Persistent Searching Brings New Cousins

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Williamson 'Wesley' Woods (1874-1948) married Mary 'Etta' Hobbs on February 18, 1894 in Brown County, Indiana. Wesley was one of at least six children (Rebecca Elizabeth, George Alma, Franklin, Henry Thurston, and Alva Clarence). Etta was one of 11 children (Anna Eliza, Ella Mae, George Benjamin, Ada Jane, William Thomas, Bessie Iona, Amanda Eva, Washington Moser, Hattie Olive, and Harry Hugo). Wesley and Etta decided to move to New Harmony, Posey County, IN sometime after their marriage. Etta gave birth to their first child, Iona May Woods on November 26, 1894 in New Harmony. Just over two short weeks later, Etta passed away on December 11, 1894. She was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Nashville, Brown County, IN with several of her family members.

Williamson Wesley Woods
Mary Etta Hobbs Woods

While Wesley had to work and could not raise a child by himself, he sent young Iona to live with her maternal grandparents, Benjamin and Mary Hobbs. Etta lived here for about two years until Mary became pregnant again. Iona was then sent to live back in Posey County with her paternal grandparents, Andrew Jackson Woods and Amanda Jane Hatchett. Wesley eventually remarried Lula Clayton in 1900. They went on to have 5 children of their own. Census records show that Iona was still living with Amanda for the 1910 census. Iona would have been around 15 years old. Her grandfather, Andrew Woods, had passed away in 1904. By the 1920 census, Iona was married and living in her own household.

Amanda Jane Hatchett Woods
                                                 
Iona is my father-in-law's maternal grandmother. Even though Iona's mother had passed away, Amanda and Iona went to Brown County to visit Iona's maternal grandparents. Iona kept notes on her family tree, dates, and locations. I have several photos that belonged to her posted on my account on Ancestry.com. A gentleman reached out to me asking about one photo in particular: the homestead of Benjamin George Hobbs. He stated that he is a direct descendant of Benjamin Hobbs and had been looking for a photo of the home for many years!

                                             
Benjamin Hobbs' son, Washington Moser Hobbs, eventually sold his land to become what is now part of Brown County State Park. Benjamin owned over 500 acres. The home was called 'Weed Patch Hill'. The house was a log cabin with 3 rooms downstairs and 2 rooms upstairs. They had a large grape vine with a base as big as some trees and taller than the house. The family states that the shade from the vine attracted many snakes. They family grew sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, cabbages, navy beans, hogs, and cows. They had a shed filled with saw dust. When the creek froze, they would take large ice chunks, wrap them in paper, and bury them deep in the saw dust. This kept ice all year.

This man runs a Facebook group called 'Ancestors of Benjamin George Hobbs of Brown County Indiana'. Many of Benjamin and Mary's descendants are part of this group and still live in Brown County. He had tracked down several of the family members, and no one had any photos of the home. Either Etta was forgotten about because she died so young and before many official records were kept, or because she died so young, no one thought her only child would have any information. Either way, it was wonderful to be able to provide a digital copy of this long sought after photo! I quickly sent the research I had on the Hobbs line. Many dates and events matched, but what was amazing for both of us were the details we each had from our ancestors, mine from Etta Hobbs Woods and his from Washington Moser Hobbs. By reaching out to a total stranger, both of now have treasured stories to add to our family histories!

           Digital Copy from an original
Copy with names of family members



Comments

Clint Hobbs said…
Washington Moser Hobbs sold the house in Hobbs Holler to the state to be part of the park
October 9, 2023 at 11:49 AM
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