In the History of Conway (Massachusetts), 1767-1917, Cesar Wood is referred to as "Black Caesar," "'Saxton [sexton] and Grave Diger', who also, as the ancient memories tell us, did every sort of a thing" (pp. 36 & 37). He succeeded African American Calab Sharp (Sharp Calab) in the construction and operation of sawmills and gristmills. Sharp constructed Conway's first gristmill in 1767.
Cesar married Bette (Betty) Barne (Barnes) of Conway in June of 1776. They lost a child in 1777 at the age of six months, another was stillborn in 1778, a child lived only a few days in 1782, and Cesar, Jr. died in 1790 at the age of nine years. Sally was born on December 30,1785, but nothing else is known about her. Conway vital records note that Betty, "an Indian woman" died on October 12, 1800. The federal census for Conway for that year lists Cesar with three in the "All Other Free Persons" column.