The first record of Woodward or Woodard Hilbun/Hilburn is the following in which he was a witness to a land record. There are at least 15 records with Woodward’s name, from 1799 to 1850. The Bladen land records in 1804-1806 prove that Woodward’s middle name was Atkinson. It likely was a family name. He is believed to be the son of Vaughan Hilbun who was likely born in the 1730’s in Isle of Wight, VA.

1799 Dec. Brunswick Co., N. C. John Hilburn of Brunswick to Bartholomew Floyd of Brunswick, 100 A. on S. side of Beaver Dam Swamp.  Witnesses- Elias Duncan & Woodard Hilburn.  

1800 Oct 28 Brunswick Co, NC- 1094 (235). Woodard Hilbern enters 400 ac. bordering Elias Duncan including place where Shadrach Wilson lived. Source: “Abstracts of Land Entries: Brunswick Co, NC, 1794-1820” by R. B. Pruitt, 1989.
1804. Bladen– Woodward A. Hilburn warrant #1409 issued Jul. 3, 1804 by TW Harvey to Wd. A. “Hillburn” for 640 ac., joins “the” big survey; entered Jan. 7, 1804; 40 ac. surveyed Dec. 13, 1805 by W. Hendon; N Allen & C Tison, chain carriers; (Land on S. Side of the Western Prong, begins at a small black jack on “the” great survey line at fork of Powell Road, joins Bluff Road, & King; 2 copies of survey in shuck).  Bladen Co., NC, Land Warrants 1778-1803, AB Pruitt, p. 255.

1805—Bladen Co., NC. Patent entered Mar 18; issued 27 Nov 1806. Woodward Atkinson Hilburn– 300 acres; State of North Carolina, # 3143.  To all to whom these presents shall come meeting: Know ye that we for & in consideration of the sum of 50_ for every 100 acres hereby granted, paid into our Treasury by Woodward A. Hilburn have given & granted & by those presents do gain & grant unto the said Woodward A. Hilburn a tract of land containing 300 acres lying & being in our County of Bladen on WORRELS Mill branch. Beginning at a pine Darneys Corner & runs S. 62 Et 23 ch & 50 Cks to a stake No 85 Et 28 ch to a pine No 31 Et 10 ch to a stake No 58 Wt 9 ch 9 ch & 70 Cks to a pine Benjamin WORRELS corner thence with his line No 55 ch & 20 Ck to a stake So 45 lot 37 ch & 30 Cks to a pine McKays corner with his line # 45 lot 28 ch is a stake So 35 lot 5 ch to Hadicks line w/his So 10 Et 15 ch to a stake So 80 lot 19 ch to a stake thence to beginning.   Entered the 18th Mar 1805. Patent dated the 27th Nov. 1806. SOURCE:  Bladen Co, NC Register of Deeds, Bk 34, P. 36. File # 6013
1805 Jul 10. Grant 4763 (6013).  Woodward Atkinson Hilburn– 300 acres issued Jul 10 1805 by Nathan Williamson to “Wood” Adkinson “Hilburn” for 300, joins James Allen Haddock & Benjamin Worrel &  on by ….W. Hendon on WORRELS Mill on the south side, entry……on Worrels Mill Bridge border; begins at …& Wiley Braddy, chain carriers. Nov 18, 1806, Wood…. #172 (signed. ).  J. Craven, comptroller, grant #3143? Issued…..