There are several theories about Richard Woodward – none of which are proven. There is no evidence which can directly connect the immigrant to any individual with certainty in England, and Richard Woodward was far too common a name to make a match based on finding it in England.
A Richard Woodward was baptized 20 Jan 1587, son of William and Elizabeth Woodward of Childwall Parish, Lancashire, England. Birth date is approximately right but there is no evidence this is the immigrant.
A Richard Woodward married Rose West at St. Margaret Pattens in London on 13 May 1613. Name of wife is correct but there is no evidence this is the immigrant.
A Richard Woodward, at age 28, married Rose Stewart, in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England on 16 February 1614. Name of wife is correct but there is no evidence this is the immigrant. Usually said to be the same person that was born at Childwall, but they are too far apart for this to be reasonable.
He is said to have been born at Ipswich, Suffolk, England but I don’t think there is anything to support this. He did take his Oath of Conformity at Ipswich and sailed for New England on the Elizabeth out of Ipswich.
The best clue is probably from the 1665 will of Amos Woodword of Colchester, Essex, England who refers to “my uncle Woodward’s children’s children in New England.” Richard Woodward’s son George named a son Amos which is the reason for connecting this will to this New England Woodward family.
With multiple unproven possibilities, the profile should follow Anderson. Richard Woodward’s origins are unknown, born about 1589 (age 45 in 1634); wife Rose’s maiden name unknown. The biography should of course address the possible origins but come to no conclusion.
For his second marriage, references should be to:
NEHGR 163:134-136 Ann Neave, Wife of Stephen Gates, 1638 Immigrant to Massachusetts
NEHGR 120:161-170 Stephen Gates of Hingham, Lancaster and Cambridge, Mass., and Some of His Descendants (Continued)
