Submitted By: Nancy L. Wright tewright@cajun.net (Originally appeared in Terrebonne Life Lines, Vol. 21, #3 (Fall 2002)
Elizabeth Steele was born 5 May 1825 in Livingston, Essex County, New Jersey. She married
John Edixon Wright, the son of Moses Wright and his wife Hannah Edwards. John was born 11
December 1824 also in Livingston, New Jersey. John and Elizabeth were married 28 May 1846 in
Roseland, Essex County, New Jersey. They bought land in Wisconsin along the Wisconsin River
where they built their home. John Wright was accidentally shot in October 1862 when he jumped
into a boat at the start of a hunting trip. He died three days later from the loss of blood.
John E. Wright started giving lectures at schools and colleges on physics and chemistry when he
was 21 years old. He traveled and gave popular lectures to public audiences. When they married,
“Lizzie” started traveling with him.
She kept a journal of their travels. Sixteen of her seventeen journals are in the Library of
Congress under the title: "Papers of Elizabeth Steele Wright
1846-1912", MMC-337, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington D.
C.
The following is a transcript of this part of the journal; spelling and punctuation is left intact.
(I have added explanatory notes about the family relationships in parenthesis at the end of the
paragraphs. – nlw)
Vol. 4, starting on page 40 Uncles house Bayou Black May 30, 1854 Tuesday,. we soon rode eight miles then crossed the La Forche Stoped in Thibodeaux bought Johny a hat got directions then started on again twenty two miles to Houma, had no trouble in finding the way as it was strait along the "Terrebourne". when we got to Houma Mr. Wright walked to the post office did not get any letters they said that there was one but some of uncles family had taken it out uncle's Son Holden had been into town he heard of us rode on overtook us and introduced himself, we had passed uncle before but did not know him as we had never seen him before but we both thought that he looked like father Wright, soon we met another of the boys Abram stoped and talked a few minutes then passed on to the house then were introduced to the balance of the family. There are nine children living Cousin Marie the eldest one at home is twenty four She is housekeeper, aunt is dead. She had been dead near two years. Maria is in very bad health I think consumption. There are two other daughters one eight the other twelve, Coote, and Mary Jane the oldest Son is married and has three children he married a creole they have three children. he is overseeing about three miles from his fathers, uncle came home and made us very welcome. we Set up and talked until about twelve Oclk.
Uncles May 31 Wednesday warm morn a hard rain in the evening we are resting our horses are out in the cane brake, I suppose that Suits them they have been wanting greens so long. the day passes pleasantly we like our uncle and cousins very much; walk out in the orange grove they have about one thousand trees and beautiful flowers. they have a very pretty place. Uncles June 1, 1854 Thursday warm and rainy Staid in the house all day Cousin Maria finds a great difficulty in making her servants do as she wishes them to I feel well contented in the house. Uncles June 2 Friday rainy again today, I sent a letter to the office to father..Wright we received one from the girls. they said [Hannah] has gone to her last home poor creature she has had her full share of trouble: uncle and family do all in their power to make us comfortable but there is no place like home to rest the wearied body. Cousin Maria is very companionable.
Uncles June 3 Saturday Some rain this morning nine o c we have the prospects of a fine day. Maria and Self walked to the Sugar house looked at all the arrangements, there is quite a process to go through before sugar is ready to be put in barrels; from these to the bayou to look for aligator we heard two of them grunting. but the weeds were so high we could not see them had a pair of mules put to the carriage. a yellow boy drove for us. we went to see cousin John’s family, he married a creole, she is very pleasant. we staid two or three hours then drove home again there is a ball about six miles from here we could not get the men started so we had to stay at home. Maria was very anxious for us to go and see the [Kaijins] they are the native French. Uncles June 4 Sabbath after breakfast we took a horse back ride it was very pleasant.. we had not rode far before Holden overtook us with Coote and Johny on the horse with him. we rode about three miles saw Cousin Elisha so we turned back with him. before we got home we had some half dozen in company with us. they sent the carriage for John and his family, the boys are all at home. So there is quite a family today. Uncle seems happy. Elisa [Elisha?] [dispates] he had not been in the house long before uncle brought out a bottle filled, he set it where it was very convenient for then all to run to. it is a dreadful habit. I felt very sorry to see anything of the kind. they take more privileges Since aunts death. We visited her tomb, two of her children are in the Same grave with her. I liked Johns wife very much. They have three nice children in the evening Maria had company Mr & Mrs Grey and her mother all very agreeable this is the last day we spent here So we bid Some good bye. those that left the house.
Thibodeaux June 5 Monday we are preparing to leave. We take two trunks and leave two, so I made Some changes in the contents we expected to leave soon after dinner but it was three Oclk Maria Cousin Billy Mr. Wright Johny and myself went in the carriage a Servant drove our horses it was after dark when we got in town put up at Holden’s he keeps a poor house. We went to our room took of our bonnets and while we were taking supper some one took a handkerchief out of Marias package So we kept our eyes on the rest of our goods and chattels. we roomed together. Maria coughed nearly all night. I fear the consumption is seated on her
Steamer Music Captain Strech June 6 Tuesday up early and ready to go on board they say they will Start by Six O clk. Maria and Billy went on board with us them we parted.
 Please place in the Subject Line: WEBPAGE-HISTORY 
|