William Cogswell was born about 1619 in Westbury Leigh, co. Wilts, England where he was baptized in 1619 at the Westbury Parish Church. He was a surveyor of highways in 1663 and a tithingman in 1677 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He died on 15 Dec 1700 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Savage says he died about 1701. Hammatt says he was 71 when he died. He was married to Susanna Hawkes in 1649.

Susanna Hawkes was born on 13 Aug 1633 in Charlestown, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts. She died before 1696 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Children were:

i. Elizabeth Cogswell.
iii. Anna Cogswell was born on 5 Jun 1657 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
iv. William Cogswell was born on 4 Dec 1659 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
v. Jonathan Cogswell was born on 26 Apr 1661 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He died 14 Jul 1717.
vi. child Cogswell was born on 12 May 1665 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
ii. John Cogswell was born 12 May 1665 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts. He died in 1710.
vii. Adam Cogswell was born on 12 Jan 1666 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
viii. Sarah Cogswell was born on 3 Feb 1668 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.
ix. Hester Cogswell.
x. Susannah Cogswell.
xi. Sarah Cogswell.
xii. Edmund Cogswell died on 14 May 1680 in Ipswich, Essex Co., Massachusetts.