The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-20
IIitc FnniIy.

Hitc Family.
I Frequent requests for the Hite fam
/ lily, which up to this time we have been
unable TO answer. induce us to reprint
the following account given in the Bal
timore Sun by that painstalling gene
alogist, Jane Griffith Keys, on June
I %. 1905;
Colonel Isaac Hlte, third son Of Josh
Hite and Anna Maria his wife (nee Du
3ois). born 1928. died 1892. married.
\ in 1145. Eleanor Eltringe, born 1924
| died 1898, daughter of Cornelius Ell
fringe and his wife, Rebecca Van Me-
ter In l740 Colonel Isaac lIite Sc
/ lected for his home a beautiful spot on
the north branch of the SHENANDOAH
RiVer. called by the Indians Sherando
! Here he built his house at the head OF
stretch or fertile meadow land, which
bordered the river for three miles From
TINS meadow he called his new home
Long Meadow, which name it still re-
tains in 1905. The house was very
large and built with the rooms in the
front building opening round a large
square hall, with Il fireplace of enor-
nous proportions. This hall was called
the Travellers Hall, and here were
made welcome all who came by their
hospltable host; benighted Traveller
gay Adventures. hardy backwoodsnan,
and now and then a friendly redskin-
All found alike IA generous reception
and hountiful supper. in return for
which they gave the latest news in
their possession. Later on, wrapped
III blanket, with feet to the fire. the
hardy pioneer. even those of gentle
birth, slept as sound as the savage
indian. Colonel Isaac Hite ST. was n
good shot and taught his beautiful
wife. Eleanor Eltringe. to handle n
rifle VIII Skill. 1t WAS necessary for
Z
understand the use of firearms in those
days, as bands of murderous Indians
proving about seeking for revenge
were quite common, and even as late
as the winter OF $500 raids were made
In search of food during the cold
weather by packs of hungry bears and
wolves. Colonel Isaac IIite Sr, OF
Long Meadow, died September IS, 1895,
and was buried In the family burning
ground at Long Meadow Eleanor Ell
| fringe. his wife, died in November,
1892
Colonel Isaac Hitc, ST.. and his wife.
Eleanor. had two sons and five daugh-
tiers. The eldest son was drowned
when box Of fourteen years of age
t.lAnna llitc. born January, 1916, mar
rled James Buchanan, OF Falmouth,
Va. 80 Mary Hitc, born 174S. "a
Eleanor tiite, born 1850. married John
Williams, (5) Rebecca Hitc born 1884
married General William Aylett Boothc.
90 Isaac iiite. Jr. born February ..
1IoS % Sarah Hitc. born 1850. mar
ried General Jonathan Clark Major
Isaac flite. Of Belle Grove. born 1853,
married May, 1883, Nelly Conway Mad
ison. daughter of James Madison. Sr.
and sister of James Madison. Jr., Presi-
dent of the United States. Major
liite carried his dainty bride to
her new home. old Hall in true Co
lonial style. seated in Il yellow chariot
drawn by tandem team and mounted
Positions While still living In the
Old Hall. Major IIite and his wife
Nelly Madison. superintendent the build
ing OF Belle Grove famed for a group
OF magnificent oaks in its rear. which
has been for so many years the be-
loved home OF their children and also
OF their descendants. Belle Grove is
l60 feet in length and forty In breadth
There were four porticoes with pillars
The furniture was mahogany inlaid
with satinWood imported from Eng
land. Two of the sofas are in the pos
session Of DIR. j. Whitridgc Williams.
of Cathedral Street, Baltimore. great
grandson of Major Hitc, and his sec
ond Wife Anne Tunstall Maury In tho
drawing room hung Il number OF por-
traits by Charles Peale Polk, painted
In 1795-'97. representing Major Hlte
and his wife. Nelly, and their son; Mr.
and Mrs James Madison. ST.. Mrs
fahhy Rose, nee Madison. and bust
portrait of Thomas jefferson, I'm init
mate friend of Major Hitc. Unfortu-
nately the valuable portrait was either
lost or stolen during the Civil War
and has never been recovered. The
other portraits arc owned by DIR. j.
Whitridge Williams and Mr.. Drayton
Meade Hfte. of Baltimore.
Major Isaac Hite, Of Belle Grove
son OF IsaacS Hite. of Long Meadow.
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