The Founders of Hartford
Thomas Woodford, came to Boston in the “William and Francis;” embarked March 7, arrived June 5,
1632 ; settled at Roxbury; freeman, March 4, 1635; m. in Roxbury, Mary, dau. of Robert Blott ; he came to Agawam with
Mr. Pynchon's company, where he signed the agreement of May 16, 1636, and bad an allotment of land. Named in
the distribution of 1639 at Hartford, when he was one who received land “by the courtesie of the town;”
his home-lot was on the west side of the highway now Front St. He was chosen with Arthur Smith, Feb. 10, 1639-40, to
attend the townsmen, and to do any special services required by them, as to give notice of tows-meetings, impound
stray cattle, etc. Appointed to act as sexton, March 3, 1640, to “attend the making of graves for any
corpses deceased;” to “receive for giving notice by ringing the bell, making the grave, and keeping of it
in seemly repair, en that it may be known in future time; when such graves have been made for the lesser sort, 2s.
6d., for the middle sort, 3s.., and for the higher sort, 3e. 6d. ;” also appointed town crier, and to be paid 2d.
for crying anything lost. His wife probably d. in Hartford; he removed about 1656 to Northampton; there d. March 6,
1667.
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