Edward Johnson, a historian of New England, born in Kent, England, about 1600, died at Woburn, Mass., April 23, 1672. He emigrated to America probably with Gov. Win-throp in 1630. In 1632 he was engaged in trade at Merrimack, but appears to have resided usually at Charlestown. He was on the committee appointed to superintend the foundation of a new town and church at the place now called Woburn. In 1643 he went to Providence with Capt. Cook's party to seize Gorton, and in the same year was elected a member of the legislature of Massachusetts, in which he continued to sit till 1671, with the exception of the year 1648. In 1655 he was chosen speaker of the house. He was recorder of Woburn from the time of its incorporation till his death. In 1665 he was one of the members deputed to hold conference with the commissioners sent from England by Charles II. He wrote a " History of New England from the English Planting in 1628 till 1652, or Wonder-Working Providence of Zion's Saviour" (London, 1654), which, notwithstanding its defective and desultory style, is interesting and valuable.

It has been reprinted in the second series of the Massachusetts historical collections, scattered through vols, ii., iii., iv., vii., viii.