John WOOD

Sources:

Conover Benealogy - http://www.conovergenealogy.com/ancestor-p/p242.htm
Ancestral File - Version 4.19
Pedigree Resource File
Ancestral World Tree
New.FamilySearch.org, Mar 2010

Notes:

                   RESEARCH NOTE:
    Biography, historical, and research information included in notes.

From: http://www.conovergenealogy.com/ancestor-p/p242.htm

    John Wood was born circa 1585 at near, Southwark, London, England. He married Margaret Carter on 28-Jan-1610/11 at St. Savior's, Southwark, London, England. John Wood married Elizabeth (Unknown). John Wood died in Mar-1655 at Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island. 
        Other things we know about John Wood the Mariner: 

He was the Masters Mate, or possibly Captain, of the Ship "Bacheler" according to a letter written about 1636 by Governor John Winthrop [2] p. 2. This letter also mentions John Woods sons Frederick and George by name. Winthrop placed a high degree of confidence in this family even though they had suffered from a previous ill fated voyage. In [2] p. 3 we find a 1637 letter transcript from Francis Kirby about John Wood, Masters Mate of the Ship "Hector" 

John Wood had considerable dealings with land on or near New York (New Amsterdam). Clark [2] p. 4-7 details the reasons that she believes Johns wife Margaret and son Frederick died in the NY Maspeth Massacre of 1643 [6]. John also had considerable dealings with both Winthrop Governors and was favorably dealt with [2] p. 6. 

Clark [2] p. 9 shows a letter transcript from John Wood to Mrs. Elizabeth Winthrop (probably the 2nd wife of Adam Winthrop). John takes considerable attention to explain and apologize on prices of goods, but mentions purchases he has made at her request. 

In the N.E.H.G. Register [11] p. 60-61, there is a reference to an interesting petition by Jane Armitage of Lynn, to the Mass. Court. This petition was signed by a number of her fellow citizens including John Wood and Nicholas Browne, and is dated 26 Oct. 1643. 

This particular John Wood "the Mariner" has often been confused with 2 other John Wood persons in the early 1600s in New England. It is quite certain that he was NOT the John Wood who arrived in the Hopewell in 1635, with William Wood and Elizabeth Wood, Clark [2] p. 1. Nor was he the John Wood who came with Mr. Hull in 1633 [2] p. 1. Clark [2] makes the excellent point about how both of these are far to young to have had a son born in 1620. 

Also confusing are the accounts in publications about John Wood Alias Atwood. These are also NOT our John Wood the Mariner as a very detailed explanation is provided by Williams [12]. Williams [12] p. 138 defines John Wood Alias Atwood as the husband of Sarah Masterson and he having died in Plymouth MA between 22 Nov 1675 and 7 Mar 1675/6 (will and probate). Williams [11] takes a rather critical view of the sources for both John Wood Alias Atwood and the other John Atwood (who married Ann) and who died between 20 Oct 1643 and 5 June 1644 (will & probate). 

Since John Alias Atwoods 1675 will left his entire estate to "wife Sarah" in Plymouth we can safely conclude that this was not our "Mariner". And since John Wood the Mariner is alive and well, living in the Portsmouth area after the death of the second "Atwood" we must assume that they too were different persons. Clark [2] p. 9 offers: 

John Wood was a member of the town council of Portsmouth, Jan. 10, 1648. 
He was sued by John Richman for trespass on June 7, 1643, in Newport, RI and in the settlement of his estate in 1655, it mentions "Elizabeth Wood, the late wife of the deceased shall be sole executrix." Elizabeth Wood the widow is called mother-in-law (step-mother) to George Wood, the eldest son. Susanna and Elizabeth were "the young children" the widow was to bring up and were perhaps the only children by her. 

On Mar. 17, 1655, the town council chose appraisers on his estate (he having died intestate) viz.: John Coggeshall, Thomas Cornell, Jr., James Babcock and William Hall. Inventory 130 pounds, viz.: Land 45 pounds, In widow hand 50 pounds, In Thomas Woods hands 20 pounds, Goods and Cattle 15 pounds. The council disposed of estate as follows: To John Wood (Jr.), land in his present possession, he paying his sister Manchester 8 pounds. To Thomas Wood, the land that was his fathers. 

Apr. 1655, Being requested by the widow of John Wood(e), of Portsmouth, and the Wood(es) children, John Wood(s), Thomas and William, to take an inventory of his goods, the sons before named choose their mother, the late wife of their father John Wood, as administratrix. She hath given unto his daughter Manchester a "ewe gotte" and to his son (in-law) Samuel Jennings a "ewe kid." John is to have land in his possession. Thomas to have the 40 acres next to Robert Spinkes land. William to have the lands and house. John, Thomas and William are each to give to their sister Manchester, a "ewe goote."

Of particular note is the daughter "Manchester". This is such an unusual name that we can very firmly connect Manchester Wood, her marriage to Samuel Jennings and also her connection to her father John Wood through the various documents of property transfer cited by Clark [2]. Also of curious interest is that John Wood had a daughter "Susannah" by each of his wives. This is sorted out by Clarke [2] p. 14 "John Wood had a daughter Susanna by each of his wives. The younger Susanna was probably born at about the time the older one was married. We have shown from Hugh Parsons promissory note that Elizabeths daughter Susannah had married Josiah England, son of William, before 17 May 1675  probably considerably before". 
I believe that this firmly establishes the genealogy of John Wood the Mariner as being separate form the various John Wood/Atwood persons in the eastern Massachusetts area during the 1620 - 1655 time period. John Wood the Mariner had a son also named John who might be confused with other persons of the same name so I will endeavor to better establish his particular life.