Hill, Arthur 1601?-1663, colonel, born about 1601, was the second son of Sir Moyses Hill, knt., M.P., by his first wife, Alice, sister of Sorley Boye MacDonnell, and succeeded his elder brother's son, whose line failed, in the estates. Upon the outbreak of the civil war he inclined to the king's side, but eventually took service for the parliament, became a colonel, and acted on the Irish committee (Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1649-50). His allegiance, however, was never very warm. With William Jephson, M.P., and Sir Robert King [qv.] he obtained a warrant from parliament on 22 April 1643 to go to Oxford on Irish business (Commons' Journals, iii. 57). On 2 Aug. 1654 he was returned M.P. for cos. Down, Antrim, and Armagh (Members of Parliament, Official Return, pt. i. p. 503). Some grants which he received during the protectorate in co. Down were formed into the manors of Hillsborough and Growle. There he built a considerable place of strength, which after the Restoration was constituted a royal garrison by the name of Hillsborough Fort, and the office of constable there made hereditary in the family. Hill was created constable on 21 Dec. 1660, and was also sworn of the Irish privy council. He died in April 1663, aged 62. He married first Anne, daughter of Sir Richard Bolton [qv.], lord chancellor of Ireland; and secondly, Mary, daughter of Sir William Parsons, one of the lords justices of Ireland, who was mother of his second son and eventual heir, the Right Hon. William Hill (1641?-1693).

Sources:
     Commons' Journals, vols. iv. v.
     Brereton's Travels (Chetham Soc.), p. 128
     Burke's Peerage under Marquis of Downshire.

Contributor: G. G. [Gordon Goodwin]

Published: 1891