INDEX to the Fitch family files

Generation 1

JOHN ALGORE (living 1413) of Lindsell, co. Essex

John Algor is mentioned in the Rolls of the Manor of Lindsell on 30 Nov 1409. [Ref, p. 12, College of Arms, London] He held lands called "Bynwoods" on 1 Jan 1413. [Ref, p. 12, College of Arms, London]

Childen of John Algore:

1. William Algore died before 2 Mar 1468.

Generation 2

WILLIAM FICHE (FYCHE) (c. 1400 - bef. 1466) of Widdington, co. Essex

William Fiche was born about 1400. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London] He died before 24 Apr 1466, when his death was reported at the Court of the Manor. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London]

William received a grant of lands in the Manor of Widdington on 18 Jan 1441. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London] He bought land in Widdington from Richard Pelworth on 16 Jan 1459. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London]

Children of William Fiche:

1. John Fytche was born before 1437. He died before 9 Apr 1468. He married Juliana Unknown.

 WILLIAM ALGORE (d. bef. 1468) of Lindsell, co. Essex

Parents: John Algore [Ref, p. 12, College of Arms, London]

William died before 3 Mar 1468, when his death was reported at the Court of the Manor of Lindsell. [Ref, p. 12, College of Arms, London]

Children of William Algore:

1. Robert Algore died before 21 Dec 1493. He married Margaret Unknown.

Generation 3

JOHN FYTCHE (b. bef. 1437 - bef. 1468) of Widdington, co. Essex

Parents: William Fiche [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London]

John Fytch was born before 1437. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London] He died before 9 Apr 1468, when his widow was appointed guardian of their son Thomas. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London] He married Juliana Unknown. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London] Juliana died before 9 Nov 1514, when her death was reported at the Court of the Manor. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London] She married second Richard Westeley. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London]

John was found to be the heir of his father by Inquisitions on 24 Apr 1466 and 14 May 1467. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London] He was over 30 at the time. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London]

Children of John Fytche and Juliana Unknown:

1. Thomas Fitch was born about 1465. He died between 9 Nov and 23 Dec 1514. He married Agnes Alger.

ROBERT ALGORE (d. bef. 1493) of Brasonhead and Lindsell, co. Essex

Parents: William Algore [Ref, p. 12, College of Arms, London]

Robert Algore died before 21 Dec 1493, when his death was reported at the Court of the Manor of Lindsell. [Ref, p. 12, College of Arms, London] He married Margaret Unknown. [Ref, p. 12, College of Arms, London] Margaret died before 21 Dec 1505, when her death was reported at the Court of the Manor of Lindsell. [Ref, p. 12, College of Arms, London] Shortly before her death, she settled lands on her Fitch granddaughters. [Ref, p. 12, College of Arms, London]

He was the heir of his father by an Inquisition of 3 Mar 1468. [Ref, p. 12, College of Arms, London] He made a seettlement of lands called "Bynwodes" in Lindsell on 22 Dec 1490. [Ref, p. 12, College of Arms, London]

Robert was lord of Castle Brasonhead. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London]

Children of Robert Algore and Margaret Unknown

1. Agnes Alger died before 25 Sep 1533. She married Thomas Fitch.

Generation 4

THOMAS FITCH (c. 1465 - 1514) of Brasonhead, co. Essex

Parents: John Fytche and Juliana Unknown [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London]

Thomas Fitch was born about 1465. He died on 21 Apr 1514 and is buried in the parish church in Lindsell. [Ref, p. 22] He married Agnes Alger. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London] He was of Brasonhead. [Ref, p. 7, College of Arms, London]

He was found to be the heir of his father by Inquisition on 9 Apr 1468 at age three. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London] His estate received his mother's lands at Widdington on 9 Nov 1514. His death was reported at the Court of the Manor of Widdington on 23 Dec 1514. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London]

In the church of Lindsell are effigies of a man and woman; six boys and five girls. Below is an inscription: "Here lies the bodies of Thomas Fitch and his widow Agnes, which Thomas died April 21st, 1514. May God be merciful to their soles." [Ref, p. 22]

AGNES ALGER (ALGORE) (d. bef. 1533)

Parents: Robert Algore and Margaret Unknown [Ref, p. 11-12, College of Arms, London]

Agnes Alger was the only child and heir of Robert Algore. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London] She died before 25 Sep 1533. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London] She is buried in the parish church in Lindsell. [Ref, p. 22] She married Thomas Fitch. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London]

Agnes was admitted tenant of her father's lands on 21 Dec 1493. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London]

Children of Thomas Fitch and Agnes Alger:

1. Richard Fitch, the eldest son, inherited his father's lands in Widdington on 9 Nov 1514. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London] He married first Eleanor, the daughter of Thurston Storke of Trent, co. Somerset. [Ref, p. 21] He married second Joanne, the daughter of Richard Ashe. [Ref, p. 21]
2. William Fitch, Esq. was born about 1496. He died on 26 Dec 1578, age 82. [Ref, p. 21][Ref] He is buried in the Little Canfield church. [Ref] He married first Elizabeth Unknown. [Ref, p. 46] He married second Anne, the daughter of John Wiseman of Felstead, co. Essex. [Ref, p. 21][Ref, p. 10] She died in 3 Dec 1593. [Ref, p. 10, no day][Ref] She married second Ralph Pudsey, Esq. of Grays Inn. [Ref, p. 10]
   William was of Little Canfield, co. Essex. [Ref] He signed his will on 13 Oct 1577; it was proved on 12 Jan 1578/9. [Ref, p. 21]
   Click here to see a brass effigy of Anne Wiseman.
   some descendants of William Fitch
3. Roger Fitch died between 12 Jan 1558/9 and 22 Feb 1558/9. He married Margery Unknown.
4. Thomas Fitch was admitted tenant of the lands in the Manor of Widdington on 3 May 1527. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London] He married Margaret Meade of Magaretting, co. Essex. [Ref, p. 21]
5. Margaret Fitch, the eldest daughter, was born about 1494. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London] She was 11 in 1505. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London]
6. Katherine Fitch was living in 1505. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London]
7. Joan Fitch was living in 1505. [Ref, p. 11, College of Arms, London]

JOHN BROCK

John Brock married Agnes Wiseman. [Ref, p. 35][Ref]

Children of John Brock and Agnes Wiseman:

1. William Brock died between 17 July 1598 and 13 Jun 1599. He married first Margery Bedell. He married second Elizabeth Unknown.

JOHN BEDELL of Notley, co. Essex

John Bedell was of Notley, co. Essex. [Ref, p. 35]

Children of John Bedell:

1. Margery Bedell married William Brock.

Generation 5

ROGER FITCH of Panfield, co. Essex and Bocking (d. 1559)

Parents: Thomas Fitch and Agnes Alger [Ref, p. 7, Records of the College of Arms, London]

Roger Fitch died between 12 Jan 1558/9, when he signed his will, and 22 Feb 1558/9, when his will was proved. [Ref, p. 7] He married Margery Unknown. [Ref, p. 7, Records of the College of Arms, London] She was the sole executrix of her husband's will in 1559. [Ref, p. 7]

Roger Fitch had a house and freehold land in Bocking. [Ref, p. 7, Records of the College of Arms, London] He had a house in Bredford Street in Bocking that he bought from William Dobson. [Ref, p. 7]

Children of Roger Fitch and Margery Unknown:

1. Richard Fitch was buried on 13 Jun 1603 in Bocking. [Ref, p. 7] He married Anne Unknown. [Ref, p. 7]
   Richard was church warden of St. Mary's in Bocking. [Ref, p. 7] He is mentioned in his father's will. [Ref, p. 7]
   some descendants of Richard Fitch
2. John Fitch was mentioned in his father's will. [Ref, p. 7] He was an apprentice at the time. [Ref, p. 7]
3. Bartholomew Fitch was buried on 4 Nov 1598 in Chelmsford. [Ref, p. 7] He married Alice Ayer on 8 Feb 1579/80 At Chelmsford. [Ref, p. 7] She was buried on 8 Feb 1579 in Chemsford.
   Bartholomew is mentioned in his father's will. [Ref, p. 7]
4. Thomas Fitch was mentioned in his father's will. [Ref, p. 7]
5. William Fitch married Sarah Egiott of Chelmsford on 17 Jun 1583. [Ref, p. 7] She was buried on 5 Dec 1588 in Chelmsford. [Ref, p. 7]
   William was mentioned in his father's will. [Ref, p. 7]
6. George Fitch was born after 1537/8. He died between 12 May and 18 Jun 1605. He married first Joan Thurgood. He married second Bridget Unknown.
7. Robert Fitch died between 18 Dec 1592, when he signed his will, and 19 Jan 1592/3, when it was proved. [Ref, p. 8] He married the widow Elizabeth Parker. [Ref, p. 8] He was of Burnham, co. Essex. [Ref, p. 8]
8. Joan Fitch was mentioned in her father's will. [Ref, p. 8]
9. Margaret Fitch was mentioned in her father's will. [Ref, p. 8]
10. Clement Fitch was buried on 22 May 1573 in Panfield. [Ref, p. 8] She was mentioned in her father's will. [Ref, p. 8]
11. Mary Fitch was mentioned in her father's will. [Ref, p. 8]

 WILLIAM BROCK (d. 1598/9) of Bacted, co. Essex and Colchester, co. Essex

Parents: John Brock and Agnes Wiseman [Ref, p. 35][Ref]

William Brock died between 17 July 1598, when he signed his will, and 13 Jun 1599, when it was proved. [Ref, p. 35] He married first Margery Bedell. [Ref, p. 35] He married second Elizabeth Unknown. [Ref, p. 35] Elizabeth is mentioned in her husband's will. [Ref, p. 35]

 MARGERY BEDELL (d. bef. 1598)

Parents: John Bedell [Ref, p. 35]

Margery Bedell married William Brock. [Ref, p. 35]

Children of William Brock and Margery Bedell:

1. Bartholomew Brock died between 18 Jan 1617, when he signed his will, and 26 Jun 1618, when it was proved. [Ref, p. 35] He married first Elizabeth, the daughter of Sir Ralph Wiseman. [Ref, p. 35] He married second Elizabeth, the daughter of Nicholas Garnham. [Ref, p. 35]
2. William Brock is mentioned in her father's will and his brother Bartholomew's will.
3. Mary Brock died after 23 Sep 1620. She married John Reeve.
4. Unknown Brock
5. Unknown Daughter Brock married Unknown Saunter. [Ref, p. 35]
6. Robert Brock is mentioned in his father's will. [Ref, p. 35]

Generation 6

GEORGE FITCH (d. 1605) of Braintree, co. Essex, Sudbury and Edwardstone, co. Suffolk

Parents: Roger Fitch and Margery Unknown [Ref, p. 7, Records of the College of Arms, London]

George Fitch was born after 1537/8. He died between 12 May 1605, when he signed his will, and 18 Jun 1605, when it was proved. [Ref, p. 7] He married first Joan Thurgood of Elsenham, co. Essex after 13 Sep 1574 (lic.). [Ref, p. 8] He married second the widow Bridget Unknown as her third husband. [Ref, p. 8] Bridget married first John Goss of Edward Stone. [Ref, p. 8] She married second John French of of Edwardstone. [Ref, p. 8] John died between 21 Jan 1601/2, when he signed his will, and 3 Mar 1601/2, when it was proved. [Ref, p. 8] George married third the widow Joane Taylor. [Ref, p. 8] She is mentioned in her husband's will. [Ref, p. 8]

He is mentioned as underage in his father's will of 12 Jan 1558/9. [Ref, p. 7] He is mentioned as deceased in his cousin Thomas Fitch of Margaretting's will of 1609. [Ref, p. 7]

He was of Braintree, Sudbury and Edwardstone, co. Suffolk. [Ref, p. 7] He is referred to as a haberdasher of Braintree in an 18 May 1594 alekeeper's recognizance. [Ref] George Fitch, mercer of Sudbury, co. Suffolk, leased land from Roger Gwynne on 30 Nov 1600. [Ref] He bought a house and land in Ballingdon, co. Essex from John Shepherde in 1603. [Ref, p. 7] He is described as a yeoman in 1603. [Ref]

Children of George Fitch:

1. George Fitch died before 10 Nov 1614, when administration was granted on his estate to his brother Joseph. [Ref, p. 8] He was unmarried. [Ref, p. 8]
   George is mentioned in his father's will. [Ref, p. 8]
2. Joseph Fitch was born about 1587. [Ref, p. 8]
   Joseph is mentioned in his father's will. [Ref, p. 8] He studied in Boxford, Suffolk under Mr. Huggen. [Ref] He was admitted a scholar of Caius College, Cambridge on 7 Oct 1603, age. 16. [Ref, p. 8][Ref]
3. Thomas Fitch was born in 1590. He was baptised in 1598. He died between 11 Dec 1632 and 12 Dec 1632. He married Anne Reeve.
4. Arthur Fitch is mentioned in his father's will. [Ref, p. 8]
5. Frances Fitch married James St(r)acey of Latton, co. Essex on 5 Feb 1606/7 in Bocking. [Ref, p. 8]
   Frances is mentioned in her father's will and her brother Thomas's will. [Ref, p. 8]

JOHN REEVE (d. 1620/1) of Bocking, co. Essex and Gosfield, co. Essex

John Reeve died between 23 Sep 1620, when he signed his will, and 9 Jan 1621, when it was proved. [Ref, p. 35] He married Mary Brock on 24 Oct 1588 in Gosfield. [Ref, p. 35]

John describes himself as a yeoman of Bocking. [Ref]

MARY BROCK (d. aft. 1620)

Parents: William Brock and Margery Bedell [Ref, p. 35]

Mary Brock died after 23 Sep 1620, when she is mentioned in her husband's will. [Ref, p. 35] She married John Reeve on 24 Oct 1588 [Ref, just the year] in Gosfield. [Ref, p. 35]

Children of John Reeve and Mary Brock:

1. John Reeve died between 5 Jan 1658, when he signed his will, and 20 Mar 1661, when it was proved. [Ref, p. 35]
   His brother-in-law Thomas Fitch left him 20 shillings in his will. [Ref]
   John Fitch, yeoman of Bocking, bought land from Henry and John Bigg on 11 Feb 1630. [Ref]
   He man be the John Reeve who witnessed his nephew Jeremy Fitch's prenuptual agreement in 1658. [Ref] He many be the John Reeve of Bocking, gentleman, who purchased land from Jeremy Fitch in 1659. [Ref]
   
2. Jeremy Reeve is mentioned in his father's will and his brother John's will. [Ref, p. 35]
   His brother-in-law Thomas Fitch left him 20 shillings in his will. [Ref]
   There is a 3 Nov 1652 prenuptual agreeement for (presumably) Jeremy's nephew Jeremy Fitch, stapler and citizen of London, and Hannah Letten of Dunton, spinster. It mentions Jeremy Reeve of Dunton and John Fitch of Braintree, gentleman. It was witnessed by John Reeve and John Harris. [Ref] Jeremy Reeve, gentleman, sold land to Hezekiah Haynes on 15 Nov 1670. [Ref]
3. Anne Reeve died on 20 Jan 1686 in Windsor, Connecticut. She married Thomas Fitch
4. Sarah Reeve is mentioned in her father's will. [Ref, p. 35]
5. Susan Reeve is mentioned in her father's will. [Ref, p. 35]

Generation 7

THOMAS FITCH (1590 - 1632/3) of Bocking

Parents: George Fitch and Joan Thurgood [Ref, p. 8]

Thomas Fitch was born in 1590. [Ref, p. 31] He was baptised in 1598. [Ref, p. 31] He died between 11 Dec 1632 when his will is dated and 12 Feb 1632/3 when it was proved. [Ref] He married Anne Reeve on 8 Aug 1611 [Ref] in St. Mary's Church, Bocking. [Ref, p. 31]

Thomas was of Bocking. [Ref, p. 8]

On 27 Sep 1630 William Brock of Thelnetham, Suffolk, gentleman, transferred land to Thomas Fitch of Bocking, clothier. [Ref]

In his will, Thomas Fitch of Bocking, clothier of Essex, left his eldest son Thomas his chief messuage where dwelt. as well as the messuage adjoining his that his son Thomas occupied an other lands and tenements in Ocking on the condition that he pay his sister Stracy 20 shillings a year. He left his son James one hundred pounds "to be paid to him when he shall be a batchelor of Art of two years standinge in the university of Cambridge, for I desire he should be bred up a scholler." He also left him 30 pounds a year from his admission at Cambridge until he received his master of arts. He left his sons Nathaniel and Jeremy , who were under 16, a moity, half of a a farm messuage and lands and tenements. He left 150 pounds of land to his sons Samuel and Joseph, who were also under 16. He left his daughters Mary, Anna and Sarah, who were under 18, 300 pounds each. He also mentions his son John, his borother John Malden and his sister who is John's wife, his kinsman Henry Stracy, his borthers John Reeve, William Stracy and Jeremy Reeve. [Ref]

ANNE REEVE (d.1686)

Parents: John Reeve and Mary Brock [Ref, p. 35]

Anne Reeve (Mrs. Ann Fitch) died on 20 Jan 1686 in Windsor, Connecticut. [Ref] She married Thomas Fitch on 8 Aug 1611 [Ref] in St. Mary's Church, Bocking. [Ref, p. 31]

She is mentioned in her father's will of 1620. [Ref, p. 8] She was sole executrix to her husband's will in 1633. [Ref, p. 8] She was sole executrix to her son Nathaniel's will in 1649. [Ref, p. 8]

Anne Reeve was living in Hartford, Connecticut with her son Joseph in 1669. [Ref, p. 31]

Anne accompanied her sons Thomas, James, Samuel and Joseph to New England and they appear in Connecticut not long before 1950. They lived briefly in Norwalk, where Thomas settled, and at Northampton, Massachusetts. Samuel was engaged as a school teacher in Hartford and Joseph and his mother accompanied him there. [Ref]

Children of Thomas Fitch and Anne Reeve:

1. Thomas Fitch was born on 24 Oct 1612. [Ref] He died in 1704 in Connecticut. [Ref][Ref, pp. 194-7] He married Ann Stacey on 1 Nov 1632. [Ref] Ann was the daughter of William and Anne (or Agnes) (Garrold) Stacey. [Ref][Ref] See Fiske [Ref] for a discussion of her ancestors.
   Thomas went to New England as early as 1650. [Ref] He settled in Norwalk, Fairfield, Connecticut. [Ref] He received a grant in Norwalk in 1652. [Ref, pp. 194-7] He bought a house lot in Norwalk from Edward Church in 1654. [Ref, pp. 194-7]
   He was Deputy to the General Court, a King's Commissioner and Selectman. [Ref]
   some descendants of Thomas Fitch
   
2. John Fitch is said to have died of the plague in 1666. [Ref, p. 141-2]
   It has been claimed that this John Fitch went to New England [Ref] and that he may be the John Fitch who lived in Windsor. [Ref] Fitch [Ref, p. 32], however, argues that the will of his cousin Reeve proves that John Fitch remained in England. [Ref]
   There was a John Fitch of of Hardford who married Ann Heller, widow of Windsor, on 9 Dec 1656 in Windsor. [Ref] She died on 11 Aug 1673 in Windsor and this John died on 10 May 1676 in Windsor. [Ref]
   John Fitch is said to have participated in the Civil War and to have risen to the rank of Captain. [Ref, p. 141-2] He is said to have been a clothier of Braintree. [Ref, p. 141-2] He may be the John Fitch, gentleman, refered to in his brother Jeremy's prenuptual agreement.
   A John Fitch (a son or nephew John?) presumably married Mary Baron. [Ref] Mary died after 9 Jul 1684. [Ref] Mary the wife of John Fitch of Braintree, signed her will on 9 Jul 1684. [Ref] She mentions her husband, her brothers Thomas and John Baron and a daughter Anne [illegible]. [Ref]
3. Rev. James Fitch was born about 1622. He died on 19 Nov 1702 in Lebanon. He married first Abigail Whitfield. He married second Priscilla Mason.
4. Nathaniel Fitch was born on 26 Dec 1623. [Ref, p. 141-2] He died between 15 Aug 1648, when he signed his will, and 8 May 1649, when it was proved. [Ref, p. 141-2]
   Nathaniel was of Prittlewell, co. Essex. [Ref, p. 141-2]
5. Jeremy Fitch was born on 5 Aug 1625. [Ref, p. 141-2
   There is a 3 Nov 1652 prenuptual agreeement for Jeremy Fitch, stapler and citizen of London, and Hannah Letten of Dunton, spinster. It mentions Jeremy Reeve of Dunton and John Fitch of Braintree, gentleman. It was witnessed by John Reeve and John Harris. [Ref] On 9 Dec 1659 Jeremy Fitch of St. Botolph without Bishopsgate, Middlesex, leather seller, and Hanna his wife, sold land mentioned in their prenuptual agreement to John Reeve of Bocking, gentleman. [Ref]
6. Samuel Fitch was born on 9 Nov 1626. [Ref, p. 141-2] He died in 1659. [Ref] He married Susanna, the widow of William Whiting, in 1651. [Ref][Ref, pp. 194-7, Samuel might be this Samuel][Ref, Mary Whiting, 1650] Susanna married third Alexander Bryan of Milford. [Ref, pp. 194-7]
   Samuel went to New England. [Ref] He was engaged to keep school in Hartford from 1 Jan 1649/50. [Ref] He was a freeman in May 1651. He was Deputy in 1654 and 1655. [Ref]
   some descendants of Samuel Fitch
7. Capt. Joseph Fitch was born about 1630 in Bocking. [Ref][Ref] He died between 17 Nov 1719, when he signed his will, and 3 Oct 1727, when administration was granted on his estate. [Ref] He married Mary Stone, the daughter of Rev. Samuel Stone. [Ref] Samuel Stone refers to Joseph as his son in his will. [Ref]
   Joseph went to New England. [Ref] He owned land in Norwalk in 1650/1. [Ref] He moved to Northampton, Massachusetts. [Ref] He purchased a home in Hartford in 1660. [Ref] He lived in Podunk, which is currently in South Windsor and East Hartford. [Ref]
   Joseph was a freeman in 1662. He was Deputy for Windsor on 8 May 1664. [Ref]
   some descendants of Joseph Fitch
8. Mary Fitch was born after 1614 and died after 1632.
9. Anne Fitch was born after 1614 and died after 1632.
10. Sarah Fitch was born after 1614 and died after 1632.

Stearns [Ref] suggests that Dea. Zachary Fitch of Reading, who came to Lynn about 1633 and settled in the South Parish of Reading (now Wakefield), where he lived until his death on 9 Jun 1662, might be a son of Thomas Fitch. However, Stearns points out that he is not mentioned by name in his father's will and the ages of his grandchildren may make him to old to have been a son.

Generation 8

REV. JAMES FITCH (abt 1622 - 1702) of Saybrook and Norwich

Parents: Thomas Fitch and Anne Reeve [Ref]

Rev. James Fitch was born about 1622. He died on 19 Nov 1702 in Lebanon. [Ref] He was buried in the ancient graveyard at Lebanon in 1702; he was 80 when he died. [Ref] He married first Abigail Whitfield in Oct 1648 in Norwich. [Ref, daughter of Mr. Henry Witfield of Gillford] She died on 9 Sep 1659 in Saybrook. [Ref] He married second Priscilla Mason [Ref] in Oct 1664 in Norwich. [Ref, daughter of Maj. Mason of Norwich] [Ref, p. 146] Pricilla was the daughter of Maj. John Mason and his wife Anne [Ref] Peck. [Ref, p. 146] She was born in Oct 1641 [Ref, p. 146]

The nine square miles of land for the town of Norwich was purchased from the Indian Sachems of Mohegan for £70 in Jun 1659. [Ref] Norwich was settled in the spring of 1660. [Ref] In 1660 the Rev. James Fitch, pastor of the Saybrook, and most of his congregation moved to Norwich. [Ref] James continued as pastor at Norwich until - old and infirm - he resigned in 1696. [Ref] He moved to Lebanon in 1702. [Ref]

Rev. James Fitch's reputation rests on his missionary work among the Connecticut Indians, particularly the Mohegans. [Ref] He mastered their language and was particularly useful to the colonists during King Philip's War. [Ref]

James Fitch of Norwich signed his will on 7 Feb 1695/6. It was proved on 2 Dec 1702 in Norwich. He mentions his sons James, Samuel, Daniel, John, Jabez, Nathaniel, Joseph, Eleazer; his daughters Abigail, Elizabeth, Anne and Dorothy; his married daughter Hannah; his son Nathaniel Bissell, husband of his daughter Dorothy. He refers to his wife's father as Maj. John Mason. [Ref]

His headstone says, "In hoc sepulcro depositae sunt reliquae ... Reverendi D. Iacobi Fitch. Natus fuit apud Bocking in comitatue Essxiae Anglia Ano Domini 1622 December [sic] 24 ... [continues] ... 1702 Novembri & aetatis 80." [Ref]

Children of James Fitch and Abigail Whitfield:

1. Maj. James Fitch was born on 2 Aug 1649 in Saybrook. [Ref, no day][Ref] He died on 10 Nov 1727, age 79, and is buried in the Cleveland Cemetery in Canterbury. He married Alice Bradford.
2. Abigail Fitch was born on 5 Aug 1650 [Ref, 2;18] in Saybrook. [Ref, no day][Ref] She married first [her step-mother's brother] Capt. John Mason. [Ref, 2;18] John was the son of Maj. John Mason [Ref, 2;18] and Anne Peck. [Ref, p. 146] He was born in Oct 1648 in Norwich. [Ref][Ref, p. 146, probably in Windsor] He died on 18 Sep 1676. [Ref, p. 146]
   John was severely wounded at the great swamp fight at Narraganssett on 19 Dec 1675 and died of the effects a few months later. [Ref, p. 146] McCracken [Ref] argues that she is the Abigail who subsequently married as his second wife Lieut. John Buttolph on 27 Jun 1682 in Wethersfield. This Abigail died on 15 Jun 1687, age 27[!]. John was the son of Thomas and Ann (Harding) Butttolph. [Ref] He was born on 28 Feb 1639/40 in Boston. [Ref] He was baptised on 1 Mar 1639/40 in the First Church of Boston. [Ref] He died on 14 Jan 1692/3 in Wethersfield. [Ref] He married first Hannah Gardner on 16 Oct 1633. [Ref] Hannah was the daughter of Lieut. George Gardner and his first wife, who was probably Hannah Shattuck. [Ref] She was the granddaughter of Thomas Gardner. [Ref] She was baptised on 15 Dec 1644 in the First Church of Boston. [Ref] She died on 26 Jun 1681 in Wethersfield. [Ref] John married third Susanna Clark. [Ref] Susanna was the daughter of James Clark of New Haven. [Ref] She had previously married James Kelly of Hartford and Nathaniel Sanford. [Ref]
   John Mason represented Norwich several times in the legislature and was an Assistant. [Ref, 15;118]
   John Buttolph left an inventory valued at 1042 pounds. It included 3000 or 4000 acres of land in "norwitch new uilleg" (now Windham). In his will, John referred to land at Norwich that he got from Abigail. [Ref]
   some descendants of Abigail Fitch
3. Elizabeth Fitch was born on 2 Jan 1651 in Saybrook. [Ref, no day][Ref] She died on 7 Jul 1689. [Ref, only the year][Ref, p. 19, only the year][Ref][Ref, pp. 158-60] She is buried in the Old Burying Ground in Westfield, Hampden, Massachusetts. Click here to see a photo of her grave. She married Rev. Edward Taylor of Westfield, Massachusetts on 5 Sep 1674. [Ref][Ref, pp. 158-60, 5 Nov] Edward was born in Sketelby, Leicestershir, England in 1642. [Ref][Ref, p. 5] He died on 29 Jun 1729, [Ref] age 87. [Ref, p. 24] He is buried in the Old Burying Ground in Westfield. Click here to see a photo of his grave. He married second Ruth Willis of Hartford. [Ref][Ref, p. 19] Ruth was the daughter of Samuel Wyllys. [Ref, p. 19] She was the granddaughter of John Haynes, first the governor of Massachusetts and then the first governor of Connecticut and his wife Mabel Harlakenden. [Ref, p. 20]
   Edward left England in 1668, having declined to take the oath required of dissenters after the restoration of Charles II. [Ref, p. 5] He kept a diary and recorded that he left Execution Dock in Wapping on 26 Apr 1668. [Ref, p. 6] He arrived in Boston on 5 Jul and spent two nights at the house of Increase Mather. [Ref, p. 7] He studied for three years at Harvard. [Ref, p. 7] He went to Westfield as both a physician and minister, arriving on 1 Dec 1671. [Ref, p. 12] He wrote a love letter to Elizabeth Fitch at her father's house in Norwich on 8 (7) 1674. [Ref, p. 12, transcribed on pp. 16-9]
   some descendants of Elizabeth Fitch
4. Hannah Fitch was born on 17 Dec 1653 in Saybrook. [Ref, in Sep 1653][Ref] She married Thomas Mix on 30 Jun 1677 in Norwich. [Ref]
   some descendants of Hannah Fitch
5. Samuel Fitch was born in the "beginning of March" 1655 [Ref, Apr 1655] in Saybrook. [Ref, in Apr 1655][Ref] He died in Preston in 1725. [Ref] He married Mary Brewster [Ref] on 28 Nov 1678. [Ref]
   Samuel lived in East Norwich, in what was called Long Society in the town of Preston. [Ref]
   some descendants of Samuel Fitch
6. Dorothy Fitch was born in Apr 1658 in Saybrook. [Ref, no day][Ref] She died on 28 Jun 1691 in Windsor. [Ref] She married Nathaniel Bissell [Ref] on 4 Jul 1683 in Windsor. [Ref] Nathaniel was the son of John Bissell. [Ref] He was baptised on 27 Sep 1640 in Windsor. [Ref] He married first Mindwell Moore [Ref] of Windsor on 25 Sep 1662. [Ref] Mindwell died on 24 Nov 1682 in Windsor. [Ref]
   some descendants of Dorothy Fitch

7. Capt. Daniel Fitch was born in Aug 1665 in Norwich. [Ref] He married first Mary Sherwood [Ref][Ref][Ref] on 7 Mar 1698 in Preston. [Ref, Daniel of Mehegan]
   Daniel settled in New London, near the North Parish (later Montville). [Ref, 15;117]
   some descendants of Daniel Fitch
8. Capt. John Fitch was born in Jan 1667/8 in Windham. [Ref][Ref, 15;118][Ref, or Norwich] He died on 24 May 1743, age 76, in Windham. [Ref][Ref, 15;118] He married Elizabeth Waterman on 10 Jul 1695 in Windham. [Ref][Ref, 15;118] Elizabeth was the daughter of Thomas and Miriam (Tracy) Waterman of Norwich. [Ref, 15;119] She was born in Aug 1675 in Norwich. [Ref, 15;119] She died on 24 Jun 1751 [Ref, 15;118] [Ref, 15;119, 25 Jun] , age 76, and is buried in the Windham Center Cemetery. [Ref] John's headstone in the Windham Center Cemetery says:
   "In memory of Capt. John Fitch, Esq. & Son to the Revd. Mr. James Fitch Pastor of the Church of Christ in Norwich and the Loveing Well Beloved Consort of Mrs. Elisabeth Fitch ... Died May the 24th A.D. 1743 in the 77th year of his age." [Ref]
   John was the town clerk, justice of the peace and a captain of the militia in Norwich. [Ref, 15;118]
   some descendants of Capt. John Fitch
9. Jeremiah Fitch was born in Sep 1670 in Norwich. [Ref] He died in Coventry between 8 Mar 1736, when he signed his will, and 23 Jun 1736, when it was proved. [Ref, 15;119] He married Ruth Unknown. [Ref, 15;118]
   Jeremiah moved to Lebanon and then to Coventry. [Ref, 15;119]
   some descendants of Jeremiah Fitch
10. Rev. Jabez Fitch was born [Ref, about 1671] in Sep 1672 in Norwich. [Ref] He died on 22 Nov 1746 [Ref][Ref, p. 6] in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. [Ref, 15;118] He married Elizabeth Appleton on 26 Jul 1704. [Ref] Elizabeth, the daughter of John Appleton and Elizabeth (Rogers) Appleton, was born on 23 Apr 168. [Ref] in Ipswich. [Ref, p. 6] She was the garanddaughter of John Rogers of Ipswich, the president of Harvard. [Ref, p. 6] She died on 18 Oct 1765. [Ref][Ref, p. 6]
    Jabez graduated from Harvard College in 1694. [Ref] He was a colleague of Rev. John Rogers at Ipswich until 13 Dec 1724. [Ref] In the summer of 1725 he went to Portsmouth where he succeeded Rev. Nathaniel Rogers. [Ref]
    some descendants of Rev. Jabez Fitch
11. Anne Fitch was born in Apr 1675 [Ref] in Norwich. [Ref] She died on 17 Oct 1715. [Ref] She married Joseph Bradford on 5 Oct 1698 in Lebanon. [Ref] [Ref] argues that the records prove that it was Joseph, not his half-brother Thomas, as claimed by Ref]
    Anne and Joseph lived in Lebanon. [Ref]
    
12. Capt. Nathaniel Fitch was born in Oct 1679 in Norwich. [Ref] He died on 14 May 1759 and is buried in the ancient graveyard at Lebanon, New London, Connecticut. He married first Anne Abel [Ref, 15;120] on 10 Dec 1701 in Lebanon. [Ref] Anne was the daughter of Joshua and Mehitable (Smith) Abel. [Ref, 15;120] She was born on 2 Apr 1681 in Norwich. [Ref, 15;120] Anne, the daughter of Joshua Abel of Norwich and wife of Capt. Nathaniel Fish, died on 3 Jul 1728 [Ref, 15;120], age 48, [Ref] and is buried in the ancient graveyard at Lebanon. [Ref] Nathaniel married second Mindwell Tisdale of Lebanon on 5 Oct 1698. [Ref, 15;120] Mrs. Mindwell Fitch, the relict of Capt. Nathaniel Fish, died on 1 Sep 1769, age 77 years and 4 months, and is buried in the ancient graveyard at Lebanon. [Ref] Nathaniel's headstone says:
    "Here Lies the Body of Captn Nathaniel Fitch ... who Departed May 14, 1759 in the 80th Year of his Age." [Ref]
    some descendants of Capt. Nathaniel Fish
13. Joseph Fitch was born in Nov 1681 in Norwich. [Ref] He died on 9 May 1741, age 60, and is buried in the ancient graveyard at Lebanon. [Ref] He married first his first cousin Sarah Mason. [Ref, 15;118] Sarah was the daughter of Maj. Samuel Mason and his first wife and the granddaughter of Maj. John Mason. [Ref, 15;118] She died before 1721. [Ref, 15;121] He married second Ann Whiting [Ref, 15;118] on 29 Dec 1721 in Lebanon. [Ref]
    Joseph's headstone says:
    "Here lyes the Body of Mr. Joseph the son to the Reverand Mr. Jeames Fitch ... who Departed this life May 9th ... 1741 in the 60 year of his age." [Ref]
    some descendants of Joseph Fitch
    
14. Eleazer Fitch was born on 14 May 1683 in Norwich. [Ref] He died in 1747, leaving no children. [Ref, 15;118] He is buried in the ancient graveyard at Lebanon. [Ref] He married his first cousin Martha Brown. [Ref, 15;118] Martha was the daughter of Capt. John and Anne (Mason) Brown. [Ref, 15;118] She was born on 20 Nov 1681. [Ref, 15;119]
    Eleazer was deacon of the church at Lebanon. [Ref, 15;118]

Generation 9

MAJ. JAMES FITCH (1649-1727) of Canterbury

Parents: Rev. James Fitch and Abigail Whitfield

Maj. James Fitch was born on 2 Aug 1649 in Saybrook. [Ref] He died on 10 Nov 1727, age 79, and is buried in the Cleveland Cemetery in Canterbury. [Ref] He married first [his step-mother's sister] Elizabeth Mason in Jan 1676/7 in Norwich. [Ref][Ref] Elizabeth, the daughter of Maj. John and Anne (Peck) Mason was born in Aug 1654 in Saybrook. [Ref][Ref, p. 146] She died on 8 Oct 1684 [Ref] in Norwich. [Ref] He married second Alice Bradford on 8 May 1687 in Norwich. [Ref, Alice Adames]

It is difficult to reduce the life of the colourful Maj. Fitch to a small entry in a genealogy. For those interested in more information on this important figure in colonial Connecticut history, there is a wonderful article on him, entitled, "More Yankee than Puritan: James Fitch of Connecticut" by James M. Poteet in the New England Genealogical and Historical Register, v. 133. The author reports that the Winthrop brothers called James "Black James" and described him as a leader of "rude fellows and desperate fortune" as well as the author of "open and scandalous villanies". Two of his fellow magistrages called him a "great land pirate". The author says that he was a "politician, land speculator and disturber of the established order in colonial Connecticut." It says that "while he was never able to master the most elementary rules of punctuation, he later demonstrated a talent for invective prose and even crude poetry." He held many political offices in Connecticut. He persuaded the Mohegan chief Uncas's son Oweneco to accept him as guardian and to give him title to over a million acres of land called Quinebaug County. Gov. Winthrop acquired a competing claim from another chieftain. Fitch and Winthrop began settling rival tenants; Fitch at Canterbury and Winthrop at Plainfield. "Harsh words, lawsuits and minor acts of violence engulfed the Quinebaug." Fitch was eventually ousted.

The History of Windham County [Ref] says, "In private life, Major Fitch was genial, generous, hospitable, agreeable in manners and conversation, but somewhat over-convivial in his habits, so that he was sometimes compelled to make confessions to the Church, as well as to the State. In spite of censures and occasional suspension from communion, he retained through life his connection with the church of Norwich, though ever ready to do his part in sustaining public worship at Canterbury. The homestead at Peagscomsuck was long a noted business and social centre."

He was an early freeholder of Plainfield, living on the west side of the Quinebaug. [Ref]

It was at a meeting at his house on 25 Jun 1711 that the Canterbury church chose its first deacon. [Ref]

His headstone says (line endings arbitrary) [Ref]:

Here lies the Body of Majr James Fitch Esqr son of ye Revd Mr James Fitch Pastor first of Saybrook then of Norwich
He was born at Saybrook 1647
He was very Useful in his Military &
in His Magistracy to which he was chosen &
Served Successively many years to ye Greate Acceptance &
Advantage of His Country: being: A Gentlement of Good Parts &
very forward to Promote ye Civil &
Religious interests of it.
He died Nov. 10 1727 Aged 80 y.

A number of researchers have suggested children of Maj. James Fitch who seem doubtful: William, John, Alice and Bridget. In addition, early researchers did not include Theophilus among their children. Alice (Bradford) (Adams) Fitch's daughter Elizabeth Adams claimed that the children of James and Alice were Ebenezer, Daniel, Theophilus, Col. Jabez, Abigail, Jerusha and Lucy. This would eliminate the doubtful children and add Theophilus. A 13 May 1731 petition to the General Assembly, regarding the allocation of land, was signed by John Dyer and his wife Abigail, of Canterbury; Daniel Bissel and his wife Jerusha of Winsor, Hartford, Connecticut; Henry Cleaveland and his wife Lucy, of Canterbury; Daniel Fitch, Theophilus Fitch and Jabez Fitch of Canterbury; John Fitch and his wife Alice of Ashford, Windham, Connecticut. Daniel Bissell and John Fitch were representing the interests of John Fitch's wife Alice and James, Elijah, Eleazer, Medina, and Ebenezer Fitch, all of Ashford, who were the minor children and co-heirs of Ebenezer Fitch, late of Windham, whose guardians were John Fitch and Daniel Bissell. This suggests that the Alice and John who are sometimes thought to be Major James's children are actually Alice, the daughter of Ebenezer Fitch and the granddaughter of Major James Fitch, and her husband John, who was the son of John Fitch and grandson of Rev. James Fitch. The suggested child William is not Major James's son, but his son Daniel's son. That Theophilus is indeed a son of Major James is proved by an 8 May 1722 deed from Major James Fitch to his natural son Theophilus. [Ref] The Bridget Fitch who married Jonathan Bissell on 17 Mar 1709 is Bridget Fitch. [Ref]

Children of James Fitch and Elizabeth Mason:

1. James Fitch was born in Jan 1677/8. [Ref, 2;49][Ref] in Norwich. [Ref] He was "deceased within one week after" in Norwich.[Ref]
2. James Fitch was born on 7 Jun 1679. [Ref, 2;49, no day][Ref] in Norwich. [Ref] He died early and unmarried. [Ref, 2;49] There is no further record of him. [Ref]
3. Jedidiah Fitch [Ref, 2;49] was born on 17 Apr 1681. [Ref] in Norwich. [Ref] He died on 20 Nov 1756 in Nantucket. [Ref] He married Abigail Coffin on 13 Sep 1701 [Ref] in Newbury. [Ref, Jedidiah of Norwich and Abigail are described as residents of Newbury] Abigail was the daughter of Peter Coffin [Ref] and Elizabeth Starbuck. [Ref] She was the granddaughter of Peter Coffin and the great-granddaughter of Tristram Coffin. [Ref] In the Canterbury records his wife is called Elizabeth. [Ref] She died on 27 or 28 (5) 1736 in Nantucket. [Ref]
   some descendants of Jedidiah Fitch
4. Samuel Fitch was born on 12 Jul 1683 [Ref, 2;49][Ref] in Norwich. [Ref] He died in 1729 in Hopewell, New Jersey. [Ref] He married Mary Unknown.
   Samuel lived in Hopewell, New Jersey. [Ref]

Children of James Fitch and Alice Bradford:

6. Abigail Fitch was born on 22 Feb 1687/8 in Norwich. [Ref][Ref][Ref] She died on 19 My 1759 in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref] She is buried in the Carey Cemetery in Canterbury. Click here to see a photo of her grave. She married Col. John Dyer of Windham, Windham, Connecticut on 22 Oct 1713 [Ref] in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref][Ref] John, the son of Joseph and Hannah (Baxter) Dyar was born on 9 Ap 1692 in Weymouth and died on 25 Feb 1779 in Canterbury. [Ref] He was the grandson of Thomas Dyar. [Ref] He is buried in the Carey Cemetery. Clickhere to see a photo of his grave. Col. John Dyer married second Johannah Leffingwell on 4 Oct 1759 in Canterbury. [Ref]
   Col. John was the leading figure opposed to the revivalists in Canterbury: see the entry on Canterbury and the Awakening on the Bacon page. Col. Dyer held more than a dozen town offices. He was constable three times; he was a selectman seven times. He was deputy to the General Assembly five years in the early 1720s, in 1733 and then all but three years from 1739 to 1756. He was regularly justice of the peace. He was one of the wealthier men in Canterbury with an estate of £840. [Ref]
   some descendants if Abigail Fitch
7. Ebenezer Fitch was born on 10 Jan 1689/90 in Norwich. [Ref][Ref][Ref] He died on 20 Nov 1724 in Windsor, Connecticut. [Ref][Ref] He married Bridget Brown on 18 Sep 1712 [Ref] in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref]
   some descendants of Ebenezer Fitch
8. Daniel Fitch was born in Feb 1692/3 in Norwich. [Ref][Ref][Ref] He died on 3 Aug 1752 in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref] He married Anne Cook on 5 Mar 1718/9 in Killingly, Windham, Connecticut. [Ref] or in Canterbury. [Ref] She died on 27 Jul 1735 in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref][Ref]
   Daniel and Anne were admitted to the Congregational Church in Canterbury on 18 Jun 1720. [Ref, p. 41]
   some descendants of Daniel Fitch
9. Jerusha Fitch was born about 1696 in Canterbury. [Ref] She died on 19 Feb 1780 in Windsor. [Ref] She married Daniel Bissell of Windsor on 18 Mar 1718 [Ref] in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref] The Windsor records say that Daniel Jr. of Windsor married Jerusha Fitch of Canterbury on that day. [Ref] Daniel, the son of Daniel and Margaret (Dewey) Bissell, was born on 31 Oct 1694 in Windsor and died there on 11 Nov 1770. [Ref] Daniel was the grandson of John Bissell and the great-grandson of John Bissell. [Ref]
   Jersusha was admitted to the Congregational Church in Canterbury on 7 Jul 1717. [Ref, p. 40]
   some descendants of Jerusha Fitch
10. Lucy Fitch was born about 1698 in Canterbury. [Ref] She was living on 8 Nov 1770. [Ref] She married first Henry Cleveland on 19 Mar 1719 in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref] She married an unknown second husband after 8 Nov 1770. [Ref][Ref]
11. Theophilus Fitch was born about 1701. [Ref] He died in Canterbury on 20 Jul 1751. [Ref, "died awfully"][Ref] He married first Mary Huntington on 15 Dec 1731 in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref] Mary, the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Adgate) Huntington, was born on 4 Aug 1707 in Windham and died on 12 Mar 1732/3 in Canterbury. [Ref] She was the granddaughter of Simon Huntington and the great-granddaughter of Simon Huntington. [Ref] Theophilus married second Grace (Prentice) Grant on 2 Oct 1734 in Stonington. [Ref][Ref] Grace, the daugher of Samuel and Esther (Hammond) Prenctice and the widow of Josiah Grant, was born on 26 Jan 1704 in Newton. [Ref] She was the granddaughter of Thomas Prentice and the great-granddaughter of Thomas Prentice. [Ref]
    Some descendants of Theophilus Fitch
    
12. Col. Jabez Fitch was born on 30 Jan 1702 in Canterbury. He was baptised on 7 Jun 1702 in Preston. He died on 31 or 3 Jan 1784 in Canterbury. He married first Lydia Gale. He married second Elizabeth Darbe. He married third the widow Rebecca King.

Generation 10

COL. JABEZ FITCH (1702- 1784) of Canterbury

Parents: Major James Fitch and Alice Bradford

Col. Jabez Fitch was born on 30 Jan 1702 in Canterbury. [Ref] He was baptised on 7 Jun 1702 in Preston, New London, Connecticut. [Ref] He died on 31 or 3 [Ref] Jan 1784 and is buried in the Cleveland Cemetery in Canterbury. [Ref] Click here to see a photo of his grave. He married first Lydia Gale on 29 May 1722 in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref, p. 98][Ref] He married second Elizabeth Darbe on 14 Jan 1754 in Canterbury. [Ref] He married third the widow Rebecca King.

Jabez and Lydia Fitch owned the covenant in the Canterbury church on 23 Jun 1723. [Ref, p. 103] In Feb 1744/5 Capt. Jabez Fitch was recommended to and accepted as a member of the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref] On 8 Aug 1783 a meeting of the First Congregational Church of Canterbury read and accepted Col. Jabez Fitch's letter from the Second Church of Christ in Canterbury. [Ref]

Jabez held eleven town offices and was deputy thirteen years from 1734 to 1756. [Ref]

Jabez's will, dated 10 Dec 1783 and proved 10 Feb 1784, names his sons Jabez and Asahel; his daughters Jerusha, Lydia and Lucy; the heirs of his son Perez, late of Stamford; the heirs of his daughter Alice, deceased, the late wife of Rev. James Cogswell. [Ref]

His headstone says (line endings arbitrary) [Ref]:

Sacred to the memory of Coll. Jabez Fitch who for many years Sustained with integrity &
honor the offices of Justice of the Peace & quorum & Judge of Probate
After a long life of usefulness & reputation, he fell asleep in Jesus, Jan 31st, 1784 in the 81st year of his age.

Children of Jabez Fitch and Lydia Gale:

1. Jerusha Fitch was born on 30 Jan 1722/3 in Canterbury. [Ref] She was baptised on 23 Jun 1723 in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref, p. 57] She married Fixhall (Tyxhall) Ensworth on 6 Dec 1742 in Canterbury. [Ref] Tyxhall, the son of John and Elizabeth (Cleveland) Ensworth, was born on 19 Dec 1717 in Canterbury. [Ref] He died there on 6 Jan 1776. [Ref]
   some descendants of Jerusha Fitch
2. Alice Fitch was born on 8 Jan 1724/5 in Canterbury. [Ref] She was baptised on 11 Apr 1725 in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref, p. 59] She died on 8 Apr 1772. [Ref] She is buried in the Old Scotland Cemetery in Scotland, Windham, Connecticut. [Ref] Click here to see a photo of her grave. She married Rev. Dr. James Cogswell on 24 Apr 1745 in Canterbury. [Ref] James was born in 1720 in Saybrook. [Ref, p. 2] He died on 2 Jan 1807 at the home of his son Dr. Mason Fitch Cogswell. [Ref, p. 2] He is buried in the Goshen Cemetery in Lebanon, New London, Connecticut. [Ref] He married second Martha Lothrop. [Ref] Martha was the daughter of Col. Simon and Martha (Lothrop) Lothrop. [Ref] She was born on 17 May 1716 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut. [Ref] She died on 6 Dec 1795 in Windham. [Ref] She married first Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Devotion of Scotland. [Ref, p. 2, no first name][Ref] She is buried in the Old Scotland Cemetery. [Ref] James married third the widow Irena Hebard. [Ref, p. 2] Irena was born on 11 Feb 1729 in Windham. [Ref] She died on 24 Feb 1804 in Windham. [Ref]
   Rev. James graduated from Yale College in 1742. [Ref, p. 2] He became pastor of the Congretational Church in Canterbury on 28 Dec 1744. [Ref, p. 132] He settled in Scotland from 1772 to 1804. [Ref, p. 2] Afterward, he moved to Hartford. [Ref, p. 2]
   some descendants of Alice Fitch
   
3. Dr. Perez Fitch was born on 5 Dec 1726 [Ref] in Canterbury. [Ref says () Dec ] He was baptised on 11 Dec 1726 in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref, p. 61] He died between 2 Aug 1773, when he signed his will, and 22 Feb 1775, when it was proved. [Ref, pp. 678-9] He married Martha Coggeshall of Preston on 4 Sep 1753 [Ref, pp. 678-9] in Stamford. [Ref] Perhaps she is the Martha, daughter of Edward Cogswell, who was born on 11 Nov 1728 in Preston. [Ref] Martha died on 12 Jan 1812, age 84. [Ref, pp. 678-9] She married second as his second wife Hon. Abraham Davenport of Stamford [Ref, pp. 678-9] on 8 Aug 1776 in Stamford. [Ref][Ref, pp. 210-5] Abraham was the son of Rev. John Davenport. ][Ref, pp. 210-5] He was born in 1715. [Ref, pp. 210-5] He died on 20 Nov 1789. [Ref, pp. 678-9, only the year][Ref, pp. 210-5] Abraham marrried first Elizabeth Huntington of Windham on 16 Nov 1750. [Ref, pp. 210-5] in Stamford. [Ref] She died on 17 Nov 1773 [Ref, pp. 210-5] in Stamford. [Ref] Martha married third Dr. Mead. [Ref, pp. 678-9]
   Perez was admitted to the Congregational Church in Canterbury on 19 May 1753. [Ref]
   Perez settled in Stamford as a physician. [Ref, pp. 678-9] He was commissioned a captain in the militia in 1759. [Ref, pp. 678-9]
   Perez's estate was inventoried at 634 pounds, but expenses and debts slightly exceeded this. [Ref, pp. 678-9]
   some descendants of Perez Fitch
4. Dr. Jabez Fitch was born on 23 May 1729 in Norwich. [Ref] He married Lydia Huntington of Norwich on 22 Aug 1754 in Canterbury. [Ref] Lydia was the daughter of Dea. Ebenezer Huntington. [Ref]
   Jabez, Jr. was a member of the church in Canterbury on 18 Aug 1751. [Ref, p. 119] Lydia, the wife of Jabez Fitch, Jr., was accepted in the church in Canterbury on 27 Jan 1760. [Ref, p. 121] Dr. Jabez Fitch was chosen deacon 25 Jan 1771 in the church in Canterbury. [Ref, p. 174]
   On 8 Aug 1783 a meeting of the first Congregational Church of Canterbury considered a charge brought against Jabez by William Bacon "respecting Peter Kindals having the Small pox &c as may appear more fully By sd Complaint on file after hearing the parties & the Evidences at large upon the Subject: the Consideration of the matter was Deferd..." On 13 Aug he was unanimously voted not guilty and voted Clerk of the church. [Ref]
   some descendants of Jabez Fitch
5. Lydia Fitch was baptised on 27 Jan 1734. She died on 14 Jul 1820. She married Phinehas Adams.
6. Lucy Fitch was born on 24 Jun 1736 [Ref] in Canterbury. [Ref] She was baptised on 27 Jun 1736 in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref, p. 71] She died on 27 Feb 1814. [Ref][Ref, p. 517] She is buried in the Old Mansfield Cemetery in Mansfield, Tolland, Connecticut. [Ref] She married Dr. David Adams on 29 Oct 1761 [Ref, p. 517] in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref, p. 170]
   On 9 Mar 1755 Lucy was recommended to and accepted as a member in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref]
7. Dr. Asahel Fitch was baptised on 27 Aug 1738 in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref, p. 73] He died on 31 Mar 1793 [Ref], age 56, in Redding., Fairfield, Connecticut. [Ref, 2;343][Ref, age 55] He is buried in the Great Pasture Road Cemetery in Redding. [Ref] Dr. Asahel Fitch married Hannah Lockwood [Ref] of Wilton, Fairfield, Connecticut on 4 Oct 1764. [Ref, 2;343]
   Dr. Asahel Fitch was a surgeon's mate in the 5th Regiment Connecticut Line in the Northern Campaign in 1775. [Ref] He was chosen constable in Redding on 15 Jun 1767. [Ref] He was appointed to "to take care and provide as the law directs for Nathan Coley's family" on 8 May 1778. [Ref] At the same time he and Capt. Zalmon Read were appointed to provide "shirts, shoes, stockins and other articles of clothing for the Continental soldiers." [Ref]  He was one of the nine members of a committed appointed "to procure and hire nine soldiers to enlist into the Connecticut Line in the Continental army, for the town of Redding"  on 23 Jan 1780. [Ref] He appears on a petitioners list in 1780 in Redding. [Ref] He served as a private in the 4th Connecticut Militia Campaign. [Ref]
   some descendants of Dr. Asahel Fitch
8. Abigail Fitch was baptised on 19 April 1741 in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref, p. 76] She died on 1 May 1749 in Canterbury. [Ref]

Generation 11

LYDIA FITCH (d. 1820)

Parents: Col. Jabez Fitch and Lydia Gale [Ref, p. 147]

Lydia Fitch was baptised on 27 Jan 1734 [Ref, p. 147] in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref, p. 68] She died on 14 July 1820 [Ref, p. 147], age 85, and is buried in the Baldwin Cemetery in Canterbury. She married Phinehas Adams [Ref] on 31 Dec 1751 [Ref, p. 147] in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref, p. 169][Ref]

On 15 Oct 1752 Lydia, the wife of Phinehas Adams, was admitted into the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref]

Very Early Fitches

Fitch [Ref, p. 2, 44-45] provides an alleged descent of our Fitches from the de Gernons:

William the Conqueror gave the manor of Wraysbury to his relative Robert de Gernon as part of his barony. The head of the barony was a castle at Stanstead-Montfichet, co. Essex.

William de Montfitchet was the youngest son of Robert. He assumed the name "Montfichet". He married Margaret, daughter of Gilbert, second Lord of Clare.

Gilbert de Montfichet was the son of William de Montfichet.

Richard de Montfichet was the son of Gilbert de Montfichet. He was one of the barons at Runnymead in 1225. In 1236 he was Justice of the Royal Forest in Essex. In 1242 he was High Sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire and Governor of Hertford Castle.

Roger de Montfichet of Wraysbury was the third son of Richard de Montfichet.

John Fitche was the son of Roger de Montfichet. He was granted armourial bearings in 1263. He was of "Fitch Castle in the North" in 1294. He was of Widdington, Essex.

Fitch [Ref, pp. 2-3] believes that the records are sufficient to declare that John Fitche is an ancestor of our Fitches, but not that John was a descendant of the de Gernons or the de Montfichets.

References

Ancestry.com, Connecticut, Deaths and Burials Index, 1650-1934, online database, Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Adams, Andrew N., A Genealogical History of Henry Adams, of Braintree, Mass., and his descendants: also John Adams, of Cambridge, Mass., 1632-1897, unknown, Adams, 1898.

Appleton, William S.. A Genealogy of the Appleton Family, Boston, Press of T.R. Marvin & Son, 1874.

Bailey, Frederick W., Early Connecticut Marriages, Baltimore, MD, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1997. Online: Ancestry.com, Provo, UT, The Generations Network, Inc., 2006.

Barbour Vital Records for Windham County Connecticut, Windham County, CT USGenWeb Project.

Brainard, Hower, W., "Captain Joseph Fitch," The American Genealogist 14, 1937, 87-96.

Canterbury Connecticut Church History, Connecticut Genealogy Website, www.connecticutgenealogy.com.

Caulkins, Frances Manwaring, History of Norwich, Connecticut: From its possession by the Indians to the year 1866, New London, The friends of the author, 1874.

Cutter, William Richard, Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation, New York: Lewis Publishing co., 1911.

Davenport, Benedict, History and Genealogy of the Davenport Family, New York,l S. W. Benedict, 1851.

Davis, Emerson, "Descendants of Rev. Edward Taylor of Westfield, Mass.," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 2, 1848.

A Descendant, "Genealogical Memoir of the Family of Rev. Nathaniel Rogers," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 5, 1851, 105-152, 311-330.

Demise Between Jeremy Fitch and John Reeve, Essex Records Office

Durrell, Harold Clarke, "Louis Henry Fitch," Memoirs section, New England Historical and Genealogical Register 96, 1942, 297.

Editors, "Early Settlers of Plainfield," New England and Historical Register 14, 1861, 53.

Editors, "Family Record of John Appleton and Elizabeth (Rogers) Appleton, of Ipswich, Mass.," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 27, 1873, 36-40.

Editors, "First Settlement of Norwich, Ct.," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 1, 1847, 314-5.

Eno, Joel, N., "Connecticut Cemetery Inscriptions," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 71, 1917, 176-187; 74, 1920, 53-75.

Feoffment: William Brock to Thomas Fitch, Essex Records Office.

Fessenden, G.M., "A Genealogy of the Bradford Family," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 4, 1850.

Fiske, William Wyman, "Clark and Stacy Origins of Three Immigrants to Ipswich, Massachusetts: Simon and Elizabeth (Clarke) Stacy and her sister Susanna (Clarke) Whipple," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 160, 2006, 17 - 29.

Fitch, Roscoe Conkling, History of the Fitch family A.D. 1400-1930: A record of the Fitches in England and America, including "pedigree of Fitch" certified by the College of Arms, London, Haverhill, MA, Record Pub. Co., 1930.

Greenlaw, Lucy Hall, "Early Generations of the Brewster Family," New Engand Historical and Genealogical Register 53, 1899.

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