Richard Hill (politician)
Encyclopedia
Richard Hill was a seaman, merchant, and mayor of Philadelphia.
In early life, Hill followed the sea, and up to 1704 he was known as "Captain Hill". He was in Philadelphia during the second visit of William Penn
, proprietor and founder, to his colony, where he made the proprietor's acquaintance and came to enjoy his personal friendship. He finally settled as a merchant in Philadelphia, and was admitted to the governor's council in February 1704, retaining the place up to the time of his death. In 1707, he was unanimously elected alderman
of the city, and in 1709 was chosen mayor, to which office he was three times re-elected. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly in 1710, and served in this body continuously until 1721, serving three times as speaker. In 1720, as one of the six oldest councilors, he was appointed a master in the court of chancery
, just organized, and was also for several years a judge of the Supreme Court of the province. In the quarrels that arose between the assembly and Penn, he sided with the latter, and is recognized as the leader that did most to preserve Quaker and proprietary ascendancy. Penn made him a trustee under his will.
In early life, Hill followed the sea, and up to 1704 he was known as "Captain Hill". He was in Philadelphia during the second visit of William Penn
William Penn
William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful...
, proprietor and founder, to his colony, where he made the proprietor's acquaintance and came to enjoy his personal friendship. He finally settled as a merchant in Philadelphia, and was admitted to the governor's council in February 1704, retaining the place up to the time of his death. In 1707, he was unanimously elected alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
of the city, and in 1709 was chosen mayor, to which office he was three times re-elected. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly in 1710, and served in this body continuously until 1721, serving three times as speaker. In 1720, as one of the six oldest councilors, he was appointed a master in the court of chancery
Chancery Court
The Chancery Court of York is an ecclesiastical court for the Province of York of the Church of England.The presiding officer, the Official Principal and Auditor, has been the same person as the Dean of the Arches since the nineteenth century . The Court comprises the Auditor, two clergy and two...
, just organized, and was also for several years a judge of the Supreme Court of the province. In the quarrels that arose between the assembly and Penn, he sided with the latter, and is recognized as the leader that did most to preserve Quaker and proprietary ascendancy. Penn made him a trustee under his will.