James Woods (abt.1826-1906) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree

James Woods

Born about 1826 in County Antrim, Ireland

[uncertain]

Son of John Woods and Ann (Unknown) Woods

Brother of Elizabeth Woods

Husband of Mary (Watson) Woods — married 1 Apr 1844 in Raffrey, County Down, Ireland

Descendants

Father of Elizabeth Woods, Samuel Woods, James Woods, Robert Woods, Hugh Woods, John Woods, Matthew Woods, Esther Woods, Francis Ward Woods, William Woods, Thomas Woods, Mary Woods, Joseph Watson Woods and Andrew Russell Woods

Died 2 Sep 1906 at about age 80 in Killinchy, Canterbury, New Zealand,

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Profile last modified 8 Jan 2024 | Created 16 Sep 2013

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Biography

James Woods was born in Ireland.

James was born about 1826 in County Antrim, Ireland. His father was John Woods and his mother Ann Woods. He was christened on the 20th of August 1826 at Aghalee, County Antrim, Ireland. This record can be found on the Family Search Ireland Births & Baptisms 1620-1881 on page 429 of 727.

James married Mary Watson on the 1st of April 1844 at Second Presbyterian Church, Killinchy, County Down, Ireland. This record can be found on the Family Search Ireland Marriages 1619-1898 record. James & Mary's marriage is on page 443 of 553.

On the 2nd of August 1858, the "Indiana" set sail from Gravesend, England. James, Mary & children (Elizabeth, Samuel, James, Robert, Hugh, John, Matthew & Esther) emigrated on this sailing. The Indiana arrived in Lyttelton Harbour on the 23rd of November 1858 [1].

James and Mary had 14 kids in total; Esther was 3 months old when travelling on the Indiana to New Zealand. The remaining children (Francis, William, Thomas, Mary, Joseph & Andrew) were born in New Zealand.

James paid £32 in cash for his families assisted passage and his promissory note for £32 was owed to the company. The cost to the Provincial Government was £72. Their daughter Elizabeth was aged 13 was while sailing and was transferred to single women’s quarters. As was often the case when applying for an assisted passage, it seems that Mary and James could have lowered their ages by about five years. £32 was a large amount of money in that day and suggests that James & Mary could have had some means.

Upon arrival, the family lived in a cottage at 40 Lincoln Road, Halswell, Christchurch. This was rented from Dennis Murphy. James initially worked carting shingle. Sometime after 1963, James & Mary purchased roughly 400 acres on Drain Road, Killinchy. This land only cost 2p an acre. The land was originally Rural Section 5982 & 5984. Record of this can be found on the Canterbury Land Register.

Due to the nature of the land in Ellesmere being very swampy, this led to James and some of his sons being roading contractors. The Woods boys actively pursued roading contracts. Their business, "The Woods Bros" often tendered to open and close Lake Ellesmere. On 24th of April 1901 this is supported by an article in the Star (Christchurch" stating: "The tender of Messrs Woods Bros. for the annual contract of letting out the water from Lake Ellesmere at a price of £100 was accepted". James Woods was a "very keen observer of tides, moon and seasons. Only when the conditions were right did he attempt to open up the lake" - and when they were, no time was ever lost and he had his men, horses and plant right down there. This was supported by an article by Henry Overton in 1930, a long time farmer who knew the area very well.

James's older sons formed "Messrs Woods Bros" to breed stud horses. As well as this, James & his sons readily competed in ploughing competitions. On the 18th of August 1866, James came second in the Class I category of the Templeton Ploughing Match.

Annabella Woods, granddaughter of James & Mary and the 8th child of William Woods & Annabelle McClenaghan said that James was a very kind old man but did enjoy a drink - but he was hard on all of his boys. If any of his sons misbehaved, he put them in the water race running along Drain Road to Lake Ellesmere.

Unfortunately, there was trouble for the Woods family in the 1870s. There was a world wide depression from the 1870s-90s which meant price for farm produce were very down. There were reports of James being a drunk and this coupled with low wages and high unemployment, in 1874, James had no choice but to sell part of the Woods Farm. Initially, James sold Rural Section 5984, 200 acres. This can be seen in the Press, 2nd April 1874. Selling this alone did not improve his finances. In 1887, James sold the remaining land. The Press also shows that James sold two sections in the Doyleston Township - further research on this is needed.

Though still having 2.5 acres and a 4 bedroom house after selling the Woods Farm, James filed for bankruptcy in 1880. James also lost his wife Mary in 1880 to heart failure.

James went to live with his son William and family until he passed away from dropsy on the 2nd of September 1906. In William's residence, James was cared for by his granddaughter Annabella. James was buried at the Ellesmere Public Cemetery, 7th block forward, row back, no.29 from the right, plot 5/448 in an unmarked grave.

Though a sad end to James Woods, it is very clear that James was able to handle horses, was a successful farmer, knew how to led a team and was hard working.

Note: The birth year of James is unclear with sources ranging from 1823-1828. The passenger list from the Indiana in the year 1858 states James was 30 years old when sailing. This would mean James was born in 1827/8. with James Woods being a common name, it is difficult to work out the exact age of this James Woods. But - with records of his baptism in 1826 and the New Zealand death notice stating James was 80 when he passed, it is likely 1826 was his birth year.