USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Worcester county, Massachusetts, with a history of Worcester society of antiquity, Vol. II > Part 39
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126
From this period is to be dated the real be- ginning of a career which was destined to be con- spicuously useful and brilliant. He had developed special abilities in iron and steel working, and he several times visited Europe in the interests of the Washburn & Moen Company, having for his particular purpose a close study of the most advanced methods there practiced in the manufacturing of iron, steel. wire rods and wire. Much of his time was passed in Sweden, where the methods employed and the quality produced were considered at that time very superior. After serving with the Washburn & Moen Company as chief engineer, Mr. Daniels was given additional duties as assistant general superintendent. Shortly afterward (in 1889) he was made general superintendent and chief engineer of all the com-
pany's properties, and was given entire charge of the construction of its western works at Waukegan, Illinois, the largest wire works then in existence, When (in 1899) the Washburn & Moen Company's business was purchased by the American Steel & Wire Company, Mr. Daniels was appointed chief engineer of the thirty-two plants which came into the ownership of that corporation, and three years later became a director in the company. After the American Steel & Wire Company became the prop- erty of the United States Steel Corporation, he was appointed chairman of the board of engineers of the last named body, in addition to his duties as chief engineer and director. For the past six years he has acted as president of the Washburn & Moen Company, and of the Worcester Wire Company.
As the result of his studies and experiments, continued from the time he was a collegian, Mr. Daniels made for himself a world-wide reputation as an inventor. In 1878 and '79, he made some re- markable inventions, relating principally to the manu- facture of wire rods and wire, and especially the continuous rolling of wire rods and automatically coiling the same. From time to time he was granted more than one hundred patents covering a wide range of inventions, many of which proved profit- able to the company with which he was connected (the Washburn & Moen Company), resulting in rapid advancement and large pecuniary returns. Many of his expired patents are now in use in Europe as well as in the United States, especially the coiling device in rod mills, known as "the auto- matic reel." The Paris Exposition of 1900 awarded him a grand prize and gold medal for his meritorious achievements in the development of the wire in- 'dustry.
Early in his active career Mr. Daniels became a member of the American Society of Mining En- gineers, the American Society of Mechanical En- gineers, the British Iron and Steel Institute, the American Society for Testing Materials, and of the Engineers' Club of New York city. He is also a prominent member of the Century Club of Cleve- land, the Duquesne Club of Pittsburg, and the New York Athletic Club. In Worcester he is a member of the Worcester Club, the Tatnuck Country Club, and the Quinsigamond Boat Club. He is also a stren- uous sportsman, and a member of the Muskeget Gun Club. near Nantucket, famous for duck and brant shooting. He has made several hunting trips for large game in the White river district of Colorado, Jackson's Hole County of Northwestern Wyoming, Quebec as far north as the Hudson Bay Company's post. Abitibi, and also Newfoundland, and his home is filled with trophies of the chase.
Mr. Daniels married. May 17. 1883, Sarah Lydia White, daughter of John C. and Mary L. White, both of Worcester. a great-granddaughter of Seth White of Uxbridge. and a great-great-great-grand- daughter of Joseph Clark, an early settler of Worces- ter. Their children are: Clarence White, aged twenty years, a student in the Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Fred Harold, aged seventeen years ; and Dwight Clark, aged thirteen years. Mr. Daniels is residing at No. 214 Salisbury street on the estate noted as the birthplace of George Bancroft, the his- torian. John C. White, father of Mrs. Daniels, was for many years in the paint and oil business on Front and Pearl streets, Worcester.
Mr. Daniels had three brothers and one sister, as follows : Myron Morton Daniels. Company C, Thirty-sixth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, fell at the Wilderness, Virginia. May 6. 1861. nine- teen years of age. Lieutenant Henry William Daniels, Company H, Thirty-sixth Regiment, Massa-
138
WORCESTER COUNTY
chusetts Volunteers. fell at Spottsylvania, Virginia, May 12, 1864, twenty-five years of age. Abbie Elvira Daniels Blackmer, died January 14, 1905. Rev. Charles Herbert Daniels, D. D., pastor of Grace Congregational Church, South Framingham.
HORACE M. TOMPKINS, who served with bravery and honor in the civil war, and who is the head of a firm which makes a specialty of artesian and driven wells, pumping plants, windmills, and kindred branches, is a descendant of an old and honored family, whose ancestry can be traced back to 1448, the days of Edward the Third of England. The Tompkins family has had both English and Welsh progenitors. The Welsh branch of the fam- ily call Sir Hugh Treherne their founder. More properly speaking, he was the founder of the Tomp- kins family, and a valiant knight, who was with the Black Prince, in Yorkshire, England. At that time the name appears as Tampkins. Nathaniel Tomp- kins, Gentleman, of Holborn, appears on the records as tried at Guildhall, June 30, 1643, upon the charge that he had entered into a plot in the interests of Cromwell, against the King of England. He was beheaded, but his name comes down to posterity as one loyal to his party. Particulars of his trial and his speech from the scaffold have been preserved. This family has always been noted for musical ability, it being said that they have produced more musicians than any other family in England. The organist of the chapel royal was Thomas Tomp- kins, who in 1625 was paid forty shillings for the composition of many songs against the Coronation of King Charles. Much of his manuscript is pre- served in the British Museum. John Tompkins, a noted writer who died in 1796, made the first at- tempt at Quaker biography in his "Piety Promoted." William Tompkins was an artist, and his son Peltro was portrait painter to George III, and drawing master to the princesses. One of the first of the name in this country was Micah Tompkins who, with his wife, Mary, came from England about 1639, settling in Wethersfield, Connecticut, going from there to Milford, of which he was one of the founders, and where his name appears on the records as a freeman with a house lot of two acres, one rood and twenty rods. He was one of a company of eleven in May, 1666, to purchase from the Indians the site upon which Newark, New Jersey, now stands, and was one of the committee to build the first church in Newark. Much data of this sturdy pioneer is preserved by the New Jersey Historical Society.
Other pioneers of the family were: John Tomp- kins, who also came from England, and was the direct ancestor of Horace M. Tompkins, and will be referred to hereinafter. Edmund Tompkins, of Waterbury, was another pioneer. Charles Tomp- kins, one of the New Jersey fathers, was born in London in 1747. The founder of the New York branch of the family was Nathaniel Tompkins, who settled at Eastchester about 1680. Nathaniel was a family name. One branch of the family settled in Virginia. John Tompkins and his wife Annie, who was also his cousin, migrated to Kentucky in 1794, being among the pioneers of that section of the country, and he left a large estate. The Rhode Island branch is descended from Nathaniel, who married, 1671, Elizabeth Allen. Nine years later his taxes were seven shillings, and the value of his estate was one hundred and eighty-seven pounds, ten shillings and six pence. He left to each of his daughters-Elizabeth, Priscilla, Sarah, Rebecca and Hannah-a cow: to his sister, a piece of gold and rights in a black cow.
Among its distinguished members, the Tompkins family has had a governor, the great war governor, as he is called, who was also vice-president with President Monroe. This was Daniel D. Tompkins, to whom President Madison offered the portfolio of secretary of state, an honor which he declined. Governor Tompkins was a patriot of the second war with Great Britain. Like Morris of revolu- tionary days, he raised large sums of money for the government by personal effort, when the nation was unable to negotiate a loan on its own credit, thus rendering a notable service to his country. His father, Jonathan, father of Moses, Warren, Horace M., and Lucius W., is remembered as one of three loyal patriots who lived in Westchester during the revolution, and held commissions in Washington's army. He was one of the incorporators of the schools of the city of New York, and one of the founders of the New York Historical Society. The governor's nephew, Daniel, was in the Seminole war. William Ward Tompkins also served with
Jan Ko 14
Compfins
TOMPKINS COAT-OF-ARMS
distinction in this war. He was a veteran of the war of 1812, and won further honor in the Mexican war. His wife, whose name was Floyd, was descended from the Floyd who signed the Declaration of Independence. Mayflower ancestry inay be claimed by the descendants of Jay Tomp- kins and his wife. The descendants of Jonathan Griffin Tompkins claim membership with the So- ciety of Revolutionary Sires, and also with the Sons of the American Revolution, for he was adjutant of the Westchester county militia, member of legis- lature during the revolution, and present at the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
Characteristics of the family are integrity, with love of justice and liberty. Many have been dis- tinguished by brilliant wit and conversational powers. The women of the family have possessed beauty, grace and polished manners, if the old records may be credited. Nearly all have been well educated,
H. M. Jampkine
I39
WORCESTER COUNTY
and many have possessed great wealthi. The coat- of-arms of the family is as follows: Azure on a chevron between three moorcocks close or, as many crosslets sable. Crest, a ship under full sail. The ship would indicate some notable expedi- tion by sea, by which the first bearers of the arms had become famous. This belongs to the Sussex, England, Tompkins, and was used by Thomas Griffin Tompkins-that is, the arms; his crest was a unicorn's head per fesse argent and or, armed and manned of the last with a chaplet of laurel vert.
(I) John Tompkins, emigrated to America from England some time prior to 1640. He settled for a time in Concord, Massachusetts. He joined the colony under Rev. John Jones in 1644, and was one of the founders of Fairfield, Connecticut. The records show that he was at Eastchester, New York, from 1644 until 1688. His children were: I. Ruth, born April 1, 1640. 2. Nathaniel, born perhaps in Fairfield, Connecticut; married Elizabeth -; died at Eastchester, New York, September 6, 1684. 3. John, of whom later.
(II) John Tompkins, son of John (1) and Elizabeth Tompkins, born August 25, 1642, at Con- cord, Massachusetts, settled at Eastchester, New York, where all his children were born, and where he has a large number of descendants. His children were: I. Joseph. 2. John, resided at Eastchester on his father's homestead, of whom later. 3. Ed- mund, settled at Scarsdale, New York. 4. Hannah, married Abraham Hyatt.
(III) John Tompkins, son of John Tompkins (2), was born in Eastchester, New York, and his entire life was spent there. His children were: I. John, (of whom later). 2. Nathaniel. 3. Nehe- miah, married Oakley. 4. Thomas, married - Heddy. 5. Mary, married Joseph Appleby. 6. Ann, married Ledew, of Fishkill, New York. 7. Ruth.
(IV) John Tompkins, son of John Tompkins (3), born in Westchester county, New York. He was a cousin of Governor and Vice-President Daniel D. Tompkins, of New York. He married Mercy Jones, and had eleven children: John; Moses, of whom later; Nathaniel; Abraham; Absalom; Isaac ; Tamar; Ruth; Hannah; Elizabeth; Mary.
(V) Moses Tompkins, second son and child of John (4) and Mercy (Jones) Tompkins, was born in Westchester county, New York. He and two of his brothers were in the revolution, and held com- missions under Washington. After the war they received grants of land near Peekskill, New York, in return for military service, and they settled there. Many of their descendants have lived in and near that place. The original farm is still in the pos- session of the family, and was occupied by Gould Silleck, an uncle of Horace M. Tompkins, of Worces- ter, Massachusetts. Mr. Silleck died in Decem- ber, 1905, at the age of eighty-two years.
(VI) Moses Tompkins, son of Moses Tompkins (5), born on the home farm near Peekskill. New York; married Polly Croffett and had children : Warren. of whom later; Nelson; Belding; Gov- ernor; Jonathan; Fountain; Sally.
(VII) Warren Tompkins, eldest child of Moses (6) and Polly (Croffett) Tompkins, was born near Peekskill, New York, March 27, 1808. He was a carpenter and builder at Peekskill, New York, and built all the government buildings at West Point up to 1858. He constructed many of the steam brick- yards that fringe the Hudson river, and owned a farm near the Hudson. He was captain in the New York state militia. He married Sarah Ann Silleck, born April 22, 1809, died December 17, 1871, daugh- ter of John Silleck, and granddaughter of Dr. Gould
Jol11 Silleck, a well known physician of his day. John Silleck was a captain in the war of 1812. He married Phebe Barrett, and in addition to Sarah Ann they had children as follows: Henry G .; Nathan; Sands; Wila; Louis; Vashti; Martha ; Charles; Gould; Mary ; Abby; Jane; John B. The children of Warren and Sarah Ann ( Silleck) Tomp- kins were: 1. Gould Silleck, born December 21, 1834; died September, 1904. 2. Warren Nathan, January 29, 1836. 3. Seth T., March 12, 1838. 4. Selah, April 22, 1840. 5. Ira, January 24, 1842; died August, 1850. 6. Horace M., of whom later. 7. Wila T., March 24, 1846. 8. Ophelia, July 30, 1848. 9. Cornelia Jane, November 25, 1850. 10. Gertrude Wells, November 17, 1854. II. James B., Novem- ber 23, 1856.
(VIII) Horace M. Tompkins, sixth son and sixth child of Warren (7) and Sarah Ann (Silleck) Tompkins, was born at Peekskill, New York, De- cember 6, 1843. He was educated in the schools of his native town. Shortly after the beginning of the civil war and before he was of age, he came to Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1862, and there enlisted in Company D, Fourth Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and remained in the army until the close of the war. He was in Washington the night of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and took part in the funeral procession; was present at the review of both armies, and returned to Worcester in 1865. He started in business with his brother in 1869 in the grocery and provision line, and continued this a few years. He then commenced boring ar- tesian and driven wells. As the methods have charged, Mr. Tompkins has added new machinery, and always kept his apparatus up to date, doing a cash business. For a number of years his son was associated with him, and the firm name has been H. M. Tompkins & Son. The present location, No. 19, Gardner street, Worcester, has been their head- quarters for many years. The firm makes a spe- cialty of artesian and driven wells, but also furn- ishes and installs pumping plants, windmills, and all kinds of pipe and fitting used in this kind of work. The firm has an enviable reputation for good judg- ment and success in their well-driving business. The long experience of Mr. Tompkins and his mechan- ical skill have made him an expert in this line of work, second to none. Following is a partial list of contracts which have been executed by this firm: Edward F. Searls, Great Barrington and Methuen, Massachusetts ; Knowles Loom works; Caleb Colvin foundry ; F. E. Reed Company; Danverse Asylum ; J. Cushing & Company, Fitchburg, Massachusetts ; Royal Worcester Corset Company; Worcester Gas Light Company; Denholm Mckay Company ; Amos Plow Company; Peter Wood Dyeing Company; Worcester Brewing Company: Worcester Woolen Mills : Woodward & Powell Planer Company ; Spen- cer Wire Company; Washburn & Moen Manufac- turing Company ; Morgan Spring Company; Wire Goods Company; Webb Granite Company; W. H. Sawyer Lumber Company; George F. Blake, Junior ; Frank P. Knowles; Green Hill Farm; city of Wor- cester school houses; Trout Ifatchery ; Jolin C. Jef- ferds; N. P. Huot; John Rolston; George A. Brig- liam ; C. Robboli & Sons; White, Pevey. & Dexter Company; all the foregoing are of Worcester. Worcester county truant school, at Oakdale; George H. Hastings & Sons, at Boylston ; Edward P. Sum- ner ; George H. Harlow, and others in Shrewsbury. Grafton Country Club; Paul Whitin Manufacturing Company ; Tulula Paper Company, at Fitchburg; Viscoloid Company, at Leominster ; and many oth- ers. Mr. Tompkins is well up in the Masonic order, and is a member of Post 10, Grand Army of the
140
WORCESTER COUNTY
Republic of Worcester. He has traveled a great deal, both in this country and all over Europe, in company with his wife.
Ife married, September 19, 1865, Julia Maria Ward, born March 19, 1846. She was the daughter of Edward Lucius and Harriet Adelia ( Fiske ) Ward. The former was born January 13, 1815: married at Springfield, Massachusetts, August 4, 1844; Mrs. Ward was born January 24, 1817; died in Worcester, September 30, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Ward had but two children: Julia Maria, who married Ilorace M. Tompkins; and Harriet Louisa, who married Homer R. King, and had one daughter : Mabelle Lena, married - Coe, and has one child : Muriel, born October 9, 1897.
Jonas Ward, born February 15, 1785; married, December 22, 1812, Susannah Fairbanks Thurston, born September 18, 1792; died January 4. 1831. He died April 28, 1842. Their children were: 1. Emily, born November 7, 1813. 2. Edward Lucius, of whom later. 3. Laura Fairbanks, born March 5, 1818. 4. Samuel, born October 7, 1820; died 1880. 5. Susan Elizabeth, May 27, 1822; died October 14, 1875. 6. John Alexander, born December 7, 1823. 7. Lucia Maria, born May 20, 1825; died October 10, 1839. 8. Nathan Thurston, born November 13, 1827; died October 16, 1828. 9. Sarah Sophia, born April 14, 1830; died January 6, 1839.
Edward Lucius Ward, the father of Mrs. Horace M. Tompkins, died on his farm at Worcester, Massa- chusetts, April 20, 1900. When he was two years old, his family moved to Oxford, Massachusetts, where he was educated. He came to Worcester about 1835 and went to work for William A. Wheeler, one of the oldest iron founders in the state. He learned the trade of machinist in the Wheeler establishment, where he remained until 1848, when his health began to fail and he was ad- vised by his physician to confine himself to outdoor work. About this time he bought the Sewell Rice farm in Worcester, which is noted as being thie birthplace of the first permanent settler. Mr. Ward spent the remainder of his days on this farm. Previ- ous to this he had lived in a house in Sumner street, opposite the Thomas street school house, and there his daughter, Julia Maria, was born.
The children of Horace M. and Julia Maria ( Ward) Tompkins were: 1. Lucius Warren, of whom later. 2. Mabel Ward, born May 8, 1870; died August 12, 1871.
(IX) Lucius Warren Tompkins, only surviving child of Horace M. (8) and Julia Maria (Ward) Tompkins, born June 9, 1866. He was educated in the public schools of Worcester, Massachusetts, and upon leaving the high school entered the employment of Edward B. Clapp, gentlemen's furnishing store, at the corner of Main and Foster street. At the end of two years he gave up this position and took up architecture, working on many of the large build- ings in Worcester and Boston, Massachusetts, and in Manchester, New Hampshire. He returned to Wor- cester and entered into an engagement with the Vocalion Organ Company, making designs for their organs. The one used in the woman's building at the World's Fair in Chicago, Illinois, was of his de- signing. Finding that outdoor occupation would be more heneficial to him, he associated himself with his father in the artesian well business. He was an excellent mathematician, and a man of sterling integrity and good judgment. His word was con- sidered as good as his bond. He had full charge of the business during two years, while his father was absent in California. Ile was very ingenious, and cool. collected and resourceful in every emergency. He was well informed in the events of the day, and
was a Republican in politics. He had an unblem- ished business record, his manner was quiet and 1111- assuming, and he was an omnivorous reader. He had many friends in all classes of society. While in pursuit of his business interests, he was run down by a street car. His team was destroyed, and he received injuries from which he never re- covered, his death occurring at his home, No. 51 May street, Worcester, November 20, 1901. He married, June 14, 1893, Alice II. Boyd, of Manches- ter, New Hampshire, and had one child: Louisa Ward, born October 4, 1895.
FISKE FAMILY. (1) Symond Fiske, lord of the manor of Stadhaugh, England, was the progeni- tor of the American family to which Mrs. Horace M. Tompkins, of Worcester, belongs. The line of descent has been so carefully traced by the genealog- ists from this English ancestor to the various Amer- ican families of Fiske, that it seems seems proper to give the line complete.
Symond Kiske was the grandson of Daniel, lord of the manor of Stadhaugh, parish of Laxford, county of Suffolk, England, in the reigns of Henry IV and VI (1399-1422). He married (first) Su- sannalı Smyth, who died, and he married (second), Katherine -. His will, dated December 22, 1463, was proved at Norwich, England, February 20, 1463-4. He bequeaths his soul to God, the Virgin Mary and all the saints in Heaven. He bequeaths twenty pounds to each of his sons-William, Jeffrey, John and Edmund. He mentions his daughter, Margaret Dowsing, and appoints his wife, Kather- ine, son John, and Nichols Noloch, executors. He died in February, 1464. He resided at Stadhaugh. His children were : I. William, born in England, married Joan Lynne. 2. Jeffrey, in England, mar- ried Margaret 3. John. 4. Edmund, married Margery -- -. 5. Margaret, married Dowsing or Dowling.
(II) William Fiske, son of Symond Fiske (1), was born at Stadhaugh, county Suffolk, England. He lived in Laxfield, England, during the reigns of Henry VI, Edward IV, Richard HI, and Henry VII, dying in 1504. He married Joan Lynne. of Norfolk, who survived him, making her will, July 15. 1504, as the widow of the late William Fiske. This document was proved February 28, 1505. Their children were: I. Thomas, born in England, married Anne -. 2. William, married Joan -
3. Augustine, married Joan - 4. Simeon, of
whom later. 5. Robert, married, ( second ), Joan
6. John, married. 7. Margery. 8. Mar- garet.
(111) Simon Fiske, son of William Fiske (2), was born at Laxfield, England. He resided in Lax- field, and made his will July 10, 1536; it was proved July 13, 1538. In this will he desires to be buried at the chancel end of the church of All Saints, in Laxfield next his father, sons Robert. Jeffrey, Simon and William and daughters Joan Ivorton, Gelyne Warner, Agnes Fiske, and wife Elizabeth. He died June, 1538. He married Elizabeth -, who died at Halesworth. Their children were: 1. Simon, of whom later. 2. William. 3. Robert, married Alice- 4. Joan, married Ivorton. 5. Jef- frey 6 Gelyne, married Warner. 7. Agnes. 8. Thomas. 9. Elizabeth. 10. John.
(IV) Simon Fiske, son of Simon (3) and Eliza- beth Fiske. was born in Laxfield, England. His life was spent in the town of his birth, and he died there in 1605. His will is dated January 25, 1605 He gave legacies to his children who were all young at that time, and made a bequest of ten marks to his brother. Master John Fiske, to sing for his soul for one year. llis children were: 1. Robert,
-july
FUBLIC
. -
IM Tompkins
141
WORCESTER COUNTY
of whom later. 2. John, married Thomasina Pinch- ard. 3. George, married Anne 4. Nicholas, married Joan Crispe. 5. Jeffrey. 6. Jeremy. 7. William. 8. Richard, married Agnes Crispe. 9. Joan. 10. Gelyne. 11. Agnes.
(V) Robert Fiske. eldest child of Simon Fiske (4), born at Stadhaugh, England 15 -. For some time he was of the parish of St. James, South Elm- ham, England. lle also lived at Broad Gates, Lax- field, Suffolk county, near Framingham. About this time there was a season of great religious persecu- tion. Robert Fiske fled on account of his religion, in the days of "Bloody Mary," to Geneva, but re- turned later and died at St. James in 1600. His will is dated April 10, 1590, and was proved July 28, 1600. During this time of persecution one John Noyes, of Laxfield, Suffolk county, a shoemaker, was burned at the stake in that town, September 21, 1657; John Alcock was taken for heresy at Headley church, imprisoned, died in prison, and was buried in a dung-hill. Robert Fiske married Mrs. Sybil (Gould) Barber, who was in great danger during this time of persecution, 1553-8, as was her sister Isabella, who was imprisoned in the castle of Norwich, and escaped death only on account of the influence of her brothers. The children of Ro- bert and Sybil (Gould ) ( Barber) Fiske were: I. William, of whom later. 2. Jeffrey, married Sarah Cooke. 3. Thomas, married Margery 1. Eleazer, married Elizabeth - , died without issue in England, July, 1615. His will and that of his wife mention many relatives. 5. Elizabeth, married Robert Bernard, a farmer of the estate of Custrick Hallin Wecky, county Essex. which he held of Sir Edward Coke, the lord chief justice. They had a daughter who married a Locke, and became the mother of John Locke, the author and philosopher, who was born at Wrington, Somersetshire, August 29, 1632, and died at Cates, a country seat in Essex, October 28, 1704. Another daughter of Elizabeth (Fiske) Bernard married Thomasine, and her brother-in-law was John Pinchard, of Bedingfield. He resided at Twitshall, St. Mary, England, and died in 1607.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.