| Life of John Fitch - Chapter 21 Fitch Goes to France, His Return, Suicide |
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| Life of John Fitch - Chapter 21 Fitch Goes to France, His Return, Suicide |
The contract with Aaron Vail still continued in force, and the Company consented that, instead of "the mechanic" whom it was proposed to send to France to build steamboats, Fitch should himself go. He sailed from America in 1793.1 He arrived at L'Orient at a time when the troubles of the Revolution agitatedthe French people, and when all business was suspended. " He could not obtain the pecuniary aid required for his purposes; and after exhausting his patience, and the limited means at his disposal, he deposited his papers and specifications in the hands of Mr. Vail, and crossed the Channel to England."
While remaining in Philadelphia, Fitch had become acquainted with many of the ingenious men of his day, inventors like himself, but not so unfortunate. Among others, he was intimate with Robert Leslie, a clock and watch maker, who resided, in 1791, on the north side of Market street between Fourth and Fifth. Mr. Leslie had made some important improvements in watches and clocks, for which the State of Pennsylvania, during the existence of the Confederation, had granted him exclusive privileges. Beside his various modifications in the machinery of timepieces, Mr. Leslie had perfected other inventions. These were, in 1792, summed up as follows:
Early in 1793, Mr. Leslie announced
his intention of leaving the United States toward the end of April
of that year. His property was sold by auction on the
24th of April, and he probably left Philadelphia in the packetship
which sailed the next month for London. This gentleman John Fitch
visited after he left France, and he remained at his house
in London some time previous to his departure for the United
States. Here he was seen by Miss Eliza Leslie, the authoress
who yet cherishes a lively memory of the singular man. Whilst
in London, John Fitch published a little pamphlet beating the
following title:
"An Explanation for keeping a ship's traverse at Sea by the Columbian Ready Reckoner. By John Fitch. London: printed for and published by the author. 1793."
It was dedicated to Dr. William Thornton. In his introductory remarks, he says,
"Altho I never turned my attention to navigation no further than to learn the theory, yet, in crossing the Atlantick I saw on board the packet a round board, with the points of the compass cut on it, and holes in the points. I further observed that v. hen they had run one hour they put a peg into the point they had just run."This gave me an Idea that something more perfect might be made; in consequence of which, I went to work and formed the enclosed plate; which, as it appears to me, will reduce the art of navigation to the comprehension of the smallest capacity, and simplify it in such a manner as to save the masters of vessels much trouble in their reckonings
"I have in this endeavoured to bring the art of navigation into one focal point; also to make it easy to those who look upon calculations as a burthen. I do not think it absolutely necessary that masters of vessels should be obliged to study geometrical propositions, problems, drawing of lines, angles, and curves, or to teaze themselves with logarithms s, signs, tangents, and trigonometry, altho it would be very convenient for them to know them, but that it is sufficient for them to know these things to be so; also, that the lines and angles pointed out by these figures are more accurate than any drawn with a ruler. I therefore trust that all questions necessary for keeping a ship's traverse can be resolved by this method, and most of them in much less time than in the common way now practiced. I presume that this could be learned by a moderate genius, conversant with figures, in six hours' teaching, and a very moderate share of common arithmetick will be fully sufficient for this method of navigation."
He thought that if seamen would learn it the know ledge would raise them socially, and that they would then have more respect for themselves. In reference to this view of the case, he remarks,
"It has been observed by some masters of vessels, that it would not be attended with good consequences to make every man that followeth the sea a navigator, as it would be a means of destroying the subordination so very necessary to be kept on board.
"To which I beg leave to observe that, in my opinion, it would have a very different effect, for the following reasons:
"1st. Men of no ambition are never to be feared in any plot or mutiny without ambitious leaders.
"2nd. Men of an ambitions turn, who may have a prospect for an honorable command, undoubtedly would be cautious of setting such an example, which would have a tendency to destroy their views to advancement; but if after good conduct they should attain what they are aiming at, that would become a precedent at a future day to those under their command."
The explanation referred to an engraved card, on which there were four tables, containing calculations and figures. The body of the pamphlet contained directions how to work a traverse, mark directions, etc., according to the tables.
In 1794, John Fitch returned to the United States, working his passage as a common sailor. He landed at Boston in a state of destitution. He found his way to Connecticut, where he saw his sister, Mrs. King, and his daughter Lucy, Mrs. Kilbourne; but there was no reconciliation between himself and his wife.
He remained with his brotherinlaw, Timothy King, at East Windsor, for nearly two years, and then determined to seek his lands in Kentucky.
It is conjectured that at this time some overtures were made to him by Chancellor Livingston, whose interest in steam navigation was even at that early day exceedingly strong.
Mr. John Hutchings, a native of New
York, says (see Documentary History of New York, 2d Vol., 1047)
that in the summer of 17913 or '7, he, being then a lad, assisted
Mr. Fitch in steering a steamboat, and otherwise aiding
in the working of the machinery. The boat was navigated upon "
the (collect," a large pond of fresh water, since filled
up, on a portion of the site of which is now built the City ("
Tombs") Prison. Mr. Hutchings says, further, that Robert
Fulton and Robert R. Livingston were upon the boat several
times when it was worked by steam, and that Mr. Fitch explained
to them the-modus operandi of the machinery.
"Mr. Fitch remarked to Mr. Fulton, that in a former experiment paddle wheels splashed too much, and could not be used in Canal navigation. No one at that time thought of having them covered with boxes. They had no doubt but that the boat might be propelled 8i8 miles an hour, though then making something less. The steam leas sufficiently high to propel the boat once, twice, or thrice around the pond; Ashen, more water being introduced into the boiler or pot, and steam generated, she was again ready to start on another expedition."
This boat was propelled by a screw
propeller. The boiler was a ten or twelvegallon iron
pot, with a lid of truckplank, firmly fastened to it by
an iron bar placed transversely. The boat was a ship's yawl,
steered by an oar.
" The Cylinder was of wood, barrel
shaped on the outside, and strongly hooked, being straight
on the inside. The main steam pipe led directly from the boiler
top into a copper box, receiver, or valve box, about six inches
square. The leading pipes led separately into the bottom or base
of the one short cylinder and the longer one, and each piston
rod was attached to the extremity of the working beam. This beam
was supported by an iron upright: the connecting rod was so arranged
as to turn the crank of the propelling shaft, which passed horizontally
through the stern of the boat, and M as made fast to the propeller
or screw. The valves were corked by a simple contrivance attached
likewise to the working beam."
General Anthony Lamb and William H. Westlock, City Surveyor, of New York, both certified in 1846 to the truth of Mr.. Hutchings' statement, and declared that they themselves had seen the boat moved by steam on the Collect as early as 1796.
From New York Fitch came again to Philadelphia,
where he renewed his acquaintance with his friends. Whilst there
he visited Oliver Evans, whose interest in the steamengine
was shown in many subsequent improvements upon that machine. In
the course of the conversation, the steamboat affair was
mentioned, and Fitch divulged his hopes that he would yet be able
to form a company to build boats in Kentucky. Mr. :Evans relates
these facts in a deposition or affidavit made December 16,1814.
The language used is as follows:
"When the said John Fitch was
afterward setting out for the western country, he called on the
said Oliver, at his house, and declared his intention to be, to
form a Company to establish steamboats on the western waters;
of the advantages of which, he appeared to have some vast conceptions
and great expectations." '
From Philadelphia John Fitch went to
Kentucky; where, from the coldness of the people toward his project,
he soon found that his hopes of establishing his invention on
the Western waters were to be disappointed as all previous expectations
had been. Tie found his lands overrun with squatters, and he commenced
several lawsuits to dispossess the intruders. In reference
to his residence there, the Hon. Robert Wickliffe, of Kentucky,
in a letter to a friend in Philadelphia who addressed him on behalf
of the writer of these pages, furnished the following interesting
particulars, under date of Lexington, November 12, 1855:
" I remember to have seen John Fitch during his residence in Bardstown, Kentucky, but had no particular aquaintance with him personally. He was pretty far advanced in life and intemperance when I first saw him, and he was then residing in the house of Alexander M'Conn, a tavern keeper, in Bardstown, where he continued to live during the remainder of his life. I had at my Father's house, when a youth, the controversy between John Fitch and James Rumsey, as to their respective claims to the title of discoverer of the art of navigating rivers through the agency of steam, and I formed an opinion decidedly in favour of Fitch over Rumsey's claim. That circumstance, together with the rumour that he was the discoverer, induced me to inquire into the private history and life of John Fitch.
* * * * * *
" Before he reached his land it had been seated and possessed by adverse claimants. He brought suits against the trespassers, and after long and protracted controversies, was successful. Those who were intimate with him assure me of their belief that Fitch's profound mortification in being compelled to abandon his steamboat discoveries, and the new difficulties and legal controversies about his land titles, broke down his spirits and disgusted him with life. McConn has often given me an account of his habits and conversations during the years he lived with him. In particular, he informed me that it was the constant burden of his conversation when free from intoxication, that he should descend to the grave poor and pennyless, but should leave in his discoveries n legacy to his country that would make her rich. McConn further informed me, that when Fitch came to his house to get boarding he appeared to be in perfect health, but he told him he did not expect or desire to live long, and wanted him to board him during his life. He said he would give him one hundred and fifty acres of his land, but he must, over and above the ordinary fare of the tavern, allow him a pint of whiskey a day. The bargain was struck, and Fitch executed his bond for the land. Under that contract, Fitch boarded with him some time— how long, I forget. One day, Fitch said to McConn, ' I am not getting off fast enough; you must add another pint, and here is your bond for another one hundred and fifty acres of land.' Both of these bonds McConn shoved me, and got me to read them. Fitch continued to live with McConn as I have before stated, until his death; when McConn caused him to be decently interred in the public buryingplace at Bardstown.
* * * * * *
" Poor McConn's house, with the bonds in it, was burnt up, and he was reduced to poverty. In a suit against the devisees of Fitch, he vas only able to establish one of the bonds, and he got but one hundred and fifty acres Many years ago, when I was a member of the Legislature, I visited Bardstown, called upon McConn, and asked him to designate the grave of Fitch by Some stone, or other sign; and I asked him to show it to some of the young citizens of the town, which he promised to do, and I understood that he did do so. At the approaching Legislature, I introduced a resolution into the Senate, of which I v as then a member, briefly reciting the character of Fitch, and his claims upon posterity, and providing that Commissioners should erect some monumental evidence upon his grave.
"Whilst the resolution vas pending, I heard that a young gentleman of some talent, and a grandson of James Rumsey, was a member of the lower house, and had expressed a determination to resist the passage of the resolution, on the ground that his grandfather, and not Fitch, was the discoverer of the steamboat. I thought it best not to press the matter further, intending at some other time to take it up.
" I will now add—with a view to embody all I know of Fitch, from information or otherwise, than can be considered as connecting him with the West—some information I received from the Hon. John Brown, long a member of Congress, both in the lower house and in the Senate.
" Mr. Brown was present, and saw the experiments made by Fitch upon his boat upon the Delaware. He saw him make two efforts to run from Philadelphia to Bordentown, and on each trip some of the machinery gave way. A few days after the last failure, a gentleman entered his room, in a boarding house in Philadelphia, and introduced himself as 'John Fitch, inventor of steamboats.' Mr. Brown asked him to be seated. As soon as he took his seat, he informed him that at a very early period, when his (Brown's) district was a wilderness, he had visited Kentucky; and I think Brown stated that Fitch said, while engaged in surveying on the banks of the Ohio River, that he took his seat, and for some time contemplated that beautiful river, it then rolling a full tide towards the Ocean, and reflecting upon its immense length from its head to the Ocean. He thought it impossible God had in his wisdom created a river with such length and irresistible current, without giving to man some power of overcoming the force of the water, and being able to navigate it up as well as down.
* * * * * *
" He stated that he had built
a vessel, or vessels, to give practical proof to the world of
the value of his invention; that the machinery of his boat, or
boats, required some change or amendment, to satisfy the world
that steamboats could and would navigate our rivers against their
currents. This, his discovery, would be of peculiar and immense
advantage to Mr. Brown's district, of Kentucky. He (Fitch) was
without means or resources, and wanted about Four Hundred Dollars,
and had called upon Mr. Brown, as a member of Congress from Kentucky,
to advance him that sum. Mr. Brown replied that it was not convenient—
that he had not the money to spare him. Mr. Fitch, rising from
his seat, said to Mr. Brown, ' Well, sir, if you will not advance
me the money, I will go to the Secretary of State's office, and
cause it to be entered, that it may remain res perpetua memoria,
that I, John Fitch, inventor of steamboats, having exhausted
all my means in carrying my invention into perfection, needed
Four Hundred Dollars to complete my work, and give evidence
to the world of its value and utility; that I called upon you,
John Brown, member of Congress from the Kentucky district, in
the State of Virginia, to loan me Four Hundred Dollars, to complete
my machinery, and give unanswerable evidence of the utility
and importance of my invention, and that you refused it.' Mr..
Brown said, ' You may do so, Mr. Fitch, if you please.' Fitch
then said, ' Good morning, Mr. Brown, member of Congress from
Kentucky district,' and Mr. Brown replied, ' Good morning, Mr.
Fitch, inventor of steamboats.' Mr. Brown never saw Fitch again.
I asked him if he had ever made examination for such entry; he
said be never had. There were once afloat many anecdotes about
which Fitch did or said in Bardstown. I do not think them
worth notice."
In answer to inquiries addressed to
the Hon. Nathaniel Wickliffe, of Bardstown, Kentucky, he wrote,
September 13, 1855, as follows:
"I regret that I can give you
little information about John Fitch. He died a few years before
I settled in this place (Bardstown). He died at the house of Alexander
McConn, in this place. His will is dated June 25th, 1798, and
it was ordered to record the 18th day of July, 1798. He appears
to have owned but little estate at his death. James Nourse and
John Rovran were his principal devisees. They are dead, as also
those who resided here at the time Mr.. Fitch was living. Vie
was buried in the public burying ground, and until within twelve
months it was not known where his grave was. It was then found,
and is so described by some of the citizens, by writings filed
with his will, that hereafter it can be found."
Whilst in Kentucky, the steamboat
still amused the idle hours of John Fitch.
"When his health would allow of moderate exercise, he wrought upon n model boat, about three feet in length, at the shop of Mr. Howell. Its machinery was constructed of brass. This model boat bad wheels, and has been seen boating in a small stream near the village, by persons now living. It was burnt in McConn's tavern, in 1805, Nelson County, Kentucky"
In reference to this presumed destruction
of the model, there may be shire mistake. It was very natural
for many to suppose that in the fire it was consumed. The St.
Louis Democrat of October, 1854, published an account of a
model of Fitch s boat which was then in the possession of Mr.
James H. McCord, United States Local Inspector for the port of
St. Louis. We subjoin some extracts from that article:
" Mr. McCord has in his possession
the original model of the engine and boiler constructed by the
hands of John Fitch, about the year 1790 Deere, 1797],
and by him applied to the propelling of boats. And indeed, as
appears from the model in question, it is evident that Mr. Fitch
had also conceived the idea of a railway car, and reduced it to
practical operation, too; but that in his efforts to bring forth
the steamboat, the latter was neglected. This model rests on a
model railway oar, constructed by him, embracing all the essential
requisites of the present railway car, such as a flange on the
rim, just as we have it now, used for a guide to keep the wheel
on the track; also the frame work outside the wheels, as our cars
were at first constructed. It was evidently thus arranged for
the purpose of exhibiting the power of steam in propelling boats,
and was constructed on a railway immersed in a trough of the proper
depth for the paddles to strike the water, and when the motion
v. as given, the wheels would guide it along the submerged
railway.
* * * * * *
" Mr. McCord has procured this model from Mr. C. M. Scott, of our city, whose lady is a distant relative of the family of Mr. Fitch. During a recent visit to Ohio, Mr. Scott procured it from Isaac N. Whiting, Esq., whose Rife is a daughter of the late Col. Kilbourne, of that State, and granddaughter of John Fitch; so there is no doubt of the identity of the original model upon which the great mind of Fitch expended its energies; the result of whose labors was the application of the wonderful agent, steam, to practical purposes.
"This interesting relic has been
placed in the hands of Mr. McCord, with the promise that it shall
remain in our city in the event that a Mechanics' Institute is
established amongst us; otherwise, it will be deposited in Cincinnati."
If this statement is correct, the model is most probably that spoken of by Mr. Whittlesey, and may have come into the possession of the devisees of Fitch, who, it is likely, handed it over to the Kilbourne family, whose descent from the daughter of John and Lucy Fitch is undoubted.
Some time between the 25th of June and the 18th of July, 1798, this unhappy man, weary of the world, disappointed in all his expectations, yet most honestly believing in the correctness of the darling dream of his life, died at Bardstown, Kentucky.
He had been " a drinking man " while in the West, but it is believed he was not a drunkard. Indulgence in ardent spirits to some extent was at that day universal. Fitch may have exceeded in his potations the usual limits within which others, who had fewer troubles, restrained themselves, but, unless it might be in the enervation of mind caused by constant use of the
bottle, he was not a severe sufferer by strong drink. He ended his life by suicide. He had been sick for a few days, and his physician prescribed anodynes. Instead of taking these as directed, the unfortunate man kept the medicine until he saved twelve opium pills. These he swallowed at once, and so, in slumber, passed out of what, to him, had been a troublesome existence.
His will was as follows:
I John Fitch, of the County of Nelson, do make this my last Will and Testament:
To William Rowan. my trusty friend, I bequeath my Beaver Hat, Shoe, Knee, and Stock Buckles, Walking Stick, and spectacles. To Dr. William Thornton, in the City of Washington, in the District of Columbia—To Eliza Vale, Daughter of Aaron Vale, Consul of the United States at L'Orient—To John Rowan, Esq., of Bardstown, Son of said William Rowan, and to James Nourse, of said town, I bequeath all the rest of my Estate, Real and Personal, to be divided amongst them, share and share alike. And I appoint the said John Rowan, Esq., and James Nourse, Esq., my Executors; and the Legacy hereby bequeathed to them, my said Executors, is in consideration of their accepting the Executorship, and bringing to a final close all suits at Law, and attending to the business of the Estate hereby bequeathed. Hereby declaring this to be n y last Will and Testament, this twenty fifth day of June, One thousand seven hundred and Ninety Eight, Witness my Hand and Seal.
JOHN FITCH. [Seal.]
Acknowledged, Signed, and
Sealed, in presence of
James Nourse,
Mich Reutch,
her
Susannah X McCowan.
mark
At a County Court held for Nelson County, the 18th day of July, 1798,
This last Will and Testament of John Fitch, deceased, was produced in Court, by James Nourse, one of the Executors therein named, and proved by the oaths of Michael Reutch and Susannah McCowan, subscribing witnesses thereto, to be the act of the said Fitch, and ordered to be recorded.
Teste,
Ben. Grayson, C. Court.
At a County Court held for Nelson County, on Tuesday, the 14th day of August, 1798, This last will and Testament of John Fitch, deceased, was sworn to by John Rowan and James Nourse, Executors therein named, and ordered to be certified.
Att. Ben. Grayson, C. Co.
Mr. Daniel Longstreth, of Bucks County,
Pennsylvania, succeeded in enlisting the warm interest of John
F. Watson, of Germantown, in the fate of John Fitch. Upon learning
where he was buried, Mr. Watson de. sired to have his remains
removed to Laurel Hill Cemetery, near Philadelphia; where he proposed
to erect over them a monument, having the following inscription:
His darling wish (he said) was to be buried
On the margin of the Ohio;
Where the song of the boatman might penetrate
The stillness of his restingplace,
And where the sound of the steamengine
Might send its echoes abroad.
Nihil mihi optatius accidere poterat.
"Another inscription, with like
fitness, might be in. scribed on the other side of his monument,
equally forcible, from his own pen, to wit:"
While living, he declared,
" This will be the mode of crossing the Atlantic in time,
Whether I shall bring it to
perfection or not."
" Steamboats will be preferred to all other conveyances;
And they will be particularly useful
In the navigation of the Ohio and
Mississippi."
" The day will come when some more potent man
Will get fame and riches for
my invention."
The proposition of Mr. Watson was interfered
with by sundry gentlemen of Kentucky, who promised that they would
unite in measures to have the remains deposited under a monument
on the margin of the River Ohio, below Louisville. Years have
gone by since that promise was made, and it has not yet been performed.
He sleeps in the graveyard at Bardstown. For many years there
was not a stone to mark his restingplace. Lately, the people
of Bardstown have taken some pains to identify the grave of the
unfortunate pioneer, who explored their lands ere Civilization
took her seat. After the spot was identified, as mentioned by
the Hon. Nathaniel Wickliffe, a rough, unhewn, unlettered stone,
was placed upon it as a memorial. This perhaps, is a fitting monument
for genius and misfortune, neglected in life and unhonored in
death.