Lafferty Family | |||
 Thomas FISH, son of Robert (FYSHE) FISH and Name filtered.Born Jan 1618 at Great Bowden, England, died Dec 1687 at Dartsmouth, RI(or Portsmouth), 69 years, buried at "Old Portsmouth Cemetery" (many of these notes are from Gordon ? of Sun City West, AZ) Came to Portsmouth, RI from Great Bowden, England in 1643, with a brother, John. He settled on the island of Aquidneck in Narraganset Bay, one of the towns included in the "Providence Plantations" founded by Roger Williams a few years earlier. In 1643 Roger Williams received a charter from Charles I granting religious tolerance in the colony. Thomas was the progenitor of the Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Vermont branches of the family. His brother John settled in Connecticut. A younger brother Joseph may have been the Joseph FISH of the Great Swamp Fight, of Kingston, R.I. in 1676.Nothing further is known concerning the other sons and daughters of Robert and Alice FISH. When he arrived in the new country, the shores of New England were sparsely settled. Dense forests filled the valleys and crowned the hilltops, and the wild beasts and the wilder savages were the inhabitants of this widely extended country. His name is found in the "Record of Towne Meetinges of Portsmouth", (History of Portsmouth). It is believed that Thomas and John were in Portsmouth as late as 1655. Some idea of what was required of one desiring to become an inhabitant or freeman is indicated in the proceedings of one of the earliest meetings held on March 13, 1638: Voted, "It is ordered that none shall be received as inhabitants or freemen, to build or plant upon the island but as such as be received in by the consent of the Bodye and do submit to the Government that is or shall be established according to the Word of God. (It is also ordered that) "every inhabitant of this Island shall be always provided of one musket, one pound of powder, 20 bulletts, and two faceme of match with sword and rest and Bandeliers, all completely furnished". General Meetings held 21st December 1638 Ordered "that the swine that are upon the Island shall be sent away from the plantation six miles up the Island or into some Islands adjacent, by the 10th of February, 1639, or else be shutt up so that they may be inoffensive to the towne". (After that any one who wished to shutt up one must pay two pence for each hogg.) On Oct 5, 1643, "Land was ordered layd out to Thomas Fish at the first Brooke." Ordered that every man shall have foure pounds shott lying bny him and two pounds powder --- and every man be in readieness by 24th March next. Further ordered, that every man be in readiness at the beate of the drum. Further ordered, that there shall be a towne watch kept every night --- and that those who keep it shall be paid out of the Treasurie. Meeting held Nov. 28, 1643, it was voted that Francis Brayton (whose son later married a daughter of Thomas Fish) be received as an inhabitant and was given engagement into the Government. It was also ordered that the Wolfe catcher be payed out of the Treasurie. Also ordered that there shall be noe shooting of deere from May 1st to 1st of Nov. Forfeit to be 5 pounds. At a Towne meeting held Dec. 28, 1648, it is granted to Jeames Babcock to have 4 acres added to his house and lott out of the Thos. fish his lott and is granted to Thos fish to have 4 acres out of the Common southward thereof insteade. Meetinge 21st Nov. 1649, Thomas fish was apoynted to Jury for the present Court. Townes meetinge March 4, 1650 ordered: that "the Towne Clerke shall rite the liscences for selling beere, vituals and wine, and that William Balston be liscenced to sell breade and beare and do acknowledge himself according to the tenor of the law to be bounde in the sume of 10s a piece for (every defect) that Thomas Stafford shall keepe goode order in his house. Meeting Jan 19, 1651, 2 acres of lande adjoining to Thomas fish were ordered layd out to Henry eves in leiu of land of land given to said Henry by the towne formerly. In 1655 Thomas fish was made a freeman which also indicates that he was a memeber of the church, probably the Quaker Church, or possibly the new-formed Baptist Church of Providence, or of Newport. Meetinge March 20, 1660, Thomas fish received a deed of house and land from Henry ayres in consideration of fencing two acres said Henry and Ann to enjoy said land for their lives without paying rent. Dec. 3, 1662, Thomas fish and William Hall were appointed to lay out one acre of towne lande. Towne meetinge Feb. 17, 1663, Thomas fish chosen Petty Jurry man to meete in Newport. 5 June 1665 Meetinge: Thomas fish chosen Constable for this yeare. (the office of Constable was one of the most important positions in the town in those days.) In this year, Thomas bought of James Babcock two parcels of land and a dwelling house, barn and orchard for 50 pounds. He later sold four acres to Thomas Lawton. April 1667 meeting: Thomas fish chosen Petty Jury man ... Thomas fish elected delegate to General Assembly. 16 Oct meeting: Thomas fish, Captain Thomas Cooke and Thomas Lawton chosen Grand Jury Men. 3 Dec. 1670 Meetinge: Thomas fish Jr. admitted as an inhabitant. 10 October 1673 Thomas fish chosen Grand Jury Man to sitt and act in next General Assembly to be held in Newport. 1 June 1674: Thomas fish chosen to Towne Council. 10 October 1674 Meetinge: Thomas fish chosen Deputy for the next General Assembly to be held at Newport, the last Wednesday this instant. 7 June Meetinge: Thomas fish chosen to be of the Towne Council and engaged. 12 July Meeting: a rate of 400 pounds was ordered levied in this towne and island. Thomas fish (with nine others) chosen to make the Said Rate and with all convenient speed return it under their hands into the Treasurie of the towne. 1 March 1679 Meetinge: chosen to be on the Grand Jury the next Court of trials. 12 Sept 1680: voted: John Biggs is appointed to speke to Thomas fish that he lay out that acre of this townes commons which was lent to Henry Eves. 18 Sept 1685 meeting: Thomas Fish appointed to Coronery Jury for an inquest into the hanging of a Scotsman named John Crage, by Coroner, Major John Albro. In examining these records it is noted that many of the early land-owning colonists were unable to write their names, and used only their mark, while the name "Thomas Fish" appears in bold, legible hand-writing. Thomas Fish held many towne offices and prominent in the early affairs of the Portsmouth Colony, a part of the "Incorporation of Providence Plantations on Narragansett Bay in New England" Deed made for house and land on 20 Mar. 1660. His will was dated 13 Dec, 1687 and proved 2 May, 1684(?) Some text says he died in Portsmouth RI. Had a son a Thomas, (Father of Preserved and Mehitable), son Daniel (father of Comfort, Ruth and Thomas), daughters Mehitable (TRIPP), Mary (BRAYTON) and Alice (KNOWLES). Family survived King Philip's War of 1676. Much of the above was taken from: "The Fish Family in England and America" by Lester Warren Fish, 1948. Concerning his marriage to Mary, no record of date or name is found, whether in England or America. Her name may have been Mary Soule or Shearman. His will was recorded Feb. 9, 1687, and proved Dec. 13, 1687, as his death no doubt occurred in Dec. 1687. It named his wife Mary as executrix and mentions four sons, three daughters and seven grandchildren. It bequeathed to son John land bought of James Babcock. On Sept. 9, 1697, a coddicil to her will was recorded by the widow Mary. It was proved on July 12, 1699. Son Daniel was named executor: to son John, 5 pounds, to son Robert, 5 pounds and a cow; to daughter Mehetible Tripp, 5 pounds, brass chaffing dish, pewter platter, three porringers, chest and pewter plate; to daughter Alice Knowles, 5 pounds, two feather pillows, basin, pewter platters, pewter candlestick and plate; to daughters Mehetible, Mary and Alice, all wearing apparel both linen and wollen. To daughter Mehetible Tripp, whatever is due her for wool. To son Daniel, all the outward moveables. The codicil makes buy slight changes. Inventory, 130 pounds, 2 s. Thomas lies buried in the old Portsmouth Cemetery. His wife died in 1699 at about the age of 75. All their children were born in Portsmouth Rhode Island. Married 1647 at probably Portsmouth RI (39 or 40 years married) to:  Mary Sherman "Mary SHEARMAN" SOULEBorn ± 1624 at Portsmouth, RI, died before 12 Jul 1699 at Portsmouth, RI, 1st marriage to: Thomas FISH, 2nd married/ related to: Name filtered From Ancestry World Tree Project: Gish, Dawley, Wilcox, Cowles and Assoc. Families Information from Ahnentafel Ancestry World Tree Ahnentafel, says that she was born in 1625 in Portsmouth, Newport, RI. and died 1673. Children: 1. Alice FISHBorn ± 1655 at Portsmouth, RI, died 1734, approximately 79 years Bequeathed 20s. in her father's will, 5 pounds in her mother's plus two feather pillows, basin, pewter platters, pewter candlestick and plate. She was also left wearing apparel, both linen and woolen. 2. Daniel FISHBorn ± 1662 at Portsmouth, Newport, RI, died 16 Sep 1723, approximately 61 years Executor for his Mother's will. Was left "all the outward movables". 3. John FISHBorn 1657 at Portsmouth, RI, died 4 Apr 1742 at Dartsmouth, MA, 84 or 85 years Wife Joanna died 1744. His birthdate approximate Land bequeathed to him by his Father, Thomas, was "land bought of James Babcock." Left 5 pounds by his Mother's will According to Bristol Co. MA probate records, 1687-1745, his will was probated on 20 Apr. 1742, was written 04 Apr 1737. Children's names and spouses, and grandchildren, copied from his will. His son, Ebenezer, of Dartmouth was executor. 4. Mary FISHBorn ± 1652 at Portsmouth, Newport, RI, died 4 Apr 1747, approximately 95 years Bequeathed 20s. in her father's will, 5 pounds in her Mother's plus table, basin, pewter platter, long cups and plates. She was also left wearing apparel both linen and woolen. 5. Name filtered PRIVACY FILTER6. Robert FISH Lt.Born ± 1665 at Portsmouth, Newport, RI, died 1730, approximately 65 years. Occupation: Blacksmith (Much of the information below is from Gordon of Sun City West, Az) Lieutenant Robert Fish was born in Portsmouth, RI. He early prominent in the affairs of the colony and held many government offices. He was a blacksmith by trade, first in a line of four. Blacksmiths in those days achieved considerable status as they had a monopoly on a trade of great necessity. In colonial days, the business of getting a blacksmith to take up residence in a town was as serious a matter as calling in a minister, or a doctor of medicine might be today. In April, 1681, Robert was appointed Constable. On April 9, 1686 Robert was made a freeman of Pourtsmouth. This indicates that he had become a member of a church, no doubt of the Quaker, or perhaps the Baptist Church. "Ear marks of the cattle of Robert Fish is a crop on the right ear and a half peney above the same and a deuce on the left ear. Entered and recorded the tenth day of the 7th month 1687, by me, John Anthony, Town Clerke" On May 4, 1686, "it is voted that Robert and Daniel Fish be accepted by the General Assembly of Newport". At the town meetings held June 16, 1694, Robert Fish was chosen Juryman. He served on the jury until 1699. He was again appointed Juryman in 1707 and served until 1745. Sept. 25, 1695, at meetings of free inhabitants of the town of Portsmouth "it is voted and further agreed that there shall be a pound built near unto Robert. Fishes shop of two rods square to be built with good posts and a oak plank 6 feet high and the town treasurer to take care for the building of said pound and pay the charge of the same of Towne Treasurer to take care for the building of said pound and pay the charge of same of Towne Treasurer and be built all Expedicion." At a meeting held March 21, 1697, Robert Fish was chosen pound keeper. On May 3, 1698 he was appointed from Portsmouth as a Deputy to the Governor at the General Assembly meeting at Newport. He was chosen pound keeper each year from 1705 to 1709. At the time of Robert's death, he was a lieutenant in the Colonial Militia. Feb. 27, 1790 a large number of citizens met at the old Robert Fish house to consider the New Constitution of the United States of America and give instructions to the delegates at the state convention to be held at South Kingston. Bequeathed 20s. in his father's will, 5 pounds and a cow in his Mother's will. Will of Robert Fish His will dated Dec. 12, 1728 was proved in 1730 his sons Daniel and David being named Executors. To son Robert, 5s To son William, land in Tiverton, RI To daughter Alice Peck, 30 pounds andirons and Negro woman Rose at death of parents. To wife Mary, use of south end of house garden, half of orchard, and while a widow and keep of cow, horse, swine, geese, fowls, etc. with the supply of firewood yearly, also beef, pork and Indian corn (viz: one hundred lbs each of beef and 10 bushels of corn yearly). To her as a free gift a horse, cow and household stuff. To son Daniel, Negro boy Jo. To son David, Negro boy Tony together with all the rest of my smith-working tools, watchhouse, orchard, etc. and at death of their mother they to have full paying legacies. To son Jonathan, land in Portsmouth. He directs that his burial place be fenced about and cared for and used "for my dear relatives". The will of the widow Mary was dated April 28, 1735 and proved June 11, 1735. The sons Daniel and David were named executors of this will also. To son Robert, great biblew, a case of bottles, and one half of the old pewter plates with a little table. To daughter Mary Dexter, a dozen pewter plates, a great looking glass, half wearing apparel, etc. To son William, a cow, silver cup, red chest, etc. To Jonathan, a mare, brown chest, great chair and the biggest tankard. To daughter Alice Peck, bed chest, pewter platters, a spicer mortar, little trundle bed, half wearing apparel, etc. To son Daniel, great chest commonly called "Father's chest", silver spoon, great cupboard and desk that was my fathers, silver spoon with my "name at large thereon" wollen wheel, etc. To granddaughter Mary, daughter of William pair of iron dogs, frying pan, box iron and heater, etc. To two daughters the rest of the estate equally except Negro womans bed and bedding. Inventory 160 pounds, 3 s. By the will it is apparent that Robert owned at least three Negro slaves at the time of his death. Slavery "as well as the institution of indenture" was in the early 18th century as common in the north as in the south. 7. Thomas FISHBorn 1649 at Portsmouth, Newport, RI, died 1684 at Portsmouth, Newport, RI, 34 or 35 years | |||