Peter Hitt was born as Peter Heide around 1680 in what is currently Siegen Germany. He was the son of Johann Jacob and Catherina (Heimbach) Heide and the grandson of Jacob and Cathrin (Bosch) Heide. At the time of Peter's birth, the area was part of Holland and did not became part of Germany until 1815. The Heide family managed a farm in this area called Rehbach for many years. Although no birth or baptism record has been found for Peter, we know that his siblings were baptized at the Nikolai Church which was Protestant. Although the area they lived in was part of the Holy Roman Empire and mainly Catholic, Peter's line remained Calvinist protestant. In America, they established the German Reformed Church in Germantown, Virginia.
During Peter's relocation to the New World and the Virginia Colony, he stopped for a time in England where the name "Hitt" was common and associated with the Netherlands, Scotland, and England. Peter adopted the anglicized name of "Hitt" which is evident in the Importation Statement he made at the Spotsylvania Courthouse in 1714. In that statement he mentioned his wife Elizabeth, but no children. The change to the name Hitt seems appropriate given that his birth location is really Dutch and Norman rather than German.
Peter was married twice. His first marriage was in 1707 to Maria Elisabeth Freudenberg (1674-1714). She was 33 and he was 27. That marriage record gives the name of Peter's father as "Jacob Heite of Rehbach." Some sources indicate that Peter and Maria Elisabeth did not have any children and other sources suggest that they had one daughter; Maria Elisabeth, born in November 1707 and baptised on November 20, 1707 at Roedgen.
Peter Heide immigrated to Virginia in 1713 and became part of the Germanna Colony that was formed by the British to mine for Iron and other metals in western Virginia. The British recruited 42 individuals to work in the mines from the town of Siegen Germany which was a mining town and had the expertise the British were looking for. The miners would pay for their passage to America by serving as indentured servants for 4 years. This group of 42 German immigrants is referred to as the "1714 colonists."
It is thought that Peter's first wife Elisabeth died soon after arriving in Virginia. On January 6, 1714, Peter married his second wife, Elizabeth Otterback (1689-1774). She was a daughter of another of the "1714 colonists" Hermann and Elisabeth (Heimbach) Otterbach. Around 1718 or 1719, after their 4-year indentured servant period was over, Peter and Elizabeth moved along with the other "1714 colonists" from Germanna 20 miles north and formed a new town called Germantown which was established in 1718. Germantown initially thrived but had failed by the time of the Revolutionary War. The remnants of the settlement are now under Germantown Lake which was created in 1985. Peter and Elizabeth had acquired 100 acres (Lot #8 of the 20 lots surveyed for the Germantown location).
Peter Hitt died sometime before July 27, 1772 which was the date his will was probated in Fauquier County, Virginia. His wife Elizabeth probably died around 1774. They are both believed to be buried in the Peter Hitt Family Cemetery which is located in Germantown and is now underneath Germantown Lake.
They had the following children which are all named in Peters will: John, Joseph, Henry, Harman, Mary Rector, and Peter. Their sons John and Joseph served in the Virginia Militia during the French & Indian War and were later recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution as Patriots during the Revolutionary War. The first two of their children were born in Germanna in present day Orange County, Virginia and the last four were born 20 miles north of Germanna in Germantown, in present day Fauquier County, Virginia.
Peter and Elizabeth's Six Children:
I. John Hitt (1715-1782) - He married Sarah Pace (1719-1756) and they had one child named Mary Ann (1756-1810). After Sarah's death in 1756, John married Mary (1736-1805; last name unknown) and they had three children: Peter (1756-1802), Leanor (1762-1829), and William (1774-1852). He died in Fauquier County, Virginia.
II. Joseph Hitt (1717-?) - He married Mary Cuntze, the daughter of "1714 Immigrants" Joseph Cuntze and Cathrin Weber/Weaver. They had a large family together. He died in Laurens County, South Carolina.
III. Henry Hitt (1719-1783) - He married Alice Katherine Holtzclaw who was a daughter of the "1714 immigrants" Hans Jacob Holtzclaw, and Anna Margreth Otterbach. He died in South Carolina.
IV. Harmon Hitt (1721-1820) - He married Mary Weaver, who was a granddaughter of the "1714 immigrants" Tillman Weaver and Anna Elizabeth Cuntze. He died in Fauquier County, Virginia.
V. Mary Hitt (1723-?) - Around 1740 she married Harmon Rector who was a son of "1714 Immigrants" Hans Jacob Rector and Anna Elisabeth Fischbach. Her second marriage (1748) was to Jacob Rector, Harman Rector's brother, and they started what would become a large family together. She died in Grayson County, Virginia.
VI. Peter Hitt, Jr. (1726-1810) - He married Sarah James, the daughter of John James and Dinah Allen, on 27 April 1759. They had a large family together. He died in Fauquier County, Virginia.
Peter Hitt and his descendants are well documented in Virginia. Many of the documents are available on the Germanna Foundation website: www.germanna.org.
======== Peter's Will =======
The text of Peter's last Will & Testament is as follows:
In the name of God, Amen, this 23rd day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two (1772): I Peter Hitt of the County of Fauquier, being of 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 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 desire is that after the decease of my wife, that all my estate not herein mentioned be sold to the highest bidder, and the money arising there from be equally divided among all my children hereafter named. That is to say, John, Joseph, Harman, Peter, and Mary, and lastly, I do nominate and appoint my eldest sons, Harman Hitt and Joseph Hitt, executors of this my Last Will and Testament. In Witness I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
In the presence of Harman Rector, Joseph Taylor, & John Morgan.
Signed: Peter Hitt Probate:Teste H.L.Pearson, clerk, Circuit Court of Fauquier County, Virginia, Will Book #1 page #200, 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 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 due form. The law directs certificate is granted them for attaining a probate therof in due form.
During Peter's relocation to the New World and the Virginia Colony, he stopped for a time in England where the name "Hitt" was common and associated with the Netherlands, Scotland, and England. Peter adopted the anglicized name of "Hitt" which is evident in the Importation Statement he made at the Spotsylvania Courthouse in 1714. In that statement he mentioned his wife Elizabeth, but no children. The change to the name Hitt seems appropriate given that his birth location is really Dutch and Norman rather than German.
Peter was married twice. His first marriage was in 1707 to Maria Elisabeth Freudenberg (1674-1714). She was 33 and he was 27. That marriage record gives the name of Peter's father as "Jacob Heite of Rehbach." Some sources indicate that Peter and Maria Elisabeth did not have any children and other sources suggest that they had one daughter; Maria Elisabeth, born in November 1707 and baptised on November 20, 1707 at Roedgen.
Peter Heide immigrated to Virginia in 1713 and became part of the Germanna Colony that was formed by the British to mine for Iron and other metals in western Virginia. The British recruited 42 individuals to work in the mines from the town of Siegen Germany which was a mining town and had the expertise the British were looking for. The miners would pay for their passage to America by serving as indentured servants for 4 years. This group of 42 German immigrants is referred to as the "1714 colonists."
It is thought that Peter's first wife Elisabeth died soon after arriving in Virginia. On January 6, 1714, Peter married his second wife, Elizabeth Otterback (1689-1774). She was a daughter of another of the "1714 colonists" Hermann and Elisabeth (Heimbach) Otterbach. Around 1718 or 1719, after their 4-year indentured servant period was over, Peter and Elizabeth moved along with the other "1714 colonists" from Germanna 20 miles north and formed a new town called Germantown which was established in 1718. Germantown initially thrived but had failed by the time of the Revolutionary War. The remnants of the settlement are now under Germantown Lake which was created in 1985. Peter and Elizabeth had acquired 100 acres (Lot #8 of the 20 lots surveyed for the Germantown location).
Peter Hitt died sometime before July 27, 1772 which was the date his will was probated in Fauquier County, Virginia. His wife Elizabeth probably died around 1774. They are both believed to be buried in the Peter Hitt Family Cemetery which is located in Germantown and is now underneath Germantown Lake.
They had the following children which are all named in Peters will: John, Joseph, Henry, Harman, Mary Rector, and Peter. Their sons John and Joseph served in the Virginia Militia during the French & Indian War and were later recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution as Patriots during the Revolutionary War. The first two of their children were born in Germanna in present day Orange County, Virginia and the last four were born 20 miles north of Germanna in Germantown, in present day Fauquier County, Virginia.
Peter and Elizabeth's Six Children:
I. John Hitt (1715-1782) - He married Sarah Pace (1719-1756) and they had one child named Mary Ann (1756-1810). After Sarah's death in 1756, John married Mary (1736-1805; last name unknown) and they had three children: Peter (1756-1802), Leanor (1762-1829), and William (1774-1852). He died in Fauquier County, Virginia.
II. Joseph Hitt (1717-?) - He married Mary Cuntze, the daughter of "1714 Immigrants" Joseph Cuntze and Cathrin Weber/Weaver. They had a large family together. He died in Laurens County, South Carolina.
III. Henry Hitt (1719-1783) - He married Alice Katherine Holtzclaw who was a daughter of the "1714 immigrants" Hans Jacob Holtzclaw, and Anna Margreth Otterbach. He died in South Carolina.
IV. Harmon Hitt (1721-1820) - He married Mary Weaver, who was a granddaughter of the "1714 immigrants" Tillman Weaver and Anna Elizabeth Cuntze. He died in Fauquier County, Virginia.
V. Mary Hitt (1723-?) - Around 1740 she married Harmon Rector who was a son of "1714 Immigrants" Hans Jacob Rector and Anna Elisabeth Fischbach. Her second marriage (1748) was to Jacob Rector, Harman Rector's brother, and they started what would become a large family together. She died in Grayson County, Virginia.
VI. Peter Hitt, Jr. (1726-1810) - He married Sarah James, the daughter of John James and Dinah Allen, on 27 April 1759. They had a large family together. He died in Fauquier County, Virginia.
Peter Hitt and his descendants are well documented in Virginia. Many of the documents are available on the Germanna Foundation website: www.germanna.org.
======== Peter's Will =======
The text of Peter's last Will & Testament is as follows:
In the name of God, Amen, this 23rd day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two (1772): I Peter Hitt of the County of Fauquier, being of 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 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 desire is that after the decease of my wife, that all my estate not herein mentioned be sold to the highest bidder, and the money arising there from be equally divided among all my children hereafter named. That is to say, John, Joseph, Harman, Peter, and Mary, and lastly, I do nominate and appoint my eldest sons, Harman Hitt and Joseph Hitt, executors of this my Last Will and Testament. In Witness I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
In the presence of Harman Rector, Joseph Taylor, & John Morgan.
Signed: Peter Hitt Probate:Teste H.L.Pearson, clerk, Circuit Court of Fauquier County, Virginia, Will Book #1 page #200, 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 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 due form. The law directs certificate is granted them for attaining a probate therof in due form.
Peter Hitt was born as Peter Heide around 1680 in what is currently Siegen Germany. He was the son of Johann Jacob and Catherina (Heimbach) Heide and the grandson of Jacob and Cathrin (Bosch) Heide. At the time of Peter's birth, the area was part of Holland and did not became part of Germany until 1815. The Heide family managed a farm in this area called Rehbach for many years. Although no birth or baptism record has been found for Peter, we know that his siblings were baptized at the Nikolai Church which was Protestant. Although the area they lived in was part of the Holy Roman Empire and mainly Catholic, Peter's line remained Calvinist protestant. In America, they established the German Reformed Church in Germantown, Virginia.
During Peter's relocation to the New World and the Virginia Colony, he stopped for a time in England where the name "Hitt" was common and associated with the Netherlands, Scotland, and England. Peter adopted the anglicized name of "Hitt" which is evident in the Importation Statement he made at the Spotsylvania Courthouse in 1714. In that statement he mentioned his wife Elizabeth, but no children. The change to the name Hitt seems appropriate given that his birth location is really Dutch and Norman rather than German.
Peter was married twice. His first marriage was in 1707 to Maria Elisabeth Freudenberg (1674-1714). She was 33 and he was 27. That marriage record gives the name of Peter's father as "Jacob Heite of Rehbach." Some sources indicate that Peter and Maria Elisabeth did not have any children and other sources suggest that they had one daughter; Maria Elisabeth, born in November 1707 and baptised on November 20, 1707 at Roedgen.
Peter Heide immigrated to Virginia in 1713 and became part of the Germanna Colony that was formed by the British to mine for Iron and other metals in western Virginia. The British recruited 42 individuals to work in the mines from the town of Siegen Germany which was a mining town and had the expertise the British were looking for. The miners would pay for their passage to America by serving as indentured servants for 4 years. This group of 42 German immigrants is referred to as the "1714 colonists."
It is thought that Peter's first wife Elisabeth died soon after arriving in Virginia. On January 6, 1714, Peter married his second wife, Elizabeth Otterback (1689-1774). She was a daughter of another of the "1714 colonists" Hermann and Elisabeth (Heimbach) Otterbach. Around 1718 or 1719, after their 4-year indentured servant period was over, Peter and Elizabeth moved along with the other "1714 colonists" from Germanna 20 miles north and formed a new town called Germantown which was established in 1718. Germantown initially thrived but had failed by the time of the Revolutionary War. The remnants of the settlement are now under Germantown Lake which was created in 1985. Peter and Elizabeth had acquired 100 acres (Lot #8 of the 20 lots surveyed for the Germantown location).
Peter Hitt died sometime before July 27, 1772 which was the date his will was probated in Fauquier County, Virginia. His wife Elizabeth probably died around 1774. They are both believed to be buried in the Peter Hitt Family Cemetery which is located in Germantown and is now underneath Germantown Lake.
They had the following children which are all named in Peters will: John, Joseph, Henry, Harman, Mary Rector, and Peter. Their sons John and Joseph served in the Virginia Militia during the French & Indian War and were later recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution as Patriots during the Revolutionary War. The first two of their children were born in Germanna in present day Orange County, Virginia and the last four were born 20 miles north of Germanna in Germantown, in present day Fauquier County, Virginia.
Peter and Elizabeth's Six Children:
I. John Hitt (1715-1782) - He married Sarah Pace (1719-1756) and they had one child named Mary Ann (1756-1810). After Sarah's death in 1756, John married Mary (1736-1805; last name unknown) and they had three children: Peter (1756-1802), Leanor (1762-1829), and William (1774-1852). He died in Fauquier County, Virginia.
II. Joseph Hitt (1717-?) - He married Mary Cuntze, the daughter of "1714 Immigrants" Joseph Cuntze and Cathrin Weber/Weaver. They had a large family together. He died in Laurens County, South Carolina.
III. Henry Hitt (1719-1783) - He married Alice Katherine Holtzclaw who was a daughter of the "1714 immigrants" Hans Jacob Holtzclaw, and Anna Margreth Otterbach. He died in South Carolina.
IV. Harmon Hitt (1721-1820) - He married Mary Weaver, who was a granddaughter of the "1714 immigrants" Tillman Weaver and Anna Elizabeth Cuntze. He died in Fauquier County, Virginia.
V. Mary Hitt (1723-?) - Around 1740 she married Harmon Rector who was a son of "1714 Immigrants" Hans Jacob Rector and Anna Elisabeth Fischbach. Her second marriage (1748) was to Jacob Rector, Harman Rector's brother, and they started what would become a large family together. She died in Grayson County, Virginia.
VI. Peter Hitt, Jr. (1726-1810) - He married Sarah James, the daughter of John James and Dinah Allen, on 27 April 1759. They had a large family together. He died in Fauquier County, Virginia.
Peter Hitt and his descendants are well documented in Virginia. Many of the documents are available on the Germanna Foundation website: www.germanna.org.
======== Peter's Will =======
The text of Peter's last Will & Testament is as follows:
In the name of God, Amen, this 23rd day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two (1772): I Peter Hitt of the County of Fauquier, being of 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 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 desire is that after the decease of my wife, that all my estate not herein mentioned be sold to the highest bidder, and the money arising there from be equally divided among all my children hereafter named. That is to say, John, Joseph, Harman, Peter, and Mary, and lastly, I do nominate and appoint my eldest sons, Harman Hitt and Joseph Hitt, executors of this my Last Will and Testament. In Witness I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
In the presence of Harman Rector, Joseph Taylor, & John Morgan.
Signed: Peter Hitt Probate:Teste H.L.Pearson, clerk, Circuit Court of Fauquier County, Virginia, Will Book #1 page #200, 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 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 due form. The law directs certificate is granted them for attaining a probate therof in due form.
During Peter's relocation to the New World and the Virginia Colony, he stopped for a time in England where the name "Hitt" was common and associated with the Netherlands, Scotland, and England. Peter adopted the anglicized name of "Hitt" which is evident in the Importation Statement he made at the Spotsylvania Courthouse in 1714. In that statement he mentioned his wife Elizabeth, but no children. The change to the name Hitt seems appropriate given that his birth location is really Dutch and Norman rather than German.
Peter was married twice. His first marriage was in 1707 to Maria Elisabeth Freudenberg (1674-1714). She was 33 and he was 27. That marriage record gives the name of Peter's father as "Jacob Heite of Rehbach." Some sources indicate that Peter and Maria Elisabeth did not have any children and other sources suggest that they had one daughter; Maria Elisabeth, born in November 1707 and baptised on November 20, 1707 at Roedgen.
Peter Heide immigrated to Virginia in 1713 and became part of the Germanna Colony that was formed by the British to mine for Iron and other metals in western Virginia. The British recruited 42 individuals to work in the mines from the town of Siegen Germany which was a mining town and had the expertise the British were looking for. The miners would pay for their passage to America by serving as indentured servants for 4 years. This group of 42 German immigrants is referred to as the "1714 colonists."
It is thought that Peter's first wife Elisabeth died soon after arriving in Virginia. On January 6, 1714, Peter married his second wife, Elizabeth Otterback (1689-1774). She was a daughter of another of the "1714 colonists" Hermann and Elisabeth (Heimbach) Otterbach. Around 1718 or 1719, after their 4-year indentured servant period was over, Peter and Elizabeth moved along with the other "1714 colonists" from Germanna 20 miles north and formed a new town called Germantown which was established in 1718. Germantown initially thrived but had failed by the time of the Revolutionary War. The remnants of the settlement are now under Germantown Lake which was created in 1985. Peter and Elizabeth had acquired 100 acres (Lot #8 of the 20 lots surveyed for the Germantown location).
Peter Hitt died sometime before July 27, 1772 which was the date his will was probated in Fauquier County, Virginia. His wife Elizabeth probably died around 1774. They are both believed to be buried in the Peter Hitt Family Cemetery which is located in Germantown and is now underneath Germantown Lake.
They had the following children which are all named in Peters will: John, Joseph, Henry, Harman, Mary Rector, and Peter. Their sons John and Joseph served in the Virginia Militia during the French & Indian War and were later recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution as Patriots during the Revolutionary War. The first two of their children were born in Germanna in present day Orange County, Virginia and the last four were born 20 miles north of Germanna in Germantown, in present day Fauquier County, Virginia.
Peter and Elizabeth's Six Children:
I. John Hitt (1715-1782) - He married Sarah Pace (1719-1756) and they had one child named Mary Ann (1756-1810). After Sarah's death in 1756, John married Mary (1736-1805; last name unknown) and they had three children: Peter (1756-1802), Leanor (1762-1829), and William (1774-1852). He died in Fauquier County, Virginia.
II. Joseph Hitt (1717-?) - He married Mary Cuntze, the daughter of "1714 Immigrants" Joseph Cuntze and Cathrin Weber/Weaver. They had a large family together. He died in Laurens County, South Carolina.
III. Henry Hitt (1719-1783) - He married Alice Katherine Holtzclaw who was a daughter of the "1714 immigrants" Hans Jacob Holtzclaw, and Anna Margreth Otterbach. He died in South Carolina.
IV. Harmon Hitt (1721-1820) - He married Mary Weaver, who was a granddaughter of the "1714 immigrants" Tillman Weaver and Anna Elizabeth Cuntze. He died in Fauquier County, Virginia.
V. Mary Hitt (1723-?) - Around 1740 she married Harmon Rector who was a son of "1714 Immigrants" Hans Jacob Rector and Anna Elisabeth Fischbach. Her second marriage (1748) was to Jacob Rector, Harman Rector's brother, and they started what would become a large family together. She died in Grayson County, Virginia.
VI. Peter Hitt, Jr. (1726-1810) - He married Sarah James, the daughter of John James and Dinah Allen, on 27 April 1759. They had a large family together. He died in Fauquier County, Virginia.
Peter Hitt and his descendants are well documented in Virginia. Many of the documents are available on the Germanna Foundation website: www.germanna.org.
======== Peter's Will =======
The text of Peter's last Will & Testament is as follows:
In the name of God, Amen, this 23rd day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two (1772): I Peter Hitt of the County of Fauquier, being of 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 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 desire is that after the decease of my wife, that all my estate not herein mentioned be sold to the highest bidder, and the money arising there from be equally divided among all my children hereafter named. That is to say, John, Joseph, Harman, Peter, and Mary, and lastly, I do nominate and appoint my eldest sons, Harman Hitt and Joseph Hitt, executors of this my Last Will and Testament. In Witness I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
In the presence of Harman Rector, Joseph Taylor, & John Morgan.
Signed: Peter Hitt Probate:Teste H.L.Pearson, clerk, Circuit Court of Fauquier County, Virginia, Will Book #1 page #200, 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 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 due form. The law directs certificate is granted them for attaining a probate therof in due form.
Gravesite Details
It is presumed that Peter Heide/Hitt and his wife were buried in their farm family plot which is now underwater due to the creation of Germantown Lake in 1985.
