Elgate Hitch

From A Hitch Orchard compiled by Daisy Hitch Davies in 1931: "Elgate Hitch came to Massachusetts about 1762-63 with his brother Samuel and his first cousin George. They had previously resided in Maryland. We have little record of Elgate Hitch." However, this compiler's research shows that he was probably still in Maryland until after his mother's will was probated in Aug of 1773. He also looks to have been born after the death of his father by a few months. I believe that he probably moved to Massachusetts to join his brother sometime between late 1773 and when he was married there in Jan 1776 and not 1762/63 as stated by Mrs. Davies.

A Hitch Orchard goes on to state: "There is no Revolutionary War record of which the compiler knows. In those days there were many Tory sympathizers and rather naturally. He may or may not have been in sympathy with England or it may have been the influence of his Quaker wife that kept him from engaging in the fray. He was in New Bedford in 1791. His grandmother's maiden name was "Elgate". We have no record of his children. The 1790 Census states: - Elget Hitch - Mass. 2 - males over 16 including head of family. 0 - males under 16 2 - females 0 - other whites 0 - slaves"

In the will of Rachel Hitch written on Dec 10 1771 and probated in Somerset County on Aug 17 1773, Elgate Hitch is mentioned in the following: ·To daughter Leah Hitch, "my best bed and furniture, yearlin' horse, puter dish, 3 plates, 1 bason ·To son Elgate Hitch, "one cow and yearlin and one woke of oxens, one puter dish, 3 plates and one bason ·Give my negro man Jack to daughter Leah" (Note - she eventually shared him with Elgate). (MdPrW-39:380)

On Sep 7 1774, Benjamin Hitch did account and administered will of Rachel Hitch deceased, £43.18.0. In the record, it mentions, "of money paid by this accountant to Elgit Hitch which was due him from the Deceased out of his Fathers Estate. . ., £9.3.2" Again to Leah Hitch, £1.4.3 (MdPrA-71:201)

Elgate Hitch is first mentioned in the Massachusetts records when he was married on Jan 4 1776 to Elizabeth Samson. (Marriage Records of Dartmouth, Massachusetts to 1850, DAR)

In the Federal Census of 1800, "Elget" Hitch is listed on page 426 of Bristol County, Massachusetts in a household comprised of one male age 10-16, one male age 45+ and one female age 45+. In the Federal Census of 1810, Elgate Hitch is listed on page 291 of Bristol County, Massachusetts in a household comprised of one male age 10-16, one male age 45+ and one female age 45+. In the Federal Census of 1820, "Elgit" Hitch is listed in Fairhaven, Bristol County, Massachusetts in a household comprised of one male age 10-16, one male age 45+ and one female age 45+ - one person in agriculture.

On Dec 30 1820, "Elgit" Hitch and Elizabeth Doane, both of Fairhaven filed their intent to marry. (Bristol County, MA Marriage Records - Library of Congress)

In the Federal Census of 1830, "Elgit" Hitch is listed in Fairhaven, Bristol County, Massachusetts in a household comprised of one male age 10-15, one male age 70-80 and one female age 60-70.

Deaths Recorded in the New Bedford Mercury 1807-1845, Free Public Library, New Bedford, Massachusetts states that Elgit Hitch, 87 (died) at Fairhaven in the 15 Oct 1838 newspaper.

Deaths Recorded in the New Bedford Mercury 1807-1845, Free Public Library, New Bedford, Massachusetts states that Elgit Hitch, 87 (died) at Fairhaven in the 15 Oct 1838 newspaper.

Elgate married Elizabeth Allen, daughter of Sylvanus Allen and Jemima Starbuck, on 04 Jan 1776 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., MA. (Elizabeth Allen was born before 1755,^{1 2} died on 09 Jul 1818 in New Bedford, Bristol Co., MA ³ and was buried about 12 Jul 1818 in Acushnet, Bristol Co., MA ³.)

Marriage Records of Dartmouth, Massachusetts to 1850 - DAR

Elgate next married Elizabeth Doane on 30 Dec 1820 in Bristol Co., MA. (Elizabeth Doane was born between 1760 and 1770.)

Massachusetts Vital Records Series (Library of Congress)