Rushden Research Group: John & Ann Wood of the Waggon & Horses

John & Ann Wood

John Wood


Ann Wood	Ann's father James Fensom

John Wood married Ann (Hannah) Fensom (born at Wilden BDF), on 26th December 1859 at St Mary's Church. In 1861 John Wood was a brick maker and his wife was a 'waiter' at the Coach and Horses. Ann must have learned the trade well, and they took on the Waggon and Horses where Ann's catering was highly appreciated by their customers.

Their first child William John was born in 1869 and a second son Walter in 1873. By 1881 Sarah Cope, who also came from Wilden, was a servant to them, and they had one boarder, Richard Johnson.

In 1882 John took out a mortgage to purchase land from the Duchy of Lancaster on the west side of Duck Street, and it was on this piece of ground that his son William John (baptised 20th June 1869), now a carpenter and joiner, built his family home at 22 Fitzwilliam Street, which had an orchard adjoining into Duck Street.

John died in 1891 aged 58, and Hannah died in 1910 aged 73. They are buried in Rushden cemetery grave B925/6.

Their son William married Ellen Wells Miller (born 1873, daughter of Frederick Miller and Mary), in 1889. (Note: Fred Miller was son of William Miller, landlord at the Griffin Inn, Higham Ferrers).

William and Ellen had six children; William John born 30th May 1890, Lily 23rd April 1892, Amy 11th December 1895, Thomas Henry (Harry) 7th December 1898, Annie 23rd April 1901 and Edward George 16th September 1907. [William John junior died in 1977.]

William John senior died in 1936 and Ellen died in 1944. They are buried in Rushden Cemetery grave F 804.

F 804 : Treasured memories of William John beloved husband of
Ellen Wells WOOD who died Nov 23 1936 aged 67 years. Also of
Ellen Wells WOOD who died Mar 23 1944 aged 72 years. Reunited.

The house built in 1892 in Fitzwilliam Street by William Wood. Called 'Grape-Vine Cottage' it has a plaque with date above the windows.

In 1925 William bought the adjoining property from Mr Sidney Chettle.

Walter married Sarah Ann Knibbs at St Mary's Church in 1891, and a daughter Elizabeth Mary Ann was baptised there in 1892 and two years later a son Walter John Thomas. Soon afterwards Walter and his family emigrated to Australia. Walter John Thomas Wood returned to England when the First World War began, and joined the 'Steelbacks'. He was captured early in the war, and he spent the rest of the war as a prisoner.

Taken from a 1920 photo of the Athletic Club's Fanciers Society
W J Wood, sen, and W J Wood, jun.

Rushden Echo, 3rd June 1927, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden People in Australia
Son’s marriage to Colonial Girl – A Pretty Wedding

St Andrew’s Church, Sunner Hill, New South Wales, Australia, was the scene of a pretty wedding on March 5th, when Miss Thelma Lincoln, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Lincoln, of Como, Sunner Hill, was married to Mr Fred Wood, youngest son of Mr and Mrs Walter Wood, of Grange Farm, Kingswood, late of Rushden. The bride, who entered the church on the arm of her father, wore a frock of white crepe-de-chine and pink georgette embroidered with pearls, a mob cap wreathed with silver leaves and orange-blossom, and an embroidered tulle veil. A sheaf bouquet of tuber roses, bonvardias, and dahlias completed the ensemble.

Miss Yvonne Benson, cousin of the bride, was bridesmaid, and she wore a frock of crab-apple-pink georgette trimmed with hand-made roses, and a tulle headdress to match. She carried a sheaf bouquet in a tone of pink. Mr B Wood supported his brother as best man. During the signing of the register Miss Leake sang “Because.”

After the reception, which was held at Syolonor, Earlwood, the residence of the bride’s sister, the happy couple left by car for Katoombar and Jeylan Caves, where the honeymoon was spent. The bride travelled in a frock of amethyst marocaine and a white taffeta hat. The presents were both numerous and costly and included many cheques. Both bride and bridegroom are very popular in the district.

Their grandson Harry Wood

Their grandson Ted Wood

Their great grandson Clive Wood