I couldn't have timed this post more perfectly if I'd tried...or if I'd known what I was going to find in my brief overview of this family. There are many soldiers and patriots of the Revolutionary War here, and I consider it a great honor and privilege to share a little about this family.
Samuel Hitchcock, the last in our Hitchcock line, was born in 1717 in Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, and died in the same location in 1777. He married Ruth Stebbins, the daughter of Thomas and Ruth Ely Stebbins, in 1738 and it seems that the two must have lived happily ever after, for they had twelve children, all of whom lived into adulthood. They became the grandparents of about 85 grandchildren, and of course there may be others not yet discovered. It's no wonder that there are a lot of folks with ties to the Hitchcock family. Of course, since this was a family of Springfield, this part of the tree is more of a tangled bush, with several connections to other ancestors of Springfield.
Ruth was the first child, born in 1737 and died in 1816 in Springfield. She married Moses Burt, the son of John and Sarah Stebbins Burt. This is the smallest family in terms of children that I found here, with Moses, Sarah, and Martin being the only children known to me. In case you are wondering, Sarah Stebbins goes back to Thomas Stebbins, who is our ancestor, and Moses Burt was a descendant of our Henry and Eulalia Marche Burt. The tangles begin! Moses Burt, known as captain, appears to have Revolutionary War service.
Margaret was born next, in 1741. (Note that there may have been an unsuccessful pregnancy in the interim between Ruth and Margaret.) She died in 1820 in Volney, Oswego County, New York. She married Richard Falley, the son of Richard and Anna Lamb Falley. Their children are Lovisa, Frederick, Margaret, Richard, Daniel, Ruth, and Samuel. Richard and his son Frederick were at the Battle of Bunker Hill, Frederick as a drummer. Richard was a lieutenant but was deemed to be of more importance to the war effort as a gun manufacturer, and his story is told in the book "Biography of Lt. Richard Falley" by Robert R. Madison.
Lois was born in 1742 and died in 1814 in Chicopee, Hampden County, Massachusetts, She married Oliver Chapin, who traces back to both our Chapin and Stebbins ancestors. He is the son of Josiah and Mindwell Holton Chapin, and was also a lieutenant in the Revolutionary War. Their children are Lois, Mindwell, Amy, Cynthia, Celia, Oliver, Editha, and Sophia.
Samuel was born next, in 1744, and died in 1819 in Hawley, Franklin County, Massachusetts. He married Thankful Hawks, the daughter of Gershom and Thankful Corse Hawks. He served as a private in the Revolutionary War and later as captain of the militia. Samuel and Thankful's children are Ethan, Samuel, Ruth, Pliny, Asenath, Roswell, Erastus, Utbanes, Gratia, and Eli.
Eunice was born in 1746 and died in 1822 in Springfield, Massachusetts. She married Nathaniel Alexander, the son of John and Bathsheba Sawtell Alexander. Their known children are Nathaniel, Bathsheba, Eunice, Gaius and Anna. Nathaniel was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, and a captain, but I'm not sure when he acquired that designation.
Naomi was born in 1749 and died in 1812 in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York. She married Joseph Parsons, the son of Joseph and Hannah Pinney Parsons. Joseph served in the Revolutionary War. Their children are Naomi, Loring, Joseph, Rufus, James, Hannah, Pauline, and Lydia.
The first half of this family consisted of 5 females and 1 male, but that is going to be flipped to 5 males and 1 female for the second half of the family. (At least there were plenty of girls to help with the chores and child care for the second half!)
Arthur was born in 1751 and died in 1822 in Hawley, Franklin County, Massachusetts. He married Lucy Cooley, the daughter of Joel and Sarah Olcott Cooley. Their children are Lucy, Arthur, Lucinda, Sarah, Lois, Zeriah, and Simon. Arthur is a Revolutionary War veteran.
Editha is the last daughter born to Samuel and Ruth, in 1754. She died in 1819 in Marietta, Washington County, Ohio, the longest distance from her Springfield origins of any of these children. Her husband is Gershom Flagg, the son of Gershom and Mary Willard Flagg. Their children are James, Mary, Cynthia, Ebenezer, Editha, Luther, and another Cynthia.
Elias was born in 1757 and died in 1810 in Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts. He married Zeruah or Zeruiah Ferry/Ferree, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (maiden name not yet located) Ferry. Their children are Zeruiah, Lucinda, another Lucinda, Ruth, Henry, and Lois. I have not located a Revolutionary War record for him, other than that he registered for military service in 1780. I don't know if he actually served.
Oliver was born in 1760 and died in 1836 in Pittstown, Rensselaer County, New York. He married Elizabeth Hitchcock, the daughter of Phineas and Elizabeth Stebbins Hitchcock (yes, both the Stebbins and Hitchcock lines there go back to our immigrant ancestors). He served in the Revolutionary War. Oliver and Elizabeth's children are Lewis, Elizabeth, Oliver, an infant, Augustus, Rufus, Russel, Pamela, Electa, and Samuel.
Heman was born in 1762 and died in 1837 in Conway, Franklin County, Massachusetts. He married Eleanor Toleman, the daughter of Ebenezer and (unknown) Toleman. Their children are Levi, Editha, Ruth, Sabra, Naomi, Zur (likely Zeruah), Heman, and Submit. I have found no record of military service for Heman.
Gaius was the last child, born in 1765 and died in 1843 in Waitsfield, Washington County, Vermont. He is a Revolutionary War veteran, and married Sarah Wells, the daughter of John and Tamar Rice Wells. Their children are Sally, Relief, Emely, and infant son, Fanny, and infant daughter, Wells, Stebins, Alonzo, Hannah, and possibly Eli.
What more can I say? Ruth died in 1775 and Samuel in 1777 so they didn't live to see these sons and sons in law go off to war. They didn't get to throw any welcome home parties for their family. Yet, this couple is a shining example of having taught their children well, to love and serve their country and to make whatever sacrifices (I'm looking at you, daughters and daughters in law!) were necessary. Thank you to the Hitchcocks!
