James Hill

James Hill
From Evidences of Progress Among Colored People, 1902

James Hill (Marshall County)

State House: 1872-1873
Secretary of State: 1874-1878

Born: July 25, 1846 in Holly Springs, MS
Died: June 12, 1903 in Jackson, MS

Listed on the 1870 census in Holly Springs, occupation “Sergeant at Arms in Leg,” and on the 1880 census in Jackson, working as an Internal Revenue collector. On the 1900 census, he was still living in Jackson, this time working in the land office.

“He has a good taste for literature and delights to converse upon such literary subjects as he is familiar with. He is one of the rising young men in the State, and with proper discretion he will receive future honors from the Republican party… Mr. Hill is a member of the Methodist church, but enjoys a good dance as much as he does a good prayer meeting.”
(New National Era, March 13, 1873)

“Prior to the war, Mr. J. Hill lived on Salem road, about two miles from Holly Springs. One of his slaves, James Hill, was taught by the two daughters of the family. He was the body servant, during the war, of his two young masters, John H. Hill and W. B. Hill. After war he became a Republican, and secured the office of secretary of state, which place he filled from 1874 to 1878. Although a Republican, he did not forget his former masters and mistresses; for at one time when some of the family were ill, he came to assist in caring for them. It is also stated that as the Hill family was in very straightened circumstances after the war, he gave them financial aid. He always went to see his young mistresses, who had married and lived in Holly Springs, every time he came to the town. He was exceedingly well thought of by the citizens, and is remembered as a good negro.”
(WPA history of Marshall County)

Signature of James Hill
Signature of James Hill

Links:
Biography in Mississippi Black History Makers
Memorial on Find A Grave

Vicksburg Daily Times, January 10, 1872
Weekly Louisianian, April 11, 1872
Weekly Panola Star, Sep 14, 1872
New National Era, March 13, 1873
Vicksburg Times & Repub, Sep 2, 1873
Clarion-Ledger, September 4, 1873
Teaching certificate signed by James Hill
Teaching certificate, October 6, 1874
Daily Mississippi Pilot, October 29, 1875
Clarion Ledger, October 11, 1882
Weekly Commercial Herald, Sep 25, 1885
Clarion Ledger, March 9, 1895
Daily Commercial Herald, Jun 13, 1895
Clarion-Ledger, June 17, 1898
Weekly Clarion Ledger, February 2, 1899
Daily Commercial Herald, July 19, 1890
Daily Commercial Herald, July 19, 1890
Clarion-Ledger, April 27, 1900
Clarion-Ledger, April 27, 1900
Clarion Ledger, July 12, 1900
Starkville News, February 27, 1903
Starkville News, February 27, 1903
Jackson Daily News, June 12, 1903
Jackson Daily News, June 12, 1903
Lexington Advertiser, June 18, 1903
Lexington Advertiser, June 18, 1903
Vicksburg Herald, June 21, 1903
Vicksburg Herald, June 21, 1903
James Hill Gravesite
James Hill Gravesite, 2021
Detail of James Hill monument
James Hill monument detail, 2021