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Ancestry of Nathan Fiske

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Daniel Fisc, living in 1208—during the reign of King John—was probably an ancestor of Hugh Fiske.

A 29 September 1297 feoffement record refers to land bordering that of Hugh Fiske in Laxfield. [1]

Generation 0

Hugh Fiske was mentioned in the Laxfield records in 1340–1 and 1345-6. [2] He might be the Hugh Fisk who testified that he was 40 or more at an inquisition post morton on 20 February 26 Edward III (1351/2). [3] In this case he might have been born by about 1311. The following Laxfield might also pertain to him. On 30 October 1339 Hugh Fisq' witnessed a quitclaim. On 8 June 1343 Juliana, the daughter of John Nicole enfeoffed Hugh Fysk' and John Baniard, all of Laxfield, her lands and tenements with and without the town. On 6 March 1345 Hugh Fisq' witnessed a feoffement; on 17 June 1347 Hugh Fysk' witnessed a manumission; on 8 May 1351 Hugh Fysk witnessed a feoffment; on 17 March 1359 Hugh Fisk' witnessed a quitclaim; on 2 August 1361 Hugh Fysk' witnessed a feoffment. [1]

The Hugh in the above records lived through the bubonic plague of 1348–1350, that killed half the population of the England.

Generation 2

 

Hugh was probably the grandfather of Hugh Fiske, who was born say 1370—during the reign of King Edward III—in Laxfield.

Hyde provides the only two records she could find of Hugh. [2] On 1 December 1421 Simon Fiske, the son of Hugh Fiske of Laxfield received land in the hamlet of Studhaugh in Laxfield. On 14 October 1435, Hugh was a witness involving a land grant in Laxfield to his son Simon.

Children of Hugh Fiske:

i. William Fiske the Elder (probably son) was born say 1395. [2] He died between 6 March 1462/3 and 21 April 1463.

On 10 November 1450 William Fiske the Elder received lands called "Brounes" and "LaMere" in Laxfield along with Geoffrey Fisk, William Fiske the Younger, and Nicholas Noloth, all of Laxfield. Simon, probably the father of William the Younger and brother of William the Elder witnessed the transaction. [4][2]

William Fisk the Elder of Laxfield made his will on 6 March 1462/3; it was proved on 21 April 1463. After bequests to the church and the priest, the executors and residual beneficiaries were his wife Joan, Nicholas Noloth, John Smyth "Raffman." It was proved by his widow Joan and John Smyth on 6 March 1462/3, Nicholas Noloth renouncing. [4]

ii. Simon Fiske was probably born by 1397. He married first ___. He married second Katherine ___.

iii. Daughter Fiske (probably) was born say 1399. [2] She probably married Nicholas Noloth. [2]

iv. Daughter Fiske (probably) was born say 1401. [2] She probably married John Smyth. [2]

Generation 3

Simon Fysk was born by 1397. He died between 22 December 1463 and 26 February 1463/4. He left a (probably second) wife Katherine ___.

Simon was born in the reign of King Richard II and lived through the Battle of Agincourt and the beginning of the War of the Roses. At his death, Henry VII was king.

Simon was a wheelwright. [4]

Simon Fysk, a parishioner of the Laxfield church, made his will on 22 December 1463; it was proved on 26 February 1463/4 by his widow and younger son John Fysk. Simon left his wife Katherine his utensils and his movables, live and dead. He left each of his three daughters ten pounds within a year of marriage, or if they remained single. He left his son William 40 shillings; his son Geoffrey 40 shillings; his elder son John 40 shillings; his daughter Margaret Deusing 40 shillings; his son Edmund 40 shillings. His residue legatees and executors were his wife Katherine, his younger son John, John Noloth, and Nicholas Noloth. He left his wife Katherine his lands in Laxfield for life, with two acres called Semams to be hers forever. The remainder was to go to his younger son John. If he was disturbed he was compensated himself from his father's lands in Eston Bavent. After his mother's death he was to give his executors 30 pounds. [4]

Children of Simon Fysk and probably his unknown first wife:

i. William Fyske the Younger was born about 1425. [4] He married Johane ___. She died between 15 July 1504 and 28 February 1505.

Johane Fyske, the widow of William Fyske of Laxfield wrote her will on 15 July 1504. It was proved on 28 February 1505 by her executors. Her beneficiaries included her daughters Margery and Margaret; Johan Davy; Christian, Margery, Elizabeth, and Anne, the wives of her sons; her son Sir John [sic]; her son Austyn. Her executors were Sir John Fyske, the son of John Fyske [sic] and her son Simon Fiske. [4]

ii. Geoffrey Fyske was born about 1426. He married first ___. He married second Margaret ___.

iii. John Fysk was born say 1428. He died after 1488. He married Elizabeth ___.

John Fysk, the elder, of Diss, county Norfolk, wrote his will in 1488. He mentioned his wife Elizabeth. [4]

iv. Edmund Fysk was born say 1430. He died between 7 August 1494 and 4 October 1495. [2] He married Margery ___.

Edmund Fiske, fishmonger, of Bury Saint Edmunds made his will on 7 August 1494. He named his wife Margery, son Thomas, and daughters Isabelle, Alice Hunt, and Joan. [2]

v. Margaret Fysk was born say 1432. She married ___ Deusing.

Children of Simon Fysk and probably Katherine ___:

vi.–viii Three daughters were were probably born about 1434 to 1437.

ix. John Fysk, the Younger was born about 1442. [4] He apparently married Margaret Barwar, the daughter of William Barwar. [2]

John Fyske of Laxfield made his will on 18 January 1512; it was proved on 5 February 1512/3. He mentioned Jone Fiske, the daughter of Robert Fiske; his son John Fiske, chaplain, his son Sir Robert Fiske, canon of Leiston; his son Nicholas Fiske; Jone Downe; Rose Payne.

William Dalling was born say 1424. [2] He died between 20 October 1471 and 8 February 1472/3. [2] He married Margaret ___.

William lived in Laxfield. [2]

William made his will on 20 October 1741; it was proved on 9 February 1472/3. He named his wife Margery, his son Geoffrey, and his daughter Alice. The residual went to Margaret and Simon Jurdon, executors. [2]

Children of William and Margaret Dalling:

i. Alice Dalling was born say 1450. [2]

ii. Jeffrey Dalling was born say 1454. He died between 1 June and 15 July 1535. He married first ___. He married second Kathryn ___.

Generation 4

Geoffrey Fiske was probably born about 1442. He died between 3 and 13 May 1504. He married Margaret ___. She probably died shortly before 13 May 1504

Geoffrey and Margaret lived through the end of the War of the Roses and when they died Henry VII was on the throne.

Geoffrey already had land, when as previously noted, on 10 November 1450 his William Fiske the Elder received lands called "Brounes" and "LaMere" in Laxfield along with Geoffrey, Geoffrey's older brother, William Fiske the Younger, and Nicholas Noloth. His father witnessed the transaction.

In 1472–1473 he, along with his brothers William and Edmund, received additional land in Laxfield. [2] In a complicated transaction, in 1495–6 Geoffrey, Sr. bought land in Laxfield with his sons Master John and Geoffrey of Shadbrook. In a 1498-1499 deed Geoffrey conveyed land to Master John. [2]

Geoffrey Fiske of Laxfield may his will on 3 May 1504; it was proved on 13 May 1504. He mentioned his son Master John Fyske; his daughter Johane; his daughter Maryon; Margaret Kempe; son Jeffrey. His executors were his sons Master John Fyske and Symond Fyske. [4]

Margaret Fiske of Laxfield, the wife of Geoffrey Fyske, mentioned in her will, Master John Fyske, Geoffrey his brother, Margaret Cryspe, wife of Jeffrey Crispe, wheelwright, Ele Warner of Denyington, Odeny Baas, Johane Lefechyld of Norwich, Isabel West, and Draper's wife. Her will was proved the same day as her husband's. Neither husband nor wife mentioned the other; each might have thought the other was dead. [4]

Children of Geoffrey and Margaret Fiske:

i. Simon Fiske was born say 1452. [2] He died between 25 June and 18 July 1505 in Freston, Suffolk. [4][2l] He married Joan ___.

In his will of 25 June 1505 Simon left bequests to his brother Master John, his wife John, and three under aged and unnamed daughters. [2]

ii. Master John Fyske, a priest, was born about 1465. [4] He was living on 25 June 1505. [4]

Sir John Fyske made his will on 2 October 1535. It was proved in 1536. Executors were Jeffrey Fiske the Elder of Laxfield and John Fiske his son. [2]

ii. Johane Fiske was born about 1467. [4] She was living on 3 May 1504. She might have married ___ Lefechyld of Norwich.

iii. Maryon Fiske was born about 1469. [4] She was living on 3 May 1504.

iv. Margaret Fiske was born about 1472. [4] She might married ___ Kempe.

i. Geoffrey Fiske was born about 1474. [4] He married Alice Dalling [2]

Jeffrey Dalling was probably born about 1442. [2] He died between 1 June and 15 July 1535. He married first ___. [2] He married second Katheryn ___.

Jeffrey probably lived in Laxfield his entire life. [2]

Jeffrey wrote his will on 1 June 1535; it was proved on 15 July 1535. He named his son Robert, his son John and John's daughters, his underage daughter Jane, his son Nicholas, his wife Kathryn, and his son William. [2]

Children of Jeffrey and ___ Dalling:

i. Alice Dalling was born say 1480. She married Geoffrey Fiske.

ii. Margaret Dalling was born say 1484. [2] She married ___ Lyon of Soham.

iii. William Dalling was born say 1488. [2] He died between 23 April and 30 July 1536.

William made his will on 23 April 1536; it was proved on 30 July 1535. He mentioned his sister Alice Fyske and his godson William Fyske, his sister Margaret Lyon of Soham, and his brothers Robert and John. [2]

iv. Robert Dalling was born say 1492. [2] He died between 27 October 1558 and 18 January 1559/60. [2] He married Joan ___. [2]

vi. John Dalling was born say 1496. [2] He died between 1 January 1561/2 and 7 December 1563, probably in St. Nicholas, South Elmham. [2]

Children of Jeffrey and Kathryn Dalling:

i. Jane Dalling was born say 1514. [2]

ii. Nicholas Dalling was born say 1516. [2]

Children of Geoffrey and Margaret Fiske:

Generation 5

Geoffrey Fiske was born about 1474. He died after 1544. He married Alice Dalling. Alice was the daughter of Jeffrey Dalling of Laxfield. [2] She was born say 1480. [2]

When Geoffrey was born Edward IV was on the throne. Geoffrey lived through the end of the War of the Roses and the reign of Henry VIII.

Alice's brother William Dalling mentions Alyce Fyske, my sister, and William Fyske, my godson. [2]

As previously mentioned Geoffrey of Shadbrook—probably a misreading of Stradbrook, a parish adjoining Laxfield—was deeded land.

Geoffrey appears in several records. He witnessed the endorsement of a land grant on 10 May 1501; he was listed in a 1524–1525 and 1542–1544 lay subsidies for Laxfield. He was an executor for the will of Robert Rouse of Laxfield on 18 April 1525. On 6 May 1528 he witnessed the will of Nicholas Baas of Laxfield. [2]

Children of Geoffrey Fiske

i. Jeremy Fiske (maybe) was born say 1503. [2]

ii. William Fiske was born say 1506. [2] He was buried on 6 January 1578/9. [2]

William was described by Candler as, "William Fiske, who fled for religion in the days of Queene Mary. A daughter married to Bancroft. A daughter married to Aldus of Phresinfeld [children listed]. A daughter married to Burrough. Dawter Mary married to Robert Lawter." [2]

William made his will on 10 October 1575, with a codicil dated 2 January 1578/9; it was proved 30 January 1578/9. He mentioned daughters Gelyon Aldus, Margaret Bancrofts, Agnes Borowghe, and Mary (to be executrix and residuary legatee.) One of his witnesses was his brother Robert Fiske. [2]

iii.Jeffrey Fiske was born say 1509. [2] He was buried on 29 April 1591 in Latchfield. [2] He married Christian, the daughter of John Crispe. [2]

Jeffrey was a cooper. [2] On 7 September 1572 he witnessed the will of his brother Richard. On 10 November 1572 he witnessed the will of John Starke. Presumably he was the Geoffrey who witnessed the codicil of the will of his brother William. [2]

iv. George Fiske was born say 1512. [2] He died between 25 March 1593 and 7 April 1593. He married Anne, the daughter of Robert Dowsing. [2] She was buried on 1 March 1618/9 in Westhall. [2]

George made his will on 6 January 1591/2; it was proved on 7 April 1593. He mentioned his wife Anne, sons George and Thomas, daughter Margaret Wittingham, grandson, John Wittingham, Richard Aldus was to be his supervisor. [2]

v. Nicholas Fiske was born say 1515. He [2] died between 20 August 1569 and 28 September 1569. He married Joan Crispe, the daughter of William and Ann (Godbold) Crispe of Laxfield. Alice was the daughter of Jeffrey Dalling of Laxfield. [2]

Nicholas Fiske of Dennington, county Suffolk, made his will on 20 August 1569. He was proved on 28 September 1569. He mentioned his wife Johane; his father-in-law William Crispe of Laxfield; his four children Rachel, Esther, Mary, and Martha; his son William (who was Johane's son), and his son Amos Fiske. Witnesses included John Fyske the Elder and John Fyske the younger. [4]

vi. John Fiske was born say 1518. [2] He probably died between 31 January and 25 February 1603/4. [2] He probably married Margaret, the daughter of William and Anne (Gobold) Crispe. [2]

vii. Robert Fiske was born say 1521. He died between 10 April 1590 and 28 July 1602. He married first Sybil (Gold) Barber. He married second Joan ___.

viii. Richard Fyske was born say 1524. [2] He died between 7 September and 5 November 1572. He married Agnes, the daughter of Edmund Crispe.

Richard Fyske of Laxfield, sieve maker, made his will on 7 September 1572; it was proved on 5 November 1572. He mentioned his wife Agnes; his daughters Marie, Margaret, Anne, and Elizabeth; his son Elie; his father-in-law Edmund Crispe. His executors were his wife Agnes and his son Elie. His supervisor was his brother Robert Fyske. [4]

Candler said that there were eleven sons. If so, three must have died young.

___ Gold was born say 1496.

Children of ___ Gold:

i. Sybil Gold was born say 1522. She was buried on 30 April 1571 in St. James South Elmham. She married first ___ Barker. She married second Robert Fiske.

ii. Peter Gold was born in 1524. [2] He died between 26 July and 10 October 1579. [2] He married Alice ___.

Peter was a dornix weaver in Norwich. [2] He sent two sons to Cambridge. One was a minister and the other a physician. [2]

iii. Unknown Son Gold

iv. Isabella Gold was born say 1528. [2] She married ___ Phillips.

Candler says that Isabella married ___ Phillips. She was imprisoned in the castle at Norwich for her religious beliefs during the reign of Queen Mary. However, she was released because of the influence of her brothers. [2]

Generation 6

Robert Fiske was born say 1521. He died between 10 April 1590 and 28 July 1602. [2] He married first Sybil (Gold) Barber. [2] She was born say 1522 and was buried 30 April 1571 St. James, South Elmham. [4] He married second Joan ___, who was buried on 3 August 1587 in St. James. [2]

Sybil married first ___ Barbor. [2]

Robert and Sybil lived through the reigns of King Henry VIII and his children, including Queen Mary 1553–1558.

Candler says that Sybil was in great danger in Queen Mary's time. [2]

Candlers says, "Robert Fiske he fled for religion in Q. Maries days, married Sibilla Gold the relict of ... Barbor. Robert's son William Fiske of St. James in Elmham he fled the dayes of Queene Mary. He died May 17, 1620, married Anna Austye ... [children listed]. Robert's other children: Jeffery, Thomas, Eleazer, a daughter."

Robert Fiske, wheelwright of the parish of St. James in South Elmham, co. Suffolk, made his will on 10 April 1590; it was proved on 28 July 1602. He left his eldest son William his tenement called Hoves. He was to pay Robert's daughter Elizabeth, the wife of Robert Barnard, 18 pounds. He left his son Eleazer and Elizabeth his wife, his freehold lands in in St. James, they to pay William two and a half pence per year and Robert's son Thomas eight pounds. On the death of Eleazer and Elizabeth, the land was to pass to William, who was to pay Thomas three pounds. Executors were his son Geoffrey Fiske and Eleazer Fiske. [4]

Children of Robert Fiske and Sybil Gold:

i. William Fiske was probably born about 1550. [4] He died between 25 November 1616 and 17 May 1620. He married first Anna, the daughter of Walter Austye of Tibbenham, co. Norfolk. [4] She was buried on 13 February 1600/1 at St. James. [4] He married second Alice ___.

According to Candler, William "fled with his father in Q. Maries dayes." [4]

William was a churchwarden in St. James in 1601. [4]

William of Ditchingham, co. Norfolk, made his will on 25 November 1616; it was proved on 17 May 1620. He mentioned his eldest son John and his other children Nathaniel, Eleazer, and Esther. He also mentioned grandchildren. [4]

ii. Geoffrey Fiske was probably born about 1552. He died between 11 May and 23 July 1629. He married Mary Cooke.

iii. Richard Fiske was baptized on 16 July 1554 in Fressingfield. [4] He died young. [4]

iv. Eleazer Fiske was baptized on 31 May 1556 in Fressingfield. [4] He died between 3 June 1613 and 4 July 1615. He married Elizabeth ___.

Eleazer was a wheelwright of Metfield, co. Suffolk. [4]

He made his will on 3 June 1613; it was proved on 4 July 1615. He left his tenement and land in St. James and Sandcroft in South Elmham to Elizabeth for life with the tenement at St. James to go to his nephews Nathaniel Fiske, the son of his brother William, and David Fiske, the son of his brother Geoffrey after her death and the land at Sandcroft to go to Eleazer Lusher and Elizabeth Lusher, his sister. He left Elizabeth his movables and three pounds equally to the children of his brothers William, Geoffrey and Thomas. [4]

v. Elizabeth Fiske was perhaps born about 1558. [4] She married Robert Barnard of Custrich Hall in Warley, co. Essex. [4] They were both living on 10 April 1590. [4]

vi. Thomas Fiske was probably born about 1560 at St. James. [4] He was buried on 26 February 1610/1 in Fressingfield. [4] He married Margery ___ probably about 1587. [4]

Children of ___ Barbor and Sybil Gold:

i. Nicholas Barbor was buried on 29 August 1606 in Fressingfield. [2] He married Margaret Woolnaugh on 23 September 1565 in Fressingfield. [2] She married second Robert Fitch. [2]

Generation 7

Geoffrey Fiske was probably born about 1552. He died between 11 May and 23 July 1629. [4] He married Mary Cooke. [4] She was buried on 16 May 1614 in St. James. [4]

Jeffery Fiske, yeoman of Great Bentley, co. Essex, made his will on 11 May 1629. It was proved on 23 July 1629. He left his eldest son Samuel Fisk, who was living in Weybread, co. Suffolk, his best suit. He left Samuel's daughter Elizabeth Fisk, five shillings to be paid at the end of her apprenticeship. He appointed David Fiske of Weeley, co. Essex and Martine Underwood of Bentley his executors, leaving them whatever remained. [4]

Perhaps Jefffery had already given his other daughters their portions and had already disposed of his land. He may have made his home in the last years of his life with his daughter Martha Underwood. [4]

Children of Geoffrey Fiske and Mary Cooke:

i. Samuel Fiske was probably born about 1586. [4] He was living on 11 May 1629. He married ___.

Samuel lived in Weybread, co. Suffolk, and had a daughter Elizabeth.

ii. Nathaniel Fiske was probably born about 1588. [4] He was buried on 13 September 1601 in St. James. [4]

iii. Mary Fiske was probably born about 1590. She died leaving no children. [4] She married first ___ Brame. [4] She married second John More of Wissett, co. Suffolk. [4]

iv. Nathan Fiske was probably born about 1592. He died on 21 June 1676 in Watertown. He married Susanna ___.

v. Clara Fiske was baptized on 10 March 1593/4 in St. James. [4] She probably died young.

vi. Lydia Fiske was probably born about 1595. [4] She died leaving no children. [4] She married ___. [4]

vii. Anne Fiske was baptized in October 1596 in St. James. [4] She married William Bird of Kersey, co. Suffolk. [4]

viii. Elizabeth Fiske was baptized on 22 April 1599 in St. James. [4] She died leaving no children. [4] She married ___ Pygott. [4]

ix. David Fiske was probably born about 1601. [4] He died in New England, probably in Watertown between 10 September 1660 and 22 January 1661/2. He married Sarah, the daughter of Edmund Smyth of Wrentham, co. Suffolk. [4] She probably died before David migrated. [4]

David was of Weeley, co. Essex, on 11 May 1629 and of Watertown, as early as 1637. [4]

David made his will on 10 September 1660; it was proved on 22 January 1661/2. He mentioned a daughter Fitch and a son David. [4]

David had a son Lieutenant David Fiske of Cambridge Farms (Lexington) and a daughter Martha, who married Thomas Fitch, a cordwainer of Boston. [4]

x. Martha Fiske was baptized on 9 September 1602 in St. James. [4] She died, leaving no children, on 6 May 1684 in Watertown. [4] She married Martin Underwood. Martin was born about 1596 and died on 7 November 1672 in Watertown. [4]

Martin, age 38, and Martha, age 31, left for New England on the Elizabeth in April 1634. [4]

After her husband's death, Martha lived with her brother Nathan Fisk in Watertown. [4]

References:

1. Todd A. Farmerie, "Fiske of Laxfield," online article, 2005, NARKIVE: Newsgroup Archive (https://soc.genealogy.medieval.narkive.com/WmamLTwp/fiske-of-laxfield : accessed 19 February 2023).

2. Myrtle Stevens Hyde, "A Re-Examination of the Fiske Families of Suffolk, England, Ancestral to Some Early New England Families," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 170 (2016): 223–32, 339–46; 171 (2017): 70–77.

3. "Inquisitions Post Morton, Edward III," database with images, British History Online > File 120, pp. 58–70.

4. G. Andrews Moriarty, "Genealogical Research in England: The Fiske Family," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 86 (1932): 406–35; 88 (1934): 265–73.

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20-Feb-2023