Born in Massachusetts, Fitch became a merchant sailor in South America in 1815, before eventually emigrating to Alta California (then a part of Mexico).

In 1815, Fitch made his first ship journey, visiting ports in South America, buying and selling cargoes for a Danish merchant.

Fitch expressed romantic interest in Carrillo, and during his return visits to San Diego he would court the girl.

[5] On April 14, 1829, he was baptized in San Diego, California under the name Enrique Domingo Fitch.

Upon stopping in San Pedro, they received a summons from padre Jose Sanchez claiming that the marriage certificate from Chile was invalid.

He was held in San Pedro by General Mariano G. Vallejo, who would eventually marry Carrillo's sister, and therefore become Fitch's brother-in-law.

Historical records note that he did not enjoy public service and repeatedly requested to be relieved of his duties based on language barriers.

[5] In 1841, he was given a 48,000 acre land grant at Rancho Sotoyome in Healdsburg, California in Sonoma County.

[4][5] Fitch never actively settled or developed the land in Healdsburg, choosing to continue to work in the trade industry up and down the coast.

After gold was found in Northern California, Fitch started planning to relocate the family to Rancho Sotoyome in March 1849.