Nine Generations: Fitch Family Farm in Cornish, New Hampshire

In the woods just off the road rests a small farmhouse built in 1795 by Hezekiah, the son of the first James Fitch to settle in Cornish, New Hampshire. It’s been over 200 years, and the house has never left the family. Now, nine generations later, members of the Fitch family still own the house and 150 acres of land. James Clyde and Susan Fitch have raised three children there: Jordan James, Cassandra Ruth, and Courtland Brewster.

In one of the photos in the series, James Clyde Fitch and his son Courtland Brewster Fitch each hold a photograph of their respective grandfathers, James Brewster Fitch and Orville Brewster Fitch. The given name of James has descended down from the first James Fitch. Brewster is another name that has been passed down in the family. Appreciation of their heritage, along with living off the land has been the essence of the Fitch family for many generations.

For the last 200 years, the Fitches of Cornish have been farmers. They work the land with their two Belgian horses Rock and Prince, each 17 hands high. During haying season, Rock and Prince pull traditional farm equipment to rake the fields. James and Susan also raise Scottish Highlander cattle as a source of food. They are grass fed and free to roam over three different fields surrounding the homestead. Tucker is their farm dog, a Springer Spaniel and great protector. He can always be found helping around the farm or just going along for the ride.

Family is very important and has been over the years. It is a rarity to find such a family which has lived on the same land for so many years. This bicentennial family farm is a treasure of New England.