JOSH HITE
John Hite (sometimes spelled Heydt) was born December 5, 1685 in Bonfield, Baden, Wurttemberg, Germany. He married first Anna Maria Merckle, the daughter of Abraham Merckle and Anna Landvatter. They were married in 1704 in Bonfield. According to church records, he immigrated to America in 1710. He remained in Kingston, New York for five years. He received a grant of 100,000 acres from the Virginia governor and council in the late 1720's with the stipulation that 100 families be settled within two years. In 1732, Jost and his wife Anna Maria and their eight children along with 16 other families moved to Fort Stephens, Virginia. Jost founded the first permanent settlement in Frederick County, Virginia. He sold off parcels of his land, but retained the choice locations with generous acreage for himself and his children.
Josh and his family can be remembered for many historical events. He had 5 sons who were officers of the Continental Line of the Revolutionary War. His family, while students at William and Mary College, became one of the founders and first secretary of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. He was the first white man who entered the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
Josh, also had an Indian wife, who bore him a daughter, Karren Happuck Hyatt (Hite), born 16 May 1742 in Old Town, Alleghany, Maryland. She married John Lewis Friend (who was also part Indian) in 1759. They had nine children born in Virginia and Maryland. Karren died 13 October 1798 in Friendsville, Maryland.
Our genealogical line comes through Josh's daughter, Maria Elizabeth Hite, who was born January 2nd, 1707 in Keizersgracht, Germany. She married George Bowman in 1730 in Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Siamesec@aol.com is my preferred email. My ancestor Henry Hammer was born near Frederickstown, Winchester, 1759. Father was German. He then settled in Rockingham at present day Elkton. Is there any way to know who the 16 other families were that Josh Hite brought with him? Thanks.
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