Mary E. Simpkins

In the Federal Census of 1880, Mary H. Hitch is indicated in Pike County, Illinois (sheet 34) in a household as follows: - Mary H. Hitch, age 37, born in IL - Louis Hitch, age 12, born in IL - Thomas S. Hitch, age 10, born in IL - Rufus C. Hitch, age 8, born in IL - Roy M. Hitch, age 6, born in IL - Cyrus Burton, age 38, born in IL.

In the Federal Census of 1900, Mary E. Hitch is indicated in Griggsville, Pike County, Illinois in a household as follows: - Mary E. Hitch, born 12/1842 in IL - Thomas S. Hitch, born 9/1869 in IL - Rufus M. Hitch, born 9/1871 in IL.

In the Federal Census of 1910, Mary Hitch is indicated in Griggsville, Pike County, Illinois in a household as follows: - Mary Hitch, age 66, born in IL - Thomas Hitch, age 40, born in IL - Rufis Hitch (sic), age 38, born in IL.

In the Federal Census of 1920, Mary E. Hitch is indicated in Griggsville, Pike County, Illinois in a household as follows: - Mary E. Hitch, age 75, born in IL - Thomas Hitch, age 48, born in IL - Rufus Hitch, age 46, born in IL.

------------- Obituary -------------

Mrs. Mary Hitch aged and highly respected resident of this city (Griggsville, Illinois), passed away at her home here Thursday evening, December 11, 1930, aged 87 years, I I months and 19 days. She had been in failing health for the last few years and few days ago contracted pneumonia, gradually weakening until the end, which came peacefully, with all her children around her bedside.

Mrs. Hitch was one five children born to Thomas and Ann Simpkins Hitch. She was born December 22, 1842. Educated in Griggsville public schools she later attended the Women's College in Jacksonville, Ill. On January 22, 1867 she was united in marriage to Edwin Hitch, and to this union four sons were born: E.L. Hitch, Thomas S. Hitch, Rufus C. Hitch, all of this city, and Roy M. Hitch of Springfield, Ill. She is also survived by five grandchildren and one brother, Thomas Simpkins of this city. Her husband passed away January 29, 1877.

Mrs. Hitch was loving mother, grandmother, and a true friend. She loved her home and gladly welcomed her friends to its fellowship. In January, 1877, she united with the Griggsville Congregational church and loyally served as a devout member.

Funeral services were held at the family home Saturday, December 13, at 2:30 p.m. Rev. J.K. Putt of St James Church officiating. Interment was made in Griggsville cemetery.

This birthdate comes from the "Portrait of Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois" in the DAR. Her tombstone in Griggsville, IL indicates a birthyear of 1842.

Mary married Edwin Lewis Hitch, son of Lewis* Hitch and Mary McClain, on 23 Jan 1867 in Pike Co., IL.^{1 2} (Edwin Lewis Hitch was born on 25 Sep 1843 in Barry, Pike Co., IL,^{8 10 11} died on 29 Jan 1877 in Griggsville, Pike Co., IL ^{3 8} and was buried about 01 Feb 1877 in Griggsville Cemetery, Griggsville, Pike Co., IL ⁸.)

From the "Pike County, Illinois "Democrat" Newspaper Abstracts, 1867 -------------------------------------- Published Jan 31, 1867 MARRIED On the 2_rd inst., by the Rev. Thom. Bonnell at the residence of the bride's mother, Mr. Edwin Hitch, to Miss Mary Simpkin, all of Pike Co., IL. Thanks for the greenback. May a kind Providence grant that the fair bride shall never find herself poorly hitched or badly matched. We have no fears. The happy couple have our warmest congratulations.