John Hill (planter)
Encyclopedia
John Hill of Homestead Plantation was a wealthy industrialist, sugar planter, philanthropist, and benefactor of Louisiana State University
.
), Lanarkshire
, Scotland
, and baptized on March 28, 1824 at Old Monkland Parish Church. There was a cholera
epidemic in 1832 in Old Monkland. He was reared for part of his life (after the death of his mother) in the Milnwood, Lanarkshire home of his uncle, Alexander Christie, who owned coal mines. Hill claimed descent from Scottish Covenanters and an ancestor who fought at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge
.
, he settled in Baton Rouge in 1846 where he soon went into partnership with J. W. Markham to start an iron foundry
at the foot of North Street in Baton Rouge. He is reported to have employed nineteen "bondsmen" in his foundry at the northeast corner of Front Street and North Street in Baton Rouge.
Hill also owned a sawmill
on the bank of the Mississippi River
near the present location of the Louisiana Court of Appeal, First Circuit, and a steam-powered ferry boat
named the Sunny South. James Irving was the engineer and Alexander Bane was the fireman of the Sunny South.
John Hill met a Scottish lady, Catherine McPhail (b. about 1819) of Glasgow
, in Baton Rouge and they were married in 1851 by Reverend Jahleel Woodbridge, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. The Hills were members of the First Presbyterian Church until their deaths.
John Hill applied for naturalization as an American citizen on October 2, 1856. however the naturalization was interrupted by the American Civil War and was never completed. He remained a British subject
for the rest of his life.
The Hills built a beautiful mansion (no longer extant) at 638 Lafayette Street in Baton Rouge, which they named Homestead, as indicated by a brass plate near the front door. The mansion was situated on the northernmost lot on the east side of Lafayette Street. It was just to the south of the Pentagon Barracks
. The mansion had two stories. Inside there were double parlors to the left of the hallway and a large dining room to the rear. A library was accessed through a door under the steps. There was a garden on the south side of the mansion.
, which surrounds the building. The Secretary of State describes the fence as follows:
The historic fence was reconditioned in 2009 in Alabama and pictures were published of the fence in place around Louisiana's Old State Capitol.
Isabella and Douglas Cullum Montan (b. January 28, 1834, d. June 9, 1896) were married at Homestead Plantation on August 21, 1872 by Reverend J. A. McConnell. Margaret married Dr. Frank H. Carruth (b. August 18, 1860, d. March 15, 1953) at Homestead Plantation on October 20, 1887. George married Carrie Lee Taylor (b. April 4, 1872, d. July 28, 1960) of Snowdoun, Montgomery County, Alabama at Montgomery, Alabama in 1907.
Isabella died January 24, 1874 at Homestead Plantation. John Hill, Jr. died November 10, 1893. Margaret Hill Carruth died October 27, 1933 at Gulfport, Mississippi. George Hill died at Homestead Plantation January 21, 1941. Miss Katherine Marion Hill died on February 25, 1949 at the family home at 638 Lafayette Street in Baton Rouge, where she moved in 1911 after the death of her father and where she received the famed Victorian lady traveller, Miss Ella Christie, in 1914. The children of John Hill and their spouses are buried in Magnolia Cemetery.
in May 1862 during the American Civil War
, John Hill's home was commandeered to be used as quarters for officers. He obtained permission from Admiral David Farragut
, aboard his flagship, USS Hartford
, to move his family across the Mississippi River to West Baton Rouge Parish. The Hill family took refuge along with two other families in the small "hut" of a Mr. Watson near the plantation of Abraham Lobdell.
His industrial properties in Baton Rouge were destroyed by Northern forces in 1862. Although most structures north of North Street were burned by the Union forces, the John Hill mansion survived because it was used as the Union headquarters.
, the property of Mrs. Mary Ann Barrow, widow of Senator Alexander Barrow
, at Sheriff's sale on February 6, 1866, which he subsequently named Homestead Plantation and went into the cultivation of sugar cane. He reportedly made the first sugar in West Baton Rouge after the Civil War. Little by little adjacent properties were acquired to add to his agricultural property.
John Hill had become friendly with his former slave, Alexander Banes. In 1874, he helped Banes to purchase a tract of land in West Baton Rouge Parish on the River Road north of Homestead Plantation. There Banes developed a three-street community known as "Sunrise."
John Hill resided at Homestead Plantation on the banks of the Mississippi River in an existing Louisiana raised cottage style house for the remainder of his life. Catherine McPhail died at Homestead Plantation on December 22, 1889 and was buried in Magnolia Cemetery.
John Hill's daughter, Katherine, served as his housekeeper for the remainder of his life. After his death, she moved to the family mansion on Lafayette Street in Baton Rouge.
of sugar in Louisiana. This event marked the start of the sugar industry in Louisiana. John Hill subsequently donated the sugar kettle to Louisiana State University
where it remains on display.
LSU moved to a new campus and a new library was constructed in the new campus and named the Hill Memorial Library. The original Hill Memorial Library became the State Library of Louisiana, however it was eventually pulled down and replaced with a newer library building on the same site.
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
.
Early life in Scotland
John Hill was born on March 12, 1824 to George Hill (b. January 1785, d. 1852), who operated an ironworks, and Isabella Christie (sister to coal mine owner Alexander Christie (b. 1789, d. circa 1868) of Milnwood) in Old Monkland, (now part of CoatbridgeCoatbridge
Coatbridge is a town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, about east of Glasgow city centre, set in the central Lowlands. The town, with neighbouring Airdrie, is part of the Greater Glasgow urban area. The first settlement of the area stretches back to the Stone Age era...
), Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, and baptized on March 28, 1824 at Old Monkland Parish Church. There was a cholera
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
epidemic in 1832 in Old Monkland. He was reared for part of his life (after the death of his mother) in the Milnwood, Lanarkshire home of his uncle, Alexander Christie, who owned coal mines. Hill claimed descent from Scottish Covenanters and an ancestor who fought at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge
Battle of Bothwell Bridge
The Battle of Bothwell Bridge, or Bothwell Brig, took place on 22 June 1679. It was fought between government troops and militant Presbyterian Covenanters, and signalled the end of their brief rebellion...
.
Adult life in the United States
John Hill came to the United States for a visit in 1844, by a voyage of seven weeks on a sailing ship, but never returned to Scotland. He travelled through the Northeastern states and then came to the South around which he also travelled. Seeing opportunity in Baton Rouge, LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, he settled in Baton Rouge in 1846 where he soon went into partnership with J. W. Markham to start an iron foundry
Foundry
A foundry is a factory that produces metal castings. Metals are cast into shapes by melting them into a liquid, pouring the metal in a mold, and removing the mold material or casting after the metal has solidified as it cools. The most common metals processed are aluminum and cast iron...
at the foot of North Street in Baton Rouge. He is reported to have employed nineteen "bondsmen" in his foundry at the northeast corner of Front Street and North Street in Baton Rouge.
Hill also owned a sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
on the bank of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
near the present location of the Louisiana Court of Appeal, First Circuit, and a steam-powered ferry boat
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
named the Sunny South. James Irving was the engineer and Alexander Bane was the fireman of the Sunny South.
John Hill met a Scottish lady, Catherine McPhail (b. about 1819) of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, in Baton Rouge and they were married in 1851 by Reverend Jahleel Woodbridge, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. The Hills were members of the First Presbyterian Church until their deaths.
John Hill applied for naturalization as an American citizen on October 2, 1856. however the naturalization was interrupted by the American Civil War and was never completed. He remained a British subject
British subject
In British nationality law, the term British subject has at different times had different meanings. The current definition of the term British subject is contained in the British Nationality Act 1981.- Prior to 1949 :...
for the rest of his life.
The Hills built a beautiful mansion (no longer extant) at 638 Lafayette Street in Baton Rouge, which they named Homestead, as indicated by a brass plate near the front door. The mansion was situated on the northernmost lot on the east side of Lafayette Street. It was just to the south of the Pentagon Barracks
Pentagon Barracks
The Pentagon Barracks is a complex of buildings located at State Capitol Drive at River Road in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the grounds of the state capitol. The site has been used by the Spanish, French, British, Confederate States Army, and United States Army and was part of the short-lived...
. The mansion had two stories. Inside there were double parlors to the left of the hallway and a large dining room to the rear. A library was accessed through a door under the steps. There was a garden on the south side of the mansion.
The State Capitol cast iron fence
When the State of Louisiana was building a state capital building in Baton Rouge in 1855, the John Hill Foundry was selected to cast the 1575 foot long cast iron fence, designed by architect James H. DakinJames H. Dakin
James Harrison Dakin , American architect, was the son of James and Lucy Harrison Dakin of Hudson, New York, and born in Northeast Township. He was seventh in line from the immigrant ancestor, Thomas Dakin, of Concord, Massachusetts, through Simon, of the third generation, who went to Putnam...
, which surrounds the building. The Secretary of State describes the fence as follows:
"The historic fence reflects the architectural theme of the statehouse and incorporates symbols that honor Louisiana’s political and cultural heritage. Adorning the entire length of the fence are quatrefoilQuatrefoilThe word quatrefoil etymologically means "four leaves", and applies to general four-lobed shapes in various contexts.-In heraldry:In heraldic terminology, a quatrefoil is a representation of a flower with four petals, or a leaf with four leaflets . It is sometimes shown "slipped", i.e. with an...
s and fleurs-de-lisFleur-de-lisThe fleur-de-lis or fleur-de-lys is a stylized lily or iris that is used as a decorative design or symbol. It may be "at one and the same time, political, dynastic, artistic, emblematic, and symbolic", especially in heraldry...
with stylized pineapples, the classical symbol of welcome, atop each main stanchion. A pair of massive eagles guards each primary entrance where double gates display sets of fasces, symbolizing strength and solidarity, and tomahawks to represent Baton Rouge’s first residents."
The historic fence was reconditioned in 2009 in Alabama and pictures were published of the fence in place around Louisiana's Old State Capitol.
Children
The children born to John and Catherine Hill were:- Isabella Christie Hill, January 1, 1852.
- John Hill, Jr. and George Hill, twins, August 28, 1855. George died as an infant in July 1856. Another son born later also was named George Hill.
- Katherine Marion Hill, December 25, 1856.
- George Hill, August 28, 1858.
- Margaret Alice Hill, July 3, 1861.
Isabella and Douglas Cullum Montan (b. January 28, 1834, d. June 9, 1896) were married at Homestead Plantation on August 21, 1872 by Reverend J. A. McConnell. Margaret married Dr. Frank H. Carruth (b. August 18, 1860, d. March 15, 1953) at Homestead Plantation on October 20, 1887. George married Carrie Lee Taylor (b. April 4, 1872, d. July 28, 1960) of Snowdoun, Montgomery County, Alabama at Montgomery, Alabama in 1907.
Isabella died January 24, 1874 at Homestead Plantation. John Hill, Jr. died November 10, 1893. Margaret Hill Carruth died October 27, 1933 at Gulfport, Mississippi. George Hill died at Homestead Plantation January 21, 1941. Miss Katherine Marion Hill died on February 25, 1949 at the family home at 638 Lafayette Street in Baton Rouge, where she moved in 1911 after the death of her father and where she received the famed Victorian lady traveller, Miss Ella Christie, in 1914. The children of John Hill and their spouses are buried in Magnolia Cemetery.
Life during the American Civil War
Hill made cannon balls for the Confederacy in his foundry after Louisiana seceded. After Baton Rouge was captured by the NorthBattle of Baton Rouge (1862)
The Battle of Baton Rouge was a ground and naval battle in the American Civil War fought in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, on August 5, 1862. The Union victory halted Confederate attempts to recapture the capital city of Louisiana.-Background:...
in May 1862 during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, John Hill's home was commandeered to be used as quarters for officers. He obtained permission from Admiral David Farragut
David Farragut
David Glasgow Farragut was a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy. He is remembered in popular culture for his order at the Battle of Mobile Bay, usually paraphrased: "Damn the...
, aboard his flagship, USS Hartford
USS Hartford
Two ships of the United States Navy have borne the name USS Hartford, named in honor of Hartford, the capital of Connecticut., was a sloop-of-war, commissioned in 1859 and finally disposed of in 1957....
, to move his family across the Mississippi River to West Baton Rouge Parish. The Hill family took refuge along with two other families in the small "hut" of a Mr. Watson near the plantation of Abraham Lobdell.
His industrial properties in Baton Rouge were destroyed by Northern forces in 1862. Although most structures north of North Street were burned by the Union forces, the John Hill mansion survived because it was used as the Union headquarters.
Post war life
After the war, Hill purchased a bankrupt sugar plantationPlantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
, the property of Mrs. Mary Ann Barrow, widow of Senator Alexander Barrow
Alexander Barrow
Alexander Barrow I was a lawyer and United States Senator from Louisiana. He was a member of the Whig Party...
, at Sheriff's sale on February 6, 1866, which he subsequently named Homestead Plantation and went into the cultivation of sugar cane. He reportedly made the first sugar in West Baton Rouge after the Civil War. Little by little adjacent properties were acquired to add to his agricultural property.
John Hill had become friendly with his former slave, Alexander Banes. In 1874, he helped Banes to purchase a tract of land in West Baton Rouge Parish on the River Road north of Homestead Plantation. There Banes developed a three-street community known as "Sunrise."
John Hill resided at Homestead Plantation on the banks of the Mississippi River in an existing Louisiana raised cottage style house for the remainder of his life. Catherine McPhail died at Homestead Plantation on December 22, 1889 and was buried in Magnolia Cemetery.
John Hill's daughter, Katherine, served as his housekeeper for the remainder of his life. After his death, she moved to the family mansion on Lafayette Street in Baton Rouge.
Donation of de Boré sugar kettle
John Hill purchased the cast iron sugar kettle, which had been used by Étienne de Boré in 1795 in the first successful granulationGranulation
Granulation can refer to:*Granulation is the act or process of forming or crystallizing into grains*Granulation tissue, a product of healing in major wounds;*Granular synthesis, a sound synthesis method;...
of sugar in Louisiana. This event marked the start of the sugar industry in Louisiana. John Hill subsequently donated the sugar kettle to Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
where it remains on display.
Donation of Hill Memorial Library
John Hill's elder son, John Hill, Jr., predeceased him on November 10, 1893. John Hill wished to create a memorial for his son, who had been a member of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University (LSU). He donated $33,000 to the University for a library which was constructed on the campus of LSU on North Third Street in Baton Rouge and completed in 1903. The library was named the Hill Memorial Library in memory of John Hill, Jr. The donation of the library was sorely needed and of great importance to LSU, because the university previously had had to house its books in an old powder magazine.LSU moved to a new campus and a new library was constructed in the new campus and named the Hill Memorial Library. The original Hill Memorial Library became the State Library of Louisiana, however it was eventually pulled down and replaced with a newer library building on the same site.
Death
John Hill died suddenly in his office at Homestead Plantation on June 7, 1910 at the age of 86 years and was buried in Magnolia Cemetery in Baton Rouge. The First Presbyterian Church built a Sunday school annex behind its former sanctuary (no longer extant) at Florida and Fourth Street in 1911, which it named the Hill Memorial Annex. It was dedicated "To the Glory of God and Mr. and Mrs. John Hill."External links
- Chambers, Henry E. John Hill, In: A History of Louisiana, Vol. 2. New York: American Historical Society, Inc, 1925: pp. 120–121.
- Hill Memorial Library
- State Library of Louisiana