B. before about 1581 in (probably) Bermondsey, Surrey, England
M. (1) 22 Apr 1606 in St. Olave, Southwark, England
Wife: Goodith Gillman
M. (2) after 1632 in (probably) Massachusetts
Wife: Jane _______
D. 1 Mar 1645 in Woburn, Massachusetts
During the 1630s, shiploads of Puritans came over from England to populate Massachusetts. Among them were men above 50 years of age who played leadership roles in their towns, and William Learned seems to fit this description.
As with many immigrants in the 17th century, little is known of William’s life in England. He was likely born by 1581 in a place called Bermondsey. Although described as being in Surrey, today it’s a part of London, and just south of the Thames; the Tower of London was a short distance away. It was in Bermondsey that William first turned up in records with his marriage to a woman named Goodith Gillman on April 22, 1606. The unusual name Goodith was not a alternate spelling of Judith, nor was it the Puritan “Goodwife” — it was her real name. William and Goodith had at least six children by 1624, with the youngest being their only surviving son.
At some point, William became a follower of the Puritan movement, and because he was so near London, he seems to have been enlisted into the Winthrop Fleet. This is known because his name turned up in Charlestown by the end of 1630, and so he must have been on a ship that year. He and his wife were on the list of founding members of the church in Charlestown. “1632, 10 mo. day 6, William Learned and Goodeth, his wife, were admitted.” The fact their names were at the top of the list is an indicator he was seen by others as having some status, and in fact he was made selectman in 1636.
William’s Charlestown property was described in 1638 as being seven parcels of land: “three acres of arable land and meadow … with a dwelling house,” “four acres of arable land … in the East Field,” three and three-quarters cow commons,” “two acres of meadow … in Mystic Marshes,” “five acres of woodland in Mystic Field,” “fifteen acres of woodland … in Mystic Field,” and “forty acres of land … in Rock Field.” But soon he left this behind to make his home in the new community of Woburn.
The town of Woburn, Massachusetts was first settled in 1640 and incorporated two years later, and William was said to be one of its earliest men. “He was a subscriber to the town orders for Woburn, drawn up at Charlestown, Dec. 18, 1640; [he] was one of the seven original members of the church in Woburn which was gathered Aug. 14, 1642…”
Sadly, William didn’t live much longer than Woburn’s founding. He served in Woburn as selectman in 1644, and as constable (who also collected the taxes) in 1644 and 1645, but he died just before he would have been elected for a third year. His son Isaac had to settle the accounts he had managed as constable. William was the ancestor of Abigail Powers Fillmore, Eli Whitney, Clara Barton, Sir Robert Laird Borden (Prime Minister of Canada), George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, John Ritter, Billie Jean King, Treat Williams and Elon Musk.
Children (all by Goodith Gillman):
1. Sarah Learned — B. before 18 Jan 1607, (probably) Bermondsey, Surrey, England; M. (1) Thomas Ewer (1593_1638), 13 Jan 1624, Bermondsey, Surrey, England; (2) Thomas Lothrop, 11 Dec 1639
2. Bethiah Learned — B. before 29 Oct 1612, Bermondsey, Surrey, England
3. Mary Learned — B. before 15 Sep 1615, Bermondsey, Surrey, England; D. about 26 Jul 1625, Bermondsey, Surrey, England
4. Abigail Learned — B. before 30 Sep 1618, Bermondsey, Surrey, England
5. Elizabeth Learned — B. before 25 Mar 1621, Bermondsey, Surrey, England; M. John Hall, before 21 Sep 1645
6. Isaac Learned — B. before 25 Feb 1624, Bermondsey, Surrey, England; D. 27 Nov 1657, Chelmsford, Massachusetts; M. Mary Stearns, 9 Jul 1646, Woburn, Massachusetts
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