BOOKS & NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
A History of Methodism in Alabama
(Excerpt) By Anson Wes 1893
William Basil Wood & Levi Cassity
 
Levi and Mary L. Cassity - photos by "Kristy" at Find-A-Grave
Photo of Wm. Basil Wood by Sandra Hughes at Find-A-Grave
In 1843, about the time he was admitted to the profession of
law, William Basil Wood, though not then a member of the
Church, asked and obtained permission to organize a Sunday-school in the Meeting House owned and used by tho Methodists
of Florence, Alabama. The Sunday-school was organized, and
in that commenced the active religious work of that capable
young man. Some time after he opened that Sunday-school
he joined the Church. His name was recorded on the Class
Book of Florence Station for 1846, tho oldest Class Book of that
Station now at hand. He was a leader and a pillar in that Society for four and a half decades.
He was born October 29, 1821. Before he was a year old his father moved to Florence,
Alabama. There he grew to manhood. To the religious worship and public service of tho Church William B. Wood gave a
large part of his time, and to the support of the enterprises and
agencies of the Church he gave large portions of his worldly
substance. Through every channel open to the furtherance of
the kingdom of God accessible to him he distributed his worldly
goods. Generous and genial, he dispensed a bounteous hospitality at home and at Camp-meetings for many years. He and
Levi Cassity married sisters, and were attached to each other.
For five years they were partners as tentholders at Cypress Creek
Campground, and they had many religious enjoyments together
at the Camp meetings held there. On a Thursday of September, 1850, they packed and loaded preparatory to moving next
morning following to Cypress Campground. During the night
of that Thursday a congestive chill seized Brother Cassity and
annulled his purpose to tout on the sacred ground where so often
he had met God and received his benediction. On the afternoon of the following Sunday he, without a cloud intervening,
and without a doubt or a fear distracting, passed to "the undiscovered country, from whose bourn no traveler returns."
Brother Cassity was a modest man, not ambitious of public station. He was loving, tender, and kind. He would not lead in
public devotions, but he was a fine singer, and often, under deep
emotion, in a quiet mood, shed tears freely in the time of holy
worship. He was a steward for tho Society at Florence, Alabama, for a great many years. In his parting words to Brother
Wood he said: " We expected to be at the Camp-meeting today
enjoying it as we have so often done, but we will never go there
again together. You may be there with other friends next
year and for many years; I am going to the great meeting above
whore we will never break up. I shall watch for you to come
and join us. Take care of my family and bring them with you."
By the death of Brother Cassity, as also by the death of one of
his daughters, Sarah Elizabeth Cassity, who died while a
pupil at the Tennessee Conference Female Institute at Athens,
Alabama, in 1851, Brother Wood was sorely bereaved and greatly
afflicted. Miss Cassity, though only a school girl at her death,
was a radiant and happy Christian, in whose association her uncle found great pleasure and profit, in her dying message she
spoke of the world of glory to which she was going to be happy
for evermore.
Military Photo by "Kristy"
W. B. Wood was a local preacher, active and efficient. He
preached much and well. He was a man of fine personal presence. He was hopeful, and energetic, and successful. He filled
places of honor and of trust in politics he was a whig, and
active in the service of his party. He filled the office of Judge
of Probate of his County for a number of years, and was on the
bench as Circuit Judge for quite awhile, being repeatedly chosen
to that position. He was the Colonel of the sixteenth Alabama
Regiment in the Confederate service. He was in a number of
battles, and did valiantly, and won distinction and promotion.
In one engagement he commanded the brigade to which he belonged. He was transferred from the colonelcy of his Regiment
to the presidency of the military court of Longstreet's corps, in
which position he continued until the court expired with the
Confederacy. He bore the titles of Reverend, Judge, and Colonel, and honored them all.
His wife, Mrs. Sarah B. Wood, was
a worthy companion; in social worth, and in piety, and in benevolence fully his equal. He died, at his home at Florence,
Alabama, April 3, 1891, having served his generation well.
TRIPLES with EMMA
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