Hi there,

I am interested in any information about the Stephen Hildreth family that lived in Richmond in the 19th century.  I understand that he once lived in the "Clement Hoyt House."  Can you tell me if that house still exists?  Some sleuthing I did suggests that the address may be 2666 Cochran Road.

Thank you!

Hi Rachel,

I had the opportunity to do some research last week. I am assuming that your inquiry is regarding Steven Safford Hildreth born July 10 1850 died Jan 22 1907. He was married to Emma Adella and he was the son of Henry Hildreth and Betsy Ann Maxwell.

I could not find and record of him living in the Clement Hoyt House. I did however find out that his father, Henry,  was appointed surveyor of highways April 15 1846 for district 4. District 4 would be in fact where 2666 Cochran Road would be located. Today there is no dwelling there, but it is still pasture land. As Steven was listed as a farmer on his death certificate, and if in fact your address for him is correct, I would assume that he could have been farming family land there. The actual land purchased by Clement Hoyt is close to the center of town, and the adress of 2666 Cochran Road, is at the other end approximately 5 miles apart.

There is no record of him living in the Clement Hoyt Home, bit I'll continue to look into this. As usual, this kind of sleuthing often leaves you with more questions than answers, its all part of histories mysteries!

I also found other records of members of the Hildreth family from the 1800s and would be glad to share them with you if you are interested.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks so much for the info!  This is helpful.  To clarify, I am in fact referring to the Stephen Hildreth (1791-1867) who was Henry's father.  I have a page from the book "A Look Around Richmond, Bolton, and Huntington," which says that Clement Hoyt sold the house to Stephen's brother Abel (Abil Hildrith) in 1809, and Abel subsequently sold part of the farm to Stephen.  The last owner mentioned in the article was Wayland Bowen, who (I discovered) lived at 2666 (not 1666) Cochran Road, which may or may not be the same place.  I'm traveling to the area in a few days, and would like to see the Hoyt house, if it still exists.

I am very interested in the Hildreth records from the 1800s that you mention.  I am related to them through the Ladds (Rev. Mark P. Ladd m. Harriet Hildreth 1845 and in 1867 he committed suicide in Henry Hildreth's barn).  Also, anything related to Stephen's wife, Adaline Merrifield or her family is much appreciated.

Thanks again for the research!

Hi Rachel,

My apologies on the address, it was in fact 2666 Cochran Road which I checked out, I used 1666 in error. Just another FYI, the town records regarding births, deaths, and marriages prior to the mid 1800s are limited to what was recorded in town reports, as there was a fire and most of these records were lost, heres what I found though;

Female Hildreth born 3/23/1869 parents were Henry and Mandana(?) Hildreth father born in Richmond, mother born in Essex

Henry Hildreth died 7/8/1882 63yrs 8mos 22 days parents Steven and Adeline Hildreth

Illa Hildreth born 9/13/1883 parents Joseph and Della Bryant Hildreth both parents born in Richmond

Adeline Hildreth died 11/25/1887 78 yrs 8 mos 13 days widowed, born in Canada

Frederick H Hildreth died 3/6/1890 36 yrs 3 mos single, died of TB parents Henry and Betsy Manwell Hildreth

Ill keep checking into your inquiry regarding the Elder Steven Hildreth

Dave

Hello again Rachel!

So I found a little more information for you regarding the Hildreths. Abel Hildreth is listed as one of the original proprietors of The Round Church in 1813. He is listed  as a Congregationalist with a donation of 30.00. I also found many Hidreths buried in the Bridge Street Cemetary: Abel, Adeline, Edward, Charlotte, Fred, Hulda and Stephen. I still havent found anything regarding Merrifield or Ladd. I have taken photographs of the stones and would be happy to email them to you if you would like. you can contact me at rhsevents@gmavt.net and I'll email them to you.....

Still hunting

Dave

 

EUREKA!

Hi Rachel, hope you enjoyed your visit to our amazing Old Round Church! Ive made some fascinating discoveries in the past week regarding you Hildreth inquiry:

On June 10 1809 Clement Hoit deeded to Abel Hildreth
'being lot no 70 originally being the whole of the farm on which I now live'
According to the first map showing the lots in Richmond this lot would in fact be where the adress 2666 Cochran road would be located today, so in fact, Abel Hidreth must have bought the Home where Clement Hoit was living at the time.

On July 27, 1826, recorded July 28 1826 Abel Hildreth sold approx half of this lot to Arnold and James Stevens, this land division is shown on the first map of Richmond properties.

On April 11 1829 Abel Hildreth deed to Stephen Hildreth
'The part of lot 70 which lies west of the land which I divided to Arnold Stevens containing 37 1/2 acres'

Although this doesnt confirm that the dwelling in the picture you emailed me was in fact the actual home of Clement Hoit, it does confirm that Stephen via Abel owned the land where Clement Hoit lived.

If you would like me to mail you copies of these deeds, along with some copies of other quit claim deeds made by descendants of Stephen Hildreth regarding this land you can email me an adress at rhsevents@gmavt.net and I would be glad to send them to you

Thanks again for using our website!

Dave