Roswell B. Fitch House (1850)

The house at 20 Pearl Street in Noank was erected c. 1850. About 1890 it was remodeled with Queen Anne-style elements, including the addition of a tower. The house was the residence of Roswell B. Fitch (1833-1908), who is described in Picturesque New London and Its Environs (1901):

Roswell Burrows Fitch ,of Noank, was born in Groton, Connecticut, April 19th, 1833. His parents were Elisha and Mary P. Fitch. At twelve years of age he commenced to be self-supporting, and from then until he was fourteen, occupied a clerkship in a general store. Later his summers were spent in fishing for a livelihood, and his winters in attending school. Subsequently he again became clerk in a store, and was afterwards engaged to assume the management of a union store which was erected for the special purpose of being placed under his charge. In 1851 he became an active partner in the business, and bought out, one-by-one, the twelve other owners, until he possessed absolute control. In May, 1890, he sold his business, and closed an active commercial career of thirty-five years duration. In October, 1854, Mr. Fitch married Ellen Elizabeth Wilbur, who died February 13th, 1874, leaving a son, Walter Wilbur Fitch, who was born in 1859, and died December 26th, 1888. Mr. Fitch married again, in 1875, Olive Elizabeth Wilmot. Mr. and Mrs. Fitch have a daughter, Elizabeth Wilbur Fitch, born April 10th, 1884.