Edmund Goodenow, Immigrant 1611-1688

I love to find our immigrant ancestors (this one is in the Holbrook line) and I love it even more when I can actually trace them back to a specific town or county in the Old World.  With this ancestor, my glass is half full.  Opinions are mixed as to when and where he was born, and even as to whom his parents are.  Clearly there was more than one Edmund Goodenow born in England in 1610 and 1611. Savage's Genealogical Dictionary of New England states that he was a husbandman from Wiltshire, so we'll go with that information for now.

We know he came to America in 1638 with his wife, Ann (maiden name not certain, because, of course...) and two sons, John and Thomas, as well as a servant, Richard Sanger.  He and his family settled in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts, where he was made a freeman in 1640.  This indicates he was a member of the church, and he owned property, which was a good start for a young man who had just passed his thirtieth birthday. 

Edmund and Ann's family continued to grow in Sudbury, as did his influence.  As many as five more children were added to the family-Hannah, Mary, Sarah, Joseph, and Edmund.  

Edmund served in many elected and appointed positions within the town of Sudbury, and was Sudbury's deputy to the General Court of Massachusetts several times.  His name is found on various petitions, including one asking for relief from paying taxes that is undated but probably dates to sometime after King Philip's War.

Yes, Edmund was involved in that war.  He had been chosen ensign of the local militia in 1645, lieutenant in 1651, and by 1674 was Captain of the Foot Company.  I have found references to the "Goodenow Garrison" of Captain Goodenow, which was part of the area attacked by what is believed to be 500 indigenous men in April of 1676.  They burned much of Sudbury and there were at least some colonists lives lost during the battle.  Two groups of soldiers sent to bolster the settlers were massacred.  Edmund's son Joseph died at the end of May in 1676, aged 31, but I don't know whether it was as a result of the battle or from some other cause.  

Edmund continued his life, likely helping his neighbors, those who had not fled the town when the natives burned so much of it, with much of his family surrounding him and still serving the town, until he died in April of 1688.  I'd like to know more about those last years of his life, but I'm glad to know this much.  

The line of descent is

Edmund Goodenow-Ann

John Goodenow-Mary Axtell

Edmund Goodenow-Rebecca Graves

David Goodenow-Mary Bent

Lydia Goodenow-Jude Foster

Betsy Foster-Josiah Whittemore

Mary Elizabeth Whittemore-Joseph Holbrook

Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Myers

Loren Holbrook-Etta Stanard

Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen

Their descendants