Posted By:	Patricia Gannon
	Email:
	Subject:	Re: Capt. Thomas Fitch, Fairfield (Connecticut) County Troop
	Post Date:	May 10, 2003 at 18:34:35
	Message URL:	http://genforum.genealogy.com/kingphilipswar/messages/35.html
	Forum:	King Philip's War Forum
	Forum URL:	http://genforum.genealogy.com/kingphilipswar/

About 1650 left England for America Quoted from History of the Fitch Family 1400-1930, Vol. 1 by Roscoe Conkling Fitch Pg 35 "Thomas Fitch, born Oct. 14, 1612, married Anne Stacie, daughter of William Stacie of Bocking, Nov. 1, 1632. He served in the Parliamentary Wars of England and in 1650 was one of the founders of Norwalk, Conn. He sealed a deed dated 16 Oct 21 Charles I with an Armorial seal showing a chevron between three--------. " (There appears to be a discrepancie in the birth date of Thomas. John T. Fitch in his book, A Fitch Family History copyright 1990,1994, shows the birth date of Thomas as Oct. 24 1612 on page 200.) Pg 106 "In "Norwalk after Two Hundred and Fifty Years" we find mention of Thomas Fitch I (1612-1704) as follows: "Thomas Fitch and Ann his wife were of a family beyond the ocean, of culture and competence. Roger Ludlow himself registered Thomas Fitch as the wealthiest man in town. Mr. Fitch's father died some years before, having in his will named his loving freinds, Thomas Hooker and Nathiel Rogers, one of the subsequent founders of Harvard College." Thomas Fitch I was a "Mr." in 1654. In 1655, he was chosen by the town of Norwalk, Clerk of their Train Band, confirmed as "Recorder of Laws" by the General Court, 26 Feb 1659. He was Selectman in 1659, King's Commissioner in 1669 and every year thereafter for twenty-five years. He was Deputy to the General Court 1673, 1676, 1680-86, 1691-92, 1694, and Deputy Governor of Connecticut. At a town meeting held 28 Dec. 1686, "The town did vote Mr. Thomas Fitch for to be seated in the meeting house in the upper great round seat, as he is the King's Commissioner."" Thomas Fitch was also appointed by the colony of Connecticut to "Look after the Indians" in that state. There are several records indicating his mediation with the Indians. Quoted from History of the Fitch Family A.D. 1400-1930, Volume 1 by Roscoe Conkling Fitch pg 114 &115 "Will of Thomas Fitch I of Norwalk, Conn To all persons whome these presents shall come: Greeting, I Thomas Fitch, sen. of Norwalk in the County of Fairfield in New England, being weak in body but perfect in mind and understanding do by these presents make and confirm this my last will and testament to stand and abide Revocking all former wills and do solemly hoping upon good grounds Commit my soul in ye hands Into my faithful Creator and Redeemer. In hopes of a joyful Resurrection at ye last day and my body to ye dust to be devoutly intered. And of estate ye Lord hath bestowed upon me and hath left me after great expence in the Civill Wars of England, and the Transportation of myselfe and Family and settling of myselfe and distributing portions to my children, according to my Capassity and Abillity. That which remaineth in my hands I do by these so grant and bequeathe as followeth. Impre. I do will and bequeath unto my grandchild, Thomas Fitch one parcel of land lying within ye planting field called the Heck, and that in the Cow division so called the Bounds and quantity expressed in the Towne Records. I will and bequeath into my two Grandchildren, namely John and Nathaniel Fitch, parcells of land lying Eastward towards Sacotuck River, consisting of following lands, bogg, meadow, and swamp, the quantity consisting of about fiftie acres. The quantity and bounds expressed in ye Towne Records, and said land to be divided equally between them in common. Some time after my decease. I do bequeath unto my said Grandchildren John my fowling small gunn Bolt and sword. I do will and bequeath unto my daughter Ann, now the wife of John Johnson of Farmington and unto my daughter Mary, now the wife of Capt. Matthew Sherwood, several pieces of new putor containing about ye number of twelve to be equally divided between them and also unto my daughter Mary the box of drawers in the same. I will and bequeath unto my sd. two daughters and also my daughter in law, my son John's wife a quantity of fine linen abiding in the trunk. Containing about two pieces in number: the same to be equally divided between them. Also unto all the aforesaid three daughters each of them one Sillver Spoone, the said spoones being abiding in the sd. Trunk. I will and bequeath unto my son John ffitch all the rest of my estate unbequeathed, namely, my dwelling house, barne, home lot the bounds and quantities expressed in the Towne Record. Also all my lands both upland and meadow lying in the planting field on ye other side of ye River the Quantity and bounds as expressed in ye Towne Record, also my lands without fence, laid out or to be divided. Also my commonage expressed in the towne books. Also I will and bequeath unto my sd. son all my movables within doors and without doors, as Brass puter spoons, bedding with all appertaining thereunto. Also all the wooden movables. Also my muskit, sword, bandolears and scabbards. Also my Neate cattle, horses, Kinds in hand or running in the wood, also swine, with my books, waring apparell. Also my other estate belonging to me, all my debts due to me. Discharging just debts due, defraying my funeral charge, amd I do by these presents ordain and constitute my son John Fitch, my sole executor of this my will and testament and my loving cousin Sargt. John Platt overseers of this my will and Testament. And for confirmation hereof and every part thereof I have heeunto set my hand and seal the sixth day of October, One Thousand six hundred and ninety six. In the presence of James Olmstead Samuel Smith (Signed) Thomas ffitch (seal)"