Hillier Family Papers

Scope and Content

Comprises correspondence of the Eliza Mary Hillier (née Medhurst) and family, 1846-1856; along with word-processed transcripts of this correspondence, 2012.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Hillier family have a long-standing association with China and East Asia. Charles Batten Hillier (1820-1856) was Chief Magistrate, Hong Kong, 1846-1855 and British Consul to Siam, 1856. In 1846, he married Eliza Mary Medhurst (1828-1886), daughter of the London Missionary Society missionary to China, Rev. Walter Henry Medhurst D.D. (1796-1857) and Elizabeth Medhurst (née Braune; 1794-1874).

Three of Charles and Eliza Hillier's children maintained a connection with China. Sir Walter Caine Hillier KCMG CB (1849-1927) served with the Chinese consular service, 1868-1896 and was a political adviser to the government of China, 1908-1910. Harry Mason Hillier (1851-1924) worked as Commissioner of Chinese Maritime Customs, 1872-1910. Guy Hillier (1857-1924) was Peking Agent for the Hongkong & Shanghai Bank, 1895-1924.

Access Information

Open

Acquisition Information

Deposited on loan at SOAS Library in February 2012 by Andrew Hillier.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, please contact Archives & Special Collections, SOAS Library in the first instance

Copyright held by Andrew Hillier

Accruals

Further accruals possible

Geographical Names