Francis WRIGHT, MAJ.

                   Cal. 1659 Westmoreland co VA died cal 1713

   Born:  1660  Place:  Coan, Northumberland, Virginia
   Died:  1712/1713  Place:  Cople Parish, Westmoreland, Virginia
   Buried:    Place:  Interred In A, Vault On The, Banks Of Bridges, Cr, Virginia
   Married:  1660  Place:  Lower Machodc, , Vi.
   Father:  Richard WRIGHT (AFN:G1B1-QH)  Family
   Mother:  Ann MOTTRON (AFN:G1B1-RN)
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Major Francis Wright (1658-1713)
"Footprints in Time" The Colonial Period
Submitted By: DM Wright
Generation Eight
8. . Major Francis Wright (1658-1713)
Thru his marriage to Anne Washington, we are related to George Washington, lst President of the US and English Royalty.   s/o Captain Richard Wright (1633-1663) and Anne Washington (1650-1697) d/o Col Nathaniel Pope.

"Francis Wright-gentleman, captain, major, surveyor, attorney, sheriff and Justice of Westomoreland County, VA--Was born between 1658 and 1661, the dates being estimated from his father's marriage and will.   His birthplace was Coan, Northumberland County, Virginia.   The home of his parents, Richard and Ann Mottrom Wright, formerly belonged to his maternal grandfather, Col John Mottrom.

It is not known whether he was educated in England or by a private tutor in Virginia.   His father's will had directed that he remain under the control of Col Nicholas Spencer, an uncle who probably had a great influence on young Francis Wright.   It is not certain whether Francis Wright lived with his uncle or with his mother after she remarried.

After reaching the nominal age of 18, Francis Wright lived for the remainder of his life in Westmoreland County upon his inherited estate of 1400 acres fronting the Potomac and flanked by Nomini Bay and Lower Machodoc River.

About 1680 he m Anne Washington, b 1650 dau of Col Nathaniel Pope.   Anne Washington's brother Lawrence Washington was grandfather of George Washington, 1st President of the United States.   Lawrence Washingon's father-in-law Augustine Warner, Jr., was an ancestor of Queen Elizabeth II of England.   The exact date of the marriage of Francis Wright and Anne Washington is not recorded, but the fact that their son JOHN WRIGHT became 21 yrs of age on or before 1704 fixes the date at approx. 1680.   Other documents confine the marriage date to 1679-1682.   Francis and Anne Washington Wright also had a dau--Anne Wright, who m Gerrard Davis.

Francis Wright seems to have placed a sentimental value upon the 1400 tract of land which he inherited from his father in 1680; for while he acquired and sold other large tracts of land, he passed this original property on to his heir,John Wright.

During the 33 years he greatly improved it from the almost natural state in which he inherited it.   Although he was busy with public affairs throughout most of his adult life, he devoted much of his attention to the development of his acreage.   He converted into cash, however, the land which his wife had inherited from her father, Col John Washington, John Wright, son of Francis and Anne Washington Wright, also had rights to this land which his father had sold on 25 Feb 1685.   On 26 March 1707 after the death of his mother, he honored his father's commitment by acknowledging himself a party to the sale.

On the 1400 acre plantation Francis Wright built a home frequently referred to as "the great house."   In this home he lived until the time of his death.

In Francis Wright's day, public offices were filled by appointment rather than by election.   The ablest and wealthiest men usually were selected as justices.   Francis Wright was a justice during most of his adult life.   He also served as Sheriff of Westmoreland County on 2 occasions being succeeded at one time by his brother-in-law Capt Lawrence Washington, grandfather of the lst President.   In those days the sheriff was appointed by the governor of the colony, and the office was considered the highest in the county.   The sheriff collected all the taxes, served as treasurer of the county, attended the court, served all processes and had the responsibility of all the prisoners.

The red-letter day in Francis Wright's public life came in 1703, when Queen Anne recognized him as "First Citizen" of Westmoreland County and President of the Justices by a commission 30 May 1702, to proclaim the death of William III and to proclaim her most scared Majesty Queen Anne by celebration.

Very little is known about the long service of Francis Wright as Capt and Major in the VA Colonial Militia or of the social and domestic side of his life; but it is clear that his personality, position, ability, and influence were on a parity with the best contemporaries of Tidewater Virginia.   He is accepted by the First Virginia Society of Colonial Dames as an eligible ancestor.

Anne Washington Wright d before 1698 and Francis m 2 Martha Cox, d/o Vincent Cox of Westmoreland Co, l child Richard was b abt 1709.

Francis Wright d abt 24 June 1713 at the age of 53. He was buried on his estate presumably near "the great house" and beside his lst wife Anne.   He died without a will, all his real estate fell to JOHN WRIGHT, his eldest son, under the right of primogeniture, which prevailed in VA prior to the Revolution.   Richard, the son by his 2nd marriage received nothing directly from his father; but he was given an estate in land by John Wright, his half-brother.

The widow Martha m 1714 to John Howell, one of her deceased husband's employees, and had become involved in litigation over the estate.   Since John Wright her step-son had married at about the same time, it is doubtful if they were ever a part of the same household.   They appear to have been distant socially.

Francis Wright was one of the founders, a vestryman, and a communicant of the Yeocomico Church.   The original building was constructed in 1655 and was one of the early outposts of Christianity in the New World.   The present structure was constructed by bricks burned in a kiln on the grounds in 1706 and was still standing in 1960.

After the Revolution and the withdrawal of the English Clergy, the church was deserted and unused for many years.   It is said to hav been occupied by Federal troops during both the War of 1812 and the Civil War and at one time to have been used for the shelter of cattle.   In 1906 it was restored to a condition almost like it was known by Francis Wright and his contemporaries.   It is said to be the most quaint and best loved churches by antiquarians in America.   It was the church also of John Wright I while he lived in Cople Parish."

compiled by Julia Wright Brown 1980
resubmitted: mdw 2001
References:
A much more detailed account of the life of Francis Wright and Ann Washingon can be found in CA Hoppins THE WASHINGTON ANCESTRY AND FORTY RELATED FAMILIES.

{From Westmoreland Court Order Book from 1690 to 1698, p. 242}
Court of May 26 1697.
"Captain ffrancis 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 Captain Law: Washington's Mill dam in washington parish.   And at Coll. Isaac Allerton's Mill Dam in Copeley parish."

compiled by MD Wright 2002
Francis WRIGHT Given Name: Francis Surname: Wright Suffix: major Title: major Sex: M Birth: 1660 in Coan,Northumberland,Virginia Death: 1712/1713 in Cople Parish,Westmoreland,Virginia Burial: A,Vault On The,Banks Of Bridges,Cr, Virginia Note:
Cal. 1659 Westmoreland co VA died cal 1713Born: 1660 Place: Coan, Northumberland, VirginiaDied: 1712/1713 Place: Cople Parish, Westmoreland, VirginiaBuried: Place: Interred In A, Vault On The, Banks Of Bridges, Cr, VirginiaMarried: 1660 Place: Lower Machodc, , Vi.Father: Richard WRIGHT (AFN:G1B1-QH) FamilyMother: Ann MOTTRON (AFN:G1B1-RN)on familysearch.comM Frances WRIGHT (AFN:B9NC-P5) PedigreeBorn: 1660 Place: Coan, Northumberland, VirginiaDied: 1712/1713 Place: Cople Parish, Westmoreland, VirginiaBuried: Place: Interred In A, Vault On The, Banks Of Bridges, Cr, VirginiaHome Index Visitors Query E-Mail Footprints New: 6 Jul 2003Major Francis Wright (1658-1713)"Footprints in Time" The Colonial PeriodSubmitted By: DM WrightGeneration Eight8. . Major Francis Wright (1658-1713)Thru his marriage to Anne Washington, we are related to George Washington, lst President of the US and English Royalty. s/o Captain Richard Wright (1633-1663) and Anne Washington (1650-1697) d/o Col Nathaniel Pope."Francis Wright-gentleman, captain, major, surveyor, attorney, sheriff and Justice of Westomoreland County, VA--Was born between 1658 and 1661, the dates being estimated from his father's marriage and will. His birthplace was Coan, Northumberland County, Virginia. The home of his parents, Richard and Ann Mottrom Wright, formerly belonged to his maternal grandfather, Col John Mottrom.It is not known whether he was educated in England or by a private tutor in Virginia. His father's will had directed that he remain under the control of Col Nicholas Spencer, an uncle who probably had a great influence on young Francis Wright. It is not certain whether Francis Wright lived with his uncle or with his mother after she remarried.After reaching the nominal age of 18, Francis Wright lived for the remainder of his life in Westmoreland County upon his inherited estate of 1400 acres fronting the Potomac and flanked by Nomini Bay and Lower Machodoc River.About 1680 he m Anne Washington, b 1650 dau of Col Nathaniel Pope. Anne Washington's brother Lawrence Washington was grandfather of George Washington, 1st President of the United States. Lawrence Washingon's father-in-law Augustine Warner, Jr., was an ancestor of Queen Elizabeth II of England. The exact date of the marriage of Francis Wright and Anne Washington is not recorded, but the fact that their son JOHN WRIGHT became 21 yrs of age on or before 1704 fixes the date at approx. 1680. Other documents confine the marriage date to 1679-1682. Francis and Anne Washington Wright also had a dau--Anne Wright, who m Gerrard Davis.Francis Wright seems to have placed a sentimental value upon the 1400 tract of land which he inherited from his father in 1680; for while he acquired and sold other large tracts of land, he passed this original property on to his heir,John Wright.During the 33 years he greatly improved it from the almost natural state in which he inherited it. Although he was busy with public affairs throughout most of his adult life, he devoted much of his attention to the development of his acreage. He converted into cash, however, the land which his wife had inherited from her father, Col John Washington, John Wright, son of Francis and Anne Washington Wright, also had rights to this land which his father had sold on 25 Feb 1685. On 26 March 1707 after the death of his mother, he honored his father's commitment by acknowledging himself a party to the sale.On the 1400 acre plantation Francis Wright built a home frequently referred to as "the great house." In this home he lived until the time of his death.In Francis Wright's day, public offices were filled by appointment rather than by election. The ablest and wealthiest men usually were selected as justices. Francis Wright was a justice during most of his adult life. He also served as Sheriff of Westmoreland County on 2 occasions being succeeded at one time by his brother-in-law Capt Lawrence Washington, grandfather of the lst President. In those days the sheriff was appointed by the governor of the colony, and the office was considered the highest
in the county. The sheriff collected all the taxes, served as treasurer of the county, attended the court, served all processes and had the responsibility of all the prisoners.The red-letter day in Francis Wright's public life came in 1703, when Queen Anne recognized him as "First Citizen" of Westmoreland County and President of the Justices by a commission 30 May 1702, to proclaim the death of William III and to proclaim her most scared Majesty Queen Anne by celebration.Very little is known about the long service of Francis Wright as Capt and Major in the VA Colonial Militia or of the social and domestic side of his life; but it is clear that his personality, position, ability, and influence were on a parity with the best contemporaries of Tidewater Virginia. He is accepted by the First Virginia Society of Colonial Dames as an eligible ancestor.Anne Washington Wright d before 1698 and Francis m 2 Martha Cox, d/o Vincent Cox of Westmoreland Co, l child Richard was b abt 1709.Francis Wright d abt 24 June 1713 at the age of 53. He was buried on his estate presumably near "the great house" and beside his lst wife Anne. He died without a will, all his real estate fell to JOHN WRIGHT, his eldest son, under the right of primogeniture, which prevailed in VA prior to the Revolution. Richard, the son by his 2nd marriage received nothing directly from his father; but he was given an estate in land by John Wright, his half-brother.The widow Martha m 1714 to John Howell, one of her deceased husband's employees, and had become involved in litigation over the estate. Since John Wright her step-son had married at about the same time, it is doubtful if they were ever a part of the same household. They appear to have been distant socially.Francis Wright was one of the founders, a vestryman, and a communicant of the Yeocomico Church. The original building was constructed in 1655 and was one of the early outposts of Christianity in the New World. The present structure was constructed by bricks burned in a kiln on the grounds in 1706 and was still standing in 1960.After the Revolution and the withdrawal of the English Clergy, the church was deserted and unused for many years. It is said to hav been occupied by Federal troops during both the War of 1812 and the Civil War and at one time to have been used for the shelter of cattle. In 1906 it was restored to a condition almost like it was known by Francis Wright and his contemporaries. It is said to be the most quaint and best loved churches by antiquarians in America. It was the church also of John Wright I while he lived in Cople Parish."compiled by Julia Wright Brown 1980resubmitted: mdw 2001References:A much more detailed account of the life of Francis Wright and Ann Washingon can be found in CA Hoppins THE WASHINGTON ANCESTRY AND FORTY RELATED FAMILIES.{From Westmoreland Court Order Book from 1690 to 1698, p. 242}Court of May 26 1697."Captain 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 Captain Law: Washington's Mill dam in washington parish. And at Coll. Isaac Allerton's Mill Dam in Copeley parish."compiled by MD Wright 2002
Father: Richard WRIGHTb: 1633 in St. Paul's Parish,Stafford County,England Mother: Ann MOTTRON  b: 1639 in London,Middlesex,EnglandMarriage 1 Anne WASHINGTON  b: 1661 in Westmoreland,VA
Married: 1682
Children
John WRIGHT  b: 25 FEB 1685 in Prince William co,VA
Anna WRIGHT  b: 1682
Marriage 2 Martha COX
Married: 1708 in Westmoreland Co.,VA
Children
Richard WRIGHT  b: 1709