Person:Thomas Fish (16)

The English background and biography of Thomas Fish was summarized by Carl Boyer 3rd in his book "Ancestral Lines, Third Edition," published by the author in Santa Clarita, California in 1998. Additional family information was obtained from the book "The Fish Family in England and america," published by The Tuttle Publishing Company, Inc., Rutland, Vermont, 1948.

Thomas Fish was in Portsmouth by 5 October 1643, when land was ordered laid out to Thomas Fish at the First Brook. On 28 December 1648, a town meeting added four acres of his land added to the house and lot of James Badcock and he was given four acres out of the Common land in their stead.

He was named to a jury on 21 November 1649. On 5 June 1655 he was appointed to a one year term as Constable, and he served a second term from 6 June 1670. He served two years on the town council starting on 1 June 1674.

On 20 February 1655, Thomas Fish of Portsmouth sold land in Portsmouth to Thomas Lawton of Portsmouth for a good consideration and due satisfaction. The land was 4 acres with all of the housing, fencing, wood, timber, and appurtenances, bounded on the north by the Common, on the East by land of Thomas Lawton butting on the highway and the swamp, on the south by land of John Albro. The deed was signed by Thomas Fish and was witnessed by George Parker and Francis Parker (from "The Early Records of the Town of Portsmouth," Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence RI, 1901, page 341-342, on FHL Microfilm 0,945,382, Item 3, printed version):.

On 2 May 1684, Thomas Fish of Portsmouth gave land in Portsmouth to his grandson, Preserved Fish, the son and heir of his son Thomas Fish. The land was to be possessed when his grandson reaches age sixteen, in 1700. The land was 15 acres in Portsmouth, being the late dwelling house of his son Thomas Fish, deceased, with all lands, orchards, gardens and outhouses. It was bounded on the north by Stephen Cornell's land, on the east by land lately belonging to Thomas Cooke deceased, on the south and west by the highways or common of the town. The deed was signed by Thomas Fish and witnessed by Thomas Ward, Ammy Ward and Mary Billing ("Rhode Island Land Evidences, Volume I, 1648-1696, Abstracts," published by Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, 1970, page 211).

Thomas Fish of Portsmouth died testate, having written a will dated 9 February 1686/7, which was proved 13 December 1687. The will mentions wife Mary Fish; sons Daniel Fish eldest, John Fish, Robert Fish and Thomas Fish, deceased; 3 daughters Mehittabell, Mary and Alce, no surnames given; grandson Preserved Fish, son of Thomas Fish, deceased ("Portsmouth, Rhode Island Records, 1638-1700," pages 366-67, abstracted by Nellie M.C. Beaman, "Abstracts of Portsmouth, Rhode Island Wills," in Rhode Island Genealogical Register, Volume 3, Number 1, July 1980).

Thomas Fish is buried in the old Portsmouth cemetery.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Abstracts of Portsmouth Wills, in Rhode Island Genealogical Register. (Princeton, Massachusetts: A. G. Beaman)
   3:27.

   Thomas Fish of Portsmouth. Will dated 9 Feb 1686/7, pps. 366-367.
   Wife Mary
   Sons: Daniel, eldest, John, Robert and Thomas deceased.
   Daughters: Mehittabell, Mary and Alice - no surnames given.
   Grandson Preserved Fish son of Thomas Fish deceased.