2526.Walter Woodworth. Born ca 1612 in Kent, England.16 Walter died in Scituate, MA bet 26 Nov 1685 and 25 Feb 1685/6.16
Woodworth, also Woodward, Wodworth, Woodard, etc.
There’s an article on Walter Woodworth in The Great Migration Begins.16
From Elijah Woodworth’s Descendants of Walter Woodworth of Scituate, Mass.:243
Walter Woodworth came from Kent Co., England, to Scituate, Mass., 1635. He was assigned the third lot on Kent St., which runs along the ocean front, at the corner of Meeting House Lane, and there he built a house. In that year he owned other land, a tract on the First Herring Brook not far below Stockbridge Mill, where afterwards stood the residence of the poet Samuel Woodworth, and another tract on Walnut Tree Hill, just west of the present [1901] Greenbush or South Scituate R. R. Station, which was in early times called Walter Woodworth’s Hill, and in 1666 he became a purchaser of sixty acres at Weymouth. In 1640 Walter was assessed nine shillings for the public use, and March 2, 1641, freeman; and in Jun 4, 1645, he was appointed surveyor of highways in Scituate, and again in 1646 and 1656. His name appears frequently on the town records of Scituate as juror, etc. In 1654 he was a member of the First Church, which ordained Charles Chauncy as their minister.
From Deane’s History of Scituate:53
Walter Woodworth was freeman in Scituate 1640, and settled amongst the men of Kent, 3d. lot on Kent street, south side of Meeting-house land in 1635. He had other lands in 1635, viz. on the first Herring brook 30 rods below Stockbridge’s mill: and on the northwest side of Walnut tree hill. He left no record of the births of his children; from incidental records we find Benjamin, Walter, Thomas, Joseph, Mary, wife of Aaron Simons 1677, Martha, the wife of Lieut. Zachary Daman 1679, Mehitable, who was unfortunate in regard to her health, (see witchcraft.)
It has been frequently speculated that Walter’s wife was Elizabeth Rogers, b. ca. 1620, daughter of Thomas (ca 1586-12 Nov 1638) and Mary Rogers. But evidence for that conclusion remains lacking. Also, proof is needed that Walter’s parents are Thomas and Elizabeth (Tyson) Woodworth.
Will: From Elijah Woodworth’s Descendants of Walter Woodworth of Scituate, Mass.:243
Extract from will of Walter Woodward of Scituate of New Plymouth, in New England.
(Plymouth Co. Probate.)
I give and bequeath unto Thomas Woodward, my oldest son, upland containing _______ acres lying in Scituate.
To my two sons Thomas and Joseph _____ acres of marsh land to be equally divided between them which lyeth in Scituate. To Thomas Woodward, my son, one-third part of all my land at Seconet which I purchased. The other two-thirds to Benjamin and Isaac Woodward to be equally divided between them excepting 25 acres of which I do give to my son Joseph. Ten acres of which I do give to my daughter Martha of which two quantities of land are to be deducted out of the two-thirds of my land lying at Seconet given to my sons Benjamin and Isaac aforesaid. All the rest of my land at Seconet which is yet to be purchased I give unto my two sons Thomas and Joseph Woodward to be equally divided between them.
I give to Benjamin my son, my dwelling house, barn and other out housing, with all my land both upland and marsh land; 20 acres of upland, six acres of marsh land, the commons and privileges thereunto belonging. Benjamin to pay seventy pounds unto my son Joseph and my six daughters, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, Martha, Mehitable and Abigail ten pounds apiece. Benjamin to allow my two daughters Mehitable and Abigail the lower room or parlor at the northeasterly end of my dwelling house for their use during the time that they live unmarried.
I give and bequeath to my two daughters Mehitable and Abigail my feather bed with the furniture thereunto belonging and all the rest of my household goods I give unto my six daughters to be equally divided among them.
The rest of my estate undisposed of by this my last will and testament I give and bequeath to all my children, debts and funeral expenses being first paid, to be equally divided amongst them, Benjamin sole executor. And my two sons, Joseph and Thomas Woodward, overseers.
Hand and seal this 26th day of November, 1685.
The mark of
WALTER (X) WOODWARD Signed, sealed, acknowledged in the presence of:
THOMAS KING, SR.,
THOMAS PALMER,
CHARLES STOCKBRIDGE.