SECOND GENERATION

5. Elizabeth Sheely was born on 13 Aug 1730. Her birth year of 1730 was calculated from information on her headstone. A handwritten note in the Reasoner papers in the state archives in Charleston, West Virginia, gives her birth date as 13 Aug 1730. She died on 13 Aug 1823 in Concord Township, Delaware County, Ohio. ⁽¹⁰⁾ She was buried in Hill Cemetery, Concord Township, Delaware County, Ohio.⁽¹¹⁾

She was married to Joseph Hill Sr. before 1753 in (Virginia). Joseph Hill Sr. was born about 1716.⁽¹²⁾ He immigrated on 7 Sep 1746 to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.⁽¹³⁾ He is listed as Josef Egenberger on the ship Ann Galley. He appeared as a witness in the case of Edward Stoker charged with stealing two mares on 22 Jun 1751 in Frederick County, Virginia.⁽¹⁴⁾ The court order reads: 22d day of June 1751 for the examination of Edward Stoker for stealing two mares. Present: Morgan Morgan, Isaac Paskins, John Hardin, Lewis Hophans; Gent. Jus. Edward Stoker being commited to the Goal of this County by virtue of a receipt under the hand of John Hardin, Gent. one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for this County for feloniously stealing two mares one of these the property of Thomas Balch of the sd County the other belonging to a person unknown. And the Evidences for Our Sovereign Lord the King Viz. Thomas Balch, John Connell, Robert Thorn, John Sheely, Elizabeth Martin and Joseph Hill were sworn and examined and on consideration of the Evidences and circumstances, it is the opinion of this Court that the sd Edward Stoker is guilty of the Felony with which he stands charged and ought to be tryed for the same at the General Court and in order thereto he is remanded to the Goal of this County to be removed thence to the Publick Goal at Williamsburg according to law and it is ordered that the depositions and all papers relating to the sd fact be returned to the Secretary's office.
He was a chain carrier in the survey for Jacob Dagger by Robert Rutherford on 1 Dec 1752 in Augusta County, Virginia.⁽¹⁵⁾ He was a chain carrier in the survey for George Counts by Thomas Rutherford on 24 Sep 1754 in Dunmore County, Virginia.⁽¹⁶⁾ He brought suit against George Taylor on 5 Mar 1762 in Frederick County, Virginia.⁽¹⁷⁾ The court order reads: Joseph Hill against George Taylor on petition. The defendant not appearing, the plaintiff having made oath to his account, judgement is therefore granted the plaintiff against him for three pounds & ten pence half penny & cost. He witnessed the deed between John Beans and Peter & Mathias Sheplor on 20 Nov 1772 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. ⁽¹⁸⁾ He was appointed Constable by the Court at Fort Dunmore on 21 Feb 1775 in West Augusta County, Virginia (now Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania). ⁽¹⁹⁾ He replaced Jacob Vanmetere. At the same court sesssion, Joseph was also included in a list of individuals to view a road. He was appointed to view a road by the court at Fort Dunmore on 23 Feb 1775 in West Augusta County, Virginia (now Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania). ⁽²⁰⁾ The committee appointed also included Edward Cook, Levy Stevens, Gilbert Simpson, Richard McMahon, John Decker, Paul Frooman and James Innes. They were to view the road from Thomas Gists to Fort Dunmore to Paul Froomans Mill on Shirtees Creek, by James Devores Ferry, and make a report of the Convenences and Inconvences to the next Court. He was replaced as Constable by William Andreas on 17 Apr 1776 in West Augusta County, Virginia (now Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania). ⁽²¹⁾ He was a defendant in a suit brought by Jacob Decker which was dismissed. on 26 May 1778 in Yohogania County, Virginia (now Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania).⁽²²⁾ The case was ordered to be dismissed at the plaintiffs costs. He appeared on the census in 1790 in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The 1790 census shows on two white persons (Joseph and Elizabeth) and 7 slaves. He signed a will on 1 Aug 1792 in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. ⁽²³⁾ In the name of God Amen. I Joseph Hill Senior of Rostraver Township Westmoreland County and State of Pennsylvania being weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory (Blessed be God) do this first day of .. in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred and ninety two, make, publish and ordain this my last Will and testament in the manner following that is to say, First I desire that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid out of my moveable property. Second, I will and bequeath unto my son Stephen Hill, the tract or whole Plantation of Land I live on to him and his heirs, also the waggon ... ... and Geers, also two plows and Geers; with all farming utensils, also the two old Negroes, (Tom and Flora) Also I will and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Elizabeth Hill, the third of all the profits arising from the above tract or Plantation of Land with one negroe Girl named Tinny also her choice of one of the mares, and choice of one of the Cows, also one bed and furniture with ... .... the Dwelling House to live in and houshould furniture all during her natural life. Thirdly, I will and bequeath unto Casper Geyer and his heirs one Negro Girl names Lucy. Fourthly, I will and bequeath unto my Joseph Hill one Dollar. Also I will and desire that the remainder of my Negroes not here mentioned by equally divided among my children after named, Joseph Hill, Casper Geyer, and Stephen Hill with all my moveable property each one alike. Also, I do constitute appoint and ordain my trusty friend John Wright Esq. my Executor wholey of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and date above written.

Signed Sealed and Delivered in presense of us)
The mark of x Peter Shiplor James Lane )

Proved July 3, 1797 and recorded.

Joseph Hill (seal)
in dutch [meaning German Script]
He died between 1 Aug 1792 and 3 Jul 1797 in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

Commentary: Our Joseph Hill had been erroneously identified as the Joseph Hill who served as a Lieutenant in the Maryland Militia in 1776. This is based on an erroneous history of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, stating that our Joseph was from Frederick (now Winchester), Maryland. The author of the history had the city right but not the state. Our Joseph lived in Frederick, Virginia, not Maryland. Records also show that there was a Joseph Hill who was in the Maryland Militia in 1776. But land records show that our Joseph purchased his land in Pennsylvania in 1772 in an area that was also claimed by Virginia at the time of his purchase. Joseph's presence in Westmoreland County is confirmed by surviving court records for West Augusta County, Virginia, (now part of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania) which show that our Joseph served as constable where he lived in 1775. The facts showing that our Joseph Hill was in Pennsylvania by 1776 when another Joseph Hill served in the Maryland Militia, refute the claim.
Elizabeth Sheely and Joseph Hill Sr. had the following children:

+18 i. Mary Hill.
+19 ii. Stephen Hill.