Attorney Thomas C. Hill

Nova Scotia # 10 on 16 Aug 1861 cover from Halifax to Sydney, Cape Breton. Addressed to Thomas C. Hill, Esq., Barrister etc., Sydney, C.B. Manuscript “Via mail” on front. Two backstamps Halifax AU 16 1861, and Sydney Au 20 1861.

Thomas Chalmer Hill, attorney, was 23 years old when he received this letter from Halifax.

1871 census for Sydney, C.B., District 205 has Thomas Chalmer Hill, 33, born Nove Scotia, lawyer, Church of England, wife Harriet F., 33, son Cornelius S., 8, daughter, Ella M., 4.

Lovell's Province of Nova Scotia Directory 1871 lists Hill, Thomas C., barrister in Sydney, C.B.

1891 census, for Sydney Cape Breton, District 28, has Thomas C Hill, 53, Barrister-at-law, spouse Harriet F, 53, son Cornelius F., 14, daughter, Ella M., 22.

The Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty, 1885 annual report lists T.C. Hill, Sydney as one of its vice-presidents.

Nova Scotia has the distinction of being

the first place in North America to pass laws for the prevention of cruelty to animals. This was done in the year that Great Britain first enacted such laws – 1822. The acts of Nova Scotia in 1824 made provisions for public whipping to be the punishment for persons convicted of cruelty to animals.

The Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals became an incorporated Society in 1877. In 1880, the Society was vested with the authority to appoint agents that had all the power and authority by law conferred upon peace officers and constables to secure compliance with any Act to be enforced for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Also in 1880, the Society was authorized and empowered to organize branch societies, which are under the control and subject to the direction of the parent Society. In addition to protecting animals from cruelty, in 1880 the law was amended to authorize the Society to deal with cruelty to children under 16 years of age, as well as animals. Under this category, the prime function of the SPCA between 1880 and 1900 was the provision of marriage counseling and legal aid for estranged couples and harassed spouses, usually at the instigation of the wife.