The son of FRANCIS and ANNE (GOODE) WAKEMAN OF Bewdley, Worchestershire, England, JOHN WAKEMAN and his family immigrated from England in 1638, settling in New Haven Colony. He had married ELIZABETH HOPKINS on January 28, 1628 in Bewdley, England.

He signed the New Haven Compact in 1638, was a deacon of the First Congregational Church of New Haven, served as treasurer of the Colony of New Haven, and was Captain of the New Haven trainband. In 1641 he was appointed magistrate of the court at New Haven. Several times between 1646 and 1660, he was chosen to represent New Haven at the General Court in Hartford. He was chosen assistant in 1661, but declined.

His will written April 18, 1660 in New Haven, tells of his faith in his Lord & Redeemer, Jesus Christ. He bequeathed to his daughter & my ancestor, HELENA, wife of JOHN TALCOTT of Hartford, twenty pounds and to her husband, five pounds; to the sons of his son, Samuel Wakeman, ten pounds each; to my daugher Kitchell's daughter, Elizabeth, ten pounds; his son, Samuel Wakeman to have two-thirds of the estate and to his daughter & son-in-law, Samuel & Elizabeth Kitchell the remaining third of his estate.
His inventory taken September 14, 1661 by Richard Lord and William Wadsworth was valued at £157-16-11 (findagrave.com)