Wood of Virginia

Robert Wood was born ca 1590 in Yorkshire, England. He was named as the father of Major-General Abraham Wood of Petersburg, Virginia when Abraham was christened on 10/13/1611 in St. Katherine by the Tower, London England. Abraham married 1632 in Elland, Yorkshire, England, Margaret Wood. He died 1682 in Charles City County, Virginia.

Abraham wood came to Virginia in 1620, a little boy aged ten years, in the ship Margaret and John commanded by Capt. Anthony Chester. On the voyage over the sea the vessel had to fight off two Spanish men-o-war and it was during this battle that the surgeon-general of Virginia, Dr. Lewis Bohun, was killed. In 1625 Abraham Wood was found to be residing in Jamestown in the employ of Captain Samuel Mathews. He became very active in the politics of the colony, was a Member of the House of Burgesses, of the 1671 Council and he was one of four majors commanding the military establishment in Virginia.

Abraham Wood was a fur trader (beaver and deerskins) and explorer of Virginia. He was made Colonel and General of Fort Henry which was built in 1646 at the falls of the Appomattox in Petersburg to protect the colonist against the Indians. Wood owned the adjoining lands to the fort. In 1645 he was made commander of Ft. Henry (now in Petersburg). On 6/1/1655 Major Abraham Wood made an agreement to pay Bristol Parish tobacco which was witnessed by Henry Randolph and Peter Jones. Charles City Records, 1655-1666, page 103. In 1650 he explored the upper reaches of the James River and Roanoke River. In 1658 he was Colonel of the Militia at Charles City and Henrico Counties. The land at Ft. Henry, together with all of the houses, boats and ammunition was granted to Capt. Wood upon the condition that he keep a garrison there for the defense of the colony. In 1671 he sent out an exploring team of Thomas Batte and Richard Fallam who reached the New River Valley and the New River which was named Wood's River after Abraham Wood (later called New River). Two years later he sent James Needham and his servant Gabriel Arthur on an expedition to find an outlet to the Pacific Ocean. In 1680, General Wood negotiated a treaty with the Indians for which the Governor praised him. This meant that in 1676 garrisons were placed in forts along the frontier.

“Captain Peter Jones have ye conduct and command of ye particular company belonging to Coll. Abraham Wood and certify the same and he have power to command as it is or shall be directed by the laws of ye Country or by ye Collonell." Charles City County Records 1655-1666.”

“By the Governor and Capt. Generall of Virginia, to all whom these shall concerne, Know ye that I, Francis Moryson, Esq. Governor and Capt. Genall of Virginia have authorized and empowered Coll. Abraham Wood, Lt. Coll. Thomas Drewe, Major William Harris, Capt. John Epes, Capt. William Farrar, Capt. Peter Jones, Capt. Edd. Hill Jr. and Capt. Francis Gray to be Commanders of ye Regiment of the Trayned lands in the counties of Henrico and Charles City, and Capt. Thomas Stegge to be Commander of the horse listed in the troope to be raised in the said Counties for the exervise of which power according to the order made at a meeting of the Councill at James City ye 12th of June last this shall be their sufficient power and warrant until a formal and full Comicon be granted to them particularly. Given the fourth of July 1661. Charles City County Records, 1655-1666. ”

At a meeting of the Militia of Westover on 12 July 1661, Colonel Abraham Wood ordered that the companies be apportioned and distinguished as follows�.Capt. Peter Jones his companie to be from ye Cittie Creeke to ye falls of Appomattox river on the South side, and from Powells Creeke to the said falls on the North side

Prince George County, Virginia Deeds, page 962. “Henry Ally of Prince George County sold to Abraham Ally land in Bristol Parish, land on Thomas Run, 100 acres, which land was by the Last Will and Testament of Major General Wood devised.”

Issue of Abraham and Margaret Wood:

Margaret Wood, born 1638 in Henrico County, died 1718 in Henrico County, married 1664 in Surry County, Virginia, Major Peter Jones.
Abraham Wood, born 1640.
Mary Wood, born 1646 in Charles City County, died before 1708 in Malvern Hill, Henrico County, married John Bly.

Old Fort Henry, near Petersburg and Abraham Wood