Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(orig. US) to desire intensely; usu. as wish/hope to hell (see to hell under hell n.); wish/hope to Christ (see to Christ under Christ n.); other vars. listed below.

1916		P. Kyne Cappy Ricks 222: I wish to jiminy he had the burden of my dollars.
1940		O. Strange Sudden Takes the Trail 234: Wish to Pete I’d been born a monkey.
2015		S. King Finders Keepers (2016) 281: He wishes to Christ he’d left it in the glove compartment.