GUIDE

TO THE

FROST AND HILL FAMILY PAPERS

AT THE

NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

Abstract:

Captain Charles Frost (1630-1697) and Major John Hill (1666-1713) were militia officers responsible for defending Kittery and Saco, under the direction of authorities during King William’s War, 1689-1697.

The collection contains military orders, commissions, and correspondence with scattered Frost, Hill and Pepperell family documents and business papers.

Collection dates: 1675-1760.

Volume: 47 items.

Repository: R. Stanton Avery Special Collections

Call Number: Mss 1055

Copyright ©2010 by New England Historic Genealogical Society. All rights reserved. Reproductions are not to be used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research. Frost and Hill Family Papers Mss 1055

FAMILY HISTORY NOTE

Names in bold represent creators of documents in this collection.

FROST FAMILY

CHARLES2 FROST (Nicholas1) was born in 1632 at Tiverton, England, and he was killed by Indians on 4 July 1697. Charles, at age 44, married on 27 December 1675 to MARY BOLLES. Mary was born 4 January 1641 in York, Maine, and she died 11 November 1704 in Wells, Maine.

As a young child, Charles accompanied his family from England to the plantation of Pascataqua River in Maine. His father, Nicholas Frost (1585-1663), acquired two hundred acres in Kittery (incorporated in 1647). Charles Frost was frequently chosen as a representative for Kittery to the general court in Massachusetts. In 1669, the militia of Maine was organized into six companies one of which was commanded by Charles Frost. Frost was one of six councilors appointed to act as judges of the courts. In 1689, he was appointed and commissioned to command the western regiment. Children:

i. Mary3 Frost b. 18 October 1676; d 1753; m. 12 December 1694 Capt John Hill ii. Charles Frost b. 17 April 1678 ; d. 17 December 1724; m. (1) 7 February 1698/9 Sarah Wainwright (1682-1714); m (2) 25 November 1714 Jane (Eliot) Pepperrell, widow of Andrew Pepperrell iii. John Frost b. 1 March 1681 Kittery, Maine; d 25 February 1732 New Castle, NH; m. Mary Pepperrell (1685-1766). Mary m (2) 12 August 1745 Rev Dr Benjamin Colman of and she m (3) 6 October 1748 Benjamin Prescott of Danvers. iv. Nicholas Frost b. 17 September 1682; d. before 8 August 1700 v. Sarah Frost b. 17 September 1682 (1666?); d. 16 May 1695; m. (1) 1687 John Shipway; m (2) Hon William Redford vi. Abigail Frost b. 10 May 1685 (1668); m. (1) Joshua Fryer; m (2) 30 December 1714 William Moody vii. Lydia Frost b. 30 November 1686 (1674); d. 13 May 1752; m. 1692 Benjamin Pierce viii. Elizabeth Frost b. 4 July 1688 (1683); d. 21 May 1696 ix. Mehitable Frost b. 4 January 1690 (1670); m. 5 January 1698/9 Thomas Pierce

Sources:

Parsons, Usher. “Memoir of Charles Frost” New England Historical and Genealogical Register [1849]:249-262

Stackpole, Everett S. Old Kittery and Her Families (Somersworth: New England History Press, 1981): 414-415

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FAMILY HISTORY NOTE (continued)

HILL FAMILY

ROGER2 HILL (Peter1) was born 1635 at Biddeford, Maine, and he died 26 August 1693 at Wells, Maine. Roger married on 1 November 1658 in Saco, Maine, to MARY CROSS. Mary was born in 1640 in Wells, Maine, and she died 24 June 1696 in Wells. Children:

i. Sarah3 Hill b. 7 April 1661 Saco, Maine; d. 1726 Arundel, Me.; m. (1) Pendleton Fletcher, he died a prisoner in Canada; m. (2) William Priest. ii. Hannah Hill b. 7 September 1664 Saco, Me.; d. 30 June 1748 Wells, Me.; m. 23 February 1677 Lieut. Joseph Storer (2) iii. John Hill b. 28 May 1666 Saco, Me. (see below) iv. Samuel Hill b. 14 December 1668 Saco, Me.; d. 1745 Saco; he was taken captive by the French and Indians about 1701 and detained some years in Canada with his wife v. Joseph Hill b. 3 April 1670 Saco; d. 12 July 1743 Wells, Me.; m. Sarah Bowles vi. Mary Hill b. 25 June 1672 Wells, Me.; m. 15 November 1694 David Littlefield vii. Benjamin Hill b. 24 February 1674 Saco, Me. viii. Ebenezer Hill b. 14 February 1679; d. 26 March 1758 Biddeford, Me.; m. Abigail Smith; he and his wife settled in Biddeford 1703, they were taken captive by the Indians and detained in Canada for three years, redeemed and returned to Portsmouth then moved back to Biddeford after three years

2. JOHN3 HILL (Roger2, Peter1) was born 28 May 1666 in Saco, Maine, and he died 2 June 1713 in Berwick, Maine. He married MARY FROST. Mary, daughter of Captain Charles Frost (1630-1697) and Mary (Bolles) Frost, was born 18 October 1676 in Kittery, Maine, and she died in 1753. Children:

i. Mary4 Hill b. 15 January 1701 Kittery, Me. ii John Hill b. 2 March 1703 Kittery, Me. iii. Elisha Hill b. 3 February 1709 Kittery, Me.; d. 1 June 1764 iv. Eunice Hill b. 1 November 1712 Kittery, Me. v. Sarah Hill b. 6 December 1695 Saco, Me. vi. Abigail Hill b. 15 December 1706 Kittery, Me.

Source:

New England Historical and Genealogical Register [1858]:139-145

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SCOPE AND CONTENT

The collection holds 47 items covering the period 1675-1760. Most concern military activities between 1675 and 1705, including orders, correspondence, commissions, etc. passed between the two officers, Charles Frost (1630-1697) and John Hill (1666-1713), and Massachusetts authorities. There are also 13 items dealing with Hill and Frost family affairs, notably a letter from Humphrey Chadburn to John Hill (1703-1772) describing the capture of Isle aux Noix in 1760. Finally, there are two letters to William Pepperell (1696-1759) discussing shipping ventures to Cadiz in 1733 and 1735.

ORGANIZATION

Sub-group I. Military papers: correspondence, orders, commissions, etc. between Massachusetts authorities and its officers defending Saco and Kittery, Maine, 1675-1705.

Sub-group II. Personal and business papers of the Frost family: correspondence, estate inventories, etc., 1681-1758.

Sub-group III. Personal papers of the Hill family: correspondence from Maine, Quebec, and Isle aux Noix, 1706-1760.

Sub-group IV. Miscellaneous papers: Pepperell correspondence and a Clark vs. Wheelwright suit

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ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Restrictions: R. Stanton Avery Special Collections material is non- circulating, requires staff retrieval, and is available to NEHGS members (Research level and above) during normal library hours.

Provenance: Gift; 1885 February 6; Parsons, Charles W.

Processing Information: April 2010; Lindsay A. Mazziotto

Preferred Citation: Frost and Hill Family Papers, Mss 1055, R. Stanton Avery Special Collections, New England Historic Genealogical Society.

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FOLDER LIST

Note to Researchers: To request materials, please note the collection name and call number along with the box and folder numbers shown below on a manuscript request form.

Folder Description Document Physdesc Folder Box Date(s) # # Sub-group I. Military papers Letter, 8 November 1675, by Sergeant Major [1675] [1] p. 1 1 Richard Waldron to Captain Frost and Sergeant Neall regarding garrisoning a house with 10 soldiers (undated copy); Letter, 9 September 1675, by Richard Alexander, Sergeant to the Garrison, to Captain Frost regarding the garrison (undated copy) Letter by Sergeant Major to Captain 1677 April 1 ALS, 1 p. 2 1 Charles Frost regarding supplies for the soldiers 12 Letter by Major General Daniel Denison to 1677 April 1 ALS, 1 p. 3 1 Captain Charles Frost requesting that Captain 12 Frost take command over more soldiers. Letter by Sergeant Major Richard Waldron to 1677 May 1 1 ALS, 1 p. 4 1 Captain Charles Frost requesting Frost to gather six soldiers to continue service in his garrison. Commission promoting Charles Frost to sergeant 1689 August 1 ADS, 1 p. 5 1 major signed by , President of 23 Province of [Maine] in New England. Letter by Bartholomew Gedney, Salem, [Mass.], 1690 April 7 1 ALS, [2] 6 1 to Major Charles Frost in regards to bringing 60 p. soldiers to the province of Maine. Note, 9 September 1690, by Richard Alexander, 1690 [1] p. 7 1 Sergeant to the Garrison, from Kittery to Captain September 9 Frost; Undated letter by Sergeant Major Richard Waldron to Captain Frost and Sergeant Neall. Order issued by the Governor & Council, signed 1691 June 4 1 ADS, 1 p. 8 1 by Isaac Addington, Secretary, stating that John Hill will receive 35 soldiers for the enforcing of the garrisons at Wells Letter by Samuel Hill, Rowley, [Mass.], to John 1691 July 10 1 ALS, [2] 9 1 Hill asking if Samuel’s servant James Crocker p. could serve so "young Atwell" could replace Caleb Boynton of Rowley. Letter by Elisha Hutchinson, Portsmouth, [N.H.], 1692 May 12 1 ALS, [2] 10 1 to John Hill ordering Hill to investigate a report of p. destroyed houses on fire in Saco Letter by Major Charles Frost to Lieutenant John 1693 April 2 1 ALS. 11 1 Hill regarding the sighting of an “Indian.”

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Folder Description Document Physdesc Folder Box Date(s) # # Letter by Bartholomew Gedney, Elisha 1693 April 1 ALS. 12 1 Hutchinson, and John Walley, Boston, [Mass.], to 14 Captain John Hill discussing where soldiers are being sent to and soldiers pay. List of soldiers’ names that were under the [1] p. 13 1 command of John Hill copied from the original document dated 23 February 1693 and 8 November 1693 [verso has an undated copy of a 12 May 1692 letter by Elisha Hutchinson to John Hill requesting that Hill take a group of soldiers to investigate the condition of Saco] Warrant signed by stating that John 1694 June 22 1 ADS. 14 1 Howler, one of Captain John Hill’s soldiers is being removed from his company and will work in Boston under William Phips himself. Letter, 26 October 1694, by Major Francis Hooke, 1694 October 2 ALS. 15 1 Kittery, [Me.], to Lieutenant Preble and Lieutenant Brackett discussing a letter written by the Governor; Letter, 23 October 1694, by William Phips, Boston, [Mass.], to Major Hooke discussing the “Indians” living in Canada’s relationship with the English. Letter by Charles Frost, Wells, [Me.], to John Hill 1696 August 1 ALS. 16 1 regarding the orders of a lieutenant governor 13 [letter contains the following note (added at an unknown later date): “The above Major Charles Frost was killed by the Indians July 4th 1697 aged 67 – Captain Hill married his daughter”] Commission signed by William Stoughton, 1696 1 ADS. 17 1 Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of September 9 His Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, and Secretary Isaac Addington appointing John Hill Captain of Fort Mary in Saco and in command of the soldiers garrisoned at that fort. Letter by William Peprell [Pepperrell], Kittery 1696 1 ALS. 18 1 Point, [Me.], to Captain John Hill. November 2 Letter by William Stoughton, Boston, [Mass.], to 1696 1 ALS. 19 1 Captain John Hill regarding transferring soldiers December 8 from Colonel Gedney’s command to that of Captain Hill through Captain Brackett. Letter by Joseph Storer, Wells, [Me.], to Captain 1697 July 10 1 ALS. 20 1 John Hill discussing an incident with “Indians” that killed and injured several people.

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Folder Description Document Physdesc Folder Box Date(s) # # Letter by Major John March, Wells, [Me.], to 1697 August 1 ALS. 21 1 Captain John Hill regarding the actions of soldiers 3 in attempting to find “enemies.” Letter by , Boston, [Mass.], to Captain 1698 1 ALS. 22 1 John Hill. February 7 Letter by William Stoughton, Boston, [Mass.], to 1698 1 ALS. 23 1 Captain John Hill discussing the arrival of the September 15 Earle of Bellmont and requesting that Hill discharge particular soldiers from his command. Letter by James Converse, York, [Me.], to 1698 October 1 ALS. 24 1 Captain John Hill stating that Converse is going to 9 seek the “redemption of captives”, there is a meeting planned at Captain Hill’s fort in Saco with the “Indians”, and he suggests how to properly greet the “Indians.” Account of wages due to soldiers in service at 1699 1 ADS, [2] 25 1 Fort Saco under the command of Captain John p. Hill from 28 February 1699 through 26 May 1699 signed by John Walley and Ephraim Savage. Letter by Isaac Addington, Boston, [Mass.], to 1699 1 ALS, [2] 26 1 Captain John Hill requesting that Hill send one of November 28 p. his men to the “Indians” to explain that goods and provisions are being shipped to Casco Bay in order to engage in trading. Letter by William Stoughton, Boston, [Mass.], to 1699 1 ALS. 27 1 Captain John Hill acknowledging Hill’s request December 2 for leave to adjust his accounts with the commissioners in Boston. Letter by Isaac Addington, Boston, [Mass.], to 1699 1 ALS, [3] 28 1 Captain John Hill reporting an incident occurred February 8 p. between the “Mohegin [Mohegan] Indians” and the English and requests that Captain Hill prevent any “rebellion” Letter by Joseph Storer to Captain John Hill 1699/1700 1 ALS, [1] 28 1 discussing the possible “Mohegin [Mohegan] and February 21 p. Indian” uprising against England. Letter by Isaac Addington, Boston, [Mass.], to 1700 March 1 ALS. 29 1 Captain John Hill informing Captain Hill of the 12 possibility that the “Indians of Pennicooke” are planning a new war on the English and that Hill should make sure the garrison under his command is prepared if such a situation should occur.

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Folder Description Document Physdesc Folder Box Date(s) # # Letter by Isaac Addington, Boston, [Mass.], to 1700 April 8 1 ALS. 30 1 Captain John Hill stating that Hill’s request to be discharged from command at Fort Mary at Saco has been acknowledged by the Governor. Captain George Turfrey will be in command and is to be instructed on how to trade with the “Indians.”

Sub-group II. Frost family Testimony of John Hayman concerning James 1681 October 1 ADS, [2] 31 1 Stagpole and Joshua Downing. Signed by John 14 p. Wintoll and Charles Frost. Letter by Daniel Peirce, Newbury, [Mass.], to 1696 1 ALS, [2] 32 1 Major Charles Frost regarding thirty pounds owed November 19 p. to Major Frost. An inventory of the estate “personal and real” of 1697 July 20 [2] p. 33 1 Major Charles Frost. Document discussing the legal aspects of Major 1697 1 ADS. 34 1 Charles Frost’s will. Signed by Joseph Hammond November 3 and Samuel Wheelwright. Account of charges against the estate of Mary 1705 1 ADS, [2] 35 1 Frost. Signed by Joseph Hamond. True copy by September 4 p. Charles Frost. Account of the funeral charges and other 1706 1 p. 36 1 disbursements estate of Mary Frost. November 21 Document signed by Charles Frost, Samuel Small, 1707 May 3 1 ADS, 1 p. 37 and Joseph Hammond, Justice of the Peace, that there is a claim against Nicholas Gowen by James Chadborn (Charles Frost is his attorney) over the title of a piece of land that had been trespassed Letter by Mary Frost, Topsham, [Me.], to an 1752 1 ALS, [2] 38 1 unknown person asking for this person to relay a December 31 p. message to her husband that she cannot make the trip from England because of health reasons, and that she needs more money in order to sustain herself in England Letter by William Frost, New Castle, [N.H.], to 1758 October 1 ALS, 1p. 39 1 Rev. Benjamin Prescott at Danvers discussing 28 William's children and family life.

Sub-group III. Hill family Letter by Edward Sargent, Portsmouth, [NH], to 1690 1 ALS, [2] 40 1 Ensign John Hill at Wells regarding the death of February 18 p. 34 men women and children during the winter

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Folder Description Document Physdesc Folder Box Date(s) # # Letter by Samuel Hill, Charlestown, to John Hill 1692 1 ALS, [2] 41 1 at Wells requesting that John check on some November 11 p. inquiries for him. Letter by Ebenezer and Abigail Hill, Kobeck 1705 March 1 ALS, [2] 42 1 [Quebec], to John Hill at Sammon Falls [sic] 14 p. simply checking on John. Letter by Samuel Hill, Kittery, [Me.], to Captain 1705 May 10 1 ALS, [2] 43 1 John Hill at Barwick [Berwick] stating that p. Samuel will be visiting Wells for a short period of time and is trying to coordinate a time to meet with Captain Hill. There are also mathematical equations on the margins of the letter and on the back there are notes about bills or payments. Letter by Samuel Hill, Portsmouth, [N.H.], to 1706 January 1 ALS, [2] 44 1 Captain John Hill asking John to be careful when 13 p. dealing with the “enemies.” Letter by Joseph Hill, Wells, [Me.], to Mary Hill 1713 August 1 ALS, [2] 45 1 in Barwick [Berwick] regarding a piece of land 12 p. that was owned by their brother, Captain John Hill. Letter by Humphrey Chadburn, Camp against Isle 1760 August 1 ALS, [2] 46 1 au Noix, to John Hill at Berwick describing the 28 p. capture of Isle aux Noix.

Sub-group IV. Miscellaneous papers Document describing a court case between John 1653 August [2] p. 47 1 Mason and Richard Leades regarding pieces of 30 land owned by the Mason family and is signed by Willard, Secretary. (copy) Court appeal made by Ann and Sarah Clark 1720 July 8 1 p. 47 1 against a judgment issued by John Wheelwright against Richard and George Leades and is signed by Willard Srr. (copy) Letter by Robert Lowen, London, to William 1733 May 29 1 ALS, [4] 48 1 Pepperrells Merchts, Pisquataqua, New England p. discussing a shipment of goods Letter by J.M. Haddy, Robert Stevenson, and R. 1735 49 1 Rondell to William Pepperell at Pisquataqua, New England discussing the use of a ship.

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ACCESS POINTS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in Millennium, the on-line public access catalog (OPAC) of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Personal Name(s) [Tag 600]

Frost, Charles, 1630-1697. Hill, John, 1703-1772 -- Correspondence. Pepperell, William, 1696-1759 -- Correspondence. Prescott, Benjamin, 1687-1777 -- Correspondence.

Corporate Name(s) [Tag 610]

Fort Mary (Saco, Me.) Fort Saco (Me.) Maine. Militia. Appointments and retirements.

Subject Term(s) [Tag 650]

Claims against decedents' estates -- Maine -- Wells. Garrisons. Indians of North America -- Colonial Period ca 1600-1775. Indians of North America -- Maine. Indians of North America -- Wars -- 1660-1750. Inventories of decedents' estates -- Maine -- Wells. Soldiers -- Maine -- Saco.

Geographic Term(s) [Tag 651]

Ile aux Noix (Québec) Maine – History – King William’s War, 1689-1697. New England - History - Colonial period - Sources. United States – History – King William’s War, 1689-1697 – Campaigns. United States – History – King William’s War, 1689-1697 – Registers. United States – History – French and Indian War, 1755-1763.

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ACCESS POINTS (continued)

Additional Author(s) [Tag 700]

Addington, Isaac, 1645-1715. Converse, James. Denison, Daniel, 1613-1682. Frost, Charles, 1630-1697. Gedney, Bartholomew. Hill, Samuel, 1668-1745. Hutchinson, Elisha. Lowen, Robert. Phips, William, Sir, 1651-1695. Pike, Robert, 1616-1706. Storer, Joseph. Stoughton, William, 1632-1701. Waldron, Richard

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