Although some of what might be presented on the Woodruff family might be conjecture, or preponderance of evidence, and will be so noted, today’s collateral family was treated in The American Genealogist in October 2010 [pages 257-264] in the article “The English Ancestry of Joan Barton, Wife of Richard Smith of Narragansett, Rhode Island” by John C. Brandon and Leslie Mahler, FASG.
William Barton, born by 1573, possibly in Gloucestershire, England married Eleanor Burnell on 23 January 1597/98 at Olveston, Gloucestershire, England. No birth or baptismal record has been found for Eleanor, who was likely born c1575.
Both William and Eleanor left wills, clarifying the members of their family. William wrote his will on 29 August 1625 and it was proved a few months later on 10 February 1625/26. He is called yeoman and names three daughters, under the age of 21 years, and one son. However, his daughter Joan is not mentioned, possibly because she was already married and had received her portion as her dowry.
Eleanor wrote her will on 23 December 1645 and it was proved the following year on 21 October 1646. Eleanor did name “Joane Smith my eldest daughter” and gave her five shillings “if she ever come to England to receive it.”
William Barton was buried at Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England on 7 August 1625. His wife’s exact date of death and/or burial is unknown except that it was before 21 October 1646, the date her will was proved.
Children:
- Joan, born by 1601, probably Gloucestershire, England; died before 6 October 1651 when Roger Williams stated that Richard “he is like to have Mrs. Chester.”; married Richard Smith, 28 May 1621, Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England. Richard and Joan Smith immigrated to Taunton, Massachusetts, c1636.
- William, possibly the child baptized in October 1603 or June 1605, Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England; died by 1675, when his estate was sued.
- Jane, baptized 27 March 1608, Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England; married John Godd, a preacher, 23 June 1638, Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England
- Alice, baptized 20 November 1614, Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England; died by 1675 since she is not mentioned in the lawsuit (see William, above); married (1) Robert Roche, 29 November 1632, Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England (2) Unknown Ireland, after May 1646.
- Ann, baptized 14 June 1618, Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England; died after 1645, when she is mentioned in her mother’s will; married John Jones, 25 October 1638, Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England
Next, we’ll look at the lives of Richard and Joan (Barton) Smith after they left Thornbury for the British colonies.