Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-07-04
WOOD BURY|NC GROUND.
Iledication of the Memorial Stone

U&d1catlOn OF the Memorial Stone
Oh Saturday afternoon, June 2StA,
large number of members of the
Gloucester County Historical Society
and their friends, finding transporta-
tion in public and private vehicles,
assembled at the above named spot.
1t is picturesque place, about two
miles from Woodbury., on Woodbury.
Creek, not far from the river; isolated
and yet in view of ceaSelesS water
traffic The day was warm and bright,
it's heat being relieved by good
breeze; and the assembled people
were made comfortable upon seats
arranged under the shade of trees.
The occasion was the dedication of
stone which will henceforth mark
the spot as the anciently- established
Burying Ground of the Wood family.
The stone bears the name of Henry
Wood, and records the fact of his
coming, with his son and their re-
spective families, from Bury, Eng
land, in 1852, to found the settlement
which he named Woodbury. Henry
Wood died and was buried there in
1886, although his grave cannot now
be identified. Other graves of his
descendants are there, and many of
them are marked. The last burial
there was in 1922 According to
early records the ground was origin
ally "one acre in extension, but it
is less than that now. owing to the
natural encroachment of the water,
and the destructiveness of storm-tides,
which, however, has now been par
TALLY guarded against. The recent
assembly included a number of Henry
Woods descendants whose subscrip-
tions paid the cost of the memorial
stone; and the personal effects OF
DIR. Joseph G. Halsey, of SwedesborO,
brought the matter to successful ac-
complishment A camera was used on
Saturday to perpetuate the living fam
lily grouped about the stone. Sub
scripions have recently been made for
the care of the ground.
The chief credit is due to Mr.. John
G. Whitall president of the Gloucester
County Historical Society, and himself
lineal descendant of Henry Wood
for the renewed interest in the place
watched and cared for the spot for the
past twenty years, having as accurate
ly as possible identified it and defined
its original boundaries At his desire
the Historical Society has partially
assumed the responsibility of the
ground, and will do all that is pos
sible to keep it in order, and protect
it from intrusion and depreciation. It
is expected, of course, that every loyal
citizen of Woodbury. would feel an
interest in the last resting place of
their pioneer.
The work upon the memorial stone
has been carefully executed at Smell
bakers stone-cutting establishment in
Woodbury..
Especial acknowledgement should
be made of the interest and kindness
of Mr.. A. NJ Woodoth, who not only
opened way to the growth through
his place, but put up guiding signs,
gave the use of his grounds and out
buildings, and in every way offered
hospitality for the occasion.
At the request of the society, one OF
it's members, the Rev. H. E. Thompson,
of Woodbury., of1iciated at the dedica-
ton of the stone and made the ad-
ress.
The order of service was as follows,
after the flag that veiled the stone had
been removed by Mr.. John G. Whitall:
In the name of the Father, and OF
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen
/ dedicate this stone to the Glory
of God, and to its intended use and
purpose as monument of the past
and a sign and mark to future genera
tions.
In the name of the Gloucester Coun-
ty Historical Society. declare that
this parcel of gorund whereon we
stand is, to the best of our knowledge
and belief, the place that was intend
ed to be. and is now called the Wood
Family Burying Ground.
(Then was read a Scripture lesson)
Ecclesiasticus Xiv, lilo Let us
now praise famous men and our IA
thers that begat us. The Lord hath
wrought great glory by them through
His great power from the beginning
Such as did bear rule in their king
doms, men renowned for their power,
giving counsel by their understanding,
and declaring prophecies; leaders OF
the people by their counsels, and by
their knowledge of learning meet for
the people, wise and eloquent in their
instructions; rich men, furnished with
ability, living peaceably in their habi-
tations: all these were honored in
their generations, and were the glory
of their times. There be of them
Il. Il.