Bef 1715;  Lived at Reading, MA until removing to Westford.  He owned a large tract of land on the Eastern slope of the hill on which the Central Village now stands, reaching up to the Common and including the Osgood farm, together with all the farms of the Spalding Brothers, of the Ira Leland heirs and of Albert P. Richardson.  It was the best land near the Centre and was later occupied by several large houses and orchards.  A cellar hole was found at the site of his home for many years after it was gone.  Also laargely concerned with the settlement of Litchfield, N.H. although he did not remove there.  (The Underwood Family in America)

1727;  Joseph and Aquila Underwood of the Chelmsford branch of the family was a subscriber to the covenant when the church at Westford, MA was formed from the church at Chelmsford of which town Westford had formed a part. Children born Chelmsford and Westford. (The Underwood Family in America)

July 28, 1759;  Will -  In the name of God Amen.
This twenty eight day of July, one thousand seven hundred and fifty nine.  I, Joseph Underwood of Westford in the County of Middlesex and Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, yeoman Being weak in Body but of Perfect mind and memory (Thanks be to God therefor) Calling to mind the mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die; Do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say, First of all I give and recommend my soul into the hand of God who gave it, and my Body I commend to the Earth to be buried in decent and Christian Burial at the Descretion of my Executors (hereafter named) nothing Doubting but at the General Resurrection, I shall receive the same by the mighty power of God and as touching such Worldy Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me in this Life I give Bequethe and Dispose of the same in the following manner viz: Imprimis. My will is that all my Just Debts that I do owe to any Person or Persons and all my funeral Charges be paid by my executors in Convenient time after my Decease out of my Estate.
2ly Item.  My Will is that Susanna my Dearly Beloved wife should have the use and improvement of one full third part of my homestead in land with one halp of the Buildings and other appurtanances there unto belonging During the term of her Natural Life.  (Which Dower I have Reserved in a Deed of Sale that I signed to my Son John Underwood, late of Westford deceased.) together also with the sum of twenty-six shillings and eight pence yearly every year during her Natural life which is to be paid by my son Phinehas Underwood of Merrimack, New Hampshire; together also with one half of my In Door Movables to her and her Disposal During her Natural Life afterwards if any remain to be Divided Equally as the other half is Between my five Daughters.
3ly Item. My will is that my son Jonathan Underwood have ten shillings paid him by my executors in one year after my Decease which with what he has already received is his full part and portion out of my estate.
4ly Item.  My will is that my son Phinehas Underwood's Heires have ten shillings paid them by my executors in one year after my decease which with what he has already received is his full part and portion out of my estate.
5ly Item.  My will is that my two sons Timothy Underwood and James Underwood whom I constitute and make and ordain the sole executors of this my Last Will and testament have all the Land Rights Claim and Demand with all Bond Dues Debts and money also all the rest of the Estate whether Real or Personal in any place whatsoever in Equal Proportion which I shall Die seazed of that is not otherwise disposed of by this my Last Will.
6ly Item.  My Will is that my Daughter Mary Bulkely have paid her twenty six pound, thirteen shillings and four pence by my executors equally the one half in one year after my Decease and the other in two years after my Decease.
7ly Item.  My will is that my Daughter Elizabeth Fletcher have paid her twenty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence by my Executors Equally the one half in one year and the other half in two years after my Decease.
8ly Item.  My will is that my daughter Anna Spaulding have paid her thirteen shillings and four pence equally in one year after my Decease and also two tracts of land in Westford as by a deed of gift to her and her husband may appear.
9ly Item.  My will is that my daughter Ruth Read have paid her equally by my Executors Equally in two years after my Decease ten pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence and also a tract of meadow and upland in Westford as by a deed to her and her husband appear.
10ly  Item.  My will is that my Daughter Bethiah Prescot have paid her by my Executors Equally twenty six pound, thirteen shillings and four pence the one-half in one year and the other half in two years after my Decease.
11ly Item. My will is that my five Daughters abbove mentioned have all my In Door Moveables the one half at my Decease and the other half at the Decease of my wife to be equally divided which is in full of each of their parts and portions out of my Estate.
12ly Item.  My will is that my Grand Son Joseph Underwood, Son and Heir to my son Joseph Underwood, Deceased, have paid him forty pounds by my Executors, Equally the one-half in one year and the other half in two years after my Decease which is his full part and portion out of my estate but in case sd Joseph Die beofer Pay Day then this forty pounds to be Equally Devided Between all my Children then Liveing.
13ly Item. My will is that the Heirs of my son John Underwood, Deceased, have five shillings paid them by my Executors Equally in one year after my Decease which with a Deed of Sale to my son is in full of his and their part and Portion of my Estate.  And I Joseph Underwood, by their presence Disallow, Disannul and Revoke Every other Will or Wills and Declare this to be my Last Will and testament and Do Ratifie and Confirm the same, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-eight Day of July, Anno Domini 1759, and in the thirty-third year of his Majesties reign etc.
                                                               Joseph (X) Underwood (seal)
Signed, Published, Pronounced
and Declared by the Sd Joseph
Underwood to be his Last Will
and Testament
James Pollard
Samuel Lawrence Junes
John Abbott
(Probated 1762, Jan. 14.)

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