BIOGRAPHY: Peter HUETSCH, Cambria County, PA 

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Peggy Link Green, Sep 2007. 

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                           From Bremen to Baltimore
               A Biography of Peter Huetsch/Hitch, 1808-1863

                          By Peggy Link Green, 2007

Johann Peter Htsch (without the umlat it is written Huetsch) was born 8 Jun 
1808 in Margretenhaun, Fulda, Hessen, Deutschland (Germany in English). The 
birth register states that he was baptized Johann Peter, the son of the single 
Maria Eva Margaretha belacker, born in Bckels. The birth happened in the early 
morning hours. Nicolaus Htsch, single, from Margretenhaun, was declared to be 
the father of the child and expressly promised that marriage will follow. The 
baptismal sponsor was the single young man and brother of the woman in childbed, 
Johann Peter belacker. 

An older sister was born 23 Oct 1803 to these parents and baptized Eva 
Catherina. The entry states that she was the child of Eva Margaretha belacker, 
who was born in Bckels, and Nicolaus Htsch, who was born in Margretenhaun. 
They confess that she was born outside of marriage at about 10 o'clock in the 
morning. The godmother was Eva Catherine Schaefer, aunt on the mother's side, of 
Margretenhaun. 

The marriage finally took place 19 Dec 1814 (when Eva Catherine was 11 years and 
Peter was six). After no one objected against the proclamation, and by free 
decision, the marriage was performed in the Catholic church of Margretenhaun. 
Married was Nicolaus Htsch, the groom, and a citizen, born in Margretenhaun, 
son of the deceased married Caspar Htsch from here, born and raised in 
Dammersbach, and Maria Orf. Bride Eva Margaretha belacker, daughter of the 
married, but already deceased, Johannes Adam belacker from Knzell, born and 
raised in Waldaschach, and Ottilia Ruth Schmidtt. Witnesses were the honorable 
men from Margretenhaun, Johann Adam Bolz and Philipp Schram. 

One reason the marriage may have taken place long after their children were born 
is that in order to marry, the groom had to have been declared a citizen by 
owning a certain amount of money. 

The Htsch family lived in House Number 7 in Margretenhaun as an Einsitzer. 
This is a person who can live in a particular house because of an arrangement, 
for example that of inheritance arguments. The person has a right to live there 
as long as he lives. The record of the household, states that Nikolaus Htsch, 
from Margretenhaun, born 11 Dec 1767 and died 3 Jul 1837 was married since 19 
Dec 1814 to Eva Margaretha belacker, from Knzell, born 27 Mar 1775, and died 
17 Feb 1825. Their children include Eva Katharina, born 23 Dec 1802 (not a 
virgin anymore,) moved to America; and Petrus born 8 Jun 1808, moved to America. 
It also states that Eva Katharina gave birth to an illegitimate daughter she 
called Maria Katharina on 1 Nov 1834. The child died two days later on 3 Nov 
1834. 

They lived with the owner of the house Georg Anton Halsch from Margretenhaun, 
born 30 Mar 1792, and married since 10 Jun 1834 to Anna Margaretha Schfer from 
Margretenhaun, born 25 Aug 1798, and their children. The surname Schaefer is 
also the married name of Eva Margaretha's sister who was godmother for Eva 
Catherine Htsch, which may be the connection. 

Both Peter and Eva Katharina Htsch are named in the Auswanderer in the 
Seelenstandregister for the village of Margretenhaun as living at #7, and 
emigrating to Amerika in 1841.Neither Peter's wife Charlott nor his daughter 
Agnes are listed on the Auswanderer. At that time, the people of Germany could 
not just wander around the country. They were required to inform the magistrate 
of the area in which they lived of their comings and goings in and out of their 
village. 

So it was necessary for Peter, his wife Charlott, daughter Agnes, and sister Eva 
Catherine to go first to Fulda in order to emigrate. From there it was about a 
240-mile trip to Bremen where they boarded the ship. 

Peter is not listed in the passenger list index for the Port of Baltimore, 
Maryland, but Eva Catherine was listed as a servant girl from Fulda, who arrived 
on the ship Luise 2 Jun 1841. However, Peter Htsch is listed on the passenger 
ship list itself as being 33 years old, a farmer, along with wife Charlott, aged 
27, and daughter Agnes, 1 year. They brought with them 2 boxes and 2 beddings. 
Their last residence was Fulda. They boarded the ship Luise in Bremen, traveling 
with others from that area including Conrad Vogel, 29, a farmer; Elizabeth, 27, 
his wife; Eva Catherine Htsch, 39, a servant girl; Adam Goldbach, 40, a tailor. 
Together they brought 2 boxes, 1 bed, and 1 arm gun. The ship arrived at 
Baltimore, Maryland 2 Jun 1841. 

From Baltimore, a family that emigrated in 1839 to Johnstown, took a stage and 
then traveled by way of the canal, which went up the Susquehanna River on the 
east side and then followed the Juniata River to Hollidaysburg. From there the 
boats were loaded onto incline planes and pulled over the mountains by steam 
engine (this was the Allegheny Portage Railroad). It climbed an elevation of 
1400 feet within three miles. On the west side of the mountains at Johnstown, 
the boats then were lowered into the Conemaugh River. 

The earliest recorded information about Peter Htsch (now Americanized to Hitch) 
in Cambria County, Pennsylvania is a marriage record dated 15 Apr 1842 that 
occurred at St. Joseph's, Hart's Sleeping Place. Here he married 
Charity/Catherine Schart/Schade. Also married on this day and in this place were 
Adam Goldbach (Americanized to Colebaugh) to Peter's sister, Eva Catherine 
Htsch. Therefore, Peter's first wife Charlott must have died sometime after 
they arrived in Baltimore and before this date. 

I believe that Charlott and Adam were somehow related, possibly brother and 
sister, although there was a 13-year difference in their ages. On daughter 
Agnes' death certificate, her mother is listed as Catherine Colebaugh. This 
leads me to believe that Agnes always thought of Catherine Schade as her mother, 
since she was all of 1 or 2 when Charlott died, her father apparently remarried 
shortly thereafter. 

The umlat over the u in the spelling of Huetsch in German is pronounced like 
the u in Franch. It is a sign that can't be produced by Americans, as well as 
by Germans in the Swabian district. The Swabians pronounce the  of official 
German as i or ee and in that way it could sound like Hitch. 

On 5 Jan 1844, a daughter Eva Catherine was born to Peter and Catherine. She was 
baptized 3 Mar 1844 in St. Michael's Catholic Church, Loretto. 

On 22 Oct 1846, a son Augustine was born. He was baptized at St. Patrick's 
Catholic Church in Newry, Blair County. He died sometime prior to the 1850 
federal census. 

Together, Peter Hitch and Adam Colebaugh purchased 122 acres and 13 perches on 
27 Apr 1848. This was part of a larger tract of land known as Hickory Bottom. 
They paid a sum of $122 to Coleman Fisher and his wife, W. Fisher, attorney for 
the estate of Samuel W. Fisher. This land was bounded by the property of Bruno 
Himmell and Chest Creek. 

Three days later, on 30 Apr 1848, Peter went to the Cambria County Courthouse to 
file a declaration to become a citizen of the United States of America. 

About two-and-one-half months later, on 8 Jul 1848, a daughter Maria Anna 
Barbara was born and baptized at St. Michael's, Loretto. 

When the Federal Census was taken on 15 Aug 1850, Peter and his family were 
living in Carroll Township, Cambria County, PA. Peter was listed as 42 years old 
and a farmer, born in Germany; wife Catherine was 38 and born in Pa; Agnes, was 
9 years old and her birthplace is listed as Pa; Mary A, age 2, born in Pa. 
Daughter Catherine was 7 years old and living on the neighboring farm with Adam 
and Catherine Colebaugh. 

That same year, a son, John Adam was born 6 Sep 1850. He was baptized 29 Sep 
1850 at St. Joseph's, Hart's Sleeping Place. 

On 7 Oct 1851, Peter went to the Cambria County Courthouse, this time to become 
a citizen. 

Evidently of strong Catholic faith, Peter and Catherine acted as godparents at 
the baptism of Peter Weiss, son of Bernhard Weiss and Eva Kohlhepp on 1Oct 1854. 
And on 10 Jun 1855, Peter and Adam Colebaugh stood as godparents for Christian 
Miller, age 8, and George Miller, age 5, sons of Henry Miller, a non-Catholic, 
and Augusta Berg at St. Benedict's Catholic Church, Carrolltown. 

On 5 May 1857, daughter Agnes married John B. Teufel (Devil) at St. Benedict's, 
Carrolltown. In 1866, John B.'s father went to the Cambria County Courthouse to 
have the family surname legally changed to Harvey because Agnes became very 
upset when her friends constantly teased her about being hitched to the Devil. 

The 1860 Federal Census for Carroll Twp, Cambria, PA was taken 1 Aug 1860. At 
that time, Peter was 51 years old, a farmer, born in Hesse, value of real estate 
$1000, value of personal property $450; Catherine was 48, born in Hesse, Mary A. 
was 12, born in Pa; Adam was 10, born in Pa. Daughter Eva Catherine was 16 years 
old, a servant, and again living with Adam and Catherine Colebaugh. 

Daughter Agnes was enumerated with her husband John Devil on the 8th day of 
August 1860 also in Carroll Twp. He is listed as John Devlin, age 22 years, a 
laborer, owning $200 worth of personal property, born in Pa; Agnes, age 20, born 
in Hesse; son John, 1 year, born in Pa. 

According to records at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Carrolltown, Peter's 
wife Catherine Hitsh was buried 6 Jun 1861 in the church cemetery. She was 48 
years old. 

On 19 Mar 1863, Peter was still alive according to his estate papers. But he 
died between that date and 30 Mar 1863. It was on 30 Mar that Agnes Devil asked 
to have his estate settled, and Adam Golbach witnessed her signature. The estate 
administrator George Crook arranged a crying sale to sell off the family 
household. It was held on 9 Apr 1863, netting the amount of $257.73. 

On 14 Mar 1864, Anna Hitch, age 14, made a choice of John Cole, who was believed 
to have been a judge, (and William Cole) as her guardian. At this time, John 
Cole posted a $400 bond. The judge wanted to adopt her, but she refused. Adam 
Hitch was under the age of 14 and therefore the Cambria County Court named John 
Cole as his guardian. 

On 28 Sep 1864, Catherine Hitch and John and Agnes Devil sold a certain tract or 
parcel of property belonging to Peter Hitch, deceased, to Peter Earhart. The 
land, containing 54 acres, was bounded by the lands of Peter Earhart, Paul 
Strittmatter, and Himmel Henry Holfsensetter. 

On 13 Jun 1867, a girl was born and baptized on 14 Jun 1867 as Philomena Rosa 
Hitsch. The church record does not list the names of the parents. Godparents 
were Andrew and Catherine Hauck. Other records of the time, name the parents, so 
I believe the child could have been the daughter of Eva Catherine Hitch, 
daughter of Peter and Catherine Shade, possibly born out of wedlock. Perhaps 
this child died or Andrew and Catherine Hauck adopted her. 

On 23 Sep 1891, Catherine Hitch et al sold to Peter Earhart another parcel of 
property that once belonged to Peter Hitch. 

A descendant of Anna Barbara Hitch and her husband John Long said that her 
family was told that Peter and Catherine Hitch died of smallpox. 

Agnes and John B. Teufel/Harvey went on to have 12 children: John Adam Gabriel, 
born 26 Mar 1859, who married Margaret Rieger; James, born 2 Jul 1860; Mary 
Catherine Kate, born 25 May 1862, who married William Isenberg; Augustine, 
born 31 Aug 1864, who married Christina Long; Peter, born 17 Aug 1866; 
Christian, born 21 May 1868; Anna Barbara Annie, born 4 Aug 1879, who married 
George Moore; John Valentine Aloysius Jack, born 2 Jun 1872; Mary Margaret 
Elizabeth Mary, born 9 Jul 1874, who married Rueben Edward Waite; Anna Barbara 
Cecilia Celia, born 21 Jul 1876, who married Frederick John Frank; Joseph 
Michael Mike, born 14 May 1878, who married Catherine Flynn; Anthony Stephen 
Andrew, born 25 Mar 1881, who married Margaret Mary Michels. 

John B. and Agnes bought property in Blacklick Township, which became part of 
Barr Twp. Agnes died 12 Sep 1917 at the age of 77 years from arteriosclerosis 
but a contributing factor was a fractured femur due to a fall. John B. died 22 
Jun 1902 at the age of 64 years from cancer of the stomach. 

Not much is known about Eva Catherine. The last information is from 1891 at 
which time, she was 47 years old and unmarried. I have been unable to locate 
mention of her on federal censuses after 1860. 

Mary Anna Barbara Annie married John W. Long on 13 Jan 1874. They lived in 
Barr and Chest townships and later Patton. John died 28 Mar 1936. Annie died 21 
Dec 1945 at the age of 97 years and is buried in Patton. Their children were: 
Catherine A, born 29 Oct 1874, who married Aloysius W. Smithbauer; Albert 
William, born in 1877, who married Laura Dietrick; Joseph Francis, born 15 Jan 
1879, who married Lydia M. Durbin; Anna Mary, born 2 Feb 1881, who married Harry 
Owens and Daniel Patrick Sullivan; John Edward, born 22 Feb 1882, who married 
Bertha Nagle; Agnes, born 3 May 1885, who married Alonza D. Gauntner; Philomena, 
born 25 Oct 1887, who married James Peter Link; and George W, born 2 Sep 1890, 
who married Helena V. Gauntner. 

John Adam, Adam married Ann Agnes Mary McCann on 24 Jul 1877. Their children 
included Thomas Albert, born 14 Jul 1878; Joseph James, born 30 Jun 1879, who 
married Mary Melinda Duffy; Mary Agnes, born 30 Jun 1879, who married Leo M. 
Murphy; Mary Rose, born 20 May 1881, who married Urban M. Gill; Mary Margaret, 
born 26 Apr 1994, who married Robert Sincox; Mary Susan, born 25 Aug 1887, who 
married George William Hiergeist. 

After her death 15 Apr 1891, Adam married Catherine Matilda Wirtner Jan 1892. 
Their children were: John Francis, born 23 Oct 1892, who married Alma Marie 
Dumm; Regis Sylverius, born 13 Jan 1894, who married Eleanor A. Swartz; 
Catherine Mary, born 6 Aug 1895, who married John Sherman Krise; Anna Maria, 
born 9 Jan 1897, who married Herman D. Stoltz; Mary Antoinette, born 1 Dec 1898, 
who married Oliver Semelsberger; Mary Grace, born 11 Feb 1900; Ethel B, born 17 
Jul 1901, who married August Joseph Ehlinger; Vincent Modestus, born 17 Mar 
1903; Mary Fabiola, born 18 Oct 1904; Mary Rita Flora, born 7 Nov 1908, who 
married David Ernest Burkitt; and Mary Musetta, born 12 Sep 1912, who married 
Maurice Joseph Bender. 

Matilda died 21 May 1919. Adam outlived two wives and died on 14 Feb 1929 having 
fathered 17 children and having lived in Chest Twp. his entire adult life. He is 
buried in St. Augustine.