Is we'd a real abbreviation

Answer 1

Yes, it is. Abbreviations like this first exist in spoken language. The written form is a way to express more accurately what is spoken. People would almost always say "We'd go if we had the money!" in a casual setting. The spelling reflects the spoken word. People would not say 'people'd' in place of people would, so you're not likely to find people'd in written form. The abbreviation 'd would usually follow a vowel sound, not a consonant sound.