William Odell, born 1602 in Bedfordshire, and died June 6, 1676 in Fairfield, Connecticut was among the group of Puritans who emigrated under the leadership of the Rev. Bulkley between 1635 and 1639. Paul Odle Sr.claims William was the son of William Woodhull and Audhed, and claimed to be a direct descendent of Walter de Flandrensis. Nancy Stern (Gen Forum) states that William was the son of Richard of Newport Odell, born about 1576 at Pagnall, Buckinghamshire. Both agree that he married Rebecca Brown. William is generally credited as the original common ancestor of the O'Dells in the US. Sources other than those mentioned is "Odell - The English Village" and the Encyclopedia Britanica. Reference tracing the barony initiated for Walter de Flandrensis can be found in the 3 Bedfordshire volumes of "The Victoria History of the Counties of England