William Hilton

     William Hilton was born circa 1591 at Northwich, Cheshire Co, England.¹ He was the son of William Hilton and Ellen Mainwaring. William Hilton married ? (?) circa 1616.¹ William Hilton married Frances Hayward, daughter of Francis Hayward, before 1642.¹ William Hilton died between June 1655 and 30 June 1656 at York, York Co, Maine; William had been a Tavern keeper and ferry operator at Kittery.¹ His estate was probated on 30 June 1656; Administration of his estate was granted to Richard White, as he had since married his widow, Ellen.¹
     William Hilton arrived in this country by way of the "Fortune", in 1621. In a letter written November 1621, soon after his arrival at Plymouth, William Hilton wrote a acousin in England saying "Our company are for the most part very religious honest people, the word of God sincerely taught us every Sabbath, so that I know not anything in a conteneted mind can here want. I desire your friendly care to send my wife and children to me, where I wish all the friends I have in England..."
     In the 1623 Plymouth division of land, he received one acre as passenger of the Fortune, and his wife and two children received three acres as passengers of the Anne.
He initially lived at Plymouth. In 1642, William was among the residents of York and took the Freeman's oath. By 1648, he was living in Kittery, then Massachusetts. He was licensed to sell beer and wine in that area.¹