Wenham, Essex County, Massachusetts was settled in 1636. The first settlers called it Enon or Salem Village. It was officially set off from the Town of Salem on May 10, 1643.
Lush forests in Colonial America allowed settlers to build wooden homes.
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.
John Fiske (1680, married Abigail Poor), William Fiske (June 10, 1687 married Rebecca Redington and Lydia Thurston; third Bethiah Goodrich), Samuel Fiske, Jr. (1685, married Sarah Redington), and
Daniel Fiske (1693, married Sarah Fuller).
His second wife was Mrs. Hannah Allen, of Manchester who was born in 1662.
Hannah and Samuel's children included:
Benjamin Fiske,
Hannah Fiske (January 7, 1697/98).
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.
Mary White Rowlandson,Talcot
was captured by Native Americans
during King Philip's War
(1675-1676).
Old Style Calendar
Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.
A tythingman was responsible for the moral behavior of a group of neighbors. He had the authority to bring problems to the court.
In early New England towns policy was set by a board of 3 to 5 selectmen. They oversaw public responsibilities such as the policing, roads, and fences.
A constable was an elected official who was responsible for keeping the peace. His duties were more limited than the sheriff's. He apprehended and punished offenders, helped settle estates, and collected taxes.
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 [Fiske], married Sarah Reddington.
2. John [Fiske], married Abigail Poor.
3. William [Fiske], born June 10, 1687; married (first) Rebecca Reddington; second Lydia Thurston; third Bethiah Goodrich.
4. Daniel [Fiske],
5. Benjamin [Fiske], died unmarried, September 16, 1719.
6. Hannah [Fiske], born January 7, 1698; died February 3, 1699.
Any man entering a colony or becoming a a member the church, was not free. He was not forced to work, but his movements were carefully observed to see if they followed the Puritanical ideal. After this probationary period, he became a "freeman." Men then took the Oath of a Freeman where they vowed to defend the Commonwealth and not to overthrow the government.
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 Fiske. His wife was Phebe Redington, daughter of Capt. John Redington, of Topsfield, Mass., and granddaughter of Zaccheus Gould, who came of an old and prominent English family. (Richard, Richard, Thomas, Richard, Thomas.) Phebe Redington was widow of Thomas Bragg.
