William Hilton Jr facts for kids

William Hilton Jr. (1617-1675) was an English explorer. He is famous for exploring the coast of what is now The Carolinas in the United States. His journeys helped map new areas and led to places being named after him, like Hilton Head Island.

Early Life and Moving to America

William Hilton Jr. was born in 1617 in Northwich, Cheshire, England. When he was young, his family decided to move to the New England Colonies in America. His father traveled first in 1621. Two years later, in 1623, William Jr. and his mother followed him. They sailed across the ocean on a ship called the Anne.

After arriving in America, William Hilton Jr. first lived in Newbury, Massachusetts. Later, starting in 1654, he made his home in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

Exploring the Coasts

William Hilton Jr. became a skilled explorer. His adventures took him along the east coast of America and even to the Caribbean Sea. He was very good at mapping new lands.

Mapping the Cape Fear Coast

In August 1662, Hilton set sail from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was on a ship named Adventurer. His mission was to explore the coast around the Cape Fear River. He returned in October of that year. He had gathered enough information to create a detailed map of the area.

A map from this journey is kept in the British Museum today. It is titled Discouery made by William Hilton of Charles towne In New England Marriner from Cape Hatterask Lat: 35 : 30'. to ye west of Cape Roman in Lat: 32.30' In ye yeare 1662 And layd Down in the forme as you see by Nicholas Shapley of the town aforesaid November 1662. This shows how important his discoveries were.

Discovering the Carolina Coast

In 1663, William Hilton Jr. was the commander of the ship Adventure. This expedition was supported by gentlemen and merchants from the island of Barbados. On August 10, 1663, he sailed from Barbados.

During this voyage, he explored the coast of Carolina. He gave names to many places he found. One of the most famous places he named was Hilton Head. His detailed report of this journey, called Relation of a Discovery lately made on the Coast of Florida, was published in London the next year.

Later Voyages

In 1671, Hilton commanded another ship called the Amity. On this trip, he helped transport several passengers from Barbados to Boston.

Death

William Hilton Jr. passed away in 1675 in Charlestown, Massachusetts. He left behind a legacy as an important explorer who helped map and name parts of the American coast.