Elias Hitch

On Jun 27 1778, Elias Hitch is mentioned in the will of his mother Sarah Hitch where he demanded administration and made oath. A bond in the amount of £2000 was placed by brothers Elias and Thomas Hitch and Charles Nicholson. On Jul 24 1778, the inventory of Sarah Hitch made by Elias Hitch at a value of £30.18.1. (SoW-1777/88-104) On Oct 9 1779, Elias Hitch was a witness to a bond between Nathan Culver and Thomas Hitch. The bond was for a tract of land called "Peace & Quietness" from Nathan Culver, a total of 36 acres, for £800. (SoLR-J:124).

Elias was listed as a member of the Salisbury Battalion, Blackwater Company of the Maryland Militia in the Revolution for the year 1780. For a will written on Feb 20 1781 and probated on May 9 1781, Elias Hitch was a witness, along with Charles Nicholson and Ebenezer Waller, for the estate of Henry Game (SoW:144). Elias Hitch shows up in the 1783 Maryland Tax Assessment in Rewastico Hundred of Somerset County where he was assessed for land: "Denwoods Denn", 117¾ acres; "Hot Hill", 30 acres; "Hitch's Chance", 22 acres plus one slave, one horse, and five cattle. The whites in the household at the time included two males and four females. (TA1783)

On May 3 1786, Elias Hitch purchased a felt hat, white linen and osnaburg for £1/6/0 from John Nelms' store in Salisbury. Nelms took a note for this amount on Jun 23 1787. On Aug 4 1786, Elias Hitch, along with Charles Nicholson, made surety when Isabell Waller was appointed guardian to Eli, Levinah and Esther Vincent (of Elijah Vincent); all under age 14. (SoOCP-1777/92:84). Also in 1786, Elias Hitch received a Bill of Sale from Ezekiel Thompson. (SoLR-M:525). On Oct 21 1790, Thomas Hitch took a bond for land called "Peace & Quietness" from Nathan Culver containing 36 acres for £800. (SoLR-J:124). Elias Hitch was a witness.

In the Nov 1791 court session, there was a case Joseph Scroggin versus Elias Hitch, Loudy Hitch, and Elijah Moor. The Hitch-Moor side confessed judgment to Scroggin for £0.7.6 debt and 3 shillings, 10 pence cost. (SoJ-1791/94:11 MSA C1774-57, MdHR 13,140). In the same court session, the case George Robinson versus Benjamin Disharoon and Elias Hitch produced a confession of judgment in favor of Robinson for £4 debt and 9 pence cost (Ibid:14). For a will written on Oct 17 1792 and probated Aug 24 1793 for Benjamin Byrd, Elias Hitch served as a witness. (SoW-1788/99:254,255) Elias Hitch's inventory was taken between May 11 and Sep 21 1793 and listed as Administratrix, Esther Hitch. Next-of-kin shown were Loudy and Ezekiel Hitch. Total estate value was tallied at £108.15.9 (SoI-EB19:235/237). More inventory and separate debts are shown in the inventory records on Jun 12 and Sep 21 1797 (SoI-EB21:28-29, 89).

In the Somerset County Assessment Record for the years 1793-1796, Elias Hitch (Heirs) was listed in Broad Creek Hundred and assessed for 147¾ acres of land, £110; and other property, £30. Total assessment was £140, £140, £140, £140 for years 1793, 1794, 1795, and 1796, respectively. (SoTA-1793/96). In the 1798-1803 Commissioners of the Tax Received Report for Broad Creek Hundred, Somerset County, Elias Hitch's "Heirs" were assessed taxes for 147¾ acres of land at £110 and other personal property at £25 for a total assessment of £135 for the years 1798-1803 (SoTC-1798/1803). In 1813/14, Elias Hitch's "Heirs" were taxed for property in the 1st Election District for 175 acres of land valued at $265. (SoTA-1813). In 1817, Elias Hitch's "Heirs" were taxed for property in Election District 1 in Somerset County - they were assessed for the tract "Hot Hill," 175 acres, for $435 (SoTA-1817/22). In 1823, Elias Hitch's "Heirs" were taxed for property in Election District 1 in Somerset County. They were assessed for tracts "Denwood Denn", "Hot Hill", and "other tracts" totaling 196 acres, all for $390. (SoTA-1823:187). In 1841, Elias Hitch's "Heirs" were taxed for property in Election District 9, Salisbury. It was listed as: Elias Hitch, heirs, 1841: To "Denwoods Den", "Hot Hill", "Maddux's Chance", 156a: $470 (SoTA-1841/52:27). It is interesting how his land was still being taxed to his heirs some fifty years following his passing.

Elias Hitch is mentioned in an Oct 9 1779 land record transaction (SoLR-J:124). The assumption is that he had attained age 21 by that time.

Elias Hitch is mentioned as witness in Benjamin Byrd's will written Oct 17 1792 but Elias' own estate inventory commenced on May 11 1793.

Elias married Esther (?) about 1779 in Somerset Co., MD. (Esther (?) was born about 1748 and died after 1798 in Somerset Co., MD.)