Sands Fish

Sands Fish, father of Simeon and son of Nathan, was born at the old Fish homestead, a mile above Mystic. A portion of the farm owned by Nathan Fish is still held by some of his lineal descendants. The pioneer ancestor of the Fish family of Groton was passing through this section prospecting, and at Mystic village called on a settler named Burrows, and the owner of a large tract of land. The call resulted in Mr. Fish receiving the offer of a portion of it, provided he would settle upon it. He did so, and the farm mentioned above is part of that grant. Nathan Fish, who spent his life thereon, attained the venerable age of ninety-six years. Sands Fish married Bridget Gallup, daughter of Deacon Benadam Gallup and granddaughter of Colonel Benadam Gallup, whose wife was an Avery. Her mother's name was Palmer. Sands and Bridget Fish had nine children, as follows: Hannah, who was born about 1790, and died in young womanhood; Lavina, wife of Isaac Denison; Asa Fish, who held the position of Probate Judge some thirty years, or until disqualified by age; Simeon, father of Nathan S.; Sands, Jr., who died in young manhood, unmarried; Charles, whose son William was a Colonel in the Civil War; Nathan G., a ship-builder; Alden, an octogenarian living on the old farm; and Bridget, wife of William Clift. Sands Fish died in the thirties, at about seventy-five years of age, and his wife several years later. They rest in the Fish Cemetery on Pequot Hill, which was dedicated to the family by Roswell Fish. Sands Fish was a Deacon of the first Baptist church in Connecticut. The house of worship, located about one mile east of Centre Groton, is still standing, but is not occupied by the society.