Who Really was Elizabeth Woods

There seems to be some controversy as to exactly who Elizabeth Woods really was. We know she existed, but we are not completely sure to whom she was born, who all she married or when, nor any of her siblings or who any other of her relatives might have been. What we do know is that she was married to at least one man named "Woods" and that she had at least one child named Esther. We also know she emigrated Ulster Ireland for New England in August of 1746, aboard the sloop Molly, along with her daughter Esther and Esther's husband William Robert Parkinson.[1]

We believe Elizabeth Woods was born Elizabeth Jameson. Most genealogies of this Jameson family have Elizabeth as a daughter of Alexander Jameson and a sister of Hugh and Thomas Jameson (which is how we have her listed in our genealogy). Others think the may have been an aunt to Hugh and Thomas and sister of Jonathan and Edward Jamison. In these cases, it is thought that Elizabeth had been married twice, first to a man with the surname Boyd, and secondly to a Woods, most likely a Benjamin Woods. The marriage to Mr. Woods is obvious, that to a Mr. Boyd is so far lost in the fog of history.

However, some people believe Elizabeth was born a "Boyd" who married a Jameson, then later married Mr. Woods, with whom she had children (at least Esther, with whom she emigrated Ireland in 1746).

There is an official marriage record for an Bessy Jameson marrying a James Boyd, on November 3, 1710 in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland.[2] This would be about the right time and Kilmarnock is a location in Ayeshire where a number of other people, including other Jamesons, can be found who are later known to be in both the Bann Valley area of Ulster and then later part of the 1718 Migrations to New Engand.

However, this is not likely the same Elizabeth Boyd/Jameson/Woods in question, as this Bessy Jameson and her husband James Boyd were having (verifiable) children (in Kilmarnock, Scotland) as late as April of 1727, well past June of 1723 when her daughter with Mr. Woods was born (in Ireland).

The only other contemporaneous information we have on the subject are specific documents that seem to confuse or at least somewhat obfuscate any of these connections. The most compelling document we have found so far specifically regarding this issue, would be a June 1746 deposition,[3] in the Town and Liberties of Coleraine, Ireland, given by Elizabeth Woods herself, as a witness establishing certain facts regarding the actions of Robert Parkinson,[4] as Power of Attorney in matters regarding Jonathan's land in New Hampshire. In this Deposition of Elizabeth Woods, she is described as "otherwise Boyd, Otherwise, Jameson, who being also duly sworn and examind Voluntary Deposeth, That She the Dept. is acquainted with Margret McConoghy the above, Deposer That She was also Intimately Acquainted with John Jamison of New England in America and also with his Brother Edward Jamison of Killrea in the County of Londonderry Deceased they being Nearly Related to her" and that "She is also Perfectly Well acquainted With John Jamison[5] of Ballystron in the County."[3]

The earlier (1746) document,[3] mentions her in relationship to Jonathan and Edward Jamison, but not as as sister, as one might assume she would be identified if she was their sister. Nor does it identify her as "wife" or "spouse," which might also have been appropriate if true. This 1746 document does identify her relationship with John (Jonathan) as "...Intimately Acquainted" and also with his Brother Edward Jamison they (both) being Nearly Related to her..."

The latter (1754) document,[1] is a deposition she gave in Portsmouth New Hampshire, with regards to the 1746 passage aboard the ship "Molly" involving Hugh Jameson and his family. Curiously, Elizabeth makes no reference to her relationship with Hugh Jameson, apart from him being a fellow passenger. One would think she would have identified him as her brother, or cousin, or whatever, if that was the case. But she did not, perhaps not wanting to draw attention to any relationship, given the nature of the court case.

It is impossible to draw any conclusions as to who Elizabeth Woods really was, from the information we currently have to work with. It does however seem, that we have all the players (in general), Jamesons, Boyds and Woods and logical support for this Elizabeth Jameson as we have her listed in our genealogy. However, the unanswered question still remains as to how exactly they may all fit together.