FISHER, Thomas II (d.1613), of Taunton, Som.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1558-1603, ed. P.W. Hasler, 1981
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Constituency

Dates

Family and Education

Offices Held

Biography

Little has been ascertained about Fisher, styled ‘merchant’ on the election return. He was a local man who applied, probably about 1587-8, for a licence to trade with the Guinea coast. In 1612 he or a namesake was put in charge of rebuilding the Taunton house of correction.

His will, drawn up in September 1613 and proved in November the same year, created his son Thomas (who died soon after his father, in 1617) executor and residuary legatee. A daughter, Mary Shirley, received £150, and the three children of Fisher’s son-in-law Anthony Elsdon were to have £20 each on their 18th birthdays. To his widow Grace he left half of his goods and cattle at Hinthe (?Huntham); her daughter by a previous marriage, Grace Marshall, was bequeathed £100 in addition to £100 which Fisher had promised her when he married her mother. Other legacies included £10 to the poor of St. Mary Magdalene, Taunton, and £5 to the poor in the parish of Hinthe.

Lansd. 55, f. 74; Quarter Sessions Recs. Jas. I (Som. Rec. Soc. xxiii), 95-6; PCC 105 Capell; Som. Wills ed. Brown, ser. 1, 90.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: J.C.H.

Notes