Samuel Hitch ¹

In the 1813 Tax Assessment records for Sussex County, Samuel Hitch is listed in Broad Creek Hundred and assessed the following: Personal tax:$200.00 (SxTA-1813)

Samuel Hitch is listed under the 9th DE Infantry under Capt. Walter in a Nov 28 1814 return (War of 1812).

On Feb 16 1815, Samuel Hitch "of Broad Creek Hundred" received a deed from Levin Bacon. For $550, Hitch received a deed from Bacon for 233 acres of land described as tracts "Three Square" (patented to Levin Bacon on Dec 16 1796), "Safety Enlarged", "Given's Discovery", "Inclosed", "Cypress Swamp", "Addition" and "Collins Luck", the last five tracts devised to Bacon by his father George Bacon on Sep 4 1795. (SxLR-AH31:420) On Mar 7 1815, Caldwell Windsor received a deed from Samuel Hitch. For $509.20, Windsor received a deed from Samuel Hitch for 145 acres of land in Little Creek Hundred. It was described as tracts "Three Square" (patent granted to Levin Bacon on Dec 17 1796 and sold to Hitch), "Given's Discovery", "Inclosed", and "Collins Luck". (SxLR-AH31:455)

In the 1816 Tax Assessment records for Sussex County, Samuel Hitch is listed in Broad Creek Hundred and assessed the following: 310 acres of land$532.00 1 negro girl age 13$ 75.00 2 horses and 1 colt$ 40.00 1 yoke of oxen$ 18.00 2 cows and calves$ 14.00 3 shoats$ 2.00 2 sheep$ 5.00 personal$175.00 $861.00 (SxTA-1816)

On Sep 22 1819, Samuel Hitch "of Sussex County" received a deed from Benjamin Wootten and Amy his wife "of Sussex County". For $22.19, Hitch received a deed from the Wootten for 7 acres of land in Broad Creek Hundred. It was described as tract "New Survey" conveyed from William O'Neal on Dec 16 1802 to James Winser(?) then to Joseph Betts and, on Apr 5 1813, to Benjamin Wootten. It was near the County Road leading from Laurel to Bulls Mills. (SxLR-AL34:377)

In the 1819 Tax Assessment records for Sussex County, Samuel Hitch is listed in Broad Creek Hundred and assessed the following: 1 negro girl age 17$125.00 2 horses$ 70.00 1 yoke of oxen$ 35.00 2 cows and calves$ 24.00 3 yearlings$ 6.00 7 sheep$ 7.00 7 shoats$ 7.00 personal$135.00 $308.00 (SxTA-1819)

In the Federal Census of 1820, Samuel Hitch is Indicated in Broad Creek Hundred, Sussex County, DE (page 398) in a household with one male under age 10, one male age 10-16, two males age 26-45, one female under age 10, one female age 26-45 and one female over age 45.

On Mar 18 1822, Samuel Hitch "of Broad Creek Hundred" received a deed from William Ellegood, trustee of Robinson estate. For $432, Hitch received 53½ acres of land from Ellegood described as part of the real estate of Mitchell Henshaw, deceased. (SxLR-AM35:285). On May 23 1822, Samuel Hitch "of Broad Creek Hundred" received a deed from George H. Vinson and Abigail his wife. For $450, Hitch received nine acres of land from Vinson described as tract "Double Purchase". (SxLR-AM35:414). On May 27 1822, Joseph Vinson "of George" received a deed from Samuel Hitch. For a $750 mortgage, Vinson received land described as tracts "Cold Harbour" (61 acres), "Driskills Venture" (30 acres), "Content" (90 acres), "Double Purchase" (20 acres), and "Addition to Folly" (10 acres). (SxLR-AM35:468)

In the 1822 Tax Assessment records for Sussex County, Samuel Hitch is listed in Broad Creek Hundred and assessed the following: 300 acres of land$900.00 1 negro woman age 22$ 80.00 3 horsest$120.00 1 yoke of oxen$ 18.00 2 cows and calves$ 18.00 5 young cattle$ 25.00 15 shoats$ 9.00 2 sows and 9 pigs$ 6.00 12 sheep$ 12.00 personal$150.00 $1258.00 (SxTA-1822)

In the Orphans Court records of Sussex County (SoOCP-1826/29:466), we find keys to the family of Samuel Hitch. There, on Apr 2 1829, a report of the division of his lands is presented. It states that he died in or about the year 1822 and owned about 300 acres of land in Broad Creek Hundred adjoining that of Levin Vaughn, Cyrus Windsor and Isaac Cooper. It also states that surviving relatives of Samuel Hitch included two (2) brothers "of the whole blood," William aged about 21 years and Levin Hitch since deceased but with widow Eleanor and two (2) children; Samuel, aged about 5 years and Levin, age 3. There is a plat in this record that also shows his land bordering that of Nancy Hitch and Nancy Hitch's dower (no doubt, this is Samuel Hitch's mother, Nancy [Bacon] Hitch]).

Samuel Hitch's birth year is estimated from the 1820 Census where he is age 26-45 and 1810 in the household of Nancy Hitch where he is apparently age 16-26. We can narrow the range slightly further by noting his listing in the 1813 tax records suggesting he had attained the age of 21 by 1813.

The Orphans Court records of Sussex County shed light on Samuel Hitch's death date. On Apr 2 1829, they state that he died in or about the year 1822. (SoOCP-1826/29:466) Further, Samuel's final alnd transaction occurred on May 27 1822. (SxLR-AM35:468)