marry Carrillo's sister, and therefore become Fitch's brother-in-law. On December 28, an ecclesiastical tribunal ruled that the marriage was legal. Return to San Diego For one year, 1830–31, Fitch was captain of the Leonor which transported Mexican convicts. He became a naturalized Mexican citizen in 1833. In Old Town, San Diego, Fitch operated a general store starting in 1833. At his store, he traded tallow, furs, and hides, outfitted hunters, and went on trading voyages on the coast. In 1835, Fitch became San Diego's first city attorney. Fitch was not fluent in Spanish, therefore he struggled to succeed at the job. He was released from the position in 1836 and in 1837 he was asked to serve as police commissioner. In January 1840, he served as justice of the peace. In 1846, he became alcade of San Diego. Within a year he quit. Historical records note that he did not enjoy public service and repeatedly requested to be relieved of his duties based on language barriers. During his time in public service, his general store and trade business continued to thrive. He struggled to get repaid by debtors, the most notable debtor being John Sutter. Ten years later, in 1845, he made the first land survey and map of the pueblo land surrounding San Diego. Land acquisitions and later career Fitch became disenfranchised with the trade business, including challenging business relations. He expressed interest in new land settlement opportunities north of San Francisco. In 1841, he was given a 48,000 acre land grant at Rancho Sotoyome in Healdsburg, California in Sonoma County. 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. However, Fitch would die before he relocated. Later life Fitch died of pneumonia in San Diego in 1849. His body was buried at Presidio of San Diego. His body was the last buried at the site. After his death, his family relocated to Healdsburg. Legacy Fitch Mountain in Healdsburg is named after Fitch. See also History of marriage in California Further reading Miller, Ronald L. Henry Delano Fitch: A Yankee Trader in California: 1826-1840. Los Angeles: University of Southern California (1972). References Research resources Guide to the Fitch Family Papers at The Bancroft Library