• General Notes

  Thomas Fitch Inherited an estate near Braintree, Essex County, England.
  
  He was the oldest son of his family. he was named executor of father's estate with Uncle William, born between 1574 and 1583, at Brason Head farm (he was at least 22 when father died in 1605). The Will was probated 12 Feb 1632/3 in Prerogative Court of Canterbury.
  
  Thomas Fitch sailed for America in 1638 with his wife and family.  He was among the early settlers and founders of Norwalk.
  
  He served in the Parliamentary Wars in England.
  
  He served as ensign; recorder of lands; selectman; commissioner for twenty-five years; and deputy to the General Court in 1673, 1676, 1680-86, 1691-92, and 1694. He also served as deputy governor of Connecticut. Thomas Fitch and his brother, Joseph Fitch, were both among the founders of Norwalk, but Joseph, the younger brother, soon removed and finally settled on a large farm at Windsor, Connecticut near the Hartford line.
  
  The military history of Norwalk began in 1655 when Thomas Fitch and lieutenant Richard Olmstead were appointed by the Colony of Connecticut to "look after" the Indians, who began to become troublesome. They had under their command, eighteen horsemen, four of them from Norwalk. Fitch and Olmstead and their horsemen had a very quieting effect on the Indians and they did not cause the Norwalk people much trouble until 1675. Thomas's residence was somewhere near the home later occupied by Enos Osborn on East Avenue. Thomas died in Norwalk in 1704 at the age of 92 years.
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  Thomas's will:
  WILL OF THOMAS FITCH
  
  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 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 in 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 parcell of land lying within ye planting field called the Neck, and that in the Cow division so called the Bounds and quantity expressed in the Towne Records. I will and bequeath upon 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 Record, 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, severall 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 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 and 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 the moveables within doors and without doors, as Brass puter spoons, bedding with all appertaming therunto. Also all the wooden moveables. 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, and I do by these presents ordain and constitute my son John Fitch, my sole executor of this my last 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 hereunto set my hand and seal the sixth day of October, One Thousand six hundred and ninety six.
  
  In the presence of
  James Olmstaed
  Samuel Smith (signed) Thomas ffitch (seal)
  

Details of Thomas' family with Anne Stacie