Reuben Wood

Heather’s 5th great grandfather

When Reuben Wood was born on February 20, 1752, in Little Compton, Rhode Island, his father, Peleg, was 29 and his mother, Ruth, was 28. He married Ruth Wilbore on January 21, 1779, in his hometown. They had five children in 11 years. He died in August 1810 in Little Compton, Rhode Island, at the age of 58, and was buried in Rhode Island.

Reuben’s birth date and parentage is confirmed by Rhode Island vital extracts in Little Compton. He is also mentioned in his father Peleg’s will.

On 30 Dec 1773, when he was 21, he married Abigail Brownell. They had one child together (named Peleg), but the baby died young, and so did Abigail.

On 21 Jan 1779, when he was 26, his 2^nd marriage took place. His wife was Ruth Wilbour. They had 5 children in this marriage, including the Peleg Wood of the previous biography. Ruth died in September 1793.

On 30 May 1792, he buys some land from his father. In the deed book, his father refers to “son Reuben” as a “weaver” so that is how we learn Reuben’s profession. His father was a weaver as well.

Sometime after 1793 he entered into his 3^rd marriage, to Hannah Wilbour.

Ewers research indicates that she believed he served in the Revolutionary War, but I have not found any evidence of this, and she didn’t provide her proof. Reuben’s brother Abner did serve though. Abner was a pensioner, and in his pension record he states that part of his service was to substitute for his brother Reuben, and father Peleg, who both were drafted.

From brother Abner's pension file:

Reuben’s father Peleg has been confirmed to be a Quaker, so it’s likely that Reuben was as well. If he was of the Quaker faith, this could explain why his brother substituted for him in military service. The Rhode Island militia had to draft because of the high number of “Friends” living in that area. I think. That’s my interpretation of a Rhode Island militia act document that I accessed on Library of Congress. I further interpret the document as stating that “Friends” who had certain “certificates” were exempt from the draft, but that many Friends actually had no such documents. So, if I read that right, then I further assume that Reuben and Peleg did not have the required certificates from the Friends Meeting.

Wilbour’s research reproduces text from Reuben’s will, written in 1805 and proved 10 Oct 1810. “…To son Charles all estate both real and personal except as I shall bequeath my wife and daughter. To wife Hannah all household goods she brought with her. To son Peleg 900 dollars. To daughter Sarah household furniture and 20 silver dollars. To son Borden 120 silver dollars at the age of 21. To son Charles to be sole executor. To son William 170 dollars…”

Reuben is buried in the Quaker Cemetery at the Friends Meeting House in Little Compton.