History of Fitchburg Part 14 1836 by Rufus Torrey


It was the following morning, according to the accounts of
the aged people that the garrison of John Fitch was
attacked.  He lived at this time several miles distant from
his nearest neighbors, and was the farthest west of them
all.  His family consisted of himself, wife, four children,
(one son and three daughters,) and the two soldiers already
mentioned.  One of these on going out of the fort to examine
the premises, (thinking from certain indications that
Indians were lurking in the vicinity) was immediately shot
down.  The Indians then commenced the attack upon the
garrison, which Fitch and the remaining soldier defended for
a short time.  The latter was soon shot through the port,
and Fitch was induced to surrender.  Surdody was desirous of
having him killed on the spot, but he was overruled in this
by the others, who were disposed to carry him and his family
into captivity, and so receive the highest bounty from the
French, and a large sum for their ransom.  Fitch accompanied
by his wife and four children and under the excort of his
captors, was carried to Montreal.  His habitation was at
such a distance from the principal settlement that the
report of his capture was not spread till the following
morning.  It reached the middle of Lunenburg, however, long
before the rising of the sun and the alarm, (three muskets,
heavily loaded, discharged with a certain interval between
each report) was immediatedly fired.  Soldiers arrived in an
incredibly short period, from Groton, Lancaster, and even
from Westford.  They immediately put themselves under the
command of Major Hartwell and started in pursuit.  They had
not proceeded far beyond the smoking ruins of the garrison
before they discovered a paper stuck in the bark of a tree.
This contained a request signed by Fitch, not to have his
friends pursue him; for the Indians had given him to
understand what his destiny was to be if they were not
molested; but if they should be pursued and likely to be
overtaken then they should forthwith kill him, together with
his wife and children.  The soldiers, on the receipt of this
returned.  Fitch and his family were carried to Montreal,
where they remained for about one year, enduring great
hardships.  They were then ransomed, principally by means of
a subscription raised among the people of Bradford, the
place of his former residence.  They all lived to return to
their home, with the exception of Mrs. Fitch who died while
on her return, at Providence, R.I.

After this period, Mr. Fitch was prospered in his worldly
concerns, and became one of the wealthiest men of the place.
When the country above him became settled he opened a public
house.  He presents one of the many instances of the
uncertainty of riches.  He lived to the good old age of one
hundred and five years, and died in the poor-house of Ashby!

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