Preceded by Roger Wolcott Name Thomas Fitch | Role Governor | |
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Preceded by Joseph Platt,Samuel Comstock Succeeded by Joseph Platt,Samuel Comstock Resting place |
Thomas Fitch IV (c. 1699 – July 18, 1774) was governor of the Connecticut Colony from 1754 to 1766.
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Family and early life
Fitch was born, probably at Norwalk, Connecticut, the son of Thomas Fitch III (1675–1731), an investor in the Equivalent Lands and his first wife, Sarah Boardman Fitch. He graduated from Yale in 1721 then went on to obtain a master's degree. Fitch married Hannah Hall in 1724. The couple had several children, the first Thomas Fitch, V, was born in 1725. Thomas Fitch IV served as Norwalk Justice of the Peace, Deputy and Assistant to the Connecticut General Assembly, Deputy Governor, Chief Justice (to the Connecticut Superior Court), and finally Governor of the Colony of Connecticut.
Fitch died July 18, 1774. He is buried in the East Norwalk Historical Cemetery.
His grave inscription
THE HONORABLE THOMAS FITCH, ESQ.GOV. OF THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT,Eminent and distinguished among mortals.for great abilities, large acquirements, and avirtuous character.a clear, strong, sedate mind,and an accurate, extensive acquaintancewith law and civil government;a happy talent of presiding,close application and strict fidelity,in the discharge of important trusts,no less than.for his employments by the voice of the peoplein the chief offices of State,and at the head of the colony.Having served his generation by the will of God,fell asleep July 18 in Domini 1774,in the 75th year of his age.Fitch house
The Fitch house was partially burned during the "burning of Norwalk" raid carried out by William Tryon and British troops in July 1779 and only one wing of the house was left standing. Fitch descendants lived in the rebuilt house until 1945. In 1956 the Fitch house was relocated to make way for the construction of the Connecticut Turnpike. It stands today as part of the Mill Hill Historic Park in Norwalk next to the Green.