Mark Red Wood
b. 1 December 1794, d. circa August 1818
- Father: Solomon Wood b. 6 April 1756, d. 17 August 1815
- Mother: Elizabeth Eason b. 28 December 1752, d. 21 March 1826
- Mark Red Wood was born on 1 December 1794 in Washington (later Jefferson) County, Georgia.
- He married Rhoda Fort, daughter of Owen Fort and Elizabeth Moorman, on 1 June 1813 in Jefferson County, Georgia, by license issued 22 May, with Aaron Law officiating.
- On 31 December 1816, Mark Red Wood signed the following will: State of Georgia, County of Jeferson.
I, Mark Red Wood, of the County and State aforesaid, being of sound and disposing mind and memory but aware that it is appointed of all men to die, do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament, I commit my soul to Almighty God.
I give to my wife, Rhoda Wood, the following property to wit: one negro girl, named Petty, about twelve years of age, one bed and furniture to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my beloved nephew, Red Agustus Mitchell, Five Hundred Dollars. I give and bequeath to my beloved nephew, Red Allen, Five Hundred Dollars and I wish my executors hereinafter named to pay the aforesaid sums to my two nephews, Red Agustus Mitchell and Red Allen.
I will and bequeath all my property both real and personal, in possession or in action to my brothers, Green and John White Wood, and to my sisters, Nancy Allen, formerly Nancy Wood, and Polly Mitchell, formerly Polly Wood, and to Elizabeth Mitchell, formerly Elizabeth Wood, and to their heirs forever, share and share alike. It is also my wish that on the event of either of my brothers or sisters departing this life anterior to my death, that then and in that case the parts or portions allotted to them be given to their children and that in the division of my property, they or their guardian or guardians represent their deceased parrents and for him or them to receive their portions. Then I hereby appoint my beloved brother Green Wood, and my trusty friend, Eason Allen, my executors to carry into effect this my last will and testament.
In testimony whereof I hereunto attach my name and affix my seal this the 31st day of December, 1816.
Signed and sealed in the presence of witnesses who did each sign and subscribe to each others presence. (signed) Red Mark Wood. Witnesses: M. G. Bostick, T. M. Berrien, Aaron Low, J. I. C. - Mark Red Wood died circa August 1818 in Laurens County, Georgia.
- The following appeared on 18 August 1818 in the Georgia Journal: Died, recently Mr. Mark R. Wood and Mr. John White Wood, both citizens of Jefferson county; the former in Laurens county, the latter at his place of residence. They were the youngest sons of Gen'l Solomon Wood, and appeared to have inherited those virtuous tracts, and inestimable qualities, that so eminently characterised him. They were public spirited, generous and patriotic--their arms were nerved for the defence of their country, and prompt for the vindication of its rights--their spirits obsequious to the public voice, and their interest subservient to the public good. In the walks of private life, in which they were destined to move, they were distinguished for their many social virtues, and admired and esteemed by all who knew them. They have left respectable relatives, who are alive to the emotions of sorrow for their untimely exit, and friends and acquaintances, who, while they duly appreciate their worth, sincerely regret the bereavement of it.
- On 27 November 1805, Solomon Wood signed the following will:
In the name of God, Amen. I, Solomon Wood, being of good health and sound memory at present, thanks be to God for it, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, and also that it is every man’s duty to settle his affairs, do make, constitute and appoint this to be my last will and testament, that is to say, first I will bequeath my body to the dust and my soul to God, Who gave it, in hopes that He who formed me will have mercy on me.
Secondly:- I will and bequeath to my beloved wife, Elizabeth, six negroes to be her choice that are not named in my will, four horses and they to be her choice of all my stock, fifteen cows and calves, one yoke of steers and six steers for beef and all the hogs, sheep and geese.
Six feather beds and furniture, including all household furniture to be hers forever and at her disposal with the plantation whereon I now live, with the tools belonging thereto to be hers during her natural life, also my stage wagon.
Thirdly:- I will bequeath to my daughter, Elizabeth, four negroes, to wit:- Black Jenny; Cuffy, a fellow; Rachel, a girl mulatto and Delilah. One horse, bridle and saddle with one hundred and fifty dollars, ten cows and calves, one feather bed and furniture and household furniture equal to what has been given her sisters.
Fourthly:- I will and bequeath to my three sons, namely, Green Wood, Mark Red Wood and John White Wood, all my lands and negroes, namely, Tony, Murphy, Bob, Guilford, Jim (a mulatto), David Turner, Dad Wright, Godfrey, Betty, Black Rachel, Patty, Jule and Fannie and three feather beds and furniture, thirty cows and calves and three horses, bridles and saddles to be worth one hundred and fifty dollars each and the said property is to be equally divided between them at Green's ariving at twenty years of age, also five hundred dollars for their education.
Fifthly:- I will and bequeath that after my just debts are paid the remaining part of my property to be equally divided between my children, namely: Nancy, Polly, Elizabeth, Green, Mark Red, and John White.
Sixthly:- I make and constitute and appoint Willis Brazial, Thomas Mitchell and Green Wood to be my executors of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal, dated in Jefferson County, and State of Georgia, this the 27th day of November, 1805. (signed) Solomon Wood.
Signed, sealed and acknowledged before us the day and year above written, Stephen Durowzeau and John Cowart. - After Charles Whitehead's death, Susannah Tomlinson Whitehead married Arthur Fort. They were the parents of Dr. Tomlinson Fort who likely was associated with Dr. Jared Irwin before his death in 1812. It seems possible that Rhoda Fort, first married to Mark Red Wood, and her second husband Wm Tomlinson, are connected with these two.
- Last Edited: 25 May 2016