Community Corner
He Grew up Partly in Norwalk, Made His Fortune, Spent It Helping Others
One of Fairfield County's most remarkable residents was profiled Sunday by the Hartford Courant. Here's the article and more about Benjamin Fitch and the home he founded for soldiers and orphans.
Born in New Canaan (apparently), for a time in his childhood he lived in Norwalk, later a Darien resident who also lived in New York City, Benjamin Fitch led a remarkable life and then did remarkably good deeds.
He was born in New Canaan (or maybe New York City -- accounts differ) in 1802 (or 1805 -- accounts differ) and died in 1883. As a child, his parents divorced, and his mother moved with him to Norwalk. At one point his father took him to Buffalo during the War of 1812, when the child witnessed the burning of the city by the British.
He worked in a New York dry goods store and made his fortune following retail opportunities when the Erie Canal was built.
He retired early, in the 1850s, then it seems he largely devoted himself to philanthropy. During the Civil War he helped enlist recruits from Darien and helped to found St. Luke's Episcopal Church, where he and his mother are now interred.
On July 4, 1864, Fitch's Home for Soldiers was opened in a ceremony that 3,000 people attended. New York Tribune Editor (and later a candidate for president) Horace Greeley spoke.
Wee Burn Country Club's first clubhouse was originally in Fitch's former home in Darien.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
