A Whole Lotta Family - Person Sheet
A Whole Lotta Family - Person Sheet
Spouses
BirthDec 1609, Harrold, Bedford Borough, Bedfordshire, England11
Death10 Jan 166011 Age: 50
BurialUnknown
FatherRobert Blott (1584-1665)
MotherSusanna Selbee (1584-1659)
Marriage4 Mar 1635, Roxbury, Suffolk Co, Massachusetts Bay Colony, BCA11
ChildrenMary (1636-1684)
Notes for Thomas Woodford
This is a cenotaph erected as a memorial to Thomas Woodford as a founder of Hartford, Connecticut. Thomas Woodford is not buried here. His burial site is unknown.
Born by 1614, based on date of freemanship. Migrated to Massachusetts Bay in 1632 on the "William & Francis." First settled in Roxbury, then moved to Hartford in 1636, & Northampton in 1656. Died in Northampton, 6 March 1666/7.
Married by about 1636 MARY BLOTT, baptized at Harrold, Bedfordshire, 24 December 1609, daughter of Robert Blott. She died before 27 May 1662 (date of father's will).
Source: Anderson's Great Migration Study Projecr
The Reverend John Eliot, the "Apostle to the Indians," wrote in church records (language updated): "Thomas Woodford, a manservant, came to New England in 1632 and joined the church about half a year later; he afterwards married Mary Blott, and moved to CT, joining the church in Hartford." Thomas became a freeman of the MA Bay Colony March 4, 1634/45. He is mentioned in the Compact of Settlers of 1636 at Springfield, CT. He received six acres of land at Hartford, CT, in 1639, and was hired by the city to maintain fences and to impound loose animals. In 1640 he was also a gravedigger. He owned several parcels of land around Hartford. In 1654 the Woodfords moved to Northampton, MA, along with their daughter Mary and son-in-law Isaac Sheldon, where he was elected one of the Townsmen in 1657. The Northampton church was organized June 18, 1661, and Thomas was the third signer of the formal document. He wrote his will April 26, 1665, naming Isaac Sheldon executor. In early 1666 he asked to be excused from court duty because of age and weakness. He died in Northampton, aged 65, on March 6, 1667. His estate was valued at 197 pounds.
Great Migration Study Project
Excerpt From Anderson's Great Migration Begins Study of Thomas Woodford IN Memories Section:
THOMAS WOODFORD
ORIGIN: Unknown
MIGRATION: 1632 on William & Francis [Hotten 149]
FIRST RESIDENCE: Roxbury
REMOVES: Hartford 1636, Northampton 1656
OCCUPATION: Steward.
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: Admitted to Roxbury church as member #27: "Thomas Woodforde, a man servant, he came to N[ew] E[ngland] in the year 1632, & was joined to the church about half a year after; he afterwards married Mary Blott & removed to Conecticott & joined to the church at Hartford" [RChR 75].
FREEMAN: 4 March 1634/5 [MBCR 1:370],
EDUCATION: He signed his will. His inventory included "books" valued at £1 8s., and in his will he gave the titles of some in a bequest to his daughters.
OFFICES: Appointed to collect money in Hartford for "the maintenance of scholars at Cambridge," 25 October 1644 [CCCR 1:112]. On 18 May 1653 nTho[mas] Woodford is freed from watching during the pleasure of the Court" [CCCR 1:241]. Hampshire jury, 29 March 1659 [Pynchon Court 240].
BIRTH: By 1614 based on date of freemanship.
DEATH: Northampton 6 March 1666/7 [Pynchon VR 156].
MARRIAGE: By about 1636 MARY BLOTT, baptized at Harrold, Bed-fordshire, 24 December 1609, daughter of Robert Blott [TAG 67:65-67]; she died before 27 May 1662 (date of father's will).