William Wood
One of the Ten Men of Saugus



There seems to be some confusion as to exactly who William Wood was. Since this site is dedicated to the Wing family, I don't have the luxury of time to delve into this any further. I leave it to the reader to decide for himself. The following information comes from several sources.

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Ancestry of William Francis Joseph Boardmam;

Babb, Master, which sailed from London September 11, 1635.(*) He is recorded in the list of passengers as "Jo: Kerbie aged 12 years," and is the only person of that name in the list. From this fact it is inferred that he was in the care of some older person to be brought to friends in New England. Naturally, such person would be the one recorded just before him in the list, who was William Wood, with his wife and children, the author, probably, of "New England's Prospect." He was first an inhabitant of Lynn, and after-wards removed to Sandwich, being accompanied by Richard Kirby, later a well-known resident of the latter town. It is thought, therefore, that Richard Kirby was the brother, or a relative, of the boy, John Kirby, and that William Wood brought him over from England in pursuance of this plan. In this case, John Kirby spent his youth in Sandwich, Mass.

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History of Lynn, Massachusetts

WILLIAM WOOD--came to Lynn in 1629, and was admitted a freeman 18 May, 1631. He resided here, according to his own account, about four years; and during that time he wrote an interesting work, entitled "Nevv Englands Prospect," containing a very favorable account of the early settlements. On 15 August, 1633, he sailed with Captain Thomas Graves, for London, where, in 1634, he printed his book, in one hundred pages. In 1635, he published a map of New England, engraved on wood. He returned to Lynn the same year. He embarked on the eleventh of September, in the Hopewell, of London, being then 27 years of age; bringing with him his wife, Elizabeth, aged 24 years, as appears by the records in Westminster Hall, London. In 1636, he was chosen representative. In 1637, he went with a company of about fifty men, and commenced a settlement at Sandwich. He was chosen town clerk there, and was a very active, intelligent, and talented man. His book is one of the most interesting and valuable which was written at that early period, and several extracts from it will be found in these pages.

[Shattuck thinks Mr. Wood went to Concord, where he resided many years, dying there, 14 May, 1671, aged 86. There were several of the same name, in the settlements, and hence opportunity for confusion among genealogists. It is pleasant for one to locate eminent individuals in the society of his ancestors, and some appear over-anxious to do so. There is, however, no doubt as to Mr. Wood's having resided at Lynn.]

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From New England Families Genealogies;

WOOD William Wood, the immigrant ancestor, was born in England in 1582, died at Concord, Massachusetts, May 14, 1671. It was formerly believed that he wrote the book "New England Prospects," but later authorities think he was not William Wood. There were a number of pioneers in Massachusetts of this name. William Wood, and very likely the name was common in England. William Wood, of Concord, came from Matlock, Derbyshire, England, in 1638 with his wife, his son Michael and daughter Ruth, and his nephew, Hon. Thomas Flint, who was also one of the first settlers of Concord. William Wood's will was dated September 15, 1670, when he stated his age as about eighty-eight years. It was proved June 20, 1672. He bequeathed to his daughter, Ruth Wheeler, wife of a well known pioneer at Concord, also to his son Michael. Children: Michael, mentioned below; Ruth, married Captain Thomas Wheeler.