Joseph Wood
Encyclopedia
Joseph Wood was an American
planter and soldier from Liberty County, Georgia
. He served as a delegate from Georgia
to the Continental Congress
in 1777 and 1778.
Wood was born in Pennsylvania
, but moved to Georgia sometime in the 1760s. He settled near Riceboro
and established a plantation.
As the Revolution
neared, he was frustrated by the Georgia Assembly's delay in deciding to support the united colonies. They didn't send a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1774. In February of 1775 he made an appeal to their General Committee to join the war effort of the northern colonies. They still deferred action, although later that year they would send Lyman Hall
to the Congress.
Wood didn't wait, but returned to Pennsylvania to join the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment
in the Continental Army
. Captain Wood went with the regiment in the Invasion of Canada
. The following year he saw action in New Jersey and was promoted first to Major and then to Colonel on September 6, 1776.
When the Continental Line was reorganized at the end of 1776 there were too many officers, so Colonel Wood retired and returned to Georgia. On his return in January 1777, Georgia named him as one of their delegates to the Continental Congress
and he was elected again in 1778.
Wood died on his plantation, near Riceborough in Liberty County in 1791. He was survived by his wife Catholina, and their children John, Jacob, Hester, and Elizabeth.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
planter and soldier from Liberty County, Georgia
Liberty County, Georgia
Liberty County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 61,610. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 60,503...
. He served as a delegate from Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
to the Continental Congress
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
in 1777 and 1778.
Wood was born in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, but moved to Georgia sometime in the 1760s. He settled near Riceboro
Riceboro, Georgia
Riceboro is a city in Liberty County, Georgia, United States. The population was 736 at the 2000 census. It is a part of the Hinesville-Fort Stewart metropolitan statistical area.-Geography:Riceboro is located at ....
and established a plantation.
As the Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
neared, he was frustrated by the Georgia Assembly's delay in deciding to support the united colonies. They didn't send a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1774. In February of 1775 he made an appeal to their General Committee to join the war effort of the northern colonies. They still deferred action, although later that year they would send Lyman Hall
Lyman Hall
Lyman Hall , physician, clergyman, and statesman, was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Georgia. Hall County is named after him.-Early life and family:...
to the Congress.
Wood didn't wait, but returned to Pennsylvania to join the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment
2nd Pennsylvania Regiment
The 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, also known as The 1st Pennsylvania Battalion, was raised, October 12, 1775, under the command of Colonel John Bull for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action during the Battles of Brooklyn, Valcour Island, Trenton, the Brandywine, Germantown,...
in the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
. Captain Wood went with the regiment in the Invasion of Canada
Invasion of Canada (1775)
The Invasion of Canada in 1775 was the first major military initiative by the newly formed Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. The objective of the campaign was to gain military control of the British Province of Quebec, and convince the French-speaking Canadiens to join the...
. The following year he saw action in New Jersey and was promoted first to Major and then to Colonel on September 6, 1776.
When the Continental Line was reorganized at the end of 1776 there were too many officers, so Colonel Wood retired and returned to Georgia. On his return in January 1777, Georgia named him as one of their delegates to the Continental Congress
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
and he was elected again in 1778.
Wood died on his plantation, near Riceborough in Liberty County in 1791. He was survived by his wife Catholina, and their children John, Jacob, Hester, and Elizabeth.
External Links
- http://www.yorkblog.com/yorktownsquare/2010/05/continental-congress-courageou.html