Thomas Hill of Montserrat

Large-scale slave-owner in Montserrat, with four of his five estates apparently mortgaged to London creditors: the compensation for these estates was paid to Edward Kensington and Cornelius Paine or into Chancery suits to which they were party.

1. Only son of Nicholas Hill, from whom he was gifted Reeds Hill and Spring plantations (including c. 175 named enslaved persons) on 26 September 1812, with a clause to give "his now wife Elizabeth" £500 sterling annuity on the decease of Thomas Hill.

2. 18 January 1813 - Thomas and Elizabeth Hill, presently at 41 Manchester St, Manchester Sq, Middlesex, mortgaged the above plantations for £3,400 sterling @ 5% with Plummer, Barham, Plummer & Plummer, merchants of London.

3. Further mortgages on all plantations, and other debts, (including £35,000 to Henry Dyett) listed in indenture of 18/02/1818.

4. According to Elizabeth Hill (now of Reading in Berkshire) in a document 10 November 1829 appointing attorneys to chase her annuity, Thomas Hill died 26 Oct 1825.

5. Oct 26 [1825]. Death in Montserrat of the Hon. Thomas Hill, Member of His Majesty's Council of that island and Judge, age 46 years.

1. Images ROD_MNI_1812_112 to _115 in folder 1812-1815 in digital archives at Montserrat National Trust (MNT). Pages 176 - 179 in physical volume Registry of Deeds 1812-1815 at MNT.

2. Images ROD_MNI_1812_308 onwards in folder 1812-1815 in digital archives at Montserrat National Trust. Pages 367 onwards in physical volume Registry of Deeds 1812-1815 at MNT.

3. Images ROD_MNI_1819-22_155 onwards in folder 1819-1822 in digital archives at Montserrat National Trust. Pages 294 onwards in physical volume Registry of Deeds 1819-1822 at MNT. See also images REGDEEDS_1821-26_057 onwards and REGDEEDS_1821-26_083 onwards in volume 1821-1826.

4. Images ROD_MNI_1829_091 onwards in folder 1829 in digital archives at Montserrat National Trust. Pages 151 onwards in physical volume Registry of Deeds 1829 at MNT.

5. Gentleman's Magazine Vol. 139 (1826) p.191; age at death given in The Globe 02/01/1826.

We are grateful to Neil How for providing us with the MNT Register of Deeds information and references.