Allen Hill

Who was Allen Hill?

Allen Hill played in the first-ever cricket Test, taking the first wicket. Hill also went on to umpire in the Test match played at Lord's in 1890.

Allen Hill was the son of Francis Hill, a Hand Loom Fancy Weaver, and Elizabeth Thornton. In 1851 Frank and Betty were living at Shaw Cross, Kirkheaton with 6 children. In 1861 they had moved to Cheesbourgh Fold with only Allen age 17, described as a Fancy Weaver, then living with them.

Allen married Ellen Jessop in 1868 and in 1871 they were living at Common End, Lepton, Yorkshire. Allen's occupation at this time was described as Fancy Weaver. There was a son Frank born c. 1869 who died in 1876 age 7.

By 1891 Allen had moved to 3 Stanley Street, Leyland, Lancs. In that year's census he was a widower, his wife Ellen having died in 1889, and his occupation was then shown as 'Professional Cricketer'. There were 4 daughters – Alice, Kathleen Mary, Gertrude and Mabel.

In the 1901 census Allen was living at Fox Lane in Leyland with his 2nd wife Margaret, daughter of James Whittle, a coachman, & Ann Mills, whom he had married in 1900. She was some 18 years his junior.