Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

the business was housed fur two years in
an old barn near the depot, after large
expenditures in making the necessary
alterations and improvements. The linn
purchased the only piece of land sold from
the old Brown estate to the present time,
the remainder of the estate now West-
erly's beautiful park, and on this tract
erected a three-story brick building, sixty-
five by one hundred and forty-five feet,
with a Storage addition in the rear. This
was the second time the business has
been reconstructed from a complete
wreck, and after incorporation as the
Westerly Furniture Company, rous
and successful operations were continued.
In 1915, a third tire, caused by defective
wiring, resulted in a considerable stock
loss, and in June, 191 7, Mr. Hinckley re-
tired from business.
Elected to office a-^ a Democrat, he
served Westerly for two years on the
Town Council, declining to become a
candidate for a second term because of
the pressure of business. He is active in
Masonic circles, a past master of Pawcatuek
Lodge, No. , Free and Accepted
Masons, of Westerly, a past high priest of
Palmer Chapter. Xo. 2S, Royal Arch Masons,
and a past commander of Xarragansett
Commandery, Xo. 27, Knights
Templar, and a Xoble of Palestine Tem-
ple, Ancient Arabic Order Xobles of the
Mystic Shrine.
Mr. Hinckley married, in October, 1891,
S. Anne H. Burdick. daughter of Benjamin
and Martha S. (Dyer) Burdick.
HILL. Seth,
Physician, Legislator.
William Hill, the progenitor in America
of that branch of the Hill family from
which the late Dr. Seth Hill, one of the
most prominent and successful men of the
medical profession in the entire county of
ENCYCD IPEDIA OF UK "GRAPH
331
Y
Fairfield, Connecticut, is descended, came
to America in the ship "William and
Francis," arriving in Boston Harbor on
June 5, [632. lie remained for a time at
Dorchester, Massachusetts, but after a
time removed to Windsor, on the Connec-
ticut riser, where he bought land and set
out an orchard. Some time later, how-
ever, he moved to Fairfield, and here he
resided for the remainder of his life, becoming
a man of public importance and
prominence in the life of the community.
He was deputy and representative in
[639, 1640, and i'>44- Before c< ming to
Fairfield he had been admitted a freeman
of Massachusetts, November 5. 1633,
and a selectman of Dorchester, in 1636.
He was also granted land at Dorchester
on November 2, 1635. In Windsor, in
1639. he was appointed by the General
Court to examine the arms and ammuni-
tion of the towns in the colony ;
he
was
auditor of accounts ; and deputy to the
General Court from 1639 to 1641, and
again reelected in 1644. After his removal
to Fairfield, as has already been
stated, he held public office as assistant
senator and collector of customs. In the
division of lands he and his son William
were given lots between Paul's Neck and
Robert Turney's house lot, on the northeast
side of Dorchester street and New-
ton square. From the fact that in the
town records for 1649, his wife, Sarah, is
called a widow, it is concluded that he
died in that year. His will is dated September
9. 1649. an(l was proved May 15,
1650. It is to be found in a very ancient
volume of the records of the "Particular
Court for Fairfield County." His chil-
dren were: Sarah; William 1
_'
I . of
whom
further; Joseph, Ignatius, James, Eliza-
beth.
The Hill family arms are thus de-
scribed :