from Historical Collections of the Essex Institute
The Fiskes, who have resided in Wenham, occupied farms situated in the western part of the town, and probably seldom or never lived in any other portion of the place; and when they left to settle in the adjoining towns, it was in the immediate vicinity of the original settlement ; namely, in the north-east corner of Danvers and south-east side of Topsfield.
On the right hand of the street, leading from the centre village to Topsfield, is a lane which leads down to the great swamp, where there is a site of an old residence (tradition says) that a family of Fiskes once occupied; and on the southern side of and some distance from the street, and nearly opposite this lane, in a small cemetery, where some of the Fairfields are buried, is an ancient tomb which has always been called the Fiske tomb.
The following account of William Fiske and his posterity has been compiled from county, town, and church records, monuments in cemeteries, and recollections of the elder members of several branches of the family, unless other sources are noticed.
(1) William [Fiske], published accounts say, married a Bridget Muskett, in Pelham, England, and had five children, but only one of whom I find any identified record of birth or baptism, though probably the sons, if not the daughter, were all born in Wenham; as Rev. John Fiske, in his will, makes a small bequest to this brother's eldest son William, and to his brothers. Mr. Fiske died intestate, probably, about September, 1654, as an inventory of his estate was taken 16th 7 mo., 1654; and his widow afterward married a Rix, and was alive in 1674, as Rev. John made her a legatee, also calling her the mother of his brother William's children, but does not mention the Christian name of her or her Rix husband.
Mr. Fiske joined the church in Salem, 2d 5 mo., 1642, and the next year, probably after the month of May, he, it is said, was made freeman of Wenham. He was the first town clerk, and several times was chosen by the town to represent the town in the legislature of the colony, and held other trusts, but died in prime of life. His children were,
2. William, baptized in Salem, 4th 4 mo., 1643.
3. Samuel.
4. Joseph.
5. Benjamin,
6. Martha.