This pages contains information on lines that are so far unconnected to our Thomas Hilyard line of Pennsylvania. We are still looking though!

Allow me to introduce myself as Carolyn Hilyard. I am a direct descendent of Chase Hilyard who came from England to Maine sometime in the 1770s.  These Hilyards have been in Maine and New England ever since, except myself who came to Washington DC to work six years ago.

I was searching the web looking for information on my father's brother who we lost touch with nearly 30 years ago, when I came across this extensive Hilyard geneology in Pennsylvania and Ohio! You see, we had always believed that very few Hilyards existed, and if so, they were a part of the Hilyards of Maine tree, like your family, well-documented through the generations.

What you may find interesting is this. Our family history says that three brothers came from England sometime in the 1770s. One went to Virginia, the second went to New Jersey, and the third went to Maine. I know for certain the name of the Maine Hilyard was Chase and the two others (I am not sure but I can check with my father who has all the bibles, etc.) were Thomas and Samuel.

Further, I did some research on English and Welsh surnames (there is a big book listing all this and can provide the name to you). Hilyard is apparently a very old English name of Norman origin (which may explain the Hilliard spelling, perhaps?). The first written account of the name is from 1290 for a Robert, who was landed gentry, and goes on and on through the years with different spellings.

And here's a good bit; about two years ago, my brother was contacted by a Hilyard man in England doing research on Hilyards who came to America and lost touch. My family had a good laugh over this, but the man did say that there is a Hilyard Hall with the portraits of generations of first descendent males. There is a coat of arms, which we knew about, and a motto.

Comment on Carolyn's Letter:

My maternal line is the Hilliards/Hilyards of NH, Me and NB.  I was browsing through your "Unconnected Hilyards" page when I came across the letter from Carolyn Hilyard.  Chase Hilyard was born in Chichester; NH in 1778 the son of Simeon and Phebe Purington Hilliard (descended from Emanuel of Hampton,NH).  Chase married Hannah Sanborn in LOUDON,NH in 1799 (married by Rev Jedidiah Tucker).  If anyone is interested I can forward the information to them.  Chase's brother Timothy, and sister, Eliza were also in Me, and some of their family members migrated to Letete, St John's,  New Brunswick, and then down to NH, MA et al.  Lenore Hilliard Palmer,   lenore_623@msn.com (received 8 Jan 2002)

All The info I have is this; My father's father is Harvey Hilyard . He lived in Jackson Micigan. He had a brother named Red. Harvey got remarried later to a woman named Delores.

--[from Vonda: I know there was a branch that went to Michigan, but can't quite connect. Sound familiar to anyone?]

From Lana and Bob McCann of Texas:

This is the info that I have--James HILLYARD born 1794, died 1854 was the first person to be buried in the McCann Cemetery [Texas], his wife's name was Kisiah born in 1803, a couple of the older dates are Thomas born 1829 and W. G. born 1831.

Also of some interest--Rolla McCann married Mary HILYARD of German Twp. on 9 July 1835 in Fayette Co.

Rolla is shown in the Greene Co., Mononghela Twp. in the 1840 census.

Rolla and Mary were listed in the the 1850 Greene Co. PA census.

But in 1860, Rolla and NANCY? are shown in the Germantown Twp.

My gr grandfather and a HILYARD (I can't remember his given name and I can't find my notes) were neighbors in Scott Co. Mississippi in 1850, my gr grandfather came to Texas around 1851-52, they may have all travelled together.