Zina Hitchcock
A Revolutionary War soldier turned frontier leader who shaped the early civic and spiritual life of upstate New York.
1755–1832 (age 77)·New York politician·Birthday: November 6
Biography
Zina Hitchcock’s life traced the arc of a new nation. Born in Connecticut in 1755, he answered the call of revolution, serving as a soldier in the Albany County militia. After the war, he pushed north to the frontier, settling in Sandy Hill, New York. There, he transformed from a veteran into a community architect. Hitchcock amassed significant landholdings, but his legacy was built in brick, mortar, and fellowship. He was instrumental in constructing the Zion church, a spiritual cornerstone, and helped establish the local Masonic lodge, creating a network of civic trust. His influence even extended into early medical organization as a founding member of Vermont's first medical society. Hitchcock embodied the post-war American drive, using his energy to build institutions in a raw landscape.
#1 When Zina Was Born
The biggest hits of 1755
Zina's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1755Born
1760Started school
1768Became a teenager
1771Could drive
1773Could vote
1776Turned 21
1785Turned 30
1795Turned 40
1805Turned 50
1815Turned 60
1825Turned 70
1832Died at 77
Key Achievements
- Served as a soldier in the Albany County militia during the American Revolutionary War.
- Became a prominent landowner and community leader in Sandy Hill (now Hudson Falls), New York.
- Built the Zion church, a key early religious institution in the region.
- Was a founding member of the Masonic Lodge in Sandy Hill.
- Helped establish the First Medical Society in Vermont in 1784.
Did You Know?
He was a descendant of Samuel Chapin, an early colonist famously immortalized in a statue called 'The Puritan'.
His exact birthplace is uncertain, listed as either Warren or New Milford, Connecticut.
His father, John Hitchcock, served in the Connecticut General Assembly.
“The frontier is won by the steady hand, not the loudest voice.”
