James was apparently quite wealthy, since he paid £100 in 1798 for a wedding licence. I have been unable, however, to find a baptism certificate for him, after searching the Bucks. FHS baptisms list for Iver. The list does show all his children though.  Records for Hartwell, where he was married, have yet to be transcribed.  His wife, Ann, was born in Hartwell, so it is possible that he was too.

James appears in the Posse Comitatus 1798 for Bucks. as a butcher in Iver. He is also listed in the 1801 Iver census. His first two sons are included, and it would seem that he either had a servant or his mother-in-law was living with him, because there are also two women mentioned in the household.

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Ann Seamons
1776 - 1849

Ann's baptisms is recorded in the Hartwell register.  She is listed in the 1821 census of Iver as a widow with five sons and three daughters.  

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Elizabeth Seamons
1778 - ?

Elizabeth's baptism is recorded in the Hartwell Register. She and her daughter were schoolmistresses and ran a school, which her great nieces, Sarah Ann and Margaret Jane Woodruff were attending in the 1841 census.  Her husband Richard, was also a schoolmaster and witnessed several wills, including that of Sarah House to whom he was distantly related via his great nephew Stephen Woodruff, who married Charity House, one of Sarah's daughters.

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Joseph Woodruff
1798 - 1871

Joseph is one of the two sons included in the Iver 1801 census. Also, he is likely to be the one of the sons in the Iver 1821 census, aged 23 and a butcher.  In the 1841 census he is shown as living with his mother and sister, Esther in Delaford Lane, Iver.  His occupation is that of butcher.  In 1851 he is listed at his brother Jeken's home in Atwells Yard, Uxbridge, aged 52 and unmarried. 

He appears in the 1871 census in Stone asylum where he died later that year.

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James Leonard Woodruff
1800 - 1876

In his early days James' occupation has been stated as Stagecoach man at Wendover.  A directory of Bucks. of 1839 shows a Jas. Woodroffe, as a butcher at Wendover.  However, by 1843 he was declared bankrupt.  London Times of 14 October 1843 :

"James Leonard Woodruff, Great Missenden Bucks, inkeeper, October 25 at 8 o'clock, November 25 at 10, at the Bankrupts' Court: solicitor Mr. Paterson, Bouvier Street, Fleet Street; official assignee Mr. Lackington, Coleman Street buildings."  (Thanks to Barbara Kolle for this cutting.)

The 1851 census shows his youngest children, Emma (7), Albert (5) and Edward (3). 

In the census of 1861 James is listed as a Farmer (60) with wife Margaret (57) and children Emma (17), Albert (15) and Edward (13) all employed at home in Great Missenden. There is also a grandson (3) probably the son, George, of his second son, James George. 

By the 1871 census James (70), wife Margaret (67) and unmarried daughter Elizabeth (28) are living at 4, Brook Street, Upper Clapton, Middlesex.  James is shown as a servant.

At the time of his death, he was still living at the same address, leaving all his effects, money and possessions in his will  to his unmarried daughter Elizabeth.

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Leonard Jeken Woodruff
1825-1889

Leonard emigrated, with his wife, Susannah, and their two daughters, Emma Sarah and Susannah Eliza, to Australia on the 'Persia' in 1857, arriving on 27th July.

He had a large amount of clothing stolen from him in 1866.  He prospected for gold in 1868-69 in the Graytown Goldrush without success. He was charged with embezzlement of £3 3s from his employer in April 1869. He admitted that he had the money, but that he was owed £2 by his employer and offered to pay the balance to the prosecutor. He was found not guilty and discharged.

In 1876 he was charged with larceny of a silver watch, and this time he was sentenced to 3 months in prison. Later he was also charged with assault and idleness and larceny in 1879.

Towards the end of his life, he seems to have lived apart from his wife, who found him hanging in her barn on 11th August 1889.  Death was found to be by suicide whilst temporarily insane. 

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Emma Louisa Taylor
1870 - ?

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Norman StapletonTaylor
1872 - ?

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Susannah Eliza Woodruff
1851 - 1916

According to Barbara Kolle, her great-grand-daughter, only one son visited Susannah in hospital during her terminal illness and the informant of her death was a nursing attendant rather than family. Rather sad after bringing twelve children into the world.  

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Edward Nichol Staff
1848 - 1909

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Edward John Nichol Staff
1873 - 1928

There is a report in the 'Argus' of his death. Suffered fatal injuries when he fell against a wall and then onto a footpath following an argument with a watchman when he annoyed children playing on an allotment. He was drunk at the time. Verdict of accidental death was given. 

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Valentine Nichol Staff
1894 - 1918

Valentine was killed in World War I - memorial in Fouilloy.

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James George Woodruff
1828 - 1871

In the 1841 Census there is a George Woodruff (13) and a Henry Woodruff (11), both boarders at Belle House School, Botwell, Hayes, Middlesex. This was a boarding school for boys that opened around 1835 but had closed down by the end of the century. I think it most likely that these two boys were James George and William Henry Woodruff. The dates of birth would fit. (See also their sisters Sarah and Jane who were at a girls' boarding school in Iver at this time.)

It seems likely that the death in the Lunatic Asylum, Wandsworth refers to James George Woodruff.  The age fits. Unfortunately, a check on the records held by the Metropolitan Archives, WaBG/119/1, which covers the period 1868-1884 proved fruitless and it would appear that he was admitted prior to 1868. There were very few surviving records before 1868 and none referred to James George Woodruff. Another register of patients and imbeciles at the Asylum and Convalescent Homes covering the period 1870-1890 (WaBG/147/1) (also including records of the smallpox hospital) was searched but again no reference found. On consulting the staff of the Records Office, it was found that there were no more records to consult.  Thanks to Robin Woodruff for this information.
James George is given as a licensed victualler on his death certificate.

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Frances Woodruff
1867 - ?

In the 1881 census, Frances was staying with her uncle Horace Prince (54) and his wife Sarah Ann (née Woodruff) (48) at 30 Arkwright Street, Nottingham.  The Princes did not appear to have any children of their own.

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William Henry Woodruff
1831 - post 1883

What a man William Henry must have been, married three times!

Photo presumed to be of William Henry Woodruff
(From Pamela Golding)

The first reference we have for William Henry is in the 1841 census for Hillingdon, Middlesex. He is shown as Henry Woodruff (11), with his brother (James) George Woodruff (13) listed with many other boys as boarders at Belle Housel, Botwell, a boarding school which opened in 1835 and closed down before 1900. 

1st marriage:

William, a butcher, married Patty Ginger on 1st September 1850 at St. Mary's Church, Paddington after Banns. The residence of both is given as Newcastle Place. Witnesses to the wedding were Ezra and Sarah Miles. Patty died on 21st July 1853 aged 27 at Back Lane, Bushey, Hertfordshire from inflammation of the brain, the informant being Charlotte Bone.

2nd marriage:

On 24th October 1853, just three months after Patty's death, William married Mary Ann Allan at the Parish Church, St. Marylebone, Middlesex, by licence because Mary Ann was a minor. Witnesses to the wedding were John Smith and Ann Flurry. I do not know when Mary Ann died. The 1861 census for Hillingdon, Middlesex shows William H. Woodruff (30) living at Montague Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex with his wife Mary A. Woodruff (28). William is a stage coachman.

3rd marriage:

William married for the third time at the stated age of 42 on 12th April 1877 to Emily Alice Patteson in the Parish Church, Kingsbury, Middlesex. Emily was 23 years old. The witnesses were George John Patteson and Elizabeth Gardiner. There were two children from this marriage. (Thanks to Robin Woodruff for all this information.)

In the 1881 census William was living at Clifton Cottage, Hendon, Middlesex, with Emily Alice (27) and children Blanche Emily (3) and Wiliiam Perkins (2). His occupation is horse dealer and he has a stableman, William Montgomery (42) living in as well as a general domestic servant, Sarah Whiting (71). His widowed mother-in-law, Sarah Patteson (61), is also living with them. 

In the 1901 census his son, a public house manager, and daughter-in-law are living with him and his wife Emily Alice (45), as is his mother-in-law Sarah. He also has his daughter Lilian Jane (17) at home. He has a domestic servant, Bella Keen(25) and a barman, Charles Woolf (27) living in.

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Sarah Ann Woodruff
1832 - ?

Sarah (10) is found in the 1841 census for Iver, Bucks. with her sister Jane (7) at a girls' boarding school. The school mistress is Elizabeth Fleet (60) along with her daughter, also Elizabeth Fleet (30).  These are almost certainly her great aunt (born Elizabeth Seamons) and her daughter.   

Sarah (18) is listed in the 1851 census for Great Missenden, Bucks. living with her parents, brothers and sisters, and unmarried.

She was one of the witnesses at her sister Margaret's wedding to Charles Turner in 1859.

In the 1881 census she is married to Horace Prince and living at 30 Arkwright Street, Nottingham. Her niece Frances Woodruff is living with them.  She does not appear to have had any children. Thanks to Robin Woodruff for most of this information. 

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Margaret Jane Woodruff
1834 - ?

A Jane Woodruff (7) is listed in the 1881 census for Iver, Bucks. with a Sarah Woodruff (10) as one of the boarders of a girls' boarding school run by schoolmistress Elizabeth Fleet (60) and her daughter, also Elizabeth Fleet (30). This Jane Woodruff is most likely Margaret Jane Woodruff.  Elizabeth Fleet the elder is almost certainly her great aunt, née Seamons, and her daughter.

In the 1851 census, Margaret is shown as living with her parents, brothers and sisters in Great Missenden, Bucks..

Witnesses to Margaret's wedding to Charles Turner in 1859 were James Leonard Woodruff (father) and Sarah Jane Woodruff (sister).  Thanks to Robin Woodruff  for this information. 

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Elizabeth Woodruff
1841 - 1921

In 1876, when her father died, leaving all his estate to her, Elizabeth was unmarried and living at 4 Brooke Street, Upper Clapton, London aged about 32.

The 1881 census shows an Elizabeth Woodruff (37), unmarried, Nurse SMS, as servant to Elizabeth Rouse living at 2 Claremont Terrace, Buckland, Dover, Kent.

Death certificate showed her living at 4 Belvoir Hill, Sneeton Dale, Nottingham.  Perhaps she moved to be near her brother, Edward? 

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Albert Woodruff
1845 - ?

The 1851 census shows Albert (5) living with his parents in Great Missenden, Bucks.

THE TIMES 13 February 1979 Page 11 Col. e

'At Guildhall ALBERT WOODRUFF, Clarence Road, Clapton, the proprietor and driver of cab 1828, appeared to an adjourned summons before Alderman Stone to answer the charge of recklessly driving and injuring a child. On the 28th January, about half past 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the defendant was driving down Bishopsgate Street at the rate of four or five miles an hour. He turned suddenly into Acorn Street as three children were crossing the road. Two of them escaped unharmed, but one little girl, aged 10 years, the daughter of Mr. George White, was knocked down by the defendant's horse and trampled on. The defendant drove on and did not stop until a man named Isaacs ran after him and threatened to punch his head if he did not do so. Alderman Stone thought Isaacs had acted very creditably. The defendant, it was added, then came back with his cab and took the child to hospital. Mr. Clarke, house surgeon at St. Bartholomew's Hospital stated that the child was injured on her finger and had a wound about four inches long on her leg. He thought the injuries were more likely to have been caused by the horse's hoof treading on her than by the wheel going over her. Alderman Stone said that he had not the slightest doubt that the defendant had driven with great negligence in going round a corner. There was great carelessness on the part of drivers going round corners of narrow streets at a furious pace. The defendant had been fined before for misconduct and he would now have to pay 20s and costs for the furious driving and he would award the child 40s as compensation. The defendant said that he had no money to pay. Alderman Stone then said that he must go to prison for 14 days.
Ultimately, the defendant paid the money.'  Thanks to Robin Woodruff for this snippet! 

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Edward Woodruff
1847 - ?

The 1851 census shows Edward (3) living with his parents, brothers and sisters in Great Missenden, Bucks.  In the 1881 census we find Edward (33) living at 156, Queens Walk, Nottingham as a draper with wife Ellen and children Horace Edward (7), Margaret Jane (6), Jessie (4), Annie (3) and Maud E. (1).   Thanks to Robin Woodruff.

Photo of Edward Woodruff (courtesy of Janet Tublin)

Edward is living at 46 Bridgford Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham in the 1901 census, now occupied as a Commercial traveller in the wine trade, aged 53. Living with wife, Ellen (51) and children Horace (27), Jessie (24), Robert (19), Leonard (13) and mother-in-law Ann Marriott (84).

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Jeken Woodruff
1804 - 1876

Jeken married Eliza in 1839, but already had two children, Jane (2) and George (1).

In the 1841 census he is aged 30, living with Eliza (20) and children Jane (4), George (3), Susanna (1) in Brewhouse Yard (also known as Atwell's Yard) off the High Street in Uxbridge. Occupation is given as cordwainer, and a Charles Towns is living with then as cordwainer's apprentice.

In the 1851 census, he appears as John Woodrough (46) living with wife Eliza (34) and children George (12), Alice (2) and Susan 1 month. Brother Joseph (52) is also included.

By 1861 Jeken (56) is a widower, Eliza having died in 1856 (giving birth to William?) living with children, Hester (13), Alice (11), Susan (9), Elizabeth (7) and William (5).  Jeken, Hester and Alice are all listed as Shoemakers.

In the 1871 census, Jeken has moved to 30 Bell Yard, Uxbridge, aged 67 with unmarried daughter Alice (22), domestic servant, son William (16), tailor and James Woodruff, grandson (but may be a great-nephew?) who is stated as having been born in London and is deaf and dumb.

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Alice Woodruff
1850 - ?

Alice appears to have had an illegitimate son, William, eleven years before she married.

In the 1881 census she is living at 36 Catherine's Wheel Yard, New Brentford, Middx with her husband James W. Brown and daughter Louisa (1).

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William Woodruff
1856 - 1892

William was living at 25 Vine Street, Hillingdon, Middlesex occupied as a tailor aged 35 with wife, Charlotte (22) and eldest son William (1) in the 1881 census.

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Stephen Woodruff
1808 - 1894

Stephen was a man of means living for most of his life at Colne Cottage, Wood End Green, Hayes, Middlesex.  The Middlesex Register of Electors 1838-39 Elthorne Hundred shows:

1210    Woodruff Stephen    Wood End Green    Freehold houses (at) Wood End Green

The census of 1841 shows Stephen Woodruff (30), his wife Charity (30) and children Joseph (4) and Susanna (2), also George Page (20) Baker Journeyman and Thomas Hall (20) Baker Apprentice all living at Wood End Green.

In the 1851 census Stephen is now (42) and Charity also (42) with children Joseph (14), Susanna (12), Ann (8), Jane (6), Fanny (4) and Mariette (2). There is also Martha Pickard (17) unmarried house servant. Stephen is a Master Baker employing one man and one boy. The children are all scholars. 

The 1861 census shows some change with more children,  Joseph (24), Susanna (22), Ann (18), Jane (16), Fanny (14), Marriette (12), Julia (9) and Matilda E.C. (5) all the children having been born in Hayes.

The 1871 census shows only Stephen (62), Charity (62), Fanny (24) and Julia (19)

The 1873 Middlesex Domesday Book (showing landowners) lists Stephen as follows:

Name of Owner Address of Owner        Extent of Lands         Gross Estimated A. R. P.    Rental

Woodruff, Stephen                   Wood-End Green Hayes              4   3   39                 £100.17.0

In the 1881 census Stephen and Charity are both 72 living with Ann again (at 38 still unmarried), Julia (29) and Matilda E.C.(25) a needlewoman. There is also a Domestic Nurse, Charlotte E. Saunders (56) and Millicent Tilbury (3) their grand-daughter (daughter of Jane Woodruff and William Wix Tilbury).

By 1891 Stephen at 82 is alone, Charity having died, but living with daughters Ann (48), a Daily Governess, Julia (39) and Matilda E.C. (35).

Stephen's grave also includes his wife, Charity, and daughters Ann and Marriette.
A copy of his death certificate shows the cause of death as 'Decay of Nature, Asthemia'. 
His executrixes were three of his daughters, Susannah, Ann and Julia. He left the proceeds of his insurance policy to his five surviving daughters. The remainder of his estate was divided between the three executrixes.  Joseph's wife appears to have inherited nothing.  It is difficult to say why he discriminated between Jane and Matilda on the one hand, and his other three daughters.

Stephen and Charity are buried together with their daughters Marriette and Ann
in the churchyard of St. Mary's Hayes, Middx.

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Jane Woodruff
1844 - 1906

Jane was the third daughter of Stephen and Charity Woodruff.  She married William Wix Tilbury in 1867 and lived much of her married life in Yeading, Hayes.  William seems to have taken over his father's farm in the 1890s and later moved to Cudham in Kent where they were when the 1901 census was taken.  She died in 1906 of Bright's disease.

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Joseph Woodruff
1836 - 1877

Joseph was an executor of his Uncle Peter Markham's will in April 1877.  It is ironic that he died intestate only a couple of months later on 3 June 1877. His effects of under £450 were left to his widow, Mary.

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Susanna Woodruff
1838 - ?

Sussanah may well have married her couson, Joseph Herrett, since her uncle, John Seamons Woodruff, was married to Mary Ann Herrett.  Both Herretts were born in Iver, so it seems likely that they were related, especially since Herrett is not a common surname.

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 Fanny Woodruff
1846 - 1893

Fanny married Thomas Bradbery in 1874 and is listed in the 1881 census with her husband, a butcher, and their children Edward (5), Arthur (3) and Walter H. (1). a couple of years after her death Thomas married her sister Julia. 

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Julia Woodruff
1851 - post 1901

Julia married her sister Fanny's husband after Fanny's death in 1893.  She is listed aged 49 in the 1901 census living with Thomas Bradbery (53) and her sister Fanny's children, Edward (25), Walter Henry (21) and Tom (17). This marriage could well have been illegal at the time.

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Marriette Woodruffe
1846 -1868

Marriette died when she was only 19. Her siblings named their first-born girls after her.

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Matilda Emily Charity Woodruff
1855 - Aft. 1891

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Peter is listed as a bachelor of 25 in the 1841 census in Thorney, Iver.
He was living in Iver Village aged 39 with his wife Letitia (28) in the 1851 census. Occupation butcher with servant Charles Howard aged 18.
He was still living in Iver village, now next door to the Bull Inn, in the 1861 census.  Peter is 49, although Letitia's age has dropped to 36!
In the 1871 census, no road or street is given, but Peter is now a farmer as well as butcher, owning 123 acres and employing 2 men. Letitia's age is now 45 (another year lost!) Peter's age is given as 60 and he is recorded as being deaf.

Peter left £1500 in his will - a lot of money in 1877! 

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John Seamons Woodruff
1815 - 1876

John lived the first ten years of married life in Colman's Green, Iver where his first three children, John (1841), Stephen (1846) and Susanna (1848) were born. Around 1849, he moved to Cowley, Middx. and had two more children, Elizabeth and Harry by 1861. At this time, he appeared to have a number of professions, being described as a Journeyman Baker, Beer Seller and also a Serjeant (sic) in the militia and residing at the Militia Canteen, Elthorne, Hillingdon, Middx.

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Susannah Woodruff
1848 - post 1901

Aged 33, Susannah was living at block 55-81 Sturgeon Road, Newington, Surrey in the 1881 census with her husband Frederick Lane(30), a gardener, and children Elizabeth E., 4 and Frederick W., 2. Her sister Elizabeth Ann was also living with her..

By 1891 she is a widow (43) and needlewoman living at 4 Enfield Place, Villier Street, Uxbridge with her children Frederick W., 12 a printer's errand boy and Harry, 7.  No mention of her daughter, Elizabeth

In 1901 she is 54 living in Hanwell Middlesex with children Frederick W. (22) junior clerk, railway and Harry, grocer's porter.

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