At a Church Meeting of the First Congregational Church, held in 1771, "after solemn fasting and prayer to Almighty God for direction, the Church made choice of Mr. Elijah Fitch as colleague pastor with Mr. Barrett."

    At a meeting held by the Town a week later, "by a very unanimous vote, the Town concurred with the Church in their choice, and voted to give Mr. Fitch  £133 6s.8d. lawful money for his settlement, and  £60 lawful money for his yearly salary, together with the use of the ministerial lot (excepting 40 acres,) during the time of his ministry, he to make no strip on said lot, saving to cut his own fire-wood."

    In his letter of acceptance Mr. Fitch wrote:
    "I fain would hope (O that I could confidently say,) that I now give myself to you in the bonds of our common Lord, humbly depending on His power for success and grace for acceptance, and being sensible that many and great are the difficulties attending the right and faithful discharge of the duties incumbent on those who are duly called and solemnly ordained to this great, noble and excellent work.  Brethren, pray for me, that the great Head of the Church--the God of all light and knowledge--would enrich me with the treasures of wisdom, endow me with every spirtual gift and grace, that I may obtain mercy and help in every time need, and my preaching conduce to the saving of my own soul and the souls of them that hear me." . . .

    Mr. Fitch's ministry covered the period of the revolutionary war. . . . There is abundant evidence that it was an eminently successful ministry.  He was a man of superior mental powers, of refined taste and sound judgement.  He was somewhat reserved in mixed companies, but in the pulpit he was remarkably eloquent. . . . No man ever more feelingly participated in the happiness or misery of his fellow-men than he, or better the filled several offices of pastor, husband, parent, friend, neighbor or townsman."