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The Rev. Thomas Wood held the living of Northbourne from 1877-1894. He is buried in the churchyard, the lych-gate on the north side of the churchyard is memorial to him and has a plaque on the western upright.

'Deal Walmer and Sandwich Mercury' 10 February 1894

DEATH OF THE RECTOR OF NORTHBOURNE

The quiet little village of Northbourne has been thrown into mourning by the death of the highly esteemed Rector (Rev. Thos. Wood), which took place at the Rectory early on Monday morning. The late reverend gentleman has been in failing health for some years past. About four years ago a cataract formed in his eye and he underwent a very successful operation by Dr. Critchet. It has been evident to his relatives and the parishioners of late that he was suffering from creeping paralysis. His vitality was encouraging almost to the last, but his limbs appeared to get weaker and more feeble each day. Meeting his faithful old Churchwarden (Mr. Wyborn) while walking in the village last autumn, he remarked to him. "I am all right; it is only my legs," though he is known to have expressed to his son soon afterwards that he was going down hill, but had had a good innings, and must not grumble. A little later he was unable to walk at all, and had to be carried from one room to another, and although those around him saw but little change, it was evident to others who did not visit him so frequently that he was failing rapidly. It was not until the end of last week that he entirely kept to his bed, and he passed peacefully away at five o'clock on Monday morning. In reply to a question two hours before his death, he said he was not in any pain.

The Rev. Thomas was born in the year 1815 ^[1], at Sandwich, in the old house ^[2] in Strand-street, at which Queen Elizabeth is said to have taken up her abode during her visit to that town, and the property has remained in the hands of the family to the present day. Educated at Chatham House School, Ramsgate, he took the degree of M.A. at St. John's College, Cambs., about the year 1835. On his Ordination he was appointed Curate of Winchnore, Gloucestershire, and subsequently held a curacy at Cranbrook, near Staplehurst.^[3] From 1841 to 1860 he was a Military Chaplain in India, serving under the East India Company, and subsequently under the Imperial Government. He was stationed at Dinapore^[4], Dumdum, and Fort William, Calcutta, being at the latter throughout the Indian Mutiny^[5], and receiving as many refugees into his house as possible.

During the first year or so after his return to England he stayed in various parts of the country, and on settling down, became curate of Eythorne, where he remained some six years, till the death of the Rector (Rev. Mr. Fairbrace).^[6] He was then appointed Curate of Northbourne, under the late Rev. S. Cook, whom he succeeded in the living, which he has held for 17 years. He resided at Sandwich while holding the Eythorne and Northbourne Curacies, and used to walk to his Church every Sunday. He also held the Chaplaincy of Sandwich Gaol until that establishment was abolished.^[7] During his residence at Northbourne the late Rector has thoroughly endeared himself to the parishioners, and through his influence many improvements to the Church have been carried out. The new seating, new vestry, new south porch, nave paving, have all been carried out since his appointment to the living, besides the handsome little organ which, built by Mr. F.H. Browne, of Deal, at a cost of some £250, was only opened in August last.

The deceased gentleman has, like many other country clergymen, felt the agricultural depression of recent years, and when his church officers have been inclined to doubt whether they would ever raise sufficient funds to carry out this or that necessary renovation or improvement, or perhaps to purchase the much-needed organ, he has encouraged them with the words, "Have faith; have patience." At the last Eastry Vestry a special vote of thanks was passed to the Rector for his services to the Church, it being stated that nearly £900 has been spent upon the fabric during his occupancy of the living. In his Churchwarden (Mr. Wyborn), whom he found and left in office, he had great support, and we know that of late years Mr. Wyborn has carried out many little improvements at his own expense, rather than trouble the Rector with them in his affliction.

The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Mr. G.A. Wanstall, undertaker, of Northbourne, and were conducted throughout with careful regard to every detail. The coffin was of 1½ inch polished oak, with moulded plinth and lippin, and massive brass handles; a solid brass cross extended over the whole length and width of the lid, and at the foot of the cross was a stepped pedestal, forming the plate, on which was engraved the following inscription: -

Rev. Thomas Wood,
Died 5th February, 1894,
Aged 78 years.

THE FUNERAL

The funeral took place in the churchyard of the village at three o'clock yesterday (Friday) afternoon. The weather was exceedingly rough, although rain kept off, but the church was entirely filled with a most sympathetic congregation. There was scarcely a villager who was not present, while a very large number of friends came in from the surrounding district. The funeral cortège was met at the gate by the following clergy: - Revs. Canon Bliss, Canon Nisbet, Revs. T. LI. Griffith, F.B. Blogg, - Lake, - Villiers, W. Flower, A.M. Chichester, J.H. Champion McGill, H. Venn, F. Savage, F.D. Hodgson, F.W. Hodgson, W. Lindsay, W. Hamilton, - Simmons, - Butler, J. Jacquet, - Adams, and - Maughan. The prefatory sentences were read by the curate (Rev. Mr. Lake). The mourners were Mrs. Wood (the widow), and Mr. T.P. Wood,^[8] Dr. Hilton and Mrs. Livesey,^[9] Rev. Edward Wood (nephew),^[10] and Mrs. Hilton, Mr. James Wood (nephew), and Mrs. T.P. Wood; the servants from the Rectory and the gardener and his family following. Among the congregation were Lord Northbourne, Dr. Roberts, and friends from Sandwich and all parts of the district. The service was choral, Mr. Jolliffe presiding at the organ. Canon Bliss and Canon Nisbet conducted the service, the hymns being Nos. 297 and 401 (A. and M.), while the service was deeply impressive throughout. Canon Bliss conducted the interment service.

There were wreaths from the fourteen grandchildren (Helen, Mary, Hilda, Ruth, Naomi, Frank, Jean, and Allan Livesey, and Mary, Percy, Arthur, Margaret, Harry, and Frank Wood), "The Mother's Meeting," the Churchwardens (Messrs. H. Wyborn and G. W. Frank), Rev. H.P. and Miss Lake, Miss Kidder, Capt. and Mrs. Voules, Mr. and Mrs. Hammond and Miss Chalk, Mrs. and Miss Kathleen Ranken, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, Miss Daisy Stevens, Mrs. Pritchard and Mr. and Mrs. D. Pritchard, Mr. and Mrs. R. Marsh, servants of Northbourne Rectory (Hannah, Fannie, and Lizzie ),^[11] Mrs. Davison and family, Mrs. J. Worthington Bliss, teachers and scholars of Northbourne School, Mr. Job Clark (gardener) and Mrs. Clark and daughters, Miss U. Seeley, Mr. Mrs.  and Miss Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Wood, and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Green; crosses from Mrs. F.H. Solley, Mrs. Hannam, Mrs. and Miss Lancaster Lucas, "surviving daughters and son," Mr. and Mrs. T.M. Fuller and family, Miss Daisy Stevens, and Mrs. and Miss J. Branfill Harrison; flowers from Misses Elsie and Marjorie Deane.

'Deal Walmer and Sandwich Mercury' 13 July 1895

DEDICATION OF THE LYCH-GATE AT NORTHBOURNE

The old churchyard at Northbourne, with its picturesque surroundings, was the scene of a very interesting ceremony on Thursday evening, when the massive oak Lych-gate, which had been erected by the parishioners and friends in memory of the late Rector, the Rev. Thomas Wood, was dedicated by the Right Rev. the Bishop of Dover [Dr Eden]. The new structure is built of solid English oak, weighing as much as four tons, and does the utmost credit to the workmanship of Mr. G.A. Wanstall, builder and undertaker, of Northbourne, the design being by Mr. Harrisson, of London. A bronze plaque on one of the supports bears the inscription "In memory - Thomas Wood, Rector - 1877-1894." The Lych-gate was erected at a cost of about £100, of which a small balance still remains to be made up, while the collection taken at the dedication service was about £5. The amount has been almost entirely subscribed in the village, and there is not a single parishioner, from Lord Northbourne down to the humblest cottager, who has not contributed something, a fact which indicates that the late rector was held in the highest esteem, and that his memory will ever remain dear to those amongst whom he laboured for seventeen years. The chairman in connection with the fund was Mr. R. Turner, the Treasurer, Mr. May Inge, and the Secretary, Mr. Jolliffe.

The service commenced at six-o'clock, by which time the church was crowded. The opening hymn was "Jerusalem my happy home." The service was conducted by the Rector, the Rev. G. Litting. The first lesson was read by the Rev. Canon Flower (Worth), and the second lesson by the Rev. D. Bruce Payne (Vicar of St. George's, Deal). Other Clergy present were the Rev. J.H. Champion McGill (Rector of St. Andrew's, Deal), Rev. F.B. Blogg (Rector of Mongeham), Rev. H.N. Bernard (Rector of Ripple), and Rev. F.B. Villiers (Curate of Eastry). Psalms appropriate to the occasion were sung, and while the hymn "The Church's one foundation" was being sung, the clergy proceeded down the church and through the west entrance to the Lych-gate, the Bishop of Dover leading the way. This portion of the ceremony presented a most impressive scene. The Bishop stood in the gateway, supported by the clergy, and the congregation, among whom were Lord and Lady Northbourne..........