Second Generation

2. John Woodbury Jr. was born about 1579 in Somersetshire, England and died in 1642 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA about age 63.

Notes: 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, Lotlayer, 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 27th of the 11th 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 18th 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 14th 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 relevent:

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 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, Massachusetts, USA at age 89.

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 next married Anne Napper, daughter of Thomas Napper and Unknown, 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, Massachusetts, USA at age 73.

Notes: 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, Massachusetts, USA and died in 1672 in London, , Greater London, England about age 46.

+ 9 F ii. Hannah Woodbury was christened on 25 Dec 1636 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA and died on 1 Sep 1714 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA at age 77.

10 F iii. Abigail Woodbury was christened on 12 Nov 1637 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.

Notes: 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, son of Hill and Unknown, on 12 Oct 1657 in Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. John was born in 1636 in Bristol, Bristol, England, died on 8 Feb 1707-1708 in Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, USA at age 72, and was buried Ancient Cemetery in Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.

Notes: 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). (Photo of Headstone).

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 his 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, 1688/9

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, Massachusetts, USA, was christened on 19 Sep 1640 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA, died on 5 Jul 1704 in Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, USA at age 64, and was buried in Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.

3. William Woodbury was born in 1589 in South Petherton, , Somerset, England and died on 26 Jun 1677 in Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, USA at age 88.

Notes: 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.

For more than ten years Mr. John B. White, employed men both here and in England, trying to find the early home of our ancestor, at great labor and expense. Yet he was ever on the lookout personally for the name, and was the first to see the following letter from Stoke Abbott, Dorset, England, that told us that John White returned to England in 1648. He now consulted with those who were doing the work, but Dorset was misleading, for they could not find trace of him there. After trying many points that failed to give light on the subject, Mr. J. Henry Lea set his men at work on the " Chancery Proceedings," and we now have the benefit of their hunt.

" Letter of Tristram Dalliber, of Stoke Abbas, Dorsetshire, England, April 20, 1648, to John Balch and William Woodbury of Salem, N. E."

" Dear & loving frinds my love Remembered unto you & to wives & all yours hoping of you's helth & hapines as I am and you's frinds at the writing heare of blessed be the lord for it. I have Receaved your letter wch you sent me by John Whitt wheare in I dooe see that you have sent me by him 33lb. 13s. 9d. wch is all that you have that is for the p'sent & I shall desire you to gye in the Rest as spedy as may be & so I dooe thanke you for your paines & pray tacke for your payns out of the same. If Mr. torry had not bin gon before I knew of I should have sent you some token of my love to you but seing he is gone I shall Remaine your debter until the next yeare and then I shall send it by John Whitt. I pray deliver to my brother Samuell Dalliber Slb.lOs. If he be soe plesed for he hath 61 b. 13s. heare oing him. If he be content there wth I shall be plesed that he shall have soe much there for the same. I pray gye in the Rest as spedy as you Cane & I doe hear by John Whitt that Willi vinson is grone pore therefore you may dooe well to tack what you Cane of him he doth denie to pay Eight shillings but goodman merry doth know of it. & as for osment Dooch I would intreet you to prosecute the lawe against him to the utmost for John Stoodly & Willm vinson doeth know that he was to paye me I71b pound in good & marchandable fish for they did acknoledge soe much at goodman merrjes house all though we had no bond upon him for the same therefore you must dravve them to witnis the same & wheare as you thought I did taxt you for unjust dealing I had noe such thought of you at all, but I know that many men would be backward enofe to Pay as I understand by John Whitt they be and as for willi wodbury I could have noe nusse of him when wee come to lonclon for I was at the Exchange all most every day for to see where I Could heare of him & Could not & therefore I should desire you not to be ofended with me for it. I pray deliver tne wedge & frowe(r) to my brother Samuel Dalliber & soe wth my love to you I rest

your loving frincl

from Stoke abbots Tristram Dalliber."

in Dorset the 20 of Aprill 1648."

[From the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 31, page 313.]

William married Elizabeth (2) Patch, daughter of Nicholas (1) Patch and Jane Owsley, on 29 Jan 1616 in South Petherton, , Somerset, England. Elizabeth was christened on 16 Apr 1593 in South Petherton, , Somerset, England and died on 29 Nov 1676 in Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, USA at age 83.

Notes: 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. Nicholas Woodbury was born in 1617, was christened on 19 Apr 1618 in South Petherton, , Somerset, England, died on 10 May 1686 in Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, USA at age 69, and was buried in Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.

+ 13 F ii. Hannah Woodbury was born in 1617 in South Petherton, , Somerset, England and died in 1703 in Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts, USA at age 86.

+ 14 M iii. William Woodbury Jr. was christened on 7 May 1620 in South Petherton, , Somerset, England and died before 31 Mar 1668 in Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.

+ 15 M iv. Andrew Woodbury was christened on 9 Mar 1622 in South Petherton, , Somerset, England.

+ 16 M v. Hugh Woodbury was born about 1624 in South Petherton, , Somerset, England and died before 1705 in Bristol, Bristol, Rhode Island, USA.

17 M vi. Isaac Woodbury was born about 1626 in South Petherton, , Somerset, England and died before Jan 1694 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.

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

18 M vii. Nathaniel Woodbury was christened on 11 Dec 1639 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.

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