The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-01-30


 belongs having constructed the first steamboat this country Although the honor has generally been crbed 10 Robert Fulton yet well known fact that twenty before the great experiment of Fulton and Livingston the Hudson steamboat constructed and put in operation in Philadelphia under the sole direction of then obscure and still almost unknown individual
 This person John Fitch.
 He was born in the south part of East Windsor near the East Hartford line what called the old road apprentced watch and clock maker 10 Mr Cheney, who carried the business in the eastern part of East Hartford now Manchester He married in early life and had two chl- dren such however the temper and unhappy disposition of his wife, that he left her, and went to New Brunswick N D where he set the business of clock making engraving and epang muskets before the Revolution. When New ersey by the British troops removed into the interior of Pennsylvania where he employed himself repair ing for the Continental army
 In the year 175 Mr. Fitch conceived the project of pro- polling vessel by the force of condensed "When the idea occurred him. he himself tells us did know there such thing steam engine in existence
 In 178S he obtained patent for the application of steam 10 navigation.
 By unwearied exertion interesting about twenty his plan and inducing them take shares $50 each boat built in 17S7. mile measured in Front Water street. and the boat found to at the rate of eight miles hour It afterwards went eighty miles in day The Governor and Council of Pennsylvania much eaed with the experiment. that they presented with superb silk flag
 About this time company sentsMr Fitch to France at The request of Mir Vail Consul at LOrent who of the company and wished to introduce he invention France Being in the midst of revolutions in that country could be obtained for the purpose of building boas Mr. Fitch returned MT Vail afterwards subjected animation of Mr Fulton then in France the papers designs If the steamboat apperanng to the company In 4790 he made alteration in his boat and she performed oeraby we'll but still required further alteration. MT Fitch however not able to obtain the necessary in order to his invention.
 Tie conviction of Fitch respecting the power If steam continued firm June l792 he addressed letter enhou of the share hoders speaking of steam power said
 This. sir will be the mode of crossing the Atlantic time whether shall bring it 10 perfection He complains of his poverty and 10 raise funds he urges Mir Rttenhouse to buy his land in Kentucky that he might have the honor of abling him 10 complete the great undertaking"
 Upon occasion he called upon smith who had work ed upon his boa and after dwelling for time upon his avore topic concluded with these words WeI gentlemen although shall not live to the time you will when steam will be preferred to all other of conveyance especially for passengers and they will be particularly useful in the navigation of the river Mississippi"
 He retired when present observed, in tone of deep sympathy Poor fellow what pity 1t he is crazy"
 he of his him. 
 
 which he bequeahed to the Philadelphia Library wi.h inc proviso
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 disappointrnent Ot the boidness or his "Csays followed them but his doubt would the country this
 
 paddles Of the boat ssen