James Hilton

James and Hannah (Steemson) Hilton married on February 4, 1812 in Hollym Cum Withersea, Yorkshire England.

Transcript of marriage between James Hilton and Hannah Steemson:

James Hilton of this parish and Hannah Steemson (spinster) of the Parish of Tunstal were married by license in this Church, this fourth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve, G. Sampson curate. This marriage was solemnized between James Hilton and Hannah Steemson in the presence of John Futty and Leonard Billany.

James and Hannah Hilton left England and came to the United States with their eight children in 1830, settling in Chautauqua County, NY. They raised their family there and had another child, Isabella in 1831.

The family sailed on the British Brig Dapper from Hull, England arriving in New York City on April 10, 1830, after nearly six weeks at sea. The ship’s manifest is signed by Captain William Dickinson and indicates that the Dapper had 209 passengers. The Dapper was part of a three ship British Emigrant Line which sailed from Hull, England to New York. The agent of record was Masters & Markoe, 113 Front Street, New York, NY. Notice of establishment of line was December, 1828. The three ships in their line was Bark Diana, Brig Freak and Brig Dapper. As advertised, the vessels sailed on day appointed, “full or not full”.

James and Hannah raised their family in Charlotte Center, NY. The children received their education in common schools in Chautauqua County until they were grown.

Details about the children of James and Hannah:

William Hilton, born June 11, 1812. Baptized June 28, 1812 in Hollym Cum Withernsea, Yorkshire, England.

John Hilton, born January 15, 1814 in Hollym Cum Withernsea, Yorkshire, England.

James William Hilton, born 1816 in Hollym Cum Withernsea, Yorkshire, England.

Eleanor Hilton, baptized 1818 in Hollym Cum Withernsea, Yorkshire, England.

Died between 1870 and 1875 atch.) 

Thomas Hilton, baptized 1820 in Hollym Cum Withernsea, Yorkshire, England.

Henry Hilton, born August 2, 1822, baptized August 11, 1822 in Hollym Cum Withernsea, Yorkshire, England.

Hannah Hilton, baptized 1824 in Hollym Cum Withernsea, Yorkshire, England.

Eliza (Elizabeth) Hilton, baptized September 3, 1826 in Hollym Cum Withernsea, Yorkshire, England. She died in Dunkirk, NY according to letter found within Hilton file in Barker Library / Museum in Fredonia NY. …needs to be verified. Note…baptism date given in letter does match).

Isabella M. Hilton, born in 1831 in Charlotte Center, NY. No death date or gravesite has been located.

James and Hannah left Chautauqua County, NY around 1855 and traveled to Bertrand, Michigan to live with their son Thomas and his family.

While there, Hannah Hilton died. She is buried in the Higbee Cemetery (Bertrand's Protestant Cemetery), Bertrand, Niles Township, Berrien County, Michigan.

The following is what was written in a letter from James to his son William telling him of his mother's passing:

My Dear Son, I now sit down with a heavy heart and tearful eyes to write a few lines to let you know that we are all in good health as far as it concerns the body. But, my cup of sorrow is full, but through the help of God I hope to meet your dear mother again before long, to part no more. Her death was a great release to her. She lay two days and two nights and could not speak. She suffered hard the first three or four days but she was easier at the last of her sickness. She died easy and as long as she could talk had a bright hope for the future. It all but broke my heart to be at her side and she could not speak. I had to go away for a little while and when I came back she would put her arms around me. You may judge my feelings, for I cannot describe them. My dear children, pray for me and pray that we may all meet in heaven. Life is uncertain. We may never meet again, but if we ever meet again in heaven that will repay us all. Our loss is your mother’s gain I know. Therefore I am reconciled to my loss although it seems I have lost my all in this world. My heart is so full I scarce know what I am writing. Your affectionate father, James Hilton

James Hilton remained in Bertrand, Michigan after Hannah’s passing and appears in the 1860 Michigan Census. He is included in the household with his son Thomas Hilton and family in the Niles Township, Berrien County, Bertrand Post Office, MI

James Hilton died on July 1, 1863 and was buried on July 2, 1863 in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, IL. His resting place is in lot 545, section G.

The grave site for James was one of three purchased by his son Thomas shortly before March, 1863. The other two burial sites, located either side of James, contain infant sons of Thomas and his brother James…one child died on 4/15/82 at 11 months of age. The other child on 12/25/63 at 4 months of age.

None of three burial sites have grave stones.

Due to the Chicago Fire of 1871, many records were destroyed and I was told that it might be impossible to obtain any death certificate or other specific information about James Hilton’s death.