Ref:

(1) Lay Subsidies for Corsham, Wiltshire- 197/155 quoted by G. Andrews Moriarty in "The Woodman Family", NEHGR- Vol. 97, pp. 281-6. A copy of this article can be seen at: http://adupree.com/Gen800/getperson.php?personID=I398809&tree=adupree
(2) Misc. Book TR 46- Wiltshire Musters, 1539 fo 35b, Liberty of Corsham quoted by Moriarty
(3) Probate records from the Diocese of Salisbury quoted by Moriarty

bpt. 26 Apr. 1548/9
m. 12 Sept. 1566 Corsham, Jane Champion (bur. 20 Apr. 1568 Corsham)
m. Alice Orchard (bur. 18 May 1568 Corsham)
m. 24 Apr. 1574 Corsham, Elizabeth Pryor (bur. 1 Apr. 1575 Corsham)
m. Agnes _____
will 16 Sept. 1600- 25 Sept. 1601
will Mar. 1612/3- Apr. 1613, bur. 17 Mar. 1612/3 Corsham

Pickwick Road- Corsham

We are dealing with two Thomas Woodmans living in Corsham at the time, one the son of Nicholas, the other the son of Richard. Unfortunately, without further information it is not possible to determine which children belong to which Thomas or to determine whether our ancestor is the Thomas, son of Nicholas or Richard.

The will of Thomas Woodman of Pickwick in Corsham, husbandman, is dated 16 Sept. 1600 and was proved 25 Sept. 1601. He made bequests to his daughter Jane and his sons Anthony, Thomas the younger, and his wife Elizabeth.(1)

The other Thomas Woodman of Corsham, roughmason made his will in March 1612/13 and was proved in April 1613. He left bequests to his sons Robert and Thomas, daughter Jane Hayward and his wife Agnes. Witnessed by Nicholas and William Woodman et al.(1)

Ref:

(1) Probate records from the Bishop of Salisbury quoted by Moriarty

Parish Registers for Corsham, Wiltshire

bpt. 9 Oct. 1574 Corsham, Wiltshire
m.1. 30 June 1600 St. Bartholomew's Church, Corsham, Wiltshire, COLLETT MALLETT (bur. 5 July 1611 Corsham)
2. Edith ______
will 16 July 1654

High Street- Corsham- 1912

In his will each child "now living" received 2/ and his widow Edith was the executrix.(1)

There was an Edward Woodman who was buried in Corsham on 14 Apr. 1614, however, his relationship to the family is not known.

Issue- all children bpt. Corsham, Wiltshire. First three children by Collett, last eight by Edith.

Ref:

(1) Probate records from the Bishop of Salisbury quoted by Moriarty

Parish Registers for Corsham, Wiltshire

4III. EDWARD (THOMAS 2, EDWARD 3)-

Corsham Court- Built by Thomas Symthe 1582

I have seen in several genealogies concerning this family that Edward's wife was Joanna Salway, daughter of Arthur and Mary Salway of Sanford, Worcestershire, however, I have not been able to find any primary sources, or reliable secondary sources, for this statement.

Edward was the brother of Archelaus of Newbury "mercer" who embarked at Southampton for New England in the James about 5 Apr. 1635. "Hercules" [Archelaus] Woodman, mercer, was listed as being from Malford [Christian Malford, Wiltshire].(26) Edward came to Newbury in 1636 and was made a freeman the same year. He was a representative to the General Court in 1636, 1637, 1639 and 1643. He was also the Commissioner to End Small Causes being first appointed on 6 Sept. 1638.(15) He was granted as his house lot "forty acres of land joyning to Merrimack Streete and the way going to the Aspen Swamp".(18)

On 17 May 1637 Edward was appointed lieutenant of the militia. The General Court had enacted a law requiring all able bodied men attend meeting on the Lord's Day "with their musketts, or other peeces fit for service, furnished w^th match, powder, & bullets, upon paine of 12d for every default".(5)

Town Order Forming the Militia in Newbury- 15 June 1638

To avoid calling all the freemen together to decide on routine business of the community "seven men" were chosen to attend to these affairs. On 8 Oct. 1637 "it was likewise desired by the generall consent that the same persons, to witt, Edward Woodman, Jo. Woodbridge, Henry Short, Christopher Hussey, Richard Kent, Richard Browne, & Richard Knight, who were chosen by papers to perform the same service for one quarter longer & to labor in the case according to what ye Lord shall direct, to do according to what is prescribed."(7)

"For the better ordering of all towne affaires it is thought that certain times & places of meeting should be appoynted which may be publickly knowne to the end that not only those to whom the charge of towne affairs is committed may make their constant & careful attendance but likewise that any other that hath any occasion of business with the towne may know where & when to make their desires knowne. And for the present it is agreed that there shall be a constant meeting kept (till further order be taken) every second Thursday at Henry Short's house, beginning at 8 of the clock in the morning & so to be continued as the times & seasons shall require. And for the more orderly & considerate proceeding it was likewise ordered that what things are proposed any one meeting day shall not ordinarily be answered till the next meeting unless in cases of some moment or in cases that require speedy answer."(8)

Edward along with Edward Rawson, John Knight and Richard Brown entered into an agreement with Richard Dummer on 6 Aug. 1638:

"It is agreed w^th Mr Richard Dummer of Newbury by the psons whose names are hereunto subscribed that in case Mr Dummer doe make his mill fitt to grynd corne & doe so maintayne the same, as also doe keepe a man to attend the grynding of corne, then they for their pts will send thither all the corne that they shall have ground; & doe likewise prmise that all the rest of the Towne (if it lye in their power to p'cure the same) shall also bring their corne from tyme to tyme to be ground at the said mill; and it is further agreed that (the 'fore menc'oned condic'on being observed by Mr Dummer) there shall not any other mill be erected w^thin the said Towne."(6)

"It was agreed that Edward Rawson Rich. Browne & John Knight shall goe and, according to former agreement which the towne had with Thomas Cromwell, take possession of the half acker whereon he hath builded a cowe house without their leave."(10)

On 12 Mar. 1637/8 the General Court "ordered that every town shall p'sent a man to bee alowed to sell wine & strong water made in the country & no other strong water is to be sould." Edward was appointed by the General Court as the agent for the sale of "strong water" in Newbury for several years.(14)

"That a rate of twenty-eight pounds shall be made speedily and gathered within one fourteenight for the finishing of the meeting house. The towne appoynted Mr Woodman & Ed: Rawson to make this rate. The towne appoynted the Constables to gather this rate. The towne hath appoynted Henry Short & Rich: Kent to receive this rate & survey the worke."(12)

Also on May 13th the General Court levied a tax of �65 on the town of Newbury: "and it was ordered; that in payment silver plate should passe at 5s the ounce; good ould Indian corne, growing heare, being clean & marchantable, at 5s the bushell; sumer wheate at 7s the bushell; rye at 6 sh the bushell... Mr Rawson, Mr Woodman & Goodm Haule" were appointed a committee to appraise the cattle, horses, hogs, and goats in Newbury, and were ordered "to valewe them under their worth rather than above their worth."(9)

"Whereas the towne of Newbury, well weighing the streights they were in for want of plough ground, remoteness of the common, scarcity of fencing stuffe, and the like, did in the year 1642 grant a commission to Mr Thomas Parker, Mr James Noyes, Mr. John Woodbridge, Mr Edward Rawson, Mr. John Cutting, Mr John Lowle, Mr Edward Woodman, and Mr John Clark, for removing, settleing, and disposeing of the inhabitants to such place as might in their judgements best tend to theyr enlargements, exchanging theyr lands, and making such orders as might bee in theyr judgements for the well ordering of the town's occasions and, as in their commission more largely appeareth, the said deputed men did order in their firsst meeting and appoint John Merrill, Richard Knight, Anthony Short and John Emery to go to all the inhabitants of the towne, taking a true list of all the stock of each inhabitant, and make a true valuation of all their houses, improved land, and fences, that thereby a just rule might be made to proportion each inhabitant his portion of land about the new towne, and removing of the inhabitants there.

It was ordered at a meeting of the eight deputed men above mentioned that each freeholder should have a house lott of foure akers. It was further ordered, in respect of the time for the inhabitants removeing from the place they now inhabit to that which is layd out and appointed for their new habitations, each inhabitant shall enjoy their house lotts foure yeares from the day of the date of this commission."

Wee, whose names are in y^e margent expressed (James Noyes, Edward Woodman, John Cutting, John Lowle, Richard Knight and Henry Short) for y^e settleing y^e distraceons y^t yett remayne about y^e setling and placeing y^e meeting house y^t all men may cheerfully goe on to improve their lands at y^e new towne doe determine y^t y^e meeting house shall be placed & sett up at or before y^e twentieth of October next in, or upon, a knowle of upland by Abraham Toppans barne w^thin a sixe or sixteen Rodd of this side of y^e gate posts y^t are sett up in y^e highway by said Abraham Toppans barne."(17)

There was a battle concerning Plum Island between the towns of Newbury, Ipswich and Rowley and at the town meeting 6 Mar. 1648/9:

"Mr Edward Rawson, Mr John Spencer and Mr Woodman was chosen by the towne to joyne with those men of Ipswich and Rowley, that was appointed to bee a committee about Plum Island".

Edward along with several others presented a petition to the General Court which, on 19 Oct. 1649, granted "two parts to Ipswich, two to Newbury, and one to Rowley".(22)

Edward also had to deal with transients in town who were at risk of becoming a town charge:

"To the Honnored Courte now assembled. The humble petition of John Lowle & Edward Woodman in the name & on the behalfe of the Towne of Newberry.

Humbly Showeth

That whereas one John Eales aged upwards of 70 years on or about August last came to Newberry to one John Davis a Renter of a farm there w^th ye expectation of his doing service which the Towne was not acquainted with, being found unable to gett his living & going from us was stayed by ye constable of Ipswich. Ye Honnor'd Courte thereupon sent him back to ye constable of Newbury to be found at the Countreyes charge untill this Courte sh'ld determine the waye to dispose of him. Now our humble desire is y^t y^e worships would be pleased to dispose of him where it may be least chargeable to ye countreye & most beneficial to himself, w^th what & where ye constable shall pay out y^e worships shall Judge meete for his so long abiding with him, & your peticoners shall pray &c- John Lowle, Edward Wooman".

"It is conceived John Eales should be placed in some convenient place where he may be implied in his trade of beehive makeing, etc.; & y^e towne of Neweberry to make up what his work wanteth of defraying y^e charge of his livelyhood."(16)

Sounds like the town didn't have a big need for somebody to build beehives as John had "ye expectation of his doing service which the Towne was not acquainted with". But, the government ordered him to ply his trade in Newbury. So, did Newbury end up with a bunch of beehives and no bees? Although it is appropriate that the government would order somebody to make something that nobody needed!

On 18 May 1653 the highway committee reported that... "the way from Andevour to Newbery goes on the old cart way leaving Rowley way at the begining of a playne by a little swampe called Berbery Swampe & so on the old way to the Falls Rivers & from thence straight upon the north side of Richard Thorlyes feild, as it is now fenced & so to John Hulls bridge & so over the end of John Hulls playne unto Mr Woodmans bridge, neere the Mill at Newberry."(3)

"At a town meeting Nov. 29 1652 There was voted by the major part of the towne that there should be a convenient house built for a schoole. There was also voted that there should be twenty pounds a yeare allowed for to maintaine a schoolmaster out of the Towne rate. There was also voted that Mr Woodman, Richard Kent Junr, Lieut : Pike & Nicholas Noyes should be a committee for manageing of the business of the schoole &c".(1)

"The humble petition of the inhabitants of Newbury, to the honored General Court now assembled at Boston, showeth:

That whereas our loving friend, Lieutenant Robert Pike of Salisbury, hath by occasion, as it is witnessed against him, let fall some words for which the honored Court hath been pleased [to censure him] we having had experience that he hath been a peaceable man and a useful instrument... do therefore humbly desire this honored Court that the said sentence may be [revoked] and that the said Lieutenant Pike be... restored to his former liberty... Edwd. Woodman...".(21)

On 13 Nov. 1655 the General Court "with the consent of the deputy of Rowley and Capt Gerrish and Mr Woodman of Newbury" formed a committee to determine the line between Rowley and Newbury. The town line was finalized on 14 May 1656.(13)

"March 3, 1661 laid out for Mr Henry Sewall for the two freeholds he doth enjoy, one was for his fathers and the other was Mr Edward Woodmans, ten acres of Marshland being the ninth and tenth lots &c.

"Dec. 3, 1668 the selectmen granted Liberty to Nathaniel Clarke, Mr Edward Woodman, Benjamin Lowle, John Kelly & John Kent, Jun to build a pew for their wives at their own charg: in the meeting house from the east end of the South gallery to the pulpit to be & remaine to them & their heirs forever."(23)

Edward was in the middle of the ecclesiastical controversies at the time in Newbury and he was accused of publicly denouncing Rev. John Woodbridge as a preacher and said he was retained in the church by craft and subtilty and Rev. Mr. Parker "as an apostate and backslider from the truth" who would set up a prelacy, and, though unsupported by a council of cardinals would exercise more power than the pope! Edward was interrupted in his speech by Capt. Gerrish who made a reference to his gray hairs to which Edward replied: "Capt. Gerrish, my gray hairs will stand in any place where you bald head will stand!"

"March 30, 1669

Having heard the complaint p^rsented to this Court ags^t Mr Edward Woodman do judge some passages relating to Mr Parker & Mr Woodbridge to be faulse and scandalous and that concerneing Cap^t Gerish, rep'chfull, and p'voking and the whole gen^ally offensive, And hath therefore ordered that the sayd Mr Woodman shall be seriously & solemnely admonished and enjoyned to make a publique Confession at the next publique Towne or church meeting at Newbury of his sinfull expressions & just offence that he hath given or else to pay five pounds & to pay costs and fees.

Mr Edward Woodman appealed from this Judgm^t to the next court of Assistants at Boston

He recognized in the sum of �20 with William Titcomb surety to prosecute his appeal and be of good behavior in meantime."(24)

On 19 Apr. 1670 after careful deliberation articles of agreement were drawn up by Rev. Mr. Parker for himself and his supporters "and by Mr Edward Woodman and the brethren that were with him."

Things didn't quiet down and the meetings called to work out the differences were heated. At one meeting Mr Woodman and his friends "raised an hubbub, knocking, stamping, hemming, gaping to drown the reading" of charges preferred against them by their minister. Later the same group met together and chose a moderator and proceeded to admonish the Rev. Mr. Parker "and to suspend him from the exercise of his office" after which a complaint was entered at the court at Ipswich in Apr. 1671 accusing Edward and forty of his friends of disorderly conduct, dishonoring the holy ordinances of the church, and speaking comtemptuously and reproachfully of their paster Rev. Parker. On 29 May 1671 the court found them "guilty of very great misdemeanors though in different degrees" and fined them from one to twenty nobles (a noble was 6/8). A report from an appointed council was presented to the General Court which severely criticised Edward and his supporters, however, they declared that his suspension from membership in the church was in violation of the spirit of the gospel and therefore null and void. Their report also requested Rev. Woodbridge "not to impose himself or his ministry upon the church" and not to block the members in their choice of an assistant minister. Ministers and congregation, although divided concerning questions of doctrine and discipline, were exhorted "to walk according to the rule of faith, love and the order of the gospel" and to show "a mutual, hearty and free forgiveness of each other according to the rule of Christ".(25)

In 1681 he ws comissioned by the colony "to see people marry" and he stated that is was "An unprofitable commission; I quickly laid aside the worke, which has cost me many a bottle of sacke and liquor, where friends and acquaintances have been concerned".(27)

On 25 Mar. 1681 he sold his home on Woodman's Lane to his son Jonthan for "twenty pounds which is yearly to be paid during the time of my own and my wife's natural life... My now dwelling house, houses and barns and orchard and pasture, and all my plow land lying by and adjoining to the said houses, as also all the plow lands upon the northwest side of the street lying upon the westward side of my house, the said street being vulgarly called the Newstreet". This street is now called Kent St.(27)

Issue-

Ref:

"Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury"- pp.365-6

5VIII. JONATHAN (THOMAS 2, EDWARD 3, EDWARD 4)

"Jonathan : woodman: Benjamin Moss & Isaac Brown tooke y^e oath of fidellity to this goverm^t: & James Ardway tooke y^e oath of a freeman of this Jurisdiction: y^e 26 : of y^e 12^th m^o: 1668".(2)

On 31 Jan. 1670/1, the selectmen authorized Caleb Moody, John Hale, Benjamin Rolfe, John Webster, Abel Somerby, Nathaniel Clarke, Percivall Lowle, Jonathan Woodman, Daniel Thurston, Benjamin Lowle, and John Swett to build at their own charge "a pew in the south east corner of the meeting house" for the use of their wives and daughters.(4)

In 1675 Jonathan had a ship building yard at the foot of Woodman's lane, now Kent St., in Newburyport. On 23 Mar. 1675/6 he brought suit at the Court of Admiralty in Boston to recover the money due him for the construction of the ship "Salamander". Capt. Bartholomew Stratton and the other owners of the ship complained about the amount claimed and insisted that the law requiring the inspection of vessels had not been complied with. The court ruled in favor of the defendants and fined Jonathan �10. Jonathan then petitioned the General Court asking to be released from the fine as the master and owners had compelled him to pay �20 for not launching the ship at the time agreed upon. He was unable to find men to replace the two carpenters who had been taken for the country's service. He stated that the ship had been surveyed by a carpenter "as the custom is with us", before she was planked, and stated that the owners had forced him to take up the deck and raise it four feet higher.

"October 17, 1676, In answer to the petition of Jonathan Woodman, humbly desiring the remittment of the fine of tenn pounds imposed on him for not surveying the ship Salamander &c the Court judgeth it meet to grant his request & his fine is remitted accordingly."(1)

Jonathan deposed in the 1679 trial of Elizabeth Morse for witchcraft: "I met with a white thing like a cat, which did play at my legs, and I did often kick at it, having no weapon in my hand; at last I struck it with my feet against the fence ere I saw Webster's houlse, and there it stopped with a loud cry after the manner of a cat and I see it no more. I further testify, that William Morse of Newberry did owne that he did send for a doctor for his wife the same night and same time that I was troubled with that cat above mentioned, which was some grounds for suspicion." Elizabeth was later reprieved and released.(5)

In the town rate for 1688 is a listing for "Mr Woodman & Jonathan- Heads 1, Houses 2, Plow Lands 8, Meadow 16, Pastr 4... Oxen 2, Cows 4... 1 yr old 2, Sheep 15... Edwrd Woodman... Houses 1, Plow Lands 4... Pastr. 6, Horses 1... Cows 4... 2 yr old 1, 1 yr old 1, Sheep 15, Hoggs 1".(3)

Ref:

"Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury"- pp.366-7,1027

6IV. JONATHAN (THOMAS 2, EDWARD 3, EDWARD 1, JONATHAN 2)

Jonathan was also a shipwright in Newbury. He purchased land in Coxhall (Lyman) in 1697.

"A list of the names of the men belonging to the North Regiment in Essex apointed to keep snow-shoes and mogginsons... My particular Company [probably Capt. Thomas Noyes]... Jonathan Woodman".(1)

The third meeting house in Newbury was built at Market Square in Newburyport in 1725. On 23 May 1727 the congregation voted to buy a 400 lb. bell and "Voted that Jonathan Woodman should treat with some gentlemen in Boston to send for a bell for said Parish".(2)

Issue-

Ref:

Vital Records of Newbury

"Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury"- pp.367,1027