References:
(1) Some Prominent Virginia Families, page 343.
(2) Colonial Families of the United States, page 196.
(3) Index Card to Logan Temple Records, No. 3820, Book R 2, page 193.
(4) Index Card to Salt Lake Temple Records, No. 6022, Book 5 I, page 259.Historical Notes:
(1) Abraham Hite owned much land, and was an active farmer, but like his older brothers, looked well to the civil concerns of his country. He represented Hampshire County in the House of Burgesses from 1769 to 1774. He was also in the State Convention of 1776. With James Wood he became surety for Major Charles Simmes, November 1776, for fourteen thousand eight hundred English pounds, bounty money, to raise a battalion. He and his son, Lieutenant George Hite, were members of the Cincinnati. On May 20th, 1904 there was unveiled at Williamsburg, Virginia, a granite boulder in memory of events which happened in the old capital. On the rear of the monument is the list of the members of the House of Burgesses, who at Raleigh Tavern, May 18th, 1769, May 27th, 1774 and August 1774, entered into an association against the importation or purchase of British manufactures. Among the names are found, Philip Ludwell Grymes, Wilson Miles Cary, Peyton Randolph, John Walker, Thomas Walker, Abram Hite, Sr., John Hite, Jr., and David Meade. At a court held at Annapolis, Maryland, for Berkeley County, April 21, 1778, the "Gentlemen Justices present were, William Patterson, James Monroe, Thomas Hite." At this same court Thomas Hite and others applied for permission "to inoculate their families for smallpox in their own houses." Some years later Captain Abraham Hite Sr., removed to Kentucky and died there. His wife outlived him nineteen years.
References:
(1) Some Prominent Virginia Families, page 363.
(2) Colonial Families of the United States, page 201.
(3) Index Card to Logan Temple Records, No. 5818, Book R 2, page 193.Historical Notes:
(1) In 1740, Isaac Hite journeyed fourteen miles south of Springdale, where his eldest brother John had settled and selected for his home a spot on the north branch of the Shenandoah River, called by the Indians, Shenando. Here he built his home at the head of a stretch of beautiful meadow land, which bordered the river for three miles. From this meadow he called his home "Long Meadows," which name it still retains (1905). The house was a large wooden structure, the rooms in the main building opening around a large square hall, with a fireplace of enormous proportions, rivaling the famous kitchen fireplaces of colonial times. This hall was called the "Traveler's Hall," and was open to all who came. Round its hospitable hearth many an explorer, many a benighted adverturer and many a friendly redskin, gathered from time to time. All found a hearty welcome and were given a bountiful supper, in return for which they gave the latest news in their possession. Generally a bed was neither expected nor wished; wrapped in a blanket with feet to the fire, even in the coldest weather, the hardy pioneer, even he of gentle birth, slept as soundly as the red Indian.
The window panes at "Long Meadows," were all small, some of them diamond
shaped. On a pane in the parlor, Mr. James Buchanan, who married Colonel
Hite's eldest daughter, cut his lady love's name (Anne Hite), and the date of
their engagement, with the diamond in their engagement ring. When Mrs. J.S.B. Davison, nee Mary Eltinge Hite, heard the old house was being torn down, she immediately sent a request to Colonel Bowman for this pane, but she was too late, it had been shattered. In this house the five beautiful daughters of Isaac and Eleanor were married. Mrs. Buchanan, after her husband died and her mind became unbalanced, returned to it and made it her home in spite of her brother's entreaties that she would live with him at Belle Grove. She always said that she was expecting Mr. Buchanan and he would be disappointed if he came and she was not there to receive him. She went, however, on a visit to Belle Grove, when not very well, a few months before her death, and remained until the end came, August 9th, 1816. She left no children and her husband who resided in New York City at the time of his death, died insolvent.
Of Isaac Hite, Sr. of "Long Meadows," there are but few traditions.
Morris, in his "History of the Lower Shenandoah Valley," says, "August 6th,
1776, the court convened under the new regime of the glorious Commonweath of
Virginia and the following were the proceedings. Present, John Hite, Issac
Hite, Charles Wynn Thurston, John McDonald, John Smith, and Edmond Taylor. An ordinance of the Honourable the Convention of the Commonwealth of Virginia, directing that different members named in the former commission of the Peace should continue to act in the said office, upon their taking the oath, prescribed in the said ordinance. Whereupon, Isaac Hite, and Charles Wynn Thurston administered the oath to John Hite, who took and subscribed the same, and then the said John Hite administered the said oath to all the aforesaid members, who took and subscribed the same as Justices of the Peace of the said Commonwealth." Church records tell us he was vestryman in Christ Episcopal Church at Winchester, and was interested in building a church further down the Valley. Family traditions says he was a good shot, a lover of home, and the pretty Eleanor Eltinge, his wife, giving heed to all her counsel, whether from choice or because he dared not do otherwise, deponent saith not, but it is most probable he was a willing slave.
He taught Eleanor to use a rifle and she became a match for him in
marksmanship. She was also a notable housekeeper, and a fond and careful wife and mother, reproving one of her daughters because, "she stepped too high in the minuet," on her wedding day. Tradition also says she possessed rare beauty, with hazel eyes, while her husband was a blonde, six feet tall, and well proportioned. Major Issac Hite, her son, often spoke of the beauty of his mother and sisters. He said Sarah (Mrs. General Clark), was least pretty; her mouth, being like his own much too large, somewhat spoiled her face, which otherwise was like her sister's. Major Hite was of medium height, but, when with his long limbed uncles and father, he appeared small; he thought his mother to blame for his size, but not for his mouth. The descendants of their daughter Eleanor, who married Mr. John Williams, claim the beautiful hazel eyes in some branches of their family where inherited from Eleanor of "Long Meadows.
References:
(1) Colonial Families of the United States, page 474.
(2) Some Prominent Virginia Families, page 363.
References:
(1) Colonial Families of the United States, page 475.
References:
(1) Colonial Families of the United States, page 470.
See Chatham Co. Will dtd. 4-1-1870 pro. 1885
Information found on a chart sent by Treva Lefler, 3712 Fifteenth Ave.,
Moline, Ill. 61265 dtd. Jan 1994.
See Chatham County will dtd 4-1-1870 probated 1885.
See chart sent by Treva Lefler, prepared by Mrs. Margaret Bray, 10104 s
Glen Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854 dated March 29, 1971.
See chart sent by Treva Lefler, prepared by Mrs. Margaret Bray, 10104 s
Glen Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854 dated March 29, 1971.
See chart sent by Treva Lefler, prepared by Mrs. Margaret Bray, 10104 s
Glen Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854 dated March 29, 1971.
See chart sent by Treva Lefler, prepared by Mrs. Margaret Bray, 10104 s
Glen Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854 dated March 29, 1971.
See chart sent by Treva Lefler, prepared by Mrs. Margaret Bray, 10104 s
Glen Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854 dated March 29, 1971.
See chart sent by Treva Lefler, prepared by Mrs. Margaret Bray, 10104 s
Glen Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854 dated March 29, 1971.
See chart sent by Treva Lefler, prepared by Mrs. Margaret Bray, 10104 s
Glen Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854 dated March 29, 1971.
See chart sent by Treva Lefler, prepared by Mrs. Margaret Bray, 10104 s
Glen Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854 dated March 29, 1971.