James Tilton (1819, Delaware – November 23, 1878, Washington, D.C.) was the first Surveyor General of the Washington Territory, from August 1, 1854 to July 17, 1861. He was also a soldier and a politician. James Tilton was born in Delaware to Dr. James and Frances Gibson Tilton. The family moved to Indiana in 1827. He studied to become a surveyor, joined the United States Navy and was wounded twice in the Mexican–American War. The Tilton River and Fort Tilton (near what is now Fall City, Washington) are both named in his honor.