Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1909-04-02
Facts and FancieS Of Milford Neck
From Early Times to the
Present.
COL. JOHN WOOD.

Few men in Milford Neck have figured
more conspiciously in their day and gen.
Grafton than Col. John Wood. During
the latter part of his life time he was the
largest land owner in this vicinity, having
in bis possession more than two thousand
acres Of land. Among the dozen or more
farms which he owned, we're included
some of the largest and best Nor did his
wealth consist in real estate alone he
owned much vessel property which he
employed between here and Philadelphia
He also owned maRy slaves, which we're
used in the cultivation of his land In
addition to this he was Spectator in
SUCH produce as the country afforded
grail, wood, bark and slaves.
OF the early history Of Col. Wood but
little is known. Whence he came or at
what time is uncertain. 1t is known
however that be vas located in this VIZ
cinIty as early as the close of the Revolu-
tio1sry War, and must have been
young man at the time. He married
Mary MOlleston, sister Of Henry Molles-
ton, Esq, who brought of him dover
more than a thousand acres of land sew
era slaves ana some ready money.
Whether be brought much wealth with
him Is not known, but the presumption
is that he did not that he was a young
man OF progressing appearance, having
extraordinary business qualifications and
great executive ability that he possessed
the rare faculty Of winning the confidence
of his fellow man, and appropriating that
confidence to his own advantage was man
ifess
He was man Of medium height, mod
estely well proportioned form, sharp an
guar features, with deep penetrating
eyes. His business life began with the
founding of the nation. The young Re-
public had just emerged from long and
desperate struggle which bad paralyzed
nearly all business and destroyed a great
deal Of property. Active energetic men
like Col. Wood were a necessity for the
degelOpement Of the country. Enervated
and discouraged by the war, with the
finances at low ebb and with heavy |
debts hanging over them, many men
were ready to despair, at the gloomy pros
pect. Not so with Col. Wood, seeing his
opportunity, he embraced it with iervor
peculiar to his nature and made use Of it
TO such an extent that he soon became
the leading man in this section, in BUSH
ness point OF view. His astute business
quail ications, coupled with bis already
growing wealth, placed him in the fore.
frout Of citizenship, in this community.
Az bis wealth increased be invested the
surplus in land, which owing to the de.
pressed condition Of the times, he could
buy for a song (fguretively speaking) and
pay Tor by whistling half Of the tune In
. few years Col. Wood became one of the
largest land holders in Mispillion Neck,
and vas recognized as the Bealthiest and
most Influential citizen. Such was bis
m bounded influence over the people, that
virtually be held themin the palm Of his
band and no enterprise could be under
AIKEN without his approval. Although {
he people had bat recently been relieved I
# the shaekels that bound them, they 4
we're ready to submit to the overwesning t
Of this master mind.
Iu view Of the fact Of bis qieat popular 7
y it is a matter Of surprise that be never I
gs once was sent to represent his people a
D the Hallsof Legislation. Perhaps it was 8
ecause he did not aspire to public Office, 4
j. business being more remuneratiYe. a