1889 History - Biography - David H. Hill

Judge David Hammonds Hill is a native of Berwick, Maine, where he was born December 12, 1833.

In 1662 some of the sect, called Quakers came from England to Dover. Here they met great persecution; they were invited to Kittery, went thither, established their faith there, and returned to Dover to undergo severer tribulations and cruelties than they had experience before; but by their faithfulness, endurance, and exemplary walk in life they overcame opposition and built up a goodly people in New Hampshire and in Maine. The ancestors of Judge Hill were of this faith, and possessed the plain, unostentatious, industrious, and sober characteristics of the Friends. His father, Oliver, was a farmer of fair education for his days, whose good judgment and strong common-sense caused him to stand high among his associates. He married Lucinda Hammonds of the somewhat distinguished Maine family of that name. When David was nearly four years old (1837) the family removed to Sandwich in this county and became permanent residents.

David had early aspirations for knowledge, was fitted for college under private teachers and the academy at Wolfeborough, but on account of ill-health did not enter college. In place of this he became a popular teacher in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts for several years. Without at the time intending to become a lawyer, he read law with Samuel M. Wheeler and Joshua G. Hall, of Dover. As he progressed, he was more and more interested in the profession, decided to devote himself to its practice, and supplemented his studies with the advantages of Harvard Law School. He was admitted to the bar at the April term of court at Ossipee in 1865, opened an office at his home, Centre Sandwich, and has since been in active practice. He has been no noisy or cunning pettifogger seeking to profit in pocket or reputation by the disputes of the people, no stirrer up of strifes, but one who remembered that the peacemakers are blessed. He is not a student of commentaries and reports, and delves not in the realm of musty and timeworn statutes, but he quickly seizes upon the strong points of a case, carries them in his mind, takes time for deliberation and reflection, and by an intuitive comprehension of the underlying principles of justice, is able to arrange his ease so that it will hang upon a few hinges fastened upon the eternal verities of truth. Thus in his presentation of a case he is original, strong, and sagacious, and has conducted important causes to success. He is regarded as a safe and sensible counselor and a sound lawyer of eminent integrity.

In 1870-71 he was representative to the legislature from Sandwich and served on two important committees: that of the judiciary, and a special committee to investigate the affairs of the Concord and Northern railroads, and from his convictions was forced to submit a minority report on the latter, in opposition to all but two of his colleagues, and to support his report in the house. He was beaten in that body, but the senate sustained him by a vote of eight to four. He attracted the attention of the leading legislators, and it is not too much to say if his inclinations had carried him into legislative life he would have fairly ranked with the state's best known and ablest men. In his town he is popular and highly esteemed. He was its treasurer for two years, and selectman for five. June 6, 1880, he received the appointment of judge of probate, and still holds the office, and while very important and strongly contested cases have come before his court (notably the Isaac Adams and Dr. S. A. Bemis will cases), no appeal from his decisions has ever been sustained. "He has shown signal ability as a judge of probate, and if the absence of error in professional practice is a proof of learning, he certainly holds a very respectable position."

He married, June 4, 1865, Mary, daughter of William E. Moulton, of Parsonsfield, Maine. Their children are Walter D. H. and Bertha Mary. Judge Hill has been an active Whig and Republican, is a shrewd and sagacious politician, and prominent in the councils of his party. In religion the judge is a Unitarian, with very strong predilections, however, for the manners, thought, and associations of the Friends. He fully believes in the movings of the Spirit.

He is a lover of literature, and had circumstances led him the proper way would have been a shining light in the galaxy of its stars. Possessed of a wonderfully retentive memory, a vivid and exalted imagination, poetic powers of a fine order, and a wealth and exuberance of classic diction, he writes well on any subject on which he tries his pen; but it is in grand and lofty fields, descriptions of the solemn mountains and the rich and varied scenery of the lakes, appreciation of the nobler qualities of humanity, and keen and accurate analyses of human nature, that he excels. His poem of "Chocorua" has elicited high praise. He is full of anecdote and traditional lore and is apt in quotations of sayings and in descriptions of people. He is a capital companion; his insight into human nature enables him to adapt himself pleasantly to the society he is in, while his rare conversational powers and fund of humor cause him to become at once its central figure. His memory of poetry and gems of prose is simply marvelous; he will quote poem after poem by the hour while time to the listeners passes on its way unheeded. Combine with these a candid honesty, a kindliness of heart which never fails to win friends, a delicacy as tender as a woman's, and a quiet unconsciousness of any superior merit, and the reason of his great popularity is apparent.

Contributed 2022 Jul 09 by Norma Hass, extracted from History of Carroll County, New Hampshire by Georgia Drew Merrill, published in 1889, pages 249-250.