The United Church Communion Flagon (pitcher), chalice and plate are treasures from the past. They were manufactured by the Meriden Britannia Company in Connecticut during the late 19th century. The flagon features a double wall insulation and false bottom with weep holes. The ornament on the top of the lid is not original. Meriden used glass or ceramic knobs so at some point over the years, it has been replaced. It is silver plated with an inscription:
From, Mrs. George Hills, to the First Presbyterian Church, Canandaigua, NY, May 15, 1871.
So who was Mrs. George Hills? Per the original minutes, regarding the initial organization of the First Presbyterian Church it states: “With the view of organising the First Presbyterian Church, the following persons obtained letters of dismission. There is a list and Mr. George Hills and Mrs. Rhoda Hills (wife) are on it. A letter of dismission is a letter of transfer indicating that the member is in good standing at the current church (which was the Congregational Church) and should be welcomed into the new church.
Per the Churches of Canandaigua History of Canandaigua, published in 1893, (pages 229-235) I did discover that George Hills was one of the first Deacons of the First Presbyterian Church along with Daniel Alverson. Per the 1870 census, George was a wealthy man.
Rhoda Hills died February 3, 1871 at age 79. George remarried June 13, 1872 to Mrs. Katherine A. Moore of Canandaigua. ( The local newspaper, The Ontario Repository and Messenger published the announcement of the marriage.)
George died February 21, 1886 at the age of 85.
Per his will George was survived by his second wife, Katherine A. Moor Hills, James Hills, his eldest son born 1826 in England, agriculturist and land builder; William Hills, born 1829 in England; Henry Hills, born 1832 in NY, prominent local bricklayer and building contractor in Canandaigua and he acted as the primary executor of the will; Mary Hills born 1835 in NY.
George is buried in the West Avenue Cemetery, Canandaigua, with Rhoda (which was the custom of the day).
~written by Sharyn Canham
