The Richard and
William Wood Book
Foreword: After many years of researching various
family stories and being inspired
by the book, "A Long Journey" about the Wood family, written by my
cousin,
Martha Hisey, I have tried to gather all I have found, into one
collection
that I hope will be passed on from generation to generation, that those
that
follow me will have some idea of those who have gone before. This is a
part of that research and will become a section of my collection.
Robert Dean Wood
1742, Orchard Way
Pleasanton, California
E-MAIL: debora@salbu.com
: Corrections and comments would be appreciated.
NOTE: These pages
maintained in the fond memory of the late Robert Dean Wood (1923-07-05
/ 2008-01-01)
WOOD FAMILY - THREE GENERATIONS
Father: Richard Wood and
his brother William Wood
Son: William Wood -
Interpreter to Dingaan
Grandson: Richard William
Wood - Journal dated August 10th 1935 - Oakland
IMAGES and GENERAL INFORMATION
Key Dates and TimeLine - Wood
Family in Natal
Port Natal: Short History - Views
of the Bay - Location of the Wood Home
The Old Fort in Durban -
Brief History and Photographs
Natal: 1800 -1900 :
Physical Features and History
MAPS
Large 1842 Map of
Port Natal (Ethekwini - Durban): Download Image to Disk
Large 1898 Map of Port
Natal (Ethekwini - Durban): Download Image to Disk
WOOD FAMILY - LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES
The WOOD / CROWLEY /
STRONG Connection
The Family Tree of Richard Wood
The WOODs, the BIGGARs and the DUNNs
The WOODs, & James Collis of Natal
- New information about the Collis family
SUMMARY:
RICHARD WOOD was a Trader's assistant, carpenter, wagon driver. He,
probably came to Natal with Collis in October 1831. In April 1838
Richard Wood was killed at the Battle of the Tugela. WILLIAM WOOD, the
brother of Richard, died in the same battle. WILLIAM WOOD, the son of
Richard, was interpreter to Dingaan. William WOOD, his mother, and
other Port Natal residents took refuge on the ship Comet at the Bay of
Natal to escape the Zulus. Young William WOOD and his mother left Port
Natal on 11 May 1838 for Graham's Town in the company of Mr and Mrs
Edwards and family. The wagon journey to Graham's Town (375 miles as
the crow flies) took a total of 4 months and the WOODs had to walk most
of the way. The Edwards family remained in King William's Town. The
WOOD family proceeded to Algoa Bay and then boarded the 'Comet' to Cape
Town. William WOOD remained in Africa until the age of 20. He then left
for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he married. After a few years William
WOOD and his family moved to England and then on to the United States.
Map of Probable Natal to
Grahamstown Route - CLICK HERE.
