Allen line: Samuel Fish 1656-1733

The main question about Samuel Fish is just where and when he was born.  After that, we have quite a bit of information about him, and it is mostly good.  The challenge is that Samuel's parents, John and Mary Ireland Fish, moved around quite a bit during the time period in which Samuel was born, 1656 or possibly 1657.  I've seen his birth place listed as Sandwich, Long Island, NY and as Groton, Stratford, Stonington, and Mystic, Ct.  I don't think anyone has a document that states Samuel was born at such and such a place, and until one is found, we will just have to be content knowing that he was born in colonial Connecticut (or possibly New York).

If Samuel grew up in Mystic, he would have been quite aware of the life of a mariner, whether or not he was part of that industry.  Mystic was on the Connecticut River and very close to Long Island Sound.  Coastal trading opportunities would have been plentiful.  He married Sarah Starke...but I'm getting ahead of the story...

Samuel and his father John each served in King Philip's war in 1675-1676, Samuel serving as a captain.  He served long enough to be given land in Groton as a reward for his service.  Samuel stayed in Groton long enough to meet, court, and marry Sarah Starke, daughter of Aaron and Sarah (maiden name unknown) Starke. It may or may not be a coincidence that he became a church member in 1680. Samuel and Sarah had at least 7 children together.  He seems to have been civic minded, serving as a select man for many years. 

Now, one thing I've learned in my years of genealogy work is that selectmen weren't chosen just because they were popular.  In general, they had an estate above the median level of the town.  Samuel seems to follow that trend.  His inventory isn't totaled, but he had 113 sheep, various other farm animals, several books, household inventory, and oh, dear, slaves.  There are four listed in the inventory and he has given several more to his children, so it's hard to know for sure how many there were.  Oh, dear. 

So the picture is confusing.  On the one hand, he held several slaves.  On the other hand, he directed that each of his children, or possibly grandchildren, be given Bibles.  I've seen just a few other men who have done that. 

I should mention that the wife mentioned in the will is Dorothy, because Sarah had died in 1722.  He mentions her daughter Anna Smith in the will, too.  Dorothy was to keep what she brought to the marriage in 1724, and then he added other provisions for her comfort, making sure she would be provided for. 

He's a man from a different world, and sometimes I think we shouldn't judge slaveholders, while other times I wonder what he was thinking.  But I'm glad I've learned a little more about him, and I wonder if you are glad, too. 

The line of descent is

Samuel Fish-Sarah Starke

Abigail Fish-Daniel Eldridge

Sarah Eldridge-Thomas Chester

Bathsheba Chester-Jonathan Havens

Elizabeth Chester Havens-John Starr

John Havens Starr-Clarissa Falley

Harriet Starr-John Wilson Knott

Edith Knott-Edward Allen

Richard Allen-Gladys Holbrook

Their descendants