Second Generation  

The fact that John could sign his name and held many positions of importance in the community implies he had an education. During his time in Salem he was Constable, Assessor, Deputy from Salem to the Massachusetts Bay General Court, Essex Petit jury foreman on two occasions, Surveyor, Lot layer, and Selectman.

John Woodbury, Capt Trask, Roger Conant, Peter Palfrey, and John Balch were each granted 200 acres of land at the head of Bass River in what is now Beverly, on 25 Jan 1635 or 6. The houses of John Balch and Roger Conant are still to be seen in 2000. Plaques mark the head of Bass River and the supposed location of John's grant.

"The 27 th of the 11 th mo 1636.

"Its ordered that John Woodbury and Capt Trask and John Balch shall lay out two Hundred acres of land for Mr Endicot next adjoying the land which was formerly granted him. Salem, Febru. 23d 1682-3. pr John Hathorne, * who write this Copy from Salem Records."

From the 18 th Edition, Vol. 2 of Burke's Landed Gentry (Pgs. 651-2):

"Lineage -- A pedigree of this family, of descent, in the male line, from John Woodberye (1579-1641), was recorded at the College of Arms 1953. The family Wills at the Exeter Probate Registry were destroyed during World War II but descent can be presumed from James Woodbarye, named in the Lay Subsidy of Burlescombe, Devon 1523-4, where the Woodbury family had been freeholders since the close of the 14 th century, when the overlordship of the deClaville family ended."

"John Woodberye, "junior", of Burlescombe, lived at East Coker, Somerset after 1605 and was sent to Cape Ann, Massachusetts Bay by the Dorchester Co..." It may be important to note that the Coker's are just north of Dorchester which is just north of Weymouth a sailing port.

Some of John's data was taken from a "Sketch of John Page Woodbury" by Charles Jeptha Hall Woodbury. John requested to become a Freeman on 19 Oct 1630 and took the Oath of Freemen on 18 May 1631, C.R., Vol. I. pp. 73, 74. See: N.E.H.G. Register, Book #3, Pg. 90.

John first came over in 1624 on the "Zouch Phenix." According to "The Planters of the Commonwealth," by Charles Edward Banks (Boston, 1930), p. 58:

"She was consort of the 'Unity,' or arrived with her in the spring of this year. It is believed she sailed from Weymouth, and brought the following passengers, who settled at Cape Anne"* (*Banks MSS).

Representative of Salem in General Court between 1635 and 1639. Selectman and Surveyor. Returned to England in 1627 as Agent for the Dorchester Co., (Burke's American Families Pg. #2983).

See: Frederick Virkus's Compendium, Pg. #634...

On Pages #2054 to 2057 of "The Great Migration Begins" there is a piece about John Woodbury:

"John Woodberye" was on a list of Salem church members that was compiled in 1636, a later notation "dead" appears [SChR5].

Among the founders and settlers of the first Puritan settlement, Cape Ann and Naumkeag, 1623-1627:

Allen, Balch, Conant, Cushman, Gardner, Gray, Jeffrey, Knight, Lyford, Norman, Oldham, Palfrey, Patch, Pickryn, Winslow, Woodbury

John is frequently mentioned in the genealogies of other early settlers to New England.

On Sept. 24, 1639, John Woodbury, Peter Palfrey, and John Balch, [3 of the original "Planters"], three of the Salem selectmen, brought civil suit against Isabel Babson. There is no specific charges mentioned, but cases like this frequently involved land disputes. (See: The Babson Genealogy 1637-1977).

John spent six months in England and, soon after the issuance of the grant for their lands on March 19, 1627-8, he sailed for New England bringing with him son, Humphrey. They arrived in Salem on the June 28, following. See: Gates and Allied Families pp. 823-828.

While searching for more information on John Woodbury, Robin Bush traced a marriage license between a John Woodberrie of Dorchester, Dorset, husbandman, and Ann Napper of Hardington, spinster, at Hardington on 19 March 1627/8, (ref: D/D/01 26, p. 222, also in D/D/01 25, p.53), It seems likely that this could be John's second marriage. In the Bishop's transcripts for West Coker there are three entries that may be relevant:

John Woodberye and Johan Bishop, married 3 May 1607.
Johan daughter of John Woodberie, bpt. 23 March 1607/8
Humfrey son of John and Joane Woodberry, bpt. 25 July 1611
John Bishopp on 16 Apr 1605 (Johan's 1st husband, father?)

From Robin Bush's research "Search for the Passengers of the Mary and John 1630" Vol. 25; New Ancestral Discoveries. Robin Bush was Deputy Archivist in the Somerset County Record Office, Taunton, England.

John married Joanna Humphrey on 21 Jun 1596 in Burlescombe, Somersetshire, England. Joanna Humphrey died in Mar 1602 in England and was buried on 25 Mar 1602 in England.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 5 M    i. Humphrey Woodbury was born in 1597 in Somersetshire, England and died in 1686 in Beverly, Essex, MA.

   6 F    ii. Sarah Woodbury was born in 1599.

Sarah married Richard Hollingsworth .

   7 F    iii. Pascua Woodbury was born on 16 Mar 1601 in England and was buried on 18 Apr 1605 in England.

John married Anne Napper , daughter of Thomas Napper , on 19 Mar 1628 in Harding, Somersetshire, England. Anne was born on 1 May 1598 in England and died on 14 Feb 1672 in Salem, Essex, MA.

Annice, Feb. 14, 1672. Beverly V.R. (Pg. #616).

Anne or Agnes is said to have been the daughter of Thomas Napper of Hardington-Mandeville, Somersetshire, England.

Agnes is said to be the Widow of John Derby. (See: John (4) Woodbury, son of Humphrey and his marriage to Anne Derby). John was mistakenly called John Sr. and confused for John the elder in some vital records.

"Estate of John Woodbury of Salem, Court ordered 27:10:1642, that widow Woodbury bring in her husbands will and inventory of his estate"

Will of John Woodbury, deceased, proved 27:4:1643. His widow Ann Woodbury, executrix, ordered to bring in inventory.

Inventory of estate of John Woodbury, deceased, sworn in by his widow 20:12:1643

Salem Quarterly Court Records, Vol 2, pp. 128,142,150.

See: Essex Institute Historical Collections, Vol. 50, Pg. #237.
See: The Probate Records of Essex County, Pg. #21.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 8 M    i. John Woodbury was born about 1626 in Salem, Essex, MA and died in 1672 in London, London, England.

+ 9 F    ii. Hannah Woodbury was baptized on 25 Dec 1636 in Salem, Essex, MA and died on 1 Sep 1714 in Salem, Essex, MA.

   10 F    iii. Abigail Woodbury was baptized on 12 Nov 1637 in Salem, Essex, MA.

Abigaile, d. John, bp. 12: 9 m. 1637. C.R.1. Salem V.R. (Pg. #441).

Abigail Hill, widow of John Hill of Beverly, conveyed land and a house in Beverly to "my loving cousin" Cornelius Baker of Beverly, Blacksmith, in 1708-9.
See: The Essex Antiquarian, pg. 163; descendants of Cornelius Baker of Salem.

Abigail married John Hill on 12 Oct 1657 in Beverly, Essex, MA. John was born in 1636 in Bristol, Bristol, England and died on 8 Feb 1708 in Beverly, Essex, MA.

John, Dea, b. County of Bristol, England, d. Feb. 8, 1707-8, a. abt. 72 y. [Feb. 9, a. 73 y. G.R.1.] Beverly V.R. (Pg. #473).

James (2) Babson married Elinor Hill, sister to John. His older brother Zebulon married Agnes (Tybott) Clarke. Zebulon and John were Coopers in Bristol, England. It is possible that John's father was named Philip since both his brother and sister has sons named Philip. (See: The Babson Genealogy 1637-1977)

John is mentioned in many of the Woodbury Wills and the wills of people who married into the family. Sometimes there is just a casual mention of money owed him, but frequently he is a witness or one who takes the inventory. As an example we take the following Will of Agnes Balch of Salem.. "Widow Anis Woodbery, Nicholas Patch, her brother and his wife, John Hill and his wife, Abigail Hill, Rachill Rayment, Hanah Woodbery and John Grover testified that they knew Anes Ballch..."

Pg 85. Early Indian Deeds..."The seals on this deed, which are of wax, have two designs. This deed was apparently executed in Beverly, as all witnesses were of that town. Andrew Elliott was then about forty-nine years of age; Captain Thomas West was about forty-three; Deacon John Hill was about fifty..."

The deed was signed 11 Oct 1686 before Bartholomew Gedney, his Majesties Council
29 : 2 : 1668 Bass River Freemen: ...approved member of the Church at Bass-River aforesaid in full Communion with us and without offence - John Hale. Witnessed by Thomas Lorthropp and John Hill.

AN EMINENT DELIVERANCE OF MR. JNO HALE OF BEVERLY and HIS FAMILY FROM LIGHTNING:

Fbr: 19, 168 8/9

His relation is this. My wife, two maids and two children were by ye kitchen fire; myself with Deacon Hill in my study and hearing ye thunder smart, were going down to Comfort ye family and as we came to ye head of ye Staires (D. Hill part down) we were both struck with Lightning in our right Armes and right Legs, yet neither of us heard ye thunder or saw ye Lightning; He was less strook, and sooner got down staires; I was struck down upon my knees, by ye post we used to lay hands on, as we go up and down staires and unable to stirr for some time; but heard som of my family crying out of hurt below;... Pg. 101.

+ 11 M    iv. Dea. Peter Woodbury Lieut. was born on 19 Jun 1640 in Beverly, Essex, MA, was baptized on 19 Sep 1640 in Salem, Essex, MA, died on 5 Jul 1704 in Beverly, Essex, MA, and was buried in Beverly, Essex, MA.

It is supposed that William (1) came to America with his brother John on the second voyage to the New World in 1628. William (1) "was the first settler on the Beverly side, having built in 1630 near what was called Woodbury's point. (ie: now Lynch Park - Beverly, MA) He joined the church in 1639 and was admitted Freeman 2 Jun 1641. His wife joined the church in 1640. His will was dated 1 Apr 1663 and proved 26 Apr 1677."

Freemen: June 2, 1641, William Woodbury C.R. Vol. 1 Pg. #281.
See: Book #1; Pg. #188; N.E.H.G. Register.

Estate of William Woodberry of Salem.

"I William Woodberry the elder being of good understanding and memory doe constitute and ordein this my last will and testament the 5th day of the 4th mo: 1663. Imprimis I Give and bequeath unto my wife Elizabeth my Dwelling house with the land adioyning unto it al allso whatsoever other Land I Doe posesse and enjoy, save what I shall except in this I will to give unto my sonne William. It: I give unto my said Wife all my household stuffe and other goods debts Dews Cattle or whatsoever elce aperteines unto my wife paying these Legacyes here under expressed. It: I give unto my eldest sonne Nicholas twenty shillings. It: I give unto my sonne William ten shillings as allso five akers of land which lyes nere snake hill and adioynes unto ten akers of his owne. It: I give unto my sonne Andrew and Hugh my sonne Isacke and Daughter Hannah Haskels to each of them ten shillings the piece Constitutetinge and ordeining my said wife Elizabeth sole Executrix of this my will and testament."

William (his M mark) Woodberry

Witness : John Thorndike, Nicholas (his N mark) Pache, Richard (his R mark) Brackenbury.
Proved 26: 4 : 1677 upon the obligation of Hugh Woodbery as is entered in the inventory.

Inventory of the estate of William Woodbery, aged about eighty-eight years, deceased 29: 11: 1676, taken by William (his O mark) Dixsy and John Hill: cotes, 1li.; lining cloth, 2li. 16s.; ticking, 12s 6d.; shets and shirts, 1li, 12s. 8d.; 4 yds. of carsy, 1li. 4s.; yards and 3 quarters cloth, 11s; bags, 15s.; 4 yards sad colerd cloth, 18s; 12 yds. penisstone, 1li, 16s; to yards coten, 6s; one paire stockings, 2s; bed and furnituer, 3li; plators, 5s; brass pots, 12s; 3 kitels, 1li. Debts, due from Nicolas Woodbere, 18li.; from Hugh Woodberre, 4li. ps.; from Hana Bradford, 2li. 2s.; from John Patch, 1li. 10s; monney, 3li.; total 45li. 11s. 2d.

The will and inventory of William Woodbery, deceased, was brought in to court 26: 4: 1677, by Hugh Woodbery, the witnesses being deceased, leaving only one who was not able to appear. Mr Hugh Woodbery, in behalf of himself and his brother Nicholas, was bound upon condition that his mother, relict of deceased, should be maintained during her life, and that the will should be fulfilled.

Essex County Quarterly Court Files, vol. 26, leaf 129.

See: The Probate Records of Essex County, pp 140-141.

William married Elizabeth (2) Patch , daughter of Nicholas (1) Patch and Jane , on 29 Jan 1616 in So Petherton, Somersetshire, England. Elizabeth (2) Patch was baptized on 16 Apr 1593 in So Petherton, Somersetshire, England and died on 29 Nov 1676 in Beverly, Essex, MA.

Elizabeth was abt. ae: 88., her gravesite is lost. See: N.E.H.G.Register, Book #53, Pg. #224.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 12 M    i. William Woodbury Jr. was baptized on 7 May 1620 in So Petherton, Somersetshire, England and died before 31 Mar 1668 in Beverly, Essex, MA.

+ 13 M    ii. Andreas Woodbury was baptized on 9 Mar 1622 in So Petherton, Somersetshire, England.

   14 M    iii. Nathaniel Woodbury was baptized on 11 Dec 1639 in Salem, Essex, MA.

Nathan[ie]ll, s. Will[iam], bp. 11: 10 m. 1639. C.R.1. Salem V.R. (Pg. #441).

+ 15 M    iv. Nicholas Woodbury was born in 1617, was baptized on 19 Apr 1618 in So Petherton, Somersetshire, England, died on 10 May 1686 in Beverly, Essex, MA, and was buried in Beverly, Essex, MA.

+ 16 F    v. Hannah Woodbury was born in 1617 in So Petherton, Somersetshire, England and died in 1703 in Ipswich, Essex, MA.

+ 17 M    vi. Hugh Woodbury was born about 1624 in So Petherton, Somersetshire, England and died before 1705 in Bristol, Bristol, RI.

   18 M    vii. Isaac Woodbury was born about 1626 in So Petherton, Somersetshire, England and died before Jan 1694 in Salem, Essex, MA.

Freemen: 8 May 1678 Isaac Woodberry - Beverly
See: Book #3; Pg. #245; N.E.H.G. Register.

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