Teresa McRae
Who killed Mary Hill?Author
Here’s another skeleton in my family closet.
Rumor has it that my paternal grandfather murdered my paternal grandmother. This was told to me by my father. I’m not sure where he heard that or how he knew that. By the age of 9 he had been sent to live in WI. He said with an aunt but I’ve yet to find the connection between the woman he went to live with and my paternal family.
Harry and Mary were married in 1930. Both were from Georgia. Mary was 22 and Harry was 27. They lived in Miami, Florida where my father was born in 1930. They divorced in 1935. Harry went on to marry 2 more times. His third wife dying within weeks of the marriage!
Nothing more is heard from Harry. He disappears from history or so far, anyway. Nothing more is found about Mary Hill either. Unless she is a Mary Hill that died much later in the 1980s.
What is the true story here. Was she killed? If she was alive, why did Harry Jr have to go live with an “aunt” in Wisconsin?
Just to make matters more complicated, Harry Sr had another son in 1931. A boy born out of an affair with the daughter of a rich family. This son was given up for adoption and only now has his history come to light.
So, here is my question or questions.
Was Mary Hill Murdered?
If not, where did she go?
Where did Harry Sr go after 1937?
Why was Harry Jr sent up north?
Who was Eva and why did she die 3 weeks after her marriage to Harry Sr.
Did someone kill Harry Sr for killing Mary Hill?
I can find no record of a murder or an execution of a murderer in this story. All the major players are dead.
Lastly though, another wrench, someone told the second son born to Harry and the rich daughter that Harry Sr died by electrocution. A mystery.
Oh that’s a fun one! I would love to chase that story! Lot’s of dirt…good luck with the dig!
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Thanks. Thinking of turning it into a semi fictional book or using it as basis of fictional murder mystery. Like your blog.
Terry
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Very interesting! Have you found Mary on the 1940 census or in any directories?
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No. Have looked for her relentlessly. No luck. Unless she might be another Mary Hill or it wasn’t her that was murdered. A possibility.
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I wish that was in my family. What a great fun chase that would be. But then I have a few of those any way, so I should not be greedy. Have you tried researching the newspapers of the time frame you are looking in? Also the local historical society may be of help. I find most of them just love keeping those stories on file. Best of luck to you.
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Thanks
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