suffrage_petition
Surname: 
Wood
Given names: 
S. B.
Given address: 
Balclutha
Sheet No: 113
Town/Suburb: 
Balclutha
City/Region: 
Otago
Notes: 

Biography contributed by Helen Edwards.

Susan Blair Provan was the only child of Elizabeth Lowry (or Lowrie), and John Provan, both born in Paisley, Renfrewshire. The couple emigrated to New Zealand on the Nelson in 1863, and Susan was born in Otago on 30 October 1865, named after her maternal grandmother.

Susan attended Balclutha School, where she got a knitting prize.

She was 27 when she married Charles Johnston Wood at her parents’ house in Renfrew Street, Balclutha, on 3 February 1892.

Charles was the son of Isabella Moodie and David Wood, of Linlithgow, who emigrated from Scotland on the Silistria in 1861. He was born in Dunedin on 2 April 1865. A prosperous baker, he was a man of wide interests and strong community spirit, who had played bowls at a national level.

The couple had no children. They worshipped at the Balclutha Methodist Church, where Susan attended the first Sunday School and was a life-long supporter of the church.

The church Jubilee Souvenir booklet featured Mr and Mrs C. J. Wood in their "Outstanding Helpers" section, and said of Susan "Interested, generous and energetic, she has been one of the finest of our workers."

The Woods led a comfortable life, with their own transport and a holiday home at Kaka Point.

In 1904 Charles had a villa built in Renfrew Street, described in detail in the Clutha Leader of 17 May 1904. One room was set aside for ‘Maori and other curios’, gathered during a recent North Island trip.

Susan was very active in patriotic events during the First World War, and a keen gardener.

Susan's mother died in 1902, and her father lived with them for the last few years of his life, dying in 1917. Susan died on 3 October 1925, aged 60.

For fifteen years of his retirement Charles provided first aid at local sporting events and emergencies, and in his will he bequeathed £1,000 for scholarships at Balclutha schools. He died on 30 April 1943.

Susan and Charles are buried in the Wood family grave in Balclutha Old Cemetery.

Sources

BDM Online NZ

Ancestery

Papers Past

Clutha District Council Cemeteries

Balclutha Methodist Church Jubilee Souvenir 1871-1921. Balclutha: Free Press Print, 1921

Click on sheet number to see the 1893 petition sheet this signature appeared on. Digital copies of the sheets supplied by Archives New Zealand.

Community contributions

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Helen Edwards

Posted: 07 Sep 2021

Susan Blair Provan was the only child of Elizabeth Lowry (or Lowrie), and John Provan, both born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, who immigrated to New Zealand on the ‘Nelson’ in 1863. She was born in Otago on 30 January 1865 and named after her maternal grandmother. Susan attended Balclutha School, where she was awarded a knitting prize. She was 27 when she married Charles Johnston Wood at her parents’ house in Renfrew Street, Balclutha, on 3 February 1892. Charles was the son of Isabella Moodie and David Wood, of Linlithgow, who emigrated from Scotland on the ‘Silistria’ in 1860. He was born in Dunedin on 2 April 1865. A prosperous baker, he was a man of wide interests and strong community spirit, who had played bowls at a national level. The couple had no children. The Woods led a comfortable life, with their own transport and a holiday home at Kaka Point. In 1904 Charles had a villa built in Renfrew Street, described in detail in the Clutha Leader of 17 May 1904. One room was set aside for ‘Maori and other curios’, gathered during a recent North Island trip. Susan was very active in patriotic events during World War 1, and a keen gardener. Her mother died in 1902, and her father lived with them for the last few years of his life, dying in 1917. Susan died on 3 October 1925, aged 60. For fifteen years of his retirement Charles provided first aid at local sporting events and emergencies, and in his will he bequeathed £1,000 for scholarships to Balclutha schools. He died on 30 April 1943. Susan and Charles are buried in the Wood family grave in Balclutha Old Cemetery.

Sources
ancestry.com
Births death & marriages online. Dept. of Internal Affairs
Cemetery search. Clutha District Council.
Papers Past. National Library of New Zealand