Individual Details
Peter Heite (or Hitt)
(Abt, 1681 - March 23, 1772)
Much of the information about the descendants of Peter Hitt was taken from the Germanna Record, Charles Herbert Huffman, Editor, published by The Memorial Foundation of Germanna Colonies, Inc., P. O. Box 693; Culpeper, Virginia, July 1961.
Peter Hitt came to the Virginia Colony in May 1714 and was placed at Germanna with twelve other German families. Peter's wife, Elizabeth, is believed to have immigrated to Virginia at the same time. Whether or not Peter was married when he arrived in the Virginia Colony cannot be documented. In 1720 or 1721, Peter Hitt and the other 1714 colonists moved north from Germanna and settled on 1805 acres of land along Licking Run. Their new home became known as Germantown. In 1724 in order to secure the land at Germantown, the colonists made oath and claimed their head-rights in the court at Spotsylvania County (Spotsylvania County, Virginia, Will Book "A", 2 June 1724, p. 74). The book "Five Hundred First Families" states that: "Peter Hitt was one of the members of the colony who, in the election of 1741, voted for members of the House of Burgesses from Prince William County, and that the fact that he voted, showed that he was naturalized and a free-holder." This is incorrect, since no record of Peter Hitt being naturalized has been found and no record has been found that Peter voted in any election in Virginia. Peter Hitt can be found in many official Virginia documents and records, such as the following: 1. Peter Hitt was a witness to the will of Joseph Cowntz (Cuntze, Coons) another of the 1714 immigrants (Stafford County, Virginia, Will Book 1729-1748, 18 October 1730, p. 22). 2. Harman Fishback, in view of a marriage to be solemnized between himself and Mary Noe, widow, deeds to Peter Hitt 100 acres where Harman now lives and another 100 acres joining John Rector and Tillman Weaver in Germantown; test: Joseph Martin, William Coarns, John Kemper, George Dent. (Prince William County, Virginia, Deed Book "I", 7 February 1745, p. 12.). 3. Peter Hitt witnessed a deed from Henry Cuntz to Tilman Weaver for 100 acres in Germantown adjoining Peter Hitt and Tilman Weaver, land which was left to Henry by the will of his father, Joseph Cuntz, dec'd. (Prince William County, Virginia, Deed Book "I", 27 October 1746, p. 233.) 4. John Hoffman and Jacob Holtzclaw, the surviving trustees of the Germantown land, deeded the land to the twelve families on 14 September 1754 (Prince William County, Virginia, Order Book, 1754-1755, p. 137). 5. Peter Hitt testified at court about the division of land among the 12 Germanna families at Germantown in the suit between Jacob Spilman and his mother, Mary Dent. (Fauquier County, Virginia, Miscellaneous Records (Land Causes), 1759, p. 5). 6. Peter Hitt, Jacob Weaver, Peter Kemper, all of Fauquier County, and Harman Fishback of Culpeper County deed to Tilman Martin 100 acres in Germantown, formerly set apart for the German glebe; test. Thomas Marshall, Tilman Weaver, Joseph Martin, Josiah Holtzclaw. (Fauquier County, Virginia, Deed Book 4, 22 April 1771, p. 178). Peter Hitt's will (filed in Fauquier County, Virginia, Will Book 1, page 200) was written 23 March 1772 and was proved on 27 July 1772. The text of Peter's will is as follows: In the name of God, Amen, this 23ed day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two: I, Peter Hitt of the County of Fauquier, being weak of body, but of perfect mind and memory, Thanks be to God for it, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament; That is to say I give and devise in the following manner and form: Imprimis: I give and bequest to Elizabeth, my beloved wife, all of my estate to use during her natural life. Item: I give to my son, John Hitt, my Negro woman Judy and My Negro boy George. Item: I give and bequeath to my son, Joseph Hitt, my Negro man called Young Tom. Item: I give and bequeath to my son, Harman Hitt, my Negro girl Hannah and my Negro man called Old Tom. Item: I give and bequeath to my son, Peter Hitt, my Negro boy called by the name Ben. Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary Rector, one hundred acres of land, being the plantation where I now live, and my Negro boy named Moses. Item: I give to my son, Henry Hitt, one hundred pounds cash, which is all he is to have of my estate. Item: My will and desier is that after the deceas of my wife that all my estate that is not hearin mentioned be sold to the highest bidder and the money arising therefrom be equally divided amongst all my Children hearafter Named That is to say, John/ Joseph/ Harman/ Peter & Mary and Lastly I do Nominate and appoint my eldest two sons Harman Hitt & Joseph Hitt Executors of this my Last Will and Testament in witness whereof I have hearunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. Signed Peter (P) Hitt In the presence of:Harman (X) Rector Joseph Taylor John Morgan
Teste: H.L. Pearson, clerk, Circuit Court of Fauquier County, Virginia
In the Court of Fauquier County this 27th day of July 1772. This will was proved by the oaths of Harman Rector and Joseph Taylor witness thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of Harmon Hitt and Joseph Hitt, executors thereon, who made oath and executed legal bond. The law directs certificate be granted them for a probate through in due form. The law directs certificate is granted them for attaining a probate therof in due form. Teste: J. W. Burkett
A copy Teste: H. L. Pearson, Clerk By Wm Harris, chief Dep. Clerk Clerks office Circuit Court Fauquier County, VA Copied from Original Instrument.
Germanna was in Essex County until about 1721 when it was a part of Spotsylvania County and it remaind a part of Spotsylvania County until Orange County was formed in 1734. Based on the fact that the families moved to Germantown in 1720 or 1721, three of Peter and Elizabeth's children would have been born at Germanna and three at Germantown. When the first Germanna families moved to Germantown, it was in Stafford County, Virginia (now in Fauquier County). The Fauquier County Rent Roll of 1770 shows Peter Hitt with 200 acres of land, which most likely included his original lot at Germantown (lot 8) and 100 acres owned by his son-in-law, Jacob Rector (lot 5) which Peter must have leased. The original lot, on which Peter lived, passed to his daughter, Mary, when he died. On 24 May 1773, Jacob Rector and Mary his wife sold to Jeremiah Darnall the "100 acres on which Peter Hitt, decd., lived. It was discribed: Begining at a white oak, thence N 50 E 378 poles to a red oak corner, thence S 40 E 40 poles to another red oak corner, thence S 50 W 378 poles to a white oak corner, thence N 40 W 40 poles to the begining. (Fauquier County, Virginia Deed Book 5, p. 335) On 24 August 1773, Jeremiah Darnall and Catherine his wife to Tillman Weaver 100 acres on which Peter Hitt, decd., lived, being on of the lots in Germantown (same metes and bounds as the preceding deed) (Fauquier County, Virginia Deed Book 5, p. 415.)
Peter Hitt came to the Virginia Colony in May 1714 and was placed at Germanna with twelve other German families. Peter's wife, Elizabeth, is believed to have immigrated to Virginia at the same time. Whether or not Peter was married when he arrived in the Virginia Colony cannot be documented. In 1720 or 1721, Peter Hitt and the other 1714 colonists moved north from Germanna and settled on 1805 acres of land along Licking Run. Their new home became known as Germantown. In 1724 in order to secure the land at Germantown, the colonists made oath and claimed their head-rights in the court at Spotsylvania County (Spotsylvania County, Virginia, Will Book "A", 2 June 1724, p. 74). The book "Five Hundred First Families" states that: "Peter Hitt was one of the members of the colony who, in the election of 1741, voted for members of the House of Burgesses from Prince William County, and that the fact that he voted, showed that he was naturalized and a free-holder." This is incorrect, since no record of Peter Hitt being naturalized has been found and no record has been found that Peter voted in any election in Virginia. Peter Hitt can be found in many official Virginia documents and records, such as the following: 1. Peter Hitt was a witness to the will of Joseph Cowntz (Cuntze, Coons) another of the 1714 immigrants (Stafford County, Virginia, Will Book 1729-1748, 18 October 1730, p. 22). 2. Harman Fishback, in view of a marriage to be solemnized between himself and Mary Noe, widow, deeds to Peter Hitt 100 acres where Harman now lives and another 100 acres joining John Rector and Tillman Weaver in Germantown; test: Joseph Martin, William Coarns, John Kemper, George Dent. (Prince William County, Virginia, Deed Book "I", 7 February 1745, p. 12.). 3. Peter Hitt witnessed a deed from Henry Cuntz to Tilman Weaver for 100 acres in Germantown adjoining Peter Hitt and Tilman Weaver, land which was left to Henry by the will of his father, Joseph Cuntz, dec'd. (Prince William County, Virginia, Deed Book "I", 27 October 1746, p. 233.) 4. John Hoffman and Jacob Holtzclaw, the surviving trustees of the Germantown land, deeded the land to the twelve families on 14 September 1754 (Prince William County, Virginia, Order Book, 1754-1755, p. 137). 5. Peter Hitt testified at court about the division of land among the 12 Germanna families at Germantown in the suit between Jacob Spilman and his mother, Mary Dent. (Fauquier County, Virginia, Miscellaneous Records (Land Causes), 1759, p. 5). 6. Peter Hitt, Jacob Weaver, Peter Kemper, all of Fauquier County, and Harman Fishback of Culpeper County deed to Tilman Martin 100 acres in Germantown, formerly set apart for the German glebe; test. Thomas Marshall, Tilman Weaver, Joseph Martin, Josiah Holtzclaw. (Fauquier County, Virginia, Deed Book 4, 22 April 1771, p. 178). Peter Hitt's will (filed in Fauquier County, Virginia, Will Book 1, page 200) was written 23 March 1772 and was proved on 27 July 1772. The text of Peter's will is as follows: In the name of God, Amen, this 23ed day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two: I, Peter Hitt of the County of Fauquier, being weak of body, but of perfect mind and memory, Thanks be to God for it, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament; That is to say I give and devise in the following manner and form: Imprimis: I give and bequest to Elizabeth, my beloved wife, all of my estate to use during her natural life. Item: I give to my son, John Hitt, my Negro woman Judy and My Negro boy George. Item: I give and bequeath to my son, Joseph Hitt, my Negro man called Young Tom. Item: I give and bequeath to my son, Harman Hitt, my Negro girl Hannah and my Negro man called Old Tom. Item: I give and bequeath to my son, Peter Hitt, my Negro boy called by the name Ben. Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary Rector, one hundred acres of land, being the plantation where I now live, and my Negro boy named Moses. Item: I give to my son, Henry Hitt, one hundred pounds cash, which is all he is to have of my estate. Item: My will and desier is that after the deceas of my wife that all my estate that is not hearin mentioned be sold to the highest bidder and the money arising therefrom be equally divided amongst all my Children hearafter Named That is to say, John/ Joseph/ Harman/ Peter & Mary and Lastly I do Nominate and appoint my eldest two sons Harman Hitt & Joseph Hitt Executors of this my Last Will and Testament in witness whereof I have hearunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. Signed Peter (P) Hitt In the presence of:Harman (X) Rector Joseph Taylor John Morgan
Teste: H.L. Pearson, clerk, Circuit Court of Fauquier County, Virginia
In the Court of Fauquier County this 27th day of July 1772. This will was proved by the oaths of Harman Rector and Joseph Taylor witness thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of Harmon Hitt and Joseph Hitt, executors thereon, who made oath and executed legal bond. The law directs certificate be granted them for a probate through in due form. The law directs certificate is granted them for attaining a probate therof in due form. Teste: J. W. Burkett
A copy Teste: H. L. Pearson, Clerk By Wm Harris, chief Dep. Clerk Clerks office Circuit Court Fauquier County, VA Copied from Original Instrument.
Germanna was in Essex County until about 1721 when it was a part of Spotsylvania County and it remaind a part of Spotsylvania County until Orange County was formed in 1734. Based on the fact that the families moved to Germantown in 1720 or 1721, three of Peter and Elizabeth's children would have been born at Germanna and three at Germantown. When the first Germanna families moved to Germantown, it was in Stafford County, Virginia (now in Fauquier County). The Fauquier County Rent Roll of 1770 shows Peter Hitt with 200 acres of land, which most likely included his original lot at Germantown (lot 8) and 100 acres owned by his son-in-law, Jacob Rector (lot 5) which Peter must have leased. The original lot, on which Peter lived, passed to his daughter, Mary, when he died. On 24 May 1773, Jacob Rector and Mary his wife sold to Jeremiah Darnall the "100 acres on which Peter Hitt, decd., lived. It was discribed: Begining at a white oak, thence N 50 E 378 poles to a red oak corner, thence S 40 E 40 poles to another red oak corner, thence S 50 W 378 poles to a white oak corner, thence N 40 W 40 poles to the begining. (Fauquier County, Virginia Deed Book 5, p. 335) On 24 August 1773, Jeremiah Darnall and Catherine his wife to Tillman Weaver 100 acres on which Peter Hitt, decd., lived, being on of the lots in Germantown (same metes and bounds as the preceding deed) (Fauquier County, Virginia Deed Book 5, p. 415.)
Events
| Birth | Abt, 1681 | Germany | |||
| Marriage | Abt, 1715 | Germanna Colony, Virginia - Elizabeth Utterbach (Otterback) | |||
| Death | March 23, 1772 | Fauquier County, Virginia | |||
| Marriage | Epiphany 1707 | Siegen, Nassau-Siegen, Germany - Maria Elizabeth Freundenburg |
Families
| Spouse | Elizabeth Utterbach (Otterback) (1689 - 1772) |
| Child | John Hitt Sr. (1715 - 1782) |
| Child | Joseph Hitt Sr. (1717 - 1790) |
| Child | Henry Hitt (1719 - 1783) |
| Child | Harman Hitt (1721 - 1820) |
| Child | Mary Ann Hitt (1723 - 1813) |
| Child | Peter Hitt Jr. (1726 - 1810) |
| Spouse | Maria Elizabeth Freundenburg ( - ) |
| Father | Johann Jacob Heite (1660 - ) |
| Mother | Cathrin Heite (1664 - ) |