Anne WOODS was born in 1813 somewhere on the British Isles. On the 1881 Canadian census[1] she lists her birthplace as England; on her death certificate, her son-in-law lists her birth place as Isle of Man;[2] on the 1891 census her birthplace listed by her children varies from Ireland,[3] [4] to England[5] to the Isle of Wight (which is in England);[6] on the 1921 census her children list Ireland,[7] [8] and on the 1920 US census Alice lists the birthplace of her mother as Ireland[9]. Ireland is likely because that is Anne’s heritage; so I believe that England is most likely. I have not been able to locate a birth or baptism record for her from any of these places.
Her father, Richard John WOODS was serving in the army and had lost his right leg at Albuhera, so was serving in the veterans’ battalions. Her mother Anne BOURNES was likely travelling with him to where he was stationed. The exact location of where he was serving may be possible to find through military records – that is a quest for another day. My best guess based on her age on the 28 May 1821 census of Ireland[10] and her age on the date of death in July 1883[11] is that she was born in June of 1813. This would also fit with her parents’ marriage in December of 1812.[12]
Anne was the first child of Richard and Anne. She was followed around 1815 by a brother Jonathan. Jonathan was also not born in Ireland as far as I can discern. However, by 1821, the family had moved to Parsonstown (now Birr) in County Offaly, where her father was originally from and they were living on William Street. Along with Anne and Jonathan the other children were Charles Bournes (1816), Dorcas (1818) and Ellen (1820).
The house on William Street included more than six rooms and was considered a nice house and garden that was well looked after. Anne’s parents had a life-lease of the property from the Earl of Rosse[13] (referring to the county of New Ross in Ireland, no relation to the Earl of Ross in Scotland). There are still a few of the older houses on William Street, such as the one on the left – you can see how close it was located to Birr Castle on the right.
In 1821 the population of Birr was 5,400. It was a busy town with quarter sessions (court) held and four fairs. In the 1824 Pigot’s Directory, Anne’s father Richard is listed among the gentry of the town. The town had more publicans than grocers, not an unusual situation in Ireland.
Anne’s family continued to grow with siblings Richard William(1822),[14] Elizabeth (1825)[15] and Mary Henrietta (1831)[16] being added to the family.
In 1835, Parsonstown is described in Leigh’s New Road-Book of Ireland[17] as a modern-built town with regular streets. It had two distilleries and two breweries. The extensive barracks were located one mile from town. Market day was Saturday and fair days were 11 February, 05 May, 25 August and 10 December.
On 09 February 1847 in Parsonstown (Birr), at the age of 33, she married Richard WOODS by license rather than Banns.[18] [19] [20] I believe they were most likely either second or third cousins, but that is another research project and blog post for another day.
Richard and Anne soon started adding to their family. Their first daughter, Dorcas (named after Anne’s grandmother) was born in December 1847, but sadly died 10 months later in October 1848.[21] [22] In June 1849 they were pleased to welcome Elizabeth Anne, [23] and in March 1851 they added another daughter Alice Mary.[24]
Two more girls were quickly added to the family Emily Henrietta in September 1852[25] and Helen Katherine (Kate) in January 1854.[26] Finally, a son, Richard Edward (Ned), arrived in August 1855.[27]
They lived in Birr until 1861. In June of that year, they decided to leave Ireland. We are not sure why they decided to leave Ireland. At 48 Richard could not be considered a young man going to earn his fortune. We do know that his brother Charles had recently taken up a post in Victoria, British Columbia. Family lore has it that they were deciding between British Columbia and Australia.[28] The newspaper remarks on their leaving to become settlers indicating that Richard is a member of the most respectable families and Anne was beloved for her active energetic charity.[29] Richard and Anne took with them the two oldest daughters, Elizabeth and Alice and Ned, leaving the two middle girls (Emily and Kate) with the family in Ireland until 1865.
Leaving Kings County on 12 June, they arrived in Victoria on the Sierra Nevada from San Francisco on 27 August 1861.[30] [31] They soon built Garbally House and lived on the Selkirk Waterway.
In Victoria Anne was part of the society. She and her sister-in-law Maria (Kingsmill) Woods attended a benefit for Angela College (the girls school) with the likes of the Chief Justice, the Bishop and Dr Tolmie.[32]
Anne was part of a group of ladies, including Mrs. Cridge, the Mayoress and others, who formed the Female Aid Association to collect money in order to complete and maintain a female ward of what is now the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. She was in charge of the “back district from St. John’s Church”. As well as getting their husbands to subscribe (donate each month), she and Maria Woods and the other ladies collected money for the project.
On 23 November 1864, the cornerstone for the female infirmary was laid at the head of Pandora Street. At that time, she was one of the managing committee. The building was completed at a cost of $4,000. In 1869 the men’s hospital and women’s ward were amalgamated and known as the Royal Hospital. The men’s hospital moved to the location built by the women’s funding.[33] [34] A time capsule was deposited into the cornerstone with information on the project.[35] The First Church of Christ, Scientist now sits on that spot on the corner of Pandora and Chambers. I wonder if the cornerstone with the time capsule is still there.
When her daughter Alice was having her first child in February of 1870, Anne braved the weather and the journey to the Naas River in the northwest of British Columbia in order to be present to assist her daughter with the birth.[36]
Other than that trip, Anne spent most of her time in Victoria in various charitable pursuits while her other daughters taught at the school for girls (Angela College) as well a providing drawing and painting lessons. Emily Henrietta and Helen Kate were both artists. Emily Henrietta taught Emily Carr painting and drawing in her early years and Emily Carr recalled with pride receiving a prize from her when she was young.[44]
Unfortunately, Richard died in 1876 at the age of 62 leaving Anne a widow. Anne continued to live at Garbally after his death.
On the 1881 census, Anne is living in Victoria and her son Richard Edward (Ned) is with her, as are her daughters Elizabeth, Emily Henrietta and Helen Kate. Also with them is Thomas Richard Tomlinson, her grandson and Alice Percival who married Ned in March of that year (the census was supposed to have been taken in April, so they should have already been listed as married).[37]
In the 1882-83 directory Anne is found living with Emily (and likely Elizabeth Anne) at Garbally (although the residence is not named).[38]
Anne died on 07 July 1883 at the age of 70 from decay of strength and feebleness.[39] [40] Her funeral was held on 09 July with a large number of carriages following from her home to St John’s church.[41] She was buried in the Ross Bay Cemetery alongside her husband.[42] Her will was probated at Victoria on 02 October. Her estate consisted of household furniture and cash deposits of about $1,900 (worth about $53,000 in today’s dollars). She left the funds to be split between her two unmarried daughters Elizabeth Anne and Emily Henrietta.[43]
Link to Anne Woods in Genealogy.
[1] Census. Canada. Victoria, British Columbia. 04 April 1881. WOODS, Anne[head]. https://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 2018.
[2] Deaths (CR) Canada, Victoria, British Columbia. 7 July 1853. WOODS, Anne.
[3] Census. Canada. Skeena Cassiar, New Westminster, British Columbia. 20 July 1891. TOMLINSON, Robert [head]. https://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 2018.
[4] Census Records, Canada. Grand Prairie Yale, British Columbia. 10 April 1891. WOODS, Richard E. [head] ED 5. https://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 21 October 2018.
[5] Census Records, Canada. Johnson Street Ward, Victoria, British Columbia. 30 May 1891. ANDREW, John [head]. ED 4 p 86. https://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 18 January 2023.
[6] Census Records, Canada. Victoria, British Columbia. 20 April 1891. WOODS, Elizabeth. D4, SD 4, p 32. https://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 11 September 2018.
[7] Census Records. Canada. Oak Bay (Saanich), British Columbia. 01 June 1921. WOODS, Elizabeth (head). D 19, ED 48, p 1. https://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 11 September 2018.
[8] Census Records, Canada. Salmon Arm, British Columbia. 01 June 1921. WOODS, Richard (head). ED 14, SD 7. https://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 27 March 2023.
[9] Census Record. United States. Metlakatla, Ketchikan, Alaska. 15 April 1910. TOMLINSON, Robert (head). https://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 2018.
[10] Census Records, Ireland. Birr, Offaly. 28 May 1821. WOODS, Richard Captain [head]. http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 1 September 2018.
[11] Death Announcements, 1883. Daily Colonist. 08 July. WOODS, Mrs. A. https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist18830708uvic/page/n2/mode/1up?view=theater&q=death : accessed 21 March 2023.
[12] Marriage Announcements, 1812. Irish Farmers Journal. WOODS, Richard Captain and BOURNS, Anne. IGRS Library. https://www.irishancestors.ie : accessed 3 September 2018.
[13] Griffiths, Richard, Field Book. WOODS, Richard John. 1843. Ireland Valuation Office Books. http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 9 December 2020.
[14] Trinity College, Alumni Dublinenses – 1924 Edition. WOODS, Richard William. http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 24 November 2020.
[15] Baptisms (PR) Ireland, Birr, Offaly. 25 September 1825. WOODS, Elizabeth.
[16] Census Records, 1871 Cadogan Road, St. Marks, Kingston, Surrevy. KING, Thomas K (head). RG 10/861. p 39. https://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 18 March 2023.
[17] Leigh (1835) Leigh’s new pocket road-book of Ireland containing an account of all the direct and cross roads; together with a description of every remarkable place, its curiosities, manufactures, commerce, population, inns, mail coach routes, fairs, and market-days; forming a complete guide to every object worth of attention. 3rd Edition London: Leigh and sons. https://www.loc.gov/resource/gdcmassbookdig.leighsnewpocketr00hami/?st=gallery : accessed 01 April 2023.
[18] Marriages (PR) Ireland, Birr, Kings. 9 February 1847. WOODS, Richard and WOODS, Anne. #21.
[19] Marriage Announcements, 1847. Freemans Journal. 18 February. WOODS, Richard and WOODS, Anne. http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 16 September 2018.
[20] Marriage Announcements, 1847. Kings County Chronicle. 10 February. WOODS, Richard junior and WOODS, Anne. http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 10 September 2018.
[21] Burials (PR) Ireland, Birr, Offaly. 10 October 1848. WOODS, Dorcas Amy.
[22] Death Announcements, (1848). King’s County Chronicle and General Provincial Intelligencer. 11 October. Infant daughter of Richard Woods. p 3g. http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 11 March 2023.
[23] Baptisms (PR) Ireland, Birr, Offaly. 29 July 1849. WOODS, Elizabeth Anne.
[24] Baptisms (PR) Ireland, Birr, Offaly. 27 April 1851. WOODS, Alice Mary.
[25] Baptisms (PR) Ireland, Birr, Offaly. 31 October 1852. WOODS, Emily Henrietta.
[26] Birth Announcements, 1854. Kings County Chronicles. 18 January. WOODS, daughter. http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 11 September 2018.
[27] Baptisms (PR) Ireland, Birr, Offaly. 10 October 1855. WOODS, Richard Edward.
[28] Kirkpatrick-Crocket, Winnifred Anne. Sound recording. Imbert Orchard finds. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Accession number T1307, Royal BC Museum and Archives.
[29] Kings County Chronicle, 1861. Departure of Mr. Richard Woods for British Columbia. Kings County Chronicle.12 June. http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed http://www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 23 November 2020.
[30] The British Colonist, (1861) Passengers. The Daily British Colonist. 27 August. https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist18610827uvic/page/n3/mode/1up?view=theater : accessed 10 January 2023.
[31] Daily Press, 1861. Passengers. The Daily Press. 27 August. p. 3. https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 03 February 2023.
[32] Daily Colonist, 1867. Angela College. Daily Colonist. 24 June. p 3b. https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist18670624uvic/18670624#page/n2/mode/1up : accessed 19 November 2020.
[33] Day, P. (1924). Pioneer days : Provincial Royal Jubilee Hospital [B]. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0342825
[34] History of the Royal Jubilee Hospital. https://www.islandhealth.ca/sites/default/files/2018-03/rjh-history.pdf : accessed 13 April 2023.
[35] The Daily British Colonist (1864). The female infirmary : laying the foundation stone. 24 November. https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist18641124uvic/page/n1/mode/2up?view=theater : accessed 14 April 2023.
[36] Tomlinson, Robert (1870). Letters to the Church Missionary Society. https://diggerross.ca/rt-cms-papers/rt-annual-letter-1870-71/ : accessed 14 April 2023.
[37] Census. 1881. Canada. WOODS, Anne [head]. Victoria, British Columbia. https://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 2018
[38] Directories. Canada (1882-83). British Columbia Directory : embracing a business and general directory of the Province, Dominion and provincial officials lists, reliable information about the country. Victoria : R.T. Williams. p 82. https://bccd.vpl.ca/title/1882-1883/British_Columbia_Directory.html : accessed 14 April 2023.
[39] Deaths (CR) Canada, Victoria, British Columbia. 7 July 1853. WOODS, Anne.
[40] Death Announcements, 1883. Daily Colonist. 08 July. WOODS, Mrs. A. https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist18830708uvic/page/n2/mode/1up?view=theater&q=death : accessed 21 March 2023.
[41] Death Announcements, 1883. Daily Colonist. 10 July. WOODS, Mrs. A. https://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist18830710uvic/18830710#mode/1up : accessed 11 November 2018.
[42] Monumental Inscriptions, Canada. WOODS. Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, British Columbia.
[43] Testamentary records, Canada. 02 October 1883. WOODS, Anne. Probate. British Columbia Museum and Archives. GR-1304.14868. Reel B08885, File 10, Folio 0786/1883.
[44] Shea, Tusa. (2002) Beyond Recollection: The early art of Emily Carr. British Columbia Historical News : Journal of the British Columbia Historical Federation. 35,4. ISSN 1195-8294. https://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/pdfs/bchf/bchn_2002_fall.pdf : accessed 15 April 2023.
