Ralph Woodford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Ralph James Woodford
Engraving by Charles Turner made in 1829, after Woodford's death.
Born	1784
Died	17 May 1828
Occupation	Diplomat
Known for	Governor of Trinidad

Sir Ralph James Woodford (born 1784, died 1828) was an important British leader. He served as the longest-running governor of Trinidad, an island in the Caribbean. He was young and full of energy when he started in 1813. He worked hard to make Trinidad a more organized place. He also greatly improved the public areas, especially in the capital city, Port of Spain. Sadly, his time as governor ended when he died at sea.

Sir Ralph Woodford: A Governor's Story

Early Years

Ralph James Woodford was born in 1784. His father, Sir Ralph Woodford, was a diplomat. He was the first Baronet of Carleby. Ralph's mother was Gertrude Reessen, who was from the Netherlands.

From 1809 to 1811, Ralph was in Madeira. He was there to care for his sister, Elizabeth, who was ill. Both of his parents passed away in 1810. When he returned home, he looked for a job in the government.

Leading Trinidad: Big Changes

Ralph Woodford was offered a new job in Trinidad. It was to be the Registrar of Slaves. He turned down this offer. Instead, he became the governor of Trinidad. He got this important job with the help of Lord Bathurst. Lord Bathurst was a powerful government official.

Woodford was appointed governor on October 31, 1812. He arrived in Port of Spain on June 14, 1813. He took over from the previous governor, Hector William Munro.

Building a Better Port of Spain

A big fire had destroyed much of Port of Spain in 1808. Governor Woodford led the effort to rebuild the city. He helped create what is now the old center of Port of Spain. He made a rule that only stone buildings could be built. This was to prevent future fires.

He also had land filled in to create a proper dock. This made it easier for trading ships to arrive. Woodford bought an old sugar farm. He turned it into The Savannah. This large park was for people to relax and for cattle to graze. He also bought a nearby estate called Hollandais. This became his home. He created beautiful botanical gardens there. He also had pretty trees planted in the town's main squares. One of these squares, Brunswick Square, was later renamed Woodford Square in his honor.

He made sure the streets were paved. He also oversaw the building of churches for both Anglican and Roman Catholic communities. These churches are now the main cathedrals in Port of Spain. He helped make Port of Spain a very attractive city. A visitor named Henry Nelson Coleridge wrote about it in 1825:

"Port of Spain is the best town I saw in the West Indies. The streets are wide and long. They are laid out in straight lines. No wooden houses are allowed anymore. No building can be made outside a set line. There is a public path with trees. There is also a large market with a market house. It is very neat and clean."

Woodford personally watched over many of these building projects. He often wore a straw hat to protect himself from the sun. He rode his horse around the city. Because of this, the local Creole people called him "gouverneur chapeau paille." This means "Governor straw hat."

Connecting the Island

Besides paving roads, Woodford brought steamships to Trinidad. These ships linked Port of Spain with San Fernando. They also connected other towns around the island. In 1818, a wooden steamship called the Woodford was built. It was 71 feet long. It was the first paddle steamer to operate in the Caribbean.

Schools and Society

Woodford also wanted to improve the community. He supported both the Roman Catholic and Protestant groups. He also brought all schools under government control. He created a set of "Rules for Schools."

Woodford believed in a strong social order. He wanted to bring order to the new British colony. He was especially concerned about free black people. He tried to limit some of their rights. These rights dated back to when Spain controlled the island. For example, he tried to stop marriages between white and black residents.

However, he was very supportive of the native Amerindians. He encouraged them to be proud of their heritage. He also helped bring back their festivals. This was especially true around the town of Arima.

His Final Journey

In April 1828, Governor Woodford became very ill. He left Trinidad to go to England for medical help. Sadly, he died on his way. He passed away off the coast of Jamaica on May 17, 1828. He never married.

What He Left Behind

• Woodford Square in Port of Spain, Trinidad, is named in his honor.