From Midshipman to Field Marshal

From Midshipman to Field Marshal

AncestryParentageThe Grammar School and College at MarlboroughI become a Naval Cadet. The Woods, from whom I am descended, were for hundreds of years owners of Hareston Manor, Brixton, a small village near Plymouth. There is a record of a John a Wood living there in the eighth year of the reign of King Edward the Third, and in the north aisle of the church a ledger stone with coat of arms to John Wood, who died A.D. 1724. The Hareston Woods died out, but a younger branch settled at Tiverton, the head of which manufactured lace and serge, and to him was born and duly apprenticed as a lad, Matthew. He soon started in business on his own account, and eventually became a successful hop merchant, being chosen Lord Mayor of London in 1815 and 1816. He represented the City in nine successive Parliaments,1 and was as fearless in defending the cause of Queen Caroline, which he warmly espoused, as he was in all matters aldermanic and magisterial. When Lord Mayor, he faced, practically alone, a riotous mob, whose leader was exhorting his followers to storm the Bank of England. Mr. Wood running out into the crowd, pulled the ringleader off his horse, and dragged him inside the Bank railings, a prisoner. In 1819 the Alderman was sitting in his counting-house,2 when an agent of the Duke of Kent, calling late on Saturday afternoon, asked Matthew Wood for the loan of 10,000. The agent explained it was important for reasons of State that the expected baby2 of the Duchess of Kent, who was then at Ostend, should be born in England, and that His Royal Highness the Duke could not cross over unless he received that sum of money to satisfy his more pressing creditors. Mr. Wood promised to reply on the Monday, after consulting his partners; the agent urged, however, that the state of the Duchesss health admitted of no delay and that she ought to cross immediately, so my grandfather gave him the cheque. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 61812
Author: Wood, Evelyn
Release Date: Apr 12, 2020
Format: eBook
Language: English