LIfe Sketch Mariah Josephine Hill

Mariah Josephine Hill was born in Petersboro, Hillsboro Co., New Hampshire, 21 December 1836. She was the son of Leonard Hill and Sally Forbush. Her paternal grandparents were Asheal Hill and Ruth Rummrill, her maternal grandparents were Simeon Forbush and Catherine Hosmere..

The Forbush family lived on Captain Thomas Morrison’s farm, they had five children four sons and one daughter. Leonard and Sally Forbush Hill were married 21 November 1826. Sally’s wedding dress was a pink brocaded silk. Leonard and Sally lived at Petersboro, Hill, N.H. where all their children were born except their last child who was born in Nauvoo Illinois. Mariah’s siblings were as follows: Charles Fredrick Hill born 6 Jan 1829 died 6 May 1847. Sarah Julia Hill born 21 November 1830 married Bingham Bement. Jerusha Morrison Hill born 21 March 1832 married Courtland Searle. Heamon Allison Hill 24 December 1836, died 25 November 1860. George Elbridge Hill born 29 August 1838 died 28 May 1907. Mariah Josephine Hill born 13 April 1840 married  Courtland Searle. There were three other siblings that died within the first year of their life.

Leonard and Sally joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1843. They were the only two in their families who joined the church. After joining the church they moved to Nauvoo Illinois.

Mariah’s parents were firm and true to their faith and give their lives for the sake of the gospel in the exodus from Nauvoo. They were ostracized from their two families.

Mariah Searle in her life history stated that her father was a carpenter by trade and they had a very comfortable home in Petersboro. When they moved to Nauvoo he helped to build many of the homes in that city. She said they had a home on the outskirts of Nauvoo but it was not completed when one day; and she says she remembers this distinctly, she was sitting in the doorway when the prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum stopped at their home and came to the well for a drink. They were on their way to Carthage where they were shot and killed. She said that her father said that is was the last place they stopped as they left Nauvoo for the last time. The cup that they used was kept in the family for a long time. She said they came to the well but did not come into the house. Before their father could complete their home, an armed mob drove them out of Nauvoo in the spring of 1846. They, along with thousands of others, were forced to leave all they had except the few things they could gather into their wagons, and started west with the saints to an unknown land. This was done by the orders of Governor Ford of Illinois. Mariah Hill died in Payson Utah 7 April 1929.

Source:

Hill, Jennie. Ellis Family Heritage. Rigby Idaho 2008. p 101-130).