Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1889, volume 6).djvu/639

Rh pointed brigadier-general in August, 1775, and, on the landing of the British on Long Island, put himself at the head of the militia. A few days after the disastrous battle of Long Island he was surprised by a body of British light horse near Jamaica. He surrendered his sword, but was after- ward so severely wounded by the troopers that he died in consequence. A narrative of Gen. Wood- hull's capture and death was published by Henry Onderdonk, Jr. (New York, 1848), and his journal of the Montreal expedition of 1760 appeared in the " Historical Magazine " for September, 18(51. — Richard's great-great-grandson, William, clergy- man, b. in Miller's Place, Long Island, N. Y., 3 Dec, 1741 ; d. in Chester, Morris co., N. J.. 24 Oct., 1824, was graduated at Princeton in 1 764, entered the ministry, and in 1777 occupied the Black River (now Chester) pulpit, Morris co., N. J. He was a member of the Provincial congress of New Jersey which met at Burlington, 9 June, 1776, deposed Gov. William Franklin, the last royal governor, and framed the first constitution of New Jersey, 2 July, 1776, and of the convention that met at Trenton on 11 Dec, 1787, and adopted the U. S. constitution. — William's brother, John, clergy- man-, b. in Miller's Place, Long Island, N. Y., 26 Jan., 1744; d. in Freehold, N. J., 22 Nov., 1824, was graduated at Princeton in 1766, pursued theological stud- ies with the Rev. John Blair, of Faggs Manor, Pa ., and was ordained pastor of Lea- cock Presbyterian church, Lancaster co., Pa., 1 Aug., 1770, where he re- mained ten years. In 1779 he was called to Free- hold, N. J., to succeed William Tennent. In 1780 he was elected a trustee of Prince- ton, to which in- stitution he de- voted his most faithful attention. In 1785 Mr. Woodhull was one of a committee appointed by synod to form a complete system for the organization of the Presbyterian church in the United States. This resulted in the formation of the general assembly and the present form of government and discipline. In 1798 he received the degree of D. D. from Yale. In 1812 he was one of the founders of Princeton theological seminary. While pastor at Leacock in 1777 he induced all his male parishioners to shoul- der their muskets for Valley Forge, and accom- panied them as chaplain. Afterward at Freehold, in 1782, he wrote to Gen. Washington begging him to retaliate by the execution of one of the English officers, then in his hands, -for the murder, without trial, of Capt. Joshua Huddy, of Mon- mouth, whose funeral sermon Dr. Woodhull de- livered from the court-house steps to an immense audience from the adjoining counties. This request was granted, and Capt. Asgell, of the British army, was designated by lot to expiate the offence. Mean- while, however, the English general organized a court-martial to examine into the affair, when it was found that the execution of Huddy had been ferpetrated under instructions from William 'ranklin, late governor of New Jersey, then in New York, and president of the Associated Loyal- ists. Asgell was accordingly released. Only three of Dr. Woodhull's printed sermons have been pre- served — '• The Establishment of the Federal Con- stitution " (1787); "The Death of General Wash- ington" (1799); and an ordination sermon (1813).

WOODMAN, Clarence Eugene, clergyman, b. in Saco, Me., 1 Nov., 1852. He entered Amherst, but was graduated at Trinity in 1873. After a year's study at the General theological seminary of the Protestant Episcopal church in New York city, he became a convert to the Roman Catholic faith, and entered the Congregation of St. Paul, with which he has since been connected. He is among the most eloquent public orators of his church in this country. On high festivals he is frequently invited to preach in the cathedral, and has rendered great service throughout the church. As an amateur, Father Woodman has shown abil- ity in various departments of physical science, especially in photography. The honorary degree of A. M. was conferred on him by Amherst in 1877, and that of Ph. D. by Manhattan college in 1883.

WOODMAN, John Smith, educator, b. in Dur- ham, N. H., 6 Sept., 1819 ; d. there, 5 May, 1871. He was graduated at Dartmouth in 1842, taught for four years in Charleston, S. C, and read law. He visited the principal cities of Europe in 1849, travelling a great part of the time on foot, and on his return to New Hampshire practised his pro- fession in Dover, and subsequently in Rollinsford till 1851, when he became professor of mathematics in Dartmouth. He held that chair for five years, and upon the establishment of the Chandler scien- tific school there in 1852, also taught in that de- partment. He became professor of civil engineer- ing and vice-president, and the practical head of the Chandler scientific school in 1856, its prosperity dating from his entrance on these offices, all of which he held until his death. He wrote for jour- nals and magazines, and lectured on scientific sub- jects. His papers on the construction and main- tenance of highways showed originality and prac- tical knowledge, and his views were often adopted.

WOODRUFF, George, jurist, b. in Binghamton, N. Y., 4 July, 1807 ; d. in Marshall, Mich., 13 May, 1887. He was graduated at Hobart in 1829, admitted to the bar of Ithaca, and in 1837 removed to Marshall, Mich., where he practised law. He became county judge in 1846, served two terms, was circuit commissioner three terms, and a judge of the circuit court in 1866-'75. — His son, William S., was killed in battle before Petersburg, 25 June, 1864. — Another son, George Augustus, soldier, b. in Marshall, Mich., 27 May, 1840 ; d. in Gettysburg, Pa., 4 July, 1863, was graduated at the U. S. mili- tary academy in 1857, and became 1st lieutenant of artillery in June, 1861. He served in the Vir- ginia peninsular campaign from March till July, 1862, participating in the siege of Yorktown and the battles of Fair Oaks, Glendale, and Malvern Hill, commanded a battery at Antietam in the Maryland campaign, was engaged at Fredericks- burg and Chancellorsville, and during the Pennsyl- vania campaign commanded a battery, and was mortally wounded at Gettysburg. In this battle he was stationed on the right of Gen. Winfield S. Hancock's line. Of his death Gen. Hancock wrote : " Among all the brave men who fell at Gettysburg there are none whose loss I regret more than his."

WOODRUFF, Hiram, horse-trainer, b. in Flemington,N. J.. 22 Feb., 1817; d. on Long Island, N. Y., 13 March, 1867. He began his career as a professional horse-trainer in Philadelphia in 1831, and acquired a unique reputation for