Dr. William Hitch

Dr. William Hitch graduated from the University of Maryland Medical School in 1824. In the Medical Annals of Maryland, 1799-1899, it states "Hitch, William. 1824. M.D., Univ. of Maryland, 1824; Censor, 1830. Of Baltimore. Is credited to Somerset County by Treasurer, 1824. See Lists of 1848, 1853."

Between 1826 and 1829, Dr. William Hitch was listed as a vestryman for St. Thomas Parish in Baltimore County and delegate to the Diocese Convention in 1828. (St. Thomas Parish Records, Owings Mills, MD)

In the Federal Census of 1830, William Hitch is indicated on page 389, 10th ward for the City of Baltimore in a households that included one male age 30-40, three females under age 5, one female age 20-30, two females age 30-40 and three slaves (one male and two females).

In an article from the "American", a Baltimore area newspaper, there is an article in the February 4, 1831 edition that states, "Dr. William Hitch having removed from the county where he has been in practice for 5 years offers his professional services to the Public. His attention is . . . "directed to the diseases of women and children." Dwelling/office on north side of Pratt between Sharp and Howard Streets (Baltimore)."

In the Federal Census of 1850, William Hitch is indicated on page 228 in the 19th ward of Baltimore City in a household as: - Dr. Hitch (male), age 50, $40,000 in real estate and born in MD - M. Hitch (female), age 53, born in MD - I. Anderson (female), age 67, born in MD - L. Hitch (female), age 20, born in MD - S. Betts (female), age 10, born in MD

On March 23, 1852, William Hitch and Sarah his wife; Joseph I. Speed, trustee of William Hitch an insolvent debtor; and Samuel Fenby all of the City of Baltimore sold land for $2,000 to Isaac Anderson of Somerset County. Land was called "The High Banks Farm" on the Wicomico River bounded on the east by Upper Ferry Road leading to Princess Anne and formerly the property of Sarah Handy deceased totaling 300 acres. Sarah Hitch signed the document as Sarah H.A. Hitch. (Worcester Co., MD Land Records, Liber LW, No. 1, Folio 229).

In the Federal Census of 1860, William Hitch is listed in a household on page 009 for the 19th Ward of Baltimore City as: - William Hitch, age 60, physician, born in MD - Sarah Hitch, age 63, born in MD

In the Federal Census of 1870, William Hitch is listed in the Waters household (his daughter's family) in Dorchester County, Maryland as:
- Edmond Waters, age 40, born in MD
- Henrietta Waters, age 40, born in MD
- William Waters, age 16, born in MD
- Mary Waters, age 14, born in MD
- Edward Waters, age 12, born in MD
- Albert E. Waters, age 10, born in MD
- Frances H. Waters, age 5, born in MD
- Isabella Waters, age 3, born in MD
- William Hitch, age 71, born in MD

In the Federal Census of 1880, William Hitch is listed in the Waters household (his daughter's family) in Dorchester County, Maryland as:
- Edmond Waters, age 49, born in MD
- Augusta Waters, age 49, born in MD
- William Waters, age 25, born in MD
- Mary Waters, age 23, born in MD
- Alfred Waters, age 19, born in MD
- Frances Waters, age 12, born in MD
- Belle Waters, age 11, born in MD
- Dr. William HITCH, age 81, born in MD

The "Democrat and News", a newspaper in Cambridge, Maryland had an obituary in its May 2, 1881 edition that states: "Dr. William Hitch, native of Somerset County, died at "Hambrooks" near Cambridge, the residence of his son-in-law, E.G. Waters on 2 May 1881 in his 83rd year of age." Interment was in Baltimore.

William married Sarah M.A. Betts, daughter of Solomon Betts and Unknown, on 15 Dec 1824 in Baltimore Co., MD.^{1 2} (Sarah M.A. Betts was born in 1797 in MD ^{11 12} and died 05 Jun 1865-10 Jul 1869 in Baltimore, MD.)