Maria Hill, Daughter of the Regiment
Encyclopedia
Maria Hill, a contemporary of Laura Secord
, was a heroine of two battles in the Anglo-American War of 1812; the Battle of Lundy's Lane
& the Battle of Chippawa
.
, Warrington
, Lancashire
, UK to Dr. & Mrs Woods in 1791, Maria's father died between 1791 and 1799. Her mother remarried to Mr. Greenhall, a recruiter for the British Army
. In 1799, her mother then died in Tuam, Ireland
. Mr. Greenhall brought Maria to Canada
in 1803. She was referred to as a "Daughter of the Regiment" because of her stepfathers' service to the British Army.
Arrival in Canada and the War of 1812
After arriving in Canada, Maria was living in Amherstberg, Ontario (likely at Fort Malden
). On May 5, 1811, at the age of 20 she was married to Sergeant Major Andrew Hill of the 100th Regiment of Foot
by curate Richard Pollard at St. John's Anglican Church, Sandwich in the presence of Edna Lee Croft and George Ironside (store keeper). Shortly thereafter, hostilities broke out at the Detroit/Sandwich border and the 100th Regiment of Foot was called to arms. Some say that Maria disguised herself as a man and followed her husband into battle, with her identity as a woman only being discovered after she was run over by an ammunitions cart. It is now known, however, that there were some women (mostly wives and children) who were allowed to travel with the Regiment so she likely served under her own identity. Maria served the 100th Regiment in the Battles of Lundy's Lane and Chippawa as a surgeon's assistant.
at 3607 McBean St where it still stands. It was there that Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond
and Governor General of Canada
, spent his last night before dying of rabies from a fox bite two months previously. After passing away at the house of Dr. Collis, a former surgeon to the regiment, the Duke's body was brought back to the tavern where Maria prepared the Duke for his final trip to Quebec City for burial using the Duke's own quilted bed covering as a shroud. After the visit, the Hill's tavern name was changed from the 'Masonic Arms' to the 'Duke of Richmond Arms' in honour of the visit.
Andrew Hill & Maria had two children, Jessie & Margaret Lindsey Hill. Andrew Hill died in 1830. Maria remarried Andrew Taylor, a Sergeant from the 100th Foot. They lived the remainder of their lives in Richmond, Ontario. Andrew Taylor died 29 March 1879, aged 79 years and Maria died 11 September 1881, aged 90 years. She left her estate to the St. John's Anglican Church in Richmond for a new church spire
. Maria and both husbands were eventually inturned at the National Beechwood Cemetery
in Ottawa in the family plot of Edward Malloch
II her son-in-law.
, Lancashire
to John Woods, a surgeon in the British Navy. But his given name and profession cannot be proven. Her mothers' given name is also unknown but thought to be Mary. Finally the spelling of the surname of the soldier who brought her to Canada is thought to be Greenhall or Greenhaugh, likely from the Colour Guard but this still needs to be confirmed in Regimental Records with Archives Canada.
Laura Secord
Laura Ingersoll Secord was a Canadian heroine of the War of 1812. She is known for warning British forces of an impending American attack that led to the British victory at the Battle of Beaver Dams.-Early life:...
, was a heroine of two battles in the Anglo-American War of 1812; the Battle of Lundy's Lane
Battle of Lundy's Lane
The Battle of Lundy's Lane was a battle of the Anglo-American War of 1812, which took place on 25 July 1814, in present-day Niagara Falls, Ontario...
& the Battle of Chippawa
Battle of Chippawa
The Battle of Chippawa was a victory for the United States Army in the War of 1812, during an invasion of Upper Canada along the Niagara River on July 5, 1814.-Background:...
.
Early years
Born Maria Woods in WinwickWinwick
Winwick may refer to:*Winwick, Cambridgeshire, England*Winwick, Cheshire, England*Winwick, Northamptonshire, England...
, Warrington
Warrington
Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, UK to Dr. & Mrs Woods in 1791, Maria's father died between 1791 and 1799. Her mother remarried to Mr. Greenhall, a recruiter for the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
. In 1799, her mother then died in Tuam, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Mr. Greenhall brought Maria to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1803. She was referred to as a "Daughter of the Regiment" because of her stepfathers' service to the British Army.
Arrival in Canada and the War of 1812War of 1812The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
After arriving in Canada, Maria was living in Amherstberg, Ontario (likely at Fort MaldenFort Malden
Fort Malden is a fort that stands on the remains of Fort Amherstburg in Amherstburg, Ontario. The original fort was abandoned by the British/Canadians in 1813 when Southwest Ontario fell into American hands. The Americans began building a smaller replacement fort on the same site, but this was...
). On May 5, 1811, at the age of 20 she was married to Sergeant Major Andrew Hill of the 100th Regiment of Foot
100th Regiment of Foot
100th Regiment of Foot may refer to:Regiments of the British Army:*100th Regiment of Foot , raised in 1760*100th Regiment of Foot , raised in 1780...
by curate Richard Pollard at St. John's Anglican Church, Sandwich in the presence of Edna Lee Croft and George Ironside (store keeper). Shortly thereafter, hostilities broke out at the Detroit/Sandwich border and the 100th Regiment of Foot was called to arms. Some say that Maria disguised herself as a man and followed her husband into battle, with her identity as a woman only being discovered after she was run over by an ammunitions cart. It is now known, however, that there were some women (mostly wives and children) who were allowed to travel with the Regiment so she likely served under her own identity. Maria served the 100th Regiment in the Battles of Lundy's Lane and Chippawa as a surgeon's assistant.
Post war years
After the war, in 1818, Maria and her husband, Andrew Hill, were reportedly boarding a ship to return to England when they were offered land and a years' provisions to create a settlement for veterns of the 100th Regiment of Foot. Sgt. Andrew Hill supervised the cutting of a road (later named Richmond Road (Ontario) one of the oldest roads in Ottawa) from Richmond Landing to settle Richmond, Ontario. They later opened a tavern & smoke house for the 100 Regiment in Richmond, OntarioRichmond, Ontario
Richmond is a Canadian village. Founded in 1818, it spans the Jock River, a tributary of the Rideau River. Like many communities in eastern Ontario, Richmond houses several unique populations. Some residents have historic and economic roots in the immediate area. Richmond operates as a small core...
at 3607 McBean St where it still stands. It was there that Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond
Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond
Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond, 4th Duke of Lennox KG, PC was a British soldier and politician and Governor General of British North America.-Background:...
and Governor General of Canada
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
, spent his last night before dying of rabies from a fox bite two months previously. After passing away at the house of Dr. Collis, a former surgeon to the regiment, the Duke's body was brought back to the tavern where Maria prepared the Duke for his final trip to Quebec City for burial using the Duke's own quilted bed covering as a shroud. After the visit, the Hill's tavern name was changed from the 'Masonic Arms' to the 'Duke of Richmond Arms' in honour of the visit.
Andrew Hill & Maria had two children, Jessie & Margaret Lindsey Hill. Andrew Hill died in 1830. Maria remarried Andrew Taylor, a Sergeant from the 100th Foot. They lived the remainder of their lives in Richmond, Ontario. Andrew Taylor died 29 March 1879, aged 79 years and Maria died 11 September 1881, aged 90 years. She left her estate to the St. John's Anglican Church in Richmond for a new church spire
Spire
A spire is a tapering conical or pyramidal structure on the top of a building, particularly a church tower. Etymologically, the word is derived from the Old English word spir, meaning a sprout, shoot, or stalk of grass....
. Maria and both husbands were eventually inturned at the National Beechwood Cemetery
Beechwood Cemetery
Beechwood Cemetery is the National Cemetery of Canada. Because it is located in Ottawa, Ontario, the nation's capital, it is the burial site for a number of statesmen as well as a large number of mayors of the city. A woodland cemetery founded in 1873, it is 160 acres and is the largest cemetery...
in Ottawa in the family plot of Edward Malloch
Edward Malloch
Edward Malloch was a merchant and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Scotland. He settled in Richmond and married Margaret Lindsey Hill of Amherstburg daughter of Maria Hill. Edward and Margaret opened a general store which supplied the workers during the building of the Rideau Canal...
II her son-in-law.
Uncertainties
Although most of Maria's life in Canada is well documented, how she ended up in Canada is largely unknown. It's thought that she was born in Winwick, WarringtonWarrington
Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
to John Woods, a surgeon in the British Navy. But his given name and profession cannot be proven. Her mothers' given name is also unknown but thought to be Mary. Finally the spelling of the surname of the soldier who brought her to Canada is thought to be Greenhall or Greenhaugh, likely from the Colour Guard but this still needs to be confirmed in Regimental Records with Archives Canada.