Umbilo (M14)

Name: Umbilo

BACKGROUND: RICHARD WOOD was a Trader's assistant, carpenter, wagon driver. He, probably came to Natal with Collis in October 1831. In April 1838 Richard Wood was killed at the Battle of the Tugela. WILLIAM WOOD, the brother of Richard, died in the same battle. WILLIAM WOOD, the son of Richard, was interpreter to Dingaan. William WOOD, his mother, and other Port Natal residents took refuge on the ship Comet at the Bay of Natal to escape the Zulus. Young William WOOD and his mother left Port Natal on 11 May 1838 for Graham's Town in the company of Mr and Mrs Edwards and family. The wagon journey to Graham's Town (375 miles as the crow flies) took a total of 4 months and the WOODs had to walk most of the way. The Edwards family remained in King William's Town. The WOOD family proceeded to Algoa Bay and then boarded the 'Comet' to Cape Town. William WOOD remained in Africa until the age of 20. He then left for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he married. After a few years William WOOD and his family moved to England and then on to the United States.

Map of Port Natal 1842.

This map shows the original locations of the homes of Ogle, Dunn and Wood. Dunn's house was between the Umbilo (Boiling River) and the Umhlatusi (Umhlatuzana) River (Copper River). Both houses seem to be in the Umbilo River valley close to high ridges. The distance from the Wood home to the mouth of the Umbilo River is just under a mile. The Boer's Camp is almost on the beach and is about a mile from the Wood home.

http://salbu.co.za/debora/AnnalsOfNatal_Wood.html

Recent Map of Durban, Natal, South Africa - Suburbs of SeaView, Rossburgh and Umbilo

This map shows the approximate positions of the homes of the Dunn and Wood families relative to current landmarks. The Dunn house could have been in, or near to, the triangle formed by Folkestone, Doncaster and Titren ( or Romford) Roads. Possibly on the opposite side of the river to the Umbilo Drive in Cinema - at the juction of Park View Road and Coronet Avenue. The Wood house could have been in the area between the Stellawood Cemetery and the ESKOM (ESCOM) Power Station. Perhaps in the vicinity of the Umbilo Railway Station - on the Rossburg side of the station - near to the junction of Sarnia Road and Drake Road.


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