Individual Details

FamilySearch ID KNDZ-4RX

Brief Life History
Lt. Edward Winship was a prominent figure in the early development of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, serving as a soldier, legislator, and pioneer. Born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1612 to Lyonel and Ann Winship, he emigrated during the Great Migration, sailing from Harwich aboard the "Defiance" in August 1635 and arriving in Boston that October. Within months of his arrival, he was admitted as a Freeman of the colony, a status that reflected both his Puritan faith and his commitment to the nascent civic structure of New England.

Settling in Cambridge, Winship quickly established himself as a man of public duty. In 1638, he became an original member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, an elite organization dedicated to military training. His leadership skills led to his eventual commission as a Lieutenant in the local militia. His civic contributions were equally significant; he served as a Deputy for Cambridge to the General Court for many years between 1663 and 1686, representing the town during a period of critical colonial growth and conflict.

Winship's personal life was marked by two marriages that expanded his influence. He first married Jane Wilkinson about 1637, with whom he had several children before her death in early 1651. Shortly thereafter, he married Elizabeth Parke, the daughter of Richard Parke, further solidifying his ties to the leading families of the colony. Winship was a devout member of the First Church of Cambridge, where he was admitted to full communion in 1661.

In his later years, Winship was a key figure in the settlement of "Cambridge Farms," the area that would later become Lexington. As one of the largest landholders in the district, he played a vital role in its transition from a rural outpost to an established town. His 1685 will meticulously detailed the distribution of his vast estates, ensuring the continued prosperity of his widow and children. He died in Cambridge in December 1688 and was interred in the Old Burying Ground, where his headstone stands as a lasting monument to his role as a colonial founder.

Sources:
- Parish Registers of St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
- John Camden Hotten, "The Original Lists of Persons of Quality, 1600-1700."
- "Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England."
- Thomas W. Baldwin, "Vital Records of Cambridge, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850."
- Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871, File 25292.
- Oliver Ayer Roberts, "History of the Military Company of the Massachusetts."
- Charles Hudson, "History of the Town of Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts."
- Clarence Almon Torrey, "New England Marriages Prior to 1700."
- William Thaddeus Harris, "Epitaphs from the Old Burying-Ground in Cambridge."
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Name • 47 Sources
Lt. Edward Woodward Winship

Last Changed: January 17, 2026

R
Roger Lee Navarre

Sex • 41 Sources
Male

Last Changed: January 14, 2012

H
HeathCall

Birth • 1 Source
3 March 1612
Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England

Reason:

Source: Parish Registers of St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne. Note – Historically recorded as 1611/2 in the source.

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Last Changed: January 29, 2026

B
Billy_despommes

Christening • 0 Sources
13 March 1612
Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, Kingdom of England (now: Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom) <- CHANGED

Reason:

Source: Parish Registers of St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne. Note – Record confirms baptism ten days after birth; son of Lyonel Winship.

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Last Changed: January 17, 2026

R
Roger Lee Navarre

Death • 2 Sources
2 December 1688
Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America (now: Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States)

Reason:

Source: Vital Records of Cambridge, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850. Note – Town records confirm he died at age 76.

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Last Changed: January 17, 2026

R
Roger Lee Navarre

Burial • 1 Source
6 December 1688
Old Burying Ground, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America (now: Old Burying Ground, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachus

Reason:

Source: William Thaddeus Harris, Epitaphs from the Old Burying-Ground in Cambridge. Note – His gravestone identifies him as Lieutenant Edward Winship and confirms his death date.

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Last Changed: January 17, 2026

R
Roger Lee Navarre

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Alternate Name • 0 Sources
Also Known As
Lieut Edward Winship

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Arrival
3 October 1635
Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America (now: Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States)
Edward Winship emigrated from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony aboard the ship Defiance, which departed Harwich on 10 August 1635. His arrival in Boston was part of the Great Migration of Puritans seeking religious and economic opportunity in New England.


Custom Event • 0 Sources
Freeman
15 December 1635
Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America (now: Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States)
Edward Winship was admitted as a Freeman of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. This legal status was granted to church members in good standing, entitling them to vote in colony elections and hold civic office.


Custom Event • 0 Sources
Military Service
1638
Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America (now: Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States)
Edward Winship was an original member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts. This organization served as a training school for officers and was a mark of high social and military standing in the colony.


Religious Affiliation • 0 Sources
25 August 1661
First Church of Christ, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America (now: First Church of Christ, Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States)
Edward Winship was a member in full communion at the First Church of Cambridge. His active participation in the ecclesiastical life of the community was mandatory for his status as a Freeman and local leader.


Custom Event • 0 Sources
PubOffice
1663
Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America (now: Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States)
Edward Winship began his service as a Deputy for Cambridge to the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He served numerous terms between 1663 and 1686, acting as a legislator for the colony.


Residence • 0 Sources
1680
Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America (now: Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States)
Edward Winship established an estate in the section of Cambridge known as Cambridge Farms. He was a principal settler and one of the largest landholders in the district, which later became the town of Lexington.


Custom Event • 0 Sources
Will
September 1685
Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America (now: Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States)
Edward Winship executed his last will and testament, outlining the distribution of his extensive real estate in Cambridge and the Farms to his wife Elizabeth and his surviving children.

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Lt. Edward Woodward Winship
Male
1612–1688
•
KNDZ-4RX
Jane Wilkinson
Female
1618–1651
•
LHBP-1FH
Marriage
about 1637
Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America


Children (5)

Sarah Winship
Female
1638–1665
•
LTT2-714

Mary Winship
Female
1641–1695
•
LTX5-7R7


Ephraim Winship
Male
1643–1696
•
LJGR-QZP


Joanna Winship
Female
1645–1707
•
LHBP-12Z

Edward Winship
Male
1648–1648
•
LHBP-1L3

Add Child
Lt. Edward Woodward Winship
Male
1612–1688
•
KNDZ-4RX
Elizabeth Parke
Female
1631–1690
•
941S-2GN
Marriage
29 March 1651
Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America (now: Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States)


Children (7)

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Parents and Siblings
Lyonel Winship
Male
1587–1637
•
LCFJ-1NS
Mary Hall
Female
1590–1640
•
LT5L-T7J
Marriage
about 1604
Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England


Children (9)

Lyonel Winship
Male
1602–1836
•
9VM9-WQ5

Katherine Winship
Female
1605–Deceased
•
9QDR-L52

Henry Winship
Male
1607–1676
•
LDMB-ZJC

William Winship
Male
1607–1680
•
LC8H-5CQ

Marcella Winship
Female
1607–Deceased
•
9QDR-LRQ

Anthony Winship
Male
1609–1680
•
M3B6-ZVP

Lucy Winship
Female
1611–1633
•
LC36-FMF

Lyonel Winship
Male
1611–Deceased
•
K2N4-NYB

Lt. Edward Woodward Winship
Male
1612–1688
•
KNDZ-4RX

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Notes (11)
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Genealogical Resources for Lt. Edward Woodward Winship (1612-1688)
VITAL RECORDS
• Parish Registers of St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. This primary source contains the original entries for the birth and baptism of Edward Winship. As a contemporary ecclesiastical record, it is the most authoritative evidence for his origins and parentage.
• Vital Records of Cambridge, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850. This compilation of town and church records serves as a primary source for the marriage of Edward Winship to Elizabeth Parke and his 1688 death. It is highly reliable, though it lacks the specific primary record for his first marriage to Jane Wilkinson.

CENSUS & RESIDENCE
• Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England. These colonial records document Edward Winship's status as a Freeman and his service in the General Court. They provide primary evidence of his legal residency and civic standing within the colony.

LAND & PROBATE
• Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871. This collection contains the original 1685 will and 1688 inventory of Edward Winship (File 25292). These documents are primary evidence of his family relationships, economic status, and landholdings in Cambridge and Lexington.
• History of the Town of Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts by Charles Hudson. While a secondary derivative source, this work is authoritative for its analysis of early land grants and the settlement of "Cambridge Farms." It provides essential context for Winship's role as a principal proprietor.

MILITARY RECORDS
• History of the Military Company of the Massachusetts (Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company) by Oliver Ayer Roberts. This source provides primary-level evidence of Winship's 1638 membership and subsequent military commissions. It is the definitive resource for his service in the colonial militia.
Bio notes (moved from Brief Life Sketch)
Edward was an early settler of Cambridge and there is some information about him and about the Winship family in the book "The History of Cambridge, Massachusetts," that can be found at https://openlibrary.org/books/OL7045727M. It says, "Winship, Edward, was here in 1635; he m. Jane, prob. dau of wid. Isabel Wilkinson; she died and he married Elizabeth _________ before 1652. His children were:
(with Jane)
1. Sarah, b. Ap. 1638, m. James Hubbard 29 Sept. 1659, and d. in childbed 20 Oct. 1665;
*2. Mary, b. 2 July 1641;
3. Ephraim, b. 29 June 1643;
4. Joanna, b. Aug. 1, 1645; died unm. 19 Nov. 1707
5. Edward, b. and d. June 1648;

(with Elizabeth)
6. Elizabeth, b. 15 Ap. 1652;
7. Edward, b. 3 Mar. 1654;
8. Abigail, b. 13 Feb. 1656, m. William Russell 18 Mar. 1682/3;
9. Samuel, b. 24 Oct. 1658;
10. Joseph, b. 21 June 1661;
11. Margery, b. 11 Dec. 1664, m. John Dickson 12 May 1687;
12. Mehetabel, b. 14 Nov. 1667.

Edward the f. bought an estate in 1638 containing nearly three acres, at the easterly corner of Brattle and Mason streets, and extending through to the common. He was one of the most active and energetic inhabitants for many years, a Lieutenant of Militia 1660, Selectman 14 years, between 1637 and 1684, and Representative 1663, 1664, 1681-1686, eight years; he died 2 Dec. 1688 a. 75; his w. Elizabeth d. 19 Sept. 1690, a. 57. Eleven children survived....Edward the progenitor wrote his name Winshipp."

It looks like most if not all of Edward's children are listed in Cambridge vital records. The first five are with his first wife Jane:
Winship, Sarah, d. Edward and Jane, Apr. ––, 1638.
Winship, Mary, d. Edward and Jane, July 2, 1641.
Winship, Ephraim, s. Edward and Jane, June 29, 1643.
Winship, Joanna, d. Edward and Jane, Aug. 1, 1645.
Winship, Edward, s. Edward and Jane, June 8, 1648.
and the rest with second wife Elizabeth:
Winship, Edward, s. Edward and Elizabeth, Mar. 3, 1654.
Winship, Abigail, d. Edward and Elizabeth, Feb. 13, 1656.
Winship, Samuel, s. Edward and Elizabeth, Oct. 24, 1658.
Winship, Joseph, s. Edward and Elizabeth, June 21, 1661.
Winship, Elizabeth, d. Edward and Elizabeth, Apr. 15, 1662. [I think this date should be 1652. She married in 1673.]
Winship, Margery, d. Edward and Elizabeth, Dec. 10, 1664.
Winship, Mehettabel, d. Edward and Elizabeth, Nov. 14, 1667.
In total, there are 12 children of Edward between his two wives. The first Edward died as a baby. The other 11 we know about lived to be adults.

There are a few deaths relevant to this family listed in Cambridge vital records:
Winship, Edward, Lieut., Dec. 2, 1688, a. abt 76 y. [This would give him an estimated birth year of 1612]
Winship, Edward, s. Edward and Jane, bur. June 8, 1648.
Winship, Elizabeth, w. Edward, Sept. 19, 1690, in her 58th y. GR1 [This would give her an estimated birth year of 1632]
Winship, Joanna, Nov. 19, 1707, a. 62 y. GR1 [died unmarried apparently; birth year 1645]
Winship, Samuel, June 18, 1696, a. abt 37 y. GR1 [b. ~1659]
Winshipp, Edward, June 10, 1718, a abt. 65 y. GR1 [b. ~1653]
Winshipp, Joseph, Sept. 18, 1725, in his 65th y. GR1 [b. ~1660]

There is an entire book written about Edward and his descendants that can be found on the internet in a few places, including here: http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89062438122;view=1up;seq=10 - written by Ernest B. Cole, published in 1905, and entitled "The Winship family in America : giving the line of descent from ...." On page 4 we find: "Edward...was born in England in 1613. He embarked for America in the good ship, The Defiance, at Harwich, England, August 10, 1635; arrived in Boston, Masschusetts, October 3, 1635, and two days later located in Cambridge, Massachusetts...[has anyone been able to find a source for this information?] In 1638 he purchased the land commencing at the corner of Brattle and Mason Streets...he married, first, Isabell Wilkinson, daughter of Jane Wilkinson [I believe this to be an obvious error - backwards - he married Jane], date of marriage unknown. She died in Cambridge, February 28, 1656. [Where did this date come from? I don't think it is right.] He married, second, Elizabeth _______ (maiden name unknown) in 1657. [I don't think this date is right either.] She died in Cambridge, 1690." Edward's 12 children are listed, along with additional information for each child.

This family lived in that part of Cambridge which later became Lexington. Edward is mentioned in the book, "History of the town of Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1868, with a genealogical register of Lexington families," which can be found online here: https://archive.org/details/historyoftownofl00hudso. See page 267. His will is briefly outlined.

Edward is also mentioned in town records found in the book, "The records of the town of Cambridge (formerly Newtowne) Massachusetts. 1630-1703," which can be found online here: https://archive.org/details/recordsoftownofc00cambiala.

There is attached to the Memories page of this file an interesting letter regarding Edward's parentage, as well as a transcribed copy of his father's will. The will was written in 1633 before Edward moved to America. His last name in this document appears to be spelled "Wynshopp." See also the "Topographical Dictionary of 2885 English Emigrants to New England, 1620-1650," page 130.

The house in which Edward Winship lived--Welton Hall, built in 1614--still stands [1933] about 2 miles north of Ovingham on Tyne.

For a discussion of what his wives' maiden names may have been, please see their files.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ஓ~Inscription~ஓ

"Here lyes ye body of Lieut.
Edward Winship, who
died December the 2d 1688
& in the 76 year of his age.

Also ye body of Elizabeth
his wife who died the
19 of September 1690.
& in the 58 year of
her age.
The memory of ye just is blessed

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Parents:
Father~
Lyonel Winship ~
Born: 23 September 1587 in Wilton Hall, Northumberland, England
Died: 1637 in Walden, Ovington, Northumberland, England

Mother~
Mary ( Hall) Winship
Birth: 1590-Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland, England
ed: 1612 in Ovingham, Northumberland, England
Marriage: 1607 - Yorkshire, England
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

On October 3, 1634 arrived in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts; Left England On the 8th or 10th August 1634 or 1635 On The Ship, Defense (or Defence or Defiance) which sailed from Harwich.

May 26, 1647
Ensign In The Cambridge Militia; Lieutenant In 1660

Member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston

Made lieutenant 1660 and Deputy General of the Court in the Massachusetts Bay Colony 1663-1664 and 1681-1686

1638 Edward Winship bought a three-acre estate at the easterly corner of Brattle and Mason Streets and extending through the Cambridge Common.

"Edward Winship, who stands at the head of the Winship family in America, was born in England in 1613. He embarked for America in the good ship, "The Defiance", at Harwich; England, August 10, 1635; arrived in Boston Massachusetts, October 3, 1635 and two days later located in Cambridge, Mass. a suburb of Boston. In 1638 he purchased the land commencing at the corner of Brattle and Madison Streets, extending to the Commons, and he was for many years one of the most active and energetic citizens of Cambridge. He was commissioned ensign of the Cambridge militia company in 1647, and lieutenant in 1660. He was elected deputy general of the court in the years 1663, 1664, 1681,1682,1683, 1684, 1685 and 1686.

He was selectman of Cambridge for fourteen years between 1637 and 1684, and held several other official positions." The Winship Family in America"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

He and his wife Elizabeth were one of the sets of great-grandparents to Roger Sherman, Sr., [LZXD-7S2] who was a Declaration of Independence Signer, United States Constitution Signer, US Congressman, and US Senator. He was also the only man to sign all four founding documents of the United States-the Articles of Association (1774), the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Articles of Confederation (1777), and the Constitution of the United States (1787).
Findagrave link....
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8237936/edward-winship
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Lt. Edward Woodward Winship was a prominent figure in the early development of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, serving as a soldier, legislator, and pioneer. Born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1612 to Lyonel and Ann Winship, he emigrated during the Great Migration, sailing from Harwich aboard the "Defiance" in August 1635 and arriving in Boston that October. Within months of his arrival, he was admitted as a Freeman of the colony, a status that reflected both his Puritan faith and his commitment to the nascent civic structure of New England.

Settling in Cambridge, Winship quickly established himself as a man of public duty. In 1638, he became an original member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, an elite organization dedicated to military training. His leadership skills led to his eventual commission as a Lieutenant in the local militia. His civic contributions were equally significant; he served as a Deputy for Cambridge to the General Court for many years between 1663 and 1686, representing the town during a period of critical colonial growth and conflict.

Winship's personal life was marked by two marriages that expanded his influence. He first married Jane Wilkinson about 1637, with whom he had several children before her death in early 1651. Shortly thereafter, he married Elizabeth Parke, the daughter of Richard Parke, further solidifying his ties to the leading families of the colony. Winship was a devout member of the First Church of Cambridge, where he was admitted to full communion in 1661.

In his later years, Winship was a key figure in the settlement of "Cambridge Farms," the area that would later become Lexington. As one of the largest landholders in the district, he played a vital role in its transition from a rural outpost to an established town. His 1685 will meticulously detailed the distribution of his vast estates, ensuring the continued prosperity of his widow and children. He died in Cambridge in December 1688 and was interred in the Old Burying Ground, where his headstone stands as a lasting monument to his role as a colonial founder.

Sources:
- Parish Registers of St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
- John Camden Hotten, "The Original Lists of Persons of Quality, 1600-1700."
- "Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England."
- Thomas W. Baldwin, "Vital Records of Cambridge, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850."
- Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871, File 25292.
- Oliver Ayer Roberts, "History of the Military Company of the Massachusetts."
- Charles Hudson, "History of the Town of Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts."
- Clarence Almon Torrey, "New England Marriages Prior to 1700."
- William Thaddeus Harris, "Epitaphs from the Old Burying-Ground in Cambridge."
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Birth	3 Mar 1612	Tyne, Northumberland, England
Marriage	Abt 1647	Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts - Elizabeth Parke
Death	2 Dec 1688	Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Spouse	Elizabeth Parke (1631 - 1690)
Child	Elizabeth Winship (1652 - 1730)