Thomas Wood (1626-1699) of Woodend

Thomas was baptised in 1626 but without a name being recorded. His father described him as his eldest son in his 1652 will, and he was then a bondsman (being described as Thomas Wood junior of Woodend). He owed John Bowman of Scallow in his 1666 inventory (when described as Thomas Wood younger of Woodend). His uncle Thomas Wood described him in 1666 as 'cousin' (corrected in the inventory to nephew) and forgave him his £12 debt. His uncle also mentioned that Thomas then had sons Henry and George. In 1676, he was administrator for the two adult children of his uncle Thomas Robertson of Wath -  his uncle then moving to Millgillhead. In his 1681 will, Thomas Robertson of Millgillhead described him as 'son Thomas of my sister Elizabeth Wood'; and he was one of the bondsmen with his cousin Isaac.

His marriage wasn't recorded - this would have taken place in 1660/2 when the register wasn't being maintained (he had two children by 1666). His widow in 1699 was named Elizabeth, and there is no reason to suppose that she wasn't the mother of his children. Her mark looks like a 'D' or 'P', which could suggest a Dickinson or a Peile. They had children: Henry, George, John, Joseph and Mary.

His will is dated 07-01-1698/9. The inventory was taken 19-09-1699. The bond is dated 04-11-1699.

He appointed his wife Elizabeth as his executor. The witnesses to the will were: Thomas Dickinson [1653-1699, of Woodend, who died two months later in November], Lancelot Dickinson [1626-1703, of Woodend] and John Dickinson. They all signed, including Thomas.

The prizers of the inventory were: George Branthwaite [1633-1701, of Whinnah], Henry Wood [-1702, of Redhow], Henry Wood [his son, -1730, of Woodend], and Henry Wood [1655-1731, of Murton Hole]. The inventory was valued at only £63 10s 3d - and the farm chattels at only £23 10s 3d.

The bondsmen were:  Peter Peile, mariner, of Whitehaven [his son-in-law] and Henry Wood of Lamplugh. Elizabeth and Peter marked, Henry signed. At time of writing, I don't have a photocopy available to identify the signature.

It rather looks as though Thomas had retired by 1699. The small farm valuation suggests that the rest had already been handed over to his son Henry, or temporarily mortgaged to raise funds for child portions. He clearly from his will had already provided for John and George, as he only gave them 1s each. Similarly for Henry. Joseph was given £10 - which was presumably the same as for the others. His married daughter Mary was given 5s.

It is entirely possible that the estate had been impoverished by Thomas Wood (-1666) of Woodend making George Wood of Millgillhead his main heir.

His widow Elizabeth made her will 02-04-1712. She was buried 05-04-1712 and the inventory taken 09-04-1712. The probate bond is dated 17-05-1712.

She appointed her daughter Mary as her sole executrix. The witnesses were John Dickinson, Dorothy Wood, and John Dickinson jun.. Elizabeth marked, the others signed. The prizers of the inventory were: John Dickinson and Christopher Fearon. The bondsmen were: Peter Peile of Whitehaven [-1732, her son-in-law, husband of the executrix], John Dickinson of Streetgate, and Henry Johnson of Whitehaven. Peter Peile marked. The other bondsmen signed. My notes don't show whether Mary marked or signed, and I don't currently have access to the document to check.

She made a number of bequests in her will, mainly though not wholly to relatives. All the beneficiaries were female. Details have been inserted elsewhere where appropriate.

Children

Henry Wood (-1730) of Woodend

Henry inherited Woodend. He married 16-06-1696 in Ennerdale to Frances Towerson of Meerbeck in Ennerdale. They had children:  Mary (14-03-1697), Elizabeth (03-03-1700), Sarah (1603-1703), Deborah (28-04-1706) and Abigail (13-03-1707). All dates are baptisms, the first in Ennerdale, the rest in Lamplugh. All March/April.

George Wood (-1718) of St Dunstan, Middlesex

George was a joiner.

He was mentioned as child of his father Thomas in the 1666 will of his great-uncle Thomas Wood of Woodend, who gave him 10/-. He was a half-a-crown beneficiary in the 1706 will of his uncle, Henry Wood of Kelton Head.

He was given 1s in his father's 1699 will. His mother doesn't mention him at all in 1712 - but she only made bequests to women.

I haven't seen his will, nor the court case, but they would seem to imply together that he was a bachelor.

John Wood (-post-1706)

John wasn't yet born when his great uncle made his will in 1666. He was given 1s in the 1699 will of his father. This implies that he had already received his portion. He received 2s 6d in the 1706 will of his uncle, Henry Wood of Kelton Head. He wasn't mentioned in his mother's 1712 will. This implies nothing more than that he didn't have a daughter.

Joseph Wood (-pre-1712)

Joseph wasn't yet born when his great uncle made his will in 1666. He was given £10 in the 1699 will of his father. His mother in her 1712 will described him as deceased, and gave £20 to his daughter Elizabeth. Joseph's widow Jane Wood already held £11 of that and a further £9 was to be given by her executrix when Elizabeth reached the age of 21.

Mary Peile (-post-1732) of Whitehaven

Mary married Peter Peile of St Bees 21-10-1697 in Lamplugh. They were not mentioned in the 1699 will of her father. Mary was appointed executrix in her mother's 1712 will.

Peter wrote his will 06-12-1718 'Considering as reel the Perils and Dangers of the Seas', when he described himself as a mariner of Whitehaven - and died in 1732. He appointed Mary his executrix, and she was described as his widow in 1732, when she signed. He only mentions one child in his will:  Peter [his heir, and also of Whitehaven in 1732 - a strong confident signature].