Expats: the HILL family

I'm tracking the details of families in the 1841 England/Britain census, with a member born in Australia. This is entry #8. 

Frederick and Eliza HILL appear in the 1841 census, living in the village of Wiveliscombe, Somerset. The census states that Frederick was 14, a shoemaker, and born in 'Australia', and living with Frederick was William Hill, 45. Living in another home on the same census sheet (probably with relatives) was Eliza HILL, aged 12 and born in 'Australia'.

Who were Frederick and Eliza? Who was their family? How did the HILL family come to be in Australia and what became of them after 1841?

Their father William HILL was born in the very same village of Wiveliscombe, Somerset about 1795 (to John, a chandler). William joined the 39th Regiment of Foot in the town of Cheddar (Somerset) in May 1815. He was 20, 5 feet 7 inches tall, with brown hair and great eyes.It is possible that in 1824 William married Mary COLLARD in Wiveliscombe ; but this can't be absolutely confirmed. In 1825 the 39th sailed for New South Wales for six years.

Mary made the journey with William and the regiment to NSW, and three children were born to "William Hill, Private 39th Regiment & Mary Hill" in New South Wales. The first was Frederick, born 29 Jul 1827 and baptized on 7 Sep at St. Philips on Church Hill in Sydney. Second was Eliza, born 21 Nov 1829 and 11 Jul the next year, and third was Joseph Hill born 25 Nov 1831 and baptized on 19 Jan the subsequent year. 

In 1832 the regiment sailed for India, where it remained for a significant period of time, and the HILL family travelled there with them. The British India Office Collection (familysearch.org) show that at least 2 children were born while they were stationed in Bangalore: Jane in 1835, and William in 1837.

In May 1839, a severe case of cholera struck the regiment at Bellary (detailed in a chapter of the book 'Reports on Asiatic Cholera in Regiments of the Madras Army from 1828 to 1844', Samuel Rogers, 1848), killing 29 of 55 men, 5 of 7 women, and all 5 children afflicted. The chapter states that "Funerals became a daily occurrence, and women, children, and strong soldiers in the heyday of life were one after another consigned to the grave". Their son William Hill died in March 1839, followed by the mother Mary Hill in May 1839. The book records all cases, and shows that William senior also had cholera on May 3, but recovered, while Mary contracted cholera on May 6. 



Six months after these events, William pensioned out of the 39th. The pension records show his conduct was VERY GOOD, with two good conduct badges, but had still not recovered from the cholera and dysentery he suffered from earlier that year, and he sailed home to England in early 1840. He returned to his home village of Wiveliscombe with his children as a Chelsea pensioner, and appears as described in the 1841 census, with his children Frederick and Eliza evident as Australian-born.

William remained in the area around Wiveliscombe, and married Ann Norman at Taunton in 1842. In 1851 he was living in Lydeard St Lawrence as an agricultural laborer and pensioner, with Eliza (22, Ag lab, born Australia) and a number of daughters. In 1861 he was a stone quarrier in Milverton, and in 1871 he was a laborer - visiting was a granddaughter Eveline aged 4 and probably born to Frederick in Cardiff (more of later). William HILL died in 1882, buried at Lydeard St Lawrence aged 86. 

What of the two Australian-born children?

Frederick HILL was present in Wiveliscombe in 1841, but not at home with his family in 1851. He had joined the Royal Artillery in Taunton in August 1847 aged 19. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, with dark brown hair and blue eyes. Frederick served 21 years in the Royal Artillery, and did not have his fathers perfect record, being court martialled four times (but also having four good conduct badges). His service included 5 and a half years in the West Indies and almost 3 years in Mauritius and being promoted and demoted several times. 

Frederick married Margaret at some stage, and she travelled with Frederick, as in 1871 they appear in the census again living at Pembroke (Wales) - Margaret's home town. Their children reflect Frederick's postings, as in 1871 Frederick W was 6 and born Kent Dover, Edward was 4 and born in Mauritius Port Louis, and Minnie was 5 months born in Pembroke. In 1881 and 1891 Frederick and Margaret were still living at Pembroke, and in 1901 were living with their daughter and son-in-law. 

One curiosity is that in joining the Royal Artillery, Frederick stated that he was born in King George Town NSW (where is this)?, but Frederick listed his birthplace as Wiveliscombe Somerset in 1871-1901 censuses. Why? 

1871 census:

Frederick died in Pembroke in 1905, aged 73. 

Eliza HILL was present in Wiveliscombe in 1841 and 1851 with her father. Just five days after the 1851 census, Eliza (a spinster and farm servant) married George Binding at Brompton Ralph in Somerset - Eliza signed her name. In May 1854, Eliza Binding, her husband, a son James (1) and a baby girl born on board, sailed into Melbourne on board the 'Geelong' - returning to the continent of her birth. 

The BINDING family had at least 11 children in total, settling in Lang Lang south-west of Melbourne. The family appear to have been involved in farming, and local politics. Eliza died on 22 April 1884 at Lang Lang, and was buried there. Eliza's death certificate reflects her family connection to the military and her roots in Australia, her father William Hill listed as soldier, and her place of birth as New South Wales. 

The HILL children reflect the mobility of military families - Frederick and Eliza were born in NSW, lived in India before moving to Somerset, England. Frederick replicated his father in joining the army, and was stationed in exotic locations before retiring to Pembroke in Wales. Eliza married and sailed back across the globe to establish life in another Australian colony.