Jonas Fitch of Pepperell, Massachusetts.

Jonas Fitch was born on February 5, 1740, the son of Zachariah and Elizabeth (Grimes) Fitch in New Bedford, Massachusetts. When he moved to Pepperell, has yet to be discovered. He is described as a man of great mechanical genius, especially in the art of clockmaking. The "Vital Records of Pepperell, Massachusetts to the Year 1850" lists his marriage to Anna (Annis. int.) Shattuck, at Townsend, October 1, 1775. It also lists the birth of 5 of their children. The birth dates range from 1776 through 1785. Anna Shattuck was born in Pepperell on July 14, 1776. Their children include Calvin, born July 5, 1790. Mille was born July 9, 1779. Polley was born on September 22, 1785, and died on February 3, 1867, and is buried in the Old Burial Grounds, Groton, MA. She married her sister's widower Capt Thomas Blood after Mille's death. Sarah was born on September 22, 1782. Jonas Jr was born in Pepperell on March 23, 1783.

(All in Pepperell.) His grandson was Hon. Jonas Fitch III. He was a well-known architect who helped design elements of the Fitchburg, MA, Railroad Depot. In Boston, MA, he worked on the Masonic Temple, City Hall, the Mount Vernon Church, and other substantial buildings. His brother, Captian Zachariah Fitch, served in the French and Indian Wars and was a lieutenant and later a captain in the Revolution. He was distinguished in civil affairs.

It is recorded that Jonas died as a result of falling into a brook. He was stunned, wounded, and drowned on May 31, 1808, at 67. (This death information would have had him being born in 1741.)

Very little is currently known about this clockmaker. Based on the approximately half a dozen examples known today, he made a small number of clocks. All of the known clock movements are constructed in wood. They are a 30-hour design and are powered by weights. They strike each hour on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement. The strike is regulated by a large count-wheel mounted to the back plate. The dials are a composite form having a tin sheeting that provides the shape and foundation, pewter spandrels, chapter ring, and circular boss in the arch. The boss usually finds an engraving of a "Phoenix." The hour and minute hands are also pewter. A day of the month calendar can be viewed through a small square opening above the numeral "Six."

There is an example of an unsigned Jonas Fitch tall case clock in the collection at Old Sturbridge Village.