Last Update: 08/19/2005 10:04 AM
Through this area, I want to show off some of the old documents I have been able to collect - copies and originals - relative to the Hitch family in an historical context. Some of these documents have been found or purchased by me and some have been graciously donated by the readership of my Hitch Family Newsletter. I will add more of these in the coming days and weeks. I hope you enjoy. Please E-Mail me at mikehitch@mikehitch.com if you have any thoughts or comments on either of these items. Thanks.
Press the thumbnails to see larger versions of the documents.
Pages 1 and 2 of the Will of Isaac Hitch, Sussex County,
Delaware dated November 5, 1797 - This is a copy of the original will from Liber
E, Folio 176-177 of the Sussex County, Delaware probate files. Isaac Hitch was born
on December 20, 1754 in Somerset County, Maryland and died some time between the date this
will was written and when it was probated on May 13, 1798. Isaac Hitch was listed on
December 4, 1776 in a Revolutionary War account of Jesse Hollinsworth for services
rendered on the Schooner Friendship. Isaac was the son of Robert Hitch
(c.1732-1767/68) and Eve Hinecan? (c.1733-1790) who were married February 14, 1751
(Valentine's Day 247 years ago!). Eve later remarried to a Mr. Nicholson.
Robert Hitch was a son of Samuel (1703/09-1750) who was in turn son of Adam Hitch
(1658/59-1731). Isaac Hitch married Sarah ?? Most historical records
about the Hitch family show Isaac Hitch's wife as Sarah Ellegood. My research does indeed
confirm the given name as Sarah, but not the surname Ellegood. In fact, my research shows
Sarah Ellegood was wife of Robert Hitch, son of Elgate Hitch. She was the daughter of
William Ellegood. Jean Bircher, a descendant of Rachel Hitch, daughter of Isaac, and
Benjamin Hastings indicates Isaac's wife as Sarah Nicholas who "died in Delaware in
1835, age 80 years." It should be noted that the surname Nicholson, Nichols and
Nicolas were synonymous in those days. Isaac Hitch's mother evidently remarried to a
Nichols/Nicholson after his father died. The Nicholson/Nichols/Nicholas family interact
much with the HITCHes in the late 18th century. More research is needed here to ascertain
Isaac Hitch's wife's surname. Note in the will, Isaac refers by name to only three
of his eight children (Phillis, Robert and Sovereign).