Winthrop Hilton facts for kids

Colonel Winthrop Hilton (born around 1671, died 1710) was a very important military leader in New Hampshire. He served during two big conflicts: King William's War and Queen Anne's War. He became a top officer after Colonel Richard Waldron was killed on June 27, 1689, at the start of King William's War. Winthrop Hilton was the second son of Edward Hilton and the nephew of Governor Joseph Dudley.

During Queen Anne's War, Major Hilton joined a military trip led by Colonel Benjamin Church in May 1704. They were away all summer, traveling as far as the Penobscot River and taking part in an attack called the Raid on Grand Pré.

Attacks and Battles

Norridgewock Village Attack (1705)

After some attacks along the Northeast Coast in 1703, a reward was offered for a person named Father Sebastian Rale. In the winter of 1705, Colonel Hilton led his 275 British soldiers to the village of Norridgewock. The people living there, including Father Rale, had been warned that an attack was coming, so the village was empty. Colonel Hilton then ordered his soldiers to burn the village and its church.

Home Attack (1706)

On July 1, 1706, Native Americans attacked Hilton's home in Newfields. Six of the ten men working in the fields were killed, and two others were taken prisoner.

Casco Ambush (1707)

In January 1707, at a place called Casco (near what is now Portland), Hilton's group surprised 18 Native Americans while they were sleeping. All but one of them were killed. Later that same year, Hilton also took part in the Siege of Port Royal, which was a major battle.

Death of Colonel Hilton

Epping Ambush (1710)

On June 23, 1710, Native Americans ambushed Colonel Hilton and his group in Epping, New Hampshire. Colonel Hilton and two of his men were killed, and more people were taken prisoner. He was buried in Newfields, New Hampshire, at the Hilton Burial Ground.