The Joseph Wright Family Submitted by Jim G. Faulconer

There were many Wrights in Virginia from its early days on, and tracing them for the most part is difficult if not impossible. What follows here is an attempt to trace one line, that of my ancestor, as far as I can go at present. Joseph Wright was born in Virginia, probably between 1725-1730. According to family tradition, as recorded in the obituary of Asa Wright, a grandson, Joseph was a descendant of an early settler at Jamestown, a Wright who had come to this country from London, England. According to D.A.R. Application 393695, Joseph served in the 7th Regulars Continental Line from Augusta County, Virginia, in the Revolutionary War. This writer disputes that notion, however, for another Joseph Wright lived in Augusta County. Our Joseph Wright is first found in Culpeper County, Virginia. While we believe he was there at least by 1760, he does not appear in the records until November 3, 1775, when he was a purchaser of some items at the estate sale of Henry Threlkeld. As we shall see, Joseph Wright's son, William, married Henry Threlkeld's daughter, Susanna. During the Revolutionary War, farmers sold goods to the army, and submitted claims for payment. Joseph Wright put in a claim in October 1780 for 10 bushels of rye. He put another claim in in November 1781 for 600 pounds of beef. Joseph Wright is also listed in the tax lists of the time. The 1783 list, in Culpeper County, collected by William McClanahan, Gent., includes William Wright, Joseph Wright and his son, John; Ned Wright and Francis Wright. It should be noted that Culpeper County had several Wright families at that time. Bessie Taul Conkwright wrote this about Joseph Wright in the 1930s: �Daniel Boone surveyed for Joseph Wright March 8, 1784, 562 acres on Four Mile Creek (now in Clark County, Ky.) entered January 1, 1783, on Treasury Warrant No. 12814. Daniel Boone, D.S.F.G.; Thos. Marshall; Joseph Shull (Schahl), Edward Callaway, chairman; William Wright, marker. (Fayette County, Ky. Survey Book C. page 295.� We do not know if this land was something he purchased, or whether he had received it as a grant for military service. Joseph Wright and his family moved to Kentucky by 1790. In that year he was on the tax list of Fayette County. "The Kentucky Gazette," an early newspaper, noted that on July 1, 1791, Joseph Wright found a steer on the waters of Four Mile Creek in Fayette County. Kentucky was made a state in 1792, and Clark County was formed from Fayette County at the same time. Joseph Wright's will was written and proved in 1804 in Clark County: In the Name of God Amen I Joseph Right of Clark County and State of Kentucky being in perfect health sound mind and memory thanks be to Almighty God, and calling to mind the mortality of the Body, and that all flesh must pay the due when it shall please God to call. Do make Constitute ordain and Declare this my last Will and Testiment. And Disallowing by these presents all and Every Testiment or Testiments Will or Wills heretofore by me made and this to be taken only for my last Will and Testiment and none other, last of all I commit unto almighty God my Soul who gave it me, and my body to the Dust, to be buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named and now for the letting of my Temporal Estate and such goods as God has blest me with. In do order give and dispose the same in the following manner that is to say, first I will that all my just debts shall be paid as also I give and bequeath to my Beloved Wife Frances Wright all the money or cash that I have and that is owing me. Item my Desire is that my Beloved Wife Frances Wright have the use of the rest of the whole of my Estate during her widowhood. Item then I give to my son John Right one Hundred and five acres of land Bounded as follows. Beginning at my begining within nine poles of the Fore mile Creek thence to 45 W. 220 poles to a hickory Thence South 136 poles to a Redbud hickory & white oak saplin thence South 45 East 139 poles to the Begining also five acres to be laid off in a square including the top of a high hill and adjoining the aforesd one hundred and five acres on the south E line begining so as to include the top of a high hill that lieth front of the Door of the house that I now live in the aforesd one hundred and five acres to include the plantation whereon I now live also to include a small plantation lying a south East Direction from the aforesd plantation. Item I also give to my son John Right one Negroe woman named Grace and one Negroe boy named James and Negro boy named Jesse and also gives to my son John Right all my wearing apparrel and all my utentials belonging to my farm such as saw plows hoes axes awgers with all my tools of every kind. Item I give to my daughter Nancy Johnson one hundred and one acres of land bounded as follows. Begining at two redbuds and white oak on Bushes line thence south 45 W 160 poles to a popeler and sugar tree thence S 45 E 88 poles to two sugartrees thence N 45 East 62 poles to a branch and with said branch N East 40 poles to a sugartree and hickory thence 18 East 120 poles to a sugartree or hickory then west along Bushes line to the begining. Also three acres that is planted in peach trees for three acres at my old sugar camp to be taken out of the aforsd one hundred and one acres of Nancy Johnsons. I give to my daughter Frances Hazelrigg sixty one and half acres of land bounded as follows. Begining on my south E. line at Nancy Johnsons South corner on two sugartrees thence south 45 E. 80 poles to a beach and two sugartrees thence North 45 East 135 poles to a white oak sugar tree and ash thence N 45 West 73 poles to two white oachs on Johnsons line thence south 18 west with Johnsons line 36 poles to a sugar tree and hickory thence south 65 west 40 poles to sugar tree on the bank of a branch thence south 45 West 62 poles to the begining. I also give to my daughter Frances Hazelrigg one Nagroe garle named Vecy. Item I give the remainder of said tract of land to my son William Wright. Item I give to my son Francis Wright a legacy of one Cow worth three pound. Item I give to my daughter Elizabeth Penill one cow to be worth three pounds. I give to my daughter Isbell Miller one Negroe woman named Milley. Item the remainder of my estate to be equally divided amongst all my Children that is living at my death and lastly I constitute and appoint ordain my wife Frances Wright my son John Right and Joshua Hazelrigg executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Sixteen Day of May one thousand eight hundred and fore. Signed Sealed and Joseph Wright acknowledged in presents of D. Hampton Samuel Reed Joseph Reed The above will was proved in the Clark County Court on August 27, 1804. (Will Book 2, pages 1-6) The estate was inventoried by his executors on September 6, 1804, and it took three pages to list his considerable possessions. (WB 2, pp. 17-20) Then, over the next five years, four sales were held and recorded: 15 October 1804. Purchasers included Martin Johnston and John Brock. (WB 2, p. 21) 26 September 1806. Purchasers included Martin Johnston, William Wright, Jr. and John Brock. (WB 2, p. 219) 23 January 1808., Purchasers included Joshua Hazelrigg and John Wright. (WB 2, p. 308) 20 January 1809. A few items were sold to William Wright and Martin Johnston. Joseph Wright's wife Frances, has not yet been identified by this writer. Since they named a daughter, "Isbel," we wonder if that family was of some relation. When Joseph, William and others attended the sale of Henry Threlkeld in 1775 in Culpeper County, one of the purchasers was Jason Isbell. William Wright, son of Joseph and Frances, also had a daughter named "Isbel." Here, then, are the children of Joseph and Frances Wright, as named in his will: 1. John Wright and his wife, Mary, sold 60 acres to William Wright, Sr., on November 27, 1809. The land was described as being on Four Mile Creek, part of the 100 acres granted by the will of Joseph Wright deceased, and part of the land patented to Joseph Wright. On the same day, John Wright and his wife, Mary, sold 60 acres to William Johnston. The land is described as being part of the land patented to Achilles Eubank. (DB 6, p. 572-573) 2. Nancy Wright was born on March 27, 1762. She married Martin Johnston on March 1, 1779, in Culpeper County, Virginia. He was a son of William and Sarah Johnston of Culpeper, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, and on June 20, 1818, he applied for his pension. (W436) William Wright (brother-in-law) added his testimony that he had known Martin "from his early years" and "knew he was in Capt. Thornton' s Company, 3rd Regt. Vir. for 2 years." Martin died in Clark County on July 3, 1820. Then, in 1839, Nancy applied for her widow's pension and received it until her death. Her application included many references to family members, with birth dates, marriages, etc., a valuable resource. They had three children: (1) William Johnston, born September 11, 1780. He married Elizabeth Lawrence in Clark County on December 22, 1800. (2) Frances "Fanny" Johnston was born on June 3, 1783. She married John Johnston on February 4, 1802. (3) George W. Johnston was born on July 31, 1793. He married Matilda Murphey on September 5, 1820, and in 1840 they were living in Maury County, Tennessee. On March 26,1852, the heirs of William Johnston partitioned the land on Two Mile Creek, under the supervision of the commissioners. (DB 36, pp. 125-126) They were Amanda Isham, late Johnston; William Johnston; Nancy Browning, alias Johnston; Robert Johnston; George Johnston; Matilda Wright, late Johnston; Polly Ann Johnston; Frances Browning; Martin Johnston; Lawrence Johnston; Betsy Johnston; and Cynthia Bush, late Johnston. 3. Frances Wright married Joshua Hazelrigg. They settled first in Clark County, and then moved to Bath County. On February 1, 1812, they sold 61 1/2 acres in Clark County to William Johnston, their share of the inheritance of Joseph Wright. Witnesses were William Wright, Threlkeld Wright and Willis Wright. The Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men of the State of Indiana, published in 1880, includes a reference to Harvey Hazelrigg, of Boone County, Indiana. It notes that Harvey was born in Bath County, Kentucky, September 13, 1807, youngest son of Joshua and Frances (Wright) Hazelrigg. 4. Francis Wright. We wonder if he were a twin. In Culpeper County he put in a claim in September 1780 for selling 1 1/4 bushels of rye to John Strother of the army. Francis was on the Culpeper County property tax list in 1783. On September 17, 1787, Aaron Jones deeded over to Francis Wright a Negro woman named Nan. Aaron noted his "natural love good will & affection which I bear to my Son in Law Francis Wright." Obviously, Francis had married a daughter of Aaron. Francis married Lucy Jones, daughter of Aaron and Sarah Jones sometime before 1783 in Culpeper County, for their first child, Joseph, was born in that year. The Jones moved to South Carolina and then to Georgia, and Francis Wright and his family probably accompanied them. Francis died in Oglethorp County, Georgia, in 1804, the same year that Joseph, his father died, leaving Francis a cow. Lucy remarried, to John Williford, in 1807, and she died in 1828 in Madison County, Georgia. The known children of Francis and Lucy Wright are Joseph, Nancy, Deliliah, Willis, Milly, Asa Samuel, William, Kesiah, and Francis. 5. William Wright. More later. 6. Elizabeth Wright married a Pennill. No doubt this was the James Pennell or Pannill listed in the D.A.R. Patriots Index. According to that, he was born in 1740 and died in 1821. On September 21, 1778, James Pannill bought 182 acres in Culpeper County from William and Elisabeth Edgmen. William Wright (Elizabeth's brother) also bought an adjoining 98 acres. (DB 1, pp. 18-20) 7. Isbel Wright married George Miller. He was also a veteran of the Revolutionary War, and on December 24, 1832, he applied for his pension. (S16486) The application is rather sparse in information, but notes that George Millar was born on May 24, 1762, in Shenandoah County, Virginia; and lived there at the time of his enlistment. In 1794 he moved to Clark County, Kentucky. In 1795 George bought 150 acres from Achilles Eubank. (DB 1, p. 542) On January 26, 1802, George and Isbell Miller sold 50 acres on Four Mile Creek to James Brown for 50 pounds of money. (DB 4) On March 28, 1808, they sold 100 acres on the Kentucky River and Four Mile Creek to Tilly Emerson for $400. (DB 6, p. 237) William Wright, son of Joseph and Frances Wright, was born on December 18, 1752, according to his Revolutionary War Pension Application, S11,905. On September 21, 1788, he bought 98 acres in Culpeper County from William and Elisabeth Edgmen. This was land in Bromfield Parish, in the Little Fork of the Rappahannock River, in the fork of the Rush River. On the same day, William Wright's brother-in-law, James Pannill, bought an adjoining 180 acres. (DB 1, pp. 20-23) William Wright's Pension Application has much pertinent information, and here it is in its entirety: State of Kentucky Clark County On this 27th day of August in the year 1832 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of record, before the Justices of the Clark County Court now sitting, William Wright a resident of Clarke County and State of Kentucky aged eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. In the year 1777 the first of September he was drafted as a Militia man in the County of Culpeper and State of Virginia where he was then resided. He was in the company commanded by Captain John Lillard, in Colonel James Pendleton's regiment. He was marched to Washingtons army, which lay at the time above Philadelphia between the Schuylkille & Delaware rivers. He was in the army at the battle of Germantown, but he was not present, not being up at the time. On the 3rd of Nov 1777 he rec'd a discharge from Col James Pendleton having served out the two months for which he was drafted said discharge he still has and it is herewith transmitted to the war office. In October 1780, he was again drafted in the militia of said County - The Company he was in was commanded by Capt. James Browning. He was marched from Culpeper Court house towards Richmond Virginia, where the British was expected to land, but not having landed we were marched back and discharged having been in service at tht time one month or there abouts. Col. Barbor commanded during said tour. In April 1781 he was again drafted in the militia of said county. He was commanded by Captain James Browning the same Captain he served under before. Col James Slaughter commanded the regiment to which he belonged. Henry Hill was the Major. The regiment marched and joined the brigade commanded by General Muhlenberg across James river near Petersburgh. He was in the Battle at Petersburg, where General Muhlenberg commanded, against the British commanded by Arnold and Philips. After the battle the army marched to Chesterfield Court house, and he was detached to furnish provisions for the army. During this and the previous tours he acted as Sergeant, and he has a certificate bearing date April 27th 1781 from E. Clay showing the number of cattle delivered to him which is herewith also transmitted. About the middle of June 1781 he was discharged having served more than two months. He rec'd a written discharge from Col James Slaughter but has lost it. In the year 1781 about the first of September, he was again drafted in the militia of the same County. He marched down to little York, at the seige of Cornwallis, and was put under the command of Capt. Reed in the brigade commanded by General Stevens. He was in Stevens Brigade, at the siege of York until the surrender of Cornwallis. He was then employed to guard the British prisoners to Winchester Virginia but having been taken sick at Falmouth, he was discharged, having served about two month. He received a written discharge from Maj. Murray being the officer in Command, which he has lost. He states tht he was born Dec. 18th 1751. He has a register of his taken from one kept by his father. He lived in Culpepper County Virginia at the commencement of the war and until the fall of 1793. He then moved to Pyttsilvannia County Virginia where he resided until 1805. He then moved to Kentucky and has lived here ever since. He served altogether during the war about eight months. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. (Signed) Wm. Wright I Nancy Johnston hereby certify that William Wright who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, is my brother that he is eighty years of age according to the reputation and belief of our family. And I well recollect that my said brother William Wright was in the army of the revolution four or five different times and served as he has before stated. I further certify that I am in my seventy second year of my age. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. (Signed) Nancy Johnston We Isaac Oliver, Thomas Gardner, & William Redmon, residing in Clarke County, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Wright who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty years of age, that he is reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that belief. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. (Signed) Isaac Oliver Thos. Gardner William T. Redmon On November 26, 1832, William appeared in court again, and swore that he served in the Revolutionary War for 8 months. "He further states that he acted as sergeant during the whole time of his service in said war." The pension application was approved, and William was granted $40 per annum, starting March 4, 1831. The war record in the National Archives contains other bits of information. On April 15, 1778, William had given his oath of allegience in Culpeper County. It was certified by Robert Eastham. On April 27, 1781, there was a "record of delivery" of 44 cattle to William Wright, by order of General Muhlenberg, and signed by Eleazer Clay. And finally, this: "Nov. 3rd. This is to certify that William Wright, Frd. Wright, John Curtis, Sam Browning and John Rainey are hereby discharged as they have served out their time in my battalion of the Culpeper Militia from Virginia. Given under my hand. James Pendleton, Col." In summary, then, William Wright was born on December 18, 1751. Quite possibly it was in Culpeper County, for he knew Martin Johnston there from the time of their early youth. He and his family moved to Pittsylvania County, Virginia, in 1793, and on to Clark County, Kentucky, in 1805, shortly after the death of his father. As will be seen later, William was a Methodist Minister, and farmer. The D.A.R. Patriots Index indicates tht he married Susanna Isabel Threlkeld, but suspect that this is only partly so. As seen above, Isbel is a name that comes down the Wright line. Unquestionably, William married Susanna Threlkeld, daughter of Henry and Mary Henson Threlkeld, probably about 1773. Note that (1) they named a son Henry Threlkeld Wright; (2) Family records say that Susanna was a Threlkeld and (3) William Wright was a major purchaser at the estate sale of Henry Threlkeld in Culpeper County on November 3, 1775. William and Susannah Wright owned some land in Culpeper County, which they sold when moving to Pittsylvania County. On June 17, 1793, they sold 95 acres for 25 pounds to David Johnston. (DB 1792-1794, pp. 268-270) On November 10, 1794, William and Susanna Wright of Pittsylvania County sold 98 acres in the little fork of Rappahannock River, and in the fork of Rush River. This was land William had purchased from William Edgman, and he sold it to Joseph Hopper. (DB 1794-1796, pp. 200-202) Then, on November 25, 1794, William and Susanna Wright of Pittsylvania County sold 100 acres, more or less, to Samuel Wilks, for 20 pounds. This was land on the southside of the north fork of Rush River. (DB 1794-1796, pp. 288-289) Several court records exist in Clark County, Kentucky regarding William Wright. The following are abstracts: DB 13, p. 116. Indenture between Robert Trimble and William Wright. "Whereas a patent paid from the Common Wealth of Virginia to Joseph Wright, father of said William for five hundred and sixty two and an half acres lying upon Four Mile Creek in Clark County and whereas the said Joseph Wright (now dec'd) by his last will and testament recorded in Clark County Court after delivering therin certain parts and portions of said tract of land to John Wright, Nancy Johnson wife of Martin Johnson and Frances Hazelrigg wife of Joshua Hazelrigg"...Robert Trimble sells for $50 land interfacing with that of William Wright. Recorded on 28 March 1817. DB 16, pp. 42-43: William Wright sells for $1.00 in consideration of the "love and affection which he bears to his son Asa" ...80 acres of land on Four Mile Creek. Borders on land of Benjamin Hieronomous, William Johnston, William Wright, William Wright, Jr., Nathaniel Marts, and Joshua Hazelrigg. William reserves some land for "himself and unto his wife Susanna." Recorded 18 September 1819. DB 16, pp. 417-418: William Wright sells 70 acres on Four Mile Creek, land patented by Joseph Wright, to William Wright, Jr. Borders on land of Threlkeld Wright and William Johnston. Signed, William and Susanna Wright. Witnesses: Thomas Gardner, Kezia Wright and William Hall. Recorded on 27 October 1819. DB 19, p. 242. William Wright and Susanna, his wife, sell 102 acres on Four Mile Creek, part of the land patented to Joseph Wright, deceased, to Threlkeld Wright. Borders on land of William Johnston and William Wright. Recorded on 7 October 1824. William Wright is listed in the 1810 Clark County Census, as well as others. Of interest is the fact that he owned 20 slaves. If so, this made him one of the largest slave owners of the county. William Wright, Sr., wrote his will on September 30, 1836, and it was proved on January 23, 1837. It is a brief will, and in it he mentions his children: Francis (Frances) Brock, Nancy Cockeral, Lucy Spry, Keziah Owen, and Asa S. Wright who was made executor. Other "children" are noted, but not named. (WB 9, p. 69) An inventory and sale was held and recorded on February 7, 1837. Since he did not mention his wife in the will, she may have died by this time. The Methodist Magazine of the time was "The Western Christian Advocate." On February 24, 1837, the issue noted that William Wright, local minister of Clark County, Kentucky, died on 21 November 1836. It added that he was aged more than 4 score years, was a Revolutionary Soldier, once lived in Virginia, and lived in Clark County, Kentucky, for the last 30 years. (Abstracts of Obituaries in the of "Western Christian Advocate" 1834 -1850, p. 24) According to the obituary of Asa S. Wright, son of William and Susanna, there were sixteen children, Asa being the youngest. Most are known, and here they are, though not necessarily in the correct order: 1. Frances Wright was born on October 11, 1774, in Culpeper County, Virginia. She married Rev. Abner Shackleford on December 9, 1795, in Pittsylvania County. He died shortly thereafter, and she then married John Tinne Brock on December 24, 1799 in Pittsylvania County. They moved first to Pulaski County, Kentucky, and eventually settled in Clark County. Frances died on August 13, 1863, nearly 90 years of age. They are ancestors of this writer. (See writer's work on the Brock family) 2. Willis Wright signed the surety of a sister's marriage, Nancy Wright. He was also a witness to the sale of land from Joshua and Frances Hazelrigg to William Johnston in 1812. We believe he is the Willis Wright who then settled in Henry County, Kentucky. He wrote his will on April 6, 1817, and it was proved in June 1821. His will mentioned his wife, though not by name, and the children: Lucy Lemaster, Catherine Tucker, Mary Miller, Mildred Wright, Elizabeth Wright, William Wright, John Wright, James Wright, Robert Wright, Fanny Wright and Nancy Wright. (Note: two children, William and Frances, were named for the grandparents) Since three of the daughters were married by 1817, we guess that Willis married about 1792. 3. Rosamond Wright married Peter Falling in Pittsylvania County on March 11, 1799. William Wright signed the surety bond. A Peter Fallon and his wife, Rosannah, settled in Hardin County, Kentucky, and we wonder if these are the same persons. 4. Joseph Wright married Frances "Fanny" Miller on December 31, 1806, in Clark County. George Miller posted the surety. We have no documented proof that Joseph was a son of William, but the circumstantial evidence seems clear. (1) He was named for his grandfather, Joseph Wright. (2) He married Frances Miller, the daughter of George Miller who was married to Isbel Wright, an aunt. Hence, he married a first cousin, not too unusual in those days. 5. William Wright, Jr., was born between 1780 and 1790. He married Nancy Oliver on December 12, 1807, in Clark County. Her father, Isaac Oliver, signed the surety bond. According to Oliver records, she was born on December 3, 1789; and died on December 11, 1832, in Montgomery County, Missouri. Their children were Henry Saunders, James Tilman, Elizabeth Mitchell, William Madison, Stephen Rossel, Rachel Emeline, Susan Thrailkell, Nancy Whitaker, Lucinda, Isaac Washington, and Louisa. The following piece appears in William S. Bryan's Pioneer Families of Missouri, under Montgomery County, 1876, page 300: Wright.--John Wright, of England, came to America and settled in Pittsylvania county, Va. He had four children--John, William, Nancy, and another daughter. William married Isabella Thrailkill, of Virginia, and settled in Clark county, Ky. He served five years in the revolutionary war. He had twelve children, ten of whom lived to be grown, and were married. His fifth son, William married Nancy Oliver, of Kentucky, and they had eleven children--Harvey S., James T., William M., Stephen, Isaac W., Elizabeth, Susan, Nancy, Emeline, Louisa, and Lucinda. Mr. Wright settled in Montgomery county, Mo., in 1824, on a place adjoining the present town of Danville, where he lived and kept tavern for many years.... In 1833 Mr. Wright sold his place to Rev. Andrew Monroe, a well known pioneer Methodist preacher, who lived here and kept tavern for some time. Isabella Wright, sister of William Wright, Sr., married John Stone, who settled in Montgomery county in 1818, but afterward removed to Arkansas. Several mistakes appear in the above article, not uncommon when people draw on the family lore. However, there is no question that this is about the same Wright family. The 1830 census of Montgomery County, page 211, gives this data under William Wright: 1 male 40-50 1 female 40-50 1 " 0-5 1 " 0-5 1 " 10-15 1 " 5-10 2 " 15-20 2 " 10-15 1 " 15-20 6. Henry Threlkeld Wright. (See separate section) 7. Bathsheba Wright was born in 1786. She married Meshack Brock, a brother to John Tinne Brock, who married Frances Wright. This was on October 15, 1806, in Clark County. The marriage bond notes that she was the daughter of William and Susanna Wright. John Hug was a witness and John Wright signed the surety. They settled in Pulaski County, and later moved to Franklin County. The Kentucky Vital Statistics indicate that Meshack died in Franklin County, age 86, on August 10, 1860. Bathsheba, aged 84, was living with her son, Miles Brock, in Franklin County in 1870, and is listed in the census. 8. John Wright was a witness to the Bathsheba Wright marriage. While we have no proof that he was a brother, we believe he was. On July 15, 1815, Amy Wright, daughter of John Wright, deceased, married John Boggess. John Pool was bondsman. John Hutchings, guardian of Amy, gave consent. The court record mentions Sally Wright and Jesse Wright, infant orphans of John Wright, April 15, 1816. Jesse married Polly Bruner, daughter of John Bruner, on September 22, 1824. 9. Nancy Wright married William Cockrell on November 19, 1811, in Clark County. She is listed as the daughter of William Wright. George Johnson (Johnston?) was a witness, and Willis Wright signed the surety. 10. Isbel Elizabeth Wright was born on February 8, 1791, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, according to D.A.R. application 393695. She married John Stone on July 27, 1812, in Clark County, Kentucky. William Wright, father, gave consent, Henry East was witness, and Threlkeld Wright posted the surety. Isbel and John settled for a time in Montgomery County, Missouri, and then allegedly moved to Arkansas. According to a Bible record, their children were Susannah, Joseph A., Isbel C., Leroy D., Willis S., Thomas G., and Artemicia. 11. Unknown 12. Unknown. 13. Unknown. 14. Kezia Wright married Francis Owen on December 9, 1820. William Wright gave consent for his daughter; William Wright, Jr., was witness; and Asa S. Wright provided the surety. Francis Owen became a minister. They settled in Will County, Illinois, where the 1850 census lists them as Francis Owen 53, Ky.; William 24, Ky; Martha B. 18, Md; Amelia S. 16, Md.; and Eliza 13, Ill. According to the LDS Ancestor File, he died in 1870 in Frankfort, Illinois. 15. Lucy Wright was born about 1800. On January 12, 1822, she married Cornelius Spry in Clark County. William Wright gave his consent, and Asa S. Wright posted the surety. Cornelius was born on January 6, 1801, according to the pension application of Martin Johnston. Lucy was listed in the 1850 census as age 50, and living in the home of Simpson W. Brock, grandson of John T. Brock, Sr. 16. Asa Samuel Wright was born on July 22, 1801, in Culpeper County, Virginia, according to his obituary. He married Matilda Johnston on September 9, 1819, in Clark County. William Johnston provided the surety. Matilda was born on October 2, 1801, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Lawrence Johnston, and the granddaughter of Martin Johnston, mentioned earlier. The 1860 Clark County Census lists Asa S. Wright, 58, school teacher, born in Virginia; Matilda 58, Ky.; Benjamin F. 28, farmer; Nancy 22; and Elizabeth 1. They later moved to Missouri. His obituary, preserved in family records, was published in a Winchester paper, presumably in 1885: Died at Westboro, at the home of his son, Capt. T. J. Wright, Asa S. Wright, aged 84 years 1 month and 13 days. < IMG SRC="whrose2.gif" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="76" BORDER="0" ALT="whrose2.gif - 3566 Bytes"> Asa Wright was born in Culpepper County, Va., in 1801, July 22. His ancestors came from London, England, and settled at Jamestown, Va., soon after the settlement of that country. His father, the Rev. Wm. Wright, lived at Culpepper County, Va., at the commencement of the American Revolution. He enlisted and served faithfully during the whole war. He fought at the battle of Bennington; was with Washington when he crossed the Delaware river on the ice; fought at the battle of Trenton, and also at Yorktown when Lord Cornwallis surrendered. After the war he went to Kentucky and with the famous Daniel Boone fought the Indians and so made a home. When the deceased was four years old, he moved his family to Kentucky and settled in Clark County. This old Revolutionary hero not only served his country faithfully, but was a devoted servant of Christ. For many years he preached the gospel with success. He raised a large family, Asa being the sixteenth and the youngest. The deceased, in this part Kentucky, grew to manhood, and lived over sixty years. He married September 9th, 1819, Matilda Johnson, a neighbor's daughter. She is yet living and will be 84 years old in next October. For 66 years, lacking four days, they shared each others joys and sorrows. She was faithful to her noble husband in life, tenderly cared for him in death, and they are not long to be separated. They were blessed with six children, all living, but in different states of the Union. They moved from Kentucky to Indiana and from thence to Iowa, but in 1876 settled at Center Point, Achison County, Mo. For the last year they have lived with Capt. T.J. Wright at Westboro. Asa S. Wright was a man of noble characteristics. Very tidy in his dress, noted for cleanliness of habits and he had the bearing of a gentleman and scholar. He was a teacher for many years and gained a good reputation. He was a patriot, like his father of revolutionary history. When informed that his sons had enlisted to put down the late rebellion, he heartily endorsed their course. He was a strong temperance man, and long before the subject was agitated, he banished liquors from the harvest field. He was of strict integrity. By industry and economy he obtained a valuable property. In 1840 his debtors took advantage of the bankrupt law and he was ruined financially. His friends advised him to do the same thing, but this he spurned to do, and lost all. In early life he became a Christian. For nearly 70 years he was a faithful and consistant member of the M.E. Church. He was appointed class leader and exhorter, and was very useful in instructing the people. He sustained the relation of exhorter when he died. He said to the writer that his days of active warfare were over, but he wanted to die on the field of battle. A few months since, a cancer developed on his temple and caused him intense suffering and death. He died as he lived, in unswerving fidelity to God and man. He died "as one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams." Two of his sons and his aged companion and a large concourse of old friends and neighbors went with us and laid him in the grave in hope of a blessed resurrection. L.V. Ismond From the above, we can identify only two sons: Benjamin F. Wright and T.J. Wright. According to Penelope L. Cutler of Lehi, Utah, Benjamin Franklin Wright was born on February 5, 1833, in Clark County, Kentucky. There he married Nancy McChristy on May 20, 1858. She was born on February 27, 1838, the daughter of Jesse and Milly Bybee Oliver McChristy. They settled in Montgomery County, Iowa, where Benjamin died on January 18, 1904. An Ancestral File in the LDS records notes that the children of Asa and Matilda Wright were (1) Joseph born July 30, 1820, (2) William T. born October 12, 1822, (3) Emily born May 22, 1825, and (4) George W. born March 3, 1828. All of these were born in Clark County, Kentucky. If these records are accurate, then all six children of Asa and Matilda are accounted for. * * * Compiled by Jim G. Faulconer, 5200 Oakbrooke Drive, Kettering, OH 45440. January 10, 2001. (JFaulconer@aol.com)