James Wright

• Not a known child of Thomas Wright, of Burlington
• Evidence needed to support as child of Thomas Wright, Jr. & Elizabeth Wright

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Married Mary Bowater on Feb.1707 in East Nottingham MM,Chester County,Pennsylvania.

Note about residence and place of death:

James Wright definitely lived for a time in eastern Pennsylvania -- most of his children were reportedly born in Nottingham, PA -- but he most certainly died in what is now West Virginia [1]. His last two children were reported to have been born in the Monocacy River Valley near Frederick, MD. This is interesting because two of his children married Ballingers, and there is a Ballenger Creek in Frederick MD, which might confirm a relationship between James' family and the Ballinger family in that area, at least for a time. But if so, the family moved on.

• [1] https://tinyurl.com/yctwd87u

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Note about parents:

Very nearly the first Wrights to arrive in the Delaware Valley came to New Jersey in 1679. So, as the research notes below suggest, there's a very high likelihood that James was in fact the son of one of the three Wright brothers who came from Howden, East Riding of Yorkshire, on that date. That means he would have been born in Howden as well.

The only real alternative is if James's parents were in New England. That's possible, but far less likely. James's presumed birthdate fits well also with the Thomas Wright family, so that's where he's been placed for now.

Research Notes: Like many reseachers,I am undecided on the parentage of James Wright.I have not been able to find any conclusive evidence pointing to any specific individual.Some sources believe that James'father was one of three brothers,Joshua Thomas or Samual who arrived in New Jersy in 1677 from Yorkshire,England.The naming conventions of the time would suggest that his father's Father.The second born son would be named after the mother's father. The Third on son would be named after the father.James'first 3 sons in order of birth were Thomas John,James.One could assume from this that first born Thomas was named after James' father,Second born son John was named after his mother's father John Bowater,and third born son James was named after his father..

The Last will and Testament of James Wriht is as follows "I,James Wright of Opeckan in the county of fredrick and colony of Virginia being aged,but of a sound and well diposing mind and memory do make this as my last willand testament herby 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 debt and funeral charges i leave to be defrayed at the discretion of my executrix hereinafter mentioned. Secondly,I give bequeath and demise unto my son Thomas Wriht the plantion wheron I now dwell with all the buildings and improvements and appurtenances thereunto belonging the which I bequeath and demise to the proper use and behoff of him,his heirs and assigns forever,it being 194 acres of patent land and he to be in full possession therof during his natural life.I also give and bequeath unto my wife all my goods and chattels and all personal estate wither 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 shillingd Virgina currency Viz:John, James, Isaac, Lydia Wright, Mary Ballinger, Hannah Ballinger,Martha Mendenhall,Elizbeth Mattews,Ann McCool,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:James Wright Be if further remembered that I would have no appraisement upon my goods.Be 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 side Tract lying along the side land the which I demise as above to my son Thomas Wright,this before sealing acknowledgement.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 testament of James Wright in the presence of testis:Evan Rogers,James Ballinger,Sarah Rogers.(This was proved in Fredrick Co.,Va on March 1 1760.It was presented by the excutrix,wife Mary Wright

HOPEWELL was the first Quaker meeting established in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. It was originally known as Opeckan and was set off from the Concord Quarterly Meeting of Pennsylvania in 1734.The actual date of first settlement is thought to be around 1730.The meeting house is located about 6 miles north of Winchester,Frederick Co.,Virginia. A land grant of 100,000 acres was purchased on the Opeckan River.Many of the earliest settlers moved into the area from the Valley of the Monocacy in Maryland.

Info From: "Hopewell, Virginia Memberships, 1759-76" Name: [p.487] Wright, James Sr. Born: 1671 Name: w. Mary Born: 2 12 1689 Name: Mary Born: 3 6 1708 Name: Hannah Born: 24 1 1709 Name: Martha Born: 14 2 1713 Name: Elizabeth Born: 23 11 1714 Name: John Born: 4 11 1716 Name: James Born: 8 11 1718 Name: Thomas Born: 14 1 1720 Name: Isaac Born: 25 3 1723

1

James married Mary Bowater, daughter of John Bowater and Mary Maunder,on 2 Feb 1707 in East Nottingham MM,Chester County, Pennsylvania.Mary was born on 12 Feb 1689 in London, England,died before 6 Mar 1764 in Hopewell Mm, Frederick County,Virginia,and was buried in Hopewell Mm, Frederick County,Virginia.

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial via daughter Mary Ballinger (born Wright) by SmartCopy: Sep 23 2015, 15:31:27 UTC
• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: May 8 2016, 16:29:45 UTC

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GEDCOM Note

!Killed and scalped in an indian raid.