Joseph Hildreth, III

A Patriot of the American Revolution for NEW YORK.      DAR Ancestor #  A207152

Joseph Hildreth (c1721-1792), a farmer in Wythe County, Virginia.

He lived first at Cornwall, now New Windsor, New York. In 1765 he was appointed master of the Cornwall-Goshen Road. On 10 September 1763 he borrowed £60 from Cadwallader Colden, his neighbor and sometime Governor of New York. As Joseph Hildrige his name appears on a list of those who held office at Montgomery in Orange County between 1765 and 1775. About 1773 he defaulted on the obligation to Colden. He moved to Montgomery County, Virginia and settled in an area that is now part of Wythe County. Colden later brought suit in Montgomery County Court to recover the money.

He bought 226 acres for £330 on 20 February 1778 on Reed Creek in Montgomery (now Wythe) County, Virginia. On 27 August 1787 he was named in a Montgomery County, Virginia deed as living on Reed Creek. On 27 February 1790 he appears as Joseph Heldrith on a tax list for those living in the vicinity of North Fork, Holston, Rich Valley, Sally Run and Stoney Fork. On 20 April 1790 he purchased another 90 acres on Reed Creek. On the same day and previously on 25 August 1787 he was named in a deed to his son Jeffery Heldrith as owning land on Reed Creek adjoining James Halsey, deceased.

He died before 14 August 1792 when his will was probated.

Notes on Relationships

• He was not the Joseph Hildreth who married Sarah Jagger.
• He was not the Joseph Hildreth who married Phoebe Fletcher.
• A Joseph Hildredth married Martha Stilwell, 28 January 1789 at Cape May, New Jersey.

Connection to Squire Hildreth

The baptismal name Squire appears among his descendants, and he seems to have been connected with the Squires family of Long Island and Orange County. It seems likely that his mother, wife, or step-father was a Squires.

Will of Joseph Hildreth

In the name of God Amen: I Joseph Hildreth of the county of Wythe and State of Virginia, being very weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, think it proper to make my will. I sumit my soul to God in humble hope, my body to be interred at the discretion of my executors.

As to my worldly estate I dispose of it in manner following: All my lands I devise to my son Jeffery in fee simple. All my personal estate I vest in my executors to be sold as the law directs and after my debts are paid out of the produce, the balance to be divided in manner and form following.

To my daughter, Abigail, five shillings; to my daughter, Anna, five shillings; to my son, John, five shillings; to my daughter, Sarah, five shillings; to my daughter, Ruth, five shillings; to my daughter, Polly, five shillings; to my daughter, Pheby, five shillings; to my daughter, Keturah, twenty pounds.

I appoint my son Jeffery Hildreth and Robert Adams executors hereof and request them to take the burden of the same upon them.

In testimony hereof I have here unto set my hand this Twenty fourth day of January, one thousand seven hundred ninety-two.

Signed by the testator and published as his last will in the presence of

Ruben Coley Thomas Venderly Henry (X) Umbarger

At a court for the county of Wythe on Tuesday the 11th day of August 1792

The last will and testament of Joseph Hildreth, dec. was exhibited in court and proven by the oaths of Ruben Coley and Henry Umbarger, the witnesses thereto and thereupon it is ordered to be recorded.