Malachy Hitchins facts for kids

Malachy Hitchins (born 1741, died 1809) was an important person from Cornwall, England. He was an astronomer, which means he studied stars and planets, and also a cleric, meaning he was a church leader.

His Life Story

Malachy Hitchins was born in a place called Little Trevince, in Gwennap, Cornwall. He was baptized on May 18, 1741. His uncle, Thomas Martyn, was famous for making a map of Cornwall, and Henry Martyn was his cousin.

When Malachy was young, he worked as a miner. Later, he went to Exeter to help Benjamin Donn create a map of Devon in 1765. Even before that, by 1761, he was already showing his math skills by sending answers to puzzles in a magazine called The Ladies' Diary. In December 1762, he was living in Bideford.

In 1763, Malachy Hitchins started studying at Exeter College, Oxford, which is part of Oxford University. His friend, Richard Polwhele, said that Malachy's wife helped pay for his university education. He earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1781. Later, in 1785, he also studied at St John's College, Cambridge, and earned his master's degree (M.A.) that same year.

In 1767, Malachy met Nevil Maskelyne, who helped him get a job at the famous Greenwich Royal Observatory. Here, he worked as a "computer," which meant he did many important calculations. He even lived there for a while. In 1769, he observed stars, planets, and a special event called the transit of Venus.

In 1768, Malachy became a "comparer." In this role, he checked all the math for a very important book called the Nautical Almanack. This book helped sailors find their way by telling them where the sun, moon, and stars would be. He continued this important work for the rest of his life.

While working at Greenwich, Malachy also became a priest. He moved to Exeter and was a vicar (a type of church leader) in a place called Hennock for a short time. Then, in 1775, he became the vicar of St Hilary, Cornwall, and in 1785, he also became the vicar of Gwinear.

Malachy Hitchins continued to serve both churches until he passed away on March 28, 1809, in St Hilary. He was buried in the local church.

His Contributions

Malachy Hitchins helped his friend Richard Polwhele with his book, History of Cornwall. He also wrote articles for several important publications like the Annual Register, Philosophical Transactions, and Archæologia.

His Family

Malachy Hitchins married Joanna Hawkins on January 10, 1764. They had four sons.

Their oldest son, Richard Hawkins Hitchins (1764–1827), also studied at Exeter College, Oxford, and became a rector (another type of church leader) in Baverstock.

Their youngest son, Fortescue Hitchins (1784–1814), was born in St Hilary. He became a solicitor, which is a type of lawyer, in St Ives, Cornwall. He passed away in Marazion in 1814. Fortescue was also a writer and published several books of poems:

• Visions of Memory, and other Poems, published in Plymouth in 1803.
• The Seashore, with other Poems, published in Sherborne in 1810.
• The Tears of Cornubia; a Poem, published in Sherborne in 1812.

Fortescue also collected information for a history book about Cornwall. After he died, another person named Samuel Drew finished editing it, and it was published in 1824.