b. 1774; m. 1801 Mary Rushton, daughter of a local innkeeper; 1 s. Frederick (1803)
A Lancashire man, one of the 'Fittons of Gawsworth', an old family with a long naval history. However, they are now impoverished and have no influence.
After 22 years in the Navy, he is still in 1801 only master's mate and acting-lieutenant despite earning renown in the Caribbean as a small-ship commander. As a result, with the Peace of Amiens, he is let go with no half-pay, marries and settles down as a smallholder.
With the resumption of hostilities he is posted again to the Caribbean, again as acting-lieutenant in command of the flagship Hercule's schooner tender Gipsy, where he adds to his reputation for dealing with privateers and gathering prizes.
Serves in Captain (temporary Commodore) Bligh's attempt to capture Curacao, as a result of which he is, at the age of 40, finally given his commission.

Fitton, uniquely among these heroes is a real-life character whose exploits can also be found - not so readably - in the Naval and Military Gazette, James' Naval History, and in logs and muster books from which Styles gathered his material.