Fitch, John - 1874

The First Steamboat
His name was John Fitch.  Twenty years before the great experiment of Fulton and Livingston, on the Hudson, a steamboat was constructed and put into operation in Philadelphia, under his sole direction, and was found to go at the rate of eight miles an hour.

He was considered, in his day, as quite visionary, and being a poor man, found it difficult to command the means to make his experiment. "Had his means been equal to the accomplishment of his designs, there can be no doubt that he would now hold undisputed the honor of having given to the country this most noble and useful invention".

He at last became discouraged and disheartened, and ended his days by suicide, and lies buried at Bardstown, Kentucky.

~ Combination Atlas Map of Trumbull County, Ohio - Compiled, Drawn and Published From Personal Examinations and Surveys by L. H. Everts, Chicago, ILL. 1874, Reprinted 1974 by The Bookmark, P. O. Box 74, Knightstown, Ind. and sponsored by the Trumbull County Chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society - Page 13

You can visit the memorial page for the original gravesite for Lieut John Fitch.
You can visit the memorial page for the current gravesite for John Fitch..