Eve* Hitch

*Discussion of Eve Hitch, d/o Solomon Hitch as wife of Robert Hitch: When Robert and Eve Hitch were married in 1752, Stepney Parish records clearly state Robert Hitch married to Eve Hitch and those records generally stated the pre-marriage name of the bride. Consequently, was Eve Hitch a widow or was she a maiden Hitch? Solomon Hitch Sr. had the only unaccounted for daughter named Eve at the time - this would have been Robert Hitch's cousin and not unusual for marriage in the 18th century. More research is required but certainty level is above 90%.

On Jan 21 1775, Eve Nichols (or Nicholson as the record uses both names), widow of Richard Nichols, before her marriage to said Nichols was the widow of Robert Hitch who was the son of Samuel Hitch deceased, sold her 1/3 dower rights to part of land tracts "Come By Chance" and "High Suffolk" to William Handy for 5 shillings. Also mentions land sold to Handy by Isaac Hitch. This was her approval of the sale and release of her dower. (SoLR-F:295)

The following is from a copy of an original will on Eve (Hitch) Nicholson sent to me by Susan B. Cramer of Pinehurst, NC on Jan 1 1998 (a copy of the front page is shown in Figure 1):

In the name of God, Amen, 20th day of April 1790. I Eve Nicholson of the state of Del in the County of Sussex, being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind & memory thanks be unto God, therefore colleing (sic?) Into mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordanied (sic) this my last will and testament, that is to say principally and 1st of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of the God that gave it. And for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a christian like manner at the diction of my friends not doubting but of the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the powers of God as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life. I give, devise dispose of the same in the following manner and forever. 1st I give and bequeath to Phillis Hitch my well beloved Grand-daughter a two yr old heifer, and one feather bed and furniture with bedstead cord and cord mat, and one chest and 3 chairs and one pewter dish and two plates and two pewter baisins (sic). One set of teawon (?) and teaspoons and our pewter teapot. One Gin case and bottles. Secondly I give to Mary Hitch, my beloved Grand-daughter, one feather bed and furniture. Thirdly I give unto Ann Hitch my beloved Grand-daughter one feather bed and furniture all which I give and bequeath unto them as above mentioned by them pecly (?) to be possessed and enjoyed. And I do hereby utterly disallow and revoke all other former testaments wills and legacies, by me in anyway before this monied (?) will and bequeath. Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness where of I herein to set my hand and seal day above written. Signed, sealed, published, pronounced, & declared by the S.E. Nicholson as her last will and testament in the presence of us the subscribers.

her Eve o Nicholson
mark

Viz: Benjamin Collins George Moore Isaac Vinson

Copy of an original will written by Eve (Hitch) Nicholson sent to me by Susan B. Cramer of Pinehurst, NC on Jan 1 1998, the will is dated Apr 20 1790.

Eve* married Robert Hitch, son of Samuel Hitch and Rachel Hardy, on 14 Feb 1752 in Stepney Parish, Somerset Co., MD. (Robert Hitch was born about 1730 in Somerset Co., MD and died 09 Oct 1767-24 Mar 1768 in Somerset Co., MD.)

The date of marriage for Robert and Eve Hitch is given in the Stepnet Parish church records (1751 - old style).

Eve* next married Richard Nicholson, son of Richard Nicholson and (?) (?), about 1770 in Somerset Co., MD. (Richard Nicholson was born about 1720 in Somerset Co., MD and died in 1769-1775 in Somerset Co., MD.)