Oakville Local History

I have a great interest in the local history of Oakville. Sometimes I am researching one thing and come across a person or event that intrigues me and I keep researching until know more. Richard Shaw Wood was one of those intriguing stories.

There is a house in Oakville called Kerosene Castle that Richard Shaw Wood was supposed to have built but he was not found on the land records or on the census records with those who would have been his neighbours.

The Wood family arrived in Bermuda around 1628. They were seafarers and traders. Captain Thomas Wood purchased “Bosco Manor” at Spanish Point in Bermuda. The family prospered and owned land from Newfoundland to South America.[1]

Thomas’ great grandsons, Richard, Joseph and Stowe, formed the “Patriotic Company” circa 1800 and had offices in Quebec City, Montreal, St. John’s, Philadelphia, Grenada, the Turks Island, Trinidad and Guiana.[2]

Richard Shaw Wood was born on 27 December 1827[3] in Bermuda.  His parents were Benjamin Burch Wood and Frances Nusum Shaw who were married on 10 June 1819 in Southampton Parish, Bermuda.[4]

As a young man Richard Shaw Wood travelled many times between Bermuda and New York on his way to the United States, Canada and Great Britain.[5] He his found in New York’s Fifth Ward on the census that was taken on 23 September 1850. Richard was 24, born in the West Indies and listed as an engineer.

Richard Shaw Wood married Sarah Isabella Shaw some time prior to 1857. Their first child Frances was born circa 1857. Then Sarah was born circa 1860 and Elizabeth was born circa 1861. All the daughters were born in Bermuda. Frances seems to have died in New York around 1858.[6] The rest of their children were all born in Ontario. Benjamin was born circa 1863, Mary McCulloch was born circa 1865, Robert O.S. was born circa 1867and Anna Burch was born circa 1870.[7] They had a son called Thomas Burch Wood who was born circa 1874 and died 9 December 1874.[8]

The first time Richard is found in Ontario is in the 1862-63 city directory for Toronto where he is noted as living at 241 Carlton Street.[9] The first time he is found in records relating to Oakville is in 1863 on land records but he is noted as being from Toronto.[10] The first time he is listed as living in Oakville is on land records in 1868.[11] Richard Shaw Wood and his wife Isabella were found on many land records in Oakville.

Richard Shaw Wood built an oil refinery in Oakville along the Sixteen Mile Creek and Dundas Street North which is now known as Trafalgar Road. The refinery blew up in July of 1866. It was known as the Great Fire of Oakville.  It was reported in the Hamilton Spectator as an amazing sight because the creek was on fire.[12]

In the 1871[13] Canada census the family are living in Oakville. The head of the household is listed as Nusum F. Wood aged 71, born in Bermuda and he is a gentleman. The enumerator crossed out F and put M under gender and crossed out independent and added gentleman under occupation. The person is a widow. This is actually Frances Nusum Wood Richard’s mother.

Richard Shaw is listed as a merchant and manufacturer. In the house are his wife Isabella and their children: Sarah Shaw, Elizabeth, Benjamin S., Mary McCulloch, Robert O.S. and Anna B.

Also in the household is Charles E Wood aged 20 and born in Jamaica West Indies. His occupation is general manager. Charles Edward Wood is Richard’s cousin.

Richard Shaw Wood and family are found in London, Middlesex County, Ontario in the 1881[14] Canada census. In the household is Sarah Hooker Shaw, aged 81 and born in the United States. Sarah is Isabella’s mother. Richard moved to London and built a large family home called Woodholme.[15]

Mrs. Frances N. Wood died on 7 December 1888 in Philadelphia. Her obituary was in the Royal Gazette newspaper in Bermuda. She was the daughter of Thomas Shaw and Frances Russell Wood and the widow of Benjamin Burch Wood all of whom were from Bermuda. She was born in Bermuda on 14 June 1800 at the home of her grandparents Joseph and Rebecca Wood. The home was called “Boss Cove”.[16]

In the 1891[17] Canada census Richard and his family are in London Ontario. Sarah S. Ogden, their married daughter, Elizabeth S., Robert O.S. and Anna B are all living at home.  Richard lost his wife Isabella on 14 November 1897.[18]

Richard Shaw Wood died on 10 March 1903[19] in London. He was 76 years and 4 months old. His will lists properties in London and Oakville Ontario, Bermuda, New York and Newfoundland.[20]

Richard Shaw Wood was in Oakville for less than ten years but his legacy lives on. His legacy reaches from Canada, the United States and Bermuda. It was rumoured that he would wear a warm beaver hat during the summer in Oakville as he found the temperatures cold.

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