Hill was the youngest and only surviving son of Thomas Hill, and his wife Susanna Maria Noel. He was born at his father's London home, 3 Cleveland Court,
St James's. Venn describes his schooling as private and he is known to have been tutored by future preacher
John William Fletcher. He entered
St John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in 1763, and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in 1766. He also studied law, being admitted to the
Inner Temple in 1765, without qualifying as barrister. ==Career==