Welcome back to the Hitch Family Newsletter (HFN)! This is the fourth issue of this well-received publication. Thanks to you all for the feedback I have received about your specific areas of the HITCH family. This has been the single most important area from which I have received my information about the family.

In this issue, I offer three stories: John O.W. Hitch of Mississippi, Gillis Hitch of the Revolution, and Hitches in the War of 1812. The first offers intriguing insight into the life of a man leading up to and during the Civil War in the deep south. The second tells the story of a man trying to collect his due pension from his services in the American Revolution. Finally, the third story continues the series of Hitches who have served in the defense of the U.S. - this time the War of 1812.

For those of you who have descended from Christopher Hitch of Maryland-Virginia-Tennessee, and I know there are quite a few of you, I have been digging into information regarding his past. I hope to have enough information to include it in the next issue of HFN due out in November or December 1995.

I have decided to renumber the issues of the Hitch Family Newsletter. Instead of using the Volume- and-Issue convention for numbering, I will fall back to a more simple sequential order to the numbering system. Therefore, this issue is simply Issue No. 4 of HFN. This should help those of us tracking articles and cross-referencing issues. Also, I plan to include an index to the HFN in 5-issue intervals beginning with the next one, Issue 5. The new numbering will also help to simplify the indexing system.

Please continue to write to me with your thoughts, suggestions or comments about the HFN and, continue to send me information and anecdotes about your branches of the family. Thank you and happy reading,

Mike Hitch

Will of J. Oscar W. Hitch

This is the story of John Oscar Whittington Hitch. His story might otherwise be forgotten were it not for some modern coincidences that happened with me and my everyday business travels. You see, John O.W. Hitch was the last generation in an extinct branch of the Hitch family that began with the patriarch Adam Hitch, through his son Elgate Hitch, his grandson Joshua Hitch, and his great-grandson William Elgate Hitch (1760/71-1802). William E. Hitch had son Joshua W. Hitch born 1797/99 in Maryland. Joshua married Mary Elizabeth Whittington on March 30, 1825 in Worcester Co., Maryland according to extant marriage records from that county.  (NOTE - this lineage is INCORRECT - it is changed in the latest Adam Hitch Lines) 

In 1835, Joshua W. And Mary E. Hitch moved to Vicksburg in Warren Co., Mississippi where he became a merchant in the young city. Joshua died on June 9, 1844 and was listed in an obituary in the Vicksburg Daily Sentinel for June 10th of that year that states, "Died yesterday morning, J.W. Hitch. Mr. Hitch was formerly of Maryland, but for several years past has been a merchant in the city. He left a wife and one child." The same newspaper for June 17, 1844 indicates the Sexton's report for the two weeks ending June 15 saying, "J.W. Hitch, (died age) 45 years, congestion of bowels."

The Constitutionalist of Vicksburg for June 1844 gives an obituary as, "Departed this life on Tuesday evening last, Joshua W. Hitch, in the 45th year of his age. Mr. Hitch was a native of Maryland, but the last nine years a citizen of this place. He left a wife and little son." Joshua left no will so his estate was divided through the Chancery Court over several years following his death (See folder 1072, Warren Co., MS Chancery Court Records). The "little son" referred to in each obituary is the subject of our story, John O.W. Hitch and this is where the "coincidences" come in that I alluded to earlier in this article.

You see, I work as the Director of Engineering in a small company specializing in computers and communications. In the course of that work, I have developed a sizable account with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which has a large scientific and engineering installation in Vicksburg called the Waterways Experiment Station (WES). To manage the account, I travel to Vicksburg quite often and this is where, in the old records of the Vicksburg Courthouse, I stumbled onto the story of John O.W. Hitch.

John O.W. Hitch was born on May 21, 1840, so he was only 4 years old when his father died in 1844. His mother, Mary E. Hitch passed away on April 2, 1857 and he was left without a family at the age of 16. Mary Hitch left a will written on May 23, 1849 where she wished to lay out provisions for "the raising, education and management of my Dear Boy." In the will, she appointed "Mr. and Mrs. Brown, My Neighbours" to be his guardians. The will was filed in court on April 28, 1857 (folder 1637, Warren Co., MS Chancery Court Records).

Consequently, just before his 17th birthday, John O.W. was left to his own with what remained of his mother's property including four (4) slaves; Eby, Margaret, Mary and William. John, who by now went by the name of Oscar Hitch, shows up in the 1860 Census in Vicksburg as a clerk, born in Mississippi, and living as a boarder in the household of one A. Naora.

For the years leading up to that time, tensions had been building in the U.S. which eventually caused the outbreak of the Civil War and John O.W. Hitch, like many other young men of the era, felt the call to serve. He enlisted in Company A of the 21st Mississippi Infantry, the "Volunteer Southonors", on May 15, 1861, six days shy of his 21st birthday. Two weeks earlier, on April 30th, he composed his will in consideration of the extreme dangers he would face in the war. The will was filed for probate in Vicksburg on August 2, 1862, meaning that John Oscar Whittington Hitch had died. (NOTE: The complete will is transcribed at the end of this article.)

This was basically the end of my research in Vicksburg. I was quite pleased with my discoveries and my ability to uncover the story of this young man. However, on my flight back to the Washington area, I was bothered with the thought of what exactly happened to John O.W. Hitch. How did he die? Where? I had to have some more answers.

My trip then took me to the National Archives in Washington, DC where there are extensive records on microfilm of both Union and Confederate units and individual soldiers. In the index there, I found John O.W. Hitch of Company A, 21st Mississippi. The records showed how John O.W. Hitch, single, age 21, joined the army "for the (duration of the) war" on May 15, 1861 at Vicksburg, Mississippi where he was employed as a clerk. He was signed into service by Captain D.N. Moody.

Most of this information I already knew, so I had done little but to confirm my research to that point. But, as I read on, I saw in black and white, John O.W. Hitch's engagements in the Civil War. The records stated: "Seven Pines, May 31, 1862, unhurt; Savage Station, June 29, 1862, unhurt; Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862, killed." John Hitch had died in battle at Malvern Hill on the first of July 1862! Success!

At this point, I was beside myself and ready to call it quits for a job well done. However, I had one more loose end to tie up - how did our John Hitch come to be in Malvern Hill on that fateful day? Thinking my obsession to be completely out of control, I didn't know whether to forge on or go home and take some tranquilizers. Fortunately, I embarked on the former.

In the Archives, they also have all the records of the various units who fought in the Civil War. So, in an underlit backroom there, I found a microfilm with the compiled records of the 21st Mississippi Infantry. It gave the handwritten record of that group from its organization in May 1861 through the end of the war!

The 21st Mississippi left Vicksburg in May and arrived in Richmond, Virginia in June 1861. It camped there until July 20th when it then went to Manassas, arriving on July 22, 1861. The 21st saw no action and stayed in Manassas until November 9, 1861. Then it marched to Leesburg to camp over the winter until March 7, 1862. From there, it marched to "Rapid Dam Station" and took the "cars" back to Richmond, then a boat to Yorktown where it arrived about April 7th.

The 21st commenced the retreat from the Peninsula on May 4th and arrived back at Richmond about the middle of May 1862 "after much suffering from excessive heat, severe rains, and short rations resulting in many cases of severe illness." The 21st Regiment was "on the field" at Seven Pines on May 31st and performed "arduous picket duty" until June 29th, but did not engage the enemy. They did engage, however, on June 29, 1862 with only slight casualties.

Finally, on June 30th, the 21st Mississippi reached Malvern Hill and met a "heavy force" of enemy that was "positioned strongly." At 4 P.M., they charged several times to try to dislodge the Union troops from the position but failed. Hurting, they withdrew from the field having suffered wounded or killed of at least one-third of its men. This is where John O.W. Hitch fell, single with no wife or children, thus ending that line of the Hitch family. While it was the end of the road for our John Hitch, the 21st Mississippi went on to serve bravely at Gettysburg, New Market, and Petersburg before the war ended in 1865.

To me, this story is an amazing mix of family history, American history, and personal sacrifice that makes genealogy a most embracing pastime. I hope you all catch the genealogy "fever" and yearn explore your past.

Will of J. Oscar W. Hitch

Vicksburg, April 30^th 1861

Being about to depart to the wars and knowing the certainty of death at all times and that it would be double more so in an engagement, I deem it my duty as well for my own satisfaction as for the satisfaction of my friends to leave behind my wishes with regard to the distribution of my property which I direct as follows. That first all debts which I may owe at the time of my death be paid forthwith. Arthur who has always been a faithful servant with Eby to be free and to be left in charge of some good person who will take the ownership of them and who will not receive any money from them than would be necessary to remunerate said person for the trouble or expense which they might be at to said person. Mary I give & bequeath to Mrs. William Brown (now residing in Port Gibson in this state) who has always been a friend to my mother and since her death been to me as a mother. Margaret and William wills together with my Real Estate and the money that remains after distributing as I have already directed or may hear (sic) after direct I give and bequeath to Mrs Elizabeth Cannon and Miss Mary E.L. Cannon to be divided equally who are now living at Newtown Eastern Shore Maryland. To William Brown Jr. son of the above named Mrs. Brown I give my Sharps Rifle should it not be disposed of before my death. To Samuel Folkes a cripple now living in town I give $500.00 Five Hundred Dollars. I also give $250.00 to Episcopal Sunday School for the purpose of raising a library. I direct that the silverware, Bed quilts together with other things that may belong to the household to be divided between Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Mygatt, Mrs. Hackett and Mrs. Suvis to be divided equaly (sic). It is my desire should it be my fate to be killed on the Battle Field that my body be brought and intered (sic) next to my mother and that Mr. Lord of whoever may be the rector of the of the (sic) Episcopal Church at Vicksburg be requested to preach at my funeral Sermon. I have herein expressed briefly my wishes and I think plainly and explicitly enough to be understood and it is my last request they that (sic) be carried out to the letter. Should I come to my death before the 21st of May 1861, this will is to be null and void as there has already been a provission (sic) made should I die in my minority.

Written in good health and sound mind,

I now bid adieu to all my friends and Enemys (sic) should I have any and hope that I may meet them all in heaven reaping their reward. I am done.

J. Oscar W. Hitch

(Folder 1637, Warren Co., Mississippi Chancery Court)

Gillis Hitch in the American Revolution

In keeping with the military theme of this issue of the HFN, let's look into the exploits of one Gillis Hitch. We first encountered Gillis Hitch in the first issue of the HFN where he was indicated to have fought in the American Revolution. Based on that service, Gillis corresponded with the U.S. government later in life to try to collect his pension due to him.

The copy of the document included herein is an early letter from "Old Sholder" Gillis Hitch to Washington attempting to find out the status of his pension application. The letter, dated July 10, 1839, was written when Gillis was already an old man of about 81 years, having been born in 1757/58. Note, that he is writing from Pentleton (sic) Co., Kentucky, or "Carntucky" as indicated about halfway down his letter. Also, by reading the complete letter, one can see that even in old Gillis' day, it was tough working through the Washington bureaucracy to get anything accomplished!!

Note also that he states that he "neve Recevd one Dollar but the Eight that I tuck of the Drum Hed." In the Revolution, it was common to take all the booty from a battle, raid or other campaign and place it on the head of a drum for division among the soldiers that were involved. The booty may have consisted of anything from personal effects, watches, jewelry to actual cash or gold. In this case, it appears that Gillis seized the opportunity to enrichen himself by "Eight Dollars" off the drum head.

The letter comes from file number R5049 of the National Archives, Revolutionary War records. In it are other documents and correspondence that give many clues to Gillis Hitch's age, family and service records during the Revolution. For instance, there is a deposition in the file dated February 19, 1847 where Gillis Hitch appeared before Robert Taylor, the Probate Court Judge for Montgomery Co., Indiana, in another, more official attempt to secure his pension money. By this time, the document states, Gillis Hitch was 89 years old and living in the aforesaid county, and still attempting "to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 (i.e., the pension act)."

The document goes on to give some good details of his service in the Revolution. It states that he served under Captain Vaughn "who was afterwards promoted to the rank of Col.", Charles Kid first lieutenant, and Mitchell Renshaw second lieutenant. He had "inlisted in August, two years after the commencement of the war," but cannot swear to the length of his service for "reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory." He thought, however, that his service covered about four years and six months.

In the deposition, it states that Gillis Hitch had enlisted at "Bridge Branch, Sussex County, Delaware and marched to Dover, then to Wilmington, then Philadelphia and then back to Bridge Branch and was stationed there as a minute man to guard against Tories." His mother and elder brother kept a "public house at Bridge Branch" and he was allowed to remain there until the close of the war in company with fellow soldiers Joshua Cliffen, Bartholomew Adams, Richard Starrs and Thomas Matney. He could not remember whether he was in the "Continental or State Troops of Delaware but think in Continental."

Questions were then set forth as part of the deposition. They are transcribed exactly as follows:

Question 1st: Where and what year was born.

Answer: At Bridge Branch now called Bridgeville, Sussex County, Delaware. Don't recollect the year.

Question 2nd: Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?

Answer: There never was any record made of my age. My father died shortly after my birth and all I know was from the age of my older brothers.

Question 3: Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived sinse the Revolution war; and where do you live now?

Answer: At Bridge Branch now called Bridgevile Branch and lived there sinse the revolutionary war untill within five or six years. Sinse that time I have lived here in Crawfordsville.

Question 4th: How were you called into service: were you drafted draughted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom?

Answer: I volunteered of my own accord. I took the bounty off the drum head and never received anything else but a cocked hat.

Question 5th: State the name of some regular officers who were with the Troops. Where you served: Such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect; And the general circumstances of your service.

Answer: I cannot recollect any other officers than those mentioned in my declaration. And the circumstances of my services are also stated in my declaration correctly as I believe.

Question 6: Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service and if so by whom was it signed; and what has become of it?

Answer: I received a discharge by the hands of Col Joseph ______ Vaughn. He brought it to me when he returned from receiving? His pay. I have sense lost it. I believe it was thrown overboard in the Chesapeak bay with other papers which I considered of no value at the time.

Question 7th: State the names of persons in your neighborhood at present who can testify to your character for vericity and their belief of your services as a revolutionary soldier.

Answer: I have no general acquaintance except as persons come to the house of my sons where I now live. I have but little recollection of their names. I don't go out any. I will name Samuel C. Wilson and Thomas Campbell, Ryland T. Brown and John N. Rush.

In a later deposition by William Hitch (Gillis Hitch's son) in Montgomery Co., IN, dated October 3, 1851, it was indicated that Gillis died on November 7, 1847. He left no widow but he was survived by only known living children William, Gillis and John Hitch.

Finally, William Hitch initiated a Power of Attorney on August 16, 1854 to "Charles C. Tucker of Washington City District of Columbia" to prosecute the claim of Gillis Hitch for Revolutionary War pension. There are no further records in the file whether the family ever received the pension that was entitled to them.

Hitches in the War of 1812

In my continuing series of Hitch family members who served in defense of the country, I offer information about those who fought in the War of 1812.

Hardy Elgate HITCH: Was a private in Capt. William Nye's Company, Lt. Col. Benjamin Lincoln's 17th (Massachusetts) Regiment in June and July of 1814. Was also a gunner in the Sea Fencibles from August 11, 1812 to April 5, 1815 when he was honorably discharged. Hardy Hitch was born on June 12, 1775 in Fairhaven, Bristol Co., MA and died August 30, 1858. He married Betsy Delano (10/9/1777-12/3/1863) on December 16, 1803. (From General Society of the War of 1812, Registry of 1972)

Adam HITCH: Is listed only because he bought a substitute, John Earnest, to serve for him as a Corporal in the Somerset (Maryland) Militia, 25th Regiment on May 15, 1812. (Maryland Militia, War of 1812)

John HITCH: Listed as a Private in the Somerset (Maryland) Militia in "A Return of the Detachment Required from the 25th Regiment Agreeably to Brigade orders in conformity with Division orders of 15th May (May 15, 1812)." (Maryland Militia, War of 1812)

Robert HITCH: Listed as a Sergeant in the Somerset (Maryland) Militia in "A Return of the Detachment Required from the 25th Regiment Agreeably to Brigade orders in conformity with Division orders of 15th May (May 15, 1812)." (Maryland Militia, War of 1812)

Samuel HITCH: Listed as a Private in the Worcester (Maryland) Militia in the 37th Regiment, 10th Brigade for May 15, 1812. (Maryland Militia, War of 1812). This Samuel Hitch (1784-1858) was the author's great-great-great-great-grandfather.

The preceding Adam, John, Robert and Samuel Hitch were also listed similarly as members of the 10th Brigade, 23rd Regiment in July 1812. Samuel Hitch was listed in the Worcester Militia while the others were all listed as in the Somerset Militia (with Adam Hitch again using substitute John Earnest).

John HITCH: Different from the preceding John Hitch, he was listed as a Private in the Somerset (Maryland) Militia, 10th Brigade of the 23rd Regiment in July 1812. (Maryland Militia, War of 1812)

William HITCH: Was listed with the dubious title of deserter as follows:

Rank: Recruit, 14th U.S. Infantry

Height: 5'-0"

Description: Dark eyes, hair and complexion

Age: 21 from Worcester Co., MD

Enlisted: July 14, 1814 at Salisbury, MD by Enos Sampson in the War period. Recruiting retired in Salisbury on July 26, 1814. Deserted at New Castle, DE on October 9, 1814. Listed on register of deserters and M.R. of Capt. J. Marechalls Co., Buffalo on December 31, 1814. (Register of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-May 17, 1815, National Archives)

It appears that William thought better of his enlistment once he reached New Castle, DE. However, to give ol' William the benefit of doubt, one has to understand how "volunteers" were "recruited" during these early times. Many times "recruiters" used techniques nothing short of Shanghaiing to obtain soldiers. They would lure potential candidates with liquor and other vices to get them to sign up for service in the army. So often a victim would wake up after a drunken stupor only to find out he was in the army! The records do not say whether this happened to our William but it is interesting to imagine.

Samuel HITCH (of Delaware): Different from the preceding Samuel Hitch, he received commission of Ensign from Governor Rodney of Delaware on January 7, 1814. (History of Delaware - 1888) Before that, he was a Private and then a Corporal in Captain Josiah Polk's Company of Delaware; also was a Private in both Captain Waller's Company of Delaware and Caldwell's Regiment of the Delaware Militia. (Index to Military Service - War of 1812)

Robert HITCH (of Delaware): Different from the preceding Robert Hitch, he was a Private in Captain Waller's Company of Delaware. (Index to Military Service - War of 1812)

Sovereign HITCH: Was a Private in Caldwell's 9th Regiment, Delaware Militia. (Index to Military Service - War of 1812)

There were, no doubt, other Hitches who served in the War of 1812. Please send me any additional information you may have in this area.

Do You Like This Newsletter?

Please send me your comments or suggestions to the following address:

Mike Hitch

12310 Backus Drive

Bowie, MD 20720

Telephone: (301) 805-9855

- Inscription on the walls of the National Archives