Richard and Annie Wood

Woodville, Alabama is named for former residents, Richard and Annie Wood. 
We are not sure when or why the town was named in their honor.  Information
on the Wood's is very limited.

This newspaper reads:  "pictured here is Richard Wood
and his wife Annie (Lemons) Wood for whom Woodville,
Alabama was named.  They were members of the Union
Primitive Baptist Church.  They lived the latter part of their
lives at "Fern Cliff" on Sand Mountain. (Photo Copied
by Christian Sumner)

In the History of Jackson County, by J.R. Kennamer published 1935,
Mr. Kennamer writes more in detail on page 179:

Fern Cliff

This place was originally settled about 1852 by former residents of Woodville, persons
from whom the town took its name, Richard Wood and beloved wife, Annie.  This aged
couple spent twenty years here at this beautiful resort, with the healthful water and cool
invigorating air. Mr. Wood sold his mountain home and Chalybeate spring in September
1872, to Captain Henry J. Cheney of Nashville, Tennessee.  Captain Cheney owned that
unexcelled tract of land on the south side of the Tennessee River, known as the "Stratton
Farm."  Captain Cheney improved the Cliff residence which became a very popular resort. 
He and Mr. Johnson built a road up the mountain in 1876.  Mr. Wood and wife lived near
there until death, and were buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery.  We understand that  Annie Wood
was before her marriage, a Lemons.  She was a sister of Samuel Butler's wife.

Fern Cliff (July, 1942 by Wendell Page)