elcome back to the Hitch Family Newsletter (HFN)! This is Issue Number 14 of this publication. I have been lax in getting this issue out by about six months. Things have been extremely hectic for me starting a new job and working around the house all spring and summer. Hopefully, I can now get back into my routine to get issues out on in three-month intervals.

As you know, the Hitch family is now on the Internet! Those of you with Internet access can visit at I have placed there a wide variety of Hitch-related genealogy and history including photographs, signatures, historical documents and stories. There are also the complete genealogies of the 14 Hitch lines I have been tracking to date.

I hope you like the article. Please continue to write to me with your thoughts, suggestions or comments about the HFN and, continue to send me information and stories about your branches of the family. I especially enjoy getting copies of all those old photographs lurking out there. If you have any, please get them to me so that we can make sure that they are saved for posterity.

Some background is in order here. First of all, the journal is entitled "J. Hitch - Journal - March 26^th 1799 to Maryland, (eastern shore) and back to S^o Carolina Laurens County, 96 District." Upon review, I determined that the journal was not that of Joshua Hitch but rather his brother, John Hitch - still "J. Hitch".

By tracing land records of Somerset County in Maryland and Laurens County in South Carolina, we can establish the time of Loudy’s move to South Carolina to sometime between autumn of 1797 and autumn of 1798.

We are not certain of the parents of Loudy Hitch, but he no doubt comes from the Adam Hitch (1658/59-1731) line. I have built some circumstantial evidence that seems to prove his father was Ezekiel Hitch (1730/31-c.1758) of William Hitch (10/31/1687-4/1730) of Adam Hitch. The evidence is the fact that Loudy Hitch was assessed taxes for a tract of land known as "Gravelly Hill" - 50 acres in Somerset County - in the Federal assessment of 1783. This land was originally bought by Ezekiel Hitch in November 1751 from Allen Gray. There are no records for the estate of Ezekiel Hitch but we might assume that the land passed to his son Louther after his death or through another transaction.

John Hitch, son of Loudy and subject of this article, married Katherine Hanna in Laurens County on March 3, 1801². Katherine was born September 14, 1783 in Laurens County and died there July 2, 1851. John and Katherine Hitch had the following children:

1. William Winder Hitch (3/22/1802-6/9/1870)
2. Mary Nicholson Hitch (5/10/1804-10/18/1825)
3. Ann Elizabeth Hitch (12/18/1807-10/26/1879)
4. Isabella Jane Hitch (5/19/1810-6/19/1882)
5. Margaret Hanna Hitch (3/23/1813-6/4/1844)
6. John Henry Hitch (9/28/1815-8/27/1837)
7. Nancy Caroline Hitch (7/22/1818-8/12/1820)
8. Katherine Carson Hitch (3/18/1823-10/25/1898)

This line has left many descendant across the South to this day.

Sat out the 26^th March 1799 -

Tuesday the 26^th March 1799.

Sat out on J(ourney) (viz) Cap^t Morison., W^m Byrd & myself - from Cap^t Morisons and came from thence to M^r J. F. Haimenings store 5 miles, where we gave our horses food & took some refreshment ourselves, we having plenty of whisky to Drink - from thence we traveled down to Tygar River Bridge, thence to Squire Torrance, the roads being exceedingly Slippy. the day being very rainy which rendered it Disagreeable ... (torn MS)

got stalled on side a clay hill had to unload part our stage before we could move forward - And took up our lodging at M^r Torrances, on leaving Traveled as we Supposed 16 miles –

Wednesday 27^th We pursued our rout about 9 o’Clock, had what all might call tolerable good roads and came to Union Courthouse & halted at M^r Josh's and give our Horses food & took breakfast ourselves - and from pursued our Journey the day being very pleasant &.came to the House of one Cap^t Jilman Where we took our lodging for that night where we found (torn MS) good accomodation

(pages 3-6, blank)

we having traveled as we suppose about 22 miles that day we accidently lost a Horse Whip - & now I believe I will conclude for this evening we having taken I supper we expect shortly retire to bed -

Friday 29^th was a very pleasant day & Started early & drove on tolerable well & came by Hill's Iron works where I thought I saw great wonders, in the mean while cross^d Catawba river -Biggers Ferry, & from thence we came into N. Carolina Mecklenburg County where we saw some excelent good Land as we traveled and took up our Quarters at the House of one M^r Campbell. We having traveled about-25 Miles.

Saturday 30^th was a very pleasant day & made an early start but a short Journey, our friend Cap^t Morison being very ill with a severe Cholic, came to Charlotte Courthouse, made a halt for the span of about two or three at McComby employed a Doctor who gave means, but I believe proved of little effect, & continued very unwell till evening, but we made a shift to travel from thence about 9 miles to the House of one M^r M^c Andlass

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where we took up our lodging for that night near Mallard Creek Mecklenburg Cty we having traveled about 15 miles only - Now I believe I will conclude for this evening I am just going to bed (or mattress)

Sunday 31. We Started early, it being a pleasant day for our Journey, Cap^t Morison by this time being much recruited (recovered?) and drove on till about 9 or 10.o’Clock & came-to M^r (Cap^t) Fifers & there we took Breakfast & gave our Horses Forage, from thence came-through Cabarrus County having very good Roads the most of the day & came from thence into Boar County to the House of One M^r Geo. Savage who I believe was a German

there we took up our lodging about; a Half an Hour by sun where we found very good entertainment, at that time I had a very sore chap^d lips but in Tolerable health as common &c &c ----------- we having traveled about 25 Miles ---------

Monday April 1^st. Started from Savages, but made a small Halt, one of our Horses not being willing to do his duty in regard to drawing in the stage but we were not detained long & drove on from thence to Salisbury which was 10 miles, where we were detained nearly 4½ Hours in feeding our Horses, getting breakfast, employing Blacksmiths, gunsmiths, Silver &c &c

(pages 13 and 14, blank)

in order to equip us with ouch things as was requisite, the day being very pleasant & agreeable, ------ Cap^t Morison by this time being nearly restored again to perfect Health, and drove from thence to the Yadkin river, (Beards Ferry) from thence to the house of one M^r Beard. there we took up our lodging for that night, we having traveled about 23½ miles.

Thursday 4^th. Started from M^r Dick's tolerable early and came from thence to the Widow O'Neals 8 miles from thence to the Haw

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River 4½ Miles (Trolonders Ford) thence to the house of one M^r Ellit about 12 miles there we took up our lodging for that night- having traveled about 25 miles -, I shall conclude I have spilled Ink on the Table cloth I am Disgusted therewith.

Friday 5^th Sat out from Ellits without giving our Horse food and came from thence to Hillsborough Orange County (N.C.) 5 miles - thence to Flat River, we having very Hilly roads in the fore noon it being very cold for the season &c. &c., and traveled from thence to the House of one M^r Taylor in Granville County N. C. there we took up our lodging we having traveled about 25 miles —

Saturday 6^th. was a cool morning & cloudy, but proved to be a very pleasant day, Started from Taylors Granville County & came by Tar River by Granville Courthouse 18 miles Thence to the House of one M^r Rice 4 miles, then we took up our Quarters about an Hour by sun P. M. We having traveled about 22 miles -

Sunday 7^th was a very pleasant day & drove on tolerably well & came by Williamsborough (9 miles) where we took Breakfast & give food to our Horses & where I saw a very Delightsome young lady -- from thence we pursued our Journey to the ordinary 12 miles, thence to the house of one M^r Bell 6 miles - We having traveled about 27 miles - then we took up our lodging where we had good apple Brandy for our refreshment Warren Cty.

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Monday 8^th. Started from Bells Tolerable early, one of our Horses being a little Foundered, prevented our Starting as early as we might have done otherwise the day being very pleasant & having very good roads, came by the Burrit Ordinary in Warren County - thence to the House of one Cap^t Hall, there we took up Lodging about an Hour by sun, By this time our Horse being recovered nearly of his founder we having traveled about 25 miles.

NB. our Lodging was in Halifax County on the S. Side of Roan Oak River (N. C.)

Wednesday 10^th Sat out after Breakfast and came by Southampton

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Courthouse where was a small village called. New Jerusalem 16 miles from Nicholsons, Netaway River, thence to the House. of one M^r Deak 3 miles - there we took up our Lodgings having traveled about 19 miles only -

Thursday 11^th our Horses being 2 of them Foundered very bad. we did not pursue our Journey. as soon as ordinary - but came from thence to Black Creek - thence to Black Water Bridge & from thence across a pecosan about a mile across - to the House of one M^r Underwood where we took up Lodging having traveled about 21 Miles

Friday 12^th Started about an hour by sun our Horses not being yet recovered of their Founder but pursued our Journey Tolerable lively - (Observe, we were in Nansemond County) and came from thence to Suffolk 11 miles, which is Situated on the S. side of Nansemond River in Nansenmond County, thence to the house of one M^r J. Pullen’s Norfolk County on the Western Branch of Eliza beth River 18 miles. where we took: up our lodging having traveled about 29 miles -

Saturday 13^th crossed the Ferry Hodges about an hour by sun by this time it beginning to rain very briskly. but we drove on about 7 miles to the House of widow butt within about 1 mile of Portsmouth there we took up Quarters untill

197.00

174.56

22.44

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we should have an opportunity of getting on board a vessel to cross the Chesapeak Bay --

After the rain abated which was about 12 o’clock - Cap^t Morison & M.r Byrd went over to Norfolk in order to do some Business of their own & to enquire also for the Boat to carry us over &c. &c. At their return I went to pay M^r Fatherly a visit, who appeared to be very glad to see me & to hear also of M^r M^cClendon (?) which I related to him.

Sunday 14^th Continued our lodging at M^rs Butt's & went to Portsmouth & from thence over to NorfoIk in order to see Scenes &c. &c.

& from thence to Lindsays Gardens about a mile out Norfolk where we took a Relish and a Bowl of Punch in the House called S^o Carolina - in Lindsay's Garden - then returned back to Norfolk Cap^t Morison & myself and took a full survey of the same & from thence returned home to our Lodging &c. --

Monday 15. Kept our Lodgings at M^rs Butt’s. Went to Portsmouth thence over to Norfolk to buy some few particulars - & then returned home to our lodgings -

Thursday 18^th Sat out from Bridgetown and came from thence to Franktown (the day being very pleasant) thence to Bellhaven, thence to Accomac Court House & from thence to the House of one M^r Bagwell where we took up our lodging having traveled about 34 miles

Friday 19^th Sat out early the day being cool for the season and came from thence to Huntown 21 miles, thence to Snow Hill 16 miles. took up our Lodgings at M^r Smith's Tavern, having traveled about 37 Miles. Maryland, Worchester County & I say &c. &c. &c.

(Pages 35, 36, blank)

Saturday 20^th Was a very cool day for the Season and Sat out from Snow Hill after Breakfast and came into Salisbury & from thence to the House of M^r Tho^s Byrd a little before Sunset where we took our Quarters.

[RETURN TRIP]

Wednesday the 10^th July 99-

Started from Salisbury in the afternoon, and came as far as the place they call the Shad point in Cap^t Rob^t Dashill's Sloop - known by the name of the Ann.

Thursday 11^th came as far as Green Hill where we came to Anchor till some time in the night thence came to M^r Ballard on Wicomoco River –

Friday 12^th Lay at anchor Near M^r Ingersons we having contrary minds. In the morning I was very sick for the space of

(pages 39, 40, blank)

about 2 or 3 Hours; but afterward recruited (recovered?) - went on shore to buy some vegetables &c - (with other company) came on board moved our sloop down up a small Distance in order to procure a better harbour and there to lay untill we could have a fairer wind. Saturday moved a small Distance down the river near Molly poustons (?) point in the evening, the wind blew very fresh but not in our favor, had to lay at anchor till the next day &c.

Sunday 14^th rode at anchor still near Molly poustons point all the day - went on shore to wash and to catch crabs oysters &c.

Monday 15^th set sail from the point and came with that ebb into the sound near haynes's point went on shore w^t 2 other Gent. & bought 1 Negro woman & child of Cap^t Ch^s Jones, then came on board & took the advantage of the next Ebb, having a westerly wind. steerlng our course nearly South continued under sail all night, the wind shifting

Tuesday 16^th Still kept our course, having a -tolerable gale till about 2-or 3 Hours by sun, then had but a very light breeze until evening, lay at anchor in hampton Road near Norfolk untill morning -

Wednesday 17^th came to Portsmouth in the fore noon., got our things on shore. Rigged Our Waggon Bought a few necessaries &c came as far as the Widow Butts about a mile from P^tMouth w^t over drove of Negroes being in Number 33 Sometimes before night.

Thursday 18^th was a dark cloudy morning, M^r Byrd and myself went to the House of one M^r Boytons -to see about purchasing a cart in order -to convey some of our goods &c. along, & returned w^tout afterwards myself & M^r Jn^o McDowell went

(Pages 49, 50 blank)

and purchased the same for $13 returned & made-all things ready & pursued our Journey from M^rs Butts about 10 or 11 o’clock it beginning raining about an Hour after took up at a certain House, but having no encouragement put on again and came from thence through the rain to the Western branch of Elizabeth river - crossed over to M^r J. Pullens - at-Hodges Ferry, about an Hour by sun then we took up our lodging in order to refresh ourselves & Horses and to dry ourselves &c

Friday 19^th was a cloudy, Rainy morning, we did not set out early, on acct. of the rain, but about 9 or 10 o’clock the rain abated & we sat out w^t ourselves from M^r Jn^o Pullens who I think has one the handsomest and most pleasant looking woman to wife in Norfolk County (Vir) Came from thence to Suffolk 17 miles from thence to the House of M^r Jn^o Parmour about 2 miles there we made our camp while myself and J. Piper slept in the waggon, others in the House &c - kept fast-

Saturday 20^th was a cloudy dark day the most part with a little rain in the forenoon

(pages 53, 54, blank)

come from thence with our gang to Black Water Bridge about 17 miles, thence to Black Creek Bridge about 3 miles there we took up our Camp about an Hour by sun in order to class our people for cooking, &c - no accident hapening worth relating. l believe I will conclude for this evening. -------

Monday 22 - Was a dark cloudy day but with not much rain came on tolerable well & took up our camp in the wood at the end of a certain cave we having traveled about 19 miles.

Tuesday 23^d was a cloudy morning but proved to be a clear, warm day, left our lodgings in the woods early drove on about 9 miles - then made a halt to feed our Horses & to make some calculation about our affairs moved on again about 3 o’clock traveled about 8 miles, took up Our camp in an old field (same day came by Greenville Courthouse, Hix’sford) having traveled about 18 miles -

Wednesday 24^th was a clear cool morning w^t a great dew Our Horses being strayed some small distance caused us not to find them till about 2 or 3 Hours by sun, after finding them came down to Roan Oak river 8 miles, crossed over and made a Halt & fed our Horses - thence came on about 6 Miles (N. C.) Halifax County. took up our camp along side an old field near which was a most elegant Rocky Spring affording excellent water, possessed by 2 old maids or widows, we having traveled about 14 miles.

(Pages 59., 60 blank)

Thursday 25^th was a pleasant morning for the season, we rising early w^t an expectation of making an early start, but was disappointed, by our Horses attempting to run away, but we pursued them & caught them before they had got far Started a little after sun rise & came by a place called the double Barrit Ordinary, thence about 2 or 3 miles where we made a Halt to feed &c - two of our negroes being behind we tarried longer than we might done otherwise - came from thence about 8 or 9 miles & took up our camp in the woods, having traveled about 22 miles -

Friday 26^th was a pleasant morning But a SquIly evening made a tolerable good days drive, & might made better, had not old Cesar got behind, & its raining &c. Came by W^mBorough having traveled-about 25 miles -

Saturday 27^th made an early start came by Granville Courthouse 1 Mile thence to Tar River thence over Napcorrus? Creek the day being very warm some of our negroes began to complain very much, from thence to flat River then we took up our camp on E^t N. side having traveled about 22 miles - in the night had a powerful hard Rain which molested us very much having the most of our thing wet, as well as ourselves.

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Sunday 28^th Was a dark cloudy morning & did not start as soon as common had to wash wipe &c came from thence over flat river & from thence to one M^r Carrington Tavern Keeper there we made a halt to feed our Horses - Started & came within about 2 miles of Hillsborough there we made our camp having traveled about 15 mile same day Cap^t Morison took his leave of us all & pursued the route on Horse back

Tuesday 30^th was a fair warm day, made an early start came to M^r Dicks, fed our Horses, came from thence within about 7 miles of Guilford Courthouse took up our camp having traveled about 20 miles.

Wednesday 31^st was a warm day came by Guilford Courthouse - had a small shower of rain in the evening - Traveled about 22 miles - in the night a cloud arose and very much put us to our shift for shelter, part our company went to the House of an old Quaker who wouId scarce give them shelter under his roof or Rather his wife. who said she had dather grub than follow (text indecipherable)

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