The first settlers of Newbury, MA came to establish the Newbury Plantation for stock raising between the Merrimack and Parker River due to the high prices in England for Horses, Cattle, Sheep and Hogs. They spent the first summer clearing land, building shelters, raising crops, and gathering fish and berries for the winter. The Company was settled, incorporated, and each man was allotted land for a house with a planting lot and salt meadow, the size depending on the amount of stock in the venture that was purchsed. While the Company was mainly Argicultural, a Shipyard was also established along the Merrimack River. There were 91 Founders of this Venture with two members of the Woodman Family, Edward Woodman and Archelaus Woodman. The members of this Company were not religious enthusiasts or pilgrims who fled from religious persecurtion, they were law abiding, and loyal English tradesmen. The land of Quascacunquen was changed and the Plantation was established as Newbury on May 6th, 1635, taking it's name from Newbury, Berkshire, England. Edward Woodman travelled from Corsham, Wiltshire, England with Archelaus Woodman from Christian Malford, Wiltshire, England and his family to participate in the New England venture. Edward was admitted as one of fifteen "Freeman" on May 25th, 1636, the first seven "Selectmen", and ackowledged as a "Freeholder" on December 7th, 1642. A "Freeman" was entitled to full political rights and entitled to vote on the nomination of magistrates and choice of duties. A selectman was a member of an executive board of men elected to manage the day-to-day operations of a New England town. A "Freeholder" was entitled by Grant or Purchase to a stock of all the common lands of the Plantation. Septemeber 8th, 1636 Mr. Edward Woodman was chosen a Deputy to the General Court of Boston and was appointed as Lieutenant of the Newbury Military Company on March 17th, 1637. November 29th, 1952 the town voted that "Mr. Edward Woodman, Richard Kent Jr., Lieutenant Pike, and Nicholas Noyes should be the Committee to manage the business of the Newbury School". Listed as a Mercer and Husbandman, he was also entitled a Wine Merchant license on Janurary 12th 1637. He held commisions of profit and trust with Newbury and Massachussetts Colony to handle differences and affirm marriages. Archelaus was admitted a "Freeman" on May 17, 1637 and was entitled a "Freeholder" by 1642. In 1645 Archelaus was Granted another lot on the Plantation. He was chosen Constable on April 17th, 1648; Selectman in 1661; Commisioner in 1670; Lieutenant on the Newbury Military Company on May 31st, 1670; Deputy to the General Court in 1674; Pledged his Allegiance to King Charles II in 1677.