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Lot Essay
The monograms are those of John and Lola Wood and Lola Mackubin. Captain John Taylor Wood (1830-1904), was a famed commander of the Confederate navy, the grandson of the 12th President, Zachary Taylor, and the son of Anne Taylor (1811-75) and Robert Crooke Wood (1799-1869), army surgeon and assistant surgeon general. John Taylor Wood was renowned for his daring exploits, including his command of the Tallahassee in 1864, when he captured 33 vessels.
Like many Southerners during the Civil War, John Taylor Wood buried his family silver. His diary, now in the Southern Historical Collection of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, notes on September 3, 1861: "Buried our silver in a line with the (S) end of the house, an apple tree on Mr. H. & Jim's line & three large trees on Mr. H's land. From the apple tree, 25 paces toward the house. I trust it may remain there safe until the times are settled. Remember from whom all mercies come."
His diaries also contain a vivid account of the capture of President Jefferson Davis, on May 10, 1865. Wood escaped capture, paying a Union soldier half the gold in his purse, and laying concealed in a swamp "for about three hours in the most painful position, sometimes moving a few yards almost "ventro a terre" to escape notice for I was within hearing of the camp on either side of the stream". He escaped through Florida to Cuba, and settled in Halifax after the war.
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Commander John Taylor Wood
Like many Southerners during the Civil War, John Taylor Wood buried his family silver. His diary, now in the Southern Historical Collection of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, notes on September 3, 1861: "Buried our silver in a line with the (S) end of the house, an apple tree on Mr. H. & Jim's line & three large trees on Mr. H's land. From the apple tree, 25 paces toward the house. I trust it may remain there safe until the times are settled. Remember from whom all mercies come."
His diaries also contain a vivid account of the capture of President Jefferson Davis, on May 10, 1865. Wood escaped capture, paying a Union soldier half the gold in his purse, and laying concealed in a swamp "for about three hours in the most painful position, sometimes moving a few yards almost "ventro a terre" to escape notice for I was within hearing of the camp on either side of the stream". He escaped through Florida to Cuba, and settled in Halifax after the war.
[image caption]
Commander John Taylor Wood