Genealogy. It's all Relative
Genealogy is a pursuit where you'll never know what you may turn up. Or the fascinating things that drop in your lap.
Some people approach genealogy wanting to prove some old family legend. Some just are curious about how their family got to where it is. And others, well, some others want to see what they can get from someone.
Once upon a time, not very long ago, a man came in to the Family History Library and wanted to trace the descendants of a European royal (any royal, pick one -- no kidding!) to see if he was a descendant. We explained it was easier to go backwards from your self and see where you connect up. He didn't like that answer, and I don't think he ever came back.
Someone once said the easiest way to trace your family history is to run for office. There's a lot of truth in that old chestnut.
So the other day I was glancing through the online Deseret News and noticed an article about Mitt Romney and his LDS roots. As I was reading the article, I came across a name I recognized. The name was Hannah Hood Hill, daughter of Archibald Newell Hill and Isabella Hood.
Hannah Hood Hill was born In Ontario, Canada in 1842, two years after her parents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1862 she married Miles Park Romney in Salt Lake City. She and Miles had a son named Gaskell Romney, who married Anna Amelia Pratt, a granddaughter of LDS Church apostle, Parley Parker Pratt. They had a son named George Wilcken Romney, who married Lenore Emily LaFount. And they had a son named Willard Milton Romney, who everyone knows as "Mitt."
Back to Archibald Newell Hill.
Archibald was the son of Alexander Hill and Elizabeth Currie. Alexander received land in Canada for service rendered in the Royal Navy where he saw action at the Battle of the Nile. Some family stories place Alexander at the Battle of Trafalgar, where Lord Nelson was killed, but since he was safely in Canada at that time, it's really unlikely that he was involved in that. By the way, my youngest son is named for Alexander Hill.
Alexander and Elizabeth had another son, John. John married Margaret Bryce and had a daughter, Martha Ann. Martha Ann was married thrice, and by her last husband, Franklin Theodore Underwood, had a daughter Vivian Ethel Underwood. She's my wife's grandmother.
That makes Mitt Romney my wife's 4th cousin, and 4th cousin once removed to my children.
Say, cousin, could you help out a family member who needs a few bucks?
Some people approach genealogy wanting to prove some old family legend. Some just are curious about how their family got to where it is. And others, well, some others want to see what they can get from someone.
Once upon a time, not very long ago, a man came in to the Family History Library and wanted to trace the descendants of a European royal (any royal, pick one -- no kidding!) to see if he was a descendant. We explained it was easier to go backwards from your self and see where you connect up. He didn't like that answer, and I don't think he ever came back.
Someone once said the easiest way to trace your family history is to run for office. There's a lot of truth in that old chestnut.
So the other day I was glancing through the online Deseret News and noticed an article about Mitt Romney and his LDS roots. As I was reading the article, I came across a name I recognized. The name was Hannah Hood Hill, daughter of Archibald Newell Hill and Isabella Hood.
Hannah Hood Hill was born In Ontario, Canada in 1842, two years after her parents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1862 she married Miles Park Romney in Salt Lake City. She and Miles had a son named Gaskell Romney, who married Anna Amelia Pratt, a granddaughter of LDS Church apostle, Parley Parker Pratt. They had a son named George Wilcken Romney, who married Lenore Emily LaFount. And they had a son named Willard Milton Romney, who everyone knows as "Mitt."
Back to Archibald Newell Hill.
Archibald was the son of Alexander Hill and Elizabeth Currie. Alexander received land in Canada for service rendered in the Royal Navy where he saw action at the Battle of the Nile. Some family stories place Alexander at the Battle of Trafalgar, where Lord Nelson was killed, but since he was safely in Canada at that time, it's really unlikely that he was involved in that. By the way, my youngest son is named for Alexander Hill.
Alexander and Elizabeth had another son, John. John married Margaret Bryce and had a daughter, Martha Ann. Martha Ann was married thrice, and by her last husband, Franklin Theodore Underwood, had a daughter Vivian Ethel Underwood. She's my wife's grandmother.
That makes Mitt Romney my wife's 4th cousin, and 4th cousin once removed to my children.
Say, cousin, could you help out a family member who needs a few bucks?
Comments
I'm curious though what makes you think Alexander Hill was in Canada prior to 1804, the year of Trafalgar?
In the book "Hill Family History" by Daniel B. Hill Richards, it states that Alexander and his family came to Canada in 1821, well after Trafalgar.
Actually, I don't think that. I meant to say Scotland, but messed up. Happens that's what when your own work you edit. Thanks for noticing and correcting me.
So, any ideas what ship Alexander Hill was on at the Nile?
The simple answer to your question is, no, I don't know what ship Alexander Hill was on in the "Battle of the Nile". The answer to that question is something I would love very much to know. You are the first person, outside my immediate family who I have run across who shares an interest.
I have done a bit of research, though, and I would like to be able to communicate with you directly.
I have my Grand Mother's copy of the "Hill Family History" in my possession. Unfortunately, that is about all I have that traces Alex Hill to Trafalgar or the "Nile".
I did come up with some very interesting information in my research that may lead to a furthering of this knowledge but I'm not ready to say it's conclusive or make it open on the web, quite yet.
If you would like to corrispond with me, please respond to this post and I will send you a Gmail address (not to be posted on your Blog) where we can get in touch, and I will, then, send you what I learned from my research.
BTW, I have been interested in sailing ships and the history of the British and U.S. Navies since I was a little kid, and I love the Hornblower novels as you do. We seem to have more than just a little bit in common!
Hopefully so that you can be assured that I am genuinely who I claim to be, my line of the family descends from James Hood Hill, the son of Alexander Hill Jr., who was the older brother of Archibald Newel Hill, the father of Hannah in your original post.
My best to you,
I'll be watching for your reply.
I'd really like to tap you for some info on Archibald Newell Hill. I'm in the process of writing the story of seven families from an immigrant group known as the "Lanark Society Settlers" who arrived in Lanark County, Ontario, Canada in 1820 & 1821 and later joined the Mormon faith and made their way to Utah. Your Archibald is one of these. I don't know what ship he was on at the Nile (or even if that story is true) but I can tell you he arrived in Canada aboard the "Earl of Buckhinghamshire" in 1821 as part of the Paisley Townhead Society. Your Hill family memoire could be a big help to me. I'm having trouble placing the Hill family during the late 1830s and early 1840s ... maybe in Norfolk County or maybe Simcoe County, Ontario. I also can't figure out how and when Archibald got to Utah.He seems to be in Nauvoo in 1845 and probably at Winter Quarters when his first wife died there in 1847 but then his children go on to Utah in the care of relatives in 1848 and 1851 but Archibald's name doesn't show up on any of the company rosters ... nor does he seem to be in the Mormon Battalion. Could you get in touch with me directly at scdhrcda at hughes dot net?
Ron
Just a couple of corrections & updates.
I do realize it was Alexander who was apparently at the Nile, not Archibald ... I goofed. But both Alexander and son Archibald did come to Canada on the Earl of Buckinghamshire.
I have subsequently found Archibald travelling from Winter Quarters to Utah in an 1847 party.
I note the family memoire is held by "M" not Jeff.
Sorry for all the confusion ... but hope to hear from one or both of you guys.
Ron
My husband also decends from Alexander Hill Sr down through James Hood Hill.
I love genealogy and would love a copy of the extract from the journal of Alexander Hill, Sr. which lists the ships he sailed on if possible please.
We live here in England as my husband Dave married an English girl.
All the best
Carol & Dave Lamb
Aug. 1, 1798 at sun set we commenced what is called the Battle of the Nile. In this engagement we took eleven sail of the line and sunk one Frigate.
In the year 1799, I sailed to Malta where the fleet was kept blockading for two years, the vessel I was on board of became very leaky and was neccetated to make for England.
I was then drafted on board the “Limerara” of 98 guns, remained with her until peace was restored in the year 1801 at which time I received my discharge.
In 1804, I engaged at Boatswain on board the ship “Jamaica” bound for the Island of Barbados. I was shortly afterwards pressed and taken on board his Majesties ship “Barbados” and remained with her cruising and taking privateers for the space of three years when I made my escape and got on board a merchant ship and arrived in Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Date not remembered.
In 1808, I shipped for the Pacific Ocean on board the “Neptune” 18 guns 63 hands on a trading voyage.
On the coast of Peru we had five different engagements with the Spaniards, in one of which I received a grape shot in my right thigh. In consequence of our ammunition being all expended we were forced to surrender. I was then put into the Lima hospital, where I remained for nine weeks and recovered of my wound.
At this time we were liberated by a British naval officer and put on board a Portuguese ship, but on arrive at Rio de Janeiro, the capital of Brazil, I was pressed and taken of board the “Confians” on her way to England.
We arrived safe in the river Thames, where I was forced to remain for one year when an opportunity presented itself for my escape which I affected.
When I arrived home my wife advised me wither to stop at home or take my family with me.
In 1821, after being at home about 18 months I removed with my family to Upper Canada, North America, whereby a grant from the British Government we were allowed 100 acres of land. We arrived there on 14th July the same year. Remained in Canada 14 years, when we removed to Leseronto Sunco District, Upper Canada in which place I heard and embraced the fullness of the Gospel which was preached by one named Samuel Lake.
I was baptized by Elder James Stranding Nov. 15, 1841. Shortly afterwards, I removed to Nauvoo where I arrived with my family Sep. 7, 1842. In May 1842 was ordained an Elder. In July 1846, left Nauvoo for Winter Quarters where I was severely afflicted with fever ague for 15 months and entirely lost the use of my right side. I then crossed the river Missouri to Council Bluffs and was there until the spring of 1851 when I was sent for to the Valley of Great Salt Lake in which place I arrived on Sep 10 same year.
In 1852, Sep 8, was ordained a High Priest under the hands of Reynolds Cahoon and W.W. Major.
I am now in my 77th year.
Part 1
Great Salt Lake City July 9, 1855
Synopsis of the life of Alexander Hill
Alexander Hill, son of Daniel and Mary Hill born in Skipwick, Argyleshire, Scotland in August 1, 1779, reared in the town of Greenock in the west of Scotland, until I was about 11 years of age, at which time I removed to the town of Johnston, Renfrewshire.
In the year 1795, I engaged as a volunteer in the British Navy, was sent to Plymouth on board the Guard ship “Sandwich”. Drafted on board the “Arathusa” frigate, was sometime in the Channel fleck, where I took sick with fever and was sent to the Portsmouth hospital, was there six weeks and got well. Afterwards sent on board the Guard ship “Royal William” at spit head. Continued there for three or four months. At the end of which time I was drafted on board the ship “Goliah” of 74 guns commanded by Sir Henry Knowles. Sent as convoy up the Mediterranean to Corsica, at which place some were left. I was taken with the rest to Leghorn. Then left to join the blockading fleet of Loular, France. Remained for nine months without entering the harbor.
Provisions being scarce the fleet was obliged to remove, and sailed for Gibaeraltar. We had a severe papage, several vessels were foundered. A violent storm from the east while lying here. The “Courage” of 74 guns parted with her anchors and cables in the night and went on shore at the foot of “Ape Hill” on the Barbary Coast, all hands perished but 40. The “Gibraltar” of 80 guns also parted her anchors and cables and went on shore at Algiers, but got off talking with her a rock about a half ton weight.
The whole fleet then sailed to Lisbon, when going into the harbor the ship “Bombay Castle” of 74 guns was totally lost on the sand bar. This being the first large British fleet that had entered the Lisbon Harbor. The Queen of Portugal made presents of cattle and wine which were distributed to each vessel in proportion to the number of men on board.
Here we remained for several weeks repairing the ships and talking in provisions. In going out to seas, the “St. George” of 98 guns went on shore but was got off and returned to harbor, where she was obliged to remain.
The diminished our fleet of three ships of the line. The remaining ten vessels proceeded to sea and were joined by five other ships from England. Four days after this we discovered three Portuguese vessels, one frigate and two brigs. Making up to them we obtained the information that the Spanish feet was in a Southeast direction from us.
Following this course, we came in sight of them the next morning; the numbered in all twenty-seven of the line, they formed themselves in two lines, on the leeward the other on the windward. The Spanish had their hardboard tacks on board and we our Starboard.
The action commenced about 11 o’clock am and continued until sun set. The British fleet commanded by Admiral Jarvis, in the engagement we took four ships. This is called the Battle of Cape St Vincent.
In May 1798 I went up the Mediterranean with Admiral Nelson in pursuit of the French fleet which was sailing for Egypt. We overtook them at the mouth of the river Nile where they were lying at anchor.
I look forward to hearing back from you or any comments.
Matthew Degn
mattdegn@yahoo.com