Atwood's baptism record in Saint Martin in the Fields Church in London is dated 20 September 1576 and identifies him as "John Woode."
He apparently had contact with colonists in Plymouth before he left England, because in 1633 Walter Harris signed a contract with him in London to become an indentured servant.
In the contract Walter was expected to go from England to the Plymouth Colony and then work for a colonist named John Doane.
It appears that Atwood was in Plymouth at least by 1637 as there is a reference to him in Davis' Ancient Landmarks of Plymouth: "As nearly as can be ascertained, the remainder of the land fronting on the north side of North Street, below the westerly boundary of the garden lot east of the Winslow house, was occupied by Thomas Prence as a place of residence while he was Governor of the colony, for the first time in 1634, and sold by him in 1637 to John Atwood.
In his history Bradford states: "Mr. Shereley being weary of this conrtoversie, and desirous of an end, (as well as them selves) write to Mr. John Atwode and Mr. William Collier, two of the inhabitants of this place, and of his speatiall acquaintance, and desired them to be a means to bring this business to an end, by advising and counselling the partners here..." James Sherley was the Treasurer of the Plymouth Adventurers in London.
After "diverse days" spent on this matter, John Atwood was finally able to get the partners in London and Plymouth to agree to a compromise.
E. F. Atwood provides a transcript of his will in Ye Atte Wode Annals, and his wife Ann is named his sole executrix "to whom I will and bequeath all the rest of my estate".