George Hillary Jr. (abt. 1825 - 1900)

Born about Oct 1825 in Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Ellen (Groom) Hillary — married 18 Aug 1858 in St Paul's Church, Durban, South Africa

Descendants

Died 6 May 1900 at about age 74 in Malvern, Durban, Natal, South Africa

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Linda Prole [send private message]

George Hillary Jr. migrated from England to Natal, South Africa.

Biography

George was born in about October 1825. He was the son of George Hillary and Emma Langridge.

He was Christened on 19 October 1825 at Plaitford, Wiltshire, the son of George and Emma Hillary^[1].

In the UK Census of 1841 George was not living with his family at The Street, Longparish, Andover, Hampshire, when he would have been about 16 years of age. He may have been recorded in the household of Charles Hillary (40) and his wife Maria Hillary (35) at High Street, Fordingbridge, Hampshire. He was employed as an apprentice Ironmonger.

His mother died some time before 1846, when his father remarried, to widow Elizabeth Jane Weaven.

On 9 January 1850 25 year old George emigrated from England to South Africa, departing from Gravesend on the Thames on the 680 ton barque Edward under Captain Robertson and arriving 4 months later on 10 May 1850 in Port Natal (D'Urban). Also on the same ship was 23 year old Ellen Groom (along with her two sisters, three brothers), whom he became acquainted with.

Upon reaching D'Urban they were not able to disembark from the ship without assistance. Because of the sandbar across the inlet, ships like the "Edward" could not enter the Bay. Instead, they had to anchor offshore quite some distance where small rowing boats were sent to collect them. There was no wharf so the boats had to stop a short distance from the shore where a number of stalwart Zulu men, clad only in a mutja (a belt of ox hide from which was suspended a row of monkey tails to cover their privates) would dive into the surf with great hilarity and hoist the surprised passengers on their shoulders and carry them the rest of the way to shore. From here they walked to the town of D'Urban, which comprised of a few wood and iron buildings. A rough path had been cut through the dense bush, which they had to follow, unaware of any danger they may encounter. Upon reaching the "town" they occupied one of the temporary shelters that had been provided on a small sandy clearing, known as the Market Square. After a short period of a week or more, the settlers were taken by ox wagon to the portion of land that had been allocated to them. There was only one hotel, the MacDonald's. The cost of bed and breakfast was 3/6 (35c).

George was taken to "Bellair" farm, which later became the Malvern area. After being allotted a 20 acre plot of land at Verulam, as a "Byrne Settler", George returned to England.

He then made the return journey to South Africa in 1858 and he and Ellen Groom were married on 18 August 1858 in St Paul's Church, D'Urban, Natal, after Banns^[2]. His occupation was recorded as Yeoman of Sand Hill in the county of D'Urban; Ellen was a spinster of Union Street, D'Urban. The witnesses were Mary Groom, Richard Groom and Jane Hillary.

They went on to have at least six children, who all survived to adulthood.

Later George acquired a farm at Krantzkloof in the Umlazi area of Natal. The house was called "Lookout". At some stage they decided to leave and settle in Malvern. Their house was near Stella Road and named "Rockstead".

The present suburb of Durban called Hillary was named after the family.

George died on 6 May 1900 at the age of 74 years and 8 months. Cause of Death was recorded as Abscess Erysipelas^[3]. He was buried at the Hillary Family Graveyard, Coronation Road, Durban, Natal, South Africa^[4].

Sources

1. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NVV8-PL3 : accessed 6 April 2015), George Hillary, 19 Oct 1825; citing Plaitford, Wiltshire, England, reference yr 1813-1933 p 14; FHL microfilm 6,344,476.
2. ↑ "South Africa, Natal Province, Civil Marriages, 1845-1955," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDCK-626 : accessed 4 April 2015), George Hillary and Ellen Groom, 18 Aug 1858; citing D'Urban, Natal, South Africa; 00579; National Archives and Records Service of South Africa, Pretoria; 1,259,158.
3. ↑ "South Africa, Natal Province, Civil Deaths, 1863-1955," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG6P-FJYK : 17 March 2018), George Hillary, 06 May 1900; Death, Malvern, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, The National Archives of South Africa (NARS), Pretoria; FHL microfilm 2,092,395.
4. ↑ https://kznpr.co.za/durban-memorial-park-hillary/

• https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-29.8807514,30.9390438,15z

• SEE: Passenger Ship List: The 'Edward'

See also:

• "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M79H-GHF : 7 March 2021), George Hillary in household of Chas Hillary, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.