Henry Delano Fitch (1799-1849) was an American ship's captain, who, after much difficulty over his Protestant religion, succeeded in marrying Josefa Carrillo of San Diego, California (1830). Fitch became a merchant in that city, at one time, owning Coronado Beach and also San Francisco land on which Golden Gate Park now stands. He eventually received a large land grant near Healdsburg in Sonoma County (1844) and settled there for the rest of his life. Fitch was a brother-in-law of Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo (1808-1890). He built first saw mill in Sonoma. Josefa Carrillo Fitch (1810-1893) apparently returned to San Diego for a time after her husband's death, although sources indicate that she spent most of her later years in Healdsburg. Papers relate to family's San Diego business activities. Some materials in collection dated 1852 and 1853 are signed "Henry E. Fitch" and "Frederick Fitch." These first two sons of Henry D. and Josefa C. Fitch remained in San Diego when parents removed to Sonoma.
From the description of Fitch family papers, 1849-1852. (University of the Pacific). WorldCat record id: 35007701
