9-23-2018 Family letter Transcribed by Christiane Howard. Notes in [ ] are mine. The letter was provided to me by my mother who got it from her mother.
NOTE: There are some spelling errors and some of the information is a bit off but not by much. I will be working on confirming and correcting this
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Copied from papers obtained from Grace Miller Hatzenbuler --July 1951. Genealogy of the Hitchens Family, as recited by Agnes H. Miller, in the letter Feb. 22, 1881.
William Hitchens of Gwennap, parish near Redmuth, Western Cornwall, England, owner of "Care Math Hill" [Carn Marth Hill]. His wife owned a life lease of same. This estate is situated near Wheal Buller Mine. (copper)
Wife of above Nancy Morcum. Children of William Hitchens as follows:
1) Samuel, oldest
2) Grace, by marriage Barrett
3) William
4) John
5) Thomas
6) Ann, commonly called Nancy. The latter married Bonds, afterwards Reed.
1) Children of Samuel Hitchens as follows: Agnes Hitchens, baptized at the church of England, Parish of Gwennap. (Other Children not given)
3) Children of William as follows: Joel, Samuel and William.
5) Children of Thomas as follows: William, Nancy, by marriage Andrews. William, son of Thomas accumulated great wealth in Australia from mines. He left money in the bank at St. Austell for his mother's support. Mary Pasco of Lockport, NY is his sister. Annie and Lib, his nieces.
John, son of William, together with his brother ,Samuel, moved from the west in search of copper. They were the first to make the discovery of copper in Wheal Treasure in the parish of Tywardreath. John and William were called captains of the mines. John accumulated a large amount of money, part of which was used in the purchase of land now owned by the Hitchens in England. He was also interested in the "Fowey Consols" mine [Consols = Consolidated], then newly opened. The land referred to was purchased from Sir Colman Rashleigh, but at John's death was not all paid for, but it was so arranged by himself and brother William that it could not be sold. From the letter from which this genealogy is taken I infer that a certain Mrs. Medling took charge of this estate after John's death. (A sister of Mrs. Medling, Mrs. Ann Blamey, with her sone and daughter are at present living at Moores Hill, St. Blazey, Cornwall, England.) I see from further reference to this letter that Mrs. Medling was John's daughter.
Mrs. Agnes Hitchens Miller, wife of Richard Lenyawn Miller, was born in Gwennap, Cornwall, England. Went to live when young in Bodman. Married in Plymouth, In Cornwall Co.
Grandfather's Family
The descendants of Capt. Samuel Hitchens of Cornwall, England, Capt. of Foy consolve mine [Fowey Consols Mine?] in the year of 1800 and for years after. His first wife Enwood [Henwood]. His family by this wife consisted of one son, Capt. Samuel Hitchens who married and settled in Canada near Coburg. [My 4th Great Grandfather]. Johanna Hitchens, who married a Wicks in Canada; Elizabeth, who married a Truran, remained in London, England; William Hitchens married and settled in Coburg, Canada; Agnes Hitchens married Richard L. Miller and settled in Graftin, Canada.
Family by second wife: first were twins, Fannie Pat [Seen in Bapt. record as Frances Pit] and John Julian Hitchens; next Ann, who married Mr. Tinman and settled in Middleway, England; next a boy who died when only a few hours old; then Mary Hitchens, who married a Chynoth [Thomas Chynoweth], lived in St. Albans, VT., died at age of 20 years. [I am working on this and it looks like she did not die at age 20 - need to verify that Thomas Chynoweth didn't marry a second woman named Mary]. Descendants of each of the above mentioned alive at present time (1880) -- No. 1, one son. Frederic [Frederick Hitchens my 4th GG], settled in Casleton, Ont. No. 2, Johanna, 4 children. Thomas, Eliza, Edwin and Ann (died), all settled in Canada, some Coburg and some in Dresdin. No. 3, five children Wm. Truran live in London. No. 4, William Hitchens 3 children. Rebecca, Mary, single, William married and has 2 children. One Harold and another boy Clifford. No. 5, 10 children, married C.H. Pratt, one son L.H. Pratt; Louisa married J.R. Breach, one daughter married A.N. Enyart. Benjamin Jackson married and has 4 children. Grace, Alice, Edward, and Elsie. Agnes Hitchens married W. H. Fisher. 2 children, Will E. and Lillian A., Richard L. Miller, Jr., was born in England Sept. 11, 1831, died in Canada July 12th, 1832. Ann Caroline, born Nov. 13th, 1832. Elizabeth Mary, Sept. 21st, 1834. Samuel E., August 13th, 1836 (not sure). Louisa, June 27th, 1838. Richard L., Dec. 7th, 1839. Benj. J., July 31, 1841. Lucy, July 11, 1843. Cecelia Sept. 20, 1845. Agnes H., June 21, 1847.
John Jr. Hitchens child died Nettie Rheda Minnie Laura Jessie Gertie Viola.
[This may be Richard Lenyawn Millers side?]
Grandfather on Father's side was registered at Dangingle near Bask Castle. He departed this life in 1862 in his 87th year. The names of his family -- Richard L. born Feb. 12th, 1800, Mary Ann Feb. 2nd, 1808, Edwin born Feb. 8th, 1812, Eliza April 17th, 1809, Betsy June 21, 1914 [most likely 1814], John Nov. 29th, 1816 in Rotchester, Louisa Aug. 3rd, 1820, Mary Ann married Mr. Christo, two children -- Wm. and Carolin.
Edwin Miller married and left a wife and four boys living at Rice Lake, Betsy married Alfred Harris. Uncle Alfred Harris died Feb. 7th, 1879, aged 66 yrs.
Unshaken as the sacred hills
Firm as mountains be
Firm as a rock his soul shall rest
That leans, O Lord, on thee.
Edwin Harris, his brother, drowned in Rice Lake Nov. 16th, 1853, in his 35th year in life.
Mother's
Uncle John Hitchins in the mine as Capt. to help my father, Capt. Sam Hitchins. Thomas Tetherak was the Clerk at that time. My cousin Joel Hitchins they bought the St. Blazey property. Lawyer Coad was my Father's lawyer and done the business for my father in the fall of 1833, what bank was doing business in the town of St. Austell from 1817 to the year of 1833 at the death of my father. Bank at St. Austell, Cornwall, England.
Jacksonville, Ill. Feb. 11,188
I will explain (by Agnes Miller). My Uncle and his family; Captain John Hitchens, who at the time of his death and who for many years was known by that name. He was a Captain of Pastle Mine near/Parr [Par] for some years. This is my father's brother. My uncle moved to St. Blazey in the property that the heirs still is in possessin of and at this death left his wife and three daughters, named Louisa Hitchins is Mrs. Medling, Mary Hitchings is Mrs. Petherick, Ann Hitchins is Blamey. I think my uncle died in 1827 or 1828. Mrs. Medling was childless. Mary Petherick had one, a daughter brought to this country with her father William Petherick. Mrs. Blamey is the one who we suppose is occupying the families residence at Moors Hill, St. Blazey, Cornwall, England. Mary Petherick died a short time before my husband's folks left there to join with us in Canada. I had a letter from Mrs. Medling in 1868. She was glad to hear from me. Mrs. Medling's niece is Mrs. Stephens, lives in Philadelphia, Penn. (referring me to Mr. John Polsne) who then lived at the Tosk Horse Inn who was doing business for the posties concern under the will of Mrs. Medling.
I wanted to share this with you in case it provides any new information. Please let me know if you have any questions.
About my line;
Samuel Hitchens Jr. along with Sarah and Frederick went to Canada around 1832 or shortly before. They settled in Alnwick, Northumberland Co., Ontario, CA, later moving to Cramahe for a time then immigrating to the United States after 1886.
Parents of Samuel:
William Hitchens and Ann "Nancy" Morcum/Morcomb/Morcombe
Parents of Samuel:
Samuel Hitchens Sr. and Ann Henwood
Parents of Frederick:
Samuel Hitchens Jr. and Sarah Julian/Julyan
Parents of Helena:
Frederick Richard Julian Hitchens m. Sarah Reynolds
My 2nd Great-Grandmother: Helena Sarah Maude Hitchens