Maj. Francis Wright

(Major) Francis Wright was born between 1656/Aug 1660 in Coan, Northumberland Co., VA. Charles Arthur Hoppin wrote an excellent account of Francis: “Estimated by the evidence as to his father's marriage and will, and that there were three children born in six years preceding the making of [Richards] will on August 19, 1663, Francis Wright was born between 1658 and 1661 at his father's house, formerly Col. John Mottrom's at Coan, Northumberland.”

Biography

FRANCIS WRIGHT, was born 1656/Aug 1660 Coan, Northumberland Co., VA; died 17/23 Jun 1713, Westmoreland Co., VA. Charles Hoppin’s full account of Major Francis Wright is too long to include here, but portions of it read:

"Mr. Francis Wright, gentleman, captain, major, surveyor, attorney, sheriff, and justice of Westmoreland County, is abundantly of record as having increased the excellence of the social position and material independence of his father, Captain Richard Wright, whose will was proved December 10, 1663 {Northumberland Record Book, 1658-1666, page 114}. The many records indicate that his intellectual activities were of a professional rather than a mercantile nature, as at no time is he recorded as a merchant though he was a ship-owner. As the third child in his father's will he may not have been the oldest, but he received the largest and most valuable part of the real estate. If the youngest child he could not have been aged above two years at his father's death, about December 1, 1663, nor more than five years if the eldest son. Although he may have gone in 1665 with his mother to the home, in Lancaster county, of her second husband, the estimable David Fox, Sr., Gent., and even have remained with her awhile after her third marriage to Col. St. Leger Codd of Lancaster and Northumberland counties, a strict compliance with the terms of his father's will would have required him to remain under the control of that eminent gentleman, his uncle Col. Nicholas Spencer. That it was to the influence of Spencer that Francis Wright received, either in England or by a private tutor in Virginia, his excellent education one scarcely can doubt, for that worthy scion of the English Spencers of Cople, Bedfordshire, England, for whom a half of Westmoreland, Virginia, was named Cople parish, was a second father to his brother-in-law Wright's children. A review of the life of Francis Wright gives the impression that he went to England on one of Spencer's journeys hither, and there acquired, with the aid of funds on deposit there which his father had bequeathed to him, some of the Anglicisms that attach to some of the Virginian records of his own composition. About everything that he did in Virginia was in an aristocratic manner, and his guardian Nicholas Spencer was one of the first among Virginian gentlemen.

Francis Wright, Gent., lived his thirty-five years after becoming of nominal legal age (then eighteen, though taxable at sixteen) in Westmoreland, upon his inherited estate of fourteen hundred acres fronting upon the Potomac and flanked by Nomini bay and Lower Machodoc river. Nothing strenuous is of record as to his career; he was active, influential and comfortable, always appearing in the records as a man who upheld the prestige of his caste and insisted upon his rights; but, as to his service in official positions, he has left evidence of that consideration for others less fortunate than himself which characterizes a true gentleman.”

Francis married Anne Washington, daughter of Col. John Washington and Anne Pope. Anne was born 1662 in Westmoreland Co., VA; died Mar 1697 at Great House Point, Westmoreland Co., VA. She is buried in the Bridges Creek Washington Family cemetery. Her brother Lawrence was the Grandfather of our 1st President George Washington. She was left her mother's rings, in her father's will. The long intimate friendship between the Wrights and Washington’s suffered a mutual loss in the death of Capt. Lawrence Washington in March, 1698, whose will, naming his deceased sister Anne and her husband Francis Wright, conveys an esteemed impression of the social and intellectual position and material independence of these allied families. The Washington’s at this time resided along Pope's and Mattox (Appomatox) creeks in the northern part of Westmoreland near where the national memorial to the family:

Montross, Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds & Wills No. 2 pg. 133, etc: "Item I give and bequeath to my sister Anne Wright's children, one man Servant a piece of four or five years to serve or Three Thousand pounds of Tobacco to purchase the same, to be delivered or paid to them when they arrive to the age of twenty years old Item I give that land which I bought of my Brother Francis Wright, being 200 acres lying near Storke's Quarter, to my son John Washington (etc) 11th day of March, Anno Dom. 1697-8."

Anne (Washington) Wright had died before the date of his will, March 11, 1697-8, hence no bequest to her, and hence the reference of the testator to being buried by the side of my Father and Mother & neare my Brother and Sisters, in the family burying ground on the original Washington estate near Pope's Creek in Washington parish, Westmoreland, where now stands the tall granite shaft erected by an act of Congress.

The death of Anne (Washington) Wright, when aged under thirty-eight, is also established in the deed of sale, executed by her only son John Wright and his father, of land she had inherited from her father Col. John Washington. (Montross, Westmoreland county, Virginia. Book entitled Deeds & Wills No. 4 Page. 175)

Family

Francis & Anne Washington married between 1680 or 1682. Their only son, John, was born 25 Feb 1685/1687 in Westmoreland Co., VA.

Anne Wright was the child of Francis’s 2nd wife, Martha Cox, whom he married about 1709. Richard Wright was also the child of Martha and Francis.

Francis Wright died, in June 1713, age 53, and was buried in his own estate at Lower Machodoc in an enclosure (doubtless near the "great house") perpetually to be reserved to the Wright descendants. The real estate fell to the elder son, John, under the law of primo-geniture, John being, as well, the sole heir male to the landed estate of his mother, Anne Washington Wright.

Children of Francis Wright:

1) JOHN WRIGHT (25 Feb 1685/1687 Westmoreland Co., VA; 1730 Prince William Co., VA)

2) Anne Wright (she was probably the child of Martha Cox), married Garrard Davis - believe one son was William Davis.

3) Richard Wright (any information welcomed about Richard and Anne)

_____________________________________________________________________

Maj Francis Wright Memorial

Birth: Aug. 1, 1660
Northumberland County
Virginia, USA Death: Jun. 23, 1713 Westmoreland County Virginia, USA

FRANCIS WRIGHT, the son of Richard Wright and Ann Mottram, was born between 1656 and 1660, on the estate of Colonel John Mottrom in Coan, Northumberland County, Virginia Colony.

On a date before the year 1682, Francis married Anne Washington, the daughter of Colonel John Washington and Anne Pope. Her brother, Lawrence Washington, is the Grandfather of President George Washington. After Anne died, Francis married Martha Cox in 1709.

Francis' occupations are often lised as the following: gentleman, sea captain, major, surveyor, attorney, high sheriff and chief justice of Westmoreland County, Virginia Colony.

Major Wright received a royal commission as a Justice by a Royal Warrant, dated 13 September, 1700 from William, King of England. Then in 1703, Queen Anne, Queem of England, named him "first citizen" of Westmoreland County and President of the Justices.

He is also named as a founder, vestryman and communicant of the Yeocomico Church, built in 1706, which church is still in use today. Major Wright died in 1713 at Westmoreland County, Virginia Colony.

Family links:

Parents:

 Richard Wright (1633 - 1663)

Spouse:

 Anne Washington Wright (1660 - 1697)

Children:

 John Wright (1685 - 1739)*

Sibling:

 Mottrom Wright (____ - 1700)*

 Francis Wright (1660 - 1713)

*Calculated relationship

Burial: Non-Cemetery Burial Specifically: Probably buried at George Washington Natl Monument in crypt with many other unnamed early members of Washington's family

Created by: Judy Gautier Record added: Dec 29, 2012 Find A Grave Memorial# 102792802 This page is sponsored by: Ramona Woodrum

Added to Geni by Janet Milburn 3/22/18

---

GEDCOM Note

<p>[g675.ftw]</p><p><p></p></p><p><p>Montross, Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds & Wills No. 4, Page. 1</p></p><p><p></p></p><p><p>"Wrights Conveyance to Halbert": To all Christian People to whom these presents shall come, Francis Wright and Anne his wife send greeting to our Lord God everlasting, Know ye that I Francis Wright of the County of Westmoreland in Virg. Gent. and I the said Anne daughter of Col. John Washington of the County aforesaid dec. now wife to the said Francis Wright for good causes and considerations as thereunto moving & more especially for the sum of four thousand pounds of tobacco in cask to us in hand delivered and wherewith we do acknowledge ourselves satisfied and paid have granted, bargained and sold, aliened, enfeoffed and confirmed and by these presents do grand, bargain, sell, alien enfeoff and confirm unto Michael Halbert on hundred acres of land situate in Westmorld County in Virga. at the head of Madox, granted to the said John Washington devolving and dissending to Anne his daughter, now wife to the said Wright by hereditary right together with all buildings, fences, orchards, woods, rivers, waters, privileges members and appurtenances to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining..To have and to hold the said messuages or hundred acres of land with its members and appurtenances above recited to him the said Michael Halbert his heirs and assigns forever, and the said Francis Wright and the said Anne his wife do for themselves, their heirs, Executors and Admrs to and for either and every of them covenant, promise, grant and agree to and with the said Michael Halbert his heirs and assigns that the said hundred acres of land now is and from time to time and at all times hereaftr shall be and remain free and clear and freely and clearly acquitted and discharged of and from all and all manner of former bargains, sails, guifts, grants feofment, jointures, dowers, titles of dowers, leases and from all and all manners of other titles, claims, charges and incumbra nces of any manner of person or persons whatsoever lawfully claiming the said messuage or hundred acres of land with its members and appurtenances aforesaid. In witness whereof we the said Francis Wright and Ann Wright have hereto put our hands and seals this 25th day of February in the first year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, James the second Annoque Dom: 1685 Francis Wright (seal) Anne Wright (seal) John Wright (The son of Francis and Anne who signed twenty-two after his parents did.) Signed , Sealed and delivered in the presents of us: Thomas Baker, Thomas Marshall, Ann Read March the 31st, 1686. Acknowledged in Court by Francis Wright and then recorded P.Tho. Marson, D.C.C.P. Westmorld:ss: At a Court held for the said County the 26th, day of March 1707. John Wright, Gent. son and heir apparent of Francis Wright Gent..,: party to this present conveyance by subscribing his</p><p><p>name to the same and by himself in person acknowledge and voluntarily disclimed any right, title or interest in the to the land and premises in the said conveyance contained or to any part or parcel for divers and especial considerations at this time him thereunto moving. Test Ja: Westcomb, Cler. Com. Pred. Record : Primo die April 1707 Pr. Eundm Clerum (Montross, Westmoreland County, Virginia, Book entitled Deeds & Wills No. 4, pg. 2). Wright & c to Halbert, Bond Know all men by these presents that I Francis Wright of the county of Westmorld in Virga. do acknowledge and confess myself to be indebt to Michael Halbert his heirs, Exors. Admrs. in the full and just sume of ten thousand pounds of good tobacco in cask to be paid upon all demand after the date of these presents and to the performance hereof well and truly to be done I do bind myselfmy heirs and assigns firmly by these presents and in testimony to the truth hereof have hereto put my hand and seal this 25th , day of Febr y. 1685. Test Ja: Westcomb, Cler. Com., Pred. The condition of this obligation is such that if the above bounden Francis Wright his heirs and assigns do from time to time and at all times hereafter save defend and keep harmless the said Michael Halbert his heirs and assigns in the quiet and peacable possession of one hundred acres of land which he holds in right of Anne his wife and now by deed of feofment from the said Wright and Anne his wife granted sold aliened and confirmed to the said Michael Halbert his heirs and assigns for a valuable consideration RecÕd according to all the parts members and claims and things mentioned in the aforesaid deed of feofment bearing date with these presents and shall and will make such further assurances in law as by the said Michael Halbert and his learned conusel in the law shall be devised, or advised, then this obligation to be void and of none effect, otherwise to stand in full force and virtue. Francis Wright seal) John Wright Signed, Sealed & delivered in the presents of us. Tho: Baker, Tho: Marshall Westmorld: ss: At a court held for the county the 26th day of March 1707 John Wright, Gentl., son and heir apparent of Francis Wright, Gentl. party to the within Bond in open Court acknowledged tohimself a party to the said bond by subscribing his name thereto and the penalty therein specified enure and be good and valid to all entents and purposes therein declared against him his heirs, Executors and Admrs to the Benefit and advantage of the therein named Michael Halbert according to the true meaning and purpose of the said bond. est: Ja: Westcomb Cler. Com. Prd. Recordate: primo die Aprilis 1707 Pr. Eundm Clerum It will be universally admitted that the justices of a county were its ablest and wealthiest men. Thus Francis Wright early found himself dealing with affairs of international and great historic importance. As a justice the scope of his authority within Westmoreland was broad, to uching almost every phase of human activity, judicial, social, commercial and religious. On Jan 11, 1687-8 (page 626 of the court order book), relinquishing for the day his justiceship, he prosecuted several actions as an attorney, winning verdicts for his clients, save in the case of William Burnham Plt., vs. William Kemp. The Plt. by his Atturny Wright, the Atty. of John Jefferies & Comp. did arrest the Deft. to this Court , & not appearing to prosecute is non-suited and ordered to pay fifty pds of Tobacco with Costs. As attorney in Virginia for the English house of John Jefferis & Co., Francis Wright held a favor. On one day the justices were trying offenders, the next day ordering military preparations, the building of highways, the levying of taxes, the settling of estates and suits, and the administering of public affairs in general, two items of which from the record will suffice for quotation: (Westmoreland Order Book 1675/6 to 1688/9, pg. 644) Court of 30 May 1688 Order for Arms & necessaryes for the militia. The Court takeing into Serious Consideration how improbable it is in this time when tobacco is of little value, for the inhabitants of this County to provide themselves Armes & other necessaries for the Compleating & setting forth of two companyes offfoot & one troope of horse

---

doe unanimously agree & Order: That each of the captaines of the ffoot companyes doe forthwith send for England and cause to be bought over to this County in Virginia for the use of the soldiers under his Comand thirty-five lock musquetts, thirty Catouch boxes with girdles and thirty good broad sliceing swords with belts, and that the Capt. of the horse ...doe causeto bee brought over.... thirty bridles & saddles with furniture belonging to them, thirty pair of pistolls with holsters , and thirty hangers or scymeters with belts wch Armes the soldiers will take from their officers & pay for them etc. (Page 679) Court of 30 Oct. 1688 Order concerning killing woolves. His Majties Justices for this Countie being deeply sensible of the great furrease of those pnicious Vermine Woolves, which prey not onely on Sheep & hoggs, but alsoe on Cattele & colts, & being incessentlie importuned by the Inhabitants to take some speedie Care for their Deminution, the designe & difficulty of their totale exterpitation being thought Invincible, Doe Order that three hundred pounds of tobacco be paid for any woolf or woolves destroyed within the limits of this county. Between the sessions of the court of Jan. 31, 1688, and Jan. 29, 1690, Justice Francis Wright was honored by the Governor and Council of Virginia with a commission as sheriff for the county of Westmoreland. this commission is not recorded; the first evidence of the appointment appears to-wit: (Order Book from 1690 to 1698, pg. 6) Court of Jan. 29, 1690: Minor vs. Wright. Order granted Mr. John Minor according to Law agent Mr. Francis Wright, Sheriff & c., because he had not the body of John Wright at this Court to answer the sd Minor in an Accon on the Case according to his return. ThisJohn Wright was not the sherriff's son, then aged under eight years, but the overseer of Upper Machotick, a man of unhappy record for many years and of no relationship to the sheriff as will be shownhereinafter. The latter caught the offender for beating to death a horse, and produced him at the next session of the court, Jan. 30, 1690. Page 10 of the record of this session also bears the entry: Mr. Francis Wright to be under ranger for Westmoreland County in behalf of the Lord Culpeper, thus having double authority as the chief executive officer of the county. (Ibid) Order of Court, Feb. 26, 1690: Wright sworn Sheriff. Mr. Francis Wright sworn High Sheriff of this county for this yeare, and Capt. Lawerence Washington assumes to indemnifie the Court and to enter into bond with the sd. Wright for the due performatnce of the trust according to the Govenors order. Clark & Pope Undersheriffs. Mr. William Clark & Nathanial Pope haveing first to ok the Oaths were sworn Under Sheriff & Deputy to the sd. Mr. Francis Wright. Nathaniel Pope (Jr.) was the uncle of both the said Wright and Washington. At this same session of the court Francis Wright was also recorded ( pg. 24 d) as one of the Justices Sworn to King William & Mary, showing that, though acting as sheriff, he continued to hold his commission as justice. The sheriff was obliged to collect all taxes and serve as treasurer of the county, in addition to attending court, serving all processes and being responsible for all prisoners. Francis Wright was succeeded as sheriff on the last Wednesday in May, 1692, by Capt.Lawrence Washington who chose Mr. John Washington, Jr. , under sheriff. (page. 62 of Order Book from 1690 to 1698). The Wrights and Washingtons were largely managing public affairs at this time, somewhat as an intimate family matter. an amusing incident it must have been to both men when, on July 28, 1692, ( page 70 of the same book), Washington was forced by law to sue his brother-in-law Wright for five hundred and ten pounds of tobacco due from Abraham Blagg because Wright, when sheriff, had not the body of the sd Blagg at this Court to answer the sd Washington. Wright paid, as a preliminary to recovering later by suit, the amount from Blagg. Automatically Justice Wright resumed his seat upon the bench, serving there altogether over a period of thirty years. Of the numberous instances in which he figures in the court records only a few further items need to be quoted: (Westmoreland Court Order Book from 1690 to 1698, pg. 118) Mr. Francis Wright is appointed Surveyor of the Highways for that precinct comonly known by the name of the Secretaries (Secretaries Neck: so called after Wright's uncle, Nicholas Spencer, secretary of the Colony of Virginia) . Ordered that he immediately Cause the Roads within the said precinct to be well & sufficently cleared & the bridges & swamps therein to be amended & repaired According to Law (page 132) Court of 25 april 1694. Mr. Francis Wright is by the Court appointed to take the list of Tythables for the upper Precincts of Copeley parish. (pg. 172d) Court of 27 March 1695. Mr. Francis Wright, Justice Francis Wright, Gentl. came into court in his proper person & acknowledge a Deed of Sale of Land....to be the just right & Inheritance of Capt. Lawrence Washington. (pg. 173) die Mercury 24 aprilis 1695. The Court being adjournedOver till this day, Col. Peirce & Mr. Wright being Sick...adjourned till the last Wednesday in May. (pg. 199) 26 Marty 1696. This day being so extreame Rainy that the Court did not meet. Only Capt.Lawrence Washington & Mr. Francis Wright being present....adjourned. (pg. 200). Court of 27 May 1696. present Capt. Francis Wright ( and the Ï other) Justices....... a Proclamacon of a Day of thanksgiving to bee kept & Solemnized the second day of June next for his Majestie King William deliverance from a horrid conspiracy intended against his royall person published. Thus was reflected in loyal Protestant Virginia the resentment against Catholicism for its intimation that a Protestant monarch could be violently removed if the interests of the Catholic church required it and, as well, as fervent Thanksgiving that the attempt of James II to recover the throne of England had failed. Suffragettes were also out of favor in those days, to wit: (pg. 242). Court of May 26, 1697. Capt. Francis Wright, Justice It is Ordered that a Ducking Stoole bee forthwith provided and fixed in each parish of this County as soon as conveniently may be, one of which is appointed to bee at Capt. Lawrence Washington's Mill dam in Washington parish. And at Col. Isaac Allerton's Mill Dam in Copeley parish.</p><p><p></p></p><p><p>VIRGINIA SS (A dedimus for Adminstrg the oaths to the Justices & ANNE, by the Grace of God Queen of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith & To FRANCIS WRIGHT, Alexander Spence, Willoughby Allerton, Lewis Markham, Charles Ashton, Henry ashton, Caleb Butler, John Sturman, Benjamin Berryman, Gerrard Hutt, George Weedon, Joan Elliott, Andrew Munroe ( Ancestor of James Monroe, President of the USA), John Bushrod & Burditt Ashton, Gentl. GREETINGSKNOW YE that whereas we have constituted and appointed you Justices of the peace for Westmoreland County wee do authorize and appoint that, the commission being read as usual any two of you the said FRANCIS WRIGHT, Alexander Spence, Willoughy Allerton, Lewis Markham, Charles Ashton, Henry Ashton, Caleb Butler and John Sturman, having first taken the oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, the Test together with the oath for duly executing the office of Justice of the peace, which the said Benjamin Berryman and Gerrard Hutt, or any twoin the Commission above named, are hereby required, authorized and empowered to give and administered to you you administer unto (sic) the above said Justices and every of them in the Commission above named, the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the oaths of Allegiance and supremacy, the Test together with the oath of duly executing the office of Justice of the peace, of the performance of which you are to make due return to our Secretaries office on the Sixth day of the next General Court. WITNESS our trusty well beloved Francis Nicholson Esq. our Lt. & Governor Gentl. of our Colony & Dominion of Virginia at the City of Williamsburg under the seal of our Colony this 26th day of April in the second year of our reign Annoq. dn 1703 Nicholson (seal) A Dedimus for administering the oaths &c to the Justices of the Peace for Westmorld County. WESTMORLD: SS AT a Court held for the said County the 26th day of May Anno Regni Reginae Anna nunc Ang & Soc: The Commission being read as usual Benjamin Berryman and Gerrard Hutt Gentl. administered the several oaths appointed to be taken instead of the oaths of allegiance and supremacy together with the oath for duly executing the office of Justice of the peace to Francis Wright and Lewis Markham Gentl. who administered the said several oaths to Charles Ashton, Henry Ashton, Caleb Butler, John Sturman, Benjamin Berryman, Gerrard Hutt, George Weedon, John Elliott, Andres Munroe, John Bushrod and Burdet Ashton Gentl., who severally subscribed the Test according to the tenor of the above Commission.Pr. Mandat. Cur. Test. Ja: Westcomb Cle. Com. Prd. This commission did not empower Justice Wright to try a case of murder. This fact is emphasized in the record on page 218 of the Westmoreland Order Book1698-1705 of the holding of a court of Oyer and Terminer. Jan. 13, 1703-4, instancing that Francis Wright and six other men were commissioned by the government of Virginia, to hold a special court for the trail of Tom, a negro slave for killing his master James Orchard. Contrary to the expectations of the sheriff, who procured the commission from the governor, Justice Wright declined to presideat this murder trial, and his name is absent from the death warrant signed by nine other justices, one of whom was Andrew Monroe. At this period Major Wright was the chief justice, otherwise designated President of the Court. It is, therefore, not unexpected that he was soon afterwards selected to represent Westmoreland and the colony of Virginia as a special judgein a case of wide importance for the peace of the colony and the protection of the inhabitants from Indians. Nineteen of the leading men of Virginia were commissioned for this investigation and trial. After the five colonial dignitaries, the first gentleman named was Col. William Tayloe of Richmond county whose great estate still remains in the Tayloe family, with its famous mansion (wherein Major Wright was then, as doubtless, before and afterwards,and honored guest), after two hundred and fifty years of uninterrupted possession by the Tayloes. Francis Wright's name follows that of Tayloe in the formal order of precedence, based upon the personal position of the persons named, customary in official colonial documents of that time. (County Clerks office, Warsaw, Richmond County, Virginia. Order book No. 3 Att a Court Held Att the house of Col. William Tayloe the 7th day of Sept. 1704 for the Examination of the Prisoners apprehended and taking Evidences Relating to the murder of John Rowley, two women and a child certain witnesses were examined; but the Justices of Richmond County not being empowered to try cases of life and limb by their commissions from King William and Queen Mary of England, the Governorand Council of Virginia, in view thereof and also realizing the great importance of this case, of a massacre by Indians, as having a most serious bearing upon Indian affairs in general and upon the peace of the immediate future, and having been informed that there was a conspiracy under way between Indians of several tribes to attack the white men, appointed four members of the Council of Virginia, the Speaker of the House of Burgesses and fifteen judges in the Northern Neck of Virginia to investigate the case and try the captured Indians at a special court ordered therefor. One of these special judges was Francis Wright, then a justice of Westmoreland County. The case was sufficiently important and of a present interest to warrant a presentation now of the substance of it, as the selection of Francis Wright as one of the judges in so important a matter may be considered as a compliment to his ability and position, he not being a resident of the county wherein the Indian trouble occurred. VIRGINIA SS ATT a Session of Oyer and Terminer begun att Richmond County Court house on Thursday the fifth day of October in the third yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lady Anne bythe Grace of God of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland Queene, Defender of the ffaith & c. and in the yeare of our Lord 1704, by Virtue of her Majesty Special Commision for Tryall of all Treasons, petty Treasons, ffelonies, Burglaryes, Murders, Thefts, Robberyes, Larcenyes, Ryots Fouts or unlawfull Assemblyes, Batterryes and Trespasses Committed made or done by any Indians in the said County of Richmond, and Especially of and Concerning the death and Murder of John Roley, Katherine Roley, William Roley, and Mary Webb, or any of them

---

TO John Lightfoot, Robert Carver, Phillip Ludwell and John Smith Esq. of the Council, Peter Beverley Gent., Speaker of the House of Burgesses, William Tayloe, Francis Wright, George Mason, John Cattlett, George Tayler, Samuel Peachey, William Underwood, Alexander Doniphan, John Deane, David Gwyn, John tarpley, Thomas Beale, William Robinson, Charles Barbe r and Joshua Davis, Gent. PRESENT Robert Carter Peter Beverly, Gent. John Smith Speaker of the house of Burgesses Esq. of the Council William Tayloe John Deane Francis Wright David Gwyn Gent. John Cattlett John Tarpley George Tayler Thomas Beale Samuel Peachy William Robinson William Underwood Joshua Davies Alexamder Doniphan Whereof the Prisoners at the Barr ( to witt Long Tom and Young Toby severally said and Acknowledged that they were Guilty, Old Mr. Thomas, Bearded Jack, Jack the fiddler,Tom Antony and George severally pleaded Not Guilty and for Tryall put themselves upon God and the Country. Then follows the long details of the trail, which, for lack of space we omit. This service by Major Francis Wright, as a special justice of a superior court of law and equity, has caused him to be accepted by the Virginia Society of Colonial Dames as an eligible ancestor. On March 25,1707, Francis Wright of Westmoreland County in the Colony of Virginia Gentl. and John Wright son and heir - apparent of the sd Francis Wright sold to thomas Goff of Richmond County, planter, for fivethousand pounds of tobacco, two hundred acres in Washington parish ( Deeds & Wills No. 3, pg. 4); also the same father and son on Oct. 8, 1709, for eight thousand pounds of tobacco, sold to John Washington 171 1/2 acres. (Deed book No. 2, pg. 153). Under the old colonial laws a husband often sold real estate that his wife had inherited, and sometimes sh ÿe failed to sign the deed; this left rights remaining to her children. The following deed by Anne (Mottrom) Wright's son, Francis Wright, forty-nine years after his father, Capt. Richard Wright, had sold the Nomini estate to his</p><p><p>(the latters) brother-in-law, Col. Nicholas Spencer (acting-governor of Virginia in 1683), renounced his inherited claim and confirmed the title to his cousin, Francis Spencer, thus emphasizing again the honorable and commendable character of the Wright Family. The subjoined deed also recounts three generations of the pedigree and defines the location of the great house in which Francis Wright and his son John resided (Montross, Westmoreland County, Virginia. Deeds and Wills No. 7, page 230:) Wright's Sale to Spencer THIS INDENTURE made this 30th day of August in the yeare of Our Lord God One thousand Seven hundred and Eleven. BETWEEN Francis Wright of the parish of Cople in the County of Westmoreland on the One part, and Francis Spencer of the parish and County aforesaid on the other part. WITNESSETH that Whereas Richard Wright father of the aforesaid Wright formerly ( to Witt) the 18th day of August in the Yeare of Our Lord 1662 sold and conveyed Over unto Nicholas Spencer Esq. father of the aforesaid Francis Spencer a certain tract of land lying scituate on Nomony Bay containing nine hundred acres of land more or less Contained in certaine bounds in the said Deed menconed, which said Land was the Just right and inheritance of Anne, the daughter of Col. John Mottrom, and wife of the said Richard, and mother of the said Francis Wright; and forasmuch as the said Anne did not joyne in the said sale nor was any party to the said deed, nor did not pass her right in the said land as the law requires, and that by means thereof the same is descended & come to the aforesaid Francis Wright as heir at Law to his mother; therefore, he the said Francis Wright as well for and in consideration of the sum of Seven thousand pounds of good sound merchantable Tobacco in Cask to him in hand by the said Francis Spencer already paid and satisfyed, the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge, and thereof and from every part and parcell therof he doth acquitt exonerate andforever discharge the said Francis Spencer his heirs, executors admrs. and assignes, as alsoe for divers Other good causes and consideracons him the said Francis Wright thereunto especially moveing, hath given granted release (etc.)....unto the said Francis Spencer the same in his actual possession now being, all that his the said Francis Wright his right and title of in and to the aforesaid tract of land Containing nine hundred acres bounded......(vizt) BEGINNING at a marked white Oake standing on the maine branch of King Copssco Pond at the head thereof by the road side that leads from thehouse of the said Wright to the said Spencer's, running thence a straight Course to a marked red Oake standing by a swamp or branch that issueth out of ArmsbyÕs Creek, and near the now dwelling house of Samuel Chamberlin, and thence down the said swamp Cove and Creek to the head line of the whole dividend of land of the aforesaid Wright or Mottrom, thence along the said head line and the water Courses of Nominy Bay to the mouth of King Copssco Pond, and up the said Pond according to the meanders thereof to the first menconed beginning white Oake.......TO HAVE AND TO HOLD etc)....forever (etc.)...Francis Wright (seal) Sealed and delivered in presence of D. McCarty, Nath. Pope. Westmorland SS At a Court held for the said County 29th day of August 1711 Francis Wright gentl...came into Court and acknowledged the above instrument to be his proper act and deed (etc).......Test Tho: Sorrell Dpty Cler. Com. Prd. Recordate sixto die Septembris 1711 Major Francis Wright, while sitting as president of the court in 1712 was again honored by the (acting) governor of Virginia with an appointment as sheriff, twenty years after his first shrievalty: (Westmoreland Orders & C 1705-1721, page 185d) At a Court held for the ds. County the 25th day of June 1712 Present Francis Wright Benj. Berryman Andrew Munroe Henry Ashton Burdett Ashton Richard Watts John Chilton Joseph Bayly Court Proclaimed Gentl. Justices & c. Wright Sworn Sheriff. Francis Wright Gentl: produced into Court a Commission form under the hand of Alexander Spotswood Esq her Majesties Lieut: Governor of Virginia appointing him Sheriff of Westmld county during her Majesties pleasure. And haveing first Engered into bond According to Law for his faithfull management of the office of Sheriff he took and oath of Sheriffof the County aforesaid accordingly. We may note the condescension, appreciation and sympathy of the colonial legislature of Virginia towards Sheriff Wright as expressed in its order that he be discharged paying Fees into the colonial treasury, doubtless partly in appreciation of the ill gentleman's action in voluntarily sending to the colonial capitol his under-sheriff to make a correction in the election return previously forwarded. Francis Wright did not live to complete his term as sheriff, but was able to carry out the collection and disbursement of taxes for the same year, 1712, to wit: (Westmoreland Orders & c. 1705-1721, pg. 200d. Court of 27 Nov. 1712) Upon Mocon of Francis Wright, gentl. Sheriff of this county of colleccon of the sd County Levy for this present year is granted him. Major Henry Ashton and Mr. John Chilton assuming to be his Securities for his due & true payment of the same according to proporccon. And it is ordered that each Tythable person in the Countydoe pay him the Sum of thirty pounds of Tobacco, and in case of their Refusal, that he make distress as the Law directs. And that he pay each Creditor in the aforesaid County his just Share & porporcon as the same is raised and Levyed on his behalfe: Following numerous entries in the court order book of a similar or minor nature, there stands on page 214 the record of the las recorded official act of Major Francis as sheriff of Westmoreland, to-wit: Court of 27 May 1713 Damorvel vs nup vic . p. Cox It was comanded Francis Wright gentl. late Sheriff of the said County that he should sumon Charnock Cox to answer Samuel Damorvel of a Plea on the Case for Eighteen thirty eight pounds of Tobacco due by acct. And the Sheriff return cepi crop. But for that the Defendent failed to appeare and noe baile being returned. Upon Mocon of the said Plaintiff Condiconal order passed against the said Sheriff According to Law. And upon the Sheriff's Mocon and attachment is granted him against the defendants Estate Returnable acccording to Law. DSET</p><p></p>