Joseph Hiller

Major Joseph Hiller was a clockmaker, watchmaker, silversmith, painter and engraver. As a soldier during the Revolution He was Captain of volunteers in expedition to Rhode Island, 1781; major U.S.A. Revolution; was appointed, 1779, by President George Washington the first Colonel of Customs, after the Revolution, for the ports and district of Salem and Beverly; he retired Aug. 12, 1802. A fine portrait of him, painted from life, still adorns the walls of the Salem Custom House. Very few engravings were produced by Hillier, a portrait of John Hancock and a pair of portraits of George and Martha Washington. All are very rare.