Kinston Woman Is Neuse River Steamboat Captain’s
Granddaughter
Olde Kinston Gazette Archives
January 1998
Marjorie Wood of Six Churches Plaza in Kinston recently told the Olde Kinston
Gazette about an ironic twist of fate which claimed the life of her
grandfather in early June of 1879. Captain J.D. “Donald” Wood died at the early
age of 34 in a freak accident on the same day he was to retire as captain of the
Steamer Neuse.
In the 1800s, steamboats on the Neuse were an important means of travel and
trade for the people all along the Neuse River basin. Steamers coming upriver
from the coast would bring fertilizers, seed, hardware, buggies, carts, general
merchandise, farm animals and human passengers. On the downstream trip, they
would take back agricultural products including garden vegetables which upon
arrival in New Bern would be loaded on ocean going steamers headed for northern
markets.
The Steamer Neuse had a regular run between New Bern and Seven Springs, stopping
and often docking at Kinston’s two steamboat wharves.
Marjorie said her father, Frank Isaac Cox Wood, told her that on the day her
grandfather died he had been busy preparing the steamboat to be turned over to
his replacement. Marjorie said she does not know how long Captain Wood had been
taking the Steamer Neuse up and down the Neuse, but that, when he decided to
retire, he was only working on the steamer during the summer months. He had been
keeping books for Wooten and Cox Mercantile Company of Kinston during the
winter.
That fateful summer, Captain Wood’s wife Sarah Jane told him she didn’t want him
on the water at all any more. She was expecting their third child and much
preferred that he stay in Kinston and keep the books all year.
Marjorie said the accident occurred while the steamboat was docked to a wharf at
the foot of Caswell Street, a place she said was called “Twin Cedars” at the
time.
A member of the crew had just swabbed the upper deck when Captain Wood rounded
the corner of the pilot house and slipped on the soapy planks. Marjorie said her
grandfather fell overboard, banging his head on the side of the steamer before
he hit the water. She said he was an excellent swimmer and a non-drinker, but he
died anyway. The blow to his head had apparently rendered him unconscious,
causing him to drown.
In a eulogy that appeared in the Kinston Journal on June 12, 1879, someone who
knew him well was quoted as saying “it is sad to think that he died not knowing
the universal esteem in which he was held by his fellow citizens.” The eulogy,
written by the head of Kinston College, Dr. Richard Henry Lewis, lauded Wood as
a truly good man.
“Faithful to every trust, he had the entire confidence of every man who placed
his business in his hands,” said Dr. Lewis. “He exemplified daily his religion.
His example and influence will have its effect, for _no one liveth to himself.’
“He was a Christian indeed. He united with the Methodist church here in 187 and
continued to _grow in grace.’ He loved all who loved the Savior; and was a
devoted worker in the Sunday School. In the Union Sunday School, of which he was
Assistant Superintendent, he was most affectionately loved”
Marjorie said her father was only four years old when the accident took place
and that after the baby was born, her grandmother named the new baby girl Donnie
in honor of Captain Wood.
Marjorie’s father, Frank, told her that Captain Wood was born on a farm close to
Institute. She said her grandmother’s maiden name was Sarah Jane Mills and that
she was from Richlands. She said her grandparents, Sarah and Donald Wood, had
three children, a daughter Barbara, Marjorie’s father Frank and then Donnie.
Frank Wood was born in a house on the corner of Gordon and Queen Streets. Years
later, a bank was constructed there.
The family next lived in a house on the corner of Gordon and McLewean Streets.
On the next corner down toward Caswell Street, Donnie made her home. Next door
to her lived Barbara.
Marjorie said she never had a chance to ask her grandmother about the old days
because her grandmother died when she was four years old. Marjorie said she is
Captain Wood’s only surviving descendant. |
