[taken from Chapter 1 Manx Worthies, A.W.Moore, 1901]

JOHN WOODS, Junior (b. 1695, d. 1740),

was a son of the Vicar of Malew of the same name. Bishop Wilson made him vicar general in 1729, when he was only 3l, which shows, either that he was a man of unusual ability, or that no one else among the clergy was competent or willing to take the post. The governor, however, refused to swear him in, stating that he had Lord Derby's positive orders not to do it. This being so, the bishop took the matter in his own hands, and ordered the required oath to be administered to him by the vicar-general, John Curghey. This was accordingly done, and the appointment was not afterwards disputed. At this time, John WOODS was curate of Michael, there being no vicar, because Lord Derby had not only long delayed to fill the vacancy in that living but declined to appoint WOODS to any living in his gift. In 1730, the bishop made him Vicar of German. From the following obituary notice in his " Episcopalia." it is evident that he thought very highly of WOODS: " This morning, after a two years' lingering sickness, died the reverend and worthy Mr. John Woodes Vicar General and Vicar of St. Germain's, a man of singular sobriety, integrity, veracity, probity, and piety."