"Footprints in Time" The Colonial Period Submitted By: DM Wright
8. . Major Francis Wright (1658-1713)
"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
{From Westmoreland Court Order Book from 1690 to 1698, p. 242}
compiled by MD Wright
2002
 Please place in the Subject Line: WEBPAGE-HISTORY 
|