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.
In 1688, during theGlorious Revolution, the Protestant king and queen,William and Mary, took the English throne from Catholic King James II. The bloodless revolution profoundly impacted the American colonies.
Benjamin married Bethusha Morse on November 6, 1674. She was the daughter of Daniel Morse and Lydia Fisher. She was born May 20, 1653 in Medfield, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
Benjamin and Bethusha lived in Medfield. In 1675 Bethusha's father, Daniel, wrote during troubles with the indigenous people.
...I made bold lately to request your help of four men to be the garrison at my house, which is for my family and my son with me, most being married men. I humbly prosecute my request that so it might be that I might have four men out of Medfield, and that Edward West and Benjamin Fisk (sons-in-law) might be two of them, they living in the remote part of Medfield next my farm and they being willing to come...
Benjamin and Bethusha's children included:
Lydia Fiske (September 18, 1675, died when born),
Mary Fiske (July 22, 1677),
Bethia Fiske Plympton (June 25, 1683, married Jonathan Plympton),
Benjamin Fiske (April. 25, 1684), and
Martha Fiske (January 14, 1685).
Benjamin died in 1689 when he was 39 years old.
Deacons played a respected and important role in early New England churches. They sat in a raised pew near the pulpit and had special duties during communion.
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.
European and indiginous American fought fierce battles, sometimes called the Indian Wars, as the Europeans expanded their territory.
The New England Meetinghouse was the only municipal building in a town. Both worship and civil meetings were held there. It was customary for men and women to sit separately and the town chose a committee once a year to assign seats according to what was paid, age, and dignity.
