The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-01-10
MONTEREY HERO DEAD
Noted Veteran Passes Away
on Friday
Was One of a Group of Sailors TO
Raise First United States Flag
Over Monterey, Cal, July q, 1876.

william Hill, the last survivor of
the group of men who raised the first
United States flag over California at
Monterey on July Z, 1916, died at his
home here Friday morning at 8
O'Clock after a brief illness. Mr..
Hill was in his seth year and had
lived the majority of his life in
Wayne county. He was born in
Barnstable. England, April 6, 1926,
and was a son of William Hill and
Jane Hatton Hill. He was a black
smith by trade and also followed shoe
making Mr.. Hill was twice married,
his first wife being Jane Kellow.
Five children blessed his first mar
riage, two of whom, Rowland, Wood
berry and Franklin T., both of Brook
riage occurred in 1877 when Mar
garet J. Hayward became his wife.
Two daughters also survive, Mrs. Ell
roy Hauser of Honesdale, and Mrs.
Stephen Hottenworth, of Brooklyn.
A short time before Mr.. Hills
death a representative of this paper
called upon him at his home on Maple
avenue for an interview, he being a
veteran of two wars-Mexican and
Civil. He had not been feeling well
at the time but when asked about
his raising the flag at Monterey, Cal,
his countenance became enlightened
and he told in a most interesting
manner his experience on land and
sea while in the service of Uncle
Sam. Mr.. Hill was a man of wide
experience, having sailed around the
world several times. When ghteen
years of age the subject of our
sketch enlisted at Honolulu after
cruise to India. and then went on
Cyane, an United States man-of-war,
commanded by Captain Merwin.
While at anchor at Diamond Head
the news of the war between the
United States and Mexico reached
them. With two other blue jacks Mr..
4-.l sailed on the Cyane to the bay
near Monterey, reaching there the
9th of July 1864. The story as told
by Mr.. Hill is more interesting in his
own words. He said:
We found the frigate, Savannah, ,
lying in the bay, waiting for a larger
force The next day, under Commo-
dore Sloat, we went ashore and
hoisted the American flag over Mont
Grey. The proclamation of possess
sion was read in English and Span
ish. If we had been forty-eight
hours later the United States would
have had to fight England or give
up all claim to California, for while
the excitement over the capture of
Monterey by our men was at its
height on July 8, a British line of
battleships appeared. They had the
advantage of us as they carried nine
ty guns to our eighty-four. All
hands were called for battle. Every
man was at his gun and was ready
and waiting for the word fire. The
battleship sailed in until she saw our
flag and then their band struck up
Yankee Doodle and our band play
ed God Save the Queen The Brit
ish vessel was under command of
Commodore Seymour He left his
ship and came over to the Savannah,
where he paid respects to Commo-
dore Sloat, remarking, L see the
American flag is flying on shore. If
it were not | should have Immediate
ly raised the British flag there and
taken possession of California in the
name of her Majesty the Queen
was transferred to the Congress fri
gate and remained on the coast of
California for its protection until the
close of the war. At it's close we
sailed to Norfolk, Va, via Cape
Horn. A typhoon was encountered
at the cape and the crew was dis
charged at Norfolk"
Mr.. Hill was also a veteran of the
Civil war, having enlisted at Homes
dale, February 27, 1864, and was
discharged January 20, 1866.
1t is such graphic and convincing
accounts as this, plain and unadorn-
n CT ri u Ii
historic events. from the lips of act
ors in them, that serve to make
our country's history vividly alive
to later generations.
Until about a year ago Mr.. Hill
received pensions from the govern
ment for service in the Mexican and
Civil wars, when one was cut off
and he was surcharged with the 9TH
er, so that he virtually received no
pension in the evening of his life.
The late Congressman George w.
Kipp introduced a bill in Congress
for the removal of the disability un-
der which Mr.. Hill was deprived of
his pension. Mr.. Kipp having died
during the pendency of this bill
Congressman William B. Ainey had
taken up the matter along the lines
laid out by Mr.. Kipp and no doubt
had death not interviewed Mr.. Hill
would soon have had his pension re-
stored to him as a veteran of the
Civil war.
Mr.. Hill came to Honesdale short
ly after the close of this war and
with the exception of few years at
Dyberry, he had been a resident of
Honesdale. He was a member of
Central Methodist Episcopal church
OF Honesdale, was held in high es-
TEEN by every one who knew him
and beloved by his fellow associates.
His death came as a shock to his
many friends and caused general
sorrow in Honesdale and vicinity.
The funeral was held from his late
home at Blandin Sunday afternoon
at 2:3O o'clock. His pastor, Rev
VIII II. Hitler, conducted the SER
vices. lnterment was made in.
Riyerdale cemetery.