Re: James Hilliard, Ireland Mid 1700's

Stephen,

Thanks for the information. I had some of the children but not all. I would think there is likely a connection between your Hilliards and my Hillyards.

I have a Francis Hillyard christened 8 February 1828 at St Mary's in Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland.

His paretns were John & Margaret.While going thru the St Mary's records I noted some real estate records on the same microfilm.

There was an Alexander Hillyard of Kenagh, of Edgeworthtown
of Longford & Westmeath. He had 3 sons William, Francis & John. son Francis married a Ann Holden from Moate, West Meath, Ireland.

There is a Thomas Hillyard 1699-3 May 1762 in the St Mary's Church, Athlone, Westmeath, Ireland record and his wife Grisel Thom 1711-24 March 1767.

There is a Joseph Hillyard wife Elizabeth both of Westmeth with 3 children all christed at St Mary's
John 17 March 1771 - godfathers Edward Ward & John Hilliard, godmothers Mary Hamilton and Mary Ward
Joseph 5 December 1773
Mary 28 April 1776

I think all the churches in the area need to be checked to figure out how the various Hilliard/Hillyards interconnect. There weren't a large number in the area so they are likely all related perhaps going back to Thomas & Grisel.

I found other sundry Hilliard/Hillyard's in the records and have not been able to connect them all yet.

Are your Hilliard's Protestant or Catholic? I know from reading history of the time some families switched religions for political reasons or marriage but it would make searching easier if they were all the same religion.

Dorothy