Mary Wood & James Wood Mary Wood was born in 1813 to John & Anne Wheen. James Wood was her first cousin ; his parents were James Wood and Hannah Hinchcliffe.  He was two years older than Mary. James Wood had originally arrived in Melbourne with his half brotherTedbar in 1848 on the ship Sultana. They worked as gardeners,shepherds, wool sorters and overseers on Cowie and Stead's station, and later joined the gold rush at Ballarat.  Some time later, Wood Brothers Timber yard (with partners James,Benjamin and Tedbar) was established in Little Ryrie St. Geelong. Tedbar and Benjamin returned to England in the early 1850's leaving James to run the timberyard. By 1890, Tedbar had made the trip from England to Australia a total of three times. James returned to England in 1857,  and on October 8th 1857 married his first cousin Mary Wood in the Grosvenor StreetWesleyian Chapel in Manchester.  James & Mary returned to Australia in company with John and his brother Thomas Turton Wood and their sister Anne Amelia;and James's nephews Benjamin Green Wood and James Wood. Thomas Turton Wood and James (Jnr) Wood took over thetimberyard when James retired. James died in 1881, leaving a will which specifically named his direct relatives, and his wife's direct relatives. His wife Mary died in 1891. Both are buried at the Geelong cemetery.

Obituary of John Wood The death of Mr John Wood which took place at his residence, Central Maloga on Saturday, 6th January, after an illness extending over a long time, which was born with great patience and terminated with a happy and peaceful demise, removes from our midst one of the oldest and most respected pioneers of our district. He was born in Yorkshire (Eng.) in 1841 and arrived in the colony at the age of 15 years.For a while he resided in Geelong being employed at Wood's timber yard. Over 40 yearsago he took up land at Central Maloga and carried on farming pursuits successfully up tothe time of his death. The late Mrs John Wood pre-deceased her husband 15 years ago. Mr Wood was ashareholder in the Pyramid Hill Butter Factory, and was at one time a member of the board of directors, an office he relinquished on meeting with a severe accident several years ago. The funeral took place on Monday to the Pyramid Hill Cemetery, the body being enclosedin a beautiful French polished casket, suitably mounted, and was laid to rest in the familygrave. There was a large attendance , and the Rev. R. J. Brady conducted the burial serviceat the graveside. The deceased left a grown up family of 5 daughters and one son to mourn the loss of adevoted parent. Mr Gregory supervised the funeral arrangements.

 

Obituary of Bridget Wood There passed away at Yarrawalla on the 13th one of the oldest residents of that district in the person of Mrs John Wood.  The deceased was seized with weakness in the township on the 9th, and on her return home became worse, and despite all that medical aid could do passed away peacefully on the 13th. The deceased lady was born at Strathbane in Ireland 60 years old and came to Australia when15 years of age, was married at the age of 23 ; and came to this district from Geelong 25 years ago.  The deceased leaves a family of five girls and one son, all grown up, the latterbeing Color- Sgt. C. E. Wood of the local V. M. R. The many acts of kindness and charity performed by the deceased made her hosts of friendsand the large attendance at her funeral bore eloquent testimony to the esteem in which she was held. The funeral took place on the 15th, the Rev Father Smith performed the funeralservice. The coffin was covered with beautiful wreaths, and Mr Wood and family havethe sincere sympathy of the people in the district on their sad bereavement.