Elias Hill Homeplace

Front: Elias Hill (1819-1872) was born enslaved at Hill’s Ironworks on Allison Creek. He and his parents were emancipated prior to 1860. Although physically paralyzed at an early age, Elias was well educated and became a Baptist minister, a school teacher, and a Union League leader. In 1869 he purchased 40 acres from J.M. Ross on Allison Creek 1/4 mi. E of here. Reverse: During Reconstruction (1865-1877), the Ku Klux Klan persecuted Rev. Hill and other freedmen in York County. In October 1871, 166 free blacks from Clay Hill emigrated to Liberia, West Africa, led by Elias Hill, Solomon Hill, June Moore, and Madison, Harriet, and George Simril. Arriving in Liberia in December, they began new lives at Arthington as planters and political leaders.