James Riddall WOOD (Progenitor) born abt 1798 Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, UK. – died 7 Apr 1853 Cotton Lands, Verulam, Victoria County, Natal, South Africa.  First married on 27 Dec 1826 in Mansfield, Nottingham, England to Hannah Healey WEAVER born abt 1805 – died before June 1836. Hannah was the daughter of the Rev. Robert Weaver.

James’ second marriage on 30 May 1836 in Liverpool, Lancashire was to Mary Haygarth born 1817 Liverpool, Lancashire – died 2 Oct 1885 Durban, Nata, buried West Street Cemetery Durbanl. Mary was the daughter of Richard HAYGARTH and Ann WILLIAMSON of Liverpool.

James together with his family and three of his late brother’s, (Peter) children, emigrated from England under the auspices of J.C. Byrne Settler Scheme aboard the KING WILLIAM which sailed from London/Plymouth on 20 October 1849 and arrived at Port Natal (Durban), South Africa on 22 January 1850.

CHILDREN:

b1: John Medley born 1 Dec1827 Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, Eng., christened 25 Jan 1828 Independent Chapel, Mansfield, Nottingham, England - died 26 Aug 1915 Durban, Natal. Arrived in Natal on 4 May 1852 aboard the ‘Jane Morris’ (or 14 May 1852 Jane Maurice – Natal Witness passenger lists.) He married in Verulam, Natal on 8 May 1855 to Elizabeth Haygarth, the younger sister of his stepmother. Elizabeth died 10 Sept 1912 at the Botanical gardens, Durban. John Medley and Elizabeth are buried in the family grave in the West Street Cemetery, Durban.

Their marriage was childless, but they adopted two sons and a daughter. 

b2: James Weaver born 8 May 1829 Nottinghamshire christened 16 June 1929 Grosvenor Street Chapel Piccadilly formerly Cannon Manchester Independent, Manchester, Lancashire, England – died 9 Feb 1886 Verulam, Natal aged 56 years.) Buried in Old Verulam Settler’s Cemetery, Verulam, Natal. Married 21 Jan 1860 to his cousin, Eliza Priscilla WOOD daughter of Peter WOOD and Anne Maria PONT.

CHILDREN:

c1: John William WOOD born 23 Nov 1860 christened 10 May 1861 Methodist, Verulam..

c2: Joseph Haygarth WOOD born abt 1862 Tongaat, Natal – died 16 March 1890 at the premises of Mr Wilson in Dundee, Natal.

c3: Alice Mary WOOD (Also have her as Mary Ann) born June 1864 – died 1931 Buried Old Verulam Settler's Cemetery, Verulam, Natal, RSA. Married 6 March 1907 Durban to Cecil Thomas Barnes

 c4: James Weaver WOOD born July 1865 in Tongaat, Natal - died 9 March 1946 at Kangela St, Eshowe, Natal. Married 20 May 1896 Umhlatuzi, Natal to Latezer Classina WILSON (Nettie) born abt Aug 1875 British Kaffraria - died 3 Apr 1908 at home at Mabilwana Farm, near Gingindhlovu, Mtunzini. 4 Children

c6: Eliza Priscilla WOOD born Oct 1867 – died 27 Aug 1948 Entabeni Nursing Home, Durban, Natal. Married 10 Oct 1894 in Verulam, to Walter Jacques HAYGARTH born Durban – died 1950 Natal.

CHILDREN:

d1: Madeline Lyla HAYGARTH born 2 Jan 1901 Baptized in Howick on 12 Dec 1901 by minister J. B. TURNER, “baptized in emergency”
d2: Eileen Josephine HAYGARTH married to Gameliel SUTCLIFFE
d3: Phyllis Mary HAYGARTH

c7: Frank Foster WOOD born Oct 1869 - died 1871 Infant son. Buried Old Verulam Settler's Cemetery, Verulam, Natal.

b3: Mary Weaver born 22 Jan 1831 Manchester, Lancashire – died 1923 South Africa. Married 12 March 1855 in Verulam or Durban to Samuel HILL born abt 1932.

b4: Margaret born 20 July 1832 Manchester, Lancashire – died 11 Dec 1913 Durban, Natal. First married 31 Jan 1861 in Durban to Mark Johnston McKEN died on April 20 1872, Margaret remarried Jan 1879 in Durban, Natal to James Catterall

CHILDREN:

c1: Agnes Mary McKEN  born abt Feb 1862 – died 5 July 1901 at home at Florida Rd, Durban. Married at St Thomas Church, Durban to William Davenport HAYGARTH son of Joseph Williamson HAYGARTH and Martha Davenport.5 Children

c2: Mark Johnston McKEN born abt Apr 1863 in Natal - died 18 Oct 1918 in Harrismith, Free State. Mark never married.

c3: Frank Healey McKEN born abt 1864 Durban, Natal – he died 6 Jan 1946 Vryheid Hospital, Natal. Frank never married.

c4: Eliza McKEN born abt 1865 Durban, Natal - died 12 Oct 1933 Sanatorium, Chelmsford Rd, Durban, Natal.. Eliza never married.

c5: James Riddall Wood McKEN born Feb 1867 Durban, Natal – died 9 Dec 1919 Sanatorium, Durban.. He never married.

c6: Edith Margaret McKEN born 1871 Durban, Natal - died 3 Feb 1950 Sanatorium, Durban, Natal. Married in Durban to William Southcote BULLEY born 1865 England - died 3 Dec 1930 at Sanatorium, Durban, Natal. 3 Children

b5: Peter William born Mar 1834 – died Jan 1835

CHILDREN:

b6: William born Oct 1837 Manchester, Lancashire – died 15 Jan 1858 Durban, Natal (Shelagh Spencer has him as Peter William but the 1841 census and ship passenger lists have him as William only)

b7: Robert Weaver born 12 March 1839 15 Brook St, Hulme Chorlton, Lancashire - died 17 Nov 1919 at home at 6 Sutton Crescent, Stamford Hill, Durban, Natal. Firstly married 12 Mar 1860 in Durban, Natal to Rosa MORRIS born 1841 Grahamstown – died Oct 1874 Durban, Natal. Rosa was the daughter of James Morris and Elizabeth KING. Elizabeth was the daughter of Joseph and Ann KING - 1820 Settlers who arrived with the Bradshaw’s Party - aboard the "Hennersley Castle.

Robert’s second marriage on 29 Nov 1882 in Verulam, Natal was to Elizabeth MUNKS born Dec 1853 Peterborough, England – she died 5 Oct 1929 at 237 Florida Rd, Durban, Natal

CHILDREN:

c1: William Ernest WOOD

c2: Arthur Henry WOOD born abt Nov 1865 Blackburn Estate, near Verulam, Natal – died 8 Apr 1930 at home at 20 Enfield Rd, Durban, Natal. Married Mary Ann van der BERG born 29 July 1873 Cape – died 30 May 1958 Natal.

Arthur and Mary had issue: 5 Children

c3: Ada Mary WOOD born 1870 – died 4 Oct 1932 Durban, Natal.  Married 30 Dec 1896 Trinity Wesleyan Church, Bloemfontein to Eugene John (jan) Baptiste Brentot born 1868 France – died 19 Feb 1898 Volks Hospital, Bloemfontein. Ada Mary re-married 18 Oct 1898 Verulam to John William Blewitt van den BERG. No children

c4: Herbert Robert WOOD born abt  Sept 1869 in Durban – died 21 Dec 1957 Addington Hospital, Durban. Married in Durban, Natal to May Victoria van den BERG born 24 May 1883 Cape – died 16 Nov 1959 Natal.

Herbert and May had issue:4 Children

c5: Samuel Marsh WOOD born abt 1872 – died 13 Feb 1910 Addington Hospital, Durban, Natal Death Notice has Samuel Mark WOOD. He never married

c6: John Haygarth WOOD – died before Nov 1919

Robert and Elizabeth had issue:

c8: Richard Guy WOOD born 29 Sept 1871 Verulam, Natal (“The Natal Witness” Friday 6 Oct 1871) – died before Nov 1919.

c9: Horace James Wood born 3 Jan 1885, Verulam, Natal - died 8 March 1948 Durban, Natal. Second son of Robert Weaver WOOD – he is the second son from Robert’s second marriage. Married at Dewdrop, Ladysmith, Natal 23 March 1922 to Francis Christina Leathern daughter of William Leathern of Clydesdale, Dewdrop, Ladysmith, Natal.

Horace James Wood and Francis Christina Leathern had issue: 2 Children

c10: Leonard Munks WOOD born abt 1886 - died 16 Apr 1954 Nairobi, Kenya. Married Mary Jane ENGLISH born 1894 in Cumberland, England – died Mala Carberry Nursing Home, Nairobi, Kenya.

Leonard and Mary Jane had no issue.

c11: Harry Joseph WOOD born abt 1888 Verulam - died 6 Oct 1949 Parklands Nursing Home, Durban, Natal. Married in Durban to Wilfred Marion SMEAL born abt 1895 in Verulam – died 5 Oct 1954 Natal.

Harry and Winifred had issue: 2 Children

c12: Dorothy Isabella WOOD born 29 July 1890 in Verulam, Natal – died 23 Oct 1962 Addington Hospital, Durban, Natal.. Dorothy was a spinster.

b8:  Thomas born Sept 1840 Manchester, Lancashire, England – died 29 May 1854. Aged 14 years old.

b9:  Isabella born June 1843 Manchester, Lancashire, England - died 26 Apr 1867 Mt Moreland, Natal. Aged 24. Buried Old Verulam Settler's Cemetery, Verulam, Natal. Never Married.

b10:  Alice born June 1843, christened 23 Apr 1848  Saint Luke Chorlton Upon Medlock, Manchester, Lancashire, England – died May 1854 Pietermaritzburg, Natal. Aged 11 years old.

b11: Richard born July 1845 Manchester, Lancashire, England – died Dec 1850 Durban, Natal. Aged 5 years old.

b12: Elizabeth born Feb 1847, christened 23 Apr 1848 Saint Luke Chorlton Upon Medlock, Manchester,  Lancashire, England – died 7 Dec 1849 at sea en route to South Africa

b13: Anne Williamson born July 1849 – died 23 May 1854 Victoria Co, Natal. Aged 6 years old..

b14: Richard Haygarth born May 1851 Durban – died 15 Jan 1900 Durban. Married 12 Nov 1880 in Richmond, Natal to Adelaide Maria RIDLEY born abt 1862 Dublin – died 6 Nov 1942 Pietermaritzburg daughter of William RIDLEY. Richard is buried in the family grave in the West Street Cemetery, Durban.

CHILDREN:

c1: Robert James Riddall WOOD born 19 March 1887 and christened 13 June 1887 Umlaas Drift, Natal – died 2 Dec 1927Addington Hospital Durban. Married 7 Apr 1927 Kokstad, Natal to Iva Anne VERNON.2 Children

c2: Ruben Ridley WOOD born 6 Nov 1884 christened 27 Jan 1885 Durban, Natal – died 6 June 1949 Grey’s Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, Natal. Married 16 Aug 1927 to Ethel Daisy SMITH divorced 1943. Reuben and Ethel had no children.

b15: Elizabeth (Bessie) born July 1853 Victoria Co, Natal. Married 24 May 1886 in Durban to James PEGLER born abt 1860

Sources with many thanks to:

Andrew Love
IGI
South African Archives (NAAIRS)
Familytree.co.za
Genealogy World
Free BDM UK
Ancestry co UK - 1841 census
British Genealogy - Lancashire and Nottinghamshire
Rootsweb Lancs (Ashton-under-lyne)
Rootsweb Archives South Africa and British immigrants –Tessa King, Ellen Stanton, Bernie Cramer
Natal Marriages - Ellen Stanton
The Natal Witness
David Bradbury Newspaper Extracts - Nottinghamshire
Pigots and Slater Trade Directories
British Settlers in South Africa 1824 – 1857 by Shelagh Spencer
Shelagh Spencer
Sheila Clark
Tessa King
Rosemay Dixon-Smith
Nolene Lossau
Pam Barnes
Janet Booth