[1] John Woods (1761–1816) was a political leader, a Federalist, and a member of a prominent founding Pittsburgh family.

He was the son of Colonel George Woods of Bedford County, Pennsylvania.

'"[citation needed] John Woods was elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in 1797, and was elected as a Representative to the Fourteenth United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1815, to March 3, 1817 (though, due to illness, he never attended sessions).

[citation needed] Composer Stephen Foster was friends with the Woods family, and his song "Nelly Bly", written circa 1849 and published in 1850, was inspired by a servant girl who worked at the Woods house.

[3][4][5] The song was composed on Rachel Keller Woods' piano, on which Foster is said to have written other classics (including "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair"), and the instrument is currently housed at the Stephen Foster Memorial in Pittsburgh.