Sir Matthew Wood, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Matthew Wood
Sir Matthew Wood, 1st Baronet, wearing the chain of the Lord Mayor of London. Portrait by Arthur William Devis
Lord Mayor of London
In office 1815–1817
Preceded by	Samuel Birch
Succeeded by	Christopher Smith
Member of Parliament for the City of London
In office June 1817 – 25 September 1843
Preceded by	Harvey Christian Combe
Succeeded by	James Pattison
Personal details
Born	Matthew Wood 2 June 1768 Tiverton, Devon
Died	25 September 1843 London, United Kingdom
Spouse	Maria Page
Children	6

Sir Matthew Wood, 1st Baronet (born June 2, 1768 – died September 25, 1843) was an important British politician. He was a member of the Whig party. Sir Matthew served as the Lord Mayor of London from 1815 to 1817. After that, he became a Member of Parliament in 1817. He worked for reforms until his death in 1843.

Early Life and Family Background

Matthew Wood was born in 1768. His father, William Wood, made a type of cloth called serge. The family came from Exeter and Tiverton, Devon in Devon, England. His mother was Catherine Cluse. The Wood family had a long history in Devon. They were connected to the Wood family of Hareston.

Matthew Wood's Business Career

Matthew Wood went to Blundell's School for a short time. He then helped his father with the family business. This business involved making and selling serge cloth. It was based in Tiverton and Exeter.

Later, Wood became an apprentice to his cousin. His cousin was a chemist and druggist in Exeter. In 1790, Matthew moved to London. He started his own business there.

In 1797, Wood began working as a hop merchant. Hops are used to make beer. He continued to work as both a druggist and a hop trader. Over the years, his hop business changed partners and locations. It was known as Wood, Wigan & Wood at one point. Later, it became Wood, Field & Wood.

Matthew Wood's Political Journey

Wood became involved in London politics in 1802. He was elected to the Court of Common Council. This was a local government group in the City of London. He held this position until 1807. In 1807, he was elected to the Court of Aldermen.

Wood was a member of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers. This was a traditional group known for supporting the Whig party. He became its leader, called Prime Warden. In 1809, he served as Sheriff of the City of London. He became popular by opposing unpopular government actions. He also worked hard to fight crime in London.

Wood helped start groups that wanted to change how Parliament worked. These included the Hampden Clubs and the Union Society in 1812.

Serving as Lord Mayor

Matthew Wood was the Lord Mayor of London from 1815 to 1817. In December 1816, he helped calm down the Spa Fields riots. These riots involved people demanding changes in government. After the riots, he presented their demands to the Prince Regent.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

In January 1817, Wood spoke about wanting parliaments to be elected every three years. This was a popular reform idea.

In June 1817, Wood was elected as a Member of Parliament. He represented the City of London. He won without anyone running against him. He kept this seat in Parliament until he passed away in 1843.

Support for Queen Caroline

Matthew Wood was a strong supporter of Queen Caroline. She was the wife of King George IV. He became her advisor when she returned to England in 1820. Wood had supported her since 1813. He believed she had been treated unfairly.

Wood worked to arrange her return to England. He traveled to France to meet her. He convinced her to come back to London. He promised her that people would welcome her. They arrived in London on June 6.

Wood played a big part in the public events that followed. He did not attend her trial. He was often shown in drawings and writings of the time. These often showed him with the Queen.

When Queen Caroline's funeral took place in London in 1821, Wood's son, John, was in a main carriage. Matthew Wood's own carriage was also in the procession. Wood tried to place a special plate on her coffin. This plate said "Caroline, the injured Queen of England." After some discussion, a different Latin inscription was used. The coffin was then taken to Harwich and sailed to Brunswick Cathedral.

The Jemmy Wood Legal Case

In 1836, a very rich banker named Jemmy Wood died. Matthew Wood was one of the people who would inherit from him. Even though they were not related, Jemmy Wood's sister had left property to Matthew Wood earlier. Jemmy Wood also allowed Matthew Wood to live in his house, Hatherley House, for free.

Jemmy Wood had also put Matthew Wood in his will. This led to a legal case. In 1839, a court first decided that the will was not valid. This meant the money would go to other relatives. However, this decision was later changed on appeal. In the end, Matthew Wood received a large amount of money, over £100,000.

Becoming a Baronet

In 1837, Queen Victoria made Matthew Wood a baronet. This was the year she became queen. A baronet is a special title, like a knight, that can be passed down in a family. His title was "of Hatherley House in Gloucestershire".

Marriage and Children

On November 5, 1795, Matthew Wood married Maria Page. She was the daughter of John Page from Woodbridge, Suffolk. They had six children together:

• John Page Wood (1796–1866): He became a vicar in the Church of England. His daughter, Katharine Wood, became famous as Kitty O'Shea. Her relationship with Irish leader Charles Stewart Parnell caused a big political scandal. John's son, Evelyn Wood, became a Field Marshal and won the Victoria Cross.
• Maria Elizabeth Wood (born 1798)
• Catharine Wood (born 1799)
• William Wood, 1st Baron Hatherley (1801–1881): He was a lawyer and a Liberal Member of Parliament. He served as Lord Chancellor from 1868 to 1872.
• Western Wood (1804–1863): He also became a Member of Parliament for the City of London.
• Henry-Wright Wood (born 1806): He died as a baby.

The current Page Wood baronets use a family symbol that includes the arms of the Carslake family.

Images for kids

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  This image shows Lady Anne Hamilton, Matthew Wood, and Caroline of Brunswick.