Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1909-04-02

The darkest shadow in the background
Of the picture of Col. Woods life. was his
unlimited avarice, but with all his crav-
ing for worldly store be was philanthro-
pist and a patriot. His patriotism was
, demonstrated by the mastering Of Bat.
talon Of men for the defense Of the State
in the war Of 1912 IA and marching with
them to the relief Of Lewistown. when
besieged by the British. The Battalion
was recruited by his endeavor and equip
ped largely at his expense. On the farm
now owned by Charles Kirby, then be-
longing to Col. Wood, was a large field.
for many years OUT to a common" which
was used for drilling his men andwas long
afterwards known as the "MUster field.
It is probable that this is the period in
which he won his military title.
His philanthropy is shown by his lib
erality to all benevolent purposes. The
first NJ. E. Church in MispilliOn Neck |
was erected mainly through his generOs-
ity He donated the land upon which it .
was built and was the principal contribu-
tor to its erection. It was q wooden
structure built in 1880 and stood for sixty
years in honor of its founder. He was
not only benevolent in deeds Of public
character but also in the minor acts,
where the cleft hand knoweth not what
the right hand dOeth. A story is told
Of him that fully illustrates this principal ,
On one occasion, a colored man in his
employ, as captain of one of his vessels,
was stricken with smallpox. Leaving his
vessel at a point ia the Mispillion River,
be went to the residence of Col. Wood,
mile or more away, in the still hours Of
The night and called for assistance, stating
ais condition at proper distance from
he house. Col. Wood answered his call
rom the window, directed him to a va
ant house near by, and told him to
make himself as comfortable as possible
Until morning when his needs would be
properly attended to. Ia the early morn
ng Col Wood summoned a physician,
procured a nurse, and the man passed
afely through that terrible disease, liv-
ng many years afterward to tell the story.
The will of Gel. Wood gives unmistak- !,
bile evidence of his generous nature. )
l considerable portion of his estate was :
iven to those who we're in no wise con-
ected with him by ties of consanguinity,
nut we're worthy objects of his benef
ence. One redeeming trait in his char 7
cter was the manumissiOn of all his .
laves those that we're under twenty one I
e gave their freedom when they arrived =
t that age His solicitous care for his \
lother, who survived him, is another
vedence of his character. He provided =
nat size should be carefully and COM
,rtably maintained during her life, and
Ound his entire estate, real and personal,
n that purpose. He left no children,
is only daughter, Catherine Wood, mar
ed Charles Stewart, a ieweler, of Phila-
elphia, and became the mother Of two
lildren, John and Aaron Stewart, who
ere small boys when their mother died
nd we're taken care of by their grand
.ther For their maintenance and edu-
ltion he provided amply and also left
lem considerable Of his estate, they being
is only Inca defendants. His first wife
wing in the meridian Of her life, he mar
ed Mary Hall, daughter Of Winlock
all, and aunt of the late Ex-Governor
,hn Wood Hail. of this marriage there
as no issue.
Col. Wood died in September, 1918,
,out fifty seven years Of age, and was
fried in the shadow OF the church
hich he had founded His remains
sted there in an unmarked grave for
nety years. Recently, however, Mrs.
rah Hail Lister of Philadelphia, daugh- I
r Of Governor Hall, and a benevolent !
1y, has had a very imposing monument
th a suitable inscription to his memory Z
aced upon his grave. This is a very !
deed in Mrs. Lister, and one )
{ which the entire community owe her
cir gratitude. [
ISAAC R. JESTER.