Introduction
Collection of 339 documents which are hand drawn file copies of land surveys, hand written draft pleas to Bedford Court and invoices and receipts related to the professional and personal life of George Woods. Col. Woods, surveyor, judge, and land developer, was born in Ireland about 1731 to George Woods and Rosanna Hall. He lived in Bedford, Bedford County, PA until his death in 1796. In addition to his many business and governmental associates, the documents name Col. Woods’ brother Thomas Woods, George’s sons Henry, John, and George Woods (Jr.) with Jane McDowell Woods, his six daughters, Rose Woods, Agnes Thompson Casebeer, Elizabeth Ellinger, Sarah “Sally” Fowler, Rebecca Myers, and Hettie B. Young with Phoebe Wolf and in-laws including David Espy.
Dr. John Anderson, who was an in-law of Col. Woods, was the executor of both Col. Woods and his son George Woods’ estates. Dr. Anderson lived his entire life, 1770 – 1839, in Bedford, PA. Some of these documents relate to Dr. Anderson’s own business interests as a land developer and to some of his family members including Espy L. Anderson.
The George Woods/John Anderson Documents, 1762-1820s include what was chronologically first colonial Cumberland and Bedford Counties and is today Bedford, Blair, and Huntingdon Counties, PA. They also include business and governmental connections to Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia.
This entire collection has been scanned and indexed for research use. It includes an expanded abstract of the collection as well as a detailed biographical and genealogical history of the Woods and Anderson families as related to the documents.
Researchers may review the collection by visiting the BCGS during posted hours or by appointment.
How to obtain copies of collection abstract, collection details, and images
Contact the BCGS Research Librarian for the following:
- To request copies of one or more GW/JA Document scans at $2 per PDF image via check or Pay Pal (For a printed copy add postage and handling).
- To request a companion document description – summary, size, condition at 50 cents per image via check or Pay Pal.
- To request a copy of the nine-page detailed biographical and genealogical abstract which includes a Woods Genealogy and George Woods’ Timeline arranged by decade from 1730 -1815 at $5 per nine page set image via check or Pay Pal.
Cindy Rajala – BCGS Archivist
