George Wilson Hitch
- Born: 29 Mar 1809, Somerset Co., MD 2 3 4 5
- Marriage (1): Esther Anne Leonard on 13 Mar 1838 in Somerset Co., MD 1
- Died: 16 Mar 1891, Wicomico Co., MD 2
- Buried: Abt 19 Mar 1891, Old Hitch Family Graveyard, West Rd., Salisbury, Wicomico Co., MD
From "A Hitch Orchard" by Daisy Hitch Davies (1932): "--George Wilson Hitch cared for his brothers and sisters after his father's death. He was at one time a county commissioner. He afterward was a candidate for the State Legislature but did not get the nomination. With these exceptions he was never conspicuous as a public man but he was a life-long Democrat and never failed to perform what he deemed a sacred priviledge and duty - cast his vote at election time. He was a good farmer, and his apple brandy, which he manufactured from a distillery on his farm, had more than a local celebrity.
He was a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church for more than fifty years, and for thirty years was a warden of the Spring Hill Parish, which position he occupied at the time of his death. He was also a member of the Masonic Order.
On Sept. 18, 1841, he was appointed Ensign of a company in the 25th Regiment of the State of Maryland by the governor.--"
In the Princess Anne, Maryland newspaper, "The Village Herald" for August 19, 1834, lists George W. Hitch as the administrator for the estate of Robert Hitch.
In the Somerset Co. Orphans Court for August 5, 1834 and November 17, 1835, it lists "George W. Hitch, administrator of Robert Hitch." (Somerset Co. Orphans Court Proceedings 1829-38, Folio 225 and 290, respectively)
In the Somerset Co. Orphans Court for October 27, 1835, it lists "Henry Trader and George W. Hitch to view estate of Elizabeth M. Elzey (of Henrietta), in care of William C. Kellum, temporary guardian." (Ibid., Folio 288). Additionally, it lists for November 17, 1835, "Henry Trader and George W. Hitch to view estate of Lecascy A. Hitch, in care of Thomas Hitch, guardian." (Ibid., Folio 290)
In the Somerset Co. Orphans Court for January 10, 1837, it lists "Orphan: Elizabeth M. Elzey (of Henrietta) - Appointed Guardian: William C. Kellam - Sureties: George W. Hitch, William W. Maddux" (Ibid., Folio 337). Additionally, it lists for May 18, 1837, "George W. Hitch and Henry Trader to view estate of Lecascy A. Hitch, in care of Thomas Hitch" (Ibid., Folio 352) and "Henry Trader and George W. Hitch to view estate of Elizabeth M. Elzey, in care of William C. Kellam, temporary guardian" (Ibid., Folio 353)
On April 16, 1838, George W. Hitch was elected a Vestryman of Spring Hill Parish. (Vestry Minutes for Stepney Parish)
On March 14, 1840, George W. Hitch bought from William W. Johnston, trustee. Previously, on December 6, 1836, Johnston was put as trustee to the "oral estate" of Robert Hitch, deceased and, on January 4, 1837, sold the following lands to George W. Hitch: "Hitches Choice", 50 acres; "Mill Lott", 9½ acres; "Elliss Addition", "Eliss Chance", "Great Cry", "Little Worth", all equal to 106¼ acres; "Grenby's Hill", "Elliss Addition", both equal to 22½ acres; "Saw Mill Supply", 22 acres; and "Humphreys Hack", 32 acres. All told this amounted to 288¼ acres for which George W. Hitch paid $3.57½ per acre for a total of $1230.56½, including $200 for all of Robert Hitch/Peter Bell's interest in a Grist Mill. (Somerset County Land Records, Liber LH, Folio 271).
On April 20, 1840, George W. Hitch was again elected a Vestryman of Spring Hill Parish. (Vestry Minutes for Stepney Parish)
In the 1840 federal census for the Upper District, Somerset County, Maryland, George W. Hitch is indicated on page 188 in a household with one male age 5-10, one male age 10-15, one male age 30-40, one female under age 5, one female age 10-15, one female age 20-30, one female age 50-60 and one slave.
On April 28, 1841, George W. Hitch was again elected a Vestryman of Spring Hill Parish. (Vestry Minutes for Stepney Parish)
In the Tax Assessment for 1841-1852, George W. Hitch is indicated in the Election District 9 ledger, Salisbury, and listed as follows:
George W. Hitch, 1841: - To several tracts, 294a: $1470 - To 3 horses, 2 cows, 4 cattle, 6 sheep, 18 hogs: $160 - To 1 Gig, 3 beds etc., 2 stills, other:$80 Total: $1710 1845 added: - To George Waller for 1 horse: $50 1846 added: - To George Todd for ½ grist mill: $150 1849 added: - To Henry, Jane from Samuel Leonard: $300 Total: $2210 1852 added: - To Judgement List: $100 (Somerset Co. Assessment Ledger 1841-1852, Folio 22)
In the 1850 federal census for Somerset County, Maryland, George W. Hitch is indicated on page 500, in the Salisbury District, in a household as follows: - George W Hitch., age 40, farmer, $2,200 in real estate - Hester Ann Hitch, age 30 - Emily Hitch, age 11 - Olevia Hitch, age 9 - Louisa Hitch, age 7 - Samuel Hitch, age 6 - Octavia Hitch, age 2 - Nelly Hitch, age 64 - Nancy Hitch, age 30 - Robert Hitch, age 22, farmer - Martin Ellis, age 16, farmer All were shown as born in Maryland
In 1852 and 1856, George W. Hitch was again elected a Vestryman of Spring Hill Parish. (Vestry Minutes for Stepney Parish)
In his will written March 14, 1856 and probated May 6, 1856, Hyram Hearn mentions wife Jane; sons John W. and Robert Levron Wilson Hearn; and daughters Nancy Hitch and Elizabeth D. Disharoon. George W. Hitch, John E. Fowler and James E. Cathell were witnesses. (Somerset County Wills, 1837-59, Folios 266-267)
On June 6, 1857, George W. Hitch, George Lowe, and Joshua S.H. Trader were instructed to value and divide real estate of William Hearn, deceased and George T. Mitchell. This land is near tract called "Saw Mill Supply". (Somerset Co. Land Records, Liber LW NO. 5, Folio 216).
On April 19, 1860, George W. Hitch was elected Treasurer of St. Paul's Church. (Vestry Minutes for Stepney Parish)
In the 1860 federal census for Somerset County, Maryland, George W. Hitch is indicated in household 1361 in the Salisbury District as follows: - George Hitch, farmer, age 52 - Esther Hitch, age 40 - Amelia Hitch, age 74 - Emily Hitch, age 22 - Louisa Hitch, age 16 - Samuel Hitch, age 15 - Octavia Hitch, age 12 - Christina Hitch, age 8 - Florence Hitch, age 1 All were shown as born in Maryland
In the Wicomico County Court Records for trials ended March 1868 there was a case (No. 43) with John D. Williams vs. George W. Hitch. G.W. Hitch was ordered to pay $204.81 ($183 + costs) to plaintiff Olevia E. Wilson. (Wicomico Co. Record of Court Judgments)
On April 13, 1868, George W. Hitch was elected Warden of Spring Hill Parish, St. Peters Church, and Parsons Cemetery. (Vestry Minutes for Stepney Parish)
In the Wicomico County Court Records for trials ended September 1868 there was a case with James A. and Mary E. Venables vs. George W. Hitch. G.W. Hitch was ordered to pay $107.58. (Wicomico Co. Record of Court Judgments)
On May 15, 1869, George W. and Esther A. Hitch sold land to the School Commission of Wicomico County for $1.00. Land is described as being in School District No. 2, Election District No. 9 bordering land called "Mount Foggy", "Bells Conclusion", and "Saw Mill Supply" and Peter Freeny's land consisting of ¼ acre. Witness: James M. Bennett. (Wicomico County Land Records, Liber TFJR No. 3, Folio 136).
In the 1870 federal census for Wicomico County, Maryland, George W. Hitch is indicated in household 66 with the following: - George W. Hitch, age 61, farmer - Esther A. Hitch, age 49, keeps house - Louisa Hitch, age 25 - Samuel Hitch, age 23, works in sawmill - Christianna Hitch, age 16 - Florence Hitch, age 10 - Olevia Wilson, age 29 - Joseph J. Wilson, age 7 All were shown to be born in Maryland
In the Wicomico County Court Records for appearances ended January 1872 there was a case (No. 10) with Henrietta Byrd vs. George W. Hitch, debt. Judgement was for $211.19. (Wicomico Co. Record of Court Judgments)
In the Wicomico County Court Records for appearances ended January 1874 there was a case (No. 64) with Mary and Thomas Humphreys vs. George W. Hitch where he confessed to $1479.75. (Wicomico Co. Record of Court Judgments). In the same court, there was another case (No. 58) with Levin Irving, exec. of Benjamin Parsons, vs. George W. Hitch where he confessed to $581.89. (Ibid.)
On April 22, 1878, George W. Hitch was indicated as the Treasurer of St. Pauls Church. (Vestry Minutes for Stepney Parish)
George married Esther Anne Leonard, daughter of (?) Leonard and Mary (Polly) Parker, on 13 Mar 1838 in Somerset Co., MD.1 (Esther Anne Leonard was born on 07 Nov 1820 in MD,2 6 7 8 died on 24 Apr 1900 in Wicomico Co., MD 2 9 and was buried about 27 Apr 1900 in Old Hitch Family Graveyard, West Rd., Salisbury, Wicomico Co., MD.)
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