Peter and Catherine immigrated aboard the ship Louise, arriving in Baltimore on June 3, 1841. According to the 1860 Census, they were farmers, born in Hesse, Germany, and living in Carroll Township, Cambria County, Pa.

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

By Peggy Link Green, 2007

Johann Peter Hütsch (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 Übelacker, born in Böckels. The birth happened in the early
morning hours. Nicolaus Hütsch, 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 Übelacker.

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 Übelacker,
who was born in Böckels, and Nicolaus Hütsch, 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 Hütsch, the groom, and a citizen, born in Margretenhaun,
son of the deceased married Caspar Hütsch from here, born and raised in
Dammersbach, and Maria Orf. Bride Eva Margaretha Übelacker, daughter of the
married, but already deceased, Johannes Adam Übelacker from Künzell, 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 Hütsch 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 Hütsch,
from Margretenhaun, born 11 Dec 1767 and died 3 Jul 1837 was married since 19
Dec 1814 to Eva Margaretha Übelacker, from Künzell, 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 Schäfer 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 Hütsch, which may be the connection.

Both Peter and Eva Katharina Hütsch 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte, 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 Hütsch 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 Hütsch, 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 Hütsch (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
Hütsch. Therefore, Peter's first wife Charlott must have died sometime after
they arrived in Baltimore and before this date.

I believe that Charlotte 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 “ü” 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.

***************************************************************************************

Pieter Hutsch, a.k.a. Peter Hitch, was born in Hesse, Germany, in about 1808. Pieter, his wife “Charlott,” and their one year old daugher Agnes, immigrated to the United States by boarding the ship Louise in Bremen, ariving in Baltimore, MD, on June 3, 1841. Pieter was a 33 year old famer at the time, and his wife was 27. They brought only two boxes and two beddings on the voyage. Accoding to the ship’s passenger list (locted at the National Archives in Washington, DC), Pieter and his family were from the town of Fulda, Hesse, Germany.

The passenger list lncluded others from Fulda. Eva Catherine Hutsch was a 39 year olf servant and believed to be a sister to Pieter. Adam Goldbach was a 40 year old tailor, an may have been a brother to “Charlott” (a.k.a. Catherine Charlotte). A 29 year old farmer named Conrad Vogel was also listed. These immigants settled in Cambria County, Pa. Pieter and Charlott Hutsch settled on farmland and it is thought that respective silings Adam and Eve (!) settled on land adjacent to them. At any rate, the Hutsch name was anglicized to “Hitch,” and the Goldbach name became “Colebaugh.”

These two couples married into the Roman Catholic Church on April 1, 1842. On that date, the registry at St. Benedict Church in Carrolltown, PA., records the marriages of Petrus Hitsch to “Caritas Sohart,” and Adam Colebach to Catherine Hitsch. The marriages took place at the local mission church of St. Joseph, known as Hart’s Sleeping Place. “Petrus” was also baptized on that day.

Peter and Catherine Hitch. According to the prothonatary records in Ebensburg, Pa. (record #D-3-323), “Peter Hitch” declared his intent to naturalize on April 3, 1948, and became a U.S.. Citizen on October 7, 1851. His place of birth is illegible. The maiden name of his wife is not obvious. According to he death certificate of their daughter Agnes Hitch, the maiden name was “Colebaugh,” which tends to confirm her as sister to Adam Goldbach/Colebaugh. This is a fairly reliable source. However, the marriage record referenced above inexplicably records her former name as “Caritas Sohart.” One wonders if Peter had a second wife. At any rate, Peter and and his wife both died of small pox; one died on 1859 and the other in 1861. They ae buried in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Loretto, PA., but their tombstones are no longer evident there.

Adam and Eve Colebaugh. The identity of this couple is established by the marriage record indicated above. It is corroborated by several other records. For example, there is the 1850 baptismal record of John Adam Hitch (only son to Peter and Catherine) at St. Benedict Church in Carrolltown, Pa. The sponsors are recorded as Adam Goldback and Eva Catherine Hitch. The Census from late 1850 lists them as Adma and Catherine Colebaugh, without children. The 1860 Cenus records that Adam an Catherine Colebaugh had two children, ages twelve and nine.

“In the following history, there is some doubt about who Peter Hitch’s wife is. We made some assumptions. We really [aren’t] sure of the relationship of the Goldbacks and the Colebaughs. My [f]ather George Log left us under the impression that his gr[g]randmoher’s name was Colebaugh, but some one else said the called her Grandmother even though she wasn’t. In Loretto, where Anna Barbara Hitch was Baptized her mother’ name was listed as Caritas Schade. Marie Bender thought her [g]randmother’s name sounded Syers. THE ABOVE IS A NOTE FROM GERTRUDE (LONG) RANISH.”