John Wood Family

The earliest emigrant by the name of Wood, was John, who came from London 
to Isle of Wight Co, in “Bonadventure” Jan 1634, age 26. He married in
said Co, Margaret — & had, according to the Quaker Reg of Lower Mo 
Meeting, Nansemond Co Va, one dau: Elizabeth, b 27, 7mo, 1658. He died 
soon after this date, and we find his widow married to Thomas Taberer of 
same Co, by whom she had issue: 1 Christian, b — 9mo 1661—2 Elizabeth b — 
10mo 1663. From the fact that there was a second dau Elizabeth, one would 
naturally suppose that John Wood’s dau Elizabeth did not long outlive her 
father.

William Wood came to Va in “Hopewell” Sept 1635, age 27, Elizabeth, age 
24, & Jo Wood, age 26. Another Wm Wood was trans’ to Rapp Co Va, July 29, 
1650, by Robert Bird. Edward Wood was Trans’ to Norfolk Co Va, by John 
Ashcomb, who was granted 829a of land, “on Langleys Creek, upper Norfolk 
Co,” for transporting emigrants; Mar 6, 1683. With this Edward Wood we are 
directly concerned, because his descendants moved to Chowan Co N. C. From 
Chowan they drifted over into Perquimans. John Wood took up land in 
Nansemond Co Va, Apl 25, 1667. Whose son he was is not made manifest, but 
we find in Berkeley Par Reg Perq Co, “Mr John Woode, minister of gospell” 
performing the rites of matrimony in Perq, as early as June 13, 167—, when 
he officiated at the marriage of Alex Lillington on that date, and he also 
married Mr. Wm Therrell, to Mrs. Jean Godfrey, Dec 2, 1676. He is not 
mentioned as one of the ministers sent out from England by S. P. G., and 
may very probably be an itinerant, coming down from Va for special 
occasions. A natural procedure, considering the fact that N. C. for some 
time after this continued to be a part of Va. If they sent us governors, 
why would they not also send ministers, to look after the soul’s welfare?

There were two distinct families of Woods, in Albemarle, and it is thought 
that those who settled near Woodville, on Little River, may perhaps be 
descendants of this earlier branch, but no actual proof has been found. 
The Woods of Perq, like those of Chowan adhered to the Church of England, 
proof of which can be found in Berkeley Par Reg, from the fact that 
William Wood, next found on the record, was married to Deborah Sutton (d 
of George) May 8, 1718, “by Dr. Urmstone (John) minister of the Church of 
England.” George Sutton however was a strong Quaker, and it seems probable 
that her family carried over Wm Wood, as we later find the name on the 
Records of Friends. George Sutton in his will Perq, p Mar 11, 1699, 
bequeathed to his dau Deborah a “Plantation at the hickory.” There is to 
this day in Perq a place called by that name, on the highway leading to 
Elizabeth City. William Wood, & wife Deborah had issue: 1 Richard, b Oct 
30, 1720—2 Sarah, b Oct 23, 1721, d Mch 21, 1722/3—3 William (2) b Sept 
3, 1722/3—4 George, b Sept 2, 1724—5 Deborah, b Mar 25, 1725/6—6 Rebecca, 
b June 3, 1727—7 Elizabeth, b Dec 18, 1728. Deborah Wood died same day. 
(A case of too much child bearing.) Sarah Wood died Mch 17, 1722/3. (See 
Sutton family, this book.)

William Wood dec’d Dec 1, 1769, Mary Wood Admix, before Seth Sumner, J. 
P., Mary Wood petitioned the Court Oct 17, 1769, for leave “to sell 
perishable Estate of her dec’d husband William Wood.” (Loose papers.)

Wood, Richard (1) William (1) m Hannah Lowry, 19, 10mo 1746, issue: 1 
Tamer, b 21, 9mo 1747—2 Winnefred, b 29, 3mo 1749—3 William (3) b 12, 
11mo 1750—4 Rhoda, b 23, 1mo 1753—5 Benjamin, b 16, 4mo 1756—6 Samuel, b 
29, 11mo 1758, d 13, 11mo 1782—Rachel, b 3, 1mo 1761.

(2) Wood, William (2) William (1) m Mary —. Issue: 1 Deborah, b 25, 1mo 
1764—2 Rebeckah, b 29, 5mo 1765—3 William, b 4, 10mo 1766.

(2) Wood, Richard, m Sarah Morris, “at Simons Creek” 20 8mo 1764. (d of 
Aaron.)

Wood, Richard, m Cynthia Lassiter, Aug 21, 1800. (Chowan Co marriage bonds.)

Records of Norfolk Co give the fact “that Wm Wood hath departed this 
country,” Oct 5, 1687. From this line are descended Mr John Q. A. Wood of 
Elizabeth City, & his brother George dec’d. The first for years Clerk of 
Perquimans county. Mr Wood has always been a fine citizen, and his family 
highly respected.

John Wood who appears as Clerk of Perq for so many years, probably came to 
the Co from Chowan. He m Miss Wingfield, and had son Charles Wingfield 
Wood of Perq Co, who lived at Woodlawn, an old home on the outskirts of 
Hertford, acquired by his father from Joseph Cannon. Charles W. Wood m 
Mary (Mollie) Skinner, (d of Benjamin Skinner, and wife Elizabeth Leigh 
(d of James Leigh, of Durants Neck) and had issue: 1 John, died an infant.
—2 Elizabeth (Bettie) m Mr W. G. Gaither issue: a number of children, all
married but two. 3 Mary Wood, m T. F. Winslow of Hertford, issue: 1 Mae 
Wood, single—2 Katherine Blount, m W. H. Hudson, and had one daughter Mary 
Tudor—3 Francis E. Winslow, m Nemmie Parish of Rocky Mt N. C., where they 
reside, issue three girls, and one son. He is a prominent Lawyer of said 
place, and stands high in his profession. 4 Elizabeth Blount, m Thomas 
Wilcox of Norfolk Va, issue three children.

Mr. W. G. Gaither and wife Elizabeth Wood, had issue: 1 Charles W. 
Gaither, m Lula Hayes, and issue a son and daughter—2 Helen (unmarried)—3 
Elizabeth, m Edward Conger of Elizabeth City, N. C. (no issue)—4 Sarah, 
m C. Burnett Lewis, issue one son—5 William G. Gaither, m Helen Robinson 
(d of Charles, & Mary Leigh) issue three children—6 Rev Wood Gaither 
(Episcopal minister) m Penelope Weddell of Tarboro N. C. issue four 
children—7 Mary, m William Van Eberstein, of Washington, N. C., no issue—8 
Nettie Martin, m Wallace Huffines of Rocky Mount, N. C., no issue—9 
Louise, unmarried.




                                EDWARD WOOD LINE

As we have already seen, Edward Wood came to Norfolk Co Va Mar 6 1683. In 
an affidavit made Jan 1680/1, he gave his age as 38. He was living in 
Upper Parish Nansemond Co Va, July 18, 1715. Of course he could not be the 
same, who made his will in Chowan Co, Aug 9, 1691, naming wife Alice, to 
whom he left “Land at Yawpim.” We have to depend for descent from two 
brothers, Edward, & John Wood, who made a joint deed in Norfolk Co Va, Nov 
1, 1721, as follows: Edward Wood, & Mary his wife, John Wood, & Margarett 
his wife, of Chowan Co N. C. sold unto Thos. Freeman, & Sarah his wife of 
Norfolk Co, 100a “where said Edward, & John formerly dwelt” adj land of 
Thos. Cottell, “for the yearly Rent of one ear of Indian Corne.” Test’ 
Tho. Hobgood, Tho. Collett. Another deed same Co, 100a in Elizabeth 
Parish, Co of Norfolk, “where Edward Wood formerly dwelt,” on Spring Mills 
Creek, adj John Eastwood, Robert Collett, & Edward Wingate. Recorded Dec 
1721.

Wood, James, of Perq (connection not apparent) will p Feby 1822, names 
dau’s: Nancy & Sally Wood, gr-daus: Susan, & Sally Norcom (dau’s of Betsy 
dec’d). Sons: Edward, Richard, & James (who moved to Tyrrell Co) sons 
William, & Edward Exrs. Test’ Thomas D. Martin, Mary M. Martin.

Wood, William (1) James (1) will Perq, p Nov 1824, Wife Ann, sons: 
William 
E. Wood, Edward Wood, dau’s: Elizabeth, & Lucy Ann Wood.

Wood, Edward, (1) James (1) will Perq, p May 1827, names wife Elizabeth, & 
children (who are unnamed) but his sister Ann in her will, p Feby 1830, 
gives the names of his children, thus: “Little Edward Wood, son of brother 
Edward, and James, & William Wood sons of same; she also names niece, 
Elizabeth S. Hall (d of brother William) sister Sarah, nieces Sarah, & 
Susan Norcom, sister-in-law Elizabeth Wood (widow of Edward) brother John 
E. Wood.

Wood, John, was Clerk of Perq 1808.

From this line descended Mr. Charles Wingfield Wood, who made his lifelong 
home in a lovely old place near Hertford, which was only a few years ago 
destroyed by fire. He has descendants living at the present time in 
Hertford, Elizabeth City, Rocky Mount, and other points in N. C. This 
family has from time immemorial stood high in the community, & has sent 
out into the world many fine representative people.



                                     Marriages

Wood, Samuel, m dau of Robert Smith, prior to May 1, 1693. (Legal papers.)

Wood, Thomas, m Anna Bailey, June 3, 1778. (Mar bonds Pasq Co.)

Wood, William, m Elizabeth Guy, Aug 18, 1804.

Wood, Evan, m Margaret Barber, Jan 4, 1786.

Wood, Elizabeth (d of John Davis of Pasq Co) named in his will, p Apl 1753.





Return to Perquimans County Families Page

Return to Perquimans County Page