Joshua Fisher (1587-1674): Medfield’s First Deacon

 

In the late 1630s, as political and religious unrest deepened across East Anglia, Joshua Fisher made the choice to abandon his anvil in Suffolk, England, and pack his household for the New England wilderness. Arriving in Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1639, his skills as a blacksmith made him an indispensable figure in shaping the iron tools required to clear land and build a new colony.

When a new frontier township called Medfield was partitioned off in 1650, Joshua was among its original founders. He laid out his homestead right in the center of the village and was chosen to serve as Medfield’s first deacon, anchoring the spiritual life of the expanding settlement.

His young son, John Fisher, grew up on the Medfield frontier, marrying Elizabeth Boylston of Watertown in 1658. Together, they raised their young family in Medfield, establishing deep roots that would weave through the Plimpton and Metcalf families.

Through both branches—whether through Elizabeth Fisher's marriage to John Plimpton Jr., or her brother John Fisher Jr.'s long life in Medfield—this family lineage remained anchored to the early blacksmithing, farming, and civic leadership that built colonial Massachusetts. 

Here is a generation-by-generation review of our Fisher and Plimpton ancestors, along with verified genealogical corrections and biographical context.

Generation-by-Generation Review & Details

Generation 1: Joshua Fisher (Immigrant)

• Birth & Baptism: Baptized March 24, 1587/8, in Fressingfield, Suffolk, England (son of Anthony Fisher and Mary Fiske). 
• Death: October 18, 1674, in Medfield, Massachusetts Colony. 
• Spouse Correction: His first wife (mother of John) was Elizabeth. While older 19th-century genealogies claimed she was "Elizabeth Luson," modern genealogical research shows no evidence for her maiden name. Following her death, Joshua married Anne Orfor in 1639 in Syleham, England, before emigrating. 
• Biographical Context: Joshua emigrated to Massachusetts in 1639, settling first in Dedham, where he worked as a blacksmith. In 1650, he became one of the original founders of Medfield, Massachusetts, where he drew a house lot in the center of town, served as a town selectman, and was ordained as the first deacon of the Medfield Church. 

Generation 2: John Fisher

• Birth: Baptized January 26, 1633/4, in Suffolk, England. 
• Death: July 3, 1668, in Medfield, Massachusetts. 
• Parents: Joshua Fisher (1587–1674) and his first wife Elizabeth. 
• Spouse: Married Elizabeth Boylston (1640–1665) on April 6, 1658, in Medfield. She was the daughter of Thomas Boylston (Immigrant) and Sarah, connecting this line directly to the Boylston family of Watertown. 
• Children: Elizabeth Fisher (b. 1659) and John Fisher Jr. (b. 1661). 

Generation 3 (Branch A): Elizabeth Fisher

• Birth: February 6, 1658/9, in Medfield, Massachusetts. 
• Death: May 13, 1694, in Medfield, Massachusetts. 
• Parents: John Fisher (1633–1668) and Elizabeth Boylston (1640–1665). 
• Spouse: Married John Plimpton Jr. (1649–1704) on January 25, 1677/8. 
• Child: Henry Plimpton (1684–1731). 

Generation 3 (Branch B): John Fisher Jr.

• Birth: April 2, 1661, in Medfield, Massachusetts. 
• Death: November 7, 1755, in Medfield, Massachusetts. 
• Parents: John Fisher (1633–1668) and Elizabeth Boylston (1640–1665). 
• Spouse: Married Mary Metcalf on June 8, 1683, in Medfield. 
• Child: Samuel Fisher (1685–1769). 

Generation 4 (Branch A): Henry Plimpton

• Birth: December 19, 1684, in Medfield, Massachusetts. 
• Death: March 24, 1731, in Medfield, Massachusetts.
• Parents: John Plimpton Jr. (1649–1704) and Elizabeth Fisher (1659–1694). 
• Spouse: Married Mary Smith (1688–1774).
• Child: Capt. Job Plimpton (1718–1797).

Generation 4 (Branch B): Samuel Fisher

• Birth: September 29, 1685, in Medfield, Massachusetts. 
• Death: January 19, 1769, in Wrentham, Massachusetts. 
• Parents: John Fisher Jr. (1661–1755) and Mary Metcalf. 
• Spouse: Married Mary Rockwood (Rocket) (1683–1763).
• Child: Elizabeth Fisher (1722–1766), who married Ichabod Hawes (1719–1777).

                       ANTONY FISHER & MARY FISKE

                                   │

                         JOSHUA FISHER (1587–1674)

                       [Blacksmith & First Deacon]

                                   │

                         JOHN FISHER (1633–1668)

                       === Elizabeth Boylston (1640–1665)

                                   │

              ┌────────────────────┴────────────────┐

              ▼                                         ▼

   ELIZABETH FISHER (1659–1694)               JOHN FISHER JR. (1661–1755)

 === John Plimpton Jr. (1649–1704)            === Mary Metcalf

              │                                               │

    HENRY PLIMPTON (1684–1731)                SAMUEL FISHER (1685–1769)

Historical Narrative: The Forge and the Frontier

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