Re: Kentucky Hitches
-
In reply to:
Kentucky Hitches
1/04/02
Not quite, but close - Carra Sullivan had a Sullivan father and Wright mother, but had Hitch grandmother and Wright grandfather.Hitch grandma was Mary Ann Hitch who was sister ti Robert H. Hitch you mention.I will write more in an e-mail but here's a start below!
Mike Hitch
www.mikehitch.com
Ancestors of Carra SULLIVAN - Jan 5 2002
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FIRST GENERATION
1.Carra SULLIVAN1 was born on October 17, 1869 in Johnsville, Bracken Co., KY.She died in September 1949.She was buried in September 1949 in Ashland, KY.
SECOND GENERATION
2.William Parker SULLIVAN2 was born on October 7, 1841 in Wellsburg, Bracken Co., KY.3He died on November 20, 1920 in Ralston, Pawnee Co., OK.3He was buried about November 23, 1920 in Concord Methodist Cemetery, Concord, Pendleton Co., KY.3He was married to Sarah Elizabeth WRIGHT in 1863.2
3.Sarah Elizabeth WRIGHT4 was born on June 2, 1843 in Bracken Co., KY.2She died on September 7, 1884 in Bracken Co., KY.2She was buried about September 10, 1884 in Johnsville Cemetery, Bracken Co., KY.In correspondence from Bill Ford or Wichitia, Kansas and a descendant of Mary Ann Hitch, he states, "The 1870 Pendelton County Kentucky census Catawba Pct. 3 (page 431) taken July 17th shows William (29) as a tobacco dealer. He is living with his wife Sarah E.(27) who is keeping house, Mary (Mollie?) (5), Rutha (3), Caroline (1) and Perlina (50). Also living with him are Scorudas? (14), Nancy (19), and Melona (17) Norris. All were born in Kentucky.
Settlement 9 February 1876 by W.P. Sullivan guardian for Mary B. Sullivan, Bertha Sullivan, and Caroline Sullivan. His wards are entitled in right of their mother to possesion of 33 acres of land of which the gardian is in possesion. He is their father and is living on the land and they are living with him. There is a house of 4 rooms and a kitchen on the land. About 20 acres of the land is clear and the balance is woods. The rental value of the whole tract including house will not exceed $100 per annum.It appearing that the gardian has paid the taxes on the land, is keeping up the improvements and schooling, support and clothing his wards the accounts between the gardian and his wards shall be equal. (From Pendelton County court records)
In the 1880 Pendelton County Kentucky census page 8 taken on the 5th and 6th of June, William (39)(widowed) is a farmer/constable, he is living with his children Mary B. (15), Bertha (13), and Carolyn (10). Also living with him are his mother Perlina (59) keeping house and his uncle Abraham Norris (46) who was working in a warehouse.William Parker SULLIVAN and Sarah Elizabeth WRIGHT had the following children:
i. Mary Belle SULLIVAN1 was born on August 26, 1864 in Johnsville, Bracken Co., KY.She died on May 28, 1951 in Longview, Harrison Co., TX.
ii. Bertha SULLIVAN1 was born on July 31, 1866 in Johnsville, Bracken Co., KY.She died in March 1911.She was buried in March 1911 in Somerset Cemetery, Somerset, KY..
1 iii. Carra SULLIVAN.
iv. (infant) SULLIVAN1.
THIRD GENERATION
6.William WRIGHT5 was born in 1813 in Pendleton Co., KY.4He died on September 12, 1846 in Pendleton Co., KY.5,4He was buried about September 15, 1846 in Hitch Cemetery, Hitch Bend Road, Pendleton Co., KY.He was married to Mary Ann HITCH on April 13, 1841 in Pendleton Co., KY.5
7.Mary Ann HITCH5 was born on June 25, 1818 in Hitch Homestead, Pendleton Co., KY.5,2,6,7She died on December 17, 1905 near Johnsville, Bracken Co., KY.4,2She was buried about December 20, 1905 in Old Hitch Cemetery on the homestead.From "A Hitch Orchard" compiled by Daisy Hitch Davies in 1931:A newspaper account of a centennial celebration of the anniversary of the settlement of the Hitch family in Pendleton Co., KY. taken from "The Pendletonian", Falmouth Co., KY. dated July 9, 1908. Celebration July 4, 1908.
"Mary Ann Hitch was born January 25, 1818, died in Dec. 1905.She was united in marriage to William Wright April 13, 1841 who died in 1846 leaving her a widow with two children.Annie Kennett lives in Canada with her family of daughters.Aunt Mary lived her widowed life with her brother Robert at the old home where on the 6th day of 1853, she married Alex. Pepper, Esquire, of Bracken Co.To this union were born three children and thirteen great grandchildren."
From correspondence of Bill Ford, a descendant of Mary Ann Hitch, he states, "In the 1850 census entry 89 for the 1st District of Pendelton County Kentucky taken on 12 August Mary (32) born in Kentucky is show living with Robert H. Hitch (35) a farmer born in Kentucky with $2340 of real estate, Abigail C. Hitch (18) born in Ohio, Sally Hitch (68) born in Maryland, Rachel S. Hitch (22) born in Kentucky, Sarah Wright (7), and Ann H. (5) both born in Kentucky."
Further, Mr. Ford states, "In the 1860 Bracken County Kentucky census for District (Brookville) page 193, line 338 taken on 19 June, Alexander [Pepper] (49) is a farmer with a personal property worth $3800 and real estate worth $3000.He is living with Mary (43), Robert (6), Laura A. (3) and William J. (1), and Sara E. Wright (17) and Ann C. Wright (15) who were both attending school. All were born in Kentucky.In the 1870 Bracken County Kentucky census for Fairview district (Bradford) taken on 21 June, shows A.L. [Pepper] (59) as a general store keeper with real property of $600 and personal property of $500, Mary (52) keeping house with real property of $1000, Anna Wright (24) with real property worth $1000 and Robert (16) attending school."William WRIGHT and Mary Ann HITCH had the following children:
3 i. Sarah Elizabeth WRIGHT.
ii. Anna L. WRIGHT4 was born in 1845 in Pendleton Co., KY.2She died in 1913 in Burris Township, Rainy River District, Ontario, Canada.2
FOURTH GENERATION
12.Matthew WRIGHT5.Matthew WRIGHT had the following children:
6 i. William WRIGHT.
14.Joseph HITCH was born on July 4, 1765 in Somerset Co., MD.4,8,9,10He died on September 28, 1847 in Pendleton Co., KY.5He was buried about October 1, 1847 in Hitch Cemetery, Hitch Bend Road, Pendleton Co., KY.11Tombstone states he was 82 years, 2 months, 4 days old.From A Hitch Orchard by Daisy Hitch Davies, 1931:
Joseph Hitch left Maryland for Kentucky about 1806 or 1807, a year or two after his brother Thomas left for the same state. He made three trips before finally settling down. One way in which he made a livelihood was by building canoes from trees and using them to convey cargos of whisky and beef. His farm on the Licking River was called Poplar Grove from the poplars growing there. I visited this farm in the summer of 1931. It is still owned by a member of the family. Here still stands the old brick house built in 1816 from brick made by Joseph right on the farm. Outside the kitchen one sees a huge bell used to call to meals. Some of the old out-buildings are gone but one may see the old graveyard where several of the family, and off in one corner also, slaves are buried. In his day Joseph was the richest man in Pendleton County. He was not opposed to slavery, differing from his brother in this respect. At his death he willed that the slaves were not to pass out of the family. They were divided among his children. He had but some two or three when leaving Maryland but they had multiplied until at his death there were several. Those slaves were not liberated until after the Civil War. At a Hitch Centennial held on his old farm in Concord near Falmouth, KY., in Jul 4 1908, one of his slaves "Uncle Kirt Hitch" age 84 and known as Kirt Ingalls, was called to the platform and made a few desultory remarks. He paid fulsome praise to his "Ole Maser" and all members of the Hitch family.
The report of this celebration in the Pendletonian Jul 8 1908 states; - "Not a single member by the name of Hitch in all these hundred years has ever done one act to arraign them under the ban for violating law and order."At this time Joseph Hitch had 220 descendants. Every year the family holds a reunion. All of his sons were farmers. His son Henry Pitts Hitch was born in Maryland. There is a weird tradition that Joseph Hitch when a young man had a sweetheart to whom he remarked that if he was ever unfaithful to her may his arm wither. Later he jilted her and married someone else. It is claimed that his first child was born without an arm and that many of his descendants have met with accidents to their arms, breaking, shot, disease, etc."
In the records of the Nov 1791 Court for Somerset County, Maryland, Joseph Hitch was listed on a payment schedule for "6 days as an Evidence for Wm. Ballard vs. Stephen Adams" (SoJ-1791/94:16, MSA C1774-57, MdHR 13,140).
In the Federal Assessment of 1798 for Manokin Hundred, Somerset County, Maryland, Joseph Hitch was listed as the occupant of property owned by Elizabeth Jackson consisting of one dwelling house, size 40' x 22', one story brick with two windows 6' x 2'9", twowindows 5'11" x 2'7", and five windows 4' x 18", out of repair;one kitchen, size 24' x 16'; one milk house, size 16' x 10'; and one stable, size 18' x 14'. All contained 80 perches assessed at $350. The record also lists one barn, 30' x 20' with 9' sheds on each side; one barn, 20' square; one corn house, 24' x 8'; one quarter (?), 20' x 16'; lands "Bozman's Adventure" and "Robertsons Addition", 182 acres; other tracts of land, 328 acres and marshland, 900 acres. All were assessed $20 for buildings and $3,820 for land. (TA1798)
In the Commissioners of the Tax Received for 1798-1803, Joseph Hitch was listed in Manokin Hundred of Somerset County and assessed taxes for one male/female slave age 8-14 at £15 and one female slave age 14-36 at £30 for a total of £60, £60, £60, £60 for the years 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803 respectively (he is not listed for years 1798 and 1799) (SoTA-1798/1803).
On May 30 1800, Joseph Hitch of Somerset, County received a deed for land from Benjamin Hitch of Worcester CountyThe land consisted of 50 acres for which he paid £5. The tract was a part of "Mount Pleasant" (WoLR-V:652).
Joseph Hitch and his family moved to Pendleton County, Kentucky sometime between Apr 4 1807 and Nov 28 1807. A paper dated Apr 4 1807 and still in the family, was used to verify Joseph and his wife as faithful members of the church. See Figure 28, the paper states, "These are to certify to all to whom they come - that the Bearers Joseph Hitch & Sarah his wife are of fair & unblemished character in the full communion the Church. We therefore commend them to the grace afforded to the care, notice & esteem of any sister Church to which God in his gracious providence may direct them. Apr 4th 1807. Jno. B. Slemons, Minister of the United Congregations of Manokin & Wicomico"This paper puts Joseph Hitch still in Maryland on this date. However, a survey done on Nov 28 1807, puts Joseph in Kentucky by that time. This survey, shown in Figure 29, was for 30 acres of land bordering land of James Graves and witnessed by Samuel Lakewood and George Hendricks. The survey was approved by "A. Monroe, S.P.C." Further, the paper History of the Hitch Family prepared by Robert Hamilton Hitch and read by Rev. H.P. Thompson at a picnic in the Beech Grove, outside Concord, Pendleton Co., KY in 1873 (Copy provided Donovan Hitch of Covington, KY.) states that Joseph and Sallie had moved (in 1807) with their children, Henry Pitt and Jane Harrison, to a place near the town of Foster, Kentucky (then called the mouth of Holt's Creek).He moved there and lived near his brother and sister's family, Thomas and Polly Tull Hitch.
On Sep 30 1809, there was a land transaction between "Joseph Hitch of Penttletion (sic) County in the State of Kaintucky" and John Hitch of Somerset County. Joseph sold 50 acres of land, "Mount Pleasant", to John for £5. The record refers to deed from Benjamin Hitch to Joseph Hitch of May 13 1803. (WoLR-AA:338)
In the 1810 Federal Census, Joseph Hitch is listed in Pendleton County, Kentucky (page 116) and indicated in a household comprised of two males under age 10, one male age 26-45 and one female age 26-45.
On Dec 25 1812 there was an indenture made between George Hendricks and Barbara Bags/Bogs, both of Pendleton County, Kentucky deed to Thomas Rush of Pendleton County for the sum of $1000, land on the Main Licking, consisting of 210 acres, beginning at John Williams' southeast corner, bordering on Joseph Hitch. This deed is also signed by Caty Henricks. Witnesses: John V. Wellman, John (X) Rush, Phillip Henricks. (Pendleton County, Kentucky Deed Book B:402; also, Kentucky County Court Records, Vol. IV - Pendleton County Selected Deed Abstracts 1798-1823, Janet K. Pease [Grant County Historical Society, Williamstown, KY, 1987])On May 15 1815, Press G. Kennett, Joseph Hitch, William Bryan, and Alexander Monroe are bound to the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the penal sum of $10,000, conditioned upon Press G. Kennett faithfully discharging his duties as Clerk of the County Court for Pendleton County. Witness: W.C. Kennett. Recorded May 15 1815 in Pendleton County and May 22 1815 in the Kentucky Court of Appeals. (Kentucky Court of Appeals, Kentucky Records Series, Library of Congress, Book Q:109)
In the Federal Census of 1820, Joseph Hitch is indicated in Pendleton County, Kentucky (page 20) in a household comprised of two males under age 10, one male age 10-16, two males age 16-26, one male over age 45, one female under age 10 and one female age 26-45.
In the Federal Census of 1830, Joseph Hitch is indicated in Pendleton County, Kentucky (page 74) in a household comprised of one male age 10-15, one male age 15-20, two males age 20-30, one male age 60-70, one female under age 5, one female age 5-10, one female age 10-15 and one female age 40-50.
On Oct 4 1847 (written Mar 24 1836), the Will of Joseph Hitch was produced in court. Witnesses: Sam'l T. Hauser and Thos. Rush. (Kentucky County Court Records, Vol. XIV Pendleton County, Kentucky Order Books J-K 1847-1860, Janet K. Pease " [Williamstown, Kentucky; Grant County Historical Society, 1999]; actual reference came from Will Book J:2,3)He was married to Sarah (Sallie) MUIR on September 24, 1799 in Somerset Co., MD.SoMR.
15.Sarah (Sallie) MUIR was born on April 20, 1782 in MD.5,12,13,14,15She died on June 15, 1852 in Pendleton Co., KY.5,15,16She was buried about June 18, 1852 in Hitch Cemetery, Hitch Bend Road, Pendleton Co., KY.11Tombstone states she was 70 years, 1 month, 27 days old.On July 5, 1852 (written March 16, 1851), the Will of Sarah Hitch, dec'd, was produced in court. Wit: Daniel Rush, John M. Stewart. Exec: Robert H. Hitch. Security: James B. Wallace. ((Janet K. Pease, "Kentucky County Court Records, Vol. III - Pendleton County Wills 1799-1871" [Grant County Historical Society, Williamstown, Kentucky, 1986]; PC Order Book J, p. 416.)Joseph HITCH and Sarah (Sallie) MUIR had the following children:
i. (no name) HITCH5 was born in 1801 in Somerset Co., MD.He died in 1801 in Somerset Co., MD.
ii. Henry Pitts HITCH was born on December 20, 1801 in Somerset Co., MD.5,17,18,19,20,21,22,15He died on July 25, 1878 in Pendleton Co., KY.5,4,15,16He was buried about July 28, 1878 in Old Hitch Cemetery, Hitch Farm, Hitch Bend Road, Concord, Pendleton Co., KY.15Daisy Hitch Davies states, "Henry Pitt Hitch was a farmer, Democrat, and active worker in the Methodist Church. All of his sons were Methodists and farmers."
A newspaper account of a centennial anniversary celebration of the Hitch family in Pendleton Co., KY. taken from the "Pendletonian", Falmouth, KY. dated July 9, 1908. Celebration held July 4, 1908 states, ".....Henry Pitt Hitch, oldest child, was born in Maryland, Dec. 20, 1801 and died July 1878.On Sept. 20, 1827, he married Sarah Bryant.To them were born ten children - four now living. Luther and Thomas F. Hitch, - Malissa Fruer and Sarah Davis.Joseph and Alfonso are dead but leave good families. Eliza and Laura died single, two died in infancy.There are thirty-one grandchildren, fifty five great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, making the sixth generation....."
In the Federal Census of 1830, Henry P. Hitch is indicated in a household in Pendleton County, Kentucky (page 73) in a household comprised of two males under age 5, one male age 20-30 and one female age 20-30.
In the Federal Census of 1840, Henry P. Hitch is indicated in a household in Pendleton County, Kentucky (page 227) in a household comprised of one male under age 5, one male age 5-10, one male age 10-15, one male age 30-40, two females under age 5 and one female age 30-40.
In the Federal Census of 1850, Henry P. Hitch is indicated in a household in Pendleton County, Kentucky (page 355) as follows:
- Henry P. Hitch, age 48, $4,195 in land, born in MD
- Sarah S. Hitch, age 40, born in KY
- Joseph L. Hitch, age 21, born in KY
- Luther W. Hitch, age 18, born in KY
- Thomas P. Hitch, age 16, born in KY
- Mary M. Hitch, age 13, born in KY
- Sarah A. Hitch, age 11, born in KY
- Eliza J. Hitch, age 9, born in KY
- Alposo J. Hitch, age 6, male, born in KY
- Laura R.C. Hitch, age 9 months, born in KY.
In the Federal Census of 1860, Henry P. Hitch is indicated in a household in Pendleton County, Kentucky (Falmouth P.O., page 631) in a household as follows:
- Henry P. Hitch, age 59, farmer, born in MD
- Sarah S. Hitch, age 50, born in KY
- Sarah E. Hitch, age 19, born in KY
- Alfonso J. Hitch, age 16, born in KY
- Laura P. Hitch, age 9, born in KY.
In the Pendleton County, Kentucky Death Records (DAR), Henry P. Hitch is listed as age 76, married, died of chronic diarrhea on July 25, 1878.
iii. (Elizabeth?) Jane Harrison HITCH5 was born on April 5, 1805 in Somerset Co., MD.15She died on July 13, 1809 in Pendleton Co., KY.15Died at age 4 years and 3 months.She was buried about July 16, 1809 in Hitch Cemetery, Hitch Bend Road, Pendleton Co., KY.11
iv. George Jackson HITCH5 was born on July 12, 1808 in Pendleton Co., KY.23,24,25,26,15,27,28,29He died on August 5, 1892 in Pendleton Co., KY.4,2,15He was buried about August 8, 1892 in Concord Methodist Cemetery, Concord, Pendleton Co., KY.15Daisy Hitch Davies states, "George Jackson Hitch was a farmer, Republican and an active worker in the Methodist Church. His sons were farmers and blacksmiths. He and his wife, who was from Ohio, lived in the same house in Kentucky after their marriage for over fifty years."
A newspaper account of the centennial anniversary celebration of the settlement of the Hitch family in Pendleton Co., KY. taken from the "Pendletonian", Falmouth, KY., July 7, 1908 celebration held July 4, 1908 states, ".....George Jackson Hitch was born July 12, 1808, died Aug. 1892, on Apr. 13, 1831 was united in marriage to Eliza Jane Hitch of Clermont Co., Ohio.To them were born eleven children, six now living. Josephus T.M., Benjamin Hardy and George Orson Hitch. Frances Housten, Hattie McGinety and Nettie Smith. Robert E. Hitch died from accidental gun shot wound leaving a good family. Sarah Daynum and Mackey Purdy are in the great beyond. Sarah leaves a son, two children died in infancy.There are twenty grandchildren and twenty two great grandchildren....."
In the Federal Census of 1840, G.J. Hitch is indicated in Pendleton County, Kentucky (page 242) in a household comprised of one male under age 5, one male age 5-10, one male age 30-40, two females under age 5, one female age 5-10 and one female age 20-30.
In the Federal Census of 1850, George Hitch is indicated in Pendleton County, Kentucky (page 355) in a household as follows:
- George Hitch, age 42, farmer, $2000 in land, born in KY
- Eliza Jane Hitch, age 39, born in KY
- Sarah Louisa Hitch, age 16, born inKY
- Robert E. Hitch, age 15, born in KY
- Francis M. Hitch, age 13, born in KY
- Josephus M. Hitch, male, age 11, born in KY
- Nancy Ellen Hitch, age 9, born in KY
- Hester Jane Hitch, age 7, born in KY
- Benjamin H. Hitch, age 5, male, born in KY
- George H.O. Hitch, age 3, born in KY
James S. Hitch, age 3 months, born in KY.
In the Federal Census of 1860, George J. Hitch is indicated in Pendleton County, Kentucky (page 632, Booth P.O.) in a household as follows:
- George J. Hitch, age 52, farmer, born in KY
- Elizabeth J. Hitch, age 49, born in KY
- Sarah S. Hitch, age 25, born in KY
- Francis M. Hitch, age 23, born in KY
- Josephus T.M. Hitch, age 21, born in KY
- Nancy Hitch, age 19, born in KY
- Hester J. Hitch, age 17, born in KY
- Benjamin H. Hitch, age 15, born in KY
- George H.O. Hitch, age 12, born in KY
- Mary E.A. Hitch, age 2, born in KY.
In the Federal Census of 1870, George J. Hitch is indicated in Pendleton County, Kentucky (page 429) in a household as follows:
- George J. Hitch, age 61, farmer, born in KY
- Elizabeth J. Hitch, age 59, born in KY
- George R. Hitch, age 22, born in KY
- Mary E. Hitch, age 12, born in KY.
v. Luther Muir HITCH was born on October 23, 1811 in Pendleton Co., KY.5,30,31,32,33,34,35He died on September 8, 1873 in Pendleton Co., KY.4From "A Hitch Orchard", Daisy Hitch Davies, 1931:Luther Muir Hitch was a farmer, Democrat and an active worker in the Presbyterian Church. His sons were farmers. It is rumored that the name "Muir" appears in the family of each child of Sarah Muir Hitch, mother of Luther Muir Hitch.
A newspaper account of a centennial anniversary celebrating the settlement of the Hitch family in Pendleton Co., KY. from the "Pendletonian", Falmouth, KY. July 9, 1908. Celebration held July 4, 1908 states, "....Luther Muir Hitch was born Oct. 23, 1811; died Sept. 8, 1873; was married to Mary A. Best, Sept. 24, 1837. To them were born nine children, five now living, Edward, George A. and John T.M. Hitch, Sarah Cooper and Isabelle Lightfoot. Emma Fields and Ella Waggaman have crossed the great divide, leaving fine families. Rebecca and Mattie died single. There are twenty-eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren...."
In the Federal Census of 1840, Luther Hitch is indicated in Pendleton County, Kentucky (page 242) in a household comprised of one male age 20-30, two females under age 5 and one female age 20-30.
(*) Pendleton County Order Book J, pages 118+ - Deed of Emancipation from Sarah Hitch and Luther M. Hitch to their slave James Lockman, on the oath of Robert Hitch, witness.Said Lockman is 55 years old, a very black complexion, about 5' 2" tall and of "rather spare make".Securities:Robert H. Hitch and William Ellis.May 7, 1849.
In the Federal Census of 1850, Luther Hitch is indicated in Pendleton County, Kentucky (page 357) in a household as follows:
- Luther Hitch, age 38, farmer, $2,000 in land, born in KY
- Mary Hitch, age 30, born in KY
- Emily E. Hitch, age 10, born in KY
- Rebecca J., age 7, born in KY
- Mary E. Hitch, age 5, born in KY
- Joseph E. Hitch, age 3, born in KY
- Sarah R. Hitch, age 2, born in KY.
In the Federal Census of 1860, L.M. Hitch is indicated in Pendleton County, Kentucky (page 653, Flower Creek P.O.) in a household as follows:
- L.M. Hitch, age 49, farmer, born in KY
- Mary J. Hitch, age 38, born in KY
- Rebecca A. Hitch, age 19, born in KY
- Mary E. Hitch, age 17, born in KY
- Joseph E. Hitch, age 14, born in KY
- Sarah R. Hitch, age 12, born in KY
- Isabell Hitch, age 5, born in KY
- George Ann Hitch (female), age 3, born in KY
- John T.M. Hitch, age 2 months, born in KY.
In the Federal Census of 1870, Luther Hitch is indicated in Pendleton County, Kentucky (page 431) in a household as follows:
- Luther M. Hitch, age 58, farmer, born in KY
- Mary J. Hitch, age 47, born in KY
- Sarah Hitch, age 22, born in KY
- Isabell Hitch, age 17, born in KY
- George A. Hitch, age 13, born in KY
- John Hitch, age 11, born in KY.
vi. Robert Hamilton HITCH was born on February 26, 1815 in Pendleton Co., KY.5,36,37,38,39He died on August 23, 1877 in Pendleton Co., KY.5,4,2,15,16He was buried about August 26, 1877 in Hitch Cemetery, Hitch Bend Road, Pendleton Co., KY.11Robert Hamilton Hitch was born on February 26, 1815 on the old Hitch farm near the Licking River in Pendleton County, Kentucky.His father JosephHitch died on his farm on September 28, 1847 and his mother Sallie passed on June 15, 1852. In a letter dated March 23, 1848 from A.F. Boggs to Robert Hitch, it says of the death of Joseph Hitch, "You all have lost a kind Father and your Mother a devoted husband but you must have been in a measure prepared for his decease - and I have no doubt he was fully prepared to meet his judge - I first learned of his death from Thos. Holton in Covington . . ."
Robert H. Hitch married shortly after his father's death to Abigail Charlotte Sherwin on July 2, 1849.Abigail was born on April 23, 1832 in Point Pleasant, Clermont County, Ohio, the daughter of William Baker Sherwin and Martha Mulloy.She was the granddaughter of Elnathan Sherwin of Wales who served in the American Revolution and the War of 1812.Robert and Abigail Hitch raised a large family of eleven children.
Robert Hitch was a grand father and man taken with the poetry and love of life.He seemed to reflect great insight into his time here on earth.This is depicted in several of his writings and correspondences he left behind.The following is a letter dated March 22, 1863 from R.H. Hitch to his cousin Charlotte Vickers at a when she had lost two beloved members of her family:
Poplar Grove, Ky March 22nd 63
My dear Cousin Lottie:
Time after time have we thought of answering your letter, but did not know what would most console you.I am now seated this calm sabbath evening for the purpose of pening some thoughts to you.Abbie is sitting near me reading the New York Observer, the children are out at play, but I hear little Susie fretting for she is quite indisposed.Josephus and Sarah Hitch were here today have left a short time since; their folks at home are well.Edgar Moore is here, they all moved down to the Pepper farm last Monday, and are there settled for the present year.They are all well.Henry & Luther's families are well also.Mary and family with the exception of Sallie Wright were well at last account.We have passed through a very disagreeable winter as regards to the weather but it is more rather springlike and our fields begin to look green.What a blessing (it is) that the lovely spring time succeeds (the co)ld cheerles winter.In the language of Pollok "The seasons came and went; And went and came to teach us gratitude."Truly nature is a good & great teacher and the lessons taught us should cheer us in this world of affliction.Our American poet Longfellow says something like the following, "Be still sad heart and cease thy pining, Behind the clouds the sun is shining. Some days must be dark and dreary."And what a happy thing it is to think that the darkest day will pass away.
Lottie we were so glad to hear through Will's letter that you had a friend with you to cheer you amid the dark hours of affliction.Thus it is that God will never suffer his children to be afflicted more than they are able to bear.
We anticipate a visit from you when the season becomes agreeable to travel and I assure you we will be glad to see you and converse face to face.O how often I have thought of your sainted mother, & your beloved uncle in the last two months.
Yes I have thought by night & by (day) of the excellency of their char(acter).And once in particular in my dreams I saw your uncle Thos. visiting our old homested as he often did in bygone days.He appeared to me in all the vigor and bloom of youth.And how delightful was our meeting.And I could but wonder if the good Being had not permitted him to visit the friends of his kindred who loved him so much.I am not a Spiritualist but I do think that the Bible clearly teaches that there are guardian Angels & ministering spirits permitted to encamp around about those who fear Him.And it is presumptuous in us to suppose that they are not composed of our friends while upon earth.Be that as it may it is pleasant to think of them, and to live in hope of meeting them when these mortal evils are shuffled off.Dear Lot be of good cheer notwithstanding all the troubles and trials we are passing through.God will sustain us if we trust Him.All of your relatives here take or feel an interest in your welfare and love to hear from you.And as I take pleasure in giving them all the information I can in reference to you all I hope you will (wr)ite.And excuse me for my tardiness (. . .)I will try to write to him soon.
(Be)st regards to yourself & all.Your friend, R.H. Hitch
This letter presents a unique insight into the personality and spirituality of a man who lived and died more than 120 years ago.Such insight is usually lost with the passing of time and we today are lucky that such correspondences were save over the years to give us this window into the past.
For his 35th birthday, on February 26, 1860, Robert H. Hitch's sister, Rachel Shiles Hitch bought him a journal.She meant for him to keep a daily accounting of his life through the journal which he did faithfully until his death in 1877.In a letter dated February 26, 1860, Rachel tells Robert of the journal:
February 26, 1860
Dear Robert
I tried hard to get to Concord today but have failed, owing to two visitors, Alice Thomason and Henry Hitch.You must commence tonight with your journal.It takes but little time to keep one and I think they are very interesting and useful.My love to all.Come when you can, all of you.
Your sister,
Rachel
Donovan Hitch of Covington, KY, a grandson of Robert H. Hitch, has been so kind to provide me with excerpts from the diary of the man.While much of the journal referred to the weather and other sundry things, there are also many references to the family and political climate of the country that was enthralled in the Civil War throughout the first five years of the 1860s.I leave it to the reader to glean the events of this tumultuous time through the eyes of a Hitch family member:
Excerpts from the Diary of Robert Hamilton Hitch:
Feb 28 1861
During the present month political excitement has been unusual but perhaps not as great throughout the country as in last month.The prospect on this last day of the month is some better for compromise than has been.
March 12 1861
Political affairs interesting.
March 25 1861
Cloudy forenoon, rainy evening.Ploughed today.The wind blew down a dead tree which came near killing my two plough nags which were in the harness near the tree.Providential escape.Not a sparrow falls without God's notice.
March 28 1861
Martins appeared on the 25th of the present month.
Apr 1 1861
Went to Falmouth county court day today. Stevenson and Hogan made speechs (sic); did not hear much.
Apr 7 1861
Abba (wife) joined the Presbyterian Church.
Apr 8 1861
Swallows appeared on the first of the month.
Apr 12 1861
Ft. Sumter attacked by South Carolina today.
Apr 15 1861
Great political excitement. Ft. Sumter taken by the Southern Conf.
Apr 18 1861
Political excitement continuing.
Apr 19 1861
Virginia seceded. Ky occupied neutral position.
Apr 22 1861
Troops left Cynthiana (KY) for the Southern Conf today.
Apr 26 1861
Went to Catawba, got a paper, war news plenty.
Apr 30 1861
The political excitement general, north and south.God alone knows the final destiny of our once happy country.
May 4 1861
Election day today. Union sentiment strong in our precinct.
May 6 1861
Union vote in Ky carried in this county.
May 11 1861
Great excitement last night about negro mobs.
May 14 1861
Political excitement continues, north and south.
May 16 1861
Great concern is expressed by every good citizen for the welfare of our country.
July 24 1861
Great battle last Sunday at Manassas, Va.
Aug 5 1861
Election day. Union ticket elected in this county.
Aug 13 1861
Cloudy and cool.Went to see Rachel (this is his sister Rachel Shiles Hitch, the person that gave him this journal), She is quite sick of cholera morbus.The boys made rails.P.D. Rush and family visitors this evening.
Aug 14 1861
Fair and pleasant.Dug potatoes and prepared the ground for turnips.The boys made rails.Went at night to see Rachel. Stopped all night.She is very ill of fever.
Aug 15 1861
Continues fine weather for growing crops.Continued rail making.Went after supper to see Rachel; fear she is dangerously ill.Returned after 10 o'clock.
Aug 16 1861
Fine day.Went with Abbie in the forenoon to see Rachel who is quite sick.Repaired fence in the evening.Slept all night at C.A.W.'s (this is C.A. Wanderlohr, husband of Rachel S. Hitch who see married on November 30, 1857).
Aug 17 1861
Little warmer today.At Rachel's in the forenoon and afternoon.Symptoms a little favorable.Hope she will get well.
Aug 18 1861
Called up at 4 o'clock to see poor sister Rachel.Found her dying.But thanks to God who gave her the victory.She died after one o'clock P.M.Rainy evening.
Aug 19 1861
Rainy forenoon and part of the evening.Sister Rachel was buried this afternoon.A large number of friends and relatives attended the burial.Feel sad.
Aug 22 1861
Shower int he morning, heavy rain at noon.Hauled some rails and attended to other matters.Evening cloudy.SAD DAYS.
Aug 31 1861
A slight earthquake this morning near five o'clock.
Sept 7 1861
A fine autumn day. Went to Catawba with mutton. Received a message of A.D.Moore's (his brother-in-law) sudden departure to the Southern Army.
Sept 9 1861
A very fine day. Went in the evening to Covington, Ky. Stopped at Drovers Inn.Politics and stock were the subject @f the night.
Sept 24 1861
Curt (slave) went to Falmouth to cook for the union encampment.
Sept 27 1861
Soldiers are going to the railroad by the thousand.
Oct 3 1861
Got a letter from A.D. Moore to Rebecca Moore (his sister). Conveyed it to her today. Learn from it that he is in the Southern Army in Tenn.
Oct 4 1861
Mefford and others sent to Ft. Lafayette for rebelling against the Government of the U.S.
Oct 6 1861
Much excitement in politics.
Jan 11 1862
Went to Rebecca's to a tobacco stripping today, several there.
Feb 8 1862
Went to R.J. Moore's and made some arrangements to sell her farm.
Feb 21 1862
Hauled some wood for Rebecca. Went to look at some land and returned home in the evening.
Feb 22 1862
Went to Falmouth on business for R.J. Moore.
Feb 24 1862
Was at Miss Ringo's in the evening on business for R.J.M.
Feb 25 1862
Uncle Thomas Hitch died last Saturday, Feb 22 1862. [Thomas Hitch was the brother of Joseph Hitch]
Mar 1 1862
Received two letters, one from Thomas Tull, the other from W.B. Vickers informing us A.D. Moore was a prisoner at Indianapolis, also took a letter from the office to Rebecca from A.D.M. giving an account of his capture at Ft. Donaldson.
Mar 3 1862
Cold rain this morning, river very high.Was to see Rachel's little babe at G.J. Hitch's.She is very sick, will probably die tonight.Abbie remained all night to help nurse her.
Mar 4 1862
Little Mary Wanderlohr died last night about 8 o'clock.Was buried this evening beside her mother.
Mar 11 1862
Fine day; tramped rye and went to Gabriel's to eat sugar. Manassas surrendered by the rebels.
Apr 7 1862
Rained the entire day, river rose at night.My old canoe escaped.
Apr 8 1862
Followed my canoe and found it at Matthew Wright's. Titus W. charged 75 cents for stopping the canoe.
Apr 9 1862
Rained vilently (sic) most of the day and snowed hard in the evening, late. Read Shakespeare's tragedy of Hamlet to Abbie and Exira.
Apr 12 1862
Troubles in the country continue.
April 16 1862
Black Hawk twenty-seven years old today. (Black Hawk was Joseph Hitch's faithful dog)
May 5 1862
Went to R.J. Moore s and sheared her sheep.
May 8 1862
Planted corn in Rebecca's field.
May 28 1862
Fine rain last night, cloudy today. Went to R.J. Moore's to attend a Sheriff s sale.
June 30 1862
Fighting at Richmond, Va.
July 4 1862
Continues fair and warm. Went to Flour Creek to a celebration. Very fine time.
July 14 1862
Great political or war trouble in Ky now.
July 18 1862
Morgan, the rebel guerrilla took Cynthiana yesterday. Ben Hitch (his nephew, son of brother George Jackson Hitch) and others from here were taken prisoners but were released today.
July 19 1862
Great excitement in the country. Ben Hitch returned home this P.M.
Aug 7 1862
Ben Hitch left for the army today.
Aug 8 1862
Soldiers took possession of D. Rush's and L.M.H.'s (his brother Luther Muir Hitch) guns.
Aug 9 1862
Morgan reported in Kentucky again.
Aug 12 1862
Mary Moore came today.
Aug 13 1,862
Went with Mary Moore to Rebecca's, from there to A.L. Pepper's.
Aug 30 1862
Very warm. Finished v business at Covington. Met A.D. Moore who was taken
prisoner at Ft Donaldson last Feb. and is now out on oath of allegiance. We shook hands as Union brothers and came home in his company.
Sept 1 1862
A.D. Moore still at our house (probably dog house). Our Union forces had a battle with the Confederate forces near Richmond, Ky.Many of our men killed, wounded and taken prisoners.
Sept 2 1862
A.D. Moore had a chill this evening.
Sept 4 1862
Went to Falmouth, great excitement. Lexington, Paris and Cynthiana abandoned by the Union forces.
Sept 5 1862
Curt hauled a load of soldiers to Poe's and hauled some peaches and a cane mill back for January. Some troops taken up to Falmouth. Great excitement.
Sept 6 1862
No papers this week since Monday, nor no mail ..... (Saturday)
Sept 8 1862
A.D. Moore and L.M. Hitch visitors.
Sept 9 1862
Went to H. Anderson's on business for Moore. Falmouth was taken by the Confederates yesterday.
Sept 15 1862
Saw a company of Union Cavalry.
Sept 17 1862
Falmouth bridge burned by rebels.
Sept 18 1862
Great war excitement in Ky generally.
Sept 23 1862
Rebel soldiers at Falmouth.
Sept 24 1862
Heard cannon in a southern direction.
Sept 27 1862
Part of the rebels at Falmouth left today for Bracken.
Sept 29 1862
Augusta partly burned and taken by the rebels on last Saturday.
Oct 11 1862
Large Union force in Falmouth.
Oct 16 1862
A train of cars up today as far as Falmouth.
Oct 20 1862
Soldiers pressed my team to haul timber.
Oct 22 1862
Sixty wagons of army stores passed L.M.H.'s.
Oct 24 1862
Went to Falmouth with Willie & Harrie to see the soldiers. All left but one regiment.
Nov 7 1862
Two wagons hauled by six mules each, came down to D. Rush's for loads of hay for the Govt.
Dec 24 186@
A.D. Moore arrived from Indianapolis.
Dec 31 1862
Thus has passed away 1862 and with it thousands of our fellow citizens. And tonight the voice of mourning is heard around the firesides that one year ago were joyful. Such is the horror of war. It removes not the old and decrepit but the youth and those who are in the prime of manhood. It is strange, then that the voice of lamentation is heard in theland, like Rachel of old, weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they are not. And who can tell what the end will be? Before another year closes thousands more must perish unless God in His goodness should let the cup pass away. For we feel that vain is the help of man. May God grant that the cup of bitterness may soon beremoved and may there be a general outpouring of His spirit upon all the land until there will be a general shout heard, "Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."
Jan 13 1863
Letter from W.B. Vickers giving the painful news of the death of Thomas Tull and Col. Richard O'Neil.
Feb 23 1863
Rebel raid in Ky.
Feb 25 1863
Frogs commenced hallowing.
Feb 28 1863
Doves began to coo.
Mch 25 1863
Soldiers are pressing all the colored men to work at Lexington.
Apr 9 1863
Went with T.C. Houston to Callansville to try the efficiency of a mad stone.
Apr 13 1863
Chopped and rolled logs. Moore let the fire get to the fence.
Apr 16 1863
Repaired fence in forenoon; went to L.M. Hitch's and A.D. Moores. Black Hawk 28years old today.
June 3 1863
Cool and cloudy, went to Covington, attended to considerable business. Stopped all night.
June 4 1863
Warm today, cool evening. No passenger cars today and I came up the Ohio River to Foster and walked home by 10 o'clock.
June 6 1863
Pleasant day. Was very sick last night and today with cholera morbus.
June 17 1863
Went with Abbie to L.M.H.'s in the evening to see Rebecca Hitch.
June 25 1863
Rebecca Hitch was buried this evening. Fannie Ringo died this PM.
June 26 1863
Went to Falmouth today to get materials for burying F. Ringo.
July 4 1863
Went to Boston to a picnic. Am tired.
Aug 3 1863
Went to the election and voted for all the Union candidates. Quiet election.
Aug 5 1863
Favorable election news.
Dec 8 1863
Cloudy and cool. Went with H.P. Hitch to Falmouth to assist in getting marriage license for P. Sullivan and Sallie Wright (his niece). We failed and the party took the evening train forCincinnati.
Dec 9 1863
Cloudy. Three of the wedding party returned on the morning train from Cincinnati and report no success. I went with them to A.L. Pepper's (his brother-in-law) and obtained certificate for license for Sullivan and Sallie Wright who were married tonight at William Sullivan's.
Dec 17 1863
Showery forenoon, cold and windy evening and night. J. Houston and Mary Mooremarried today.
Dec 21 1863
Fair and warmer than yesterday. Found a canoe and killed a wild turkey in forenoon. Slaughtered four hogs in PM.
Dec 25 1863
Fine bright day. Willie and Jas Wandelohr came down on the cars from Falmouth. Had a wild turkey for dinner. Hunted some with the boys.
Dec 28 1863
Cool and cloudy with some rain. Licking River high. Crossed Licking sixteen times during the day. A number of persons here today.
Dec 29 1863
Cloudy forenoon, fair evening. Went to Catawba in the morning. Went with Abbie and Will to G.J. Hitch's at night to attend an oyster supper. Not many present.
Feb 12 1864
Fair and pleasant. Mrs. Harrington, Garrard McKee and Rush visitors. Went to Joe Hitch's at night to doctor a sick ox.
Feb 15 1864
Another fine day. Shucked some corn in forenoon and split 58 rails.
Feb 16 1864
Snowed some last night and turned suddenly cold and windy. Tis too cold for any work if it could be avoided.
Feb 18 1864
Still continues cold. Crossed Licking on the ice this morning.
March 16 1864
Snowed considerable last night and also today. Sowed more seed. Vaccinated D.Rush's children, Al Purdy and lady visitors.
March 17 1864
Another stormy March day. Hauled wood in forenoon. A.L. Burke here enrolling the
names of negroes for soldiers.
Apr 4 1864
Rained last night and showery today. Was at Falmouth at a large Union convention.
Apr 16 1864
Changeable with some rain. Worked road and ploughed some. Black Hawk 29 yearsold today.
May 10 1864
Rained a little last night and some hard showers today some in forenoon. A hard battle was fought in Virginia between Grant's and Lee's forces last Thursday and Friday. Union gain.
May 13 1864
Fair and pleasant. Ploughed corn ground. General Grant gained a victory in Virginia.
June 9 1864
Rebel raid in Ky, two or three bridges burned.
July 4 1864
Fair and pleasant.Shot poor old Black Hawk as an act of mercy toward him. Cradled rye and went to Ash Run, etc.
July 30 1864
Warm and very dry, pastures drying up and corn suffering for rain. Hoed potatoes and sowed turnip seed. Exira M. Waggaman here, borrowed ten dollars of me for three months. Went to Catawba inthe afternoon. Bradford and Mullins threatening each other's lives.
Aug 11 1864
Went with three of the children to Covington and got their pictures taken. Children returned.
Aug 12 1864
Warm, a little sprinkle of rain. Came home from Covington, got our cloth, etc.
Aug 17 1864
Heavy shower of rain today. Helped raise a kitchen for A.D. Moore.
Aug 22 1864
Dark and smoky. Prepared for covering house and repairing an ox yoke, Union soldiers pressing horses.
Aug 23 1864
Clear but very smoky. Went to Falmouth in the morning, was at L.M. & Geo. Hitch's ... L. Hitch's Jake joined the Union Army.
Sept 4 1864
Terrible storm last night, Licking arose high, my old canoe departed.
Nov 2 1864
Showery day. Stripped broom corn and chopped wood in the AM, went to A.L.Pepper's in the evening and heard a Union speech.
Nov 4 1864
Cool, cloudy day with some rain. Went with Rebecca Moore to Butler station, got glass etc.
Nov 8 1864
Heavy showers of rain. Went to the election and voted for Lincoln and Johnson for President and Vice President of the U.S.
Dec 3 1864
Rained hard last night, faired up this morning. Went to Falmouth, chopped wood,
gathered corn, etc.- Bought a sewing machine for $18.00.
Dec 22 1864
Very cold. Cut and hauled wood. Four raftmen with us tonight.
Dec 23 1864
A very cold forenoon. Helped row a raft across the river.
Dec 30 1864
Cloudy day, commenced snowing in the evening, continued most of the night. Shucked corn in the forenoon, went to the school exhibition in the evening. Was at the children's party at A.D.M.'s at night.
Dec 31 1864
The deepest snow of the winter and quite cold. Chopped and hauled up drags of wood. Feel depressed in spirits.
Jan 23 1865
Snowed considerable last night and forenoon today. Went to ESQ Fields and engaged in a fox chase.
Feb 1 1865
Fair bright day. Went to A.G. Fields for the purpose of engaging in a fox chase, but could find no fox.
Feb 11 1865
Another fair day. Sugar water ran some today. Willie and I hunted some in theafternoon, killed one squirrel.
Sunday Feb 26 1865
Cloudy and cool. Several of our friends dined with us, it being my fiftieth birthday.Very pleasant time.
Apr 7 1865
Showery day. Took one box of vegetables to Catawba to send on to the sick and wounded soldiers.
Apr 11 1865
Rainy day. Shelled corn and went to G.J. Hitch's. Lee's Army surrendered to Grant
about the 3rd.
Apr 15 1865
Cloudy day with a little rain. President Lincoln and Secretary Seward were assassinated last night in Washington. Was at T.C. Houstons and Boston today.
Apr 17 1865
Another fine day. Went to Falmouth and conveyed land to Garvey. Seward is not dead.
Dec 31 1865
A dark cloudy day. At home today. Thanks be to God the war has ceased and we are yet alive to enjoy peace ........
Robert Hamilton Hitch died on August 23, 1877 at the age of 62.His wife Abigail lived for another 46 years when she passed on January 10, 1923 at age 91.Both are buried in the old Hitch family graveyard on the old Joseph Hitch farm in Pendleton Co., Kentucky.Verifying what we know of the great character of this man what we have seen herein with his writings, are two obituaries: one written in the Falmouth Independent (Falmouth, KY) shortly after his death and one written nearly six months later by his dear friend William B. Vickers.Read them for yourself as a fitting closing to this article:
The Falmouth Independent, Thursday, November 26, 1877:
"It has been suggested that an obituary notice, embracing a fuller statement of the life and character of our esteemed friend, the late Robert H. Hitch, than has been written, would be acceptable, and would be only an act of justice to a very worthy and excellent citizen.
He had a poetic element in his nature which led him in early life to delight in the beauties of nature and also to read and diligently study the English and American poets.As a friend he was true, sincere and constant and was not willing that the ties of friendship once formed should ever be broken.
As a father he loved to see the peculiar traits of their character and watch their development.As a husband, he was considerate, tender and loving.He remarked when ill, at the rate I am now failing and have been for a few days, I shall die in about two weeks! This came to pass very near the time he had named. His last words spoken to his brother George A. Hitch, Esq.; - "Happy, Happy, perfectly happy"
He was ill for twelve years, as he lived the life of a Christian, he died the death of an saint.He has left to his children the patrimony of an honest and pious life, a noble inheritance for his children, better than the riches of earth."
ROBERT HAMILTON HITCH
To the Editor of the Independent
Sir: Reading quite recently for the first time various tributes to the memory of my dear deceased friend, whosename heads this article, I am impelled even at this late day to add my testimony to his worth and the many excellent social qualities which endeared him not only to his family and to his immediate circle of friends but to all with whom he came in contact, however slightly. I appreciate and fully endorse all that has been said of his high religious character and his unusual worth as a citizen. He was indeed a manly man in all the relations of life. He went to the grave at a ripe age, without a single spot upon his reputation, and his blameless life was and is a noble inheritance for his children. But his life was eminently and pre- eminently a useful one, not only as an example but in its practical everyday influence upon those around him. The world was better because he lived in it, and happier too. It was a pleasure to know him. even casually. I well remember an incident illustrative of this fact. During my residence at Indianapolis Mr. Hitch visited me occasionally, and at such times it was my privilege and pleasure to introduce him to many of our best citizens, some of them eminent in the world of letters and others prominent in the field of politics orin business. All these, from the highest to the lowest, were pleased and glad to know such a man, and would have showered him with many attentions had not his quiet, modest retiring nature led him to avoid the very appearance of courting such compliments. One day pressing duties prevented me from attending him as usual as he started out for walk alone. A few hours later he returned in a carriage accompanied by a wealthy and rather blue-blooded" citizen, who showed so much interest In Mr. H. and parted from him so reluctantly that I at once concluded they had discovered some tie of blood or consanguinity or possibly that they had been boys together. It appeared however, that Mr. H. did not even know the stranger's name. He had fallen in with him on the street somewhere, had "struck up" an acquaintance, and in a very short time had made such a favorably impression on his new acquaintance that the latter invited him not only to ride in his carriage but to visit him at the house and remain there as long as he pleased. The hospitable offer was declined but those who knew Mr. H. as I did will bear me out in the assertion that he would have honored the stately mansion by becoming its guest, and that would have been, as Mr. Thompson wrote of him, as much at home in the abodes of the wealthy and refined as in his own plain farm house where he was born and where be died. He was a gentleman by instinct;a better, braver, truer, nobler gentleman than many a sprig of nobility or wealth on whom fortunes have beenlavished in a vain attempt to supply by education and breeding and travel those finer graces of character which Robert Hitch held by inheritance and which more than supplied his lack of learning and his ignorance of fashionable follies.
Green be the grave and the memory of this nobleman of nature; this friend of friends; this prince of manhood. I count among the noblest gifts of time to me his influence upon my life and the many happy hours spent in his sweetsociety.I have traveled far to stand beside his grave; would that I could bring a worthier tribute to his memory.
W.B. Vickers
Poplar Grove, Ky., April 29, 1878.
A newspaper account of a centennial celebration of the anniversary of the settlement of the Hitch family in Pendleton Co., KY. taken from "The Pendletonian," Falmouth, KY., dated July 9, 1908. Celebration held July 4, 1908 states, "Robert Hamilton Hitch was born Feb. 26, 1815; died Aug. 29, 1877; married Abbygail Charlotte Sherwin July 2, 1849. To them were born eleven children, nine now living, William S., G. Harry, Thomas Tull, Marlbro Oneal, Robert Hugh, Arthur Eugene Hitch, Mollie Marshall, Carra Ellis, and Ruby Myers. Susanna Stewart and Annie Fields have crossed the dark waters. They feared no evil. Annie left two children, There are twenty-three grandchildren."
7 vii. Mary Ann HITCH.
viii. Rebecca Jane HITCH5 was born on June 20, 1821 in Pendleton Co., KY.5,40She died on March 11, 1874 in KY.4,1Died by fire.From "A Hitch Orchard" compiled by Daisy Hitch Davies in 1931:Rebecca Jane Hitch was a Methodist.Her husband was a Methodist and a Democrat. He was a school teacher and store keeper and served with the Confederate Army during the Civil War.A fire was the cause of death of Rebecca.
A newspaper account of a centennial celebration of the anniversary of the settlement of the Hitch family in Pendleton Co., KY. taken from "The Pendletonian", Falmouth Co., KY. dated July 9, 1908.Celebration July 4, 1908.
"Rebecca Jane Hitch was born June 20, 1821, died a tragic death in March 1874.She was married to Alfred D. Moore, June 7, 1847.To this union was born six children, Henry Edgar Moore, Olive D. Hoage, trusted the Savior to guide her to that land from whence no traveler returns. Caroline P. Sullivan and Sarah E. Vantnyle (note - Van Tyle; also note - Henry Edgar Hitch was still living at this time - 1931) still living.Two children died in infancy.There are seventeen grandchildren and two great grandchildren."
ix. Sallie Elizabeth HITCH5 was born on February 16, 1825 in Pendleton Co., KY.5She died after February 16, 1825 in Pendleton Co., KY.5
x. Rachel Shiles HITCH5 was born on March 13, 1828 in Pendleton Co., KY.5,41She died on August 18, 1861 in Pendleton Co., KY.5,42She died at 1:00 pm of cholera-morbus.She was buried on August 19, 1861 in Hitch Homestead, Pendleton Co., KY.1Rachel S. Hitch was a Presbyterian. Her husband was a farmer and a Democrat.
Excerpt from a letter of Benjamin Hardy Hitch, nephew Rachel Shields Hitch (5) above, dated Penshurst, KY. Mar. 7, 1899; -
From "A Hitch Orchard" compiled by Daisy Bell Hitch in 1931:"My Aunt Rachel Hitch, Mr. Phoebus corresponded, was the youngest child of my grandfather, Joseph Hitch.She married Mr. C.A. Wanderlor, a very prominent man of the county.She died in 1862.She left two children, one died in infancy.The other lived to be married but died shortly afterwards."Aunt Rach" (as we called her) was truly loved by all who knew her."
A newspaper account of a centennial celebration of the anniversary of the settlement of the Hitch family in Pendleton Co., KY. taken from "The Pendletonian", Falmouth Co., KY. dated July 9, 1908. Celebration July 4, 1908.
"Rachel Shields was born March 13, 1828, was united in marriage to C.A. Wanderlor, Nov. 30, 1857.To them were born two daughters. Cora lived to be grown and married Ben Wheeler but is now dead.Annie died in childhood. One grandchild is living."
Prepared by:
Mike Hitch
27353 Walnut Tree Road
Salisbury, MD21801
410-341-3744
[email protected]
SOURCES
1.Correspondence with Harold Donovan Hitch; 1121 Amsterdam Road #1; Covington, KY41011; dated 12/23/1994.Contains 173 pages of genealogy!.
2.Correspondence with Harold Donovan Hitch of Covington, KY (1/6/1995).
3.Correspondence from Bill Ford, 7109 East 17th Street; Wichita, KS67206, dated May 7, 1995.
4."A Hitch Orchard", by Daisy Hitch, 1931.
5.History of the HITCH Family prepared by Robert Hamilton Hitch and read by Rev. H.P. Thompson at a picnic in the Beech Grove, outside Concord, Pendleton Co., KY in 1873.Copy provided to compiler by Donovan Hitch of Covington, KY.
6.1820 KY Census.Listed as under age 10 in the 1820 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
7.1830 KY Census.Listed as age 10-15 in the 1830 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
8.1810 KY Census.Listed as age 26-45 in the 1810 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
9.1820 KY Census.Listed as age 45+ in the 1820 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
10.1830 KY Census.Listed as age 60-70 in the 1830 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
11."Monument Inscriptions of Pendleton County, Kentucky", Ford & Nagle, 1994.
12.1810 KY Census.Listed as age 26-45 in the 1810 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
13.1820 KY Census.Listed as age 26-45 in the 1820 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
14.1830 KY Census.Listed as age 40-50 in the 1830 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
15.Monument Inscriptions of Pendleton Co., KY (1994).
16.Pendleton Co., KY Death Records (DAR).
17.1810 KY Census.Listed as under age 10 in the 1810 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
18.1820 KY Census.Listed as age 16-26 in the 1820 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
19.1830 KY Census.Listed as age 20-30 in the 1830 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
20.1840 KY Census.Listed as age 30-40 in the 1840 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
21.1850 KY Census.Listed as age 48 in the 1850 Pendleton Co., KY Census, born in MD.
22.1860 KY Census.Listed as a farmer, age 59, in the 1860 Falmouth P.O., Pendleton Co., KY Census, born in MD.
23.1850 KY Census.Listed as a farmer, age 42, in the 1850 Pendleton Co., KY Census, born in KY.
24.1840 KY Census.Listed as age 30-40 in the 1840 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
25.1860 KY Census.Listed as a farmer, age 52, in the Booth, Pendleton Co., KY Census, born in KY.
26.1870 KY Census.Listed as a famrer, age 61, in the 1870 Pendleton Co., KY Census, born in KY.
27.1810 KY Census.Listed as under age 10 in the 1810 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
28.1820 KY Census.Listed as age 10-16 in the 1820 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
29.1830 KY Census.Listed as age 20-30 in the 1830 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
30.1820 KY Census.Listed as under age 10 in the 1820 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
31.1830 KY Census.Listed as age 15-20 in the 1830 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
32.1840 KY Census.Listed as age 20-30 in the 1840 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
33.1850 KY Census.Listed as a farmer, age 38, in the 1850 Pendleton Co., KY Census, born in KY.
34.1860 KY Census.Listed as L.M. Hitch, a farmer, age 46, in the 1860 Flower Creek, Pendleton Co., KY Census, born in KY.
35.1870 KY Census.Listed as a farmer, age 58, in the 1870 Pendleton Co., KY Census, born in KY.
36.Ibid.Listed as a farmer, age 55, in the 1870 Pendleton Co., KY Census, born in KY.
37.1860 KY Census.Listed as a farmer, age 45, in the 1860 Pendleton Co., KY Census, born in KY.
38.1820 KY Census.Listed as under age 10 in the 1820 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
39.1830 KY Census.Listed as age 10-15 in the 1830 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
40.Ibid.Listed as age 5-10 in the 1830 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
41.Ibid.Listed as under age 5 in the 1830 Pendleton Co., KY Census.
42.Notes sent to me by Donovan Hitch in January 1995.
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