HOW WE GOT HERE
     
      As early as 1660 a man named George Fox suggested that lands be purchased 
in the America's and that Quaker colonies be established. The idea gained 
popularity due to the low cost of the land and continued religeous persecution.
      It came to pass that William Penn's father bequested to him a claim against
the Crown of England for sixteen thousand pounds. Penn asked of King Charles II 
and received as payment, a proprietary charter for fourty thousand square miles of 
land in The Americas. William Penn, being sympathetic toward Quaker beliefs 
began to offer land at very low prices to Quaker farmers. He distributed pamphlets 
offering land, and the means to emmigrate to the Americas, suggesting religeous 
freedom and justice for all.
     John Simcock (Symcocke), a Husbandman (one who tils the land) who was a 
member of "The Society of Friends" purchased 5000 acres of land from William 
Penn, in the provence of Pennsland on 3/16/1681 for 100 pounds, with the 
understanding that he would make it available to Penns colonists. John Simcock 
formed 'The Society of Friends' (about 300 members strong). They purchased 
20,000 acres in all. In August, 1682 Wm. Penn commissioned at Downs,England, at 
least three ships* to carry colonists to Pennsland. Among them were The 
Eandevor,(or The Welcome-Master was Rob't. Greenway), The Friendship-Master 
was Rich. Crossman and The Society-Master was Thomas Jordan. These ships 
dropped anchor in Deleware Bay and on October 27, 1682 sailed up the Delaware 
River to the mouth of Chester Creekto disembark settlers who purchased land in the 
Chester Pennsylvania area.
          *See  http://199.72.15.191/Sites/Gen/Chet2/scripts/ListShips.asp
     There is mention of Edward Woodward dying in Action Parish, Cheshire Co.,
 England** but there is no mention of his ever having been in America (that I can
 find as of this writing).  The only rerference to the existance of Edward in America
 (or England) is an entry  in "Ancestors of Clara Lee Patterson" generation  10    #676.
          **See http://familytreemaker.com/users/b/e/a/Nancy-L-BealGENE1-0010.html
     It appeard that only Edwards family immigrated to America in or about 1687. 
They were Edward's son Richard, Richard's wife Jane, along with their two sons 
Richard jr. & William and their daughter Martha; Edwards son Robert with his wife 
and their son Richard; and Edward's daughter Elizabeth; along with them came 
Edwards son-in-law Thomas Eavenson (husband of Edwards deceased daughter 
Hannah) who brought along his two sons Ralph & Richard {He would later marry 
his sister-in-law Elizabeth). Preveously thought to be decended from the 
L.S.Woodwards of New England by James Mannoch, a relative of Richard & 
Rose (Stuart) Woodward. Nadine Holder later showed the connection to be erronious, 
and that Edward's family originated in England and immigrated directly to 
Pennsylvania. Edward, or one of his sons, may have purchased land directly from 
Wm. Penn as early as 1681. 
 See "Holmes Map of the Provence of Pennsylvania, with names of Original 
Purchasers from Wm. Penn1681" ***where a strip of land is shown between Crum 
Creek and Prees (possibly Riddle) Creek labeled WOODWARD.
          ***See  http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Farm/4038/Quakermigr.html
     John Simcock purchased his large tract in 1681. Edwards son & son-in-law did 
purchase land from John Simcock in Chester Co. about 1687 according to 'Chester 
Co. land aquisions 1683' & 'Quaker migration studies of Chester Co'.