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Thomas Fitch, V (1725 – January 16, 1795) was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from Norwalk in the sessions of October 1761, May and October 1763, May and October 1764, May and October 1765, May and October 1766, May 1767, October 1768, May and October 1769, October 1770, October 1771, October 1772, October 1773, October 1775, and May 1776. He was the son of Governor Thomas Fitch, IV and Hannah Hall Fitch. He served as an officer in the French and Indian War, primarily in upstate New York, near Fort Crailo. Although he and his troops are widely believed to be the inspiration for the song Yankee Doodle, contemporary scholars now believe that its origins are at least twelve years earlier.〔(Connecticut State Library -Yankee Doodle, the State Song of the State of Connecticut )〕 == Yankee Doodle == During the French and Indian War, Fitch was the commander of four New England Regiments.〔(A sermon, delivered at the funeral of the Hon. Thomas Fitch, Esq. )〕 Tradition states that in 1755, Captain Fitch received the song as a joke from a British surgeon, Dr. Richard Shuckburgh, making Fitch the original "Yankee Doodle".〔〔〔(Connecticut State Library - Yankee Doodle )〕〔(New York Times - WORTH NOTING; Seeking Dual Citizenship For a Yankee Doodle )〕 Fitch's grave marker states that he is the inspiration for the song "Yankee Doodle." The marker claims that Captain Fitch had assembled his company of recruits at the Fitch homestead in Norwalk at the beginning of the French and Indian War. Concerned about the recruits' appearance and lack of uniforms, Fitch's sister Elizabeth presented each man with a chicken feather for their hats that would present the image of uniformity. When entering West Albany with feathers in their hats and unpolished clothing, their appearance caused Dr Shuckburgh, a British surgeon, to write verses mocking Fitch and his men as "Yankee Doodles and Macaronies".〔 However, after the successful campaigns at Ticonderoga and Crown Point in 1759, the sentiment had changed to become more favorable.〔 By the time Fitch had left the service three years later, he had the rank of Senior Colonel, and was in command of sixteen regiments.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Thomas Fitch, V」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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