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!
Hilbun/ Hilburn History in early 1700 Virginia and Maryland
Having researched the family name Hilbun/ Hilburn for a decade I’ve come to some conclusions about the various branches or settlements of Hilbun/Hilburn families throughout the United States. It seems that most of them are descended from the Vaughan Hilburn who was in southeast Virginia as early as 1730. But, there are other Hilburns who are recorded even earlier than that. What I am not sure of is if these Hilburns are connected to Vaughan Hilburn in any way.
The earliest record of Hilburns in the southern colonies was in Stafford County, Virginia in the Quit Rent Roll of 1723. The roll included= “John Todd for Hillburn’s heirs; 290 Acres” and “general remarks: now John Peaks”. Source: The Register of Overwharton Parish, Stafford Co., Va. p.153.
Who these Hilburn heirs were is not known. Stafford County, Virginia is in northeast Virginia; Vaughan Hilburn was an adult in 1730 but in southeast Virginia. Could he have been one of the Hillburn heirs?
………
In January 1728 in Queen Anne Parish, Maryland, a John Hilburn drew up his last will and testament. Contents of this will- “Sons William and John to remain with wife Frances until 21 years. Daughter Elizabeth to care of Mark Hargedon (Hargedine) & Jane, his wife, until 18 years. To wife Frances, personalty. Test: John Boulton, Edward More, Wm. Gough.” 19, 643. I have photocopied this will from the Maryland State Archives. It is not known who these Hilburns were and if there is any connection to Vaughan Hilburn.
Later in 1730, Vaughan Hilbun/Hilburn bought 100 acres in Isle of Wight County on the north side of Three Creeks beginning on the north side of Great Reedy Branch. He later was named an heir and administrator of a John Vaughan’s will. The will dated February 9, 1736 in Isle of Wight, Virginia stated: “WILL of John Vaughan. Legatee-wife Elliner, to Vaughn Hilburne, all my land at the death of my wife; to John Simmons, the minor son of John Simmons, Jr. of Surrey County, reversion of the bequest made to John Hilburn also to him. Vaughan Hilburn, executor.” SOURCE: Virginia Land, Marriage, & Probate Records, 1639-1850. A copy of this will is in my possession.
In 1737 Vaughan Hilborn was named a godparent for Sylvanus Stokes, son of Jones & Anne Stokes who was born 18 February 1737 and christened 16 March 1739/40. Other godparents of this child were William Knight and Rebecca Hardwood. Source: “Albemarle Parish Register of Surry & Sussex Co, VA.” Colonial Dames of America.- p 48.
In 1740 Vaughn Hilburn and Nathaniel Ridley were witnesses to a land deed for Thomas Johnston Jr. on the north.side of Three Creeks along Plowman’s Branch.
In January 1741, Vaughan Hilbun of sold his land on the north & south side of Three Creeks in Isle of Wight County to Joshua Nicholson. The last record of Vaughan Hilburn in Virginia was 26 July 1742, the date he returned the inventory of the estate of John Vaughan, deceased. This also was in Isle of Wight county.
Hilbun 