Born: December 24, 1622, Bocking, Essex, England
Died: November 18, 1702, Lebanon, Connecticut
Buried: Old Cemetery, Lebanon, Connecticut
Married:
1) Abigail Whitfield, October 1648 at her father's home in Guilford, Connecticut
2) Priscilla Mason, October 1664 (he was 42 and she 23)
Immigrated: 1638 settling in Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Occupation: Minister ordained in Old Saybrook, Connecticut in 1646 as the first minister.
Biographical Notes: James Fitch came to New England in 1638 at age 16 a few years after his
father's death with his mother and siblings. He prepared for the ministry under Revs. Hooker and Stone in Hartford, Connecticut. In 1646 he moved to Old Saybrook where he was ordained the first pastor at age 24. In 1660 removed with the greater part of his congregation to Norwich, Connecticut and labored there until disabled from active service from palsy in 1696. In 1702 he retired to Lebanon, Connecticut, where several of his children had settled, and where he died 18 Nov. 1702.
Rev. Mr. Fitch was "a wise, kind, and good man, greatly loved by his people, and who, during the 50 years of his ministry, exercised a beneficent and extended influence, not only in spiritual matters, but in secular affairs, in things -- pertaining to the welfare of the Colony, and the good order and prosperity of the new plantations." [Weis, Frederick. The Colonial Clergy & the Colonial Churches of New England, Lancaster, MA, 1936.]
When a part of the inhabitants of Saybrook decided to remove to Mohigan [Norwich] in 1660 it was subject of contention whether he should remain where he had been a pastor for 13 years or go with those who chose to emigrate. Both sides claimed him. Deciding for the majority not only carried him but the church organization to the banks of the Yantic near its confluence with the Shetucket where they set themselves down as a fair model of a Christian community as any in the Colony; fully equipped with a municipal organization - a church & its minister, leaving only a minority at Saybrook to start anew.
Records:
1633 - James age about 10 mentioned in his father Thomas' will, Bocking, Essex, England:
Item I give to my sonne James one hundred poundes to be paid him when he shalbe a bachelor of Art of two yeares standing in the univ[er]sity of Cambridge, for I desire he should be bredd up a scholler and alsoe I give him and my minde is that he shall have thirtie pounds a yeare paide him by my Executrix out of my lands and tenements from the tyme of his admission to be a scholler in Cambridge untill he be or have tyme there to be a master of arts.
It is possible that he did attend Cambridge as students of the period were typically 13 or 14 years of age when entering the university. The most he could have completed was the trivium, a three-year program leading to the equivalent of a bachelor's degree.1646 - Old Saybrook Colony - Previous to 1646 religious services of a public nature had been conducted by Chaplains John Higginson and Thomas Peters, in the "Great Hall" at the Fort. The burning of their place of worship early in this year precipitated action. A church organization, with a suitable structure for accommodation, were at once planned.
Mr. Hooker of Hartford was for seven years the instructor of James Fitch; a young man selected to be the spiritual guide of the anticipated church organization at Saybrook; among whose inhabitants were inhabitants were several men of influence who had followed Mr. Hooker from England to Newton, and from Newton to Hartford, and were still members of his church. Mr. Whitefield, Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone, upon invitation came to Saybrook to advise and assist in the formation of a church, and the Ordination and Installation of a minister. The method of procedure was, according to tradition the same as that adopted by the Guilford planters three years before; when they broke loose from their ancient traditions and usages, and gathered simply about Christ, as the foundation stone upon which to build anew, their father and hope.
The first step of choosing seven men to be the seven pillars, was derived from the text, "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars." These seven elect, were probably Mr. Fitch, Thos. Adgate, Wm. Pratt, Wm. Parker, Stephen Post, Matthew Griswold and Francis Bushnell; the first five still member of Mr. Hooker's church; the latter of Mr. Whitfield's; while Matthew Griswold (who donated the first communion Goblet) was a member of the Church in Windsor. These men drew up a doctrine of Faith, to which they gave formal assent, entering into Covenant with God and one another. Others joined them by making the same profession and covenant; and thus the Church at Saybrook was gathered and established.
At the ordination and installation of Mr. Fitch, though Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone were present to preach the sermon, and give the Pastor elect his charge, the imposition of hands, setting him apart as Shepherd and Bishop of the new organization, was done by its lay members. Though the word to them was full and explicit concerning the spirit, and power of Christ in the lives of his followers, they could find no provision made in the New Testament for a ceremonial religion. Nor did they adopt that radical feature of the social system of Massachusetts which founded the civil franchise on church membership.
These Puritans in common with others, have been accused of narrowness and bigotry; which to a certain extent must be allowed to be true. A horror of the evils from which they had emancipated themselves, showed itself in going to the other extreme. Their intolerance differed from what they had left, not so much in degree, as in kind. They aimed at different things. Yet human imperfection showed itself everywhere; even in their modes of worship. No holyday was recognized but the first day of the week. Christmas, Good Friday, Easter and other periodical appointments of the Church of England were scrupulously disregarded. Even their Feasts were held at irregular intervals, and Thanksgiving Days made to vary. The ministrations of religion were enforced by law, with personal attendance upon them, being regarded as conducive of the public good,and as vital to a free government, that those who sustain and enjoy it have a sense of the government of God. As one writer expresses it -- "If there was no place for them in the stately & formal service of the Church of England -- they must make a place for themselves and by themselves, and be led as they had light. They had both brains and piety to adopt irregular methods that interposed less machinery between man and his maker, shocking to the conventional sense of propriety in the cultured Simon houses, where Jesus feet were anointed with precious ointment." formal service of the Church of England -- they must make a place for themselves and by themselves, and be led as they had light. They had both brains and piety to adopt irregular methods that interposed less machinery between man and his maker, shocking to the conventional sense of propriety in the cultured Simon houses, where Jesus feet were anointed with precious ointment." formal service of the Church of England -- they must make a place for themselves and by themselves, and be led as they had light. They had both brains and piety to adopt irregular methods that interposed less machinery between man and his maker, shocking to the conventional sense of propriety in the cultured Simon houses, where Jesus feet were anointed with precious ointment."
The first Church building stood near the East end of "Middle Lane," fronting the Green at Saybrook Point, and for the civil as well as religious gatherings it accommodated was always called the "Meeting House." It was a square structure whose four roofs met in the center, where was an outlook for Sabbath Sentinels. This House of the Lord always bristled with defensive weapons. The burning of the Fort having left the place in a comparatively defenseless position, some of the artillery belonging to the town was placed near the meeting house, and every man obliged to bring his sword with him on Sabbath and Town-meeting days. None were exempted save the Pastor and Dea. Thomas Adgate.
The "United Colonies of New England" had proposed, that each individual in every town should voluntarily set down what he was willing to give toward the support of the minister; and upon refusal to pay his proportion, was rated by authority and the amount collected as in the case of other debts. Two services were held upon the Sabbath with an intermission of one hour between. These consisted of extempore prayers, singing of the Psalms in metrical version, and a sermon both forenoon and afternoon, the approved length of which was not less than sixty minutes by the hour-glass on the pulpit. Public reading of the Bible without exposition was disapproved as conforming to hierarchical service. Children were baptized in the meetinghouse the next Sunday after birth.1647 - Old Saybrook - James lived near the new meeting house on a two acre lot with a house, a barn and an orchard. It was located west of the meeting house, between the parcels belonging to Dr. John Olmstead and William Parker. In the Saybrook land records, this holding is described:
Lands of James Fitch - his dwelling house and home lot two acres more or less butting upon the high way South upon Will'm Parker's land west Christopher Huntington's land north and John Olmsted east.1650 - James' mother Anne and brothers Thomas, Samuel and Joseph arrive from England.
1654 - Fitch wrote a twenty page catechism which is now owned by the Connecticut Historical Society. The first page reads:
Q. It is naturall to desire the preservation of life, but what is life?
A. An inward ability of selfe acting.
Q. What are the severall sorts of life?
A. They are especially fine - 1. a moving life; 2. a growing life; 3. a sensitive life; 4. a rationall life; 5. a godly life.
Q. What is a godly life?
A. An acting according unto God, for God, & from GOd.
Q. What rules teach men thus to live?
A. The rules of divinity & religion.
Q. What is necessary to the leading a godly life?
A. 1. Faith in God; 2. Obedience unto God
Q. What is faith in God?
A. The first part of devinity whereby . . .1656, Jan. 21 - Old Saybrook - Land division, between 135 to 150 acres for James Fitch:
Layed out for Mr. Fitch by us whose names are subscribed being appoynted by the Inhabitants of Saebrooke, wee say layed out a piece of land belonging to Homonosick comonly called by the name of menunketesek, viz: of upland one hundred & fifty acres more or less abutting east uppon the River cal[l]ed menunkatesek River - & [eastly(?)] uppon some meadowe adjacent to that aforesayd [River?] & on the South abutting upon the meadowe adjacent to the sea [Long Island Sound] - lying sixscore rod more or less from the River aforesayd, & on the west it abutteth uppon Homonosick lande running from the sea north & twelvescore rod, & from thence running w'th an east line to the meadowe sixty rod, & all the meadowe lying within this lyne, Viz:all the meadow on the southsyde of this upland abutting on the sea - south & east to menunketesek river - & all the meadow on the eastsyde of this uplande abutting on the aforesayd River on the East - & one piece of meadowe on the Northsyde of this uplande, [illegible] lying within the aforesayde lyne running east from the upland directly to the aforesayd River - wee have layed out all the above mentioned pieces of meadowe to the aforesayd uplande - wee say - by us layed out according to order - John Clark, Stephen Post, the mark X of William Hide, Robert Chapman. [illegible] lying within the aforesayde lyne running east from the upland directly to the aforesayd River - wee have layed out all the above mentioned pieces of meadowe to the aforesayd uplande - wee say - by us layed out according to order - John Clark, Stephen Post, the mark X of William Hide, Robert Chapman. [illegible] lying within the aforesayde lyne running east from the upland directly to the aforesayd River - wee have layed out all the above mentioned pieces of meadowe to the aforesayd uplande - wee say - by us layed out according to order - John Clark, Stephen Post, the mark X of William Hide, Robert Chapman.1656 - May - Old Saybrook - The court granted him a competent farm containing between 2 and 300 acres at Menunketeseck. Other land owned in the Old Saybrook area:
- another parsell of land in the planting field of ten acres abuting east and South to the Cove, north and west to the lands of Will Hide and John Post
- another parsell of land in the west field of seventeen acres of upland and meadow abuting to the highway east and Reynold Marvin's land South to Oyster River west and to Jonathan Rudd north
- another parsell of meadow at the South Cove of 9 acres abuting east on the Cove south upon John Clark's land west upon undividied land north Will Parker's land
- another parsell of land in the Calves pasture of five acres three of upland two of meadow abuting east to Will Parker's land south to the highway west to Richard Toosland and north to a Creeke two hundred pound comonage in the town commons, two hundred pound comonage in Oyster River quarter
The dwellings of Mr. Fitch and his father-in-law Major Mason were near together, facing the Green, and with the river at their rear. The road running from the Green to the river, and spanning the stream with a bridge separated the two homesteads. The allotment of Mr. Fitch, consisting of eleven acres, was on the southeast side of the Green; the home-lot of Mason, "eight acres more or less," the early measurements were extremely liberal, was on the southwest side.1663 - May - Second division of land in Norwich, Connecticut. James received six acres in the Great Plain, 15 acres to the northwest, probably in what is now the separate town of Yantic.
1666 - The General Assembly gave Rev. James Fitch, who came from Saybrook to Norwich and was the first pastor of the church there, one hundred and twenty acres of land adjoining Major John Mason's tract. Subsequently Oweneco, son and successor of Uncas, gave to Rev. Mr. Fitch for favors received, a tract five miles long and one wide, which is described as extending from the southwestern corner of the town, next to the tracts already mentioned, along the Franklin line to near the Willimantic river. According to this description, it was nearer seven than five miles long; but surveys had not then been made, and boundaries were very loosely drawn. This is familiarly known as "Fitche's, or Mason and Fitche's Mile."
1668 - Sept. 2 - Norwich, CT - the third division of land in which James Fitch received 350 acres on the east of the Shetucket at a place called Winaponnuck. He traded undefined land to the town for thirty acres of pasture and he obtained half of the Swamp at the east end of his land on the great plain.
1671 - May 11 - General Court mentioned Fitch's missionary work among the Mohegans:
Whereas this Court have been informed that Uncass and Owanecoe with some of their people are perswaded to be willing to give attendance to what of the knowledg of the onely true God and or Saviour Jesus Christ is discovered to them by the Reverend Mr. James Fitch &c., This Court thought good hereby to declare that Mr. Fitch's endeavours to convey something of the knowledge of God and the light of his Gospell to those poore heathen that have so long satt in darkness and the shaddow of death, is gratefully accepted by this Court, who shall be ready to encourage Mr. Fitch in the worke and move the Com'rs [Commissioners of the Union] at their next meeting to allowe suitable encouragment also. This Court doth likewise declare to all those people, both Sachems and others,that readily and willingly attend to those discoveries of the things of God that are held forth to them, they shall be ready to encourage them therein, as allso looke with an unpleaseinge countenance upon those that shall any wayes interupt or hinder them in their due attendance to what of God shall be made knowne to them . . . prosper the work of the Lord now begunn among the Indians in this Colony, that if it be his Holy Will they may become subjects to the kingdom of Lord Jesus. that if it be his Holy Will they may become subjects to the kingdom of Lord Jesus. that if it be his Holy Will they may become subjects to the kingdom of Lord Jesus.1671 - Sept. 4 - John Eliot, the Apostle to the Indians told the Commissioners:
Mr. Fitch "holds a lecture at his own house every fortnight," to instruct "Monohegan" Indians. "Uncas and his son have promised to attend it. This, Mr. Fitch by his letters of Uncas' coming in, is a great matter. I desire the work may be countenanced and supported in that end of the country."1672 - the sermon for his mother-in-law Anne (Peck) Mason is published.
1672 - July 17 - Rev. Fitch received ￡407, 18s, 6d from the Commissioners of the Union for his missionary work.
1673 - Agreement between Uncas and James Fitch regarding the mission:
Be it known to all men and in special to the Authority of The Colony of Conecticott, That I Uncass sachim of the Munheags, now resident in Pamechaug, doe by these presents firmly engage and binde my selfe, that I will from time to time and at all times hereafter, in a constant way and manner attend upon Mr. James Fitch Minister of Norwich, at all such seasons as he shall appoint for preaching to and praying with the Indians either at my now residence, or wheresoever els[e] he shall appoint for that holy service, and further I doe faithfully promis[e] to Command all my people to attend the same, in a constant way and solemn manner at all such times as shall be sett by the sayd Mr. James Fitch minister, alsoe I promis[e] that I will not by any wayes or meanes what soe ever,either privatly or openly use any plots or contrivances by words or actions to affright or discourage any of my people or others, from attending the Good work aforesayd, upon penalty of suffering the most grevious punishment that can be inflicted upon me, and Lastly I promis[e] to encourage all my people by all Good wayes and meanes I can, in the due observance of such directions and instructions as shall be presented to them by the sayd Mr. James Fitch aforesayd, and to the truth hereof this seaventh day of June in the year one thousand six hundred seventy and three I have hereunto set my hand or mark.and Lastly I promis[e] to encourage all my people by all Good wayes and meanes I can, in the due observance of such directions and instructions as shall be presented to them by the sayd Mr. James Fitch aforesayd, and to the truth hereof this seaventh day of June in the year one thousand six hundred seventy and three I have hereunto set my hand or mark.and Lastly I promis[e] to encourage all my people by all Good wayes and meanes I can, in the due observance of such directions and instructions as shall be presented to them by the sayd Mr. James Fitch aforesayd, and to the truth hereof this seaventh day of June in the year one thousand six hundred seventy and three I have hereunto set my hand or mark.
Witnessed by us: John Talcott, Tho: Stanton, Ser., Samuell Mason, mark The X of Uncas, of Uncass.1675-1676 - James Fitch served as chaplain to the troops during King Philip's War. On July 14, 1676 he wrote to the General Council about his role:
Worshipfull S'r
yours I have receiv'd, & I wish I were in a capacitie to continue in the servise of the Armye as lately, but indeed at psent its not consistent with my health. and my wife hath beene & remaines in a very sickly state & doubtles you may readily make up a supplye in that respect I am thankfull that the Councill hath considered my condition The Captaine & myself have propounded your desires & purposes respecting goeing forth againe, & Uncas his answer is that Ashpoet his cheife capti is sicke, & his souldiers are so wearie at psent that they are not willing to moove so soone as is propounded & when he was speaking the Pequotts messengers came to us &say the same so that whether many or any of them will goe I can not judge and Indeed I perceive they are not satisfied with neither corne nor leather for the Indeans if they were willing to goe I have nothing els[e] to add but my desires that the Lord would direct & suceede so with my humble service psented I remaine
yours to Serve, James Fitch1676 - August - drought in Connecticut as described by James Fitch in letter to Rev. William Hubbard:
In August last, such was the Want of Rain that the Indian Corn was not not [sic] only dryed and parched up, but the Apple Trees withered, the Fruit and Leaves fell off as in Autumn, and some Trees seemed to be Dead with that Drought: the Indians came into the Town and did lament their Want of Rain that their Pawawes [powwows], could get None in their Way of Worship desiring me that I would seek to God for Rain; I appointed a Fast-day for that Purpose. The Day being come, it proved a clear Day without any Clouds, untill nigh Sun-setting, when we came from the Meeting, and then some Clouds arose, the next Day remaining cloudy: then Uncas with many Indians came to my House, Uncas lamented there was such Want of Rain; I asked, whether if God should send us Rain, he would not attribute it to their Pawawes? He answered, No, for they had done their Uttermost, and all in Vain: I replyed, if you will declare it before all these Indians, you shall see what God will do for us; For although this Year he hath shewn his Anger against the English, and not only against the Indians, yet he hath begun to save us; and I have found by Experience twice in the like Case, when we sought him by Fasting and Prayer, he hath given us Rain, and never denied us. Then Uncas made a great Speech to the Indians (which were many) confessing, that if God should then send Rain, it could not be ascribed to their Pawawing, but must be acknowledged to be an Answer of our Prayers. This Day the Clouds spread more and ore: and the next Day there was such a Plenty of Rain, that our River rose more than two Foot in Height.1679 - The first P[r]inciples of the Doctrine of Christ; Together with stronger Meat for them that are skil'd in the Word of Righteousness. Or The Doctrine of living unto God, wherein the Body of Divinity Is Briefly and methodically handled by way of Question and Answer. Published at the desire, and for the use of the Church of Christ in Norwich in New England.
1682 - December 12 - A Brief Discourse Proving that the First Day of the Week is the Christian Sabbath: Wherein also the Objections of the Anti-Christian Sabbatarians of late risen up in Connecticut Colony are refuted published in response to John Rogers Quaker-Baptists argument to observe the Jewish Sabbath.
1683 - James Fitch's An Explanation of the Solemn Advice, Recommended by the Council in Connecticut Colony, to the In'abitants in the Jurisdiction, Respecting the Reformation of those EVILS, which have been the Procuring Cause of the late Judgments upon New-England.
1684 - July 1 - A letter from James Fitch to Increase Mather:
REVER'ND S'R, - I return many thanks for your books, but I am sorry that your book of Remarkable Providences was no larger, seeing God hath given us many occasions of enlargement. But I cannot be silent concerning a late wonderfull experience of the power & pitty of our Saviour towards a poore tempted & deserted soule. There was a maide, descended of very Godly parentage, whose education hath been so blessed to her, that she hath feared the Lord from her childhood; and being approved of all, she was admitted to full comunion with our Church; but in her later time was most violently assaulted & vexed with Diabolicall sugestions, in a most blasphemous maner, especially in the time of religious dueties, so that her Phancy, cogitation, & memory were hurried & captivated by the Evill one,that I thought she was neer to being possessed, as could be, & yet escape. I ioyned with her Father & some relations in a private fast, but obtained no present answer, but she saied that all the day long that Satan mockt at the prayers, and held before her minde most blasphemous images, & Atheisticall misrepresentations of God & the things of God, so that she concluded there never had been any thing of saving grace wrought in her, and despaired that it would be. At last, I propounded to the Church that they would keepe a day of Fasting & prayer, principally upon this occasion, and partly upon an occasion of some uncomfortable difference which had fallen out between some Brethren; - & we having agreed upon the day, the Envious One raged the more,- and this poore dejected soule could hardly be perswaded to take what food was necessary for preservation of life. I sent to her, that I might speak with her onc[e] more before the fast day. When she came, at her first coming into my chamber, she saied she was come, but to no purpose, for her hope was cut off, I onely replied, Come, let us reason together, and heare what God will say - that every sin & Blasphemy shall be forgiven, except the sin against the Holy Ghost; - this is the word of the Ever living God. - and reasoning no otherwise than I had formerly done her heart was melted, - the flood-gate of Godly sorrow opened, - she wept bitterly & plentifully. I asked, what the matter was, at this time. Her answer was, she wonderd what was come to her, amazed at the change she felt, - there was such a repelling &scattering of all those violent temptations, - and a gospell peace & composure bearing rule in her heart, and hath in a steady maner held it, now about halfe a yeare, in a greater degree of firme composure then before she was thus buffeted. I ad no more at present, but I have thought that if ever I see the rod of Christ's strength in my chamber, I had some vision of it at this time. I loved my studdy the more for many dayes after. O, that I could be the more enlarged in loving, trusting & obeying my Lord, as long as I live; &c.but I have thought that if ever I see the rod of Christ's strength in my chamber, I had some vision of it at this time. I loved my studdy the more for many dayes after. O, that I could be the more enlarged in loving, trusting & obeying my Lord, as long as I live; &c.but I have thought that if ever I see the rod of Christ's strength in my chamber, I had some vision of it at this time. I loved my studdy the more for many dayes after. O, that I could be the more enlarged in loving, trusting & obeying my Lord, as long as I live; &c.
As concerning John Rogers, his madnes is manifest now to all. He is fallen to Quakerisme, and ioened [joined] with Banks, and hath prevailed with his aged Parents to dance among the Singing Quakers, - but my son will informe you more then is needfull for me at this time to write; So, with my cordeall desires that God would bless you more & more in your domestick & publique concerns; beging the continuance of your prayers to me,
I remaine, Yours to serve in our comon Saviour,
James Fitch1684 - July 2 - John Allyn of the Connecticut Governor's Council wrote a letter to the Massachusetts government to enlist their help in tracking down James Fitch's runaway servants:
Much Hono'd Gent'n.
You may please to be Informed, that the Reverend mr James Fitch of Norwich some time since, had several Servants run away from him, which had been disposed to him by order from our Authority. In the year 1677, by desire of mr Fitch a formal request was made by some of o'r authority, to some of yours, that those servants of his If they were found with in your Government; they might be returned to theire master, which hath not yet been done, but they are still at Natick, as the worthy Major Gen'rl Gooken, & the Reverend mr Eliott certifyd by their letters in the Spring; & yet they are not returned but detained from there master, upon what grounds we know not. Gent'n we doe informe you, that those servants were disposed by major John Talcott, to mr fitch June 8, 1677, which dispose was confirmed by us afterwards, &Indeed mr fitch did deserve a greater gratification (than we were capable of bestowing on him,) in that day of difficulty, for his paynes, In reference to the Indians, & we were glad when we heard that placing those Indians with him, was acceptable to him, but they runing from him, or being sheltered under the Natick Indians, except your Honors please to exert your authority, & cause them to be returned, he will be justly damnifyed [damaged or caused injurious loss] by them; whoe are not onely run away themselves but took others with him that he purchased of the Indians.but they runing from him, or being sheltered under the Natick Indians, except your Honors please to exert your authority, & cause them to be returned, he will be justly damnifyed [damaged or caused injurious loss] by them; whoe are not onely run away themselves but took others with him that he purchased of the Indians.but they runing from him, or being sheltered under the Natick Indians, except your Honors please to exert your authority, & cause them to be returned, he will be justly damnifyed [damaged or caused injurious loss] by them; whoe are not onely run away themselves but took others with him that he purchased of the Indians.
Gent'n, we doe once more request, that you would be pleased, to order to mr fitch his servantes, that are fled from him, & are now within your Government, or that you would cause him, or them, that Harbour them, to give mr Fitch sattisfaction for them, which we believe he will as redily take, as his servants, & will therein be contented with as Moderate a price, as can rationally be desired, yourselves being judges thereof; If the servants have any thing to object against their master for ill useage, or to their being placed with him, that it was unjust, let them be returned & a fayre hearing they shall have, & as Good Justice, as any of our Inhabitants, which is enough (If not too much) for such Treacherous Villainy, as they have manifested themselves to be.
Gent'n we request you would be pleased in this case to doe by us, as we in the like case have upon your desire, done for you; that is forth with Granted, all needfull Assistance, to return such run awayes, to the places from where they come, as without such Neighbourhood be mayntained, between the Collony's one Colony will be a sanctuary to the discontented servants of another Colony, which we know you will endeavoure to prevent so we leave the matter before your Hono'rs, & question not but you will doe right, to mr Fitch in this case, which with o'r high respect in all the neefull from Hono'd.
S'rs you Hono'd most affectionate Neighbores & Humble Servants the Gov'r & Assists of [?] Colony of Connecticutt by their order & appoyntment - John Allyn Secret'y1687 - January 1 - Norwich town meeting minutes:
Whereas the Select men and some others have presented to us the great need, reason and necessity for us to consider of some suitable but thorough way of doing what ye law of God and man and duty obliges to, viz. the discharge of that obligation wee lye under with respect to the maintenance of our Rev'd minister, and in that it appearing unto us that ye great lenitie of the Rev'd Mr. Fitch towards some is too much abused and in that many are got into a way of slightiness and remissness in making of due payment not only what is their just due but allsoe of what they are able,now therefore that we might all be more thorow soe as the work of God may not fail amongst us tis now unanimously agreed that for time to come the rate be put into the Collectors hands and each man to account with them and no man to be cleared until by the Collectors the rate be crossed and each one to clear his rate by the first of Feb. or March annually.
To be payed one third in wheat at 4 s. per bu. one third in rye or pease at 3 s. and one third in Indian corne at 2 s, or what is equivalent.1689 - Norwich, CT - The widow, Elizabeth (Marvin) Olmstead, died in 1689, leaving in her will £50 to the poor of Norwich, £10 to the Rev. Mr. Fitch . . .
1694 - James suffered a stroke and was forced to step down as minister. The town agreed to pay him from thirty to seventy pounds a year, which was probably a substantial fraction of his regular salary. He did not always receive his full salary for any given year.
1695/6 - February 7 - James Fitch wrote his will:
The Last will & Testament of James Fitch, Senio'r of Norwich in ye County of New London in Connectcutt Colony.
The onely true & Living God my Creatour Redeemer & Comforter into whose hands I Committ my soul & body, my wife & children to care for mee and them as ye matter doth & shall require, he having Comanded me, to set my house in order, & amongst other waightie Concerens, it is my duty to order my outward estate in such wise as may be for ye Comfort of my wife and children. I have therefore with my heart Lifted up the most High for his guidance & blessing - - - done as followeth
Whereas I have formerly given unto my Sonn James a home Lot with some building & a parcel of Land both upLand & meadow in the great plaines on the east side of a hill adjacent to some other of my Lands & also some parcels of Land att Shoutucket some on both sides of the River at the place or nigh to it called the white hills, & nigh to Queenabaug River of which Lands he hath ye possession and I having afforded what help I could for his settlement by various expences as his full portion, These Lands being to him & to his Heires
And whereas I have already given to my Daughter Abigail & my Daughter Elizabeth their portions promised to them & their husbands with some occasionall additions as their full portions, & likewise have given unto my Daughter Hannah some Lands at a place called Winnaponnuck, Laid out by men chosen by her husband & my selfe, with some Lands her Considerable gifts at least the value of twenty pounds more than I promised her husband, & likewise I have given to my Sonn Samuel some Land at that place called Winnaponnuck & the housing upon the same & whereas there is a parcell of Land both upland & meadow Containing about one hundred acres wch lyeth beyond my Sonn Samuels Land before specified, towards ye Land of the Tracies, it is my will yt my Sonn Samuell should injoy those Lands for himselfe & his Heires
I have also given unto my Sonn Nathaniell Bissell ye husbsnad of my Daughter Dorothy one of my Allottments at Windham, having for many years paid the charges yt belong to it
Ite~ I have also given to my Sonn Daniell & his Heires two hundred & fifty acres at ye deep Brooke, it is these Lands wch were given to his mother by her Father Major John Mason
Ite~ I have given to my Sonn John & his Heires, an allottment at Windham with the buildings upon ye Land & the Accomadations belonging to the same in ye severall divisions of Land
Ite~ I have given to my Sonn Jeremiah & his Heires two hundred acres, nigh the place called Lebanon & adjacent to the same Lands of Samuell Roberts
Ite ~ I have given to my Sonn Jabez all my Library at present the use of them & after my decease the proprietie of them to be his wholly & solye,
Ite~ & The Lands which I give unto my sonn Nathaniell & my Sonn Joseph & my Sonn Eliezur are the halfe of all those Lands adjacent to the Lands of Jeremiah & adjacient to the Town Line, extending a mile in bredth & in length from Jeremiah's Land to the deep Brooke I say ye halfe of these Lands I give to my sonns Nathaniell Joseph & Eliezur equally to be divided to them the other halfe belonging to Capt'n Mason his successors
Likewise I give one hundred acres at the deep Brooke adjacent to Comon path & roadway to Wethersfield, & another parcell of Land about one hundred acres adjacent Westerly to the aforesaid Lands give to my Sonn Daniell These Lands I do give to my sonns Nathaniell Joseph & Eliezur to be equally divided between them.
Ite~ I give to my well beloved & faithful wife the liberty use & improvement of the houses housing stuff with all my lands in Norwich, with all my stock of cattle there to use during her lifetime & do give her full power to dispose & give the said housing & lands to what Sonn she pleaseth after her Decease, & it is my will yt my two Daughters Anne & Elizabeth should injoy all the household stuff, & all ye stock of cattle equally divided to them after the decease of their mother.
Ite~ I do constitute my wife to be ye only Executrix of this my last will & Testament, she advising with her two Brothers, Capt. Samuell Mason, & Lefft'nt Daniell Mason, as overseers
And my Charge to all my Children is yt they be dutifull to their Mother, & if any difference doth arise at any time amongst any of them concerning any estate of mine given them, yt they shall submitt to the Judgment & advice of ye above mentioned Overseers, & the Angell of the presence of God, who hath redeemed me from all adversity will be with you & bless you.
Witness my hand & seale this 7th of Febru'ry 1695/6 James Fitch {Seal}
Signed & sealed in presence of us Testes: John Birchard, Stephen Gifford
Mr. Stephen Gifford personally appeared and made oath that he was present and did see Mr. Fitch sign seal and declare this for to be his last will and testament and he was of sound mind and memory at that time and that he then signed as a witness and did see Mr. Birchard sign also.
Samuell Majors an Assistant1699 - July 20 - Codicil to James Fitch's will:
Whereas some part of the above mentioned will is altered as is specified by me, deeds of gift and by selling of farm land, yet that part of the will not contained in those deeds of gift or sales remains final & valid & unaltered - James Fitch1702 - December 2 - Lebanon, Connecticut, inventory of James Fitch's estate:
An Inventory of the Estate of ye Rev. James Fitch deceased, having in his life time made a disposition of his lands unto his sons as by deeds appear a signification thereof in his Will & having given his son Jabez all his Library & then having put into his actual possession in his life time & his Wearing clothes being disposed of among his children, the remainder is as followeth:
- Item: 4 feather beds & furniture ￡35..00.00
- 6 doz. of Napkins and tabel cloths ￡12.00.00
- 14 pair of Sheets ￡12.00.00
- Puter [pewter] & plate ￡9.05.00
- 2 pr Cobb irons ￡1.05.00
- cupbord cloth ￡1.00.00
- 2 Brasss kettels warmingpan tramils [trammel, adjustable pothook] ￡3.00.00
- Andiron 3 pots 2 iron kettles ￡5.14.00
- Cupbords chairs bedsteds & chests ￡3.15.00
- Chairs Barrels & tubs ￡3.18.00
- 6 cows ￡15.00.00
- 4 Oxen ￡16.00.00
- 4 2 year old 54 calves 2 9 swine 3-10 ￡10.14.00
- 6 sheep ￡1.10.00
- Money due to ye Estate ￡48.00.00
- Land & Meadow unsold at Norwich:
- 5 acres of meadow in the great plain ￡12.10.00
- 18 acres of land & meadow over ye River ￡45.00.00
- 10 acres of Pasture land ￡10.00.00
- 1 pr. of plow irons & 2 chains ￡1.10.00
- 1 Spit & 2 joynt stools ￡0.15.00
- [Total] ￡247.16.00
This above is a true inventory of ye Estate of Mr. James Fitch as Mrs. Persilla Fitch acknowledged and gave in to us at her house. Lebanon, December the 2d 1702. John Loving & William Clark, Selectmen
Mrs. Prissilla Fitch personally appeared and made oath that she had made a true presentment of the Estate of her deceased husband and that if any more Considerable did come to her knowledge it shall be added before Samuell Mason, Assistant
1702 - December 4th - Some time after this will was written Mr. Fitch showed it to me and declared it to be his will and testament and he was of sound mind and memory.
Dan'l Mason.
Daniell Mason made oath to the above written before me in Stonington.
Samuell Mason, Assistant
This will has been shewed to Major Fitch and to all the sons and that all with on[e] consent declared that they believe and are satisfied that this is their father's last will.
Samuell Mason, Assistantca. 1730 - tombstone set. It was carved by Obadiah Wheeler with a Latin inscription written by James' son Jabez:
In hoc sepulcro depositae sunt reliqulae viri vere Reverendi D Iacobi Fitch X natus fuit apud Bocking in comitatu Essexiae in Agnlia ano domini 1622 Decemb'r 24 quid postquam linguis [Ox?] literatis optime instructus fuisset in novangliam venit aetat 16 et deinde vitam degit Hartfordiae per septennium sub institutione virorium celeberimorum D. Hooker et D Stone postea munere pastorali functus est apud Say Brook per annos 14 illinc cum ecclesiae maiori parte Norvicum migravit et ibi ceteros vitae annos transegit in opere evangelico in senectute vero prae corporis infirmitate necessario cessabat ab opere publico. Tandemque recessit liberis apud Lebanon vbi semianno fere exacto obdormivit in Iesu anno 1702 Novemb'r 18 aetat 80 vir ingenii acumine pondere iudicii, prudentia charitate, sanctis laboribus et omnimoda vitae sanctitate peritiaquoque et vi concionandi nulli seundus.
In this tomb are deposited the remains of the truly Reverend Mr. James Fitch, born at Bocking, in the county of Essex, England, Dec. 24, 1622 who after he had been well instructed in the learned languages, came to New England at the age of 16, and passed seven years under the instruction of those eminent divines, Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone. Afterward he discharged the pastoral office at Saybrook for 14 year, from whence, with the greater part of his church, he removed to Norwich, and there spent the succeeding years of his life, engaged in the work of the Gospel, till age and infirmity obliged him to withdraw from public labor. At length he retired to his children at Lebanon, when scarcely half a year had passed, when he fell asleep in Jesus, Nov. 18, 1702, in the 80th year of his age. He was a man for penetration of mind, solidity of judgment, devotion to the sacred duties of his office, and entire holiness of life, as also for skill and energy in preaching, inferior to none.
Footstone - Here lies the body of the Rev'd Mr. Jaemes Fitch late pastor of Norwich who Was born at Bodking in England Dec'r 24, 1622. He was a minister of the Gospel in Saybrook 14 years and Ye greater part of ye rest of his life he spent in the ministry in Norwich. Asleep in Jesus Nov'r. 18, 1702 in ye 80th year of his age.
Complete biography available: Fitch, John. Puritan in the Wilderness: A Biography of the Reverend James Fitch, 1622-1702, Camden, ME: Picton Press, 1993
Children by Abigail Whitfield:
Major James b. 1649, d. 1727 md. 1) Elizabeth Mason (his stepmother's sister) 1676 & 2) Alice (Bradford) Adams daughter Major William & Alice (Richards) Bradford 1687
- James b. 1678, d. 1678 1 week old in
- James (2nd) b. 1679, died early, never married
- Jedidiah b. 1681, d. 1756 md. Abigail Coffin 1701 - 4 children
- Samuel b. 1683, d. before 1729, md. Mary (--?--) - 7 children
- Abigail b. 1687/88,2 md. Col. John Dyer 1713
- Ebenezer b. 1689/90, d. 1724 md. 1) Bridget Brown 1712
- Daniel b. 1692/93, d. 1752 md. Anna Cook(e) 1718/19 - 6 children
- Jerusha md. Daniel Bissell 1718/19
- Lucy md. 1) Lt. Henry Cleveland 1718/19, 2) (--?--), 5 children
- Theophilus b. ? d. 1751 md. 1) Mary Huntington 1731 & 2) Grace (Prentice) Grant 1734 - 7 children
- Capt. Jabez, bapt. 1702/3, d. 1784, md. 1) Lydia Gale 1722, 2) Elizabeth Darby 1754 & 3) Rebecca (--?--) King - 8 children
- Anne b. 1665, md. 1) Capt. John Denison, 2) Samuel Cogswell 1701
- Capt. John III b. 1673, d. 1736 md. 1) Anne Mason (1st cousin) 1701 & 2) Anne (Sanford) Noyes, 7 children
- Samuel b. 1675, d. 1709 md. Margaret Moseley 1704
- Elizabeth b. 1676, d. 1683, age 7
- James b. 1678, d. 1701, age 23
- Abigail b. 1681, d. 1685, age 4
- Bathsheba b. 1683/4, d. 1710, md. Col. John Pynchon 1702
- Elizabeth b. 1684/85, d. 1685, 10 months old
- Mary b. 1686, d. 1687, 10 months old
- Hezekiah b. 1687, d. 1689, age 2
- Daniel b. 1678 md. Elizabeth Brewster
- Abigail b. 1680, md. Samuel Rockwell - 9 children
- James b. 1683
- Hannah b. 1685, md. Jonathan Price 1715
- Deborah b. 1687
- Elizabeth b. 1689 md. John Pearson
- Dorothy b. 1691, d. 1761 md. Jeremiah Andrus
- Ann b. 1694, d. after 1724 md. Benjamin Andrus (brother of Jeremiah above)
- Zebediah b. 1697, d. after 1746 md. Sarah Cheeseborough 1725
- Mary b. 1679/80
- Samuel b. 1681, died young
- Hezekiah b. 1682, d. 1739, md. Anna (--?--) probably no children
- Elizabeth b. 1684, d. 1715 md. Samuel Mason 1712
- Abigail b. 1686 md. James Clark
- Samuel b. 1688, d. 1755
- Deacon Benjamin b. 1691, d. 1727, md. Hannah Read, 1713 - 6 children
- John b. 1693
- Jabez b. 1695, d. 1779, md. Anna Knowlton 1719 - 8 children
- Peletiah b. 1698, d. 1749/50 md. 1) Elizabeth Haskell 1723 & 2) Elizabeth Choate 1726 - 9 children
- unnamed son b. 1684, died young
- Dorothy b. 1686, d. 1761
Capt. Daniel b. 1665, d. 1711 md. Mary Sherwood 1698 (2nd cousin) she md. 2) Joseph Bradford, see below.
- Capt. Adonijah b. 1700, d. ? md. 1) Sarah Fitch (1st cousin, see below) & 2) Ann (Hyde) Gray 1744
- Capt. & Deacon James b. 1702, d. 1789 md. Anne Denison - 3 children
- Lemuel b. 1703/04 md. Mercy Bigelow
- Mary b. 1707, d. 1768 md. 1) Rev. James Hillhouse ca. 1726, 2) Rev. John Owen ca. 1740 & 3) Rev. Samuel Dorrance
- Daniel bapt. 1709, d. 1755 md. Sarah Sherwood 1732
- Elizabeth b. 1696, d. 1780 md. Nathaniel Webb 1718
- Miriam b. 1699, d. 1744 md. Hezekiah Ripley 1740
- Priscilla b. 1702/03, d. 1782 md. Rev. Solomon Paine 1732 (as his 2nd wife) - 3 or 4 children
- Capt. John b. 1704/05, d. 1760 md. Alice Fitch (2nd cousin) - 10 children
- Ruth (twin) b. 1699, d. after 1739 md. Daniel Whitmore
- Lucy (twin) b. 1699, died young
- Hannah b. 1701, d. 1737 md. Humphrey Davenport 1726, no children
- Lt. Jeremiah b. 1701/02, d. 1779 md. 1) Mercy Porter 1729/30 & 2) Martha (Arnold) Gifford 1744
- Capt. Abner b. 1703, d. 1797 md. 1) Ruth Rose 1736 & 2) Widow (--?--) Lee / Lake - 7 children
- Gideon b. ca. 1705, md. Sarah Calkins 1736 - 7 children
- Elisha, b. ca. 1707 md. Priscilla Patten, 1736 - 8 children
- James b. 1711, d. 1789 md. Phebe Meraugh 1738 - 5 children
- Joseph b. ca. 1710, d. after 1780
- Stephen b. ca. 1712, d. 1806 md. Eleanor Strong 1736/7 - 7 children
- Elizabeth b. 1704 md. John Wibird 1727/28 - 3 children
- John b. 1709, d. 1736
- James b. 1712, d. 1714 age 2
- Margaret b. 1715, d. 1742 md. Henry Gibbs 1739
- Ann b. 1718, d. 1746/47 md. Rev. Nathaniel Gookin 1743 (as his 2nd wife)
- James b. 1720, d. 1721/22, age 3 months
- Mary b. 1724, d. 1756 md. Francis Cabot 1745
Captain Nathaniel b. 1679, d. 1759 md. 1) Ann Abel 1701, 2) Mindwell (Higley) (Hutchinson) Tisdale 1729
- Anne b. 1702, d. 1748 md. John Partridge 1722 - 2 children
- Joshua b. 1704, d. 1790 md. Mary Trumbull ca. 1730 - 13 children
- Nathan b. 1705, d. 1750 md. Hannah Huntington 1725 - 5 children
- Nehemiah b. 1707/08, d. 1745 md. 1) Elizabeth Vetch 1731 & 2) Anne Metcalf 1738 - 6 children
- James b. 1709, d. 1760 md. Abiel Metcalf 1733 - 9 children
- John b. 1712, d. 1741/42 md. Hannah Scott 1734 - 6 children
- Nathaniel b. 1718, d. 1746/47 md. Susannah Vetch, no children
- Mehitabel b. 1717, md. William Whitely / Whittlesey 1741 - 8 children
- Elizabeth b. 1718, d. 1747 md. Daniel Bissell 1740/41 - 1 child
- Rachel b. 1720, d. 1726, 6 years old
- Abel b. 1722, d. possibly before 1755
- Caleb b. 1725, d. 1753 md. Ruth Woodworth 1747 - 2 children
- Jabez b. 1730, d. 1736, 6 years old
- Ezekiel b. 1732, d. 1811 md. Susanna Higley ca. 1749 between 4 and 8 children
- Isaac b. 1734, d. 1791 md. 1) Susannah Blackman & 2) Violette Alden
- Judith b. ca. 1703/04, d. 1742/43 md. Capt. John Wattles 1722
- Sarah b. 1705/06, d. 1741 md. Capt. Adonijah Fitch ca. 1726 (1st cousin, see below)
- Mason b. 1708, d. 1729 age 25
- Capt. Joseph b. 1711, d. 1773 md. Zervia Hyde 1738, no children
- Samuel b. 1723/24, d. ca. 1784 md. Elizabeth Lloyd
- Col. Eleazer b. 1726, d. 1796 md. Amy Bowen 1746 - 12 children
- Capt. Azel b. 1728, d. ca. 1769 md. 1) Silence Howe 1752 & 2) Rhoda (Collins) (Hyde) Hopkins ca. 1767
- Ichabod b. 1734, md. Lucy Lothrop 1758 (daughter of Simon & Martha (Lothrop) Lothrop) - 2 children
- Ann b. 1737, d. 1827, attended Yale md. Elijah Lamphear 1758
- Thomas b. 1739, d. 1746/47, age 7
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