Origin
William Hillier originated from Shaftebury in Dorset and married his wife Jane Lovell before they emigrated to Guernsey in about 1831. Their eldest son, Frank, was born in Shaftesbury - the rest of their children were born in the island. The name is also occasionally spelled Hellier.
George Edward Lear Hillier abt 1900
(with thanks to Lynda Schroder)
At least three of their children entered the meat trade. In the 1881 Census, Agnes, Susan and her husband Joseph Yearsley, and their son George were all described as butchers. George HILLIER (pictured above) held his own market stall in 1891.
Family
William HILLIER ( 1806 - ? ) m Jane LOVELL ( 1809 - ? )
- Francis (Frank) HILLIER ( 1832 - ? ) m Mary Marina LAKEY ( 1833 - ? )
- Jane HILLIER ( 1837 - ? )
- Agnes Ann HILLIER ( 1841 - ? )
- Susananna Charlotte HILLIER ( 1844 - ? ) m Joseph YEARSLEY (1841 - ?)
- Jessie HILLIER ( 1848 - ? )
- Henry George HILLIER ( 1854 - ? ) m Jessie LEAR ( 1853 - ? )
- Mabel Jessie HILLIER ( 1882 - ? )
- George Edward Lear HILLIER ( 1884 - ? )
- Frederick William HILLIER ( 1887 - 1918 )
Those in bold were butchers
Earliest Mention in Guernsey
- Francis, baptised in the Town Church in 1832, but born in Shaftesbury in 1831.
Stallholdings
- William Hillier takes over stall 23 from William BIDDLECOMBE some time between 1845 and 1851 and occupies it until at least 1874.
- In 1881, Jane, widow is a Butcheress (1881 Census)
- In 1891, William's son, Henry George Hillier holds a market stall.
Residence
- William & Jane: Bruce Lane, St Peter Port (1841 Census)
- William & Jane : Les Canichers, St Peter Port (1851 Census)
- William & Jane: Mount Pellier, St Peter Port (1861 Census)
- William & Jane : Mount Row, St Peter Port (1871 Census, 1874 Directory)
- Jane: The Holderness, Les Hubits, St Martins (1881 Census)
- Francis & Marina: Market Square, St Peter Port (1861-1901 Census)
- Henry George & Jessie: Ruette Braye, St Martins (1891 Census)
Other Information
- Frank Hillier travelled to Melbourne, Australia in 1854 (presumably in search of gold), but returned to Guernsey shortly after, married and settled down. He continued to work as a butcher, but also ran the pub in Market Square.
- In about 1902, George Edward Lear Hillier took a job as a ship's butcher on a ship bound for New Zealand. He left the ship and settled there, where his descendants still live.
- Frederick Hillier joined the Canadian Infantry and was killed in World War I.