1768 - 1849
Captain Thomas hiller
A journey of discovery
historical pictures and documents by Captain Thomas Hiller 1768 - 1849
Master Mariner Swedenborgian Local Historian
The house I grew up in had lots of paintings on the walls. One of these was very different to the rest and when our father said it was painted by an old sea captain called Thomas Hiller I knew there must be some interesting stories behind it. I soon found out this was true! When the painting was examined more closely a series of handwritten panels was discovered inside the back of the picture frame. On these Thomas Hiller tells his life story with the names of all the vessels he sailed in - those he illustrated in the margins of the painting.
With the painting were some other documents including Thomas Hiller's journal note books which give insight into his daily life, family relations and Christian faith. They testify to his deeply held theological convictions and he transcribes passages from the works of Emmanuel Swedenborg, the Swedish mystic and theologian whose writings led to the formation of the New Jerusalem Church and influenced many christian and spiritual movements in subsequent generations. Hiller's father Frederick was a reverend minister who may have been the first to read and preach Swedenborg's teachings in this part of the country - the Isle of Thanet in Kent.
The documents and picture are also of interest to naval historians and there may be many other interesting connections for people researching family history, Kent local history, ships, lighthouses and much more. This site aims to present and share these documents so they can be appreciated, reach a wider audience, and help us to piece together the bigger picture of Thomas Hiller's life and works.
