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] He married first Elizabeth Unknown. [Ref, p. 46] He married second Anne, the daughter of John Wiseman of Felstead, co. Essex. [Ref, p. 21] He 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]
3. Roger Fitch 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]

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] He is mentioned in his father's will. [Ref, p. 7] He was church warden of St. Mary's in Bocking. [Ref, p. 7]
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] He is mentioned in his father's will. [Ref, p. 7]
4. Thomas Fitch was mentioned in his father's will. [Ref, p. 7]
5. George Fitch died between 12 May and 18 Jun 1605. He married first Joan Thurgood. He married second Bridget Unknown.
6. 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]
7. Joan Fitch was mentioned in her father's will. [Ref, p. 8]
8. Margaret Fitch was mentioned in her father's will. [Ref, p. 8]
9. Clement Fitch was buried on 22 May 1573 in Panfield. [Ref, p. 8] She was mentioned in her father's will. [Ref, p. 8]
10. 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]

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 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. [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 bought a house and land in Ballingdon, co. Essex from John Shepherde in 1603. [Ref, p. 7]

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] He is mentioned in his father's will. [Ref, p. 8]
2. Joseph Fitch was born about 1587. [Ref, p. 8] He was admitted pensioner of Caius College, Cambridge on 7 Oct 1603, age. 16. [Ref, p. 8] He is mentioned in his father's will. [Ref, p. 8]
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 Stracey of Latton, co. Essex on 5 Feb 1606/7 in Bocking. [Ref, p. 8] She 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]

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 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]
2. Jeremy Reeve is mentioned in his father's will and his brother John's will. [Ref, p. 35]
3. Anne Reeve died after 1669. 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]

In his will, Thomas Fitch of Bocking, Essex, clothier, names his wife Anne; his eldest son Thomas; his sons Nathaniel and Jeremy; his younger sons Samuel and Joseph; his daughters Mary, Anna and Sarah; his sister Stracy; Henry Stracy "my kinsman"; his brothers John Reeve, William Stacy [Stracy?] and Jeremy Reeve; "my brother John Malden and my sister his wife". [Ref]

"I give to my sonne 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." [Ref]

ANNE REEVE (d. aft. 1669)

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

Anne Reeve died after 1669. 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, CT with her son Joseph in 1669. [Ref, p. 31]

Children of Thomas Fitch and Anne Reeve:

1. Thomas Fitch was born on 24 Oct 1612. [Ref] He died in 1704 in Connecticut. [Ref] He married Ann Stacey on 1 Nov 1632. [Ref] Ann was the daughter of William and Anne (or Agnes) (Garrold) Stacey. [Ref]
   Thomas went to New England as early as 1650. [Ref] He settled in Norwalk. [Ref] He was Deputy to the General Court, a King's Commissioner and Selectman. [Ref]
   
2. John Fitch. It has been claimed that this John Fitch went to New England [Ref] and that 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 he remained in England. [Ref]
3. Rev. James Fitch was born about 1622. He died in 1702. He married first Abigail Whitfield. He married second Priscilla Mason.
4. Nathaniel Fitch
5. Jeremy Fitch
6. Samuel Fitch died in 1659. [Ref] He married Susanna, the widow of William Whiting, in 1651. [Ref] Samuel had two children. [Ref]
   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]
7. Capt. Joseph Fitch was born about 1630 in Bocking. [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, the daughter of Rev. Samuel Stone. [Ref] Samuel Stone refers to Joseph as his son in his will. [Ref] Joseph had nine children. [Ref]
   Joseph went to New England. [Ref] He owned land in Norwalk in 1650/1. [Ref] He moved to Northampton, MA. [Ref] He purchased a home in Hartford in 1660. [Ref] He was a freeman in 1662. He was Deputy for Windsor on 8 May 1664. [Ref]
8. Mary Fitch
9. Anne Fitch
10. Sarah Fitch

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. Howver, 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 was buried in the ancient graveyard at Lebanon in 1702; he was 80 when he died. [Ref] He married first Abigail Whitfield. He married second Priscilla Mason. [Ref] Pricilla was the daughter of Maj. John Mason and his wife Anne. [Ref]

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. All births are recorded in Saybrook. [Ref]

1. Maj. James Fitch was born on 2 Aug 1649. 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.
3. Elizabeth Fitch was born on 2 Jan 1651. She died in 1689. [Ref] She married Rev. Edward Taylor of Westfield, MA on 5 Sep 1674. [Ref] Edward was born in Sketelby, Leicestershire in 1642 and died on 29 Jun 1729. [Ref] He married second Ruth Willis of Hartford. [Ref] Elizabeth had eight children. [Ref]
4. Hannah Fitch was born on 17 Dec 1653.
5. Samuel Fitch was born in the "beginning of March" 1655. He married Mary Brewster on 28 Nov 1678. [Ref] Mary, the daughter of Benjamin and Ann (Darte) Brewster, was born on 10 Dec 1660. [Ref] Samuel and Mary had ten children. [Ref]
6. Dorothy Fitch was born in Apr 1658. She married Nathaniel Bissell. [Ref]

Children of James Fitch and Priscilla Mason:

1. Capt. Daniel Fitch married Mary Sherwood as her first husband. [Ref] Mary was born in 1674 and died on 16 Sep 1752 in Montville, CT. [Ref] She was the daughter of Matthew and Mary (Fitch) Sherwood and the granddaughter of Thomas Fitch, son of Thomas Fitch and Anne Reeve. She married second Joseph Bradford. [Ref] Joseph was the son of Maj. William Bradford and the widow Wiswall.
2. Capt. John Fitch was born in Jan 1667/8 in Windham. [Ref] He died on 24 May 1743, age 76, in Windham. [Ref] He married Elizabeth Waterman on 10 Jul 1695 in Windham. [Ref] She died on 24 Jun 1751, 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]
   some descendants of Capt. John Fitch
   
3. Jeremiah Fitch must have died before 7 Feb 1695/6, as he is not mentioned in his father's will.
4. Rev. Jabez Fitch was born about 1671. [Ref] He died on 22 Nov 1746. [Ref] He married Elizabeth Appleton on 26 Jul 1704. [Ref] Elizabeth, the daughter of John Appleton and Elizabeth (Rogers) Appleton, was born on 23 Apr 1682. [Ref] She died on 18 Oct 1765. [Ref]
   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, NH, where he succeeded Rev. Nathaniel Rogers. [Ref]
   
5. Capt. Nathaniel Fitch was born about 1679. He died on 14 May 1759 and is buried in the ancient graveyard at Lebanon. He married first Anne Abel. Anne, the daughter of Joshua Abel of Norwich and wife of Capt. Nathaniel Fish, died on 3 Jul 1728, age 48, and is buried in the ancient graveyard at Lebanon. [Ref] Nathaniel married second Mindwell Unknown. 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]
6. Joseph Fitch was born about 1681. He died on 9 May 1741, age 60, and is buried in the ancient graveyard at Lebanon. [Ref] He married Ann Unknown. Ann, the widow of Joseph Fitch of Lebanon, died on 23 Sep 1778, age 83, and is buried in the Windham Center cemetery. [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]
   
7. Eleazer Fitch is buried in the ancient graveyard at Lebanon. [Ref]
8. Anne Fitch was born in Apr 1675. [Ref] She died on 17 Oct 1715. [Ref] She married Joseph Bradford on 5 Oct 1698. [Ref argues that the records prove that it was Joseph, not his half-brother Thomas, as claimed by Ref] Joseph Bradford was the son of Maj. William Bradford and the widow Wissal. [Ref] They lived in Lebanon. [Ref]

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 Elizabeth Mason in Jan 1676/7 in Norwich. [Ref] Elizabeth, the daughter of John and Anne (Peck) Mason was born in Aug 1654 in Saybrook. [Ref] He married second Alice Bradford.

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.

Children of James Fitch and Alice Bradford. Their births are given in Wakefield [Ref].

1. Abigail Fitch was born on 22 Feb 1687/8 in Norwich. She died on 19 My 1759 in Canterbury. [Ref] She married Col. John Dire [Dyar,Dyer] of Windham, Windham, CT on 22 Oct 1713 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 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] Abigail had eight children. [Ref]
2. Ebenezer Fitch was born on 10 Jan 1689/90 in Norwich. He died on 20 Nov 1724 in Windsor, CT. [Ref] He married Bridget Brown on 18 Sep 1712 in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref] Bridget was the daughter of Eleazer [Ref] or Eben [Ref] Brown and Dinah Spaulding. [Ref] She was born on 7 Jul 1685 in Chelmsford and died on 22 Nov 1756 in Wallingford. [Ref] Ebenezer had six children. [Ref]
3. Daniel Fitch was bon in Feb 1692/3 in Norwich. He died on 3 Aug 1752 in Canterbury. [Ref] He married Anna Cook on 5 Mar 1718/9 in Killingly, CT. [Ref] She died on 27 Jul 1735 in Canterbury. [Ref] Daniel and Anna were admitted to the Congregational Church in Canterbury on 18 Jun 1720. [Ref] Daniel had six children. [Ref]
4. Jerusha Fitch was born about 1696 in Canterbury. She died on 19 Feb 1780 in Windsor. [Ref] She married Daniel Bissell of Windsor on 18 Mar 1718 in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref][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] Jersusha was admitted to the Congregational Church in Canterbury on 7 Jul 1717. [Ref] Jerusha had six children. [Ref]
5. Lucy Fitch was born in Canterbury about 1698. 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] Henry, the son of Josiah and Mary (Bates) Cleveland, was born on 22 Feb 1699 in Chelmsford and died between 18 Dec 1769 and 8 Oct 1770 in Mansfield. [Ref] Lucy married an unknown second husband after 8 Nov 1770. [Ref] Lucy had five children. [Ref]
6. Theophilus Fitch was born about 1701. He died in Canterbury on 20 Jul 1751. [Ref] He married first Mary Huntington on 15 Dec 1731 in Canterbury. [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] Theophilus married second Grace (Prentice) Grant on 2 Oct 1734 in Stonington. [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] Theophilus and his second wife has seven children. [Ref]
7. 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, CT. [Ref] He died on 31 or 3 [Ref] Jan 1784 and is buried in the Cleveland Cemetery in Canterbury. [Ref] He married first Lydia Gale on 29 May 1722 in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref][Ref] He married second Elizabeth Darbe on 14 Jan 1754 in Canterbury. [Ref] He married third the widow Rebecca King.

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 Stanford; 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.

Jabez Fitch and Lydia Gale had the following children. All of the children's, except Jabez Jr.'s, baptisms were in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref]

1. Jerusha Fitch was born on 30 Jan 1722/3 in Canterbury. [Ref] She was baptised on 23 Jun 1723. She married Fixhall (Tyxhall) Ensworth on 6 Dec 1742 in Canterbury. [Ref] Tyxhall, the son of John and Elizabeth (Cleveland) Tyxhall, was born on 19 Dec 1717 in Canterbury. [Ref] He died there on 6 Jan 1776. [Ref]
2. Alice Fitch was born on 8 Jan 1724/5 in Canterbury. [Ref] She was baptised on 11 Apr 1725. She married James Cogswell on 24 Apr 1745 in Canterbury. [Ref]
3. Perez Fitch was born on 5 Dec 1726 [Ref] in Canterbury. [Ref says [] Dec ] He was baptised on 11 Dec 1726. On 19 May 1753 he was admitted into the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref]
4. Dr. Jabez Fitch, Jr. married Lydia Huntington of Norwich on 22 Aug 1754 in Canterbury. [Ref] On 19 May 1753 he was admitted into the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref] On 25 Jan 1771 Dr. Jabez Fitch was chosen deacon of of the Congregational Church. [Ref] On 8 Aug 1783 a meeting of the first Congregational Church of Canterbury considered a charge brough 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]
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. She died on 27 Feb 1814. [Ref] She is buried in the Old Mansfield Cemetery in Mansfield, Tolland, Connecticut. [Ref] She married Dr. David Adams. David died on 26 Mar 1790, age 59. [Ref] He is buried in the Old Mansfield Cemetery. [Ref]
   On 9 Mar 1755 she was recommended to and accepted as a member in the Congregational Church in Canterbury. [Ref]
7. Asahel Fitch was baptised on 27 Aug 1738.
8. Abigail Fitch was baptised on 19 April 1741. She died in Canterbury on 1 May 1749.

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] 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][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

Cemeteries

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

Headstones in the "Cleveland Cemetery" in Canterbury (from the Hale Collection, on the Windham County GenWeb Site).

Johnson, Alfred, trans., "Inscriptions in the Cleveland Cemetery, Canterbury, Conn.", New England Historical and Genealogical Register 70, 1916.

Nilson, Gary, trans., Old Mansfield Cemetery Mansfield, Tolland Co., Connecticut, Extracted from The Hale Collection, http://dunhamwilcox.net.

Woodward, Asahel, "Ancient Graveyard at Lebanon," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 12, 1858.

Church Records

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

No author, Records of the Congregational Church in Canterbury Connecticut 1711-1844, Hartford: The Connecticut Historical Society and the Society of Mayflower Descendants of in the State of Connecticut, 1932.

English Origins

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.

Waters, Henry F., "Genealogical Gleanings in England," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 46, 1892, 323-324.

Family Genealogies

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

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.

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

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

Hayward, Kendall, "Richard Adams of Sudbury, Mass.; Plainfield and Norwich, Conn.," The American Genealogist 23, 1946, 141-149, Addenda 24, 1948, 193.

Stearns, Ezra S., "Descendants of Dea. Zachary Fitch of Reading," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 55, 1901.

Wakefield, Robert S. William Bradford of the Mayflower and His Descendants for Four Generations 3rd ed., General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1991.

Walworth, Reuben, "Mason Family", New England Historical and Genealogical Register 15, 1861.

Walworth, Reuben, "Minutes Relative to the Bradford Family," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 14, 1860.

History

Jeffries, John W., "The Separation in the Canterbury Congregational Church: Religion, Family and Politics in a Connecticut Town," The New England Quarterly 52 (1979), 522-549.

Poteet, James M., "More Yankee than Puritan: James Fitch of Connecticut," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 13, 1979.

Local History

Lanard, Ellen D., History of Windham County, Connecticut, Vol. 1-2, Worcester, MA, USA: 1880. Online: Ancestry.com, Provo, UT, The Generations Network, Inc., 2001.

Memorials

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

Personal Records

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

Public Records

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

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

Vital Records

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.

Nash, Sylvester, "Records of Saybrook, Ct." New England Historical and Genealogical Society 4, 1850.

Vital Records of Norwich, CT 1659 - 1848, Robertson Family Genealogical Research Project.

Wills

Jacobus, Donald Lines, comp., "New London (Conn.) Probate Records," The American Genealogist 11, 1934, 103-105