Ancestors of Mandy Willard

James WOOD (c1830/1-1914)

and Emma REED (1832-1918)

James Wood and Emma Reed married in the third quarter of 1854 in the East Ashford, Kent registration district.  (They were not my direct ancestors.  One of their daughters married the brother of my 2x Great Grandfather.)  From their Granddaughter Violet Boorman's diary:  "Diamond Jubilee (60 yrs Wedded) of G.pa & G.ma Sep 15, 1914".  "Gpa lived 1 week after this aged 84".

James Wood was born on 9 April (ref. 1) possibly 1830/1 in High Halden, Kent.  The 1851 census records that he was a 20 year old lodger in the home of Edward George, a Chelsea Pensioner, at New Rents in Ashford.  James was then a carpenter.  Also lodging there at that time was 21 year old Samuel Reed who was a cabinet maker and had been born in Wye, Kent.  From his Granddaughter's diary:  "Grandpa died Sep 22, 1914 aged 84 yrs, buried Sep 26, Saturday.  Funeral Hymn 842.  Funeral Sermon Phil 1st Ch.  Text Isaiah 57th, 1 - 2 ver  Hymns 470, 466, 664, Mr E. Wood officiated.  Died of cerebal ? - septis".  The death of 84 year old James Wood was registered in the third quarter of 1914 in the West Ashford registration district.  Also from Violet's diary:  "Granpa ill My 1, 12, Wednesday. Ann, at Bounds X".

Emma Reed was born on 3 September (ref. 1) probably in 1832 in London, although in the census her place of birth was given as Wye, Kent.  She was the daughter of Samuel Reed (c1795-1884) and Joan Luxon (c1794-1885).  In 1841 she was 8 years old and living with her parents and siblings at Nackholt in Wye.  Her father was then a grazier.  When the 1851 census was recorded she was an 18 year old servant in the home of Baptist Minister Robert Langford at 25 Queen Street in the parish of St. Botolph, Colchester, Essex.  From her Granddaughter's diary:  "Grandma died July 4, 18 Thursday".  The death of 85 year old Emma Wood was registered in the third quarter of 1918 in the West Ashford registration district.  Also from Violet's diary:  "1911 Grandma very ill Nov 3, M went and stayed Nov 7 to 13th, home 1 day between".

When the 1861 census was recorded the couple and their 3 children were living at 14 Queen Street in Ashford and James was then a carpenter.  In 1871 the family were living at 1 Norwood Street in Ashford and James was then a builder employing 2 men and 2 boys.  At that time they also had a 14 year old apprentice carpenter living with them, namely Francis Pellatt.  The family were still at 1 Norwood Street in 1881 and James was then a master builder employing 14 men and 2 boys.  The 1891 census records they were still at 1 Norwood Street and James was a builder.  By 1901 the couple were living alone at 24 Queen Street in Ashford and James was a retired builder.

James Wood and Emma Reed had 9 known children:

1. Ebenezer Wood was born on 16 March 1855 (ref. 1) in Ashford.  His birth was registered in the second quarter of 1855 in the West Ashford registration district.  He was a 6 year old scholar in 1861.  In 1871 he was a 16 year old carpenter living at home.  He died in October 1891 (ref. 1) aged 36 years and his death was registered in the fourth quarter of 1891 in the Greenwich registration district.

   Ebenezer married Agnes Dunk in the second quarter of 1879 in Canterbury.  He may have previously married Lydia Crow in the first quarter of 1877 in Canterbury.  Lydia died aged 21 years and her death was registered in the fourth quarter of 1877 in Canterbury.

   In 1881 the couple together with their infant son and Agnes's 18 year old brother William Dunk, were living at 47 Dover Street in the St. George the Martyr district of Canterbury, Kent.  By 1891 the couple had moved to Deptford in Kent.

   Ebenezer and Agnes had the following children:

   1. Charles Wood was born about 1879 in Canterbury.  He was 15 months old when the 1881 census was recorded.  In 1901 he was a 23 year old non-commissioned officer in the Royal Marines, living at the barracks in Alverstoke Hampshire.  He then held the rank of Corporal.  He was known as Charlie to his cousin Violet Boorman.  As Ebenezer Charles Wood he may have married Nellie Parvin in the second quarter of 1903 in the Catherington, Hampshire registration district.  Charlie had the following children:

      1. Charlie Wood was born on 18 October (ref. 1).

      2. Elsie Wood was born on 16 October 1906 (ref. 1).  She married on 22 June 1929 (ref. 1).  The GRO index records that Elsie M. Wood married Maurice J. Moore in the second quarter of 1929 in the Alverstoke registration district (red. 2b 1341).

      3. Willie Wood was born in March or May 1909 (ref. 1).  He was 13 years old in 1922 (ref. 1).

      4. Audrey Wood was born on 5 July 1922 (ref. 1).  She was 3 months old on 5 October 1922 (ref. 1).  Her birth may have been registered as Audrey M. Wood in the third quarter of 1922 in the Alverstoke registration district (mother's maiden name Parvin).

      From Violet's diary:  "Cousin Charlie gone to S. Africa. Dec 28, 1923 for 3 yrs his son gone for 2½ yrs, Dec 26, 24".

   2. Bartram F. Wood was born about 1889 in London.  He was 2 years old in 1891.

2. Ruth Wood was born on 24 December (ref. 1) 1856 (1857 in Violet's diary) in Ashford.  Her birth was registered in the first quarter of 1857 in the West Ashford registration district.  She died aged 76 years in 1933 in West Ashford (ref. 2).  She was 4 years old when the 1861 census was recorded.  In 1871 she was a 14 year old scholar and in 1881 she was 24 years old and the eldest of her siblings living at home.  She was still at home in 1891 and was then an unmarried 34 year old.  She was mentioned in the diary of Violet Boorman:  "First time I made butter come was 24th. 1902, Auntie Ruthie's Birthday Dec".

   Ruth married Frederick Betts in 1900 in Wimborne, Dorset.  Fred had previously married his cousin Ellen Betts in 1879.  Ellen was born in 1856 in Ashford and died in 1898.  She was the daughter of Reuben Betts (1821-1904) and Elizabeth Wood (c1822-?).  (I am speculating that Elizabeth was the sister of c1831 James, as they were both born in High Halden and, therefore, Ellen and Ruth may have been cousins.)

   Frederick was born in 1859 in Croydon, Surrey and was the son of Waterman Betts (1818-1893) and Sarah Wilkinson (1829-?).  The 1881 census records that the couple and their infant daughter, and 17 year old servant Jane A. Harris were living at Sidney Villa, Melvin Road, in Penge, Surrey.  Fred was then a commercial traveller.  When the 1891 census was recorded Fred and Ellen were living at 23 York Street, in the parish of St. George the Martyr in Southwark, along with their 5 children and a domestic servant, 21 year old Mary Gills.  Fred was then an ironmonger.

   Fred and Ellen had 5 known children:

   1. Kate Beatrice Betts was born in the second quarter of 1880 in Penge, Surrey.  She died in 1970 in Worthing, Sussex (ref. 2).  She was a year old in 1881.  In 1891 she was 10 years old.  Kate married her step mother's brother, Thomas Jabez Wood on 6 September 1906.

   2. Adeline Olive Betts was born in the fourth quarter of 1882 in Southwark, Surrey.  She was 8 year old Olive A. Betts in 1891.

   3. Gertrude Emily Betts was born in the third quarter of 1883 in Southwark, Surrey.  In 1891 she was 7 years old.  She was mentioned in the diary of Violet Boorman: "Gertie 3 yrs in 1886" "Heard Gertie married 1912" "Son born Dec ? 1925, First".  (There was also a Gertrude Emma Betts born in the first quarter of 1884 in the Tonbridge, Kent registration district.)

   4. Hilda Elizabeth Betts was born in the first quarter of 1885 in the Lewisham registration district.  She was 6 years old in 1891.

   5. Frederick Hayden Betts was born on 21 November 1885 (ref. 1).  He was 5 years old in 1891.  He was mentioned was mentioned in Violet's diary:  "Cousin Hayden Betts birthday Nov 21st he was 13 in in 1898, born 1885".

3. Hephzibah Emma Wood was born was born on 3 February 1859 (ref. 1) in All Hallows, Middlesex.  She married Henry Boorman in 1889.  (They have their own page.)

4. James Benjamin Wood was born on 1 October 1863 (ref. 1) in Ashford.  He was a 7 year old scholar in 1871 and in 1881 he was a 17 year old builder's clerk.

   James married Laura Smith on 29 October 1890 (ref. 1).  Their marriage was registered in the fourth quarter of 1890 in the West Ashford registration district.

   James and Laura had the following children:

   1. Frank Cecil Wood was born in the second quarter of 1893 in the West Ashford registration district.  From Violet's diary:  "Cousin Cecil married Jly 17, 20, to Jessie Piper (an orphan)" "J & I went to the reception" "Issue Laurie born Aug 24, 21 at 3-30pm" "Jessies birthday is Dec" "Jessie Wood is 30 yrs of age when this daughter arrived".

   2. Ernest L. Wood was born about 1896.

   3. Nellie Wood was born on 4 July 1897 (ref. 1).  He birth was registered as Laura Ellen J. Wood in the third quarter of 1898 in the West Ashford registration district.

5. Esther N. J. Wood was born in the second quarter of 1866 in Ashford.  She was a 4 years old in 1871 and 14 in 1881.  Esther married John Wickham in the fourth quarter of 1886 in the West Ashford registration district.  From Violet's diary:  "Uncle John Wickham Died January 13th 1922 age 63 (Born July 19th 1858!)".

6. Samuel Wood was born in the third quarter of 1868 in Ashford.  He was 2 years old when the 1871 census was recorded.  In 1881 he was a 12 year old scholar.  He was a 22 year old joiner in 1891 and living at home.  He died aged 58 years on 13 April 1927 (ref. 1).

   Samuel married Albertha Kate Pearson in the third quarter of 1893 in the West Ashford registration district.

   Albertha Kate was born in the first quarter of 1871 in Suffolk.  Her mother's birthday was on 18 December (ref. 1).  From Violet's diary:  "Auntie Kitty found dead in bed Mar 2nd 1929".  The death of 58 year old Abbatha K. Wood was registered in the second quarter of 1929 in the West Ashford registration district.

   When the 1901 census was recorded the couple together with their daughter, 49 year old mother-in-law Laura Pearson and 25 year old boarder Frederick J. Offen, were living at 3 Norwood Street in Ashford.  Samuel was then a carpenter and builder.

   Samuel and Abbatha had the following known daughter:

   1. Olive Christina R. Wood was born 27 March 1896 (ref. 1) in Ashford.  She was a 5 year old scholar in 1901.  In 1909 she celebrated her 13th birthday (ref. 1).  She died aged 89 years and her death was registered in January 1986 in the Merton, Surrey registration district.

      Olive married Herbert James Allwork on 12 September 1921 in London (ref. 1).

      Herbert was born in the third quarter of 1895 in the Edmonton registration district.

      Herbert and Olive had the following child:

      1. Geoffrey J. Allwork was born in the first quarter of 1923 in the Kingston registration district.

7. Thomas Jabaz Wood was born in the fourth quarter 1872 in Ashford.  In 1881 he was an 8 year old scholar.  In 1901 he was a 28 year old grocery stock taker, lodging at 26 [--ndby Road in Lambeth, London.  He was known as Uncle Gipp to his niece Violet.

   Thomas married his elder sister's step daughter, Kate Beatrice Betts on 3 September 1906 (ref. 1) and their marriage was registered in the third quarter of 1906 in the Wandsworth registration district.

   Thomas and Kate had the following children:

   1. Gladys M. was the eldest daughter (ref. 1).  She married Stanley F. Thompson in the second quarter of 1913 in the Wandsworth registration district.  From Violet's diary:  "Gladys Thomson (nee Betts) birthday 9 or 10 Feb, age 24 in 1916 she was married Apl 1913. Betty born Sept or Oct 1914".  The birth of Gladys Mildred Betts was registered in the first quarter of 1892 in the Wandsworth registration district.

   2. Kathleen Wood was born on 30 March 1908 (ref. 1).

   3. Alan Berkand Wood was born on 8 May 1913 (ref. 1).  The birth was registered in the East Preston registration district.

8. David Wood was born in the first quarter of 1875 in Ashford.  He was a 6 year old scholar in 1881.  In 1891 he was a 16 year old solicitor's clerk.

   David married Mabel Flore Knight in the third quarter of 1909 in the Eastry registration district.  According to Violet's diary he married Mabel F. Knights on 4 September 1909.

   David and Mabel had the following child:

   1. Vernon Cyril Wood was born on 11 April 1918 (ref. 1).

9. Elisha Reed Wood was born in the first quarter of 1879 in Ashford.  In 1881 he was 2 years old.  He was a 12 year old scholar in 1891.  The 1901 census records that he was 22 year old Reed Wood boarding in the same address as his brother Thomas.

1841 census - Church Street, Boughton Monchelsea, Kent (HO107/456, folio 22, page 7)

Richard Wood, 45, Ag Lab, born in Kent

Jane Wood, 45, born in Kent

John Wood, 15, born in Kent

Charlotte Wood, 12, born in Kent

James Wood, 10, born in Kent

Eliza Wood, 8, born in Kent

Harriet Wood, 4, born in Kent

1851 census - Church Street, Boughton Monchelsea, Kent (HO107/1616, folio 379, page 5)

Richard Wood, Head, Mar, 55, Assistant Overseer, born Kent, Linton

Jane Wood, Wife, M, 53, born Kent, Tenterden

Harriot Wood, Daur, 13, at home, born Kent Boughton Mon

Henry Wood, Son, 9, at home, born Kent, Boughton Mon

Richard Wood and Jane Gammon married on 26 January 1817 in Linton, Kent.

1841 census - (?Dum?) Egerton, Kent (HO107/472, folio 19, page 2)

James Wood, 40, Ag Lab, born in Kent

Mary Wood, 35, born in Kent

William Wood, 15, born in Kent

Harriott Wood, 12, born in Kent

James Wood, 10, born in Kent

Charlotte Wood, 7, born in Kent

John Wood, 4, born in Kent

Thomas Wood, 2, born in Kent

(The above were NOT the family of James Wood, subject of this page, as in 1851 there was a 19 year old James Wood, born in Egerton still living in there.)

1841 census - Nackholt, Wye, Kent (HO107/476, folio 22, page 2)

James Wood, 33, Ag Lab, born in Kent

Ann Wood, 27, born in Kent

Matilda Wood, 7, born in Kent

Ann Wood, 5, born in Kent

Harriet Wood, 3, born in Kent

Ellen Wood, 1, born in Kent

next household.....

Samuel Reed, 46, Glazier, born in Kent

Joan Reed, 47, born in Kent

Alfred Reed, 15, born in Kent

Susanah Reed, 13, born in Kent

Samuel Reed, 11, born in Kent

Emma Reed, 8, born in Kent

Matilda Reed, 7, born in Kent

Thomas Reed, 5, born in Kent

Caroline Reed, 3, born in Kent

1851 census - Nachell Lane, Wye, Kent (HO107/1622, folio 284, page 2)

Samuel Reed, Head of fam, Married, 56, Farmer 25 Acres, born Wye, Kent

Joan Reed, Wife, Married, 57, born Clay---], Devonshire

Tho Benj Reed, Son, Single, 15, Living with Father, born Wye, Kent

Caroline Reed, Daughter, Single, 12, Living with Father, born Wye, Kent

1861 census - 14 Queen Street, Ashford, Kent

James Wood, Head, 30, Carpenter, born Kent, High Halden

Emma Wood, Wife, 28, born Kent, Wye

Ebenezar Wood, Son, 6, Scholar, born Kent, Ashford

Ruth Wood, Daur, 4, born Kent, Ashford

Hephzibah Wood, Daur, 2, born Middlesex, London

1871 census - 1 Norwood Street, Ashford, Kent (RG10/958, folio 60, page 29)

James Wood, Head, Mar, 40, Builder employing 2 men & 2 boys, born Kent, High Halden

Emma Wood, Wife, Mar, 38, born Kent, Wye

Ebenezar Wood, Son, Unm, 16, Carpenter, born Kent, Ashford

Ruth Wood, Daur, 14, Scholar, born Kent, Ashford

Hephibah Wood, Daur, 12, Scholar, born Middlesex, All Hallows

James B Wood, Son, 7, Scholar, born Kent, Ashford

Esther N Wood, Daur, 4, Scholar, born Kent, Ashford

continued on next page....

Samuel Wood, Son, 2, born Kent, Ashford

Francis Pellatt, Boarder, 14, Apprentice Carpenter, born Kent, N.K.

1881 census - 1 Norwood Street, Ashford, Kent (RG11/946, folio 90, page 29)

James Wood, Head, Mar, 50, Master Builder employing 14 men & 2 boys, born Kent, High Halden

Emma Wood, Wife, Mar, 48, born Kent, Wye

Ruth Wood, Daur, Unm, 24, born Kent, Ashford

Hephzibah E Wood, Daur, 22, born London

continued on next page.....

James B Wood, Son, Unm, 17, Builders Clerk, born Kent, Ashford

Esther N J Wood, Daur, Unm, 14, born Kent, Ashford

Samuel Wood, Son, 12, Scholar, born Kent, Ashford

Thomas J Wood, Son, 8, Scholar, born Kent, Ashford

David Wood, Son, 6, Scholar, born Kent, Ashford

Elisha R Wood, Son, 2, born Kent, Ashford

1881 census - 47 Dover Street, St. George the Martyr, Canterbury, Kent (RG11/959, folio 123, page 10)

Ebenezer Wood, Head, Mar, 26, Builder, born Ashford, Kent

Agnes Wood, Wife, Mar, 25, Builder Wife, born Rolvenden, Kent

Charles Wood, Son, 15 mos, Builder Son, born Canterbury, Kent

William Dunk, Brother in Law, Unm, 18, Tailor, born London

1891 census - 1 Norwood Street, Ashford, Kent (RG12/699, folio 86, page 18)

James Wood, Head, M, 60, Builder, born Kent, High Halden

Emma Wood, Wife, M, 58, born Kent, (?Naccold?) Wye

Ruth Wood, Daur, S, 34, born Kent, Ashford

Samuel Wood, Son, S, 22, Joiner, born Kent, Ashford

David Wood, Son, S, 16, Solicitors Clerk, born Kent, Ashford

Elisah R Wood, Son, S, 12, Scholar, born Kent, Ashford

1891 census - 26 H---nes Road, St. Pauls, Deptford, Kent (RG12/500, folio 122, page 14)

Ebenezer Wood, Head, M, 36, Electrician, born Kent, Ashford

Agnes Wood, Wife, M, 35, born Kent, Rolvenden

Bartram F Wood, Son, 2, born London, St. John

Elizabeth Wood, Sister in Law, 26, Dressmaker, born London

Margaret E Mauss, Boarder, Unm, born London, Hackney

1901 census - 24 Queen Street, Ashford, Kent (RG13/782, folio 96, page 5)

James Wood, Head, M, 70, Builder retired, born Kent, High Halden

Emma Wood, Wife, M, 68, born Kent, Wye

1901 census - 3 Norwood Street, Ashford, Kent (RG13/782, folio 98, page 10)

Samuel Wood, Head, M, 32, Carpenter & Builder, own a/c, born Kent, Ashford

Abbatha K. Wood, Wife, M, 30, born Suffolk Leisson

Olive C R Wood, Daur, 5, Scholar, born Kent, Ashford

Laura Pearson, M in Law, M, 49, born Suffolk, Leisson

Frederick J Offen, Boarder, S, 25, Draper Assistant, born Surrey, Epson

Ref. 1 - Violet Boorman's diary

Ref. 2 - Tesca's tree at Ancestry.co.uk

READE          WOOD