Born on March 23, 1755, in Brimfield, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British America,[2] Hitchcock graduated from Harvard University in 1777.

[9] He again ran for the 1st congressional district in 1796 as the Federalists' final candidate, but lost to Matthew Lyon after three ballots.

[10] Hitchcock received a recess appointment from President George Washington on September 3, 1793, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Vermont vacated by Judge Nathaniel Chipman.

[2] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 30, 1793, and received his commission on January 28, 1794.

[2] Following his departure from the federal bench, Hitchcock resumed private practice in Vergennes and Burlington, Vermont from 1802 to 1813.