Daisy Bell Hitch

From "A Hitch Orchard": Daisy Bell Hitch was born at #3 Bethune Street, New York, NY. She went to the country when about 19 months old in a very delicate condition of health. Here she lived the greater part of her young life in the little country town of Marlborough. Ulster Co., NY. She began teaching school on Oct. 28, 1895, which was her eighteenth birthday. This her first school was situated in the Esopus Mountains, not far from Kingston, NY. The school house was three miles from the railroad station. This distance she would walk after a week-end visit home - often dark part of the way on early winter mornings. She made her own fire and did the other janitor work. For all this she received $1.60 per day. In the fall of 1896 she began teaching in her own home town school district in Marlborough. She had attended the same school with many of the children then under her instruction. After two years in this school, she entered the New York State Normal School at New Paltz, NY. She graduated June 1902 after a four year classical course. Thus was she prepared to teach for life in any school including high school in the state of New York. The winter 1902 - 1903 found her teaching a country school at Salt Point, a small place near Poughkeepsie, NY. In the fall of 1903 she secured a position in the Oakside School at Peekskill, NY. She had over 100 on her register. The highest attendance any one day was 99. This was the girls division only of the first grade. Another teacher had the boys - with a smaller enrollment. She remained her for three months, then on Dec. 1, 1903 she was appointed to Public School #5, Astoria, L.I. which is part of the Greater New York School System. The teachers at that began on a salary of $600. She received $640 being allowed one year for outside experience. Here she taught for three years being one of the first teachers to have a class which was called, "Ungraded Class" composed of atypical children. The other classes she taught were in the primary department. After this she clerked intermittently in Public Schools #51 and #56, Richmond Hill, L.I. of the Greater New York School System. She likewise did subsequent substituting in and out of New York City System.

Clubs - at different times.

Clionian Sorority - Normal School. Daughters of the American Revolution #160161 - several bars - six verified and accepted. For a time served as Secretary and Registrar. Society of Mayflower Descendants - MA. - #7042 General. #2419 State. Ancestor Richard Warren. United States Daughters of 1812 - #9718 National - #1138 NY. State. Was given the opportunity to become the organizing regent for her county. 20th. Century Club, Richmond Hill, L.I., NY. - Chapter 408. Anti - Saloon League. Women's Christian Temperance Union. League of Women Voters. National Security League. Young Women's Christian Association, Jamaica, NY. Was a member of the Presbyterian Church for 33 years. Eligible for many other societies including the Huguenots Descendants. Colonial Dames, Chevaliers of Hastings, etc. Has royal ancestry through Phillip Delano and William Gayer of Nantucket Island.

After marriage lived in Lyons, NY. for about three months. The Richmond Hill, L.I. for about 18 years. Moved to Floral Park, L.I. April 1925. Since residing there has organized two Boy's clubs, viz.: - The Washington Club and The Lindbergh Clubs. The Eleanor Park Lewis Society of the Children of The American Revolution of Floral Park, L.I. A Mother Group for child study of which she was a leader. Written for small children several true sketches of her ancestors. These were published in the Children Of the American Revolution Magazine under the name of "Granny". Her true name appeared in the last installment January 1928. "The Grandmother Who Was Afraid of Pigs" was an incident in her own life.

She likewise tried her hand at a few short and poor poems, one of which was broadcast by "Cheerio" on Flag Day 1928. Compiled a genealogy of the Hitch Family called " A Hitch Orchard" which has over 1900 names listed. Compiled a much shorter history of her husband's family called., "Our Folks of North Wales". Founded one and formed another Junior Living Flag each of which represents 62 children and has tried to bring about a greater respect for the American Flag by writing heads of large organizations like the Masons, Knights of Columbus, Men's Church Clubs, Board of Trade, American Legion, etc. asking their cooperation and by giving out literature to merchants and clubs.

She was presented in April 1928 in Washington, D.C. by ex-President Dawes with a medal for forming Living Flags. The medal was a gift of the United States Flag Association. She is a member of the said association for life. There were 18 other ladies from different parts of the Union presented at the same time. High tempered - sensitive - warm hearted.

Daisy married Richard Price Davies on 21 Oct 1907 in Jamaica, Long Island, NY. (Richard Price Davies was born on 25 Nov 1881 in Middle Gravill, NY and died on 16 Mar 1959 in NY.)