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Reverend James Fitch  (c. 1622–1702), son of Thomas Fitch and Anne Reeve

Abigail Whitfield (bp. 1622–1659), daughter of Reverend Henry Whitfield and Dorothy Sheafe

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The Reverend James Fitch was born about 1622. He died on 18 (church record) or 19 (town record) November 1702 in Lebanon, New London County, Connecticut. [1] Mr. James Fitch of Saybrook married first Mrs. Abigail Whitfield, the daughter of Mr. Henry Whitford of Guilford in October 1648 in Norwich. [2] Mr. James Fitch, the pastor of the Church of Christ at Norwich married second Mrs. Priscilla Mason, the daughter of Major Mason of Norwich in October 1664 in Norwich. [2] Priscilla was also the daughter of Ann Peck, the daughter of Reverend Robert Peck. [3]

Abigail, the daughter of Reverend Henry Whitfield and Dorothy Sheafe, was baptized on 1 September 1622 in Ockley, county Surrey. [4] Mrs. Abigail Fitch died on 9 September 1659 in Saybrook or Norwich. [1][2]

According to the Old Saybrook church records, James came to New England from Boking, Essex. He was the first ordained pastor at Saybrook in 1646. He moved to Norwich in 1660. He died on 18 November 1702, age 80. [5]

The 15 May 1656 court at Hartford granted Mr. James Finch a farm of between 200 and 300 acres at Menunketeseck, so far as it was within their power to do so. [6]

The General Court at Hartford on 11 March 1657/8 appointed William Waller to forthwith "make due satisfaction to those who are appointed by the Townesmen of Seabrook to levy the rate for Mr. Fitches Maintenance, or otherwise to make his appearance at the Gen: Court in May next to give an account of his neglect." [6, 1:312]

In 1660 James led a portion of his Saybrook congregation into the wilderness to settle the town of Norwich. [7]

The court granted 100 acres of upland and 20 acres of meadow to Mr. James Fitch of Norwich on 11 October 1666. James subsequently purchased the native right in this grant from the Uncas, Owaneco and Attawanhood, to be taken up as close to the farm of Major Mason at Pomacook as convenient. The court granted a patent to Major Mason and Mr. Fitch for their lands at Pomacook in 1686. [6]

On 16 May 1668, the court, in order to promote peace in the churches and plantations appointed Mr. James Fitch to a committee to meet at Saybrook or Norwich on 8 or 9 June and consider how to promote peace in the churches despite some differences over such matters as membership and baptism. On 8 October 1668 James was appointed to a committee to meet with the inhabitants of Windsor and attempt to restore peace in the church there. [6]

Mr. James Fitch was on a 5 October 1669 list of freemen in Norwich. [6]

James Fitch devoted himself to missionary work among the Indians of Connecticut—especially the Mohegans. He learned their language and directed his energy at converting the sachem Uncas and his son Owaneco. [7]

On 14 May 1674 the court thanked James for preaching the election sermon. On 13 May 1675 they granted to James Fitch, Sr. and Lieutenant John Mason each 200 acres of land that had been given to them by the Indians. [6]

Reverend Mr. Fitch was chosen minister of the army on 11 May 1677. [6] He played an important role providing intelligence and as a go-between for the court and the Indians during King Philip's War and helped maintain their loyalty.

Reverend James Fitch was one of those admitted to the First Congregational Church in Norwich between 1660 and 1699. [5]

The town of of Lebanon began when Reverend James Fitch bought the "Mile" from Owaneco in 1687. James moved to Lebanon in 1702, the year of his death. Six of his sons received land there and four lived there. [8]

Children of Reverend James Fitch and Abigail Whitford: Births recorded in Saybrook and Norwich. [1][2]

i. Major James Fitch was born on 2 August 1649. He died on 10 November 1727. He married first Elizabeth Mason. He married second Alice Bradford.

ii. Abigail Fitch was born on 6 August 1650. Abigail, the wife of John Buttolph, died on 5 June 1687, age 27 [probably an error for 37] in Wethersfield. [9] Abigail married first her stepmother's brother Captain John Mason. [3][9] He was born in August 1646 in Windsor. [3] She probably married second as his second wife Lieutenant John Buttolph on 27 June 1682 in Wethersfield. [9][10] John, the son of Thomas and Ann (Harding) Buttolph and grandson of John and Mary Harding of Boreham, Essex, was born on 28 February 1639/40 in Boston. [10] He was baptized on 1 March 1639/40 in the First Church. [9] He died on 14 January 1692/3 in Wethersfield. [9] He married first Hannah, the daughter of George Gardner and granddaughter of Thomas Gardner, on 16 October 1663 in Salem. [9][10] She died on 26 June 1681 in Wethersfield He married third Susanna (Clark) (Kelly) Sanford between October 1687 and 20 March 1692. [9][10] Susanna was the widow of James Kelly of Hartford and Nathaniel Sanford, who died in 1687. [9]

John Mason was severely wounded at the great swamp fight at Narraganssett on 19 December 1675 and died of the effects a few months later. [16] John Mason represented Norwich several times in the legislature and was an Assistant. [17]

Lieutenant John Buttolph was a glover. [9] He 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. [18]

iii. Elizabeth Fitch was born on 2 January 1651. She died on 7 July 1689. [11][19] She married Reverend Edward Taylor on 5 September 1674. [5][11] Edward was born in 1642 in Sketelby, Leicestershire. [11] He died on 29 June 1729, age 87. [11] Edward and Ruth are buried in the Old Burying Ground in Westfield, Hampden, Massachusetts. [19] He married second Ruth Wyllys of Hartford in 1692. [11] Ruth was the daughter of Samuel Wyllys. [11] She died in January 1730. [11] She was the granddaughter of John Haynes, first the governor of Massachusetts and then the first governor of Connecticut and his wife Mabel Harlakenden. [20]

Elizabeth was one of those admitted to the First Congregational Church in Norwich between 1660 and 1699. [5]

Edward came to New England in 1668. [11]

Edward left England in 1668, having declined to take the oath required of dissenters after the restoration of Charles II. [11][20] He kept a diary and recorded that he left Execution Dock in Wapping on 26 April 1668. [20] He arrived in Boston on 5 July and spent two nights at the house of Increase Mather. [20] He studied for three years at Harvard. [20] He went to Westfield as both a physician and minister, arriving on 1 December 1671. [20] He was ordained on 27 August 1679. [11]

He wrote a love letter to Elizabeth Fitch on 8 September 1674, addressed to her at her father's house in Norwich. [Ref, p. 12, transcribed on pp. 16-9] The letter is transcribed in Terry and Nason [20, 16–19] The authors note that it is in two parts. "The body of the first part was a square inclosing a triangle, and in the center of all a heart. A ring wa also drawn upon the paper wih the words, 'Love's ring I send which has no end.' Rising from the center of the square at the top was a dove of exquisite workmanship holding an olive-branch in its mouth, and these lines were written upon the body of the dove so small as to be scarecely legible. 'This Dove and Olive branch to you / Is both a Post and emblem too.'" [20, 15–16]

iv. Hannah Fitch was born on 17 December 1653. She married Thomas Mix on 30 June 1677 in Norwich. [2]

v. Samuel Fitch was born in the beginning of March 1655. He married Mary Brewster on 28 November 1678. [12] Mary was the daughter of Benjamin Brewster. [12] She was born on 10 December 1660. [12]

vi. Dorothy Fitch was born in April 1658. She married Nathaniel Bissell on 4 July 1683 in Windsor, Hartford County. [1]

Nathaniel was the son of John Bissell. [21] He was baptised on 27 Sep 1640 in Windsor. [1] He married first Mindwell Moore [21] of Windsor on 25 September 1662. [1] Mindwell died on 24 November 1682 in Windsor. [1]

Children of Reverend James Fitch and Priscilla Mason: All births recorded in Norwich. [2]

viii. John Fitch was born in January 1667/8 in Norwich or Windham. [1] He died on 24 May 1743, probably in Windham. He married Elizabeth Watterman on 10 July 1695 in Windham. [1] She died on 24 June 1751, age 75, probably in Windham.

John's gravestone in the Windham Center Cemetery in Windham says: [13]

In memory of Capt. John Fitch, Esqr & 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.

Elizabeth's gravestone in the Windham Center Cemetery says: [13]

In memory of Mrs. Elisabeth Fitch Wife of Capt. John Fitch, Esqr who Died June ye 24th A.D. 1751 in ye 76th Year of her Age.

John Fitch of Windham was admitted to the First Congregational Church in Norwich and owned the covenant in 1700. [2] He was the town clerk, justice of the peace and a captain of the militia in Norwich. [17]

ix. Jeremiah Fitch was born in September 1670. He died in Coventry between 8 March 1736, when he signed his will, and 23 June 1736, when it was proved. [17] He married Ruth Unknown. [17]

Jeremiah moved to Lebanon and then to Coventry. [17]

Joseph and Anne Settled in Norwich and later moved to Lebanon. [14]

xii. Captain Nathaniel Fitch was born in October 1679. He died on 14 May 1759 and is buried in the ancient graveyard at Lebanon, New London, Connecticut. He married first Ann Abel on 10 December 1701 in Lebanon. [1] Anne was the daughter of Joshua and Mehitable (Smith) Abel. [17] Ann, the wife of Captain Nathaniel, died on 3 July 1728, age 47, in Lebanon. [1] Captain Nathaniel married second Mindwell Tisdale on 17 September 1729 in Lebanon. [1] 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. [25]

Nathaniel's headstone says: [26]

Here Lies the Body of Captn Nathaniel Fitch ... who Departed May 14, 1759 in the 80th Year of his Age.

Ann's gravestone in the Windham Center Cemetery says: [13]

In memory of Mrs. Ann Fitch widow of Mr. Joseph Fitch late of Lebanon Deceased who exchanged this world for a better Sept. 23d 1778 in ye 83d year of her Age.

xiv. Eleazer Fitch was born on 14 May 1683. He died in 1747, leaving no children. [17] He is buried in the ancient graveyard at Lebanon. [25] He married his first cousin Martha Brown. [17] Martha was the daughter of Captain John and Anne (Mason) Brown. [17] She was born on 20 Nov 1681. [17]

Eleazer was deacon of the church at Lebanon. [17]

References:

1. "Connecticut: Vital Records (The Barbour Collection), 1630–1870," online database, AmericanAncestors.org > Lebanon, 62; Saybrook, 50; Windsor, 33, 100; Preston, 241; Windham, 88–91.

2. Vital Records of Norwich, 1659–1848 (Hartford: Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut, 1913), vol. 1: 6, 38–42.

3. "The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620–1633, Volumes I-III," digitized book, AmericanAncestors.org, originally published as: Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, 3 volumes (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1995), 1225–30.

4. Mary Lovering Holman, "The Sheafe Line," The American Genealogist 22 (1945): 85–94.

5. "Connecticut, U.S., Church Record Abstracts, 1630–1920, database with images, Ancestry > Old Saybrook, 96; Norwich, 131–3.

6. J. Hammond Trumble, The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut, vol. 1 (Hartford: Brown & Parsons, 1850; vol. 2 (Hartford: F.A. Brown, 1852), vol. 3 (Case, Lockwood, & Co., 1859).

7. James M. Poteet, "More Yankee Than Puritan: James Fitch of Connecticut," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 133 (1979): 102–17.

8. "Great Migration Newsletter," online database, AmericanAncestors > volume 11 (2002), page 5.

9. George McCracken, "Thomas Buttolph's Earlier Descendants," The American Genealogist 58 (1892): 129–40.

10. "Great Migration 1634–1635, A–B," digitized book, AmericanAncestors.org, originally published as:  Robert Charles Anderson,, George F. Sanborn, Jr., and Melinde Lutz Sanborn, The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634–1635, Volume I, A–B (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1999), 519–20.

11. Emerson Davis, "Descendants of Rev. Edward Taylor of Westfield, Mass.," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 2 (1848): 395–6.

12. Lucy Hall Greenlaw, "Early Generations of the Brewster Families," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 53 (1899): 283–8.

13. Joel E. Eno, “Connecticut Cemeteries: Windham Centre Cemetery,” New England Historical and Genealogical Register 71 (1917): 176–87.

14. Reuben H. Walworth, "Minutes Relative to the Bradford Family," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 14 (1860): 174–5.

15. James Wade Ferris Collins, "The Family and American Descendants of Deacon Edward Collins of Cambridge, Medford and Charlestown, Massachusetts," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 174 (2020): 184–8.

16. 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), 146.

17. Reuben H. Walworth, "Mason Family," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 15 (1861): 118.

18. George E. McCracken, "Lieutentant John Buttolph's Second Wife," The American Genealogist 40 (1964), 50-54, 172-182.

19. Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 06 April 2023). Memorial page for Elizabeth Fitch Taylor (Jan 1651–7 Jul 1689), Memorial ID 17966073, citing Old Burying Ground, Westfield; Maintained by LookingForFamily (contributor 47127361) and Rev Edward Taylor (1642–24 Jun 1729), Memorial ID 18551120, citing Old Burying Ground; Maintained by Linda Joyce Oldenborg-Smith (contributor 47536762).

20. John Taylor Terry and Emma C. Nason, Rev. Edward Taylor, 1642-1729 (New York: privately printed, 1892).

21. Gale Ion Harris, "The Children of Capt. Joseph and Mary (Stone) Fitch of Hartford and Windsor, Connecticut," The American Genealogist 68 (1993), 1–10, 95–105.

22. A Descendant, "Genealogical Memoir of the Family of Rev. Nathaniel Rogers," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 5 (1851): 105–52, 311–30.

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

24. William S. Appleton, A Genealogy of the Appleton Family (Boston: Press of T.R. Marvin & Son, 1874), 6.

25. J.D. Champlin, Jr., "Ancient Burial Ground at Stonington, Ct.," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 13 (1859): 23–29.

26. Joel, N. Eno, "Connecticut Cemetery Inscriptions," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 71 (1917): 176–87; 74 (1920): 53–75.

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06-Apr-2023