Malachy Hitchins, Fortescue Hitchins (1784–1814), was born at St Hilary. He became a solicitor at St Ives, Cornwall, and was the author of "The Tears of Cornubia" and other poems. He compiled material for a history of Cornwall, which after his death was edited by Samuel Drew, and published in 1824. Legend The ghost of Rev. John Penneck, Chancellor of Exeter, (died 1724) is said to raise great storms here. References Further reading Pascoe, Charlotte Champion (1879) Walks about St. Hilary: chiefly among the poor. Penzance: Beare External links Civil parishes in Cornwall Villages in Cornwall