Washington Henry Hitch

My grandmother, Doris Elizabeth Hamilton Hitch, and Susie Johnson Nuse (daughter of Archibald Johnson and Lula Hitch Johnson) believe that Washington Hitch may have been buried in a family cemetery plot near where he lived at the end of McGrath Rd. and Old Pocomoke Rd. in Worcester County, MD. They remember seeing a graveyard there when they were young (in the 1910s and 20s) but believe it to be plowed or bulldozed by now (the 1990s) Note: it may be back in the woods in modern day. Not much is known of this man. We do not know if this is simply due to the fact that he was a simple man or if there was something about him that the family wanted to suppress. A story which is total heresy at this point and comes to the compiler third party from Sylvia Stroop, says that Washington Hitch was killed by a Mr. Brown with a grubbing hoe over some indiscretions between their children. This has not been proven, however, the court appearances he endured in the early 1860s do show that he had at least some trouble with the Brown family to whom he was related through his mother Henrietta (Brown) Hitch.

It should be noted that even Daisy Hitch Davies, when she was researching the Hitch family in the 1920s and early 30s, had no luck getting any detailed information about Washington Hitch. She states that she could find nothing out about him. This is true even as she talked directly to Washington's youngest son Levin T. Hitch in the summer of 1930. Levin T. was about age 16 when his father died but yet offered no information about him.

In the 1850 Federal Census for Worcester County, Maryland, Washington H. Hitch is indicated on page 69 with the following: - Washington H. Hitch, age 28, carpenter - Matilda M. Hitch, age 18 - Samuel Hitch, age 1 Neither can read/write and all born in Maryland.

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 them as heirs since she was deceased. Note that is this record, Henry Washington Hitch could sign his name where Handy Irving Hitch only left "his mark." (WoCC-5:331/44)

In Aug 1855, Washington Hitch received $32.62 and 1/16 from the estate of his uncle David A. Brown. On Apr 22 1858, Washington Hitch paid $500 to Samuel, Handy I., and Sarah E. Hitch (Handy's wife) for deed to "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". (WoLR-WET1:174,175). This appears to be the same land that Washington Hitch's mother Henrietta (Brown) Hitch inherited from her grandfather George Brown through his will probated in 1803. This is also the property that is currently (1996, 2020) situated at the east end of McGrath Road where it meets Stevens Road in northwest Worcester County The old house used to sit in that location until the mid-1970s. It was in a very decrepit state at the time with trees and brush growing all up in and around it. The compiler's grandfather G. Carroll Hitch often mentioned that it was the home of his ancestor Washington Hitch.

In the 1860 Federal Census for Worcester County, Maryland, Washington Hitch is indicated on page 398, household 2116 with the following: - Washington Hitch, age 35, farmer, $300 in real estate and $100 in personal property. - Margaret Hitch, age 33 - Samuel Hitch, age 12 - Hennie Hitch (female), age 10 - Mary Hitch, age 8 - Levin Hitch, age 4 All were born in Maryland and neither can read/write.

On Oct 22 1860, Washington Hitch received a summons in the case of State of Maryland vs. Anthony Brown and appeared in court on Jan 21 1861 as Mr. Brown was charged with "assault and battery upon the body of Henry W. Hitch on or about 1 Aug 1860." Anthony Brown, Benjamin Livingston, John Pollitt posted $200 bond. (WoCP-1/1861-5/1861)

On Nov 23 1860, he received a summons to testify for the State of Maryland vs. Matilda Pusey. Matilda was caught selling "strong liquor to Stephen Dykes on the Sabbath Day." William Hitch posted bond of $200. (WoCP-1/1861-5/1861)

On Jan 21 1861, Henry W. Hitch appeared in the case for the State of Maryland vs. Anthony Brown case. Mr. Brown was charged with "assault and battery upon the body of Henry W. Hitch on or about 1 Aug 1860." Anthony Brown, Benjamin Livingston, John Pollitt posted $200 bond. (WoCP-1/1861-5/1861)

On Sep 17 1862, Henry W. Hitch is listed in the U.S. Adjutant General Enrollment for Worcester County Election District No. 2 list as age 40, a farmer, Salisbury P.O. In the Civil War Registration List of July/August 1863 for Maryland Congressional District 1, Henry W. Hitch is listed as age 41 on July 1 1863, a farmer born in MD.

In the 1870 Federal Census for Worcester County, Maryland, Washington Hitch is indicated on page 845 in 7th District, household 210 with the following: - Washington Hitch, age 49, farmer, $200 in real estate and $100 personal property. He can read/write - Matilda Hitch, age 38(?), keeps house, cannot read/write - Mary Hitch, age 16 - Levin Hitch, age 14, works on farm All were born in Maryland.

On Mar 7 1871, Henry W. Hitch was forced to put a $48.26 mortgage on his land "Heaths Venture" (50a) and part of "Buck Harbor" (20a) because of a Jan 6 1871 judgment against him of that amount by William D. Brown and Hiram Phillips. The land is described as adjoining that of James H. McGrath, Thomas Brown and John & Joshua Owens, said land being bequeathed to Henry W. Hitch and Handy Hitch by their father by last will and testament (note: this LWT of father Samuel Hitch has not been found). Henry W. Hitch was to repay the obligation by Jan 6 1872. The mortgage was entered into record on May 2 1871. However, in the record, it states that the mortgage was assigned to Matilda M. Hitch (Henry's wife) on Feb 13 1872. (WoLR-ITM1:430) It is presumed that Henry Hitch had died between May 2 1871 and Feb 13 1872 (likely closer to the latter).

Washington married Matilda Margaret Denston, daughter of Levin Denston and Elizabeth Dryden, on 13 Mar 1848 in Worcester Co., MD.¹ (Matilda Margaret Denston was born in 1824 in Worcester Co., MD ^{5 6 7 8} and died before Oct 1884 in Worcester Co., MD.)