An American Family History

Samuel Fiske was the second son and child of William Fiske and Bridget Muskett. He was, born in Wenham, Essex County, Massachusetts. He was a tailor.

He married Phebe Redington Bragg on November 6, 1679 in Wenham. Phebe was born on April 7, 1655 in Wenham. Her parents were Captain John Redington and Mary Gould. She was the widow of Thomas Bragg (1649-1675).

Phebe died in Wenham, October 1, 1696.

Samuel's children were Samuel Fiske (married Sarah Reddington), John Fiske (married Abigail Poor), William Fiske (June 10, 1687 married (first) Rebecca Reddington; second Lydia Thurston; third Bethiah Goodrich), Daniel Fiske, Benjamin Fiske, and Hannah Fiske (January 7, 1698).

His second wife was Mrs. Hannah Allen, of Manchester who was born in 1662.

He was admitted as a freeman on March 25, 1685. He held the offices of tythingman, constable and selectman. He left a large estate, which, before his death, he deeded to his sons.

He died October 31, 1716 and Hannah died on January 30, 1722.

(from Historic Homes and Institutions by Ellery Bicknell Crane)

(IX) Samuel Fiske, second son and child of William (8) and Bridget (Muskett) Fiske, born in Wenham, Massachusetts; resided in Wenham, where he was admitted a freeman, March 25, 1685. He was a tailor by trade. He held the offices of tythingman, constable and selectman. He left a large estate, which, before his death, he deeded to his sons. He died October 31, 1716.

He married (first), November 6, 1679, Phebe Bragg, who died in Wenham, October 1, 1696. He married (second) Mrs. Hannah Allen, of Manchester, born 1662, died January 30, 1722.

The children of Samuel Fiske were:
1. Samuel, married Sarah Reddington.
2. John, married Abigail Poor.
3. William, born June 10, 1687; married (first) Rebecca Reddington; second Lydia Thurston; third Bethiah Goodrich.
4. Daniel, of whom later.
5. Benjamin, died unmarried, September 16, 1719.
6. Hannah, born January 7, 1698; died February 3, 1699.

The Stoddard Family by Francis Russell Stoddard, Jr. The Trow Press

A very full account of the Fiske family is contained in the Fiske genealogy. It is fairly complete except where it says that Phebe Bragg was the wife of Samuel Fiske9. His wife was Phebe Redington, daughter of Capt. John Redington, of Topsfield, Mass., and granddaughter of Zaccheus Gould6, who came of an old and prominent English family. (Richard, Richard4, Thomas3, Richard2, Thomas1.) Phebe Redington was widow of Thomas Bragg.

John Redington of Topsfield, Massachusetts by Mrs. Redington Carter, Ebenezer Wales

Nothing definite is known of the immediate forbears of John1 Redington... [and this brother Abraham Redington]

It has been conjectured that the Redingtons accompanied Zaccheus Gould from the Old World to Massachusetts, and they may have been with him at Weymouth in 1639, and at Lynn from that date until 1644; but in 1645, they were certainly among the settlers at New Meadows Village...Possessing ability, education and considerable worldly substance, John Redington was in 1648 made the first town clerk of Topsfield, and so continued, with possibly some interruptions, until 1671... the name of John Redington therein appears third in the valuation of estates. He was clerk of the writs, 1658, 1660; selectman, 1661, 1676-77, 1679/80, 1682, 1684-5; and served on the Grand Jury, 1678, 1679, and 1683. Also, he was chosen to be captain of the militia of his vicinity, his selection in this matter being thus recorded:

"The inhabitants & soldiery of Topsfield and the villages adjoining thereto according to an order from Major Dennison met together the 21 of the 4mo 1666 and chose officers as follows: John Redington of Topsfield head officer in commanding or leading the company, Joseph Bigsbey sennior, sergeant, Abraham Redington, senior of the village Clerk of the band, Edmond Town, John Comins, Wm Smith, corporals. Request to Court for Confirmation signed by Dan. Hovey aud Mr. Avril in the name of the rest. Request allowed."

Mr. Redington was active not only in town affairs, but in those of the Church as well, and, on 29 July, 1681, was one of a committee" to discuss with "the Rev. Joseph Capen" to stay and preach here with us at Topsfield awhile," and at the time of Mr. Capen's ordination, 11 June, 1684, his name appears second on the membership list.

According to his will of 7 Nov., 1690, his years then were "seventy or thereabouts," and his estate, inventoried at £1008. 1. 8, was to be divided between his son Daniel (who was given the land in Topsfield along the Ipswich River whereon the testator lived); the children of his daughter Mary, deceased, "those she had by her last husband, Robert Cue, as well as those by her former husband, John Herrick; daughter Martha, "now the wife of John Gould living near Reading;" and daughter Phebe, "wife of Samuel Fisk in Wenham." His wife is mentioned, but not by name. He died at Topsfield, 15 Nov., 1690.

John Redington married (1) about 1648, Mary, daughter of Zaccheus and Phebe Gould of Topsfield, who was baptized at Hemel-Hempstead, Hertfordshire, 19 Dec, 1621, and whose paternal ancestry has been traced through many generations of English yeomanry and married (2) Sarah, who survived him.

Children, born at Topsfield
:i. John,2 b. June 20, 1649; d. in Mar. following.
ii. Mary, b. 4 May, 1651; m. (1) 25 May, 1674, John Herrick of Beverly; m. (2) 13 Mar., 1682, Richard Cue of Salem
.iii. Phebe (twin), b. 7 Apr., 1655; m. 6 Nov., 1679, Samuel Fisk of Wenham.
iv . Martha (twin), m. as his second wife, John Gould, Jr., b. 5 Aug., 1648, d. 24 Jan., 1712, son of John and Johanna Gould of Charlestown Upper Village. After the death of her husband, she moved to Stoneham, Mass., where she made her will 17 Aug., 1731. 2.
v. Daniel, b. 17 Mar., 1657; d. 27 or 28 Sept., 1732; m. Elizabeth Davison.
vi. Sarah, b. 12 Mar., 1658-9; d. in July, 1689; m. as his third wife, 21 Dec, 1687, Capt. Christopher Osgood; no issue.