James Hillary (abt. 1831 - 1907)

Born about May 1831 in Hampshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Hamblin) Hillary — married 1862 in Dundee, Natal, South Africa

Descendants

Died 4 Oct 1907 at about age 76 in Cottage, Malvern Village, Durban, Colony of Natal

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James Hillary migrated from England to Natal, South Africa.

Biography

James Hillary was born in Hampshire, England.

James was born in about May 1831. He was the son of George Hillary and Emma Langridge.

He was christened on 26 June 1831 at Longparish, Hampshire^[1].

1841 UK Census
The Street, Longparish, Andover, Hampshire, England

James may have been recorded in the household of William Iremonger (Magistrate For The County) in Wherwell, Hampshire, England in the UK Census of 1851. He was aged 19 and a servant.

At the age of 27 James emigrated from England to D'Urban in the Colony of natal with many of his siblings, sailing on the "Lady of the Lake". They departed England on about 20 March 1858 and arrived in June 1858.

ALGOA BAY.- The well-known regular trader LADY OF THE LAKE, Captain TAYLOR, for PORT NATAL, to sail 15th March, will land passengers at Algoa Bay; she has two poop cabins disengaged, and carries an experienced surgeon.- Apply to the Captain on board, in the London Docks; or to FRY and DAVISON, 60, Fenchurch-Street.^[2]

There were a total of 231 emigrants on board with no reported deaths. His brother George had emigrated to the Colony of Natal in 1850, but had subsequently returned to England, only to then undertake a return voyage, possibly also on the "Lady of the Lake" with his siblings.

Twelve years later James was listed as Surety for Sarah Hamblin who emigrated from Hampshire, England on board the Ship Durban, arriving into D'Urban on 10 January 1862. James's address was given as Sandhill, Bellair.

17 days later James (a bachelor farmer of Bracefield, Bellair) married Sarah on 27 January 1862 at St Paul's Church in D'Urban^[3]. The Witnesses were Thomas Drew and Diana Drew.

It was a triple wedding with James's brother John marrying Rose Drew, and Rose's sister Emma marrying a Mr. William Leech. It was described as a picturesque affair, as the bridal parties were driven to St Paul's Church in a flower bedecked ox wagon, which aroused much interest.

The two Drew girls were the sisters of Mr. George Drew, who was the owner of the West End Hotel in D'Urban. He was not only best man at the wedding, but also gave the couples a wedding breakfast. He kept open house at the hotel for two days following the wedding and wore a crepe band around his hat and one around his left arm stating that he had "lost" two sisters in one day.

After breakfast James and Sarah travelled to his brother John's farm "Sand Hill" (so named because of it's sandy soil). His residence at Malvern was called "Bellair" House, and the property of a Mr. James Ross. As the years passed it was burnt down, and became known as the "Ruins".

James and Sarah then resided at "Bradfield" in Malvern. They raised 10 children (eight daughters and two sons). Tragically their oldest daughter Kate passed away at the family home Bradfield in 1876 at the age of 13.

James and Sarah decided to move to York, Natal. After a short time they left to live in Umfata. Eventually they returned to Malvern to live in their former home "Bradfield". There they remained until they sold in 1903, and bought another home in Oakfield Road, where they settled down for the remainder of their lives. This home is still in existence.

James was a Retired Farmer when he passed away on 4 October 1907 at the age of 76^[4]. Cause of Death was recorded as Heart Disease/Dropsy.

He was buried at the Hillary Family Cemetery in Malvern, KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.

Sources

1. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JQDM-1WY : accessed 6 April 2015), James Hillary, 26 Jun 1831; citing Longparish, Hampshire, England, reference 47; FHL microfilm 6,344,347.
2. ↑ London Evening Standard 10 March 1858, Pg 1, https://search.findmypast.co.uk/ (requires subscription)
3. ↑ "South Africa, Natal Province, Civil Marriages, 1845-1955," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDCK-Z59 : accessed 7 April 2015), James Hillary and Sarah Hamblin, 27 Jan 1862; citing D'Urban, Natal, South Africa; 00285; National Archives and Records Service of South Africa, Pretoria; 1,259,159.
4. ↑ "South Africa, Natal Province, Civil Deaths, 1863-1955," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG6P-ZPY4 : 17 March 2018), James Hillary, 04 Oct 1907; Death, Malvern, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, The National Archives of South Africa (NARS), Pretoria; FHL microfilm 2,112,246.

• http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/1858-1859.shtml

• "South Africa, Pietermaritzburg Estate Files 1846-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLRL-QHSY : 17 March 2018), James Hillary, 1907; citing Probate, Pietermaritzburg Archives (Formerly Natal State Archives), South Africa.

See also:

• "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M79Q-4S3 : 30 October 2015), James Hilliary in household of George Hilliary, Longparish, Hampshire, England; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census,"

• "England and Wales Census, 1851." Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 22 February 2021. From "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census." Database and images. findmypast. http://www.findmypast.com : n.d. Citing PRO HO 107. The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGBS-ZD5

Research Notes

The railway station at Hillary was named after James Hillary by Sir David Hunter. At first it was named Hillary's, and later the "s" was omitted and it became Hillary as it is known today. His name also appeared on the plaque of the Lych Gate at the Hillary Hall in recognition of his membership of the first Committee of the Bellair Hall and School Trust. The Lych Gate was erected to perpetuate the memory of those settlers who were responsible for having built the Bellair Hall in 1876.