William Hill

History

William Hill (1748-1790) was the third son and assistant of Joseph Hill (I), according to John Dilworth's The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers. Sources contain conflicting information about his parentage, as Willibald Leo Lütgendorff's Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart identifies him as the eldest son and pupil of Joseph II. H. William Hill worked in St James Street, Haymarket around 1769, the year of his admission to the Musicians Company. He later moved to Poland Street, Carnaby Market, from 1773. Lütgendorff suggests he opened his workshop in Poland Street around 1771, coinciding with his father's adoption of the firm name Jos. Hill & Sons. He was admitted to the Royal Society of Musicians in 1780 and was appointed organist at Trinity Chapel. Lütgendorff also notes that he was a skilled musician, belonging to the London Musicians' Association, and was a good organ builder who introduced various improvements.

Craft

• Style: His work is seldom identified, but is in the Amatisé style of Joseph Hill (I), as noted by John Dilworth.
• Workmanship: George Hart describes his work as "Very good work." Cecie Stainer's A Dictionary of Violin Makers states he made some good instruments, rather similar to those of Edmund Aireton, a point echoed by Lütgendorff.
• Varnish: He used a golden-yellow varnish, according to Dilworth. Stainer and Lütgendorff further describe the varnish as a beautiful yellow colour, rather transparent.
• Tone: The tone of his instruments, though good, was not powerful, as observed by Stainer. Lütgendorff adds that the tone of his violins was rather weak but could sometimes be easily improved by a skilled repairer.

Influence

• Family Training: John Dilworth identifies him as the third son and assistant of Joseph Hill (I). Cecie Stainer and George Hart also confirm he was the son of Joseph Hill. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, however, states he was the eldest son and pupil of Joseph II. H.

Legacy

• Memberships: He was admitted to the Musicians Company in 1769. In 1780, he was admitted to the Royal Society of Musicians. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also mentions his membership in the London Musicians' Association.
• Appointments: He was appointed organist at Trinity Chapel.

Further Information

• Working Locations: He worked in St James Street, Haymarket around 1769. From 1773, he was located at Poland Street, Carnaby Market.
• Labels: Labels include "William Hill / maker in Poland Street / near Broad Street, 1766" and "William Hill maker / in Poland Street near Broad / Street Carnaby Market / 1785" [BVMA]. Cecie Stainer also notes a label reading "William Hill, maker in Poland Street, near Broad Street, Carnaby Market, 177—."

Summary

William Hill (1748-1790) was a London-based instrument maker, the son of Joseph Hill. He worked in St James Street and later Poland Street, Carnaby Market, from 1773. Admitted to the Musicians Company and the Royal Society of Musicians, he was also an organist at Trinity Chapel. His instruments, often in the Amatisé style of Joseph Hill (I), featured a distinctive golden-yellow, transparent varnish. While his workmanship was considered good, the tone of his violins was noted as not powerful, though improvable.