Friday, 3 May 2024

The Woodworths

The headquarters staff of Watch Tower at one time had two men named Woodworth working with them. There was Clayton J Woodworth, co-writer of The Finished Mystery and editor of The Golden Age magazine and its successor Consolation. There was also Norman Woodworth, who worked on the Photodrama of Creation and the early radio work of the Society, before ceasing fellowship with Watch Tower to take another direction.

Histories of the time period have sometimes speculated on whether the men were related - if not brothers, perhaps cousins or uncle and nephew? It is of no importance at all, but while checking something else - as often happens - the answer came to light.

It is from a May 1943 trial where Clayton Woodworth was called as a witness. (See Consolation December 12, 1944, page 21).


So there was no known family connection. Clayton Woodworth came from New York State and Norman Woodworth came from Canada.

7 comments:

  1. Many thanks for clearing that up. I did wonder about that occasionally but as is mentioned it wasn't an issue. But it is always nice when something inadvertantly is found and cleared up.
    Ray S.

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  2. Norman Woodworth did not completely disappear from Society publications in the 1920s. In The Golden Age February 3, 1932 p. 277 R. H. Barber mentions N. Woodworth and his "A PAPER called "Witness Bulletin"..."

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  3. Probably his last official appearance in Society N. Woodworth publications was in The Golden Age, March 9, 1927, p. 381. (From Benek, both posts)

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  4. Interesting to note that Woodworth Mills was named after Clayton Woodworth. His life story is in the Feb 2019 Watchtower.

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  5. *** dx86-24 Woodworth, Clayton J., Sr. ***
    recollections of granddaughter: w00 10/1 25-29 (From Benek)

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  6. I appreciate C. J. Woodworth's index, BEREAN BIBLE TEACHERS' MANUAL (1909; Society reports 1908). It has over 500 pages. It covers sources up to 1908. It is a pity that it was not supplemented until 1916.

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    Replies
    1. Matthew Deacon3 June 2024 at 23:32

      When did we stop using the Berean manuals?

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