Rush Brevard Wood

Rush Brevard Wood

Rush Brevard Wood, 1847-1932

• Father: Green Mark Wood b. 7 September 1814, d. 5 March 1898
• Mother: Mary Jane LeGrand b. 23 January 1830, d. 19 March 1900

• Rush Brevard Wood was born on 31 January 1847 in Montgomery County, Alabama.
• When the Wood family traveled to Texas by water in 1850, Mary Jane LeGrand Wood and children joined them on the steamer at Selma. It is an educated guess that for some time prior to the relocation she and the children were staying with Letitia Ann McNair (daughter of Green's cousin Ashley Wood) who raised Mary Jane's sister Margaret LeGrand.
• On Sunday, 26 May 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "A very fine day, had Green & wife & Rush to dinner."
• Green Mark Wood and Mary Jane LeGrand appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Walker County, Texas, near Danville.. Other members of the household included Rush Brevard Wood, Solomon William Wood.
• On Sunday, 30 June 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Green M. Wood & wife & children & Willis B. Wood wife children & Duncan G. Campbell all Dined with us to day at the new place."
• On Sunday, 4 August 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "As usual Green & his wife & children spent the day with us."
• On Sunday, 8 September 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "A very pleasant day. Green & Willis & their Familys Spent the day here."
• On Sunday, 22 September 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "A beautiful day, all in fine health. Mr & Mrs Carothers, Green & Wife & Willis & wife & all their Children & Mr Powell spent the day with us."
• On Sunday, 3 November 1850, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "G. M. & W. B. Wood & their familey's with us & some Gentlemen from Grimes County."
• Sam Reed entered into an agreement on 31 December 1850 with William M. Barrett to do all the brick work of Austin College, for the sum of $750.00, to be completed by 1 January 1852. The building, whose cornerstone was laid on Saint John's day, 24 June 1851, was constructed of soft sand-molded bricks forged at the state penitentiary. It still stands as "Austin Hall" at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. Green Wood's son Campbell attended Austin College from 1855 to 1857. Sam Reed's daughter Mattie married Green Wood's grandson Solomon Wm Wood in 1873, and the following year Sam's daughter Katie married Green's grandson Rush Brevard Wood. On 28 November 1851, Green Wood "Paid Daniel Baker $50, my subscription to Austin College."
• Evelina Wood wrote on 14 May 1855, to her daughter Lizzie Powell, undergoing treatment for cancer in Murfreesboro, Tennessee: ". . . Mary Jane has another son born the 8th of May she call him Milton Le Grand, he favors all the rest, will be very dark-skinned -- Rush & Solomon go to school, they are fond of it. Mary Jane is doing finely, Leah waited on her all last week. . . ." Letter in private collection of B. M. Henwood, descendant of Wm Wood Powell; original transcription by R. E. Reichardt.
• Green Mark Wood and Mary Jane LeGrand appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Danville PO, Walker County, Texas. Other members of the household included Rush Brevard Wood, Solomon William Wood, Robert Cummings Wood, Martha Frances P. Wood, Milton LeGrand Wood and George Scovell Wood.
• On Sunday, 31 August 1862, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Started Eason Willis Wood and Rush Brevard Wood to Mr. James K. Markee,s school, Plantersville, yesterday, 30th."
• On Wedensday, 26 November 1862, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Sent Bob to Markey's after Rush Wood & other Boys."
• R. B. Wood enlisted in March 1864 at the age of seventeen in Captain Horatio White Fisher's Company (Co. G), Tom Green's Brigade, 7th Texas Cavalry Regiment (7th Texas Mounted Volunteers). He served with the unit until it was surrendered on 26 May 1865.
• On 7 October 1864, Mary Jane LeGrand wrote to Rush Brevard Wood:
       Danville, Texas
  My Darling Son:
       I have been feeling quite uneasy about you. We heard you were sick from eating fruit. Do my dear child take care of yourself and you must feel no hesitancy in going to Mr. Spyker's if you should get sick or wounded. Your Pa has written to Mr. Spyker concerning you. They are most excellent people. You will feel perfectly at home there, and no doubt he would take pleasure in having the son of his old friend with him. Should you get back to Louisiana, Mr. Cummings Post Office is Collinsburg.
       Well my child, I have your clothes all ready, I believe all you sent for. I put your gloves both pair in your coat pockets. Mrs. Preston Spiller knit the woolen gloves for you. Your Pa bought the other pair.
       Rush, I did not make the coat as you directed. I intended making a short one too, but did not have time. I have had three attacks of chills and fever since Felix came home. That is why I did not have time for making the other coat. Am just up now from the last attack. I hope what I send will please you. The coat is a very good one. The outside is not as stout as I would have liked. That part of it your Grandma gave you. I made everything myself except the knitting. The socks, Mrs. Wynne knit one pair, and your sister one pair. I will tell you right here, Mrs. Wynne and her family all send much love to you. Miss Ella is looking very pretty. I tried to get her to knit you a pair of socks. She was too much afraid of being teased.
        Miss Sarah has made Jack and yourself each a hat and your Grandma sends each of you a pair of over socks for which you must thank them when you write.
       You liked to have been too late for blankets, just did have time to weave in some on the negro cloth. They are not as heavy as I would wish. It is the best I could do for the time. I intend to weave some as soon as I can and keep some on hand. Your Pa went to get you some tobacco. Mr. Pankey’s Ned has the best of any one else. He asked $2.00 in specie. Your Pa did not get any, of course he said that was entirely too much for his pile. He has gone to get some from your Grandpa’s negroes. Daniel has twisted up some to send you. Your Pa says it is not good. I will mark it so you can tell it.
       Your Pa and I have concluded to send you specie. The confederate money is so worthless. He has made arrangements with Mr. George to get $15.00. The way Mr. George rates it is $6.00. The way it is rated in Houston is $9.00. I hope that will answer your purpose. You must take good care of it.
       Rush, when you write, tell me who all your officers are, from Brigadier Gen. down. I am so glad to see you are writing often. Do continue to do so. I am always so anxious to hear. Give my love to Jack. Tell him if he should get sick he must call on Mr. Spyker. I forgot to mention it when I was speaking of it.
       Your Pa could not get the leather for but one pair of boots. He got the leather from Mr. Wynne. You will find some adhesive plaster. It will be good to put on a cut place. I send you the soap, tho it is not so good. Also a cake of suet and a bundle of rags.
       Rush, let me caution you about using too much tobacco. I hear it is making so many people sick. It made Eason have spasms. He has quit it entirely.
       From your letter to Eliza, I see you are tired of the service. I know it must be very trying to one as young as yourself particularly. I expect it goes as hard with me as it does with you, for I assure you I think of you often, often. You must cheer up and keep in good spirits. You have it to do and must make the best of it. One thing I am proud of in you, you do not aspire to office, or fame. You are fighting for your country’s sake alone. I heard you say that when you was at home last. So many are expecting an early peace. God grant that it may come. The children all join in love to brother Rush. I expect Fanny will want to write. Good bye. May the blessings of God rest upon you now and forever is the prayer of your loving Mother.
       [Signed] M. J. Wood.
• On 3 December 1864, Green Mark Wood wrote to Rush Brevard Wood:
       Danville, Texas
  My Dear Son:
       I returned home day before yesterday after an absence of three weeks in the Reserve Corps. All were well when I arrived. Campbell was taken sick yesterday and your mother has chills every two or three weeks. The school is out and Solomon will be home today.
       We caught a good many deserters and conscripts in the Big Thicket. We get very little news now. We have not heard a word from you since Jack Williamson's letter just after the arrival of Capt. Raney Fisher. Old Lincoln is elected and the war will probably go on for years to come. So you may make up your mind to remain in the service for years to come. I regret it on account of my children. I shall not be able to give them an education. And I fear should it end you will not feel like going to school.
       I am looking for Mr. Cummings out here. He and his mother-in-law and brother-in-law are going to move out with all their negroes some 700 [sic] to get out of the way of the Yankees.
       I am expecting to send this by Mr. Nathan Burke. I am very hopeful about the final result of the war but very many are desponding.
       Your Uncle Campbell was well when we heard from him last. He had not been assigned to duty as yet. The Yankees captured his horse crossing the Mississippi, and he has not been able to get another. I hope you take good care of your horse. No news worth mentioning. Your mother and all the children send to you and Jack Williamson much love. We were disappointed in not getting a letter by the wagon when it returned. I can think of no more to write.
       Your father, Green M. Wood.
• Green Mark Wood and Mary Jane LeGrand appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas. Other members of the household included Rush Brevard Wood, Solomon William Wood, Robert Cummings Wood, Martha Frances P. Wood, Milton LeGrand Wood, George Scovell Wood, Campbell Clark Wood and Green Alexander Wood.
• He was a farm hand, according to the 1870 census.
• He married Katie Bertha Reed, daughter of Samuel Reed and Martha Frances Harrison, on 4 November 1874 in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas.
• Rush Brevard Wood appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Walker County, Texas, and also farm worker Daniel D King.. Other members of the household included Katie Bertha Reed, Mattie Malinda Wood, Charles Abercrombie Wood and George Mark Wood.
• He was a farmer, according to the 1880 census.
• Rush Brevard Wood became a widower at the 9 January 1896 death of his wife Katie Bertha Reed.
• With all their children in town for Green Mark and Mary Jane's 50th wedding anniversary celebration in April 1896, it is likely that this was the occasion for the photograph of their five surviving sons, treasured more than a hundred years later by all of their descendants.
• He married Mahalah J. Hamilton, daughter of Alexander C. Hamilton and Elizabeth Lacey, on 13 September 1896 in Grimes County, Texas.
• The following appeared on 23 February 1899 in The Daily Examiner: Messrs. Solomon and Rush Wood, of Dolph, are here.
• Rush Brevard Wood and Mahalah J. Hamilton appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Grimes County, Texas. Other members of the household included Katie Bertha Wood, Carrie Brevard Wood, Cornelia LeGrand Wood, Felix Clark Garner and William Henry Garner.
• He was a farmer, according to the 1900 census.
• Rush Brevard Wood served as a Grimes County Commissioner for Precinct 2, 1908-1912.
• Rush Brevard Wood became a widower at the 1908 death of his wife Mahalah J. Hamilton.
• Rush Brevard Wood appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Grimes County, Texas, living alone, next to his daughter Katie McCune.
• He was a farmer, according to the 1910 census.
• Members of the Haynie and Wood families, and some neighbors, were photographed in front of "the Haynie hotel" in Richards, about 1911.
• About 1915, R. C. Wood and his brother Rush were caught in a snapshot.
• Howard Efford McCune and Carrie Brevard Wood appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Richards, Grimes County, Texas. Other members of the household included Rush Brevard Wood, Clark Brevard McCune, Robert Efford McCune and George Marvin McCune.
• A photograph was taken, about 1922, of Rush Brevard Wood, his uncle "Big" Rush, and cousin Goree Wood and his sons Sam Madeley and Goree Jr.
• The following was written by Cornelia LeGrand Wood Garvin and attached as an appendix to a version of Campbell Wood's "Memoir":
       On Jan. 7, 1924, in my home at Richards, Texas, my father visited me (Cornelia Wood Garvin), requesting me to give a brief sketch of himself and family, as he had been asked to furnish same for his Great niece Fanny Kate Burnside (nee Wood) of Wichita Falls Texas. He being 77 years of age (or will be the 31st of this month) felt like he could not undertake the task.
       My father Rush Brevard Wood was born Jan. 31st 1847, near Montgomery Ala. and in 1849-50 when he was near three years of age, his parents Green M. Wood and Mary Jane Wood moved to Texas.
       They came by passenger steamer from Montgomery Ala. to Mobile Ala. via New Orleans La. to Galveston Texas – thence to Houston Texas where they put up at the old Capitol Hotel where the Rice Hotel now stands.
       The first place they lived after reaching Texas was the old Sharp Whitley place. This they rented for two yrs, Danville Texas being their Post Office. Then his father bought 1000 acres of land paying $1.00 per acre, then in Walker Co. but now San Jacinto. Here they lived only one year, when they moved to or near New Waverly.
       They were living here when my father enlisted in the Army in March 1864 (the exact date he can’t recall). He was in Tom Green’s Brigade, H. W. Fisher’s Company, Company G. He was 17 years old when he enlisted and served until the close of the war which was (he thinks May 1865). His parents was very much opposed to his going to war as arrangements had been made for him to continue in school. When they noticed in the papers where they were going to conscript from 17 to 50 years of age, Grandfather knowing then he would have to go, provided him with means to go on. At the close of the war he together with his friend Jack Williamson received an honorable discharge. He returned home without being wounded. Below I will give copies of letters written while he was in service from his parents. Written 60 years ago. . . .
       At the close of the war my father returned home and engaged in farming. He also had tools for making shoes. This he followed for quite awhile. [Inserted in typescript: Before my father entered the war, he being just a boy about 15 years of age persuaded his father to buy him a set of cobblers tools for making shoes, which he did. They were still living at Danville Texas. And the first pair of shoes he made was a no. 3 for his brother Solomon. He made shoes for the negroes as well. The nearest place where they could buy shoes was Brownsville Texas, which was quite a distance.]
       In 1867 (in July) an epidemic of yellow fever broke out at Huntsville, Texas. Some of the neighbors having never seen a case of the fever went over to see it. They of course took it and caused it to break out in the neighborhood where they were living. Grandfather Wood went to nurse. When my father asked permission of Grandmother to let him go and send Grandpa home - which she consented to – and Papa nursed for three months before he himself took it. He was nursed by Uncle Campbell Wood and Miss Martha Hopkins. He hired a negro to keep fires for him. I have often heard him tell how he was watched when he went into the sick room to begin nursing, to see if he would obey the Dr’s rules. When they were convinced that he would not disobey he became the “Boss Nurse” as he expressed it. Right here I will say that during my recollection he has been sent for far and near during sickness and he has been ever ready and willing to administer to the sick. It was during the yellow fever epidemic just mentioned that his sweetheart, a young lady to whom he was engaged, died – Miss Ella Myers. Before she was taken sick she laughingly told him if she took yellow fever she did not want him to come to see her. And she was sick only six hours when she sent for him to nurse her.
       In 1874 he married Katie Reed of Huntsville Texas, Walker Co., and to this union ten children were born. (Mama died Jan. 13th 1895 of pneumonia; she is buried at Fairview.) [Note: The accompanying list of children, spouses, grandchildren, etc., is omitted here.] After Mama’s death my father married Mrs. Mahalah Garner. They had no children. She died of cancer Dec. 23, 1908.
       My father was at one time a member of the Baptist church, but in the county where he lived they had free range for hogs. He had a nice bunch that had been missing for some time. He found them late one Saturday afternoon, fixed a temporary pen to hold them. When they awoke on Sunday morning there was a brisk norther blowing a fine spell for hog killing so he killed his hogs on Sunday. While they were busy one of his neighbors came in to spend the day. He was a Deacon of the same church to which my father belonged. He stayed for dinner. He asked if he wasn’t afraid he would be turned out of the church. He told him he felt like the ox was in the ditch. He had a family to care for. When the neighbor started home, my father filled a sack with pork and gave to him. When conference met his neighbor had reported him and when my father was called upon to make acknowledgements, he told them that he killed his hogs on Sunday and did not regret it – and they permanently withdrew fellowship. After this he united with the Christian church, to which church he is still a member.
• Howard Efford McCune and Carrie Brevard Wood appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Richards, Grimes County, Texas. Other members of the household included Rush Brevard Wood, Robert Efford McCune and George Marvin McCune.
• Rush Brevard Wood died on 1 December 1932 at age 85 in Richards, Grimes County, Texas, . His death was officially witnessed by Howard Efford McCune.
• He was interred at Fairview Cemetery, Grimes County, Texas, near Richards.

• Last Edited: 8 Oct 2015

• Charts: Descendants of ABERCROMBIE Charles & Edwina Malinda "Dicey" Booth, Descendants of LeGRAND John & Margaret Chambers, Descendants of WOOD William & Lydia Ballentine