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Stricker Family Tree - Edward Johnson, Historian and Founder of Woburn, MA

 Edward Johnson - Historian and Founder of Woburn, Massachusetts

Family Connection - 9th Great-Grandfather of Roy Ellsworth Stricker

Plaque Honoring Founders of Woburn in First Burying Ground

Edward Johnson was born in Canterbury, Kent, England, in September 1598. He was baptized in Canterbury on September 15, 1598. In 1620, he married Susan Munter. They had eight children:
        
        Edward            b. 1621        d. 1692
        William            b. 1623        d. 1625
        George             b. 1625        d. 1681
        Susan               b. 1627        d. unknown
        William            b. 1629        d. 1704
        Martha             b. 1631        d. unknown
        Matthew          b. 1633        d. 1696
        John                 b. 1635        d. 1720

Some texts indicate that Edward visited the colonies in 1630 or1631, but there are no original sources to confirm that. Some sources suggest he came in 1630 or 1631 and returned to England get his wife and children in 1636 - that's clearly wrong based on the birth dates of his children. He immigrated to Boston with his wife and seven surviving children in 1637. They settled in Charlestown. His occupation was listed as joiner, or cabinetmaker.  During his time in Boston and Charlestown, he was one of the founders of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, along with Roger Clap (blog post on Oct. 30) and Robert Keanye (blog post on Oct. 1). 
 

The First Church of Charlestown, where the Johnsons worshipped, petitioned the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony (the legislature) for a grant of land to accommodate their growing congregation. In 1640, the General Court granted them a large tract of land north of Charlestown. The Court stipulated that the new settlement would be named Charlestown Village and be maintained as a civil and religious society. The terms specified that streets must be laid out, a church built, and homes built within two years of the grant. 

Edward Johnson was chosen by the Charleston Church to lead a group of  seven men commissioned to explore the new area and choose a site for the new town. The town of Charlestown Village, now known as Woburn, was incorporated by the General Court in 1642.  

Map showing location of Woburn drawn in 1667

Johnson served as the Woburn Town Clerk from its founding until his death. He also served as Deputy to General Court many times from 1642 until 1671. In 1655, he served as Speaker of the General Court.

Edward Johnson was also an historian. In 1654, he wrote a book entitled Wonder-Working Providence of Zion's Saviour in New England, the first history of the Colonies to be published. 

Johnson died on April 23, 1672 at the age of 73. He was buried in the First Burial Ground in Woburn, but no marker exists. 

Edward Johnson > Matthew Johnson > Matthew Johnson > Mary Johnson > Jonathan Abbe, Jr. > Jonathan Samuel Abbe > Sarah Abbey > Polly Anne Brown > Lucy M Windsor > Gertrude Myra Newland > Roy Ellsworth Stricker                            Charts S-I and S-Main

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