Abel Wood (1755 - 1846)

Ancestors Descendants

Biography

Most biographies state that Abel Wood was born 22 December 1755 in Stow, Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay Colony. However, his birth was recorded that May to have been on 27 December 1755 in Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was the son of Nathan Wood (1723–1777) and Rebecca Haynes (1732–1819).^[1]

As a Private in Capt. Elisha Jackson's company, he marched from Westminster to East Hoosuck under the command of Major Bridge, on an alarm to reinforce the Northern army, at Bennington. He was there dismissed.^[2][3]

Abel (24) and Phebe Holden (18) were married on 21 November 1780 in Westminster.^[4]

Their children were:

1. Ezra Wood (1782-1877)^[5]
2. Asaph Wood (1784-1856)^[6]
3. Abel Wood (1786-1851)^[7]
4. Joseph Wood (1788-bef.1850)^[8]
5. Benjamin Franklin Wood (1791-1875)^[9]
6. Phebe (Wood) Weston (1793-1853)^[10]
7. Betsey (Wood) Miller (1795-1826)^[11]
8. Abraham Wood (1798-1859)^[12]
9. Myra (Wood) Allen (1800-1831)^[13]

Abel was one of the most prominent men in Westminster in his time. Like many other of the Wood family, he was an excellent singer and taught the first singing school in the town. He held for many years the most important offices and went as representative to the General Convention for four successive terms. In 1805 he received a commission as justice of the peace. He served in the Fourth Massachusetts regiment, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1802. He was promoted to Colonel at the start of the War of 1812.^[14]

Abel died on 22 March 1846 in Westminster, Massachusetts, United States, aged 90. He was interred in the Woodside Cemetery in Westminster.^[15][16]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth: "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, citing Birth, , Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Boston; FHL microfilm 007011588, FamilySearch Record: QG12-4515 (accessed 1 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-8979-X9XN Image number 00213, Abel Wood born on 27 Dec 1755 in Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States.
2. ↑ Military: "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, citing Military Service, , Citing various published state rosters, United States; FHL microfilm 101711096, FamilySearch Record: QG2M-QNDC (accessed 1 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CS3Q-C3GG-9 Image number 00713, Name: Abel Wood; Military Service Date: 22 Aug 1777; Mil Rank: Private; Mil Regiment: Capt Elisha Jackson's Co; Mil Status: 10 days; Id: 470145; Event Place Year Range: 177-1983; Source Reference: Massachusetts. Secretary of the Commonwealth. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War Boston, Massachusetts : Wright & Potter, 1896-1908.
3. ↑ Military: "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, citing Military Service, , Citing various published state rosters, United States; FHL microfilm 101711096, FamilySearch Record: QG2M-9VXL (accessed 1 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CS3Q-C3V2-2 Image number 00714, Name: Abel Wood; Military Service Date: 22 Sep 1777; Mil Regiment: Maj Bridge; Id: 478978; Event Place Year Range: 177-1983; Source Reference: Massachusetts. Secretary of the Commonwealth. Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War Boston, Massachusetts : Wright & Potter, 1896-1908.
4. ↑ Marriage: "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, citing Marriage, Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Boston; FHL microfilm 007009551, FamilySearch Record: QPZ6-7655 (accessed 1 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-897M-B9NQ Image number 00049, Abel Wood marriage to Phebe Holden on 21 Nov 1780 in Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States.
5. ↑ Birth of son Ezra Wood: "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, citing FHL microfilm: 873751, FamilySearch Record: VQ6C-9QL (accessed 1 May 2023), Ezra Wood born to Abel Wood on 18 Jul 1782 in Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States.
6. ↑ Birth of son Asaph Wood: "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, citing FHL microfilm: 873751, FamilySearch Record: VQ6C-3R9 (accessed 1 May 2023), Asaph Wood born to Abel Wood on 14 May 1784 in Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States.
7. ↑ Birth of son Abel Wood: "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, citing FHL microfilm: 873751, FamilySearch Record: VQ6C-M3D (accessed 1 May 2023), Abel Wood born to Abel Wood on 4 Apr 1786 in Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States.
8. ↑ Birth of son Joseph Wood: "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, citing FHL microfilm: 873751, FamilySearch Record: VQ6C-QH3 (accessed 1 May 2023), Joseph Wood born to Abel Wood on 25 Nov 1788 in Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States.
9. ↑ Birth of son Benjamin Franklin Wood: "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, citing FHL microfilm: 873751, FamilySearch Record: VQ6C-SZ7 (accessed 1 May 2023), Benjamin Franklin Wood born to Abel Wood on 1 Mar 1791 in Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States.
10. ↑ Birth of daughter Phebe Wood: "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, citing FHL microfilm: 873751, FamilySearch Record: VQ6H-Q56 (accessed 1 May 2023), Phebe Wood born to Abel Wood on 24 Jun 1793 in Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States.
11. ↑ Birth of daughter Bettsy Wood: "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, citing FHL microfilm: 873751, FamilySearch Record: VQ64-11M (accessed 1 May 2023), Bettsy Wood born to Abel Wood on 3 Dec 1795 in Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States.
12. ↑ Birth of son Abraham Wood: "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, citing FHL microfilm: 873751, FamilySearch Record: VQ6C-325 (accessed 1 May 2023), Abraham Wood born to Abel Wood on 16 Aug 1798 in Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States.
13. ↑ Birth of daughter Mira Wood: "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915," database, citing FHL microfilm: 873751, FamilySearch Record: VQ6H-9QV (accessed 1 May 2023), Mira Wood born to Abel Wood on 7 Dec 1800 in Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States.
14. ↑ Family History: Holmes, Descendants of William Wood,, page 32.
15. ↑ Death: "Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001," database with images, citing Death, , Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Boston; FHL microfilm 007011588, FamilySearch Record: QG12-M8BF (accessed 1 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-8979-XD5 Image number 00509, Abel Wood death 22 Mar 1846 (age 90), son of Nathan Wood & Rebecca Wood, in Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States.
16. ↑ Memorial: "Find a Grave," database with images, Find A Grave: Memorial #167652959 (accessed 1 May 2023), Memorial page for Abel Wood (22 Dec 1755-23 Mar 1846), citing Woodside Cemetery, Westminster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA; Maintained by Ken Smith (contributor 46985536).

• Revolutionary War Military Service Index Cards:

• "Massachusetts, Revolutionary War, Index Cards to Muster Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, citing Military Service, Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial America, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 2,056,234, FamilySearch Record: Q2R4-ZBJ4 (accessed 1 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSQZ-V3GT-T Image number 01865, Name: Abel Wood; Military Service Date: 22 Aug 1777; Military Service Place: Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial America; Mil Rank: Private; Event Place Sup: Massachusetts; Event Place Type Groups: 27; Event Place Year Range: 1701-1978.
• "Massachusetts, Revolutionary War, Index Cards to Muster Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, citing Military Service, Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial America, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 2,056,234, FamilySearch Record: Q2R4-NTQG (accessed 1 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSQZ-V32K-9 Image number 01864, Name: Abel Wood; Military Service Date: 22 Aug 1777; Military Service Place: Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial America; Mil Rank: Private; Event Place Sup: Massachusetts; Event Place Type Groups: 27; Event Place Year Range: 1701-1978.
• "Massachusetts, Revolutionary War, Index Cards to Muster Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, citing Military Service, Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial America, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 2,056,234, FamilySearch Record: Q2R4-ZBK6 (accessed 1 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSQZ-V32V-G Image number 01866, Name: Abel Wood; Military Service Date: 22 Sep 1777; Military Service Place: Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial America; Mil Rank: Private; Event Place Sup: Massachusetts; Event Place Type Groups: 27; Event Place Year Range: 1701-1978.
• "Massachusetts, Revolutionary War, Index Cards to Muster Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, citing Military Service, Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial America, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 2,056,234, FamilySearch Record: Q2R4-J48W (accessed 1 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSQZ-V3PY-P Image number 01867, Name: Abill Wood; Military Service Date: 22 Sep 1777; Military Service Place: Massachusetts Bay, British Colonial America; Mil Rank: Private; Event Place Sup: Massachusetts; Event Place Type Groups: 27; Event Place Year Range: 1701-1978.

• Military Pension: "United States Revolutionary War Pension Payment Ledgers, 1818-1872," database with images, citing Massachusetts, United States, NARA microfilm publication T718 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1962), roll 7; FHL microfilm 1,319,387, FamilySearch Record: Q24Q-L4V6 (accessed 1 May 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L9WB-95SY Image number 00159, Name: Abel Wood; Military Service Date: 04 Mar 1831; Military Service Place: Massachusetts, United States; Death Date: 23 Mar 1846; Event Place Sup: 7-vol G Revolutionary War pensioners; Event Place Year Range: 1802-1949.

• Holmes, Clayton Wood. A Genealogy of the Lineal Descendants of William Wood Who Settled in Concord Mass., in 1638 (Elmira, N.Y, 1901)