The Hilton family of early Albany traces its roots to the marriage of widower and soldier-turned-innkeeper William Hilton and Anna Van Berkhoven in 1693. Thru the end of the next century, the Hilton family flourished in the city of Albany.

By 1720, William "the elder's" Southside inn was a pillar of the Anglo-Albanian community.

In 1756, five Hilton-named households were listed on the census including the establishment of innkeeper Benjamin Hilton and the "good house" shared by Jacobus and Richard Hilton.

The Albany Hiltons were found in service and transportation-related activities. They participated in civic activities but were not able to succeed to the rank of alderman - no doubt not helped by their almost exclusive residence in Albany's most affluent ward.

In 1790, eight Hilton-named households were living in the the first ward of the city of Albany.

A decade later, ten Hilton-named households were configured on the first ward census.

In 1813, eight Hilton addresses remained in the city. In 1816, ten, Hilton-named households (mostly in the first ward) were listed in the city directory.

Sources: These Hiltons do not appear to be closely connected to a contemporary New England-based family. Community-based resources have provided most of the information we use on the Albany Hilton family. Chief among the family-based resources is an unattributed typescript entitled "The Hilton Family of Albany, N. Y." filed in the New York State Library in Albany. But the Hilton family forum and other Internet resources should become more useful in the future! Hiltons in early Massachusetts.