Margaret Woods (buried 1938)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Woods
First name: 
Margaret
Other Christian names: 
Eliza
Gender: 
Female
Children: 
No
Burial number: 
1670
Born: 
1/9/1845
Died: 
21/01/1938
Buried: 
24/01/1938
Occupation: 
School Mistress
Distinction: 
Teacher
Heene Hallmark: 
Yes
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
NES
Cemetery row: 
2
Cemetery plot: 
9
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/shaped.jelly.hears
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Headstone inscription: 
Francis Benjamin Woods born 4th November 1809 died 12th May 1887 also of Maria his wife born 4th May 1813 died 19th November 1886. In loving memory of Margaret Woods born September 1st 1845 died January 21st 1938. Elizabeth Beatrice Woods born August 30th 1878 died May 1st 1949. In loving memory of Ada Maria Woods born 11th February 1841 died 4th October 1887 R.I.P.

Life story

Life story

Heene Hallmark Margaret Woods 1845 -1938 Teacher Margaret was born in Northampton, the daughter of Francis Benjamin Woods and his wife Maria. She was baptised at All Saints church Northampton on 26th October 1846. Her father was an apothecary and surgeon. Margaret was sent to school in Oundle where her brother Edward was also a pupil. She later went to college in South Bersted, Sussex. After her father retired, the family moved to Worthing and Margaret set up a school in a house on the corner of Heene Road and Church Road (later Lansdowne Road). After her father died in 1887, Elizabeth moved into the family home Heene Villa in Heene Road. By 1911, Margaret had moved to St Michael's Road living with a companion. She died there on 21st January 1938. The local newspaper noted that she was "Heene's oldest parishioner". Probate was granted on 20th April to Elizabeth Beatrice Woods spinster. Effects £2104 18s.

Burial researcher: 
Carol Sullivan

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
01/09/1845

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
21/01/1938
Age (at time of death): 
92
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
Seaforth, St Michael's Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Personal effects
Executors: 
Elizabeth Beatrice Woods status: spinster
Probate pounds: 
£2,104

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1851 census: 

West Street, Oundle, Northants Margaret aged 5, pupil at school run by Mary Fowler and her sister Elizabeth. Her brother Edward was also a pupil

1861 census: 

St Michael's College, South Bersted, Sussex Margaret aged 15, pupil at college run by Caroline Elliot.

1881 census: 

Walton House, Walton Inferior, Cheshire Margaret aged 35, visiting her brother Edward William, solicitor and his family

1891 census: 

Heene Villa, Heene Road, Worthing Margaret aged 45, school teacher. Elizabeth B aged 12, niece. Katherine aged 9, niece. Martha Howlett aged 64, visitor, own means. Plus 2 servants.

1901 census: 

Elmcroft, Church Road, Worthing
Elmcroft, Church Road, Worthing

 "Elmcroft" Church Road, Worthing - (now corner of Lansdowne and Heene Roads.) Margaret aged 56, school mistress with 1 teacher and 11 pupils plus a cook and 2 maids.

1911 census: 

Living at "Seaforth" St Michael's Road, Worthing Margaret aged 65, private means. Elizabeth B aged 32, private means. Plus 2 servants

1921 census: 

Living at at 36, St. Michael's Road, Worthing, Sussex.

Margaret Eliza Woods Head Female 1845 75 Northampton, Northamptonshire, England None -
Elizabeth Beatrice Woods Great niece Female 1878 42 Warrington, Lancashire, England None -
Emma Ellen Belcher Servant Female 1872 48 Brighton, Sussex, England Cook Private
Mabel Edith Belcher Servant Female 1899 22 Edmonton, Middlesex, England Housemaid Private
Miscellaneous information

Worthing Herald 29th January 1938

Heene Loses Oldest Parishioner

Death of Miss E M Woods

Heene's oldest parishioner, and the only one who could remember the dedication and consecration of Heene Church, died on Friday. She was Miss Margaret E Woods of St Michael's Road and she was aged 92. She had lived in Heene Parish for 78 years. Miss Woods had been a church-woman all her life. While Heene was still a part of Tarring Parish she attended Tarring Church. She was a fine needlewoman and the embroidery of Heene and St Andrew's churches is partly her work. For many years Miss Woods was principal of Elm Croft School. She made the school a great success.

Pupils from all over the country attended the funeral service at Heene Church on Monday. For a very long time Miss Woods was local secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. She was the first to bring the bazaar results to over £100. In later days she was disappointed to find that although the town was so large, the society did not grow with it. Failing sight forced Miss Woods to give up one activity after another. She retired from Elm Croft more than thirty years ago.

Miss Woods' uncle was one of the first churchwardens of Heene Church. Her family has a seat at Shopwyke House near Chichester.

The service at the church was conducted by the rector the Rev. E A Haviland. The Rev E W D Penfold officiated at the graveside. There were many parishioners at the service. The family mourners were the Misses Agnes, Beatrice and Kitty Woods nieces. Mr Gabriel Woods cousin and Mrs Woods.