Ezekiel Hitch

Ezekiel Hitch was listed as a member of the Salisbury Battalion, Blackwater Company of the Maryland Militia in the Revolution for the year 1780. He is considered to be the son of Ezekiel of William Hitch based primarily upon ownership and transfer of lands. In Mar/Apr 1782, Ezekiel Hitch is mentioned on "A return of draughts and substitutes . . . who have not yet yielded their services or been discharged by the Lieut. . . ." (Revolutionary War Papers Index 1775-1789, B15, F11, pg 34). During the Federal Assessment of 1783, Ezekiel Hitch was assessed for land called "Hitch's Choice", 50 acres plus two horses and four cattle. Whites in the household at the time included three males and one female. (TA1783)

On Apr 22 1784, Ezekiel Hitch sold land 50 acres of land called "Gravelly Hill" to Louther Hitch for £80. Begin at a marked red oak thence NW 80 poles, thence NE 100 poles, thence SE 80 poles, thence right line to beginning - 50 acres. (SoLR-G:483). For the will of George Vincent written on Mar 11 1790 and probated on Mar 26 1791, Ezekiel Hitch was listed as a witness. (SoW-1788/99:142,190,191). In the Nov 1792 session of court, Ezekiel Hitch brought suit against Thomas Humphris, Curtis Vincent, and Joseph Hitch The plaintiff prevailed for an amount of £5.4.4 debt and 5 shillings cost. (SoJ-1791/94:98, MSA C1774-57, MdHR 13,140)

In the Somerset County Assessment Record for the years 1793-1796, Ezekiel Hitch was listed in Broad Creek Hundred and assessed for 50 acres of land, £40; and other property, £20. Total assessment was £60, £60, £60, and £60 for years 1793, 1794, 1795, and 1796 respectively.

Elias Hitch's inventory of estate was taken between May 11 and Sep 21 1793 and listed as Administratrix, Esther Hitch Next-of-kin shown were Loudy and this Ezekiel Hitch. Total estate value was tallied at £108.15.9 (SoI-EB19:235/237)

In the Federal Assessment of 1798, Ezekiel Hitch was listed as owner and occupant of property "situated about 2 mi. from Salisbury" consisting of "one round pole dwelling house, 16'x14'; one round pole cook house, 12'x10'; one log barn, 14'x16'; one round pole meat house, 7'x6'; 77½ acres of land. Assessment was made $25 for buildings and $80 for the land. He also occupied the property of Louther Hitch "situated about 2¼ mi. from Spring Hill Chappel" consisting of one old dwelling house, framed, 1 story, 20'x16' under repair; one cook house of round poles, 14'x12', the roof rotten; one blacksmith shop, 12'x14' of slabs; 73 acres of land. All were assessed at $25 for the buildings and $80(?) for the land. (TA1798). For the years 1798 through 1803, Ezekiel Hitch was assessed taxes for 77 acres of land at £60 and other personal property at £40 for a total of £100 for years 1798-1801. He received 73 acres of land from Lowday Hitch in 1802 (assessed at £55) so his assessment increased to £155 for years 1802 and 1803 (SoTA-1798/1803).

Ezekiel Hitch is listed in the 1800 Federal Census in Broad Creek District of Somerset County with a household containing two males ages 16-26, one male over age 45, one female age 16-26 and one female over age 45. (Page 57, Line 3) On Mar 11 1801, Louther Hitch deeded 83¼ acres of land called "Gravelly Hill" and "Ellis' Addition" to Ezekiel Hitch for $275. (SoLR-N:148). Ezekiel Hitch is listed in the 1810 Federal Census on Page 291 in the Barren Creek District of Somerset County with a household containing one male age 16-26, one male over age 45, one female age 26-45, one female age over 45 and two slaves.

On Feb 8 1812, Ezekiel Hitch received a deed for 9 acres of part of land called "Ellis' Chance" and "Ellis' Addition" from Curtis Hitch for £18. It is described as beginning 8 perches from the beginning and the 10th line of a tract called "Elliss Addition" thence running with the reverse course of this line to wit S54:30W 8 perches to the beginning of the 10th line, thence S45E 48½ perches with reverse course of the 9th line of the afsd tract, thence N56E 50½ perches till it intersects with the county road leading from Spring Hill Chapple over Esme M. Waller's Mill, thence with said road to the beginning. (SoLR-U:464). For Sarah Bradley's will written on Aug 26 1811 and probated Oct 26 1813, Ezekiel, Curtis and Robert Hitch were listed as witnesses. (SoW-1800/20:194,195). Ezekiel Hitch was a witness, with Robert Hitch and Thomas Nicholson, to Curtis Hitch's will written on Aug 15 1813 and probated Mar 12 1814. (SoW-EB:204,205)

In the 1813/1814 Somerset County Commissioners of the Tax Records, Ezekiel Hitch is listed in the 1st Election District and taxed for 161 acres of land valued at $330.

In the Commissioners of the Tax Ledger for Election District 1 in Somerset County in 1817, Esekiel (sic) Hitch is assessed as follows: ·"Hitch's Choice", 50 acres; ·"Gravelly Hill", 46 acres; ·"Ellis' Addition", 22½ acres; ·"Saw Mill Supply", 22½ acres; ·"Humphrey's Hook" and saw mill, 20 acres; ·"Lott", 160 acres: $405 ·houses, etc. $70 ·other property: $75

In the Federal Census of 1820, Ezekiel Hitch is listed in Somerset County on page 106, in District 1, with one male under age 10, one male age 10-16, one male age 26-45, one male age 45+, three females under age 10, one female age 10-16, two females age 26-45, and one free colored person.

On Mar 31 1821, Ezekiel Hitch was mentioned in a land transaction of Robert Hitch where Robert Hitch paid $140 to Thomas Humphreys, both of Somerset County for a 49 acre tract comprised of "Gravelly Hill", part of "Ellis' Chance", and part of "Ellis' Addition". Robert Hitch was the highest bidder for these lands seized on Sep 16 1816 from the estate of Curtis Hitch by the Chancery Court. Said land was described as beginning at a marked white oak being the first bounder of "Elliss Chance" thence N49½W 9 poles, S58½W 17 poles to a "divisional fence" between the lands of Ezekiel Hitch and Curtis Hitch, N26¼W 144½ poles by and with said fence to Ezekiel Hitch's out road, N84E 47 poles by and with said road to the county road leading from Esme M. Waller's mill to Spring Hill, S56¾E 28 poles by and with said county road till it intersects with a line of "Elliss Chance," S39E 77 poles by and with said line S30½W 64 poles to first beginning laid out for 49 acres. (SoLR-JD6:393)

In the Commissioners of the Tax Ledger for Election District 1 in Somerset County in 1823, Ezekiel Hitch is assessed as follows: ·"Hitch's Choice", 50 acres; ·"Gravelly Hill", 16 acres; ·"Ellis' Addition", 22½ acres; ·"Saw Mill Supply", 22½ acres; ·"Humphrey's Hook", ?? acres; ·"Mill Supply", 23 acres; ·Other tracts, 9 acres: $390 ·2 beds and furniture, 1 horse, 4 cattle: $54 ·12 sheep, 1 still, other property: $41 (SoTA-1823:193)

In the old Hitch Family Graveyard on the west side of West Rd., 0.25 mi. south of Log Cabin Rd. in Wicomico County, Maryland, there is a tombstone for Ezekiel Hitch with no birth date and a death date of Sep 23 1828.

Gravestone record.

Ezekiel married Elizabeth Hopkins about 1780 in Somerset Co., MD. (Elizabeth Hopkins was born about 1748, died on 27 Jan 1820 in Somerset Co., MD ¹ and was buried about 30 Jan 1820 in Old Hitch Family Graveyard, West Rd., Salisbury, Wicomico Co., MD.)