James Patterson Hill was born to Alexander N. Hill and Mary M. Young in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1888. He had had three older sisters, (Leah, Ida, and Mitzi) a younger sister, (Edith) and a younger brother, (Michael). His parents had two more daughters, (Alexis and Beatrice) who died prior to the age of one.
Death of Father
In 1902, James was fourteen years old when his father, Alexander Hill, died. The cause of Alexander’s death is unknown but two of his brothers died prematurely. His brother Adam died at age 42 and his brother William died at 52, from tuberculosis.
The Public Ledger, Obituary Philadelphia, Pennsylvania August 30, 1902
“Hill- On the 28th, Alexander Hill, aged 40 years. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral on Saturday afternoon at 1 o’clock, from his late residence, the rear of No. 1519 South seventh street. To proceed to Mount Moriah Cemetery.”
U.S . Navy
Five months after the death of his father, Mr. Hill joined the Navy. He enlisted on January 21, 1903, at the young age of fifteen. He began as an apprentice seaman in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was later assigned to the U.S.S. Indiana (BB-1).
The U.S.S. Indiana was the Navy’s first battleship. She was commissioned in 1895 and was one of many ships, in the Battle of Santiago Bay during the Spanish American War in 1898.
The U.S.S. Indiana was decommissioned from December 29, 1903, through January 9, 1906, for repairs. She was drydocked in the U.S. Naval Yard in New York City for a thorough overhaul.
After the necessary repairs, President Theodore Roosevelt sent the U.S.S. Indiana to Havana, Cuba in 1906 to protect U. S. interests. This second occupation of Cuba was also known as the Cuban Pacification and lasted three years, ending with the establishment of a legitimate government. The U.S.S. Indiana had returned to the League Island Navy Yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by September 1907. She traveled between Philadelphia and New York naval yard, often during the remainder of Mr. Hill’s service.
U.S. Navy Part II
Mr. Hill enlisted in the Navy for the second time in Chicago, Illinois on May 21, 1918. He attended the U.S. Naval Acadamy in Hampton, Virginia from May to November. In November, Mr. Hill began serving on the torpedo destroyer, U.S.S. Gamble (D-123).
U.S.S. Gamble Service history
After shakedown training out of the Virginia Capes, Gamble sailed from New York City on 13 January 1919 to take part in maneuvers off Cuba; Key West, Florida; and New England seaboard until June 1919. Following overhaul at Norfolk, she joined the Pacific Fleet at Sandiego 7 August 1919 and operated along the Pacific coast until placed in reserve status in the Mare Island Navy Yard, 1 December 1919. She was decommissioned in San Diego on 17 June 1922. “
New York City
Death of Mother
Mr. Hill’s mother, Mary Young died in October of 1924.
The Public Ledger Obituary, Philadelphia Pennsylvania. “Hill-Oct. 29 MARY, widow of Alexander Hill. Relatives and friends are invited to attend funeral services, Sat. 2 P.M. late residence, 2510 Gross St. Int. private. Friends may call Fri., 8 to 10 P.M.”
By 1926, Mr. Hill was living in West Palm Beach, Florida. He worked as a Taxi Cab driver and was in a relationship with a woman named Susan Lloyd.