HFN Issue 15

Family Newsletter
Issue Number 15	Winter 1999
Dear Cousins and other Relatives, Welcome back to the Hitch Family Newsletter (HFN)! This is Issue Number 15 of this publication. I am not being as "regular" in getting issues out as I may like given my workload lately. However, I still plan to try to get four issues out per year. Again I remind you that 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visit at I have placed there a wide variety of Hitch-related genealogy and history including photographs, signatures, historical documents and stories.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 to update the site with new and improved information over the coming weeks. In this issue, I only offer there articles. The first is a really interesting excerpt from the Somerset County, Maryland judicial records from 1709. It includes the bar tab for Adam Hitch (1658/59-1731) fro the years 1705-1708. Alexander Wilson brought the issue to the court’s attention when Adam became late paying his bill. Story two is a serendipitous piece about my great-grandfather and great-grandmother before they married. It is about a letter written in 1902 from my great-grandmother to great-grandfather that involves a quarrel they had two years before they were married. Interesting to think how MY history would have changed should that quarrel have caused them NOT to get married. Finally, the third article is a transcription of the will and inventory of Isaac Hitch (1754-1797/98). Isaac resided in northern Somerset County, Maryland that became Sussex County, Delaware after the survey of Mason & Dixon in the 1760s.	I hope you like the articles and, 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. Thank you and happy reading, Mike Hitch My E-Mail: mike_hitch@msn.com Editor: Mike Hitch Graphics: Mike Hitch Address: 12310 Backus Drive Bowie, MD 20720 © February 1999, Mike Hitch
Hitch Family Newsletter - Issue 15	Page 1

The Bar Tab of Adam Hitch -

1705 to 1708

While rummaging around in some old Maryland records for Somerset County, I ran across an interesting reference to Adam Hitch in the Judicials. It is what amounts to be a bar tab for Adam Hitch at Alexander Wilson’s Inn for the years 1705 to 1708 - almost a full 300 years ago! It seems Mr. Wilson got tired of waiting for Adam to pay up so he brought the issue up in the Somerset County court in 1709.

Remember Adam Hitch is the patriarch of a good 65% to 70% of the Hitches who now live in the U.S. [The others descending from Christopher Hitch from 18^th century MD and VA or one of the other 12 lines who immigrated here in the 19^th century]. This account is very interesting in that it sheds some light on some of the social aspects of life in the very early 18^th century on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Adam Hitch liked to imbibe in some spirits every now and then and, he seemed to a particular liking for rum and hard cider ("syder" in the records). Other refreshments including sweet "syder", wine, beer, "flip", "sampson" and "punch." Thanks to my friends on the Lower Delmarva Genealogical mailing list, I have been able to ascertain what some of these items are:

pottel (pottle) - equal to a half gallon

gill - 1/4 pint (4 oz.); however other definitions indicate a gill equals 8 oz.

joyn - ??? - might be related to demijohn which is a large bottle with a bulging body and narrow neck.

flip - mixture of beer and spirit sweetened with sugar and heated with a hot iron.

punch¹ - beverage composed of wine or spirits mixed with hot water or milk and flavored with sugar, lemons and some spice or cordial

sampson - ???

diet - Oxford English Dictionary citation from year 1566 : to feed, to take one's meal; citation from year 1635: to board.

He would often treat and be treated by guests to refreshments including Thomas Poll(ett?), Richard Plunkett, William Noble, William Hayman, William Goddard, John Louis, John Davis, John Gillie (Gillis?), and Daniel Jones. Once, Adam Hitch even sent "his man Bryan" to pick him up a gill of rum. "His man" probably refers to either a servant, slave or tenant of Adam Hitch. Here’s the transcript of the Somerset Judicial records for 1709 to June 1711, Folio 267 and 268:

Alex’r Wilson, plaintiff

vs

Adam Heatch, defendant

- Somerset - Adam Heatch of Somerset County Planter was attached to answer unto Alex'r Wilson of said county Inn Holder of a plea of trespass upon the case. And where upon the said Alex!r Wilson per Sarnll Worthington his attorney complaineth that the said Adam in the month of August 1708 and before at Pocomoke within the jurisdiction of this court became indebted unto the said Alex'r in the sum of sixteen hundred and ten pounds of tobacco it for sundry ordinary expences and accomodations as per account here unto annexed may here in court appear and the said Adam being indebted being indebted in manner aforesaid for and in consideration aforesaid at the time and place aforesaid did upon himself assume and faithfuly promise that the aforesaid 1610 pounds of tobacco unto the said Alex'r he would well and truly content and pay when there unto required although the said Adam the sum of five hundred fifty seven pounds of tobacco in part of the said debt hath paid yet the residue of the said debt being one

¹ Betty Hughson writes, "There are several recipes for punch, but I especially liked this one. 1 gal. good whisky 1 pt. yellow chartreuse 1 gal. medium sherry 1 pt. best Jamaica Rum 1 qt. vermouth 1 qt. Maraschino cherries

Twelve lemons; ½ pound best English breakfast tea, made into 1 quart clear strong tea. Make very sweet. Mix all; add as many bottles champagne as one may wish. Much improved by standing one week." A powerful drink indeed!

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hundred fifty seven pounds of tobacco in part of the said debt hath paid yet the residue of the said debt being one thousand fifty three pounds of tobacco the said Adam (though often there unto requested) the said Alex'r hath not paid but the same to do hath denyed and still doth deny to the loss and damage of the said Alex'r of two thousand pounds of tobacco and there upon he brings this suit.

- Worthington

Mr. Adam Hitch debt

June the l6th 1705                                     Lbs.
To one gill rum at                                        005
To 1 half pint ditto                                      010
To a joyn for punch                                    008 ½
To 1 quart of punch                                    017 ½
To 1 quart of ditto                                      017 ½
August the 15th
To 1 quart of beer                                      003
To 1 gill rum                                               005
To 1 quart of flip                                        017 ½
To 1 pottel of syder                                    010
To 1 quart of sampson                               017 ½
November 13th
To 1 gill of rum                                           005
To 2 gal of syder                                        040
To 2 gills of rum                                         010
To 1 pottel of syder sweet                          012 ½
January the 8th
To ½ pint of rum                                        010
To 2 gills of ditto                                        010
To ½ pint of ditto                                       010
To credit to Thomas Poll
1 qt. syder                                                  035
To ditto Richard Plunkett
1 pottel syder                                             010
To Wm. Godards note excepted per
you for                                                       069
To credit to Wm. Hayman
6 pottels of syder                                        060
March 14th
To your man Bryan per your order
one gill of rum                                             005
June the 11 1706
To 1 gill of rum                                           005
September 14th
To 1 pottel of flip                                        035
To 1 gill of rum                                           005
To 1 quart syder                                         005
To 1 gill of rum                                           005
To 1 gill ditto                                              005
To 1 gill ditto                                              005
To 1 pottel syder, 1 pint of wine                 005
To 1 pint of wine                                        015
To 1 pottle syder                                        010
To credit Wm. Davis 3 gal
and 1/2 sweet syder                                    087 ½

To John Davis meat accepted per you for              100
To credit to Wm. Davis more
to 3 pottels syder                                                   030
To ditto to ditto 1 gal ditto                                      020
To ditto to ditto 5 pottels of ditto                            050
To ditto to ditto 3pottels of ditto
sweet                                                                     037 ½
December 3rd
To ditto to ditto 1 pottel of ditto
sweet                                                                     012 ½
To 1 qt. of syder                                                    005
To 1 quart of syder                                                 005
To 1 quart of ditto                                                  005
To 1 gill rum, l pottel syder sweet                            010
To 1 quart syder                                                     005
To 1 quart ditto                                                      005
July the 14th
To credit to John Louis 1 pottel
syder sweet                                                           012 ½
To 1 pottel ditto                                                    012 ½
                                                       sum                895 ½

To your account brought forward 895 ½

March 1707
To credit John Gillie 1 diet,
2 qts syder                                                            026
To 1 quart syder sweet                                          006
To I pottel beer                                                     010
June 11th
To credit to Richard Plunkett                                 065
To 1 quart of flip                                                   017 ½
To 1 diet                                                               010
September 9th
To 4 qts. syder sweet                                            025
To 2 qts.ditto                                                        012 ½
To 3 qts. ditto                                                       015
To 1 pottel ditto at                                                010
To 2 qts, ditto 2 diets                                            030
To 1 qt. flip, 3 gills rum                                         032 ½
January 12th
To 1 gill rum                                                         005
To 1 qt. flip, 1 gill rum                                           022 ½
March 1708
To 2 gal. corn, 2 diets                                           026
To 2 qts. syder, ½ pt. rum                                     020
To 1 pottel beer                                                    006
To 1 qt. punch, 2 gills rum, 1 diet                           037 ½
To 9 pts.. of wine, 2 diets
2 gills rum                                                             165
To 3 pottels corn, 2 pottels wine                           069
June 8th
To 1 bottel wine, 1 gill rum                                   035
August
To 7 quarts cyder                                               035
                                               total sum            1610
Per contra credit
Per tobacco paid Wm Noble Senr                       400
Per tobacco paid ditto Noble more                      120

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Per Richard Plunkett                                  010
Per Daniel Jones 2 shill.
3 pence at                                                 027
                                                                557

balance 1053

errors excepted per me Alex'r Wilson

At which day being trial day the deft. and pltf. being called and the deft. Adam Heatch having filed no plea the pltfs, attorney humbly moves the court for judgement which being considered by the court here is granted according to the rates of this court and that the pltf. Alex'r Wilson recover of this deft. Adam Heatch the balance of the account according to the declaration to wit one thousand fifty three pounds of tobacco as also two hundred fifty one pounds of tobacco for his cost and charges laid out and expended --- and the deft. in mercy.

"Back to the Future"

and how I almost ceased to exist!

I am sure most of you folks in the reading audience have seen the trilogy of movies from the 1980s based around the "Back to the Future" theme. In the first, it tells the story of a young Mr. McFly who travels back in time to the 1950s and inadvertently interrupts the moment where his parents were to fall in love. That threatens to initiate a chain of events where his parents never marry and thus, he cease to exist. Well, in the movie, he finally corrects the problem just before his likeness is erased from a snapshot he is carrying in his pocket.

Well, I recently came across an old letter in my grandmother Hitch’s possessions that made me think of this paradox in the context of my own

being. After all, just think of all the sheer chance and "coincidences" in the past that led your ancestors to meet, fall in love, and have children - just so you could exist this very day! It’s definitely something to think about!

To provide some background, My great grandfather was Samuel Clarence Hitch who was born on the Eastern Shore of Maryland on August 10, 1880, the son of Samuel Henry (1848-1924) and Hetty Ann (Driscoll) Hitch (1845-1915). Clarence, as he was called, met a young lady from Mt. Vernon, Maryland some time around 1902 named Anna Virginia Jones, daughter of George Henry (1855-1893) and Annie Elizabeth (Murrell) Jones (1860-1946). They hit if off well until later in the year of 1902 when Clarence evidently did something to raise the ire of Virgie (as she was called). Luckily for me, they resolved the problem, for on October 4, 1904, Clarence and Virgie were married and had the following children:

- Anna Jeanette Hitch (1905-1984) married Fred Godfrey in 1925.

- Minnie Estelle Hitch (1906-1941) married Preston Cooper in 1933.

- George Carroll Hitch (1908-1990) married Doris E. Hamilton in 1930.

- Emily Virginia Hitch (1913-living) married first Elmer Smith (1911-??) And second John Culp (living)

Number (3) in this list happens to be my grandfather. So, if the little quarrel in 1902 had not been resolved, then I guess I would not be here to write these words! Very interesting and I bet many of you can cite similar examples from your own family histories! The following is a transcription of the letter that denotes the "lover’s quarrel" to which I am referring to:

Sunday

Mount Vernon

Oct 12th 1902

Dear Clarence-

I have been keeping

house ever since Wednesday.

Mamma went to Salisbury

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Wed. and I am expecting her
and Minnie back tomorrow.

Harry went to Baltimore Wed.

and has not gotten home yet.

so you see I have had it all

alone, though not lonely, for

the girls have been staying with

me at night, and we have been

having fine times.

When I awoke this morning

and looked out of the windows my

face became very long for I thought

we were going to have another

gloomy day, like last Sunday

but it is very pretty now, the

wind is blowing from the north-

west and the river is full of

white caps.

Well! Clarence I expect you

will be surprised at what I am

about to say. It is this. I wish

to discontinue our correspondence.

I have good reasons for wishing

it, which I do not think at all

necessary to explain to you,

and I feel sure you will comply

with my wish. Do not think

for a moment I am so conceited

as to think you care in the

least. I will ask you as a special

favor to please burn my letters

and I will do likewise with

yours.

I wish you success and happiness

in life.

I will close as I have nothing

more to say.

Yours,

Virginia

In the letter, "Mamma" refers to Virginia’s mother Annie (Murrell) Jones and Harry is her brother Harry McClellan Jones. "Minnie" is her aunt Minnie Belle Murrell (1879-195x) who would marry James Robe McGrath (1870-aft 1950) within a couple weeks after this letter was written. She was daughter of Alexander Rufus Murrell (1833-1880 and my gg-grandfather) and Mary Ellen Jones (1844-1886, his second wife - not my ancestor). The funny thing about this letter is its content. If my Papa Clarence did not persist after this with my Mama Virgie, then my whole line would’ve disappeared! AHHHHH! Well, it obviously did not, but neat to think about. Genealogy is full of these peculiarities!

hfn15-1.jpg (8716 bytes)

Figure 1 - The original envelope

hfn15-2.jpg (16883 bytes)

Figure 2 - First page of the letter dated October 12, 1902.

Will of Isaac Hitch of Sussex County, Delaware

Isaac Hitch was born on December 20, 1754 (Stepney Parish Records), the son of Robert (c. 1732-1767/68) and Eve (Hinecan?) Hitch (c. 1733- c. 1790). Robert was the son of Samuel (1703/09-1751) of Adam Hitch (1658/59-1731). Isaac Hitch lived on the northern end of Somerset County, Maryland that became lower Sussex County, Delaware following Mason & Dixon’s famous survey in the 1760s.

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Isaac Hitch was described in his father Robert's will (written on October 9, 1767 and probated on March 24 1768 - MD Prerogative Court Records, Liber 36, Folio 288) as "his oldest son." There, Robert left Isaac his "dwelling house" and 212 acre plantation called "High Suffolk". "High Suffolk" was the original multi-thousand acre tract owned by Adam Hitch that had since been divided many times by the time Isaac became an owner of a portion of it.

I have only found a few references to Isaac Hitch in the early records. However, from them, we can gather a feel for what his life was like:

On January 21, 1775, Isaac Hitch sold the 212 acres he inherited from his father - now described as part of "High Suffolk" and "Come By Chance" - to William Handy for £247.6.8 (Somerset County Land Records, Liber F, Folio 293). In this record, it mentions that Adam Hitch conveyed the land to Samuel Hitch by deed on May 6, 1728 and notes Isaac Hitch as grandson of Samuel.

On December 4, 1776, Isaac Hitch is mentioned in the account of one Jesse Hollingsworth for his services rendered on the Schooner Friendship during the Revolutionary War (Revolutionary War Papers Index, 1775-1789; Box 1, Folder 7, #1). This confirms Isaac as being a patriot to the Revolutionary cause.

Isaac Hitch was listed in the surviving Tax Assessments for Little Creek Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware for the years 1782 and 1785. In 1789, Isaac Hitch, along with Curtis Hitch, signed a petition to move the Sussex County seat from Lewes to the center of the county (History of 19th Century Laurel, Delaware). [editor’s note - the county seat eventually became Georgetown, Delaware.]

Isaac Hitch died sometime between November 5, 1797 when he wrote his will and May 18, 1798 when it was probated. The following is a transcription of his will (DE Reg of Wills, Liber E, Folio 176-177):

http://www.geocities.com/eightone_md/hfn15-3.jpg (25064 bytes)

Figure 3 - Beginning of Isaac Hitch’s will.

In the name of God Amen I Isaac Hitch of Sussex County and State of Delaware Being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God. Calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and Testament. That is to say first and principally(?) Of all I give and Recommend my Soul into the hand of Almighty God that gave it and my Body I Recommend to the Earth to be Buried at the discression (sic) of my Executors nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to Bless me into this world I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form first I give and bequeath to Phillis Hitch my well beloved daughter one bed and furniture, one cow, one spinning wheel, one pewter dish, half dozen Earthen plates, one chest at her marriage day. Also I give and bequeath to my son Robert Hitch one year old colt to him and his heirs forever. Also I give and bequeath to my Dearly Beloved wife Sary Hitch all the residue of my personal estate and all my Lands and (?) By her freely to be poss’d and Enjoyed during her widowhood and at my wife’s death or marriage day it is my will and desire that all that part of my personal Estate before named

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to my wife shall be Equally divided between my seven youngest children, that is between all my children except Phillis. Also it is my will and desire that at my wife’s death or marriage day that my son Robert Hitch should have three fifths of all my Lands on the East side and my son Severon Hitch two fifths of all my lands on the west side with a division line drawn north and south to them and their heirs forever. Lastly I do ordain constitute and appoint my Dearly Beloved wife and my trusty friend John Dashiell sole Executors of this my last will and testament utterly disalowing (sic) Revoking and disanuling (sic) all and every other former wills and testaments. Ratifying this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven.

Isaac Hitch (seal)

Signed sealed published pronounced and declared by the said Isaac Hitch as his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of Each other have hereunto subscribed our Names.

Ezekiel (X) Jamesson

(his mark)

Robert (X) Hastings

(his mark)

hfn15-4.jpg (4405 bytes)

Figure 4 - Isaac Hitch’s signature from his will.

On May 26, 1798, Isaac Hitch’s inventory of his estate was performed. Here is that transcription:

The Inventory of the Goods and Chattals of Isaac Hitch Dec’d and apraised by us the Subscribers this twenty sixth day of may one thousand seven hundred and ninty eight ------

1 mare 200/ - 1 yoke of oxen 190/ - 1 Brindle cow & calf 100/ - £24.0.0

1 pride Doo (Ditto) 80/ - 2 yearlings 120/ - 2 sows & 1 Barrow 90/ - £14.10.0

12 Shotes 120/ - 45 Bushels of Corn, 2/6 per bushel 112/6 - £11.12.6

250 of Bacon @ 1 per 250/ - 1 duck (?) At 9/6 - 3 pots 2 1/3 - £13.18.9

1 Loom at 7/6 - 3 Spinning Wheles 15/ - 1 tea kittell 3/9 - £1.6.3

5 weeding hoes 4/6 - 3 grubing Doo 4/6 - 3 Iron wedges 11/3 - £1.3.3

2 sod Irons 7/6 - 1 Bed & furniture 75/ - 1 Doo & furniture 60/ - £7.2.6

1 Bed & furniture 25/ - 2 axes 7/6 - 2 ploughs 10/ - 2 harrows 10/ - £2.12.6

6 Gase (?) 9/ - 1 Case & ten Bottles 7/6 - 1 hackle 5/ - 1 Bible 5/ - £1.6.4

3 puter dishes & seven plates 25/ - 3 puter basons & ten spoons 10/ - £1.15.0

1 case of knives & forks 3/9 - 11 Earthen plates & one dish 7/6 - £0.11.3

3 teapots 6/ - some old puter 10/ - 2 tubs & 3 buckets 8/ - £1.4.0

Some shoemaker tools 4/6 - some old Earthen ware 4/6 - 1 punch bowl 3/9 - £0.12.9

1 Shugar box 1/10 - 1 tumbler glass 1/ - 1 small Shugar box /6 - £0.3.4

1 pine chest 7/6 - 1 pine table 3/9 - 1 small trunk 2/6 - £0.7.9

1 ox chane & cliris (?) 9/ - 12 of hogs lard 12/ - 1 milkpan 1/3 - 1 pitcher 1/ - £1.3.3

1 mans sadle 20/ - 1 pine chest 5/ - 1 pine table 4/6 - £1.9.6

3 bottels 1/6 - 3 vials 1/6 - 1 small plater /3 - 2 sharss (?) & guns 7/6 - £0.10.3

TOTAL: £85.19.10

James English

Stephen (X) Ellis

(his mark)

These inventories always intrigue me. Imagine owning some of these original items today! Boy, they would be priceless! I would just like to get my hands on that Bible. Well, until next issue, enjoy!

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

Mike Hitch

12310 Backus Drive

Bowie, MD 20720

Telephone: (301) 805-9855

"What is past is prologue."

- Inscription on the walls of the National Archives

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