194Nathan Fiske was in Watertown as early as 1642 when his first child was born. He was admitted freeman on May 10, 1643 and held several town offices. He was chosen surveyor of highways on Jan. 9, 165960; constable for 1662; and Selectman in 1673. Nathan, John Whitney, and Isaac Mixer, three of the selectmen were to "goo about the town to see that children wear taught to Read the inglish tunge and to be cattycysed". In the third inventory of estates taken in Watertown about 1644 Nathan Fiske was the proprietor of a lot of nine acres of upland bounded east by Edward Howe, west by Robert Harrington, north by Richard Gale, and south with the highway. His sister, Martha Underwood wife of Martin Underwood, testified that he "was very crazy in his memory" before he died. After the death of her husband in 1672, Martha lived with her brother Nathan.
Nathan's will was dated June 19, 1676 and mentions sons Nathan, John, David, and Nathaniel Fiske, and daughter Sarah Gale. It was witnessed by Joseph Taynter and William Bond. "A true Inventory of the goods, housing, & Cattell of Nathan ffiske, who deced. the 21. of June 1676" was taken by Jonathan Warren, Thomas Flagg, and Samuel Stearns on July 10, 1676.
For an account of the ancestors of Nathan Fiske, refer to the overseas ancestor section. The work from which Nathan's forebears were taken seems to be well researched and, therefore, likely accurate. However, it makes me a little suspicious in Nathan's case, where he is shown first starting a family at the age of fifty. Nathan Fiske and his wife may have come to New England in 1637 with the Fiske-Allen company, which included the John Fiske family of six, Rev. John Allen family of three, the Tuttle family of six, Edmund Thompson and wife, the George Barrell family of five, the John Fiske family of three, Martin Underwood and wife, the Henry Chickering family of four, the Francis Chickering family of four, the David Fiske family of three, Nathan Fiske and wife, the William Fiske family of six, the Phineas Fiske family of five, and the Benjamin Cooper family of eleven. This company was made up of families from the northeast Suffolk and south Norfolk area.
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