Gail Woodruff fonds, 1775-2020, n.d.
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Cameron, Chantal
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Abstract
Fonds contains material compiled by Gail Woodruff while researching the history of the Woodruff family. Woodruff material mostly concerns the families and descendants of Ezekiel Woodruff (1763-1837), his sons William Woodruff (1793-1860) and Richard Woodruff (1784-1872), and Richard Woodruff’s son Richard John Woodruff (1855-1905). Several other families are studied as well including the Cook family, Clement family, Collard family, Brookfield family, and Price family.
Description
Gail Woodruff (1947-2022) was the daughter of Milford Reginald Woodruff and Patricia Price. She was born in Niagara Falls and remained in the Niagara Region, working as a teacher in local schools. Upon her retirement in 2000, Gail pursued her many other interests. She was active in the United Empire Loyalists’ Association and served as President of the local Colonel John Butler Branch, as well as volunteering with the Ontario Genealogical Society at the Thorold Library. She was an avid researcher who studied land grants along the Niagara River, publishing a book on the subject in 2011 titled Loyalists and Early Settlers on the Niagara River Parkway. Gail also extensively researched Woodruff family history and published a book on the subject in 2021.
The Woodruff family were United Empire Loyalists who came to Canada from the United States in 1795. Ezekiel Woodruff (1763-1837) and his wife Sarah Hall settled in Niagara at this time. They had seven children. Over the years the Woodruffs became prominent citizens in the region who held important social and political positions in the community and ran successful businesses. Ezekiel’s son Richard (1784-1872) was a successful businessman who is considered to be the founder of St. Davids. He also served in the Assembly of Upper Canada as a representative for the first riding of Lincoln and was often referred to as “King Dick”. Richard’s brother William was also a successful businessman who resided in St. Davids and served in the Legislative Assembly representing Lincoln ridings. Richard John Woodruff (1855-1905) was the son of John Woodruff (1819-1856) and grandson of Richard “King Dick” Woodruff.