28. Chester HILLARD   b. 13 Jun 1786, Norwich, New London County, Connecticut; d. 27 Oct 1818, Havana, Cuba.
5. 29. Esther HILLARD   b. 2 Oct 1788, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; d. 1 Aug 1826, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; bur. Preston, New London County, Connecticut (Palmer Cemetery).
6. 30. Clarissa HILLARD   b. 29 Jan 1792, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; d. 18 Dec 1846, New York City, New York County, New York.
7. 31. Sophia HILLARD   b. 22 Feb 1794, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; d. Bef 1821.
8. 32. George Washington HILLARD   b. 23 Jul 1796, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; d. 3 Mar 1830, Africa; bur. Preston, New London County, Connecticut (Long Society Cemetery).
9. 33. Betsey HILLARD   b. 20 Sep 1798, Preston, New London County, Connecticut.
10. 34. Benjamin Franklin HILLARD   b. 27 Feb 1801, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; d. 28 Jul 1820, Preston, New London County, Connecticut; bur. Preston, New London County, Connecticut.

At one time I believed he was the probable son of Benoni and Martha (Lord) Hillard. That was proven to be false. Hence, now I believe that he is the possible son of Joshua and Esther (Burgess) Hillard.

In 1810 census of Renssalaer County, NY has a David Hilliard, 01101-12001

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer, 18 SEP 1927. Ancestral Exchange, by Roger Waldridge.

"The leading article last week told of a search which was successful after many years. This week shows the reverse of the medal- a quest, so far unsuccessful, for the ancestry of Richard Hilliard, pioneer merchant, ninth 'president' of the village of Cleveland, father of Cleveland's waterworks system, joint promoter of the first railway connecting Cleveland and Cincinnati.

The obituary in the Plain Dealer of December 22, 1856, stated he was a native of Vermont. Other accounts, for which authority is not shown, but which are accepted by descendants as in line with family tradition, state that he was born in Chatham, Columbia County, New York, July 4, 1800, son of David Hilliard and his wife Lydia, daughter of Elisha and Susannah (Brigham) Hudson, of Marlborough, Massachusetts; that David Hilliard died about 1814, and that Richard had an older brother living in Skaneateles, New York, and a sister Sarah, who married Orlando Cutter of Cleveland.

What do the official records show? First, let us orient ourselves. Columbia county, created out of Albany county in 1786, lies directly south of Rensselaer county. Chatham was created in 1795 out of parts of Canaan and Kinderhook. It lies in the northern part of Columbia county, not far from Nassau, Rensselaer.

The census of 1790 shows David Hilliard as head of a family numbering one 'free white male of 16 years and upward, including heads of family,' two males under 16 and four females. Search of the county records disclosed nothing as to David Hilliard's origin. The probate record at Troy show that David Hilliard, late of Nassau, died prior to 28 JUN 1813, on which date his widow Lydia Hillard, then of Chatham, relinquished her right to administer her signature being witnessed by Clarissa Hillard; and that William Hillard, in his application for letters of administration, stated that he was the eldest son, and that there were five other children, of whom one, 'a female,' was of adult age. The records of the Dutch Church of Nassau show the marriage June 6, 1811, of Lydia Hillard to David Wickham, Jr.

These are not many facts to build upon. At least we can construct the family of David Hilliard: Lydia, his widow; William, eldest son and administrator; Clarissa, of age in 1813; David of Skaneateles (Onondago County land records); Lydia, wife of David Wickham, Jr.; Richard and Sarah, later of Cleveland. But of the origin of David (1) there was not found the semblance of a record.

Descendants of the early Massachusetts Hilliards, reordered under a dozen variants of the name, were located in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

William Hilliard of Duxbury, Massachusetts, founded the Rhode Island family, whereof scions settled in Stonington, Connecticut; and some of their descendants migrated to New Hampshire and Vermont. Local records at all the likely places were searched; one David after another was eliminated until the sole remaining possibility of all those found was David Hilliard, born in Stonington, Connecticut, February 17, 1767, son of Isaac and Victory (Coats) [Victoria Coates].

This David would have been 23 years old in 1790. Lydia (Hudson) Hilliard, if she was an unrecorded daughter of Elisha and Susannah (Brigham) Hudson, might have been 18 in 1790. Their ages were in line; but both were too young to have had the family accredited to David Hilliard of Canaan by the census of 1790, though some of Lydia's younger brothers and sisters may have made up the number recorded as of the household. Here, at least, was a possibility.

But opposed to this are the following facts; Isaac and Victory disappear from the Stonington records; the census of 1790 shows an Isaac Hilliard, in Ashford, [Toland County], Connecticut; and David Hilliard of Ashford married September 20, 1792, Eunice Robinson of Coventry. Alas! After all, it looks very much as if the Isaac and David of Ashford were the husband and son of Victory (Coats) Hilliard of Stonington.

The frequency of Connecticut and Rhode Island surnames in Chatham and Nassau, and the frequency of the baptismal name among the Connecticut and Rhode Island Hilliards, point strongly to the inference that David Hilliard of Chatham was of Connecticut origin. To identify him and to find his origin constitute a problem which may be solved, but which now lies within the realm of mystery.

1. 35. William HILLIARD   b. Bef 1790; d. Between 1840 and 1850, Marcellus, Onondaga County, New York (probably).
2. 36. Clarissa HILLIARD   b. Bef 1790, New York.
3. 37. David HILLIARD   b. Bef 1790, New York.
4. 38. Louisa (Lydia) HILLARD   b. 29 Apr 1793, New York; d. 25 Apr 1873, Gaines, Kent County, Michigan.
5. 39. Richard HILLIARD   b. 4 Jul 1800, Chatham, Columbia County, New York; d. 22 Dec 1856, Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio.
6. 40. Sarah A. HILLIARD   b. Aft 1800, New York; d. Nassau, Rensselaer County, New York.

Luther served at least twice in the Revolution: in Capt. Davenport Phelp's company starting 2 MAR 1778 for an expedition into Canada and in Captain Abel Steven's company starting 6 JUL 1780 until 23 OCT 1780 to join the Continental Army at West Point. In th former he is described as 18 yr. old, light complexion and 5 ft. 3 in. tall.

1. 41. (female) HILLARD   b. Aft 1783, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.

Lucy died at the age of 60, when during a heavy snowstorm, she went on foot to visit a neighbor. Not returning at a reasonable hour her family found her dead and partially buried in the snow. I have never seen Lucy referred to as Lucretia except from Cindy Brown

She was aged 15.

1. 42. Esther YORK   b. 1781; d. 15 Feb 1811, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
2. 43. Sabra YORK   b. Aft 1781, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; d. 20 Mar 1875, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
3. 44. Betsey YORK   b. Abt 1790, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; d. 10 Jul 1854, East Florence, Oneida County, New York; bur. Thomsons Corners, Oneida County, New York (Grilley Cemetery).
4. 45. Benjamin YORK   b. 3 Jul 1791, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; d. 20 Feb 1825, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
5. 46. Tirzah YORK   b. Abt 1796, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; d. 28 Dec 1876, Claremont, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
6. 47. Uriah YORK   b. 11 Nov 1799, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; d. 24 Jun 1869, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
7. 48. Lyman YORK   b. 1803, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; d. 14 Mar 1840, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
8. 49. Collins YORK   b. Aft 1803, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; d. Underhill, Chittenden County, Vermont (probably).
9. 50. Zebedee YORK   b. Abt 1810, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; d. 1899, Vermont.

Richmond moved, after 1810 but before 1812, with his family to Elmore township, Lamoille Co., VT, where his last child was born; then to Knox Co., OH, sometime before 1820.

Cemetery records state he died at the age of 82y4m8d which equates to a birth date of 26 OCT 1763.

1. 51. Eunice Ford HILLARD   b. 14 May 1796, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
2. 52. Lydia Goodwin HILLARD   b. 9 May 1798, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; d. 3 May 1856, Rush, Champaign County, Ohio; bur. Woodstock, Champaign County, Ohio.
3. 53. Albert Ford HILLARD   b. 1 Apr 1803, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; d. 16 Dec 1804, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
4. 54. Maria Alice HILLARD   b. 4 Mar 1805, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; d. Bef 1812, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
5. 55. Sophia Marietta HILLARD   b. 30 Jun 1807, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
6. 56. Hiram Alonzo HILLARD   b. 30 Jun 1807, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.
7. 57. Thomas Jefferson HILLARD   b. 10 Jun 1809, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; d. Abt 1871.
8. 58. James Madison HILLARD   b. 10 Jun 1809, Cornish, Sullivan County, New Hampshire; d. 25 Nov 1882, Brandon, Knox County, Ohio; bur. Miller, Knox County, Ohio (Miller Cemetery).
9. 59. Rhoda Minorva HILLARD   b. 9 Jul 1812, Elmore, Lamoille County, Vermont; d. 3 Aug 1846, Brandon, Knox County, Ohio; bur. Miller, Knox County, Ohio (Miller Cemetery).

Stephen Frink may have been bound out after his parent's death and may have then run away to Cherry Valley. He was a miller and was also a tollgate keeper on the old plank road that ran between Cherry Valley and Roseboom. The tollhouse probably still stands.

Amos spent his boyhood and youth on his father's farm. On reaching his majority he purchased a tract of timber land and at once began the work of clearing and getting the land into a state of cultivation. At first he made his home in a log house, but long after erected frame buildings, and still later on built the brick house in which he lived up to the time of his death, which occurred in his eighty-sixth year.

Benjamin lived a few years in Claremont, but most of his life was spent in Cornish. The last years of his life, he and his wife lived with their son, David H. He was an excellant carpenter and erected many buildings in Cornish and elsewhere. Of a very social nature and said to have been fond of telling stories.

Joseph was a prosperous farmer and lived in the south part of the town. He was a zealot supporter of the Baptist Church.

John and Caroline removed from VT to the Holland Purchase, NY, where John died æ 45 and Caroline aged 81. John bought 70 acres in Niagara Co., 27 JUN 1827, from David Maxwell and Hannah his wife. Administration on his estate was granted 2 OCT 1833, to his wife Caroline, with David Waterman and Franklin Butterfield as bondsman. Petition for settlement of estate made 20 JUL 1846 by Caroline Orth, the administratrix.

He was a good singer.

Age 38, born New Hampshire. Painter

Age 50.

Age 60, born Vermont.

Age 47, born Vermont.

Age 57, born New Hampshire.

Age 36, born New Hampshire.

Moses was a sea captain, an adventurous energetic man of no small fame in his day. He was master of the ship that brought to America the first news of the burning of Moscow. It is an interesting fact . . . that when Napoleon, after his overthrow at Waterloo, though of flying to this country, friends of his sought and were pledged the aid of Captain Hillard, then in France, in carrying out the design. It was fully arranged between him and them that the emperor should be concealed in a water casket on his vessel's deck and so escape through the English fleet, but for some reason he was not conveyed on board.

In memory of Mrs. Sally Brewster, Consort of Erastus Brewster, who died June 2d 1805, Aged 23 years

Farewell my friends, I bid adieu
To this vain world and things below
Yet I do hope at last to rise
And dwell with God above the skies

Barbour Collection does not specify Havana, just died at sea.

The Barbour Manuscript does not give the place.

Sacred to the memory of Esther, wife of Erastus Brewster, who died Aug. 11, 1827, Aged 38

He died at sea.

He was of Skaneatles, NY.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer states that a Lydia Hillard married David Wickham in Nassau, NY on 6 JUN 1811. I have also seen that it was a Louisa Hillard who married David Wickham in Nassau on 6 JUN 1811.l

Sarah Hilliard was a tall, fine-looking woman. Some of her six children closely resembled her.

In 1790 census.

Edward has birth year of 1803 which is not consistant with childrens birth years.

Chi Chi has date of 5 FEB 1852 and Edward has date of 10 JUL 1854,

Enterprising farmer. Lived in south part of Cornish.

She died 1 DEC 18__.