Handy Irving Hitch

  Notes:

On Feb 8 1854, the estate of David A. Brown (George T. Brown, executor) was contested in Worcester County Chancery Court by Elizabeth Carey. In this record, it states that David A. Brown died intestate on Jan 1 1853 without paying Carey $33 owed to her. It details Brown's heirs including Handy Irving Hitch and Henry Washington Hitch, children of Henrietta Hitch deceased sister "of the whole blood" (of David A. Brown). Each Hitch received $32.62 1/16. This was one-half of his mother's share that went to him since she was deceased. Note that, in this record, Henry Washington Hitch could sign his name where Handy Irving Hitch only left "his mark." (WoCC-5:331/44)

On Apr 22 1858, two land transactions took place involving Samuel Hitch and his sons Handy and Henry. These were undertaken probably in preparation for Samuel's death which occurred sometime between this time and the 1860 census. First, Handy Irving Hitch paid $500 to Samuel Hitch for 50 acres of "land called Mount Pleasant situated and lying in Worcester County adjoining land of Matilda Pusey, Isaiah Pollitt, Harvey Vincent and William Hitch". (WoLR-WET1:181). Also, Samuel, Handy and Sarah E. Hitch were paid $500 by Henry W. Hitch for "a tract of land called Old Buck Harbour (Buck Harbor)" situated and lying in Worcester County and adjoining the land of William McGrath, Thomas Owens and Thomas Brown thence ____ to the three-forked maple containing 74 acres more or less". (Handy was referred to as Irving in the land records index WoLR-WET1:174,175).

In the 1860 Federal Census for Worcester County, Maryland, "Irving" Hitch and family are indicated on page 297 in household 2124 with the following: - Irving Hitch, age 31, farmer, $500 in real estate, and $300 in personal property. - Sarah Hitch, age 25 - Anna Hitch, age 4 - Elizabeth Hitch, age 3 - Robert Hitch, age 6 months - Nelly Brown, age 45 - Rose Brown, age 50 - Harriett Brown, age 52 All were born in Maryland.

On May 13 1861, Handy I. Hitch paid $25 to John H. and Caroline E. Vincent for 2 1/16 acres of land called "Partnership.". (SoLR-LW7-182).

On Sep 17 1862, Irving Hitch is listed in the U.S. Adjutant General Enrollment for Worcester County Election District No. 2 list as age 40, a farmer, Forktown P.O.

In the 1870 Federal Census for Worcester County, Maryland, Handy I. Hitch and family are indicated in the 7th District, household 197, page 842 with the following: - Handy Hitch, age 45, farmer, $500 in real estate and $100 in personal property - Sarah Hitch, age 37, keeps house - Annie Hitch, age 14, school - Lizzie Hitch, age 12, school - Robert Hitch, age 10, school - Emma Hitch, age 8, school - Clara Hitch, age 7, school - Campbell Hitch, age 5 - Millie Hitch, age 3 - Ellen Brown, age 50, lady - Lizzie Brown, age 35, keeps house None can read/write and all were born in Maryland

In the 1880 Federal Census for Worcester County, Maryland, Handy I. Hitch and family are indicated in a household as follows: - Handy I. Hitch, age 53 - Sarah A. Hitch, age 47 - Litta A. Hitch, age 23 - Elizabeth E. Hitch, age 22 - Robert S. Hitch, age 20 - Campbell Hitch, age 14 - Clara Hitch, age 16 - Amelia Hitch, age 13 - Sallie Hitch, age 9 - Elmira Hitch, age 7 - Levin T. Hitch, age 4 All were born in Maryland

In the Worcester County marriage records for Feb 27 1896, it indicates that Millie Hitch, daughter of Handy, was married to Lewis A. Rhodes "at Irving Hitch's."

On Sep 9 1897, Handy I. Hitch and William C. & wife Sally Pope all of Worcester County sold Margaret D. Collins land for $200 in the 7th District that was conveyed to Sally Pope by Elijah L. Shockley and wife by deed dated Sep 10 1897, and 35 acres of land called "Mount Pleasant" conveyed to Handy I. Hitch by Samuel Hitch by deed dated Apr 22 1858. (WoLR-FHP9:608).

In the Jul 1 1899 "The Messenger," (Snow Hill, MD newspaper) we find, "Mr Irving Hitch, of Friendship, this County had a cataract removed from one of his eyes at the Peninusula General Hospital Salisbury this week. Mrs. N. C. Tilghman, West P.O. was also treated successfully at this institution."

Handy Hitch became very ill in his last years as evidenced by Chancery Court records in Worcester County. On Aug 8 1900, it was found that Handy Hitch was of "unsound mind" and "totally blind" and could not take care of himself or his obligations of property. At that time, he had no personal property of value and the real estate he owned - 52 acres in Worcester and 15 acres in Somerset County - produced income insufficient to pay expenses. It was then ordered to sell off the farm to meet such obligations. In this record, it mentions children Robert S. Hitch, Alicia Annie Causey, Lizzie E. Dryden, Samuel C. Hitch, Millie Hitch, Sallie Pope and Elmira Hitch. It also mentions grandchildren Sadie and Frank Dykes, children of Handy's deceased daughter Clara E. Dykes. (WoCC-FHP21:570-578)

On Feb 27 1901, Handy Hitch died as stated in his death certificate: Died on Feb 27 1901, white, age 76. The certificate further indicates that he was a farmer and native of Worcester County. His wife was Sarah Hitch, his father was Samuel Hitch and his mother's maiden name was Brown. The cause of death listed was "insanity," sick about 1 week. Death was reported by "Geo. C. Hill, Salisbury, Maryland."

  Notes:

From his Death Certificate:
Died 2/27/1901, white, age 76.
Certificate indicates:
Farmer, native of Wor. Co.
Wife: Sarah HITCH
Father: Samuel HITCH
Mother's Maiden Name: Brown
Cause: "Insanity", sick about 1 week
Reported: Geo. C. Hill, Salisbury, MD

Handy married Sarah Eleanor Taylor, daughter of William* Taylor and Mary W.* (?), on 04 Mar 1856 in Worcester Co., MD.¹ (Sarah Eleanor Taylor was born in 1833-1835 in MD ^{8 9 10 11} and died in 1881-1899 in MD.)