From the History of the Firelands, by William W. Williams, (1879 ) we find that Abishai Woodward, of New London, Connecticut, became owner, on November 9, 1808, of some 4,000 acres of land in sections 1 and 4 of Lyme township by buying "Sufferers" claims. "The brothers William & Gurdon, came from Whitestown, New York, to Huron in the fall of 1816, and remained through the winter with George and Jeremiah Sheffield, who removed thither from New London, Connecticut, a short time previous. The next spring they took possession of their land, erecting a cabin, and for 2 years kept bachelors' hall.... The brothers returned to New York State; were married, and removed to their estates. William's wife died soon after his arrival. He married, for his second wife, Susan Sparrow, and subsequently removed to Louisiana...Amos and family came to Lyme in 1820, and took up his location a short distance east of his brother Gurdon, on lot 4, which continued to be his home until his death.... Abishai was a skillful and competent draftsman, and designed many of the elegant houses that were erected in New London during the period immediately preceeding and following the revolutionary struggle. That he is a prominent & highly esteemed citizen is attested by the fact that he held for many years the office of alderman in his native village." When Fire-lands were partitioned, Abishai owned more than 4,000 acres, enabling him to give each of his 11 children 365 acres. These lands were aparted to him chiefly in sections 4 of township 24, now known as Lyme township, and became the residence of the Woodwards. Gurdon and William arrived in 1817, followed by Amos in 1820.
The LDS Family Search has the following in regard to Abisha/Abishai: born December 2, 1752, Preston Twp., New London County, Connecticut. Parents = Reuben/Martha; Relative: John Spicer.
From the DAR Patriot Index: Woodward, Abishai, born 1752; died 1809; Pvt, CT, m. Mary Spicer. DAR National #157868, Mary Woodward Williams, Bronxville, NY: In Captain Morgan's Co, 8th Regiment of Connecticut Militia; enlisted September 8, 1776; discharged November 9, 1776.
SAR Supplemental Application of Dr. Augustus diZerega V, approved January 21, 1982 by SAR Registrar General.
From Descendants of Peter Spicer: A Land-holder in New London, Connecticut As early as 1666, and Others of the Name, by Mrs. Susan Spicer Meech & Miss Susan Billings Meech, (1911) pg. 99: 151. "Mary Spicer was born in North Groton, Connecticut, 27 Feb 1751-2. She died 8 May 1812, in New London, Connecticut, and was there buried. She married on March 20, 1774, Abishai Woodward. He was born 1752. He died April 10, 1809, in New London. He was quite a prominent man in New London, Connecticut. He was an architect and contractor, and built the New London Lighthouse, which is now standing. He was one of the many men who purchased land in northern Ohio for the benefit of the widows and orphans of the Revolutionary War. He was the father of 13 children. His sons Amos and Gurdon and his daughter Betsey moved to Ohio. William, Eben, and Abishai owned large plantations in the southern states. He probably lived some years in Preston, Connecticut, as the birth of seven of his children are recorded there" (p. 99).
From the Barbour Collection: New London: ______, son [Abishai & Mary] b. 24 May [1789], d. 24 Jun 1789.
A letter from the Groton Town Clerk of January 31, 2000: "I could find no records on the family of Abisha Woodward.
Ellen Geer Copy Mar. 1773-1814 Private Records, N. Groton, page 1a: Abisha of Preston, m. Mary Spicer, of Groton, 27 Mar 1774, by Robert Gere, J.P.
NSSAR Office of the Registrar Gen'l on 20 Mar 2001 notified R. S. Purvis that his application for a Supplemental Ancestor Certificate for Pvt. Abisha Woodward has been approved. Purvis of the approval of Supplemental Certificate for him for Abisha Woodward