Henry Woodward

• BORN 1601 in Much Woolton, England
• BAPTIZED 22 Mar 1607 in Childwall, Lancashire, England, part of present-day Liverpool
• EMIGRATED (probably) 23 May 1635 on the ship James or the Diana before 1624
• MARRIED 4 Sep 1638 in Dorchester, Massachusetts to Elizabeth Mather
• DEATH 7 Apr 1683 (aged 76) Northampton, Hampshire County, MA, Killed by Accident at his Mill
• BURIAL Burial Details Unknown
• MEMORIAL ID 55335441

Biography

Henry Woodward may be the Henry born 1601 in Much Woolton, England then baptized on Mar 22,1606/7 at Childwell, Co.Lancashire, England, son of Thomas Woodward and Elizabeth Tysen/Tynen Woodward. He is believed to have migrated to America on the ship James, arriving in the Massachusetts Bay colony on August 17, 1635, but, inexplicably, his name is not found in the NEHGS Great Migration series. Another passenger on the ship was Reverend Richard Mather, who would become the father of Increase Mather and grandfather to Cotton Mather. On September 4, 1638, Henry married Elizabeth Mather, who was believed to be Richard's sister. Between 1643 and 1649, they had four children, the girls being given the Puritan names of Experience, Freedom and Thankful (the only son was named John).

Henry Woodward lived a long, productive life in a town on the New England frontier called Dorchester. In some early records, Henry was referred to as a physician, but it isn't clear how much he actually practiced medicine because no details exist in the records. He was an early member of the Dorchester church and a freeman. In 1657, he was named constable; he also "frequently served on committees." In 1659, Henry and his family moved to the new settlement of Northampton, Massachusetts. It has been suggested that Reverend Mather induced "three Dorchester men" to settle there and Henry was one of them. He received a grant of 12 acres to build his house and 100 acres of meadowland.

Henry was an important man in the early years of Northampton. In 1660, he was chosen a selectman and "Commissioner to end Small Causes" in 1660. The following year, he served as a member of the jury at the first court held in that town. Henry served as surveyor of highways in 1664. He was also among the group of eight persons who founded the First Church in 1661; he and Elizabeth were signers of the Church Covenant (since Henry signed documents with an X, it's believed that he was illiterate).

Chronology

• 1635 Arrived in Dorchester, MA from England on the "James" with his wife Elisabeth under Captain Taylor
• Worked as a physician,
• 1657 He served as a constable in Dorchester MA. he also "frequently served on committees."
• 1659 Moved to the new settlement of Northampton, Massachusetts
• 1660 Commissioner to end Small Causes
• 1661 Served as a member of the jury at the first court held in that town
• 1661 One of eight to found the Church in Northampton
• Served as a tithing-man there.
• 1664 Surveyor of highways
• 1665 Licensed to run a tavern; he maintained that business until 1681. It is said that court sessions were sometimes held in Henry's tavern. He was also involved in farming and had a corn mill.
• 4/7/1685 Killed at the corn mill, either being struck by the mill wheel, or when the mill was struck by lightning.

Spouse
Elizabeth Mather? Woodward unknown–1690

Children
Freedom Woodward Strong 1641–1681
Experience Woodward Pomeroy 1643–1686
Thankful Woodward Taylor 1646–1724
John Woodward 1647–1724

Descendant Details

1. Freedom Woodward – B. about 1642 ; D. 17 May 1681, Northampton, Massachusetts; M. Jedediah Strong (1637-1733), 18 Nov 1662, Northampton, Massachusetts

2. Experience Woodward – B. 10 Nov 1643, Dorchester, Massachusetts; D. 8 Jun 1686, Northampton, Massachusetts; M. Medad Pomeroy (1638-1716), 21 Nov 1661, Northampton, Massachusetts

3. Thankful Woodward – B. about 1646, Dorchester, Massachusetts; D. about 1724, Norwalk, Connecticut; M. John Taylor (1641-1704), 18 Dec 1662, Northampton, Massachusetts

4. John Woodward – B. 28 Mar 1649, Dorchester, Massachusetts; D. 5 Oct 1724, Lebanon, Connecticut; M. Ann Dewey (~1643-1706), 18 May 1671, Dorchester, Massachusetts

Famous descendants of Henry Woodward include Nathan Hale, 19th century fur trader Jedediah Strong Smith, First Lady Lucy Hayes, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, J.P. Morgan, Dorothy Gish, Lillian Gish, Helen Hunt, Mike Huckabee and Princess Diana.

References

1a, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55335441/henry-woodward

1b. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=55335441

2. https://www.myheritage.com/matchingresult-93a320239d231a6e84bcd7580...

Sources

3. REFN: 1666

4. The history of the descendants of Elder John Strong of Northampton, Mass., Benjamin Woodbridge Dwight, 1871

5. Genealogical notes on the founding of New England, Ernest Flagg, 1926

6. History of Northampton, Massachusetts from its settlement in 1654, James Russell Trumbull, 1898

7. Notes on Henry and Elizabeth Woodward of Massachusetts and Some Ancestors [website], Clyde M. Senger, information compiled 1984-2005

8. GeneaStar: Famous Family Tree and Genealogy [website] Posted by Laura M.