Poe Archive

INTRODUCTION
The letter is from Hiram G. Hill, 13, who is writing his father from boarding school. The school is the “Mount Pleasant Institute for Boys,” in Amherst, Massachusetts.

MOUNT PLEASANT INSTITUTE
“This school was founded in Amherst in 1846 by Rev. John A. Nash, Amherst College Class of 1824, as the "Mount Pleasant Boarding School for Boys," for boys between the ages of 8 and 16. The name was changed in 1851-52 to "Mount Pleasant Boarding School," and again in 1853/54 to "Mount Pleasant Institute," a title that it retained at least through 1902-03, when it relocated to Hadley, Massachusetts. John A. Nash served as principal until 1854, when he was appointed professor of scientific agriculture at Amherst College. He was succeeded at Mount Pleasant Institute by his son, Henry C. Nash (AC 1851) and grandson, William K. Nash (AC 1883).*

* From the Amherst College Archives and Special Collections. (http://asteria.fivecolleges.edu/findaids/amherst/ma61_bioghist.html)

HIRAM'S FAMILY
Father: Otis G. Hill (b. abt. 1808)
Mother: Philena L. Packard (m. 13 Dec 1834 in Ashfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts–from Mass. marriage records.)

Siblings: Angeline Hill, Melvin Hill, Henry J. Hill, John W. Hill.

Step-Mother: Rachel E. Searls. (b. 19 Oct 1818, married to Otis G. Hill 1 Nov 1871

Grandfather: Ephraim Hill (b. 6 Feb 1865, d. 5 Apr 1851), and
Grandmother: Sarah Bradford (b. 15 Mar 1768, d. 28 Dec 1843) Ephraim Hill and Sarah Bradford were married on 23 Feb 1789. They lived near the grist mill he bought in 1813. This was their home for over 25 years. Children were: Calvin Hill, Russell Hill, Electra Hill, Cynthia Hill, Wealthy Hill, Willard Hill, Hiram Hill, Otis G. Hill, and Sarah Hill.*
*(http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~decann/genealogy/master/b132.htm)

Using information gleaned from genealogical data bases, the Bradford line has been traced backed to William Bradford, Governor of the Plymouth Colony.

Wife: Charlotte M. Thayer (b. abt. 1842)

Children: Mary Geneva Hill, Evalina M. Hill, and Edward O. Hill.

1850 CENSUS
Hiram G. Hill, 10, is enumerated in the Census as living in Williamsburg, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. The head of the household is Otis Hill, 42, and he is noted as a manufacturer. Also listed in the household are: Philena Hill, 36, Angeline Hill, 14, Melvin Hill, 12, Henry J. Hill, 6, John V. Hill, 4, Ephraim Hill, 85, and Mary Boyd, 24, noted as having been born in Ireland.

Charlotte M. Thayer is enumerated as living in Williamsburg, Hampton County, Massachusetts in the household of Williston Thayer, 46, a merchant. Also listed in the household are: Maria Thayer, 38, D. L. Thayer, 15, Ann Thayer , 6, and Adelaide Thayer, 1 month.

1860 CENSUS
Hiram G. Hill, 19, is enumerated in the Census as living in Williamsburg, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. The head of the household is Otis G. Hill, 52. Also listed in the household are: Philena S. Hill, 48, Henry W. Hill, 15, John W. Hill, 15, Ellen O'Brine, 32, noted as a domestic and born in Ireland, and William Bemich, 19, noted as a laborer.

Charlotte M. Thayer, 18, is enumerated in the Census as living in Williamsburg, Hampshire County, Massachusetts with her mother, Maria Thayer, 48, and her sister Annah L. Thayer, 16.

1870 CENSUS
Hiram G. Hill, 28, is enumerated in the Census as living in Williamsburg, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. He is the head of the household and it is noted that he is a button manufacturer. Also listed in the Census is Charlotte M. Hill, 27, Mary Genevra Hill, 3, Evalina M. Hill, 2, and Edward O. Hill, 7 months.

Otis Hill, 62, Hiram's father, is enumerated in the Census as living in Williamsburg, Hampshire County, Massachusetts and his occupation is noted as farmer. Listed in his household are: John W. Hill, 24, occupation given as “button manufacturer” and Jennet A. Cowls, 27, housekeeper. Notably absent his Otis' wife and Hiram's mother, Philena.

1880 CENSUS
Hiram G. Hill, 39, is enumerated in the Census as living in Williamsburg, Hampshire County, Massachusetts and he is the head of household and it is noted that he is a Button manufacturer. Also living in the household is Geneva M. L. Hill, 13, noted as daughter. Notably absent are: Charlotte, his wife, and the children, Evalina and Edward. Importantly for the history of this family is the fact that Charlotte M. Hill, 38, is noted as a music teacher and living in Williamsburg, Hampshire County, Massachusetts with her Mother, Maria Thayer, 70, who is the head of the household; also living in the household is Evalina M. Hill, 12, noted as the granddaughter of Maria Thayer. The implication is that Hiram and Charlotte have separated with Geneva living with Hiram and Evalina living with Charlotte. We have been unable to find the baby, Edward O, in the Census.

Of note, is the fact that his neighbors are: Otis G. Hill, 72, and Rachael E, 62, noted as Otis' wife. Also listed in this household is Otis' son, John W, 34. Otis' occupation is listed as, farmer and John's occupation is noted as manufacturing molds.

A second neighbor is Henry W. Hill, 35, a manufacturer of wood molds. In his household are listed the following: Mary L. Hill, 31, his wife, and Myra A. Hill, 7, his daughter; additionally, his mother-in-law, Anneth L. Martin, 62.

1900 CENSUS
Hiram G. Hill, 59, is enumerated in the Census as living in Williamsburg, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. His occupation is designated as “flour and grist mill,” and it is noted that he was born in June 1840. Listed in his household is Geneva Hill, 35, his daughter. It is noted that she was born in June 1866.