William (Bill) Hill

William’s brother Dick is born

William is four years old and one of 35 persons enslaved at Newtown.

William’s sister Julia Ann [Julian] is born.

William’s brother Ferdinand is born and baptized John Leonard Ferdinand at St. Francis Xavier Church. He is baptized the same day as Sylvester, the son of Joseph and Esther Greenlief.

(1820s) William is probably trained as a carpenter.

William’s brother Remus is born and baptized Henry Rea[mus] at St. Francis Xavier Church. His godparents are Michael and Beckky, who pass away before the sale. William is eleven years old, and one of 38 persons enslaved at Newtown.

William’s sister Lucretia [Lucy, Lucrese] is born.

William’s sister Ritta is born.

William’s brother Joseph is born.

William is 21 years old and one of 46 persons enslaved at Newtown.

William marries Elisa on April 30, 1831 at St. Francis Xavier Church. Elisa (b. abt. 1811) had converted to Catholicism on April 24. Elisa is enslaved by a neighboring planter, Mrs. Carpenter.

William’s sister Mary Elizabeth is born and baptized at St. Francis Xavier Church. Rose Anne Scott (b. 1814), also sold in 1838, is named her godmother.

(1831-32) William and Elisa’s son John Henry is born. He is baptized on February 19, 1832 at St. Francis Xavier Church. Henny (b. 1806) is named John’s godmother.

William is separated from his father - Henry, his wife - Elisa, and his son - John.

William, his mother Elizabeth, and his siblings are sold, and sent to Louisiana aboard the Katharine Jackson. William and Elizabeth are sold to Jesse Batey, whereas Dick, Julia Ann, Ferdinand, Remus, Lucretia, Ritta, Joe, and Mary are sold to Henry Johnson.

(1838-50s) William is enslaved by Jesse Batey in Maringouin, Louisiana, at West Oak Plantation. He continues to work as a carpenter.

(about 1840) William marries Mary Ann Diggs, who was also sold by the Jesuits in 1838. Mary Ann was born at White Marsh in September 1820, and baptized January 31, 1821.

(about 1841) William and Mary Ann’s daughter Sarah Ann (Sarah) is born.

(about 1843) William and Mary Ann’s son Polk (Pope) is born.

(about 1847) William and Mary Ann’s daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) is born.

(about 1850) William and Mary Ann’s son Joseph (Joe) is born.

William lives enslaved, along with Mary Ann, Sarah Ann, Polk, Betsy, and Joe. The enslaved community at West Oak is composed of many people sold by the Jesuits in 1838.

Following the death of Jesse Batey, William and his family are sold by Batey’s estate to Washington Barrow. They continue to labor at West Oak.

William and his family are sold by Washington Barrow to William Patrick and Joseph Woolfolk. They continue to labor at West Oak. Mary Ann is unwell.

William and his family are sold by William Patrick and Joseph Woolfolk to Emily Sparks, widow of Austin Woolfolk. They continue to labor at West Oak, probably living in one of “14 new double negro cabins.” Mary Ann is unwell.

William and his family are emancipated.

(about 1863) William and Mary Ann’s daughter Mary Ann is born.

William, Sarah Ann, Polk, Betsy, and Joe are contracted as laborers at West Oak plantation. William and Polk are considered “first class” laborers, whereas Sarah Ann is a “second class” laborer, and Betsy and Joe are “third class” laborers.

William, Sarah Ann, Polk, Betsy, and Joe are contracted as laborers at West Oak plantation.

Polk Hill remains on the payroll of West Oak Plantation.

William, Mary Ann, Sarah Ann, Joseph, and Mary Ann Hill live in Iberville, Louisiana. William and Joseph work as farm laborers.

(before 1880) Mary Ann dies.

William and his daughters Sarah Ann and Mary live in Iberville, Louisiana. William is identified as a farmer and his daughters as laborers.

(after 1880) William’s date of death is unknown. Most of his children continue to live in Iberville, Louisiana.