Frederic Delano Hitch ³

From "A Hitch Orchard", Daisy Hitch Davies: "Frederick Delano Hitch began his business career in Maryland. He went to China in 1860 and entered the service of Russell and Co., Merchants and Bankers. For a number of years he managed a fleet of 14 steamers which plied the Yangtze River from Shanghai. He made two visits to America and resigned in 1884. He was a trustee of The Laura Franklin Free Hospital for Children in New York City and for nearly 24 years was its treasurer. His wife was Annie Lyman Delano of Algonac, Newburgh, NY. He died at Algonac."

Frederick D. Hitch was an uncle to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President of the United States. (His wife was sister to Roosevelt's mother).

The following comes from "Delano-Hitch Families":

"Frederic Delano Hitch was born in Fairhaven, Bristol county, Massachusetts, in 1833, son of Captain George and Abby (Church)Hitch. After completing his education, he began his business career in the State of Maryland, where he was successfully engaged until 1860, in which year he went to China and entered the service of Russell & Company, merchants and bankers, the leading American firm in their line in that country. For a number of years Mr. Hitch served in the capacity of manager of a fleet of fourteen steamers which plied the Yangtse river from Shanghai, the most important maritime city of China, situated on the left bank of the Hwangpoo river, under the name of the Shanghai Steam Navigation Company.

The company sold out to the Chinese in the late seventies, the line then becoming known as the China Merchants Company. With the exception of two visits to his native country, Mr. Hitch remained in China until his resignation as a partner from the firm of Russell & Company in 1884, whereupon he returned to the United States, taking up his residence in the "Algonac," Newburgh, New York, where he became a prominent and influential citizen, identifying himself, as does also his wife, with various phases of social work, not alone in the city of Newburgh, but throughout the State of New York, having been especially active in the Associated Charities of Newburgh, St. Luke's Hospital, the Newburgh Agency for Dependent Children, the State Charities Aid Association, and the Church of Our Father at Newburgh. Mr. Hitch also served as a trustee of the Laura Franklin Free Hospital for Children, in New York City, and for nearly twenty-four years acted as its treasurer. Mr. Hitch was scrupulously honorable in all his dealings with mankind, and therefore won a reputation for public and private integrity, and his career is well worthy of emulation.

Mr. Hitch married, October 16, 1877, Annie Lyman, daughter of Warren and Catherine (Robbins) Delano, of "Algonac," Newburgh, NewYork. Mr. Hitch died at "Algonac," March 21, 1911."

In the Federal Census of 1900, Frederick D. Hitch is listed on page 094 in Boarding School in Kingston, Plymouth County, Massachusetts as follows: - Frederick D. Hitch, age 17, born in MA

In the Federal Census of 1900, Fred D. Hitch is listed in Kings County, New York in a household with six servants as follows: - Fred D., born 10/1833 in MA - Annie D., born 1/1848 in NY.

Paraphrased Obituary: Frederic Delano Hitch died today at his residence Algonac from heart disease. He was in his 78th year. Born in Fairhaven, MA in 1833, he went to China while still a young man engaging in the tea exporting business and became wealthy. He came to Newburg, NY 25 years ago. ("New York Times," March 22, 1911, page 11, col. 5).

Frederic married Annie Lyman Delano, daughter of Warren Delano II and Catherine Robbins Lyman, on 16 Oct 1877 in Newburgh, NY.^{1 2} (Annie Lyman Delano was born on 08 Jan 1849 in New York City, NY,^{1 6 7} died on 06 Mar 1926 in Newburgh, NY ^{1 2} and was buried about 09 Mar 1926 in Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven, Bristol Co., MA.)