Chasing the Elusive: The Mysterious Disappearance of Burris Doudney Wood I

This is a "Chasing the Elusive" in that I don't know what happened to my third-great-grandfather, but it is also a story that has been passed down through the family.

This blog post is on the first Burris Doudney Wood in the family.  He named a son Burris Doudney, and he also had a nephew named for him.... the nephew became the famous steamboat captain Burris D. Wood who died in 1902.  Burris' son, Burris Doudney Jr. also disappeared mysteriously and is a "Chasing the Elusive" in his own right.

Anyway, I should start at the beginning.

Burris Doudney Wood was the ninth child and second son born to Abinah Belford Wood and Susannah Humphreys, and their last child to be born in New Jersey.  He was born 9 November 1815, probably in Cumberland County, as Abinah did own land in Greenwich Township there, but it is not known for sure.  What is known is Burris made his way to Franklin, Fayette County, Pennsylvania with the family, and was enumerated on a federal census there in 1820 as the free white son under the age of ten in the household of "Biney Woods."

By 1830, the family was living in Saint Clair Township, just south of Pittsburgh, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Burris was again enumerated in the household of Abinah Wood (Ancestry has him listed as Anich) as one of two males aged 10-14 in the household.  (Burris' brother David was listed as the other one).

*Side note here - until 1850, the only people listed on the Census Enumerations were the heads of the households.... everyone else was tallied as a person living in the household, so it makes for interesting research sometimes.*

Burris married Miss Julia Blackford (or Blachford) on 1 May 1838 likely in Allegheny County, as he was living there, but the couple could have been in the neighboring Washington County, where Julia was supposedly born.  No records exist to prove this date as the marriage except for what I like to call "the Wood Book" in my research - it's actual title is History and Genealogy of the Descendants of Abinah wood and Susannah Humphreys.  The family is listed as "Wood Family III" for those interested. Julia was born sometime between 1815 and 1817 in the aforementioned Washington County according to family stories,though not much is known about her parentage.  She may have been the daughter of a John Blackford but that is just hypothetical at this point, so I don't have parentage listed for her.

At any rate, the couple lived in Mifflin Township, Allegheny County, according to the household enumeration done in 1840 for the federal census.  Mifflin Township was south and slightly east of what is now present day Pittsburgh.  It was east of Saint Clair Township at the time Burris lived there and most of the people who lived in the area were shipbuilders (Family stories suggest Burris got his start as a shipbuilder).  Burris was enumerated directly after his brother-in-law John Arehart (who married Emma Wood), which suggests that they were neighbors.  Enumerated in his household was himself, Julia, and their infant daughter, Eliza (or Elizabeth).

In 1842, the couple moved their small family, which by this time also had a son, John Devender (born 23 April 1841) to Lower Saint Clair Township, as Burris had bought property on Brownsville Plank Road.  The land he purchased was bought from Alfred Verner for $150 on 2 Jul 1842, and it is assumed the family lived here for a time.  Brother David ought land that bordered it.  However, Burris (and David) apparently went into debt with Verner in 1846, as the land was seized and sold in a sheriff's sale.  Burris was able to buy the land back in 1847, but had also bought two other properties that year, a parcel of land at the corner of  Carson Street and Joseph Street as well as a parcel of land at Clifton and Joseph Street, both in East Birmingham, Allegheny County.  It is not known exactly which property the family lived at.

By 1850, when the family was enumerated again on the federal census living in East Birmingham and where Burris was listed in the local directory as a Justice of the Peace on Joseph Street, the couple had nearly completed their family with the births of their next four children.  Reumah Anne was born 14 Jan 1843.  Margaret M. was born 18 June 1844. William W. was born sometime in 1847 and the aforementioned son Burris Doudney was born 27 May 1849.  All six children (including Eliza and John) were enumerated along with Burris and Julia on the census.

Also in 1850 Burris purchased one more property, having sold off the rest of his properties.  This parcel of land was situated on Wharton Street and Joseph Street in East Birmingham.  He only owned this land for a little over a year, selling it in June 1851.  It is not know where the family moved, though it is likely the remained in East Birmingham and rented.

In 1852, just after the birth of the couple's final son, George W Wood (born 1 April 1852),  Burris had to deal with a legal issue.  He and one Francis Sellers were plaintiffs in a case  against William C. Aughinbaugh and James Moore.   There was an action of trespass on the case for the recovery of $200 for work and labor done by Burris and Sellers.  The case went to the jury on 6 May 1852 and Wood and Sellers received $101.06.

For one reason or another, Burris decided that life in Allegheny County no longer suited his family.  Because this was the heyday of the steamships, and he had connections to shipbuilding, he decided he was going to pack up his family and moved to Saint Louis, Missouri, which was a hub of activity.  Sometime in the spring of 1854, he traveled via boat to Saint Louis, intent on finding a place for his family to live.  On 10 May 1854 he sent a telegram back to East Birmingham instructing his wife and children, who were packing for the move, to stay in East Birmingham until he sent for them.

It was the last message the family ever received.

Theories as to what happened to him abound.  Family members who were interviewed after the fact were adamant that he did not abandon his family and that he had to have been murdered.  He did have the family's fortune on him, and apparently was involved somehow in another lawsuit, though nothing has come to light in regards to any other legal matters.  Nothing has ever been proven as to what happened to him after 10 May 1854, which has been listed as his death date ever since.

I have been searching fruitlessly ever since discovering this story early in my research.  So far, while certain clues have emerged, nothing can cement any theory.  I did search the Deed record index in St. Louis, Missouri to see if there was any record of property bought there, but nothing was recorded.  Burris' name was used in connection with an advertisement for Genuine Holland Bitters, which ran in local area newspapers as late as 1858 and beyond.  These refer to him as "Mr. B. D. Wood late Justice of the Peace, East Birmingham, P[ennsylvani]a."  Perhaps something was amiss?

Julia, back in East Birmingham, was left with seven children under the age of 15.  Family stories gathered through the years suggest that after Burris mysteriously disappeared in 1854, Julia was penniless.  She was also left to raise her family by herself and ended up making ends meet by working small odd jobs, such as cleaning and laundry, until her children were old enough to support her.  She resided in a boarding house on Washington near Main in Birmingham in 1857 listed as a widow, but had moved to Temperanceville by 1860, likely to be closer to Burris' sisters Susannah Wood Ainsworth and Elizabeth Wood Shaffer, as both of them were living there already.

As was contemporary for the time, Julia relied on her sons to survive, residing with John, William, Burris and George at one point or another throughout the rest of her life. What is fascinating is that she was listed as "Mrs. Woods", a widow living by herself on the 1880 census enumeration.

For the final three weeks of her life, she did live with daughter Reumah at 40 South Diamond Street in Allegheny City.  She died there on 25 October 1885 from bronchial pneumonia.  One of her obituaries lists that she died at son John's home, but the death registration itself gives Reumah's address as where she died.  After a funeral at son John's home four days later, she was buried in section B, lot number 73, grave number 3 at Highwood Cemetery in what is now Pittsburgh.

Sources Used:
 "1820 United States Federal Census," online database, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 July 2016), Entry for Biney Woods and household, 1820 U S Census, Census Place: Franklin Fayette, Pennsylvania, Page: 147, NARA Roll: M33_103, and Image: 155; citing Fourth Census of the United States, 1820. (NARA microfilm publication M33, 142 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"1830 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 July 2016), Entry for Abinah Wood (indexed as Anich), Year: 1830, Census Place: St Clair Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Series: M19, Roll: 144, Page: 208, and Family History Library Film: 0020618; citing Fifth Census of the United States, 1830. (NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"1840 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2016), Entry for Burris Woods and family, Year: 1840, Census Place: Mifflin Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 439, Page: 150, Image: 309, and Family History Library Film: 0020536; citing Sixth Census of the United States, 1840. (NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2016), Entry for Burris D. Wood and family, Year: 1850, Census Place: East Birmingham Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_748, Page: 37B, and Image: 80; citing Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

"1860 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2016), Entry for Julia Wood and family, Year: 1860, Census Place: Temperanceville Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M653_1062, Page: 535, Image: 542, and Family History Library Film: 805062; citing 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 July 2016), Entry for Julian Woods and Household, Year: 1870, Census Place: McClure Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M593_1294, Page: 111A, Image: 335422, and Family History Library Film: 552793; citing 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "1880 United States Federal Census," database online with images, Ancestry.com Operation, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 July 2016), Entry for Mrs. Woods, Year: 1880, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1088, Family History Film: 1255088, Page: 102A, Enumeration District: 028, and Image: 0202 (enumerated as Mrs. Woods); citing Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 70: 490, Alfred Verner and wife to Burris D. Wood, recorded 10 June 1845; FHL microfilm 8091683.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 77: 384-385, Oliver Ormsby and wife to Burris D. Wood, recorded 11 August 1847; FHL microfilm 1497890.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 79: 79-80, William Phillips to Burris D. Wood, recorded 1 Nov 1847; FHL microfilm 1497891.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 81: 653-655, Elijah Trovillo, sheriff, to William Phillips on behalf of Burris D. Wood, recorder 23 August 1848; FHL microfilm 8091688.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 83: 200-201, Burris and Julianne Wood to John Gilbraith, recorded 20 Nov 1848; FHL microfilm 1497892.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 86: 281-282, George Duncan and Wife to Burris D. Wood, recorded 30 May 1849; FHL microfilm 8091679.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 88: 150-151, Burris D and Juliana Wood to George Hoezel, recorded 12 October 1849; FHL microfilm 1497894.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 88: 607-608, Burris D. (B.D.) and Julian Wood to Thomas Elmore, recorded 12 Feb 1850; FHL microfilm 1497943.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 93: 337-338, Thomas Elmore and wife to Burris D. Wood, recorded 16 Nov 1850; FHL microfilm 1497944.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 96: 400-401, Burris D. and Julian Wood to Theodore Steinike, recorded 20 July 1851; FHL microfilm 1497946.

Atlas of the cities of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, and the Adjoining Boroughs (Philadlephia, Pennsylvania: G.M. Hopkins, 1876); digital images, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 April 2018), Plate 110, Temperanceville and part of Chartiers, viewed Elliot Street and the Rolling Mill.

Atlas of the vicinity of the cities Pittsburgh and Allegheny, Penna. : from official records, private plans and actual surveys. (Philadelphia: G.M. Hopkins Company, 1886); digital image, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018), Plate 29, viewed the area of McClure and Ashton.

"A Wonderful Remedy - Mr. B. D. Woods," advertisement, Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 28 June 1855, Page 2, "Mr. B.D. Woods, late Justice of the Peace, East Birmingham, Pa."; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 10 July 2016); advertisement for Genuine Holland Bitters.

"A Wonderful Remedy - Mr. B. D. Woods," advertisement, Wheeling Daily Intelligencer (Wheeling, Virginia [West Virginia]), 5 April 1858, page 2; online images, Virginia Chronicle : Library of Virginia (https://virginiachronicle.com/ : accessed 15 March 2020), The Virginia Newspaper Project.

"Died," death notices, Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennylvania), 27 October 1888, Page 7 "Julia Wood"; online images, Google News Archives (https://news.google.com/newspapers : accessed 20 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh & vicinity for, 1857-1858 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: George H. Thurston, 1857), 229, "Woods Julia A, widow of Horace, BH Washington N. Main"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (http://digital.library.pitt.edu : accessed 3 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1861-1862 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1861), 338, "Wood Julia Ann, widow Burrows, above Steubenville pike n Wood, T(emperanceville)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (http://historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1862-1863 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1862), 334, "Woods Julia A., wid Burris D., Elliott, T(emperanceville)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1863-1864 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1863), 367, "Woods, Julia Ann, wid Burris, Elliott n Wood, T(emperanceville)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1864-1865 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1864), 348, "Woods Julia Ann, wid Barris, Elliott n Wood's mill, T(emperance)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digitial Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1866/1867 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1866), 410, "Woods Julia A, wid Burris, Elliott n Rolling Mill, T(emperanceville)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1867/1868 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1868), 455, "Wood Julia Ann, wid Barris, Elliot n rolling mill T(emperanceville)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 July 2016).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1868/1869 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1868), 432, "Wood Julia, wid Burns, Virgin ay, T(emperanceville)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 6 July 2016).

Fahnestock's Pittsburgh directory for 1850: containing the names of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, Allegheny, & vicinity : their occupation, places of business and dwelling houses : also, a list of the public offices, banks, &c, 1850 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Geo. Parkin & Co, 1850), 105, "Woods B.D. justice peace, Joseph, E Bir"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (http://digital.library.pitt.edu : accessed 6 July 2016).

Find A Grave, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 August 2016), memorial page for Julia Ann Blanchford sp? Wood, Find A Grave Memorial # 19490418, citing Highwood Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by William Bozic, photograph by William Bozic.

"The Grim Messenger," Pittsburgh Dispatch (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 1 January 1889, page 8; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 31 March 2018).

"History Overview," Mifflin Township History, 2012 (www.mifflintownshiphistory.wordpress.com : accessed 28 March 2018).

"Home Matters," The Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 5 May 1852, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 3 April 2018).

"Home Matters," The Pittsburgh Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 6 May 1852, page 3; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 3 May 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1882/1883 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1882), 804, "Woods Julia, wid ________, 8 Howards Row, Beaver av, Allegheny"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 19 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1883/1884 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1883), 844, "Woods Julia A, wid Veris B, 203 Cass av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digitall Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 19 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1885/1886 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1885), 953, "Woods Julia A, wid Berris, Ashland av, n McClure av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 19 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1886/1887 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1886), 991, "Woods Julia A, wid Burris, Ashland av, n McClure av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 19 July 2016).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1887/1888 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1887), 1008, "Woods Julia A, wid Burris, r Shady av, n Eckert, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 20 July 2016).

Jordan, Sarah Strickler. niece of Burris D. Wood, written statement by P.A. Wood, no date recorded; transcribed copy of written statement, privately held by Kelley Wood-Davis, Norwalk, Iowa, 2016. Transcribed by Florence Wood Wolcott and copied by Martha Wood Scudder, who mailed a photocopy to Kelley Wood-Davis in 2001.

Julia Wood entry, Registration of deaths in the city of Allegheny, 1876-1907, volume 3: page 333, Allegheny County City County Building, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

McIlvain, Josephine. "Twelve Blocks: A Study of One Segment of Pittsburgh’s South Side, 1880-1915." The Western Pennsylvania Historical Magazine, Volume 60, No. 4 (October 1977): 351-370.

"Sheriff's Sales," notice of sale of debtor's property, Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 22 May 1846, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 22 March 2018).

Sidney, J.; J. Neff; S. McRea, Map of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, with the names of property-holders : from actual surveys (Philadelphia and Allegheny City: S. Moody, 1851); digital image, Library of Congress (http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3823a.la000699 : accessed 26 March 2018), viewed Lower Saint Clair Township and the area in which the land was located.

St. Louis (City and County), Missouri, Inverted index, W 1804-1891: Year 1854, Negative search; FHL microfilm 8193896.

"Work of the Grim reaper," The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 27 October 1888, page 4; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 31 March 2018).

Wood, B.D. (St. Louis, Missouri) to Julia Ann Wood, telegram, 10 May 1854; privately held by Kelley Wood-Davis. Norwalk, Iowa, 2016. transcribed copy of a telegram. Telegram sent to Percy A. Wood in 1903 by Harry W. Wood, grandson of B.D. Wood. Transcription date and creator unknown. Photocopy of transcription was mailed by Martha Wood Scudder to Kelley Wood-Davis in 2001.

Wood, J. H.; T. R. Wood; P. A. Wood; and G. E. Wood. History and Genealogy of the Descendants of Abinah Wood and Susannah Humphreys. Andover, Ohio: Press of the Citizen, 1903.

Wood, William Walker. grandfather of Percy A. Wood, not recorded, statement by Percy A. Wood, no date recorded; transcribed copy of statement made by W. W. Wood regarding the disappearance of his brother, Burris D. Wood, privately held by Kelley Wood-Davis, Norwalk, Iowa, 2016. Transcribed by Florence Wood Wolcott and copied by Martha Wood Scudder, who mailed a photocopy of transcription to Kelley Wood-Davis in 2001.

Notable Woman: Reumah Anne Wood Tatem

Occasionally I tend to focus on some of the notable women in my family history.  This is one such blog post, as this is the story of Reumah Anne "Annie" Wood Tatem.

First off, I want to state that this particular post is dedicated to the memory of  Annie's descendant, Joan Reumah Evans, who passed away last year.  Without her dedicated and generous research on Annie in particular and the Wood family in general, I would not be as far as I am with my own history.

Reumah Anne Wood Tatem, circa 1909, with granddaughter Willa Farber
Personal photo collection of the blogger

Reumah Anne Wood was born 14 January 1843 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.  Some sources later give her place of birth as Pittsburgh, but she most likely was born outside of what was then the city's limits in Saint Clair Township, which was south of Pittsburgh.  She was named for her paternal great-grandmother, Reumah Wood, wife of Captain Jonathan Wood.  Her father was Burris Doudney Wood, a justice of the peace and son of Abinah Belford Wood.  Her mother was Julia Anne Blackford.  Burris owned property at the time of  her birth in Saint Clair Township, but it remains to be seen if the family actually lived on the property.  The family did live in East Birmingham on the 1850 census enumeration.  That small town is now the South Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

Annie, as Reumah went by, was one of seven children.  Her elder brother, John, was my ancestor.  Her young brother, Burris, was the subject of another blog post on my elusive family members, as he disappears after 1893.  She was just nine years old when her father mysteriously vanished in 1854 (one day I will get to blogging about him), leaving her mother a widow with several mouths to feed.  The family lived in a boarding house in Birmingham and then on to Temperanceville by 1860, where the family was enumerated in the federal census.  Brother John was the main source of income at the time, being the eldest, but it is likely Annie did small chores and helped her mother take in laundry to make ends meet.

Thomas Martin Tatem, c. 1861-1864
Personal collection of the blogger

On 6 August 1861, Annie married Thomas Martin Tatem at Smithfield Street Methodist Evangelical Church in Pittsburgh.  Thomas was five years Annie's senior, and the son of Joseph E. Tatem and Achia Norgrave.  Thomas was a friend of elder brother John, and supposedly John introduced the couple.  Shortly after the marriage, Thomas went off to war, as he already was a private in Company A of the Pennsylvania 12th Pennsylvania Volunteers, but had been mustered out the day before the couple wed.  He reenlisted on 22 August 1861, and became a private in company I of the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry and was transferred to 147th Pennsylvania Volunteers on 28 October 1862.

Annie and Thomas spent the first three years of their marriage apart as Thomas was away with the Union Army.  Their eldest daughter, Emily Achsah, was born in December of 1861, and Annie likely resided with her in-laws at 22 Cherry Alley between Second and Third Streets in Pittsburgh, as city directories list that as Thomas' address while he was away fighting.   The couple exchanged many letters, according to the aforementioned Joan Evans, and many of Thomas' letters to Annie began "My dear Annie."  Thomas remained in the Union Army for the duration of the war, finally mustering out as a corporal at Paces Ferry, Georgia on 28 August 1864 at the expiration of his term.

Upon his return, the couple took up residence in Pittsburgh for one more year, as Thomas was a letter carrier.  However, he had afflicted a condition during the war that affected his legs, causing him mobility issues, and the job was taxing.  The couple moved to Allegheny City, where the Wood family had taken up residence, and Thomas became the toll keeper at the northern tollbooth on the Sixth Avenue Bridge, where he could sit down all day, as he was relegated to the use of a wheelchair by this time.  The small family first lived at 55 Corry before moving into a rented home at 69 Ann, on the corner of Ann and Isabella Streets in the First Ward of Allegheny City.

Annie was known for helping her husband get up into his chair every morning for work, and for managing the finances so that the family could survive.

By the time the Tatems lived at 69 Ann, they had added two more daughters to their family, Jessie and Julia.  In 1870, son Thomas Martin jr was born.  However, daughter Julia died young, and the next two children, Anne and James, did not survive infancy.

On 28 December 1875, Annie bought the couple's first home at 35 Craig in the First Ward of Allegheny City.  The house was just a few blocks from their rented home, and was bought in a sheriff's sale for $2000 (about $47000 today).  Two more children were born to the couple while they lived here, daughter Edna in 1878, and a son that also did not survive infancy, born in 1879.  While the family lived here, Thomas had switched occupations from toll keeper to the proprietor of a tobacco and news depot located at 21 Federal, just a couple of blocks from his home and across from the Girard Hotel.  He must have become well known in the neighborhood, because in 1885, he was elected as Alderman for Allegheny City's First Ward.

That same year, the couple sold their Craig Street home for $2150 (over $61000 today) and moved to a home at 40 South Diamond, not too far from where Thomas held office at 40 West Diamond Street. He was known in local papers as "Squire Tatem the Peacemaker." It was at this home that Annie took care of her mother in Julia Wood's final days in October 1888.

By 1890, Thomas' condition became so severe that he was bedridden.  Family stories passed down and retold indicated that it was painful for him to get out of bed.  Annie worked hard to provide for her family during this time,  but still managed to surprise the ones she loved.  On Tuesday night, 16 December 1890, members of the G.A.R. post 88 surprised Thomas with a visit.  Annie helped to organize the event for her husband to be surprised by members of his G.A.R. post, as he had been unable to attend the meetings in some time due to his mobility issues.  It was written up in the paper.

Annie and Thomas moved about a great deal their final years as a married couple, moving from one rented home to another, even living for a time with daughter Jessie and her husband William Smith for a spell.

On 5 July 1903, Thomas Martin Tatem finally succumbed to the effects of  locomotor ataxia, the condition he had contracted as a result of his service in the Civil War.  He was only sixty five years of age, and left Annie as a widow at the age of sixty.  

Annie continued to live her life, being the strong woman she was, and took in her newly single daughters Jessie and Edna (Jessie had recently divorced her husband, and Edna's first husband had passed away) as well as her grandchildren.  They made their living by accepting boarders in their home, and by doing some housekeeping and laundry.

The Extended Tatem family, circa 1909
Personal collection of the blogger

On 29 December 1910, Reumah Anne Wood Tatem passed away from carcinoma of the uterus at the home of her daughter Edna (who had remarried) at 1887 Runnette Street in Pittsburgh.  After a funeral at Edna's home, Annie was laid to rest beside Thomas in Union Dale Cemetery in Division 1, Section S, Range 2.  She had buried her husband and four children, as well as her mother, but continued to be a strong vibrant woman who was admired by her descendants, and is still admired to this day.

Sources Used:

"1870 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 April 2018), Indexed as Thomas Falen on Ancestry but is Thomas Tatem and family, Year: 1870, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 1 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M593_1290, Page: 19B, and Family History Library Film: 552789; citing 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.

"1900 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 May 2018), Entry for William J. Smith and household Year: 1900, Census Place: Allegheny Ward 2 Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Page: 9, and Enumeration District: 0021; citing United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

"1910 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 May 2018), Entry for Rumah Tatene and "Rumah Tatem" household, Year: 1910, Census Place: Penn Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: T624_1296, Page: 9A, Enumeration District: 0194, and FHL microfilm: 1375309; citing Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 353: 61-62, North Star Building Association to Reumah A. Tatem, recorded 21 Jan 1876; FHL microfilm 8092385.

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 509: 491-493, Thomas M. Tatem and Ramah Annie Tatem to Mrs. M. S. Price, recorded 4 March 1885; FHL microfilm 8036730.

Ancestry.com, "1850 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2016), Year: 1850, Census Place: East Birmingham Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M432_748, Page: 37B, and Image: 80; Entry for Burris D. Wood and family.

Ancestry.com, "1860 United States Federal Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 July 2016), Year: 1860, Census Place: Temperanceville Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: M653_1062, Page: 535, Image: 542, and Family History Library Film: 805062; Entry for Julia Woods and family.

Ancestry.com, "1890 Veterans Schedules," database online, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 May 2018), Entry for Thomas M. Tatum Allegheny, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, The National Archives at Washington, D.C., Washington D.C., Series Number: M123, Record Group Title: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group Number: 15, and Census Year: 1890; citing Special Schedules of the Eleventh Census (1890) Enumerating Union Veterans and Widows of Union Veterans of the Civil War; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M123, 118 rolls); Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "1880 United States Federal Census," database online with images, Ancestry.com Operation, Inc., Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 March 2018), Entry for Thomas M Tatum and family Year: 1880, Census Place: Allegheny Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Roll: 1086, Page: 63D, and Enumeration District: 003; citing Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Bates, Samuel P., History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-1865: prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, 5 Volumes (Harrisburg: B. Singerly, State Printer, 1869), 1, 119 and 476.

ibid, 4, 558

"Comrade Tatem, of Post 88, Surprised," Pittsburgh Dispatch (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 21 December 1890, page 12; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 April 2018).

"The Death Record," The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 6 July 1903, page 2; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 2 April 2018).

"DIED - TATEM," death notice, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 31 December 1910, page 7; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 May 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1863-1864 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1863), 332, “Tatem Thos M., soldier 147th P.V., 22 Cherry ay”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1865-1866 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1865), 346, “Tatem Thomas, letter carrier, Cherry ay bt Second and Third”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1866/1867 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1866), 373, “Tatem Thomas M., toll taker, 55 Corry, A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1866/1867 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1866), 416, “Tatem T.M. Collector, 55 Corry, A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1869-1870 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1869), 428, “Tatem Thomas M., toll collector, 69 Ann, A(llegheny)” also listed at same address is Annie, wid Thomas M.; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1870/1871 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1870), 457, “Tatem Thomas M., banker, 69 Ann ,A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1873/1874 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1873), 573, "Tatem Thomas M. toll keeper, 69 Ann, A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1874/1875 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1874), 597, “Tatem Thomas M. toll collector, 69 Ann, A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1876-1877 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1876), 601, “Tatem Thomas M., collector, 35 Craig, A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1877-1878 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G. H. Thurston, 1877), 585, “Tatem Thos, toll collector, 35 Craig, A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1878/1879 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1878), 610, “Tatem Thos N., collector, 35 Craig, A(llegheny)”; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018).

Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1879-1880 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: G.H. Thurston, 1879), 604, "Tatem Thos M, toll collector, 35 Craig, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

Evans, Samuel M. Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the war for suppression of the rebellion, 1861-1865: roll of honor, defenders of the flag, attack on Fort Sumter, S.C., April 12, 1861, surrender at Appomattox, Va., April 9, 1865 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: s.n, 1924), 466.

Find A Grave, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 31 March 2018), memorial page for Thomas M Tatem, Find A Grave Memorial # 8678696, citing Union Dale Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by William Bozic, photograph by texmexfla.

Find A Grave, database with images (www.findagrave.com : accessed 4 April 2018), memorial page for Mrs. Ruemah Anne Tatem, Find A Grave Memorial # 63333796, citing Union Dale Cemetery (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), memorial created by William Bozic, photograph by texmexfla and William Bozic.

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities 1881/1882 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1881), 738, "Tatem Thos M, tobacco, 21 Federal, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digitial Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1882/1883 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1882), 733, "Tatem Thos M, tobacconist and news depot, 21 Federal, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1883/1884 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1883), 770, "Tatem Thos M., 21 Federal A(llegheny)," also listed on page 969 under Tobacco and Cigars; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digitall Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 2 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1884/1885 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1884), 870, "Tatem Thos M,tobacconist, 159 Lacock, h 35 Craig, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1885/1886 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1885), 869, "Tatem Thos M, alderman, 40 W Diamond, A(llegheny), h 40 S Diamond, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1886/1887 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1886), 908, "Tatem Thos M, alderman, 40 W Diamond, A(llegheny), h 40 S Diamond, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1887/1888 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1887), 822, "Tatem Thos M, alderman, 40 W Diamond, A(llegheny), h 40 S Diamond, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1888/1889 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1888), 973, "Tatem Thos M, alderman, 40 W Diamond, A(llegheny), h 40 S Diamond, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1889/1890 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1889), 1025, "Tatem Thos, alderman, 40 W Diamond, A(llegheny), h 40 S Diamond, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pennsylvania, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 3 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1890/1891 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1890), 782, "Tatem Thos M, 330 Western av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1895/1896 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher & Thurston, 1895), 896, "Tatem Thos M, 21 Erie, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1896/1897 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1896), 937, "Tatem Thos M, 65 Alpine av, A(llegheny"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

J.F. Diffenbacher's directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny cities, 1897/1898 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Diffenbacher and Thurston, 1897), 952, "Tatem Thos A, 65 Alphine av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, Unversity of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

"Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963," database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 March 2018), Entry for Rumah Wood Tatem, died 29 Dec 1910, cn 123012; citing Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1901 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1901), 1335, "Tatem Thos M, 33 Observatory av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1902 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1902), 1592, "Tatem Thos M, 33 Observatory av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

Pittsburgh and Allegheny directory, 1903 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley, 1903), 1592, "Tatem Thomas M, 1764 Perrysville av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

Pittsburgh directory, 1909 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: R.L. Polk & Co. and R.L. Dudley,, 1909), 1499, "Tatem Rumah W, wid Thos, 1321 Sherman av, A(llegheny)"; digital image, University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library, Historic Pittsburgh (www.historicpittsburgh.org : accessed 4 April 2018).

Thomas M Tatem entry, Registration of deaths in the city of Allegheny, 1876-1907, volume 12: page 100, Allegheny County City County Building, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

"Thomas M. Tatem, Sr., Dead.," Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), 7 July 1903, page 6; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 2 April 2018).

Voucher circular questions for Thomas M. Tatem, certificate number 347156, dated 5 July 1898; Photocopy provided by NARA in the pension file for Thomas Tatem and forwarded from Joan Evans to Kelley Wood-Davis via postal mail April 2011; citing Pension application files based upon service in the Civil War and Spanish-American War ("Civil War and Later"); Records Relating to Pension and Bounty-Land Claims 1773-1942, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, RG 15; 2,807 rolls, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

The Story of Captain Jonathan Wood, Master of Ships

My earliest known Wood ancestor was a ship captain by the name of Jonathan Wood.  He was the father of my illustrious ancestor, Abinah Belford Wood.  Most biographies of his descendants that mention Jonathan do mention that he was a captain of sea-faring vessels, although some get more creative in telling Jonathan's story than history can actually prove.

Jonathan Wood's birth date is unknown, but given that he was a sea captain by 1756, it is estimated he was born in the 1720s or 1730s, which also makes him an older man in his forties or fifties when his children were born. There are no definite clues to his parentage, because there were several Wood families in the Colonies at the time of Jonathan's presumed birth.  Thus it is difficult to pinpoint who his parents were, though several possibilities.

Jonathan could possibly be the son of a Benjamin Wood, born about 1685 and died 1738 and an Elizabeth Cole who are mentioned in book "John Wood of Rhode Island and his Descendants on the Mainland" by Bertha Cook (published 1966).  This Benjamin Wood supposedly bought the original Wood family homestead in New Jersey, which was named Hopewell.  Another possibility in Jonathan's parentage was Samuel Wood, who lived and died in Salem, New Jersey in 1775.  This Samuel and his wife Elizabeth did have a son Jonathan, but it is very likely that his son Jonathan was the Revolutionary War captain who died at Valley Forge in 1777, making him not a part of this particular line of Woods from New Jersey.

As of this writing, not definite proof is given.  What is known is he was a captain, or master, of ships.

Ship Master
Jonathan seemed to have sailed many ships in and out of the Port of Philadelphia and is listed as Jonathan Wood or J. Wood in several editions of the newspapers The Pennsylvania Gazette and Pennsylvania Journal.   While one cannot be absolutely certain all of the listings for Captain J. Wood are indeed Jonathan, the timeline seems to suggest they all were voyages he accomplished.  Were it not for the fact that Jonathan were a ship's captain, he likely wouldn't be in the news at all, as Great Britain forbade newspapers in the colonies on practice that newspapers encouraged sedition.  However, shipping news, public notices and the like could be printed if the newspaper in question had a government’s imprimatur, or official license, to be in business.

Why get into seafaring in the first place?  It was difficult to move around the eastern seaboard pre-Revolution, since the roads were very terrible.  Ships were the best way to move people and goods about the colonies.  Since the colonies were still importing raw goods from the West Indies and shipping finished goods to Great Britain and beyond, the need for ships and extraordinary captains to command these vessels was crucial.

Why Philadelphia?  Because by 1750, it had surpassed Boston as the major colonial shipping port, and would not be surpassed by NYC until the 1820s. There were numerous advantages to why it surpassed Boston; cheap labor, trees, forges and skilled shipbuilders were just a few of the reasons.  It was also on the Delaware River, as was Cumberland County, New Jersey, so a commute on a ship by river wouldn't be too far-fetched an idea for that time.

The life of a seaman in the time was difficult.  As Sam Willis writes in his article "American Independence and the Naval Factor" from Naval History Magazine, "Operating vessels in currents near shore was the ultimate test of seamanship. The slightest misjudgment could endanger the lives of all on board."

An article that offers some insight into how seafaring men were paid is Richard J. Blakeman's article "Pieces of Eight, Pieces of Eight: Seamen's Earnings and the Venture Economy of Early Modern Seafaring."  However, while the article did include some data for masters (or captains), much of it was devoted to the other officers (or specialists) on the ship as well as the more common and unskilled mariners. The statistical data and information was from the latter part of the 17th century, but is still useful in extrapolating how seafarers were paid in the 18th century as well.  Blakeman does point out that more experienced seafarers ended up making higher wages, and of course masters were in a different class economically than the rest of the crew, especially since they often held the highest responsibility aboard a vessel.  He also points out the various ways that men were paid.... sometimes there was a monthly wage, but often sailors were paid by the voyage, and unemployment between voyages was common.  Personal trading in ports often resulted in goods that could be brought home and could be then sold for substantial amounts of monies, especially by the elite officers of a ship.  This trading made up a good amount of a seaman’s annual income.

Another good read on colonial ships is Kellie Michelle Vanhorn's thesis, "Eighteenth-Century Colonial American Merchant Ship Construction."  In her thesis, Vanhorn discusses more the operation of shipbuilding and the differing types of ships used, but it helps to flesh out the story of Captain Jonathan Wood a bit more.

The question remains whether or not he actually owned any of the ships he captained.  Evidence seems to suggest that he was more a rented captain than an owner of a vessel, given that the sloops and brigs he sailed are also listed in the shipping news from Philadelphia as being captained at times by other men.  Often merchants in the area would actually own the ships and then the crew was hired to sail them.  He appears to have been a popular sea captain, given the number of journeys he made

Here are some of the journeys that he made from the port of Philadelphia:

On 27 May 1756 he was cleared to take Sloop Merry-Ann to North Carolina.

On 22 September 1757 he was cleared to sail the Sloop Betsy to Saint Kitts.  This journey was met with adventure, as Saint Kitts (formally Saint Christopher Island) was colonized by both the French and the British, and the two colonial powers continued to fight over the island until it was ultimately ceded to the British with the Treaty of Versailles in 1783.  From tales written in The Pennsylvania Gazette from the time period, often French would take British ships and vice versa.  It seemed to be the ultimate cat and mouse game. On 22 Oct 1757, Jonathan and his sloop and crew were taken captive by the French.  On 25 Oct 1757, the British freed him and his crew.

On 7 May 1761 he was cleared to sail the Sloop Rachel to Newfoundland and returned to Philadelphia on 6 August 1761.

On 29 April 1762 he arrived from Lisbon aboard the Brig Rebecca and Susannah.

On 13 May 1762 he was cleared to sail for Barbados aboard the Brig Rebecca, a ship owned by a Philadelphia merchant by the name of Richard Waln, who called Jonathan his "Respected Friend."  This journey was fraught with danger, as there actually was an embargo on Barbados as a result of Britain's involvement in the Seven Years War with France and the Anglo-Spanish War with Spain (which was a result of the Seven Years War).  Despite the embargo, Waln insisted Jonathan take the unarmed vessel to Barbados anyway with a load of flour, bread, and over 3000 white oak barrels, but also instructed Jonathan to stay in Barbados no more than twenty days.  Jonathan arrived sometime in late June, as by 16 July 1762 he insisted he had to return to Philadelphia, despite the lack of a convoy of ships returning to the colonies and a light load of freight.  A few days out on the return journey, the Rebecca was captured by an armed privateer polacca captained by Joseph Raymond, who was working for the French.  While Raymond took no gear or cargo, he did demand a ransom of 2000 dollars, and took first mate Jonathan Montgomery as hostage.  Jonathan Wood and the Rebecca returned to Philadelphia 19 August 1762, where he was promptly relieved of captaining the vessel by Waln.  (Montgomery remained a captive of the French at Bordeaux for over a year and returned to Philadelphia in November of 1763.)

On 16 December 1762 he was cleared to sail for Antigua aboard the Brig Kensington.  This trip for one reason or another took almost a full year, as he arrived back in Philadelphia on 15 September 1763.

On 6 October 1763 he again was cleared to sail to Barbados on the Brig Rebecca, but he didn't actually make the trip until 16 February 1764.  He returned to Philadelphia on 17 May 1764.

On 31 May 1764 he was listed as part of the outwards and on 7 June 1764, he was cleared to sail for Madeira on the Brig Rebecca.  It is not known when he returned from this trip.

On 28 March 1765, he arrived from Lisbon aboard the Brig Rebecca and Susannah, and on the 18th of April he announced intent to sail to Madeira aboard the same brig.  However, before that trip, he made a quick trip to Barbados upon the Brig Rebecca and Susannah, arriving in Philadelphia on 29 August.  On 12 September, he finally was cleared to sail to Madeira aboard the Brig Rebecca and Susannah.  It is not known when he returned.

On 26 Dec 1765 he announced intent to sail to South Carolina aboard the Sloop Little Betsy and on 8 May 1766 he announced intent to sail to Maryland aboard the Brig Rebecca and Susannah, but it is not known whether he actually made these two trips.

On 21 July 1768, Jonathan was cleared to sail to Monserrat aboard the Schooner Hannah.

On 29 July 1772, he was cleared to sail to New York aboard the Sloop Charlotte.

On 12 May 1773, he was cleared to sail to Tortola aboard the Brig Prince of Wales.

On 30 March 1774, he was cleared to sail to North Carolina aboard the Schooner Nancy.

By 1778, the industry of shipping in Philadelphia was effectively shut down due to the Revolution and also because of British occupation of Philadelphia.  After the Revolution, the West Indies were closed to American ships, and the trade fell on hard times as well.  Perhaps this is why Jonathan decided to change occupations when he did.

There was an article on 27 July 1785, page 3 of The Pennsylvania Gazette which has under the Cleared section, "Sloop Charming Nancy, J. Wood, Maryland," so perhaps Jonathan came back to sail one last time after moving to Hopewell.

Married Life
At some point, Jonathan had married, though no marriage bond or record has been located as of yet.  His wife was a woman by the name of Reumah, whose surname is still unknown, though some Ancestry trees erroneously have given her the surname of Wealth or Wealthy, due to the fact that one biography on her son Abinah stated that she came from a "wealthy family" and as a result, there may have been someone who read that as her having the surname of Wealth or Wealthy.

Reumah's date of birth, like Jonathan's, is unknown, as is her origin. Given that the couple's youngest known child, Mary, was born in 1784, Reumah was likely a good deal younger than Jonathan.  Because her will mentions "a legacy due me from New Orleans," speculation suggests that she came from New Orleans or had family there.  This likely became the basis of the suggestion in the aforementioned biography that she was born of a wealthy French family in Louisiana.  As of this writing however, no research has uncovered a link to New Orleans, but the possibility remains.

Even the spelling of Reumah's first name is speculation.  Her husband, Jonathan Wood spells her name as Reumah in the deed selling his property to Jacob Bryan as well as in his will, but it is also spelled Reuhama by Jonathan Elmer, who was in charge of the probate of the will.  Reumah's own will is recorded with a spelling of Reuhama.  Her name is spelled Rhuma on the quit claim she filed in conjunction to the deed transferring property from son Abinah to John Shepperd.  The deeds David Duffle signed in conjunction with selling the land Reumah had given him list her name as Reumah on one deed and Reuhama on the other.   Because many of her female descendants have the Reumah spelling and Jonathan spelled in as such in his will, it is the preferred spelling currently.  It would seem unlikely that son Abinah would name his daughter after his mother and spell it as Reumah if that was the incorrect way to spell it.  As both the deed and quit claim mentioned previously and her own will state she made her mark of an X while others made their own seal (signature), perhaps the Reuhama spelling of her name was incorrect because it was spelled by someone who did not know and signed by someone acting in her stead?

The couple had at least six children; Benjamin, Joseph, Anne, Hannah, Abinah and Mary, though it is not known where in the birth order all of them were.

Hopewell Township
By 1780, Jonathan had settled on some land in Hopewell Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey.  Again, speculation and knowledge of history suggest that he settled here around the time of the American Revolution, though he could have had the land before that.  Family stories state that son Abinah was born at Hopewell on 7 July 1777 and daughter Mary was born at Hopewell in October 1784.  Daughter Hannah was likely also born here, though her birth date is unknown (the 1830 census enumeration suggests she was born sometime 1771 and 1780).

It is known that he did indeed own land in Hopewell until 24 May 1802, when a deed from Cumberland County was filed selling a parcel of land to Jacob Bryan for $101.  This land was a portion of what Jonathan and Reumah owned and and was made of a stretch of land "beginning at a stone or stake set by the south side of the road that leads to the Baptist Meeting House towards Bridgetown and stands in the line of Joseph Brick's land a is a corner of Nathan Shepphard's land thence running by the same north forty seven degrees and a quarter west twenty perches to a post and a stone set for a corner on the south side of a swamp thence north forty one degrees and forty five minutes east eight perches to a post and stone thence south forty seven degrees east twenty perches by lands to a stone in the said Brick's line thence bounding there on south forty one degrees and three quarters west eight perches to the corner first named containing one acre of land."

The couple kept the remainder of their property.

Death
On 11 July 1802, Jonathan Wood filed a will with Cumberland County, New Jersey.  His will stated: "Item I give and bequeath to my wife Reumah all my personal estate except what is to hereafter given away to her heirs and assigns forever, also the use of the place we now live on, with privilege to get firewood on a lot of wood land near Robert Parmer to her as longs as she remains my widow and no longer. Item I give & bequeath to my son Biney Wood a lot of sedar swamp, my time pice and all my lands is here by given to him his heirs & assigns not not to posses the land as long as my wife remains my widow.  Item I give to my three daughters Ann Jones, Hannah Duffel and Mary Wood five shillings each to them & their heirs and I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my wife Rhuhama executor to this my last will and testament."

On 6 August 1802, an inventory was done on his personal estate by James Sheppard, putting the amount of personal effects after debts at $386.97.  This inventory was signed by his executrix and administrator, Reumah, and witnesses Enoch Sheppard and and Lewis Humphreys (who was son Abinah's father-in-law).  This appraisal suggests that Jonathan died sometime between 11 July and 6 August of that year, likely just a few days after he filed his will.

Reumah continued to live in Hopewell until at least 10 February 1810, when she signed a statement as the relict of Jonathan Wood late of Hopewell and was paid $100 by John Sheppherd to file a quit claim on the land Abinah owned as a result of Jonathan's will, releasing her claim to it as Jonathan's widow.  Abinah and his wife Susannah sold the land to Sheppherd for $360  (roughly equivalent to $5800 in 2018, according to one inflation calculator).  According to the deed, the land was "a tract of land & swamp in the township of Hopewell in the county of Cumberland aforesaid Beginning at a stone being a corner of land late William Mulford, Samuel Walter & Seeley Faithian [?] thence south eighty two degrees west ninety perches to a corner thence south fifteen degrees west forty perches to a small black oak marked for a corner thence south one degree west twenty four rods to a poplar for a corner thence south thirteen degrees east forty three rods to a small black oak for a corner thence north fifty nine degrees east twenty eight rods to a corner being a white oak thence north thirty five degrees east thirteen rods to a corner thence north thirty degrees east eighteen rods to a corner thence north fifty degrees east thirty four rods to a hickory marked for a corner thence north sixty one degrees east twenty eight rods to a corner near the road thence north two degrees west bounding on Samuel Watson forty four perches to the place of the beginning containing forty five acres of land and swamp be the same more of lots which the said Abina Wood became seized by virtue of the last will and testament of his father Jonathan Wood dated [marked blank] reference being there unto had will more fully & at large appear."

Reumah passed away around April of 1825, but her story will be told another day.

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