Abigail Fish

• Reference: WikiTree Genealogy - SmartCopy: Nov 21 2016, 0:38:24 UTC

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https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LV8P-52H/abigail-mumford-1662...

Abigail Mumford
1662–1717 (Age {age})

When Abigail Mumford was born in 1662, in Newport, Rhode Island, British Colonial America, her father, Thomas Mumford, was 37 and her mother, Sarah Sherman, was 26. She married Daniel Fish on 1 May 1682, in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, British Colonial America. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 6 daughters. She died in 1717, in Rhode Island, British Colonial America, at the age of 55.

Spouse

Daniel Fish
Male
1662–1723

•

Male

Abigail Mumford
Female
1662–1717

•

Female

Marriage
1 May 1682
Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, British Colonial America

Children (9)

Comfort Fish
Female
1682–1752

•

Female

Thomas Fish
Male
1685–1712

•

Male

Ruth Fish
Female
1687–1734

•

Female

Daniel Fish
Male
1690–Deceased

•

Male

Sarah Fish
Female
1694–1754

•

Female

Jeremiah Fish
Male
1698–1760

•

Male

Marion Fish
Female
1698–Deceased

•

Female

Mary Fish
Female
1709–1752

•

Female

Abigail Fish
Female
1710–1783

•

Female

Parents

Thomas Mumford
Male
1625–1692

•

Male

Sarah Sherman
Female
1636–1690

•

Female

Siblings (6)

Thomas Mumford II
Male
1657–1726

•

Male

Peleg Mumford I
Male
1659–1745

•

Male

Unknown Mumford
Female
1662–1712

•

Female

Abigail Mumford
Female
1662–1717

•

Female

George Mumford
Male
1665–1719

•

Male

Sarah Mumford
Female
1668–1746

•

Female

[http://jtbullock.com/Tree/AbigailWilbur.html]

Abigail Mumford’s birthdate is unknown, but has been estimated from 1658 to 1662. Most researchers say she was born in South Kingstown, Washington, Rhode Island. The uncertainty is because the early records for this time and place are gone. James N. Arnold writes in volume 5 of his Vital Record of Rhode Island series that “. . . the compiler of this volume regrets the sad loss of the old Kings Towne Records . . .” We know from the actions taken by her oldest brother Thomas that Abigail was the daughter of Sarah Shearman and Thomas Mumford. Just a few days after their father's death, Thomas Jr. deeded over one hundred acres in Kingstown to his sister, Abigail stating that his father had died without a will, leaving him heir by law: “I the said Thomas Mumford for and in consideration of the naturall Love and affection which I have and Bear unto my well beloved sister Abigail ffish the wife of Daniel ffish of the town of Portsmouth . . . grant . . . unto Daniel ffish and Abigail fish his wife a certain parcell of land . . . in the township of Kings Town . . .” It is believed that Abigail was the third child and oldest daughter of four children born to her parents.

On May 1, 1682, “FISH, Daniel, of Thomas, and Abigail Mumford, of Thomas” were married by John Albro. Daniel and Abigail had at least eight children together, all born in Portsmouth – Comfort, born on February 7, 1682/83, married into the Broadway family; Thomas, born on July 3, 1685; Ruth, born on November 2, 1687, married Joseph Thomas; Daniel born on July 11, 1690; ancestor Sarah; Abigail, born about 1696, has no documented birth record; Jeremiah, born on September 15, 1698, who married Mary Shearman; and his twin sister Marion/Mary. James Gregory Mumford states in his book, Mumford Memoirs, “The family was very well-to-do for the times and lived in comparative affluence. When Daniel died in 1723, six years after his wife, he left a good estate and eight children.” This statement stirs up some confusion pertaining to these children, as follows:

First, is it Marion or Mary? There is a Rhode Island Births and Christenings record for a Marion Fish, born on September 15, 1698, to parents Daniel and Abigail Fish. This record has a Reference ID of p28, just like her three brothers and three sisters’ records, and would make Marion a twin of Jeremiah. There isn’t a record for a Mary in this collection. But neither Marion nor Mary’s name appears in the list of Daniel and Abigail’s children in Arnold’s volume 4 of Vital Record of Rhode Island, that also references page 28 in book 1. Marion is not mentioned in Daniel’s will, but Mary is. No other researcher even mentions Marion, they only speak of Mary, who goes on to marry Stephen Austin. It is possible that Mary and Marion are the same person. The transcribers of the original book could have made an error and called Mary, Marion, and Arnold could have left Mary/Marion off the list by accident.

Secondly, there are no records at all for an Abigail with a father named Daniel, in any collection. We get her name solely from her father’s will.

Lastly, why is Comfort named as executrix to her father’s will? This is usually the responsibility of the eldest son. Also note that father Daniel does not mention his two older sons, Thomas and Daniel, in his will. Thomas was the eldest son, and would have been named executor. There doesn’t seem to be any marriage records for these two sons, so it is possible that they may have already died by the time Daniel wrote his will. If they did die, did Daniel leave six children or eight?

A death or burial record for Abigail Mumford Fish can’t be found. Most researchers believe that she died around 1716-17, prompting her husband to write his will.

• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Dec 29 2023, 21:03:23 UTC