In August 1662, Hilton sailed from Massachusetts Bay Colony on the ship Adventurer, returning in October of that year with enough information to map the Cape Fear coast.
[5][6] In the British Museum there is a map entitled Discouery made by William Hilton of Charles town In New England Marriner from Cape Hatterask Lat: 35 : 30'.
to ye west of Cape Roman in Lat: 32.30' In the year 1662 And layd Down in the forme as you see by Nicholas Shapley of the town aforesaid November 1662.
[3] In 1663 he was commander of the ship Adventure, and his Relation of a Discovery lately made on the Coast of Florida was published in London the following year.
On this voyage he explored the Carolina coast and gave names to many of the features, including Hilton Head.