Richard Hill

Who was Richard Hill?

Richard Hill was a seaman, merchant, and mayor of Philadelphia.

In early life, Hill followed the sea, and up to 1704 he was known as "Captain Hill". He was in Philadelphia during the second visit of William Penn, proprietor and founder, to his colony, where he made the proprietor's acquaintance and came to enjoy his personal friendship. He finally settled as a merchant in Philadelphia, and was admitted to the governor's council in February 1704, retaining the place up to the time of his death. In 1707, he was unanimously elected alderman of the city, and in 1709 was chosen mayor, to which office he was three times re-elected. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly in 1710, and served in this body continuously until 1721, serving three times as speaker. In 1720, as one of the six oldest councilors, he was appointed a master in the court of chancery, just organized, and was also for several years a judge of the Supreme Court of the province. In the quarrels that arose between the assembly and Penn, he sided with the latter, and is recognized as the leader that did most to preserve Quaker and proprietary ascendancy. Penn made him a trustee under his will.