My information is from a "family story', but I can always hope. The story goes : Francis Stitt, youngest of 14 children sailed from the northeast coast of Ireland and came to Hartford, Connecticut in 1798. He married a widow named "Butler", they had a son, John. When John was four the mother died, Francis took theboy to a family named Hall in eastern Massachusetts and left him to their care. He returned to the sea. During the war of 1812 he was captured by the British. After the war he bought back his ship, went to Mass. , married Mehitable Hall, sold his ship and settled in Berkshire Co. I find him there, but what happened before is just a story. The fact that other statements of the story have proved to be correct, leads me to think there is some truth to the ship and ship captain story. Any suggestions as to how I can further investigate this? Thanks in advance. Lillian Stitt DeHart