Person:James Wright (13)

Description: sixth great grandfather Name: James Wright Sex: M Birth: 3 JUN 1668 in Nottingham MM, Chester County, Pennsylvania Death: 15 MAY 1759 in Frederick County, Virginia (now Berkeley County, WV) Burial: 15 MAY 1759 Hopewell FBG, Frederick County, Virginia Note: Copies of records of Hopewell, Virginia Monthly Meetings listing parents, children and grandparents, list James and Mary. James date of birth 167(last figure torn off), Mary as 12/2/1689, and children Mary 6/3/1708 Hannah 1/24/1709 Martha 2/14/1713 John 11/4/1716 Elizabeth 11/23/1714 James 11/8/1718 Thomas 1/14/1720 Isaac 3/25/1723 Ann 1/29/1725 Sarah 3/15/1730 Lydia 8/31/1730

"National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Volume 70" December , 1982 Number 4, pages 282-294 "Early Settlers of the Nottingham Lots." states that James and Mary Wright were in Nottingham by 1718 and removed to the Hopewell settlement. He was on the East Nottingham tax list from 1718-1727.

From a book on Quaker ministers come the following on James Wright

" An elder of Hopewell Monthly meeting, was one of the first settlers in that part of Virginia. He was a sober, honest man, grave in manners, and solid and weighty in his conversations. He was diligent in the attendance of religious meetings, exemplary in humble waiting therein, and of a sound mind and judgment. He was cautious of giving just offence to any one, and was earnestly concerned for the unity of the brethren, and the peace of the church. He appeared, say his friends, concerning him, for some time before his last illness as one who had finished his last day's work, and who was waiting for his change. He departed this life Fifth month 15th 1759, in the 83d year of his age."

From "Hopewell Friends History" 1734-1934 Frederick County, Virginia. Says the following:

John Littler and James Wright, 438 acres, lying n the Eastern slope of Apple Pie Ridge, about 5 miles North of Winchester. This tract has latterly been know as "Osceala". James Wright was taxed in East Nottingham, Chester County, Pa., from 1718 to 1726 inclusive, after which time he probably removed to the Monocacy Valley in what is now Frederick County, Md. He was a distinguished minister of Friends, and with certificates from Hopewell Monthly Meeting travelled widely in the exercise of his ministry. He sustained much loss at the time of the French and Indian War and with his wife Mary was the object of much concern of the Meeting For Sufferings in Philadelphia, which issued instructions that one=fifth of the money sent at that time for relief of Friends in the ravaged district "be lay'd out for the Use of aged Friends James Wright & His Wife." At the same time the clerk of Hopewell Monthly Meeting refers to them as follows: "Also our ancient Friends James Wright and his Wife are much reduced being driven from their Habitation and unable to Labour for a lively hood.""

The Will of James Wright was probated March 4, 1760. He leaves to his son Thomas, " the Home plantation, being 194 acres of my patent Land." He made bequests to his sons John, Jame Jr, and Isaac, and to his daughters Lydia Wright, Mary Ballinger, Hannah Ballinger, Martha Mendenhall, Elizabeth Matthews, Ann McCool, and Sarah Pickering. His wife Mary is named executrix, who entered into bond with Evan Rogers and James Ballinger as bondsmen. The will was witnessed by Evan Rogers, James Ballinger and Sarah Rogers.

The will of his wife Mary Wright was probated March 6, 1764 and made bequests to her children, leaving the home plantation to her grandson Thomas, his father being dead. Witnesses, Elinor Rogers, Sussanah Bevan, and Elizabeth Pennell. The executors were Jesse Pugh and William Pickering, who entered into bond with James McGin and Joseph Babb as sureties.

Records of the James Wright descendants were found in the following: Hopewell MM--Frederick Co. Va. Backwater MM-Also Frederick Co. Va. New Hope MM--Greene Co. Tenn. Lost Creek MM--Jefferson Co. Tenn. New Garden MM--Guildford Co. N.C. Deep River MM--Guildford Co. N.C. Cane Creek MM--Orange Co. N.C. Bush River MM--Berkeley Co. N.C. Holly Spring MM--Randolph Co. N.C. Duck water MM--Indiana Miami MM-Ohio

Frederick County, Virginia was formed in 1738 from Orange County. Its government was organized in 1743 and a part of Augusta County was added later. LDS Locality index.

Chester County, Pennsylvania was created in 1682, From it came these counties: Lancaster in 1728 , part of Berks in 1751, Delaware in 1789. LDS Locality index.

Dates of birth from Hopewell Friends History page 487.

From "Immigration of the Irish Quakers" note shows the James Wright was appointed by the New Garden Monthly Meeting to write Marriage Certificates for friends of Nottingham MM.

Per "The Quakers at Monoquesey" Sarah, Lydia and Ann were born in Monocacy area, but left for Virginia with their parents while they were still children.

From Fairfax MM FTM CD 192, "Until 1734 when Hopewell MM was established most members of Hopewell PM were attached to Nottingham MM; the above records show that both the Matthews and Wright Families had already moved into the valley of the Potomac before the marriage of Geo. Matthews and Elizabeth Wright. That the Matthews families were members of Fairfax MM shows that they lived within the verge of Fairfax PM when Fairfax MM was set up in 1744/5; or with the verge of Monocacy PM."

James an elder of the Hopewell monthly meeting, was one of the first settlers in that part of Virginia. He was a sober, honest man, grave in manners, and solid and weighty in his conversation. He was diligent in the attendance of his religious meetings, exemplary in humble waiting therein, and of sound mind and judgment. He was cautious of giving just offence to any one, and was earnestly concerned for the unity of the brethren, and the peach of the church. He appeared, say his friends, concerned him, for some time before his illness, as one who had finished his day's work, and who was waiting for his change. He was 83 years old when he died.

Some records say he came from the Bristol, England area with his brother William around 1682 with William Penn on the Penn Fleet. Settled in Dorcester Co. Md. about 1682.

One account mentions he is from Joshua, Samuel or Thomas three brothers from Yorkshire, England. Writer did not know which. There is a Samuel and Thomas in England about the right time (1641) for marriage and birth of James, etc. James and Mary are listed as being married in 1706 in Canterbury.

The Quaker movement started in England, our root ancestors came to Pennsylvania(Hope) and then moved to Virginia(Monocacy), moved to South Carolina (Bush River), moved to Tennessee(Greene Co.), Ohio (Grant Co.), Indiana and then Iowa.

His body was interred May 15, 1759 in Hopewell M.M. Frederic Co., Virginia.

Tradition says that five Wright brothers that settled on the Eastern Shore of Maryland during the Colonial period as professed by several aged persons in "The Wright Ancestry" by Capt. Charles W. Wright, 1907. Two other brothers also settled in Baltimore Co. Maryland according to one of these ancients. However, facts are difficult to come by to verify this tradition.

James father according to Don Wright in the "Footprints Database" believes James Wright's father to be John Wright of Pennsylvania. They lived above Noris Ford on the Marshyhope Creek. This area later became a part of Caroline Co., Maryland.

The two brothers were known as Nicholite or Quaker Wrights because of their strict religious sect. The births of James and Mary Wright are recorded in the Nicholite Births (Quaker Record Abstracts) in the Hall of Records at Annapolis, Anne Arundel Co., Md. Their particular group was known as the "Northwest-Fork River Nicholite Friends."

Naomie Wright is supposed to have been a sister to the above brothers. She lived in Sussex Co., Delaware and married Joseph Atkins shortly after their 2nd declaration of intention to marry on Mar 30, 1699. (C-258, 259)

The above information is believed to all pertain to our James Wright that moved extensively in his middle to later years. What is known about our James, is that he lived in East Nottingham, Chester Co., Pennsylvania between 1716 and 1726. He purchased land in East Nottingham on January 12, 1715/16. He was taxed in Chester County from 1718-1726. His children's births are recorded in the New Garden M.M. Pa. records. He was a farmer and both he and his wife were Quaker ministers and traveled throughout the Chester County region in that capacity from 1718-1726. Chester County at that time covered a large area in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This Nottingham settlement, due to boundary changes, later was a part of Cecil Co. Md.

Although Pennsylvania had been created initially as a haven for Quakers, the arrival of numerous immigrants with other religious beliefs provided in time such a shift in emphasis that many Quakers felt compelled to move elsewhere. In the year 1730 the Quaker leaders Alexander Ross and Morgan Bryan appeared before the Governor and Council of Virginia and from them received a grant of 100,000 acres on the Opequon River in Frederick County, Virgina. This encouraged the move of many Quakers who followed them to the back Virginia Country. Because these people moved through the Monocacy area of Maryland it may prove interesting to list some who were named in the Virginia State Land Office records. (from THE QUAKERS OF MONOQUESEY) He and his family joined the migration along the Monocacy River to Monocacy, Maryland to help found that Quaker settlement about 1727. At that time the settlement was in North Prince George Co., Md. and is now Frederick Co. Md. again due to boundary changes.

James Wright purchased two hundred acres of land in The East Nottingham District, Chester Co. on January 12, 1715/1716 and was taxed in that count from 1718 to 1726. Pennsylvania Archives, Series II (1685-1739) ed. William H. Egle. M.D. XIX.

In 1734, James and Mary moved with Alexander Ross, Josiah Ballinger and at least a few of their children to found the Hopewell Quaker Settlement near Winchester, Va. It was also known as the Ross-Bryan Settlement as these two gentlemen deed 70 families there by 1735. This settlement was in Spotsylvania Co, Va., prior to 1734 at which point it become part of Orange Co. Va. In 1738 it was in Frederick Co., Va. also. James served as one of the Hopewell meeting's first elders.

The Wrights jointly purchased 438 acres of land on the Apple Pie ridge about five miles north of Winchester, Va. with John Littler. During the French and Indian Wars they and other Quaker families were driven from their homes back to more settled districts as they were 'unable to labour for a Livelihood" The Philadelphia Meeting sent money to the Hopewell Meeting to be used for the "relief of our aged Friends, James and Mary Wright". (C-259, 581, 759)

James witnessed the will of Josiah Ballinger in 1748. He and Mary witnessed the will of John Nicklin on October 10, 1750 along with Sarah Pickering. Mary wrote her will on May 8, 1763 that was proved Mar. 1764. In it she names her sons, Thomas, James, Isaac, and John; daughters, Mary Hannah, Martha, Elizabeth, Ann and Sarah Pickering, and Lidia; and grandson, Thomas Wright, son of Thomas and Esther Wright. (C-647). Her husband James, had passed away prior to her will.

The Quaker Biography Collection by Willard Heiss states this about James Wright,. "An elder of Hopewell Monthly Meeting, was one of the first settlers in that part of Virginia.. He was a sober, honest man, grave in manners, and solid and weighty in his conversation. He was diligent in the attendance of his religious meetings, exemplary in humble waiting therein, and of sound mind and judgement. He was cautious of giving just offence to any one, and was earnestly concerned for the unity of the brethren, and the peace of the church. He appeared...for some time before his last illness, as one who had finished his day's work, and was waiting for his change. (C-581).

MORE NOTES: James Wright sailed from Bristol as part of "Penn's Fleet" in 1682. He was taxed in Chester Co., Penn. 1718-1726. He moved his family briefly to Monocacy, Maryland, and to Hopewell, Virginia with a company of Quaker settlers. He died July 15, 1759 ? near Hopewell. His will was proven March 4, 1764. His wife Mary (Davis?) was born February 12, 1689. It's been said she died in 1717, and he remarried to Rachel, however, Mary is mentioned in his will, and Mary's will was proven March 6, 1764. They had been driven out of their home During the French and Indian War (1754-1763), and died during this span. As written by my Big Sis, Helen, James Wright Came to America with Penn's Fleet in 1682. They sailed from Bristol. His fellow passengers, also of the Quaker faith, included George Boone and his brother Squire, the uncle and father of the now famous Daniel Boone. There is little room for doubt that the Wrights and Boones knew each other very well because they crossed the Atlantic together and settled in the same Quaker Colony in Pennsylvania.

Old Squire Boone and his son Daniel, the Lincolns, and the Hanks, who would one day be the progenitors of President Abrahan Lincoln, and the famous Bryan family, were among the Quakers who travelled with the Wrights and others to a new settlement in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in the early 1750's and established the Hopewell Monthly Meeting.

The colony settled along what was known as the Great Wagon Road, a road that wound its way through the Shenandoah Valley into the Carolinas. The Colony was located near the present day town of Benton, Virginia.

Stewart Baldwin in the July/Oct. 1997 issue of " The American Genealogist" (TAG) argues that James Wright's wife was Mary Bowater. He bases this assumption on several factors. First, Mary Bowater and Mary, the wife of James Wright, have birthdates that are only one day apart. Secondly, orphaned young, Mary Bowater was received on certificate from England to live near her brother, Thomas Bowater, according to the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting records dated April 28, 1706. By November 26, 1708/09 Mary is condemned for her marriage contrary to discipline coinciding with the estimated marraige date for James Wright and his wife, Mary. While the Quaker records for that time frame were destroyed by fire, the later marriage records of James and Mary Wright's children include a number of Bowater relatives serving as witnesses with no Davis' serving as witnessses. In addition, Mary and James Wright were listed in the relative column for Thomas Bowater's daughter's marriage. As a final piece of evidence, Baldwin asserts that James and Mary Wright had a grandson named Bowater Wright. However, this doesn't take into consideration that his parents were James and Lucy (Bowater) Wright. See TAG, Vol 72, Nos. 3-4 July/Oct 1997, pp 225-243.

James and Mary were both ministers in the Friends meetings. James Wright was taxed in East Nottingham, Chester County from 1718 to 1726 inclusive, after which time he moved to the Monocacy Valley in what is now Frederick County, Maryland. He was a distinguished minister of Friends. He moved to Loudon County, Virginia and was a charter member of the Fairfax Meeting. With certificates from the Hopewell Meeting he traveled widely among the meetings as a minister.

James made a will 14th day 8th month 1751. James's will was probated March 4, 1760 in Frederick County, Virginia. Mary Bowater Wright made a will August 5, 1760 in Frederick County, Virginia and it was probated March 6, 1764.

As an orphaned young woman, Mary Bowater was received on certificate from England, to live near her half-brother, Thomas, in the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting records dated 28th day 4th month 1706. This is the only time she is mentioned in this country under her maiden name. On 26th day 11th month 1708/9, in Philadelphia records, Mary was condemned for her marriage as 'contrary to discipline'. This record coincides with the estimated marriage date for Mary and James Wright. Although the Quaker records were destroyed for the time period of their marriage, later marriage records of Mary and James Wright's children include many Bowater relatives as witnesses. Mary and James Wright were also listed in the relatives column for her brother, Thomas Bowater's daughter's marriage. They also had a grandson named Bowater.

What is known about our James Wright, father of John and grandfather of Charity Wright Cook, is that he lived in East Nottingham, Chester County, Pennsylvania between 1716 and 1726. He purchased land in East Nottingham on Jan. 12, 1715/16. He was taxed in Chester County from 1718-1726. His children's births are recorded in the New Garden MM, PA records. He was a farmer and both he and his wife were Quaker ministers and traveled throughout the Chester County region in that capacity from 1718-1726. He witnessed the will of Aaron Coppock of Nottingham on 10/3/1726. Chester County at that time covered a large area in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. This Nottingham settlement, due to boundary changes, later was a part of Cecil County, Maryland. Quaker Biographical Sketches, by Heiss, quoted in THE FRIEND says, "James Wright, an elder of Hopewell Monthly Meeting, was one of the first settlers in that part of Virginia. He was a sober, honest man, grave in manners, and solid and weighty in his conversation. He was diligent in the attendance of his religious meetings, exemplary in humble waiting, therein, and of a sound mind and judgment. He was cautious of giving just offence to anyone, and was earnestly concerned for the unity of the brethren, and the peace of the church." Friends said, "He appeared for some time before his last illness, as one who had finished his day's work, and who was waiting for his change. He departed this life 5th month 15th day 1759, in the 83rd year of his age."

He and his family joined the migration along the Monocacy River to Monocacy, Maryland to help found that Quaker settlement about 1727. At that time the settlement was in North Prince George's County, Maryland and is now in Frederick County, Maryland.

In 1734, James and Mary moved with Alexander Ross, Josiah Ballinger and at least a few of their children to found the Hopewell Quaker Settlement near Winchester, Virginia. It was also known as the Ross-Bryan Settlement as these two gentlemen deeded 70 families there by 1735. This settlement was in Spotsylvania County, Virginia prior to 1734 at which point it became part of Orange County, Virginia. In 1738 it was in Frederick County, Virginia. James served as one the Hopewell meeting's first elders.

The Wrights jointly purchased 438 acres of land on the Apple Pie Ridge about five miles north of Winchester, Virginia with John Littler. During the French and Indian Wars they and other Quaker families sustained great losses and were driven from their homes back to more settled districts. As they were 'unable to labour for a Livelihood', the Philadelphia Meeting sent Monocacy to the Hopewell meeting to be used for the 'relief of our aged Friends, James Wright and his Wife.'

James witnessed the will of Josiah Ballinger in 1748. He and Mary witnessed the will of John Nicklin October. 10, 1750 along with Sarah Pickering. Mary wrote her will on May 8, 1763 that was proved in March 1764. In it she names her sons, Thomas, James, Isaac and John; daughters, Mary Hannah, Martha, Elizabeth, Ann, Sarah Pickering, and Lidia; and grandson Thomas Wright, son of Thomas and Esther Wright. Her husband James had passed away prior to her will.

The Last Will and Testament of James Wright is as follows:

I, James Wright of Opeckan in the County of Frederick and colony of Virginia being aged, but of a sound and well disposing mind and memory do make this as my last will and testament hereby revoking and disanulling all other wills that have heretofore been made or done by me.

FIRST, my will is that my body be decently buried and all my just debts and funeral charges I leave to be defrayed at the discretion of my executrix hereinafter mentioned. SECONDLY, I give and bequeath and demise unto my son Thomas Wright the land and plantation whereon I now dwell with all the buildings and improvements and appurtenances thereunto belonging that which I bequeath and demise to the proper use and behoof of him, his heirs and assigns forever, it being 194 acres of pattine land and he to be in full possession therof after his mother's decease, but his mother to have full possession thereof during her natural life. I also give and bequeath unto my wife all my goods and chattels and all my personal estate either for a comfortable maintenance during her life or else to dispose among her children as in discretion she shall think fit or when and where she shall think fit only paying to our ten children each of them five shillings Virginia currency viz: John, James, Isaac, Lydia Wright, Mary Ballinger, Hannah Ballinger, Martha Mendenhall, Elizabeth Matthews, Ann McCool and Sarah Pickering. LASTLY, I ordain and constitute my loving and well beloved wife, Mary Wright, sole executrix of this my last will and testament witness my hand and seal, dated Opeckan aforesaid this 14th day of this 8th month, October, 1751. SIGNED: J. Wright Be it further remembered that I would have no appraisement upon my goods. Bit it further remembered that there is 160 acres of land lately surveyed at the south side of the above said tract 60 whereof I add to the said tract lying along the said land that which I demise as above to my son Thomas Wright, this before sealing acknowledgment. In the other 100 acres I leave to my wife's disposal after my decease as also the 300 acres lately surveyed lying by Thomas Thornburgh, upon Middle Creek. SIGNED: J. Wright I would have no appraisement upon my goods, witness my hand and seal this 30th day of April, 1753 Signed, sealed, testified and declared to be the last will and testament of James Wright in presence of testis: Evan Rogers James Ballinger Sarah Rogers

At a court held for Frederick County the 1st day of March 1760 this will was presented in court by Mary Wright, the executrix therein named who made oath thereto according to law and the same being proved by the oath of Evan Rogers, James Ballinger, two of the witnesses theron that be recorded also on the motion of the said executrix who entered into bond with said Evan Rogers, James Ballinger have securitys in the ?? of five hundred pounds continued according to law certificate is granted her for obtaining a probate therof in due form.

Signature of clerk is illegible

Father: John Wright b: ABT 1650 in Bristol, Avon, England or Isle of Wight, Virginia Mother: Martha Unknown

Marriage 1 Mary Bowater b: 3 FEB 1688/89 in Spitalfields, Stepney Borough, London, England Married: 1707 in Chester County, Pennsylvania Married: BEF 26 JAN 1708/09 in Philadephia MM, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Note: On 26th day 11th month 1708/9, in Philadelphia records, Mary was condemned for her marriage as contrary to discipline. This record coincides with the estimated marriage date for Mary and James Wright. Although the Quaker records were destroyed for the time period of their marriage, later marriage records of Mary and James Wright's children include many Bowater relatives as witnesses. Mary and James Wright were also listed in the relatives column for her brother, Thomas Bowater's daughter's marriage. They also had a grandson named Bowater. Children

John Wright b: 4 JAN 1715/16 in East Nottingham, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Mary Wright b: 3 AUG 1708 in Monocacy, Prince George County, Maryland
Hannah Wright b: 24 MAR 1708/09 in Nottingham, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Thomas Wright b: 4 FEB 1709/10 in Nottingham MM, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Elizabeth Wright b: 23 FEB 1713/14 in Chester MM, Chester County, Pennsylvania
James Wright b: 8 NOV 1718
Thomas #2 Wright b: 14 MAR 1719/20
Isaac Wright b: 25 MAY 1723 in New Garden MM, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Ann Wright b: 29 MAR 1725 in Monocacy Valley, Frederick County, Virginia
Sarah Wright b: 15 MAY 1727 in Apple Pie Ridge, Monacacy Valley, Frederick County, Virginia
Lydia Wright b: 31 AUG 1730 in Apple Pie Ridge, Monacacy Valley, Frederick County, Virginia
Martha Wright b: 14 APR 1713 in Nottingham MM, Chester County, Pennsylvania

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} David Porter. The Porter Family Forest.