The Database for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in Wells, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel

Mary Hill


Relationship to POC: enslaver

Status (enslaved, free or both): free

Town: Wells

Known dates: 1776, 1790

Mary Hill enslaved Sharper who, in 1776, married Dinah, who was enslaved by Elizabeth Storer.

"Sharper Negro servant to widow Mary Hill and Dinah Negro servant to widow Elizabeth Storer their intentions of marriage were entered the 29th of March 1776."

In the 1790 US Census for Wells, Mary Hill is listed as the head of household for one "all other free persons." The Sharper who was Mary Hill's "servant" in 1776 may have been this free person who was residing with her in 1790.

Bourne mentions (p. 450) that in 1769, a pew in the "new meeting house" was ranked for "Mary Hill, wife of Jonathan Hill, Esq." This may be the same Mary Hill who was a widow with the "servant" Sharper in 1776.

Bibliography:

Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921

1790 US Census for Wells

The History of Wells and Kennebunk from the Earliest Settlement to the Year 1820 - by Edward Bourne (1875)


Sharper marriage to Dinah - 1776

'Sharper Negro servant to widow Mary Hill'

Icon for /MaryHill/Sharper marriage to Dinah - 1776.jpg

1790 Wells census - Mary Hill

Mary Hill is listed as the head of household with one 'all other free persons.'

Icon for /MaryHill/1790 Wells census - Mary Hill.jpg
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