Levin Hitch

On Jun 13 1812, for $800, Levin Hitch of Worcester County bought from Ebenezer Leonard of Worcester County, the parcel of land called "Mill Grove" in the Town of Salisbury near the road dividing the counties. He paid $400 down with $400 due by June 30, 1818. (WoLR-AC:345).

This is probably the same Levin Hitch mentioned in "The Parson of the Islands," a book about Joshua Thomas, the inimitable Methodist preacher who spread the gospel throughout the lower Eastern Shore through his preachings and camp meeting in the early 19th century. In the book, it discusses the good friend of Brother Thomas, Rev. Lawrence Lawrenson, head of the Salisbury branch of the Annamessex Circuit of the Methodist church around the year 1820. It states, "When (Rev. Lawrenson) stopping at Brother Riders, he fell into one of his gloomy periods, a man named Levin Hitch, who was chief singer in the church, and noted for his liveliness in conversation, and his resources in anecdote, visited him, and greatly cheered him by his welcome company." ("The Parson of the Islands, A Biography of the Rev. Joshua Thomas; embracing Sketches of his Contemporaries, and Remarkable Camp Meeting Scenes, Revival Incidents, and Reminiscences of the Introduction of Methodism on the Islands of the Chesapeake, and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia.", Adam Wallace, 1861)

In 1824/1825, Levin Hitch received a Certificate of Qualification as Deputy Sheriff for Worcester County. (WoLR-AQ:160). On Jan 22 1825, For $160, Levin Hitch paid Rachell Dashiell, both of Worcester County, for a lot of land in the Town of Salisbury conveyed to Dashiell by deed from James Fooks dated June 8, 1806. It states that the lot may actually straddle the Worcester and Somerset County Line. (Ibid.:277).

For the years 1826 to 1829, Levin Hitch is listed as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates. (Archives of Maryland, Historical List, Volume I, New Series I)

In his will written July 15 1820 and probated Jan 5 1826, Thomas Humphreys mentions wife Frances, sons Cathell, Humphreys and George Washington Humphreys and daughters Mary Anne, Leah Murray, and Elizabeth McBryde Humphreys. Levin Hitch, George Maddux and Ebenezer Leonard were witnesses. (SoW-1820/37:107)

On May 27 1826, Levin Hitch paid $100 to Rachel Dashiell, both of Worcester County, for land. Rachel Dashiell was described as the late Rachell Madson? and the former Rachel Fooks, daughter of Jesse Fooks. (WoLR-AS:151)

In his will written Jan 17 1828 and probated Feb 22 1828, Levin Hitch, Jehu Fooks and David Howard were witnesses to the will of Robert Bailey, a colored man. (SoW-1820/37:183)

In the 1830 Somerset County Tax Assessment Ledger for the Quantico District, Levin Hitch was assessed for the following: - "Denwoods Den" - "Hot Hill" - "Maddux's Choice", all for $625 (Folio 66).

On Aug 6 1831, Thomas Westerhouse paid $64 to Levin Hitch, both of Worcester County, for a 129 acre tract called "Addition Hog Quarter". (WoLR-AX:233). In the Aug 23 1831 edition of the "Snow Hill Messenger", Levin Hitch is covered in an article as a candidate for the Maryland General Assembly. On Jun 30 1832, for $30, Levin Hitch of Worcester County sold Thomas Johnson of Somerset County a ½ acre lot purchased from Ebenezer Dashiell bordering the County Road and a lot sold by Peter Dashiell to Littleton Weatherly. (WoLR-GH6:333). In 1834, Levin Hitch took oath as Justice of the Peace in Worcester County. (Ibid.-JCH1:441). On Nov 9 1835, for $500, Levin Hitch sold to Purnell Johnson, both of Worcester County, a lot of land in the Town of Salisbury where said Levin Hitch then resided. (Ibid.-JCH3:114).

On Nov 11 1837, for $300, Sally Hitch, wife of Levin Hitch, of Worcester County sold to Purnell Johnson land in the Town of Salisbury which was her right of dower. This suggests that Sally was a widow when she married Levin Hitch. (Ibid.-GMH1:313) In 1839/1840, Levin Hitch received a Commission as Justice of District Court Number 5 in Worcester County (Ibid.-GMH3:198, 291). In 1840/1841, Levin Hitch received a Commission as Justice of District Court of the 5th Election District and as Justice of the Magistrate Court in Worcester County (Ibid.-GMH4:167). In 1841/1842, Levin Hitch received a Certificate of Qualification as Justice of the Peace in Worcester County (Ibid.-GMH5:543).

On Apr 2 1842, for $80, Nelly, Nancy, Levin and his wife Sally, and Sarah Hitch and Betsy Nicholson (widow of John Nicholson) sold to Moses Hastings, all of Somerset County, 21½ acres of land bordering "Hot Hill". Betsy Nicholson signed this record as Elizabeth Nichols. (SoLR-AH:108)

In 1842/1843, Levin Hitch received a Commission as Justice of District Court for the 5th Election District in Worcester County (WoLR-GMH6:236, 277). In 1843/1844, Levin Hitch received a Commission as Justice of District Court for the 5th Election District in Worcester County (Ibid.-GMH7:258).

Levin married Alice West on 04 Mar 1808 in Somerset Co., MD.^{1 2} (Alice West was born on 28 Jan 1786 in MD, died on 28 Jun 1825 in MD and was buried about 01 Jul 1825 in Turner Cemetery, Nanticoke, Wicomico Co., MD.)

Levin next married Sarah (Sally) McBryde on 02 Jan 1832 in Somerset Co., MD.² (Sarah (Sally) McBryde was born about 1805 in MD and died in 1842-1849 in MD.)