Benjamin Hilton may have been the son of trader and innkeeper William Hilton and his second wife, Anna Van Berkhoven Hilton.

He married Maria Price in September 1742. Over the next two decades, their children were baptized in the Albany Dutch church and at St. Peter's English church where both parents were members.

These Hiltons lived on Albany's Southside. In 1740, he was chosen constable in the first ward. Following his recently deceased father, in 1756 he was identified as an innkeeper. Hilton's Beaver Street establishment was near the home and tavern of Richard Cartwright. In 1771, Simon Myer rented business space there. Hilton also held another lot away from the settled part of the city.

Benjamin Hilton belonged to the Albany Masonic Lodge, supported St. Peter's, was re-imbursed by the city for expenses, and served on Albany juries.

He had passed on by 1779 when his widow was identified as the head of household on an Albany assessment roll. His son was the Tory, Benjamin Hilton, Jr.

Sources: The life of Benjamin Hilton is CAP biography number 1861. This profile is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.