The Fitness Family in New Zealand
The first written record of the Fitness name, spelt Fyttenerssh, appears in a manuscript held at the East Sussex Records Office, and refers to a grant of land between Frant and Rotherfield in 1482. From that time up until the early 19th Century, most of the Fitness clan appears to have lived in the villages of the East Sussex weald, though they are variously referred to as Fytnesss, Fyltnesse, Fyltnes, Fytnis, Fitnesse and Phitness.
Research by Ted Fitness suggests that the Fitness name is possibly of Saxon origin, and that the Fitness families may have been traditionally engaged as charcoal burners in the weald.
On the 7th of November 1812, one Thomas Fitness married Elizabeth Humphrey at Frant in Sussex. They were to have 8 children; James, Thomas, John, George, Mary, Hannah, Samuel and Joseph. The 1851 Census for Frant shows Thomas Fitness age 63 living in Slate House Frant Forrest, having the occupation of Farmer, along with his wife Elizabeth age 59.
In 1850 brothers John and Samuel Fitness along with their families were the first of the Fitnesses to migrate from England, heading for Australia on board the assisted immigrant ship 'Harry Lorrequer'. They were followed in the same year by their brother George and his wife Jane, who arrived at New Plymouth in New Zealand on board the 'Eden'. In 1856 parents Thomas and Elizabeth Fitness boarded the 'Euthemus' for New Zealand, along with their eldest son James and his family. Youngest son Joseph also made the journey out in 1856 on board the 'Indian Queen' along with his family. By the time of their arrival in New Zealand, Thomas and Elizabeth would have been 68 and 64 years of age respectively.
Research by Ted Fitness suggests that the Fitness name is possibly of Saxon origin, and that the Fitness families may have been traditionally engaged as charcoal burners in the weald.
On the 7th of November 1812, one Thomas Fitness married Elizabeth Humphrey at Frant in Sussex. They were to have 8 children; James, Thomas, John, George, Mary, Hannah, Samuel and Joseph. The 1851 Census for Frant shows Thomas Fitness age 63 living in Slate House Frant Forrest, having the occupation of Farmer, along with his wife Elizabeth age 59.
In 1850 brothers John and Samuel Fitness along with their families were the first of the Fitnesses to migrate from England, heading for Australia on board the assisted immigrant ship 'Harry Lorrequer'. They were followed in the same year by their brother George and his wife Jane, who arrived at New Plymouth in New Zealand on board the 'Eden'. In 1856 parents Thomas and Elizabeth Fitness boarded the 'Euthemus' for New Zealand, along with their eldest son James and his family. Youngest son Joseph also made the journey out in 1856 on board the 'Indian Queen' along with his family. By the time of their arrival in New Zealand, Thomas and Elizabeth would have been 68 and 64 years of age respectively.
For more information on the arrival of the Fitness family in New Zealand, see:
- ''Early Days in Franklin'' by Nona Morris, 1965
- ''They came by ship; centenary of Bombay'' by A. Donovan, 1965
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