Esther (?)

On Dec 21 1779, Esther Hitch sold land called "Caldwell's Lot" to Thomas Lank, a total of 200 acres for £800 current money of Maryland. (SoLR-G:210). This land was originally granted to Robert Caldwell and also mentions Francis Lank. She signed the deed as Esther Hitch but was called Esther Fletcher elsewhere in the record. This may indicate that her previous name was Fletcher (she had been the wife of James Fletcher and she may have been selling the land just after she had remarried to Elias Hitch).

In the Federal Assessment of 1798 for Somerset County, Broad Creek Hundred, Esther Hitch was listed as the owner and occupant of property "situated on the road that leads from Salisbury to James A. Waller's Mill about ½ mi. from Salisbury" consisting of one old framed house, one story, 22' x 18'; one cook house, 10' x 12' of round poles; one round pole barn, 22' x 18'; one round pole meat house, 10' x 10' ; 147¼ acres of land, all assessed $50 for buildings and $120 for land. (TA1798)

Esther married Richard Wallace about 1763 in Somerset Co., MD. (Richard Wallace died 20 Jan 1763-19 Jun 1764 in Somerset Co., MD.)

Esther next married James Fletcher about 1765 in Somerset Co., MD. (James Fletcher died before 1779 in Somerset Co., MD.)

Esther next married Elias Hitch, son of Nehemiah Hitch and Sarah Lank, about 1779 in Somerset Co., MD. (Elias Hitch was born about 1750 and died 17 Oct 1792-11 May 1793 in Somerset Co., MD.)