North Carolina Heltons

North Carolina Helton's

The Randolph County and Washington County Helton family lineage originated In North Carolina. This is good news in our search for family history records. Most early Georgia Census records (1790 Census-the US First Census) were destroyed by fire at the Georgia State Capitol. Many of the North Carolina records are still intact and available. The image below is a thumbnail of the 1800 Orange County, North Carolina US Census. Peter, James, and Abraham Helton are listed on this census. These James, Abraham, and Peter Helton listed in the Orange County Census are related to James of Randolph County. We are still trying to distinguish whether (and which) of these three was James Helton's father or grandfather. The liberal use of the names James, Abraham, and Peter through Thomas Quitman Hilton's family line using the traditional naming pattern suggests these three names were Helton Family patriarchs. However, distinguishing the specific lineages is made more difficult by the recurring name pattern. Five consecutive generations of Helton's named their child James, Peter, and Abraham that we have been able to track. This includes North Carolina, Washington County GA, Randolph County, GA, Stewart County, GA, and Terrell County GA. In many cases, 4 brothers all named one of their first three sons James or Abraham.

Since Randolph County was Indian Territory no Helton's lived in Southwest Georgia prior to 1828. The largest concentration of Helton's in the south occupied two geographic pockets; North Carolina and Tennessee. A third rather large concentration of Helton's can be found in Knox County Kentucky and Heltonville Indiana. However, from what we now know from DNA testing all of these Helton's descended from Peter Helton of Orange County NC, or at least his line.

Our Family line originated around in the three county area of what is now known as Rowan County NC, Orange County, NC, and Guilford County NC, though Richard Hilton originally came through Virginia from England.

Rowan County was formed in 1753 from the northern part of Anson County. It was named for Matthew Rowan, acting governor of North Carolina from 1753 to 1754.

Originally, Rowan County was a vast territory with an indefinite western boundary. Reductions in its extent began in 1770, when the eastern part of it was combined with the western part of Orange County to become Guilford County, North Carolina. In 1771 the northeastern part of what remained of Rowan County became Surry County. In 1777 the western part of Rowan County became Burke County. In 1788 the western part of the now much smaller Rowan County became Iredell County. In 1822 the eastern part of the still shrinking county became Davidson County. Finally, in 1836 the part of Rowan County north of the South Yadkin River became Davie County. The "250 Fest" celebrating the 250th anniversary of Rowan County occurred in 2003.

Orange County was formed in 1752 from parts of Bladen County, Granville County, and Johnston County. It was named for the infant William V of Orange, whose mother Anne, daughter of King George II of Great Britain, was then regent of the Dutch Republic.

In 1771 Orange County was greatly reduced in area. The western part of it was combined with the eastern part of Rowan County to form Guilford County. Another part was combined with parts of Cumberland County and Johnston County to form Wake County. The southern part of what remained became Chatham County.

In 1777 the northern half of what was left of Orange County became Caswell County. In 1849 the western third of the still shrinking county became Alamance County. Finally, in 1881 the eastern half of the county's remaining territory was combined with part of Wake County to form Durham County.

Guilford County was formed in 1771 from parts of Rowan County and Orange County. It was named for Francis North, 1st Earl of Guilford, father of Frederick North, Lord North, British Prime Minister from 1770 to 1782. The Quaker church played a major role in the European settlement of the county, and numerous Quakers still live in the county.

Stokes County North carolina

Stokes County North Carolina Helton's are often overlooked by Hiltons and Heltons in tracing Hilton Family history. Stokes County NC was adjacent to Guilford County and provided a wealth of Hilton family history. Stokes County North Carolina was the home of many early Helton Family Ancestors.

For instance, in the 1790 Census, John Hilton is listed with 3 sons under 16 years old, 8 daughters, and presumably his wife. Thirteen family members are listed in this first US Census.

Surry County North carolina

1800 Orange County NC Census

Peter, James, & Abraham Helton

click on thumbnail to view larger image

1800 Blank Form

1800 Orange County North Carolina Census
County	Name	Male					Female					Other free	Slaves
County	Name	<10 Yrs old	10 to 15 Yrs Old	16 to 25 Yrs Old	25 to 44 Yrs old	>45 Yrs Old	<10 Yrs old	10 to 15 Yrs Old	16 to 25 Yrs Old	25 to 44 Yrs old	>45 Yrs Old
		After 1790	1785-1790	1784-1775	1774-1756	Before 1756	After 1790	1785-1790	1784-1775	1774-1756	Before 1756
Orange	Abraham Helton	1	2	-	-	1	-	1	1	-	1	-	-
Orange	Peter Helton	1	-	-	-	1	1	-	1	1	1	-	-
Orange	James Helton	1	-	-	1	-	2	-	-	1	-	-	1

North Carolina Helton's

Stokes County North carolina

Surry County North carolina

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