EVENTS IN JONAS HILL'S LIFE

The most important source of information for Jonas Hill is found in his 23 Jan 1833 declaration (before the Circuit Court of Franklin County, Tennessee) to obtain pension benefits under the Act of 1832, at the age of 70. This, plus census records, deed records and family histories serve as the primary sources for compiling a timeline of some of the actual events in his life, as we know them.

1762-63 He states he was born in Granville County, NC about the year 1763 "according to the account received from his parents." Since he had to rely on the memory of his parents, it would appear that he was very young when they moved from Granville Co., NC to Surry Co., NC. In his amended Declaration for a Pension, dated 26 Aug 1833, he states that he is about 71 years old. [see pension files] .

1781 Enlisted in the NC Militia in Surry Couinty, NC as a private in Captain Dyer's Company. Served for three months and was "regularly discharged."

1781 "In a short time after he returned home," he again enlisted in the NC Militia in Surry County, NC as a private in Captain Hickman's Company. On Sep. 8, 1781, he took part in the Battle of Eutah Springs. After completing his three-month tour of duty, he remained another month in Captain Locke's Company and was "regularly discharged," probably after Cornwallis surrendered 19 Oct 1781.

1781-1783 Immediately at the "close of the war," Jonas removed to what is now East Tennessee. Depending on his definition of the "close of the war", it could have been either after Cornwallis surrender on 19 Oct 1781 or the official close of the War with the Paris Peace Treaty on 3 Sep 1783. This results in a two-year variance in dates relative to his residence. If he went to East Tennessee in 1783, then perhaps he went back to Surry Co., NC after he was discharged from service in 1781. Based on other statements in his Pension File, the 1783 date makes the most sense.

1783-84 Returned from East Tennessee to Pendleton Co., SC about 1783/84 where he resided for 22 years. Exactly where he first moved is unknown until he is found in 1790 census of Pendleton Co. (96th Dist.), SC.

1790 Census: Jonas Hill with wife and two sons under 16 years old living in Pendleton County (96th District) of SC. Based on documents by Marchbanks researchers, he married Susan Marchbanks, daughter of William Marchbanks and Molly (Mary) Smiith. Based on my interpretation of those records, and the 1790 census, he probably married her within a year or two after the Rev. War in Pendleton County (1783/84). He lived near William Hill (wife and three sons under 16), possibly a brother; and Mary Hill (one son under 16 and two females); and David Hill (wife and a son under 16) lived down/up the road.

1792
Dec 28
Bought 300 acres for 30 pounds on Wolf Creek of 12-Mile Creek from Benjamin Perry, next to James Bruce and Francis Bradley. This was part of a 640 acre grant to B. Perry on 4 June 1786 in the area that is now in Pickens County, SC. The transaction was witnessed by Nathaniel Perry (Benjamin's brother) and Robert Carter. Jonas appears to have previously lived in the Little River area near land purchased 30 March 1801 by Asa Hill from Thomas Fields, adjoining Isaac Hill's land. Relationship of Jonas, Asa (Abraham) and Isaac is unknown. However, based on DNA test results of living descendants of Isaac and Asa Hill, they were all related in some way. (Pendleton Deeds, 1790 - 1806 Bk E, pp 133-134).

1793
Jan 1
Jonas Hill sold 120 acres to Solomon Palmour (Palmer) on Wolf Creek, waters of Twelve Mile River, part of a tract of land containing six hundred forty acres granted to Benjamin Perry on 1 June 1786. William Marchbanks (Jonas' father-in-law) and Thomas Hill (probably a brother to Jonas) witnessed the deed transaction.

1793
Aug 17
Jonas Hill and William Allison signed as securities (posted bond) for Ansel Hide to appear before William Edmondson, JP (Court of General Sessions, Washington District, Pickensville, SC) on 10 Nov. Ansel Hide was indicted on suspicion of horse stealing.

1793
Dec 24
Jonas Hill and William Allison signed as securities (posted bond) for Arthor Ownby and Joel Ownby (Pendleton County) for them to appear before William Edmondson, JP (Washington District, Pickensville, SC) on 10 April 1794. (Abstracts of General Sessions, Court Case Rolls. Washington Dist., SC 1792-1799, Pickensville., SC 1787-1799 by McCuen, Kirkman & Forrester.

1794
May 19
Jonas Hill and Abraham Duk(e) witnessed a deed for land sold on Mill Creek and Wolf Creek of 12-Mile River (next to Benjamin Perry). Jones Bishop of Pendleton Co., SC sold 148 acres to Christopher Harmon of Elbert Co., GA

1795
Oct 15
Jonas Hill and Charles Bradley witnessed a deed where Henry Burch sold 1070 acres on Keowee River of the Savannah River (on Shoal Creek and Cornhouse Creek of Keowee River) to William Rose. (Pendleton Deeds, 1790-1806, Bk E, pp 28-30).

1795
Oct 21
Jonas served as security (posted a $100 bond) for William Rose to appear before Joseph Reid, JP in a case against John Boyd for assault against William Rose. (Abstracts of General Sessions, Court Case Rolls, Washington Dist., SC 1792-1799, Pickensville., SC 1787-1799) by McCuen, Kirkman & Forrester

Oct 15
1795
Jonas deeded land on Keowee River to someone. Witnessed by his brother Henry Hill and Isaac Hill. Isaac could have been his father or a brother. (note: this needs to be verified by primary sources.)

1795 Jonas Hill and Charles Bradley witnessed a deed for 1070 acres on Keowee River of the Savannah River, on Shoal Creek and Cornhouse Creek of Keowee River from Henry Burch to William Rose.

1796
Jan 26
Jonas witnessed a transaction with William Marchbanks in which Henry Hill (Jonas' brother) sold a negro woman named Hester to Benjamin Barton. (Pendleton Deeds1790- 1806, Bk C-D, p. 191)

1796
Apr 5
Jonas sold 200 acres on Wolf Creek of 12-Mile River to Samuel Bradcut for 70 pounds sterling, near John Cantrell, Solomon Palmer, Howell Miller, Henry Walbanks, William Marchbanks and William Miller. (Pendleton Deeds, 1790 - 1806, Bk. G, pp 79-80)

1797
Dec 30
Jonas witnessed a deed between Christopher Harmon and Abraham Duk. (Pendleton Deeds 1790 - 1806, Bk C-D, p. 380)

1797/99
Nov 26
Jonas' brother Henry Hill purchsased 50 acres on N side of Keowee River from John Thomas of Richland Co. for 35 pounds sterling. Witnessed by J. McLemore and Robert McAfee. (Pendleton Deeds, 1790 - 1806, Bk E, pp 180-181)

1799
Mar 25
Jonas witnessed (with James McKinney) a deed whereby his brother Henry bought 130 acres from David Clark on the East side of the Keowee River, including the south side of Suder Creek. (Pendleton Deeds, 1790 - 1806, Bk C-D, p. 475)

1799
Jul 27
Jonas sold 130 acres on Wolf Creek (waters of Twelve Mile River) to Thomas Wilson Satterfield for 10 pounds. Witnessed by Jesse Miller and William Williams.

1799
Dec 2
Jonas received a land grant of 498 acres on the Keowee River in Pendleton Dist., SC. Witnessed by Henry and Isaac Hill. Henry was granted 365 acres (Cedar Hill Creek?) on the same date.

No date Sold John Powell part of a tract of land (unreadable) for $80. See John Powel's sale of some of this land as shown below. (Pendleton Deeds, 1790 - 1806, Bk G, pp 108/109)

1800 Jonas Hill has not been found in any 1800 census records. He and wife Susan were living next to her father, William Marchbanks (between 1790 and 1800), who had two young males in his household in 1800. Since he did not have any children after Burwell (b/c1782), it is possible that these two young males were the sons of Jonas and Susan, shown in their household in 1790. It is also quite possible that they are shown in William Marchbank's household in 1800 because Jonas and Susan were in Tennessee or headed for Tennessee (pure speculation).

1800
Feb 6
Jonas bought 163 acres on Carpenter Creek from William Cox for 50 pounds. Witnessed by Stephen Meritt and Rebecca Biggs.

1801
Oct 12
Jonas sold 150 acres on Cornhouse Creek to John Powell for eighty dollars, part of a tract originally granted to Jonas 2 Dec 1799. Witnessed by William Nicholson and William Beavant(?).

1802
Jan 2
Jonas' brother, Henry Hill, bought 408 acres on Crow Creek (Franklin Co., TN?) from Shadrack Noland for $549. Witnessed by William McFarland, John Grisham, Jr., and Abraham Hargis. (Pendleton Deeds, 1790 - 1806, Bk G, pp 140-141)

1802
Apr 12
Jonas shown living on Cornhouse Creek of Little River of Keowee River in John Powell's deed of 150 acres to William Nicholson (land granted to Jonas Hill 2 Dec 1799) near Frederick Williams. Witnessed by Isaac Hill and Joshua Robins. Bk G, pp 237/240.

1805
Feb 19
Jonas sold 150 acres on Stamp Creek of Little River to William Hammond for $50. Witnessed by Abraham Duke and Nathan Harwood.

1805
May 30
Jonas Hill witnessed a deed transaction in which William Marchbanks, Sr. sold land in the Pendleton District, SC

1806-07 Jonas moved to Overton Co. TN and "resided there two years." [pension files]. It is assumed that his brother Henry left Pendleton Co., SC about the same time as Jonas. Letters remaining in the Post Office at Pendleton Court House 1 Oct 1807 listed Henry Hill.

1807
Oct. 4
Power of Attorney: Overton Co., TN - William Marchbanks, Jr., Administrator on the Estate of William Young, deceased for sundry good causes and considerations have nominated, appointed and by these presents do constitute and nominate and appoint James Jett of the State of S. C. Pendleton District my true and lawful attorney for me, in my name to demand, secure etc. and by these presents granting to my said attorney my full power and authority &c. This fourth day of October 1807. Witness: Jones (Jonas) Hill, Signed X, William Marchbanks, Jr.. Rec. 10/20/1807

1808
Jun
Jonas married Mary Barnes (daughter of Jesse Barnes) in Overton Co., TN. According to her 1857 declaration she was 65 (b/1792) making her 16 years old when she married Jonas. According to John Sanders, JP that married Mary Barnes and David Castlebury on 3 Mar 1846 in Van Buren Co., AR, Mary was 51 years old (thus b/1795), making her 13 years of age when she married Jonas, which is doubtful.

1808
Jul 22
Deed: South Carolina, Pendleton District - Know all men that I, James Jett of Pendleton District for and in consideration of the sum of $ I, to me in hand paid by William Marchbanks (Jr.) of the State of Tennessee, have granted, bargained and sold to the Said William Marchbanks a tract or plantation of land on a prong of 12 Mile River...containing 115 acres, this 22 day of Jul, 1808, and in the 33 year of American Independence. Witness: Jones (Jonas) Hill & Nathaniel Newman. Signed James Jett, Recorded Aug. 1, 1808. Note: Jonas appears back in the Pendleton Dist. the month after he and Mary Barnes were married in Overton Co., TN.

1808
Oct 20
Jonas sold 163 acres on Carpenters Creek, waters of the Saluda River, to George Hill for fifty pounds. Witnessed by Jesse Miller and Moses Hendricks. Jonas and Mary appear to be living in the Pendleton Dist.

1808-09 Moved to Franklin County, TN and lived there "in the space of thirty-one years before his death" (31 Aug 1840) according to his widow, Mary Barnes statement on 9 Sep 1840, placing his arrival in FCTN about 1808 or 1809. [Note: Franklin County was created in 1807]

1812 Shown on Tax List of Franklin County, TN (p. 17), the first official record that he lived in FCT. Also shown on the list are Henry and Allen Hill. Source: Roll No. 3, TSLA Transcribed by Judy Henley Phillips.

1815 Witnessed a deed with Samuel McClellan, whereby William Farris deeded 100 acres in FCT to Henry Hill.

1820 For some reason Jonas Hill is not listed in this census. One of the best explanations I have heard for this was suggested by a researcher "from beautiful Crow Creek Valley, Jackson County, Alabama." She stated that the Crow Creek area of TN where Jonas lived was in Indian Territory until Dec. 1819 at which time it was inadvertently put in Marion County, TN. Marion County did not have an 1820 census. In 1824 there was a petition of Crow Creek residents to have Crow Creek removed from Marion County and put into Franklin County, TN. This was officially done in 1825.

1829
Sep 25
Jonas enters 50 acres on Big Crow Creek beginning at Thomas Hopkins NE corner, runs thence south 120 poles...

1830 Census FCT: Jonas shown at age 60/70 with wife (Mary Barnes) age 30/40, two sons 5/10, three sons 10/15, two daughters under 5 and one daughter 15/20. It is interesting to note that the only other Hill surname in the county as old as Jonas was a David Hill. Could this be the same David Hill shown in the 1790 census of Pendleton Dist., SC? Probably.

1832
May 17
(State of Tennessee Grants) - Jonas Hill 50 acres on Tallys fork of Rush Creek of Crow Creek of Tennessee River for one cent per acre. Land was entered 2 Jan 1826 under state law. Surveyed 23 May 1827. State grant #2449.

1832
Dec 3
Henry Hill swore under oath that "his brother, Jonas Hill, formerly of Surry Co., NC was a soldier in the United States service during the Revolutionary War. See "Pension File" page.

1833
Sep 27
From "The Pension Roll of 1835, Vol III (Southern States)", Genealogical Publishing Co, 1968, [reprinted from the 1835 Senate Doc. 514, Report from the Secretary of War], page 580: Jonas Hill; Private; Annual allowance 23.33; Sums received 69.99; Service in N. Carolina line; Placed on rolls Sep. 27, 1833; Age 71

1837
Apr 1
The Franklin County court gave Jonas Hill $40 to care for Rebecca (Becca) Hill, a pauper, for one year, to expire April 1, 1838.

1838
May 4
(State of Tennessee Grants) - Jonas Hill 50 acres on dividing ridge between Lost Cove and Tally's Fork of Crow Creek for one cent per acre. Land was entered 28 Aug 1828 and surveyed 5 Feb 1833. Near William Barnes' 50 acres on which John Parry (Perry) now lives.

1840
Jan
Minute Book, p167 - Jury of View Report: Meredith Catchings, Special deputy: The road shall begin at William Richardson's in Crow Creek & then up said crick by Jonas Hills and Hiram Frost and George Garner and here to intersect the turnpike road at James Odears.

1838
Apr 6
Ledgers of Payments, 1818-1872, to U.S. Pensioners Under Acts of 1818 Through 1858 From Records of the Office of the Third Auditor of the Treasury, 1818-1872; (National Archives Microfilm Publication T718, 23 rolls); Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury, Record Group 217; National Archives, Washington, D.C. Shows Jonas' monthly allowance at 11.66 1/2. The same record also lists his death date of 31 Aug 1840, and a final payment made on 6 Apr 1838.

1840 Census FCT: shown residing in Crow Creek Mountain, District 12, at age 70/80 and wife (Mary Barnes age 40/50) with two sons and three daughters (1001000001-1020001) It list seven people in the household, with agriculture as an occupation for two people, three of whom can't read or write. Jonas is also shown as a Revolutionary War Pensioner at age 76. .

1840
Aug 23
Jonas Hill deeds 50 acres on Tally Fork of Rush Creek to Thomas J. Williams for $100. Land granted Jonas Hill by the State of Tennessee on 17 May 1832, Grant No. 2449. Witnessed by M. Catchins and looks like Henry Hill, whom M. Catchins stated was not a citizen of Tennessee. Franklin Co. TN deed book T, page 227-228. Eight days later, Jonas Hill died.

1840
Aug 31
Jonas Hill died in FCT. Date of death verified in court records dated September 1841 when Mary Hill collected his final annual pension payment of $23.

Date? Estate sale buyers: M. Catchins, May Adair, George Decherd, Mary Hill, L. P. Williams, Martha Hoozier, Champ Guinn, J. C. Crabtree, and Allen Frost (no date given).

1840
Nov. 2
November Term 1840 - Franklin County, TN; It appearing to the Court now in session that Jonas Hill late of Franklin County died leaving no will and his wife Mary Hill having applied for Letters of administration, it is ordered by the Court that she have letters by giving bond and security as the law directs, whereupon the said Mary Hill came into the open Court and entered into bond of four hundred and fifty dollars with Meridith Catchings and Thos. J. Williams, her securities, conditioned as the law directs, and was qualified accordingly. It is also ordered by the Court the following persons be appointed commissioners to lay off one years provisions for the widow out of the estate of Jonas Hill, dec'd (towit) George Garner, Henry Garner, Sr. and Merideth Catchings, Commissioners. Minute Book FCT, p223

1842
Sep 9
In a sworn statement by Mary Barnes Hill to collect Jonas' final pension payment, she stated that he had lived in FCT 31 years before his death (ie. moved there in 1810), and "that previous thereto, he resided in Overton Co., TN, and in SC. If true, then they were married in Overton Co., TN in 1808. In 1857, Mary also stated in her declaration for widow's pension that Jonas died August 31, 1838, so her memory may have been failing her.

1844
Jul 6
Indenture between Mary Hill and George Garner, where she sells him a 40 acre track of land; on the Waters of Big Crow Creek, next to George Anderson. By M. Catchings, Sworn to Feby 21st by B. F. Gibson. Signed by Mary Hill, Leroy P. Williams, Thomas J. Williams, Baly Hill, William Hill, Henry Hill, Scarlett Anderson Hill (on back) and Claybourn Hill (on back). Also signed (witnessed?) by M. Catchings, Jessey Franklin and R. T. Gibson.

NOTE: If anyone has any additions or corrections, or any suggestions for improving the above chronology on Jonas Hill, PLEASE let me know by email.