Joseph Hilbourn of Pennsylvania in 1765 North Carolina
Joseph Hilbourn 1765 North Carolina revised 11/14/2021
A Joseph Hilbourn is mentioned in two land records in Cumberland County, North Carolina, dated 1765. The property of a Richard Carroll of Cumberland was seized and sold in order to satisfy judgment obtained by Joseph HILBOURN on April 15, 1763 in Wilmington District Superior Court. Mr. Carroll was in debt to Mr. Hilbourn although these land records do not give details of that debt. The two records are summarized below and the hyperlinks are at the bottom of the page. They are a copy of the original documents which were downloaded from the Cumberland County Register of Deeds website.
|
In these two deeds Joseph Hilbourn is not identified by trade nor by residence. The other men mentioned are identified by residence. The only possible clue as to Joseph Hilbourn’s residence is that the debt owed to him was “106 lbs. of lawful money of Pennsylvania.” There have been NO other records found of a Joseph Hilbourn in this county.
Further research into these documents reveals that both Richard Carroll and John Brownlow were merchants in the 1760’s and Mr. Carroll had a store in Fayetteville. Source: http://www.historync.org/index.htm as “Early Merchants of NC- before 1800.”
In addition, John Brownlow was listed as “Gent” in 1761 in Cross Creek, Cumberland County. He was associated with Porterfields as “merchant and tavern keeper,” a “Merchant” in Cross Creek in 1763-75, 1767 Tax List & had one slave. He was a Juryman in 1773.
There are only two other records found of a Joseph Hilbourn or any other spelling of this name, in North Carolina during this time. The first record is from 1767 in Chowan County in the Index of Deeds; William Jackson granted land to Joseph Hillborn. The deed is found in Book N1, p. 45. No other info is known. In 1769, in Craven County, Joseph and Amos Hillburn, merchants from Pennsylvania, bought slaves from a Mr. Crawford; the abstract follows:
However, a merchant and “gentleman” named Joseph Hilbourn was prominent in Philadelphia between 1773-1779. It appears that he was also the treasurer of the Pennsylvania Hospital. The following is a timeline list of records found on a Joseph Hilbourn/Hilborn, Hillburn who resided in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
From the U. S. Quaker Meeting Records 1681-1935
- 1753 Joseph Hilburn applied for a certificate to go to Dublin on trade.
- 1759-1772- Rachel Hilburn and children, Joseph and siblings were members of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting.
- 1760 Friends’ leader visited Joseph Hilbourn to condemn him owning a slave
- 1761 Joseph Hilburn and others were warned against slave buying and keeping
- 1769 Philadelphia Tax list- Joseph Hilburn in Southwark Dist.; Amos and Miles Hilburn in N. Ward District.
- From The Papers of Robert Morris, 1781-1784, Vol. 6-7, p. 516, we learn the following: Joseph Hilbourn- 1732-1802, Apparently a Quaker merchant who had been treasurer of the Pennsylvania Hospital from 1773-1780. See Labaree and Willcox, eds.; Franklin Papers, XX, 450n, 451. 516, 575. And, page 515 states: “Mr. Jos. Hilborn being possessed of Genl. Green’s Drafts on me Cabled for the Money which I am not able to pay at present but promised payment as fast as money came in…”
Robert Morris, 1734-1806 was an important figure in the politics of Pennsylvania, and was likely the most prominent businessman of his time. He also was considered “the Financier of the American Revolution,” was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution, and a committee chairman in the Continental Congress. Mentions Jos. Hilborn on p. 515 and then in the Footnotes.
- 1773- from Documents Relating to Colonial, Revolutionary & Post-Revolutionary History of the State of New Jersey– “For further information apply to Anthony Sykes, Esq; in Burlington county; Abel James & Joseph Hilborn, Merchants, in Philadelphia. ”
- 1777-1779. Joseph Hilborn, Philadelphia, a private in Capt. Robert Smith’s 5th Company.
- 1780-1781 P. 90 in General Muster Book#1, in 8th Company of Philadelphia.
- 1787- Joseph Hillborn & Christopher Marshall are executors in the Mar 31, 1787 will of Thomas Paschall, Philadelphia merchant, proved Apr 2, 1796. Will Book X, Philadelphia Co., Pa.
- 1788- The Independent Gazetteer, 25 Feb 1788, Mon, 1. A Philadelphia paper…..”Mr Joseph Hilborn, Treasurer to the Society regarding American Manufacturing.”
- 1788 newspaper- “From a desire of rendering the Philadelphia Dispensary more extensively useful, by informing the indigent sick where they may apply for medical assistance, the following list of contributors …. are published by the managers of the institution: Joseph Hilbourn”. 1788 January 19. Pennsylvania Evening Herald (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Vol. V1, Issue 6, Page 3. Source: genealogybank.com
- 1790 Philadelphia, PA Census. Joseph Hilbourn, Gent’n; 2 males >16, 3 females.
- 1791 Philadelphia City Directory: Joseph Hilbourn Occupation: “gentleman” Address: 12 N. Fourth Street.
- 1798- Joseph Hillborn and others are executors in the July 17, 1798 will of Anna DeMorault, proved Feb 19, 1801. Will Bk Y, Philadephia Co., Pa.
- 1798 Jul 18- Joseph Hilbourn mentioned in a newspaper as adjoining landowner on 4th in Philadelphia to a property being auctioned off. SOURCE: Aurora General Advertiser, Philadelphia, PA. Issue 2343, Page 1. Source: Genealogybank.com
- 1799- Joseph Hillborn named as an executor in the Dec 27, 1799 will of Christopher Marshall, druggist in Philadelphia, proved in 1807. Will Book 2A, Philadelphia Co., Pa.
- 1802- Abstract of will of JOSEPH HILLBORN, City of Philadelphia. November 3, 1802. Proved February 8, 1803. Will book 1A, p. 77. Philadelphia Co., PA. He died at age 70.
Estate to sister Elizabeth Hillborn. Nieces: Elizabeth West, Rachel Roberts and their children Joseph Roberts, Hannah Good and Lydia Savill.
Exec: Elizabeth Hillborn, Isaac Wampole.
Wit: Henry K. Helmuth, John Pierie, Peter Wagner, Junr. - Joseph’s parents were John Hillborn and Rachel Strickland; their children:
- Elizabeth Hillborn b. 1731
- Joseph Hillborn, b. 1732, died Bet. 1802 – 1803 in Philadelphia, Pa.
- Frances Hillborn b. 1734
- John b. 1736
- Miles Hillborn b. 1738
- Amos3 Hillborn- will of Nov. 1770, proved Jan 25, 1771. Names mother Rachel, brothers Miles and Joseph; sisters Elizabeth & Frances, nieces Elizabeth and Rachel Hillborn. Exec: Joseph Hillborn. Will bk P, Philadelphia Co., Pa.
- Thomas b. 1744
This information about Joseph Hilbourn of Philadelphia actually suggests that he and Joseph Hilbourn in the North Carolina records were likely the same person. The key to learning more about this Joseph Hilbourn in the Cumberland record would be to locate the Wilmington Superior Court Records which likely are in the North Carolina Archives.
Is Joseph Hilbourn the father of Frederick Hilburn, born in 1768?
My research on this Joseph Hilbourn has been fueled by my interest in proving or disproving the claims of some family researchers, found primarily on Ancestry.com, that Joseph Hilbourn of Pennsylvania is the father of my 4th great-grandfather, Frederick Hilburn who was born in 1768 in North Carolina. I have found absolutely NO evidence to support that claim. If someone has evidence please share it with me. There is circumstantial evidence that the Joseph in 1765 North Carolina was the same Joseph in Pennsylvania, but Joseph Hilbourn of Philadelphia apparently did not have children as in his will of 1802 he only named his sister and nieces as heirs.
There are three references to a Joseph Hilbourn in North Carolina in the 1760’s, yet they are in three different counties. It’s significant that there ARE more than a dozen records of other Hilburn men in the state prior to the Revolution, and the majority of those records are in Duplin and Sampson Counties. It is most likely that Frederick Hilburn’s father was one of these men- John, Vaughn, William, and Hamblin Hilburn. Since Frederick was born in 1768, his father would’ve had to have been born before 1750. It’s obvious from records found on these men that they were related, although the exact nature of their relationship remains unknown. It’s likely that Frederick’s father left North Carolina during or before the Revolutionary War as Frederick is first found in Georgia as a young adult in 1788.
TIMELINE of HILBUN/HILBURN men in NC 1750-1770:
1754 is the earliest date found of a Hilburn in North Carolina. John Hilburn was a chain carrier for a land survey for a John Proctor in Edgecombe County. Two years later, in 1756, a John Hilburn bought land south of there, in Duplin County.
1762- Duplin- a William Hilbon was a witness to land sale from Jos. Baker to Benj. Lanier.
1763– Dobbs- Vaun HILBORN– bought land on Nahunta swamp. In Duplin Hamblin HILBURN was a witness on a land deed.
1763 Wilmington, NC-Court case involving Joseph HILBOURN
1766 Duplin- John Hilbun was witness for a land deed and an adjoining landowner
1767 Duplin– John HILBURN and Hamblin HILBURN both bought land.
1768 – Frederick Hilbun was born in North Carolina to whom?
1769 Duplin- John HILBUN and Hamblin HILBURN both sold land. In Dobbs, Vaughn Hilburn is on Tax list
(All Duplin County land records are online at Sampson County Register of Deeds website).
Lagniappe:
Likely not related to Joseph Hilbourn, but another Hilburn merchant from 1765 is Thomas Hillburn of South Carolina. Thomas’ will was filed in the same year in which Joseph Hilbourn collected on his debt in North Carolina. All of we know about Thomas Hillburn is from his Will- he was a storekeeper and he lived in what is present day Marlboro County, less than 100 miles from Fayetteville. No other Hilburn was named in his will and no other Hilburns have been found in this area during the 1760’s although William Hilburn did have land about 135 miles west on a branch of the Bush River.
1765 Apr 27. Thomas Hillburn, will, Prince Frederick’s Parish, Craven Co., South Carolina. W253-254. Storekeeper: 1). Widow Rebecca Tompling; 2). Susannah Mixon, daughter of Wm. & Abigail Mixon, part of land purchased of Jeremiah Rowell Sr. on Gachway (Cashaway) Neck on NE side of Pee Dee River. 3). William Watkins & John McCall, Jr. to have remainder of estate. 16 Jan 1765, probated 21 Feb 1765. R: md p 471. Will book QQ 1760-67. Source: Probate Records of SC. Estate quit rent-1768 on 200 A. in Craven paid by Wm Wilkins, Exectr.
Jeremiah Rowell and William Watkins are mentioned in the early history of the Cashaway Baptist Church which can be found online. Rowell is documented as having left a Welsh Tract church in Pennsylvania (which was later in Delaware) to move to South Carolina. Some of the early settlers came from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. More research is needed.
Joseph1765 p1Joseph 1765 p2Joseph1765 p3
.
Vaughan & John Hilburn in Colonial Virginia & North Carolina ….
….and their connections to the Holliman Family, Part 1
The reason for this research between the Hilbun and Holliman families is primarily due to the fact that my direct ancestor, Holiman HILBUN of Burke County, Ga. had connections with a Harmon HOLLIMAN as he was a chain carrier on Holiman Hilburn’s land survey in 1788. AND in 1789, a land survey in Burke for William Thompson (who was somehow connected to the Hilburns based on land records) had Harmon Holliman and Richard Holliman as chain carriers. These connections with the Holliman family will be further explored in Part 2. Part 1 will show the first recorded connections between the Hilburn & Holliman families.
The first direct Hilburn/Hilbun ancestor we are aware of was Vaughan Hilburn who was first found in a 1730 land record in Isle of Wight, Virginia. By the late 1740’s it appears that Vaughan Hilburn had left Virginia and was in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. The second Hilburn man, John, is first found in a ca. 1755 land record also in Edgecombe. The following narrative will show documentation of Vaughan and John Hilburn’s existence through the years prior to the Revolutionary War.
In 1730, on September 28, Vaughan Helburn received a 100 acres land grant in Isle of Wight Co, VA. on the North side of the Three Creeks, beginning on the north side of the great Reedy Branch. Source: Land Office Patents #13, 1725-1730 (v.1- 2 p.1-540), p. 500 (Reel 12). As of 1775, this was in Brunswick County. with some records of the area recorded in Surry Co., Southampton Co. as well as Isle of Wight Co.).
1736 IOW, VA. John Vaughan Will. This will names Vaughan Hilburn as an heir & administrator & names John Simmons & John Simmons, Jr. as heirs. Witnesses to the will were: John DORTCH, John UPCHURCH, John SPENCE & John VAUGHN. The will was probated in 1741.
Older Records Connecting Vaughn and others named in will:
- 1716- a “Jno. Vawhan” mentioned on Oct. 31 in Isle of Wight as having land on the SE Side of Three Creek, adjacent to Thomas Holliday.
- 1717- Mar 18 a John Vauhan bought 110 acres on the south side of the Nottoway River on the south side of Three Creeks in what was then Isle of Wight Co.
- 1725 Mar 24, John Dortch was granted 145 a. on South side of Three Creeks.
- 1730- Vaughn Helburn, 100 a. on the North side of the Three Creeks, beginning on the North side of the great Reedy Branch.
Three Creeks (comprised of Three Creeks, Little Creek, & Otterdam Creek) flowed from Brunswick into Surry Co. (the part that’s now Greensville Co) & on into IOW (now Southampton) where it emptied into the Nottoway River.
In 1737 Vaughan Hilborn is named a godparent in the following record- Stokes Sylvanus, son of Jones & Anne Stokes- born c. Feb 18 1737 to Mar 16 1739/40, p. 48. Godparents listed as: Wm Knight; Vaughan Hilborn; Rebecca Hardwood. “Albemarle Parish Register of Surry & Sussex Co.” published by Colonial Dames of America.
1740- May 17, Vaughn Hilburn- witness on deed for Thomas Johnston, Sr. conveyed to his son Thomas, Jr. 83 acres on the N. side of Three Creeks along Plowman’s Branch, witnessed by Nathaniel Ridley & Vaughn Hilburn (Proven Sep 22, 1740). Notes on Johnston family from their ancestors: Thomas Johnston, Jr. b. abt 1710-1720 in the upper parish of Isle of Wight Co., VA, the son of Thomas Johnston, Sr. He wasn’t mentioned in his father’s will of Apr 25, 1744 (Proven May 8, 1746) as he’d already received land from his father.
1741 Jan. 21. Vaughan Hillbun of IOW- 110 acres to Joshua Nicholson of Surry Co. for 5 shillings. North side of Three Creeks at upper end of the Broad Water, adjoining Mary Harris. Witnesses: James Bennet, Timothy Tharp, William Johnson, William Bennet
1 Aug 1745. Nicholson, Joshua. grantee. Land grant- Isle of Wight Co.
Description: 275 acres on the s. side of theThree Creeks, adjoining land of John Vaughan, James Ridley, James Bennet. Source: Land Office Patents No. 22, 1743-1745 (v.1 & 2 p.1-631), p. 329 (Reel 20)
NOTES FROM IOW Vestry Book online re: IOW & Vaughan Hilburn.
Nathaniel Ridley was appointed a vestryman according to IOW Vestry Book Records 1724. He later was Church Warden.
Other familiar names in the IOW Vestry Book during same time frame:
- Christopher Holliman
- Thomas Holliman
- Ruben Proctor- listed often as a vestry man
- John Proctor
- Newet Drew
- Maj. John Simmons appted vestryman in 1733
By the late 1740’s it appears that Vaughan Hilburn had moved to Edgecombe County, North Carolina as his name is on a roster of Captain John Sherrard’s Company in that county. In 1752, in Edgecombe, a John Hilburn and Rubin Proctor were chain carriers for a land survey for John Prockter. The land bordered Thomas Holliman’s corner on Tyancoca Swamp. This is the first known connection between a Hilburn and a Holliman, and the first record of a John Hilburn.
MY NOTE: In 1742 IOW, VA, John Proctor’s land bordered Thomas Holliman & John Holliman’s land. Vaughan Hilburn also owned land in IOW at the same time! His land was on the north side of Three Creeks & a Josiah John Holliman had land which bordered on the Three Creeks.
Thomas Holliman is found in Edgecombe in 1752, 1753-56, along with a Samuel who appeared there earlier. In addition, an Absalom Holliman is found on records in Edgecombe in 1754 as a CC, & 1756 as a witness to a will. In 1781, Absalom rec’d a land grant of 350 acres in Edgecombe. It’s likely that he was not yet an adult in the first two records; by 1781 he likely already had a family.
By 1755, John Hilburn was in Duplin County, N.C. as he bought 100 acres on the south side of Little Coharie Creek in August, but sold this land in March of 1756. During the same years, a Samuel Holliman bought & sold land in Duplin on the Great Cohary River. Although one record places Samuel Holliman in Edgecombe & Duplin in 1756: “1756 Edgecombe Co. (Halifax) Samuel Holliman, of Duplin Co, to Moses Hare, Edgecombe.” So Samuel Holliman was in Duplin at the same time as John Hilbun. Other Holimans in Duplin during this time frame include David Holliman
By 1759, a Samuel Holliman is listed as from Johnston County where he sold his land in Duplin on Great Cohary. Also in 1759, Thomas Holliman is listed in Johnston in same record as Samuel. Interestingly, Vann Hilbern is listed on the soldier roster for Johnston in 1761
1767 Capt. John Sherrard’s Company, Dobbs County, NC. Vaun Hilbern listed on roster, along with several Hollimans.
In 1769, in Dobbs County, Vaughn Hilburn is listed as having 1 taxable. Also Samuel Holloman is also on this tax list.
1779- Wilkes GA. WILL of David Holliman: Excrs.: Absolom & Charity Holliman, Oct. 1779. Probated 7/1783. David Holliman’s sons: David, Mark, Samuel; daughter: Alcy.
1786 & 1788- Wayne Co.; NC. Early Tax List. Vaughn Hilbourn
Part 2 to be published at a later date!
Hilburn pastors of Bladen County, N.C.
The following information was gathered from
“A Pictorial Directory of the churches of the Bladen Baptist Association, Bladen County, N.C.” at archive.org
(My note: Three Hilburn men of Bladen County mentioned in this book were brothers… Rufus Marion Hilburn, David Henry Hilburn & Amsey Ashbell Hilburn. They were sons of Henry Francis Hilburn, b. 1827. At least two, R. M. Hilburn and David H. Hilburn were Baptist pastors. The man S. H. Hilburn, delegate of Mt. Pleasant church is unknown at this time.
Even though my family is likely related to these Bladen Hilburns, we’ve not met and would likely be as far removed as 6th-8th cousins or so. It’s interesting to note that my line of Hilbuns also has several Baptist preachers, going as far back as my 3rd great-grandfather, Stephen N. Hilbun, born in 1805, in Georgia. )
Beards Chapel Church, a member of the Bladen Co., NC Baptist Association. The following ministers have served this church: C. E. Beard, Rufus M. Hilburn, W. 8. Melvin, Henry Carter, A. J. Freeman, Claude Home, J. K. Todd, Ara H. Dove, Joel Johnson, David Hilburn, Lloyd Johnson, R. L. Byrd, P. T. Britt, LL Todd, C. S. Smith, HB Bennett, LL Johnson, Gaston Hester, Hollan Hughes, Everitte Anderson,Thomas Hughes, A. N. Huneycutt, C. J. Ellis, Wilton M. Jones, LL Barnes, & Robert E. Hill. The present pastor is Ralph Gore.
Pastors who have served Center Road Baptist Church are Noah Mercer, G. L. King, W. L. Brisson, D. H. Hilburn, WM. Brisson, D. L. Johnson, D. L. Hewett, R. M. Hilburn, J. L. Tyner, E. O. Johnson, C. F. Dever, K. L. Stanley, R. A. Britt, W. A. Coleman, J. M. Fleming, Paul Britt, CB Home, HB Bennett, Bob Harris, A. T. Peacock, Vance Tyson, WD. Hudson, Alton Williams, Eddie Reynolds, Howard Davis, Paul T. Forrester, James L. May, Jerry Haas, & Earl Henry.
The First Baptist Church of Bladenboro, a branch of the Galeed Baptist Church, was conceived in the minds & hearts of Baptists in Bladenboro a year or two before its organization. A Sunday School was conducted in the old school building for quite a while before the church was organized. This old school building was located as the present site of the pastorium. The Rev. I. P. Hedgpeth with the Rev. Snowden Hester and Amsey A. Hilburn assisted in this organization in 1911.
Two ministers have been ordained at Hickory Grove. Robert M. Sessoms was ordained in May 1856, & Charles Hester was ordained in July 1971.
Pastors who have served the church are Elias Davis, Isham Stone, Haynes Lennon, Furney Prevatte, Elias Davis Johnson, J. G. Fisher, E. W. Wooten, W. S. Ballard, R. L. Byrd, J. M. Fleming, R. M. Hilburn, AH. Porter, R. S. Lennon, R. N. Cashwell, W D. Pridgen, E. A. Paul, R. A. Stankwytch, R. L. Edwards. I.H. Lambert, J. C. Shaw, Steve Hora, Robert Carter, LeRoy Trevathan, Bruce Lanier, and Joseph Stanley.
The church was admitted to the Cape Fear Association in 1870 as Mount Pleasant. In May 1892, a vote was taken to ascertain the feeling of the church in regard to organizing a Bladen County Association & the result was nine for, seven against. In Aug. 1892, the minutes state, “The business of Bladen County Association Convention was called by the Central Union to meet Sept. 15, with Brown’s Creek Church was taken up & Brother J. M. Register, S. H. Hilburn, were appointed delegates & S. B. Thompson, J. B. Melvin and J. P. Vause, alternates. An invitation was extended to the newly organized association to meetwith this church in case it should be decided to organize.” In Sept., 1892, the church asked the Cape Fear Association for a letter of dismission to organize a new association. On Nov. 7, 1892, delegates from the churches of Bladen Co. met at Mount Pleasant, Lisbon, and organized the Bladen Baptist Association. Mt Pleasant Church was dismissed from the Bladen Baptist Association in 1906, admitted to Cape Fear-Columbus Association in 1907; readmitted to the Bladen Baptist Association in 1923.
Other pastors who have served this church are Rufus M. Hilburn; William Brunt; E. W. Wooten; H. H. Hildreth; W. S. Ballard; William Brisson; A. H. Porter; John E. King; D J Clark; O. P. Meeks; WO Biggs; W. D. Pridgen; A. D. Woodell; M. D. Beasley; R. A. Britt; Jennis McLamb; Alton Coble, who served as Associational Missionary for the Bladen Baptist Association; H. D. Harris; and Clyde Coates. The present pastor is Theodore Lawson.
Salt Marsh Baptist Church. It was dismissed from Cape Fear Association in 1892 and became a charter member of Bladen Baptist Association. The church was dismissed from Bladen Baptist Assoc. in 1904 &admitted to Wilmington Association. In 1918 the church was dismissed from the Wilmington Association to become a member of Bladen Baptist Association.
The Woman’s Missionary Union was organized in 1952. Pastors who have ministered in this church, in addition to J. M. Register & A. D. Carter, include David J. Ray, J. D. Elwell, O L Stringfield, John Smith, Jack Bordeaux, J. P. Lennon, D. H. Hilbum, R. M. Hilburn, W. C. Walton, E. Boney, J. H. Hildreth, Charles H. Utiey, J. H. Dobson, A. L. Goodrich, Henry Carter, David E. Pait, C B Home, Charlie Brisson, G. D. Peterson, Hugh Cox, A. E. Herring, W. H. Coleman, Boney Kelly, Norman B. Edge, Albert Smith, Garland Bordeaux, Bill Reynolds, L.D. Smith, Maurice McLean, Earl Evers, Frank Turner, H. D. Harris, and Walter Hayes. The present pastor Is Donald Hughes.
Charter members of Richardson Baptist Church, organized in 1914, were David H. Hilburn, RK Nance, Colon Singletary, John C Davis, Oscar McLaughlin, Rad Hester, Mrs. RL Sessoms, & Mrs. Hoke Single- tary.
The first conference of the church was held Oct. 4, 1914. The minutes of that conference follow: “First Conference held with the First Baptist Church of Richardson, NC, roll called, absences noted, spiritual condition of the church inquired into, nothing reported. Doors of the church opened, received by letter, Carrie Singletary, Sarah Ann Singletary & Bert Singletary. Moved & seconded that David Hilbourn be called as pastor. Collection on the Sabbath was $2.30. David H. Hilbourn, moderator, RK. Nance, Church Clerk.”
Sandy Grove Baptist Church- Emmett Guyton served as Sunday School Superintendent for over 40 yrs, perhaps the longest tenure of service in any organization. Several men from this church have received the call to preach from God. They are Clyde Adams, Richard Edwards, Jerry Kinlaw, Charles Kinlaw, Stephen Cain, Mitchell Nance, Larry Hayes, and Richard Smith.
Pastors who have served this church include A. J. Freeman, M. L. Mintz, D. L. Johnson, J. T. Tyner, E. O. Johnson, R. E. Powell, S. N. Watson, C. B. Home, R. M. Hilburn, W. A. Coieman, C. R. Hinton, Wilbur Edwards, and Gaston Hester and Eugene Gaskins.
Shady Grove Baptist Church- Bladen Co. Baptist Association- Records show Elder James Cashwell to have been the first pastor; he also served the church in 1862. Others serving as pastors include R M. Sess-oms, E. J. Edwards, J. B. Downing, Rufus M. Hilburn, J. M. Register, John Prevatte, William Brunt, David Hilburn, CE Beard, W. Lee Brisson, J. Tom Tyner, D. Lloyd Johnson, R. M. Hilburn, DL Johnson, D. L. Hewitt, W. A. Coleman, K. L. Stanley, C. B. Home, Cleve Herring, Paul Britt, Charlie Brissori, C. S. Smith, R M Walton, Mark Owens, Earl Hales, Wiley Rutledge, Eugene Gaskins, Sam Jewell, & Harold Bell. The present pastor is Carroll Fonvielle.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bladenboro Baptist Church was organized March 27, 1917. The meeting took place in the public school–house at Bladenboro Cotton Mills, about 300 yards from the present location. The Rev. R. M. Hilburn was moderator and was called as the first pastor. W. B. Hester was the first clerk. W. B. Hester and J. D. Edwards were elected deacons.
In 1919 West Bladenboro petitioned for admission and was received into the Bladen Baptist Association.
The Hilburn Family gave land to the church for a church building in 1919 & the building was completed the same year. Brother Tommie Hewitt built and gave the first pulpit stand to the church.
Pastors who have served through the years are R. M. Hilburn, R. E. Powell, D. L. Hewitt, W. D. Pridgen, Wilbur Edwards, Will Coleman, E. N. C. Andrews, A. T. Cain, L. L. Todd, J. W. Meares, B. W. Howell, Gaston Hester, Joe Campbell, C. B. Dunn, Ernest Davis, CE. Brisson, Glenn Moree, Stacy Wells, Millard Johnson, Richard Smith, Bill Harrison, and Vernon McKeithan. The present pastor is Aaron Brooks.
It is believed that the Woman’s Missionary Union was organized in 1935 under the leadership of the wife of the Rev. AT. Cain. Later, the Girl’s Auxiliary, the Young Women’s Association, Sunbeams, & Brother-hood were organized. Some of the names have changed, but the organizations are still active.
Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1885 in a community without a place of worship. The first meetings were a Sunday Prayer Meeting that met in a sawmill shanty; later this group organized a Sunday Bible Class which met in the Cleveland Schoolhouse. Several of the early members came from the Galeed, Hickory Grove, Abbottsburg, & Sandy Grove Churches. The church was constituted with 41 members in 1886. The church is located two miles north of Bladenboro on NC Hwy 410. Three houses of worship have been built. The first was a one-room frame building, begun in 1886, & finished in 1904. An annex was built in 1923. …
Zion Hill was dismissed by the Cape Fear Association to become a charter member of the Bladen Baptist Association at its organizational meeting on Nov. 11, 1892. The Sunday Bible Class that later became Zion Hill Church, first became a Sunday School which met each Sunday. It has met continuously since the beginning. The church has ordained three men into the ministry. They are David H. Hilburn, RonaldHester and Merle Johnson. Pastors include Rufus M. Hilburn, George C. Calnes, J. M. Register, Joe Fisher, William Brisson, R. L. Byrd, J. H. Hildreth, W. L. Brisson, E. O. Johnson, K. L. Stanley, Paul T. Britt, Joel S. Johnson, C. J. Ellis, George H. Wallace, E. S. Lingle, Macon J. Davis, J C Shaw, Steve Hora, Joe H. Dempsy, Clyde Coates, George W. Langley & Tim Sellers. The present pastor is Robert L Boone.
Hilbun 