M. about 1638 in Dorchester, Massachusetts2
Wife: Elizabeth _______
D. 7 Apr 1683 in Northampton, Massachusetts3
Henry Woodward lived a long, productive life in a town on the New England frontier, but met an unfortunate end as an old man. He was born in England in about 1610 to unknown parents. There are several claims about who his family was, but without more solid proof, we cannot verify any of them.1
Some researchers believe that Henry migrated to America on the ship James, arriving in the Massachusetts Bay colony on August 17, 1635, although the records don't verify this. Another passenger on the ship was Reverend Richard Mather, who would become the father of Increase Mather and grandfather to Cotton Mather. Henry married a woman named Elizabeth in about 1638,2 who may have been Reverend Mather's sister, but this isn't proven. 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).
Reverend Richard Mather.
The Woodward family lived in Dorchester. In some early records, Henry was referred to as a physician,3 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.4 In 1657, he was named constable;5 he also "frequently served on committees."5
In 1659, Henry and his family moved to the new settlement of Northampton, Massachusetts.6 It has been suggested that Reverend Mather induced "three Dorchester men" to settle there and Henry was one of them.6 He received a grant of 12 acres to build his house plus 100 acres of meadowland.6
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 1660.6 The following year, he served as a member of the jury at the first court held in that town.6 Henry served as surveyor of highways in 1664.6 He was also among the group of eight persons who founded the First Church in 1661;6 he and Elizabeth were signers of the Church Covenant4 (since Henry signed documents with an X, it's believed that he was illiterate).
In 1665, Henry was licensed to run a tavern;6 he maintained that business until 1681.6 It is said that court sessions were sometimes held in Henry's tavern.6 He was also involved in farming and had a corn mill.4
On April 7, 1683, when Henry was in his early 80s, he was killed at the corn mill, either being struck by the mill wheel, or when the mill was struck by lightning.3
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, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Prince William and Princess Diana.7
Children:
1. Freedom Woodward — B. May 1642, Dorchester, Massachusetts;8 D. 17 May 1681, Northampton, Massachusetts;9 M. Jedediah Strong (1637-1733), 18 Nov 1662, Northampton, Massachusetts10
2. Experience Woodward — B. 10 Nov 1643, Dorchester, Massachusetts;11 D. 8 Jun 1686, Northampton, Massachusetts;12 M. Medad Pomeroy (1638-1716), 21 Nov 1661, Northampton, Massachusetts13
3. Thankful Woodward — B. about 1646, Dorchester, Massachusetts;14 D. about 1724, Norwalk, Connecticut;14 M. John Taylor (1641-1704), 18 Dec 1662, Northampton, Massachusetts15
4. John Woodward — B. before 28 Mar 1649, Dorchester, Massachusetts;16 D. 5 Oct 1724, Lebanon, Connecticut;17 M. Ann Dewey (~1643-1707), 18 May 1671, Dorchester, Massachusetts18
Sources:
1 WikiTree listing of Henry Woodward
2 Henry’s estimated marriage date is based on the ages of his children.
3 A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, James A. Savage, 1862, p. 644
4 Genealogical notes on the founding of New England, Ernest Flagg, 1926
5 A Line of Fathers and Sons from Henry Woodward, Hobson Woodward, 2023
6 History of Northampton, Massachusetts from its settlement in 1654, James Russell Trumbull, 1898
7 FamousKin.com listing of Henry Woodward
8 Birth record of Freedom Woodward, Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, Familysearch.org
9 Death record of Freedom Strong, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
10 Marriage record of Jedediah Strong and Freedom Woodward, M., T.C., V. & T.R.
11 Christening record of Experience Woodward, M. B.& C.
12 Death record of Experience Pomeroy, M., T.C., V. & T.R.
13 Marriage record of Medad Pomeroy and Experience Woodward, M., T.C., V. & T.R.
14 WikiTree listing of Thankful (Woodward) Taylor
15 Marriage record of John Taylor and Thankful Woodward, M., T.C., V. & T.R.
16 WikiTree listing of John Woodward
17 Death record of John Woodward, Connecticut Deaths and Burials, FamilySearch.org
18 Marriage record of John Woodward and Anne Dewey, M., T.C., V. & T.R.
