The Holden Wright family Bible remained in the possession of Mrs. William Wright, Sr., until her death. Then it became the property of her eldest child, Mary Juniata Wright who married Charles Edgar Thomas. (Juniata was named at the request of her father, for the Juniata River in Pennsylvania.) When Mrs. Thomas died in 1958, her daughter Vivian (Mrs. Van A. Williams) of Lafayette had it as a cherished family heirloom. In 1971, she very generously gave it to Mrs. Marion LaRose Dupont, eldest grandchild of William Wright, Sr's. youngest son, Thomas Edward Wright I.

At present (date unknown), two of Holden Wright's grandchildren survive. Mrs. Ella Wright Barrios, over 90 years of age, of New Orleans, LA (daughter of Abraham Wright); and Miss Xenia Olga Davis, 87 years young of Bayou Du Large (daughter of Johanna Wright Davis.).

Holden Wright bought Concord Plantation on Bayou Black and resided there until his death, Aug 14, 1868. His wife died there 14 Oct 1852. Both were buried on the plantation as were the children who preceded them in death. In the 1930's, five bodies in metallic caskets were reentered in the cemetery of St. Anthony's Catholic Church on Bayou Black. In late 1970, Mr. Mardis Breaux was kind enough to meet Miss Xenia Davis, Mrs. F.G. LaRose, Sr. and Mrs. T. Baker Smith, Sr. (Granddaughters of Holden Wright) at the cemetery and point out the family tomb. Mr. J.K. Wright remembers the old Wright home at Concord, but only as a deserted place. J.K. Wright also owns an original tintype of Holden Wright on his horse, Boston. He has kindly allowed family members to copy this picture.

According to information given by older family members, we know that Holden Wright came from Pennsylvania to Natchez, MS, on horseback. From there he came by raft to Terrebonne with a Mr. Shaffer and a Mr. Grinage. Another family story tells that Holden Wright was a relative of Gov. Silas Wright of New York. (This information is included in William Wright, Sr's, obituary notice.) It has not yet been proven, although John Wright (Holden's son) did name a son Silas Wright.

According to the 1840 [1850, it was the first census to list place of birth. - nlw] census, Holden Wright was born in New Jersey and his wife Nancy Griffin was born in North Carolina. Holden Wright's children and grandchildren remembered that he spoke with a "Dutch" accent. Since LA did not have a Bureau of Vital Statistics until 1910, the only way we had of checking Holden Wright's place of birth was by applying for a copy of Laura Johanna Wright Davis' death record. On this record, the mother's Nancy Griffin, place of birth is given as Corinth, MS and the father's,.Holden Wright's place of birth is given as Norway.

Five of Holden Wright's sons fought in the Civil War; Elisha; Abraham; Holden, Jr.; Thomas and William. [The record for Abraham's Civil War service has not been found. - nlw] All were far from home in VA and PA. Holden, Jr. died in the Yankee prison at Yorktown and is buried there. Tom was also a prisoner at Yorktown, but was released because of poor health and died a few weeks after he returned home. [William Wright's muster roll show that he was absent 5 days in January 1862 to inclose [sic] his brother's grave. This was probably Thomas' grave since Holden died in September 1861. - nlw]

Holden Wright's great grandson, Thomas Elward Wright II, was mayor of Houma for eighteen years. He and his brother, Connelly Elisha Joseph Wright, reside in the family home which is only a block away from the site of the Wright Livery Stable

The family members in Terrebonne bearing the surname Wright are all descendants of William Wright, Sr. There are also a large number of descendants of Laura Wright Davis (She was the mother of 11 children, as was her mother.). There are also descendants of Abraham Wright & John Wright in Terrebonne Parish. The article which follows was taken from an old newspaper clipping found in Holden Wright's bible:

The following letter, written to a gentleman of this town, is sad, sad indeed! The writer was for a long time a resident of this parish, and his many friends here will be pained to hear of his sad misfortunes.

New River
Nov. 2d,1878

Dear Friend,
Yours of the 20th of October received this day, and I take the
opportunity - 3A.M. - at night off-watch over the dead and dying
to answer your kind inquiries about me. I am still in the land of the
living - but for how long I know not. Since the 28th of September
I have passed through one of the most trying ordeal that man can
live through; I have been down with the Plague myself and all the
family - eight sick and dying in one house at the same time, not
one able to give the other a drink of water. A few noble young men
and girls stood to us until they were stricken down with the fever
themselves. I had to see four of my children - John, Able, Ida, and
Otis - dying without human help and buried in the same manner. I
have just returned home from burying the poor woman that closed
Ida's eyes last evening - Mrs. Dusin Lusk. I have but two hired hands
- one man and a boy - the man digging graves night day, the boy
hauling the dead with cart and mule. My crop all in the field and no
prospects to save it that I see.

Your Miserable Friend
A. Wright

Holden E. Wright was born about 1792. Family tradition says he was born in Pennsylvania, census records say New Jersey. The earliest record found on him is the purchase of 62 acres of property in Mississippi on 2 Feb 1822.

This property seems to be near the border of Adams and Wilkinson Counties. It was purchased jointly by Holden E Wright and Roland Giles. On 22 Sept 1822 in Wilkinson Co., MS, Holden Wright married Nancy Griffin, the daughter of Abraham Griffin and Elizabeth Hampton. They had 11 children. Census records say they were all born in Louisiana, however the first LA record of Holden Wright is the purchase of property on Bayou Cane, Terrebonne Parish, on Apr 1829.[There is a conveyance record in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana in which Holden Wright registered a purchase of moveable property in 1826, but it does not say where he resided. - nlw]

In March of 1846 Holden E. Wright bought 300 arpents (a form of land measurement) of land on Bayou Black. He probably lived on this property the rest of his life. On 14 Oct 1852, his wife Nancy Griffin Wright, died at the age of 44. Holden Wright died on 14 Aug 1868. He was buried in the cemetery on Bayou Black. It is probable that Nancy Griffin Wright is buried there also.

1. Elisha b. 23 Dec 1824, d. 25 Mar 1871. Never married. He was an overseer on his father's sugar plantation. He served in the Confederate Army; in Co. E of (Rightor's) Special Battalion, LA infantry.

2. John, b. 29 Jan 1827, m. (When and where unknown) to Florence America Watkins, the daughter of Caleb B. Watkins and Fidelle Gauden. John d. 3 Oct 1854. This family lived on Bayou Dularge. [In 1888 America Watkins, widow of John Wright, applied for a Mexican War Pension. In that application there are several statements that they were married in April 1847 by Judge (J. P.) Harris on Bayou Black. America's pension was denied because they could find no record of the service. - nlw].

3. Maria Elizabeth, b. 28 Jan 1829, m. 25 Jul 1855 at the Bayou Black residence of Holden Wright to James Blahut, the son of Mathieu Blahut and Marguerite Fomayer. James Blahut was from Prague or Bohemia. Maria d. 15 Apr 1858. A year after Maria died James Blahut married Madeline Zulinda Porche.

4. Abraham, b. 3 Feb 1831. He married Mary Ann Callahan in Terrebonne Parish on 10 Feb 1859. After 1860 Abraham and his family moved to Ascension Parish, LA. He died 16 Nov 1903, in a hospital in New Orleans. He is buried in Cornerview Cemetery in Gonzales, LA. The 1860 census lists Abraham as a merchant. He also served in the Confederate Army.

5. Martha, b. 3 Nov 1832, d. 10 Feb 1845.

6. Holden, b. 22 Nov 1834, d. 12 Sept 1861 in Yorktown, VA from injuries received while serving in the Confederate Army.

7. Thomas. b. 12 Nov 1836. Thomas also served in the Confederate Army. He was discharged on 20 Jul 1861 in Yorktown, VA on account of ill health. No further records have been found on him. It is assumed that he died shortly after being discharged from the Army. [William was absent with 5 days leave in January 1862 to inclosed [sic] his brothers grave. It was probably Thomas's grave. - nlw].

8. William. b. 22 Aug 1839. Married 30 Dec 1861 in Terrebonne Parish to Sarah Elizabeth Fields, the daughter of John Fields and Marie Ordalie Chauvin. In April 1861 William attained the rank of Corporal of Co. D, First LA Battalion of the Confederate Army. [He was paid as a private from 28 February 1862 to 4 April 1862 and from 4 April 1862 to 19 June 1862 he was paid as a corporal. - nlw] He died in Terrebonne Parish 22 Dec 1904.

9. Mary Jane, b. 17 Nov 1842, d. 22 Mar 1857. Family tradition says she was accidentally shot by her brother.

10. George, b. 24 Jun 1845, d. 24 Dec 1845.

11. Laura Joanna, b. 28 Jun 1849. Married 4 Feb 1868 in Terrebonne Parish to James H. Davis, the son of George Robert Davis and Celina Falgout. George R. Davis was from North Carolina. Laura d. 3 Feb [Feb. 5, 1923 according to records from her great grandson. - nlw]

Children of John Wright & Florence America Watkins

1. Silas (Cyrus), b. 13 Sept 1848. m. 14 Jan 1869 to Saraline Falgout, the daughter of Marcel Falgout and Celeste Rogers.


2. Martha Jane, b. 10 Jan 1850. No further information has been found.


3. Eliza Ann, b. 26 Jul 1852. m. 1 Aug 1877 to DeWitt C. David, in Terrebonne Parish, LA


4. Florence Fidelia, b. 12 Aug 1854, m. 29 Jan 1873 to John Taylor Theriot.

Child of Maria Elizabeth Wright & James Blahut

1. William Holden Blahut, b. 2 Oct 1856, m. 19 Feb 1878 to Josephine Theriot. [He died 1 March 1926 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. - nlw]

Children Of Abraham Wright & Mary Ann Callahan

1. Eva Marie, b. 6 Oct 1859 in Houma, LA, m. Vincent Landry on 25 Jan 1876, probably in Ascension Parish.

2. Ida, b. 10 Oct 1862 in Houma, LA, d. 17 Oct 1878 of Yellow Fever.

3. Holden Otis, b. 25 Feb 1864, d. 24 Oct 1878 of Yellow Fever.

4. Joanne Laura (May), b. 1 May 1866, m. 4 Feb 1884 to Beauregard Marshal Gautreau, d. 7 Dec 1936. They resided in Ascension Parish.

5. Laura, b. 28 June 1867. No further information.

6. Abraham Elisha, b.22 Jan 1869, d. 30 Sept 1878 of Yellow Fever.

7. John Edward, b. 28 May 1871, the first of these children to be born in Gonzales, LA, he d. 27 Sept 1787 of Yellow Fever.

8. Nancy Charlotte, b. 4 Apr 1873, m. James Bernard Bergeron on 4 Feb 1893 in Houma, LA.

9. Margaret Florence, b. 28 Mar 1876, m. in Dec 1893 to James Magill.

10. Mary Elia, b. 14 Sept 1879, m. 19 Sept 1896 to Frank Louis Barrios. She died on 29 Oct 1976.

11. Lester E, b. 28 Feb 1881, m. 4 Feb 1903 to Alice Gautreau, the daughter of Lucien Gautreau and Emeline Terrio. He d. 17 Feb 1960.

12. Ellen, b. 3 Jul 1885, m. 8 Jun 1908 to Henry Auter. She d. 8 Jul 1911.

Children of William Wright & Sarah Elizabeth Fields

1. Mary Junieta, b. 14 Jan 1863, m. 8 Mar 1886 to Edgar Charles Thomas, the son of Richard Thomas and Mary E. Bolsinger. [She died 23 Aug. 1956.- nlw]

a. Vivian Thomas b. ca 1889 m. Van A. Williams

2. Joseph, b. 26 Nov 1864, d. 5 Aug 1865.

3. Elisha, b. 20 May 1866, m. 27 Nov 1889 to Anna Rideau, the daughter of Prosper Rideau and Susanna Boisseau. Terrebonne Parish Court House also records the marriage bond for the marriage of Elisha Wright & Lindia [Lydia - nlw] Naquin on 2 Jan 1889. It is doubtful that this marriage ever took place. Elisha died on 19 Nov 1920.

a. Sarah Wright b. 28 Oct 1892

b. Earl Wright b. Jan 1896

4. William, b. 29 Aug 1868, m. Anna Kohn. [He died 8 Dec. 1952. - nlw]

a. Jasper K. Wright b. 19 Oct. 1894 m. ? Cotton d. 10 Dec. 1973

b. Odelia (See)Wright b. Aug. 1898 m. T. Baker Smith d.

c. William Wright b. Jan 1900 d. 22 May 1900

d. Ruth (Loula Ruth) Wright b. 1902 m. James H. Meek ca 1928

e. Henning Kohn Wright b.Jan 1903 d. 3 Mar. 1903

f. William Wright b. 1907

g. Annie Laura Wright b. 1909 m. Kyner d 1986

5. Ruth (Loula Ruthie), b. 13 Aug 1870, m. Fred J. Louviere the son of Henry Louviere and Euphraise Fanguy, on Feb 1893.

a William Louviere m. living in Crockett, Calif. 1940

b. Frank Louviere

c. Louise Louviere did not marry

6. Thomas Elward Sr., b. 23 Nov 1873, m. 15 Jan 1895 to Livie Emerenthe Druilhet, the daughter of Paul Alexander Druilhet and Marie Antoinette Webre. He died of influenza on 6 Oct 1918.

a. Alva Levie Wright b. 23 Jan. 1896, m. Francis G. LaRose 18 Jan. 1923, d. 31 Jan. 1976

b. Thomas Elward Wright II b. 18 May 1897 d. 30 Dec. 1982, did not marry

c. Marguerite Wright b. 26 Dec 1898 m. William K. Cocke d. April 1956

d. Paul A. Wright b. 3 Mar 1900 m. Viva Hunter d. 27 Feb.1974

e. Sarah Antoinette Wright b. 9 May 1901 m. Louis Sandoz d. Feb. 1986

f. Connelly Joseph Wright b. 19 Feb.1903 m. (1) Alice Dupont ca 1930 (2) 1983 Inez Fussell d. 17 Dec. 1988

g. Marian Juliette b. 27 July 1904 d. 16 Jan. 1918

h. Kenneth Holden Wright b. 17 June 1908 m. (1) Henrietta Morrison 1934 (2) April 1978 [still living] d. 28 Aug. 1980

i. Louis Duilhet Wright b.24 Jan.1911 m.(1) Edna Mae Dupre ca 1928 (2) Loris Aldridge ca 1947 d. 17 Sept. 1999

j. son [still living]

Children of Laura Joanna Wright & James H Davis

1. George O, b. 19 Nov 1868, d. 29 Nov 1870.

2. Hilda Celina, b. 28 Jun 1869, according to the records of the Montegut Catholic Church, b. 27 Jun 1870, according to the bible of Holden Wright. No further information has been found. [According to records of Laura's great grandson, Hilda Celina Davis died 24 Oct. 1892 - nlw]

3. Nancy A, b. 10 Dec 1871, m. 9 May 1895 to Charles William Berger, the son of Peter Berger and Sarah Niles. [Gr. Grandson's records say Nancy A. died 24 Oct. 1901. There are many descendants from this marriage. - nlw]

4. Laura Jane, b. 18 Dec 1873, m. 18 Apr 1895 to Timothy James Brady, he son of Joseph Daniel Brady and Ellen Glynn. Laura died less than a year after her marriage. On 22 Jan 1896, Timothy then married her sister.

5. Carrie Hannah, b. 6 Aug 1876, m. 11 Mar 1897 to her sister's widower, Timothy James Brady. [Carrie Hannah died 1 Feb 1929. There are many descendants from this marriage. - nlw]

6. James Harrison Jr., b. 27 May 1878, d. 1 Jun 1878.

7. William T, b. 2 Aug 1879, m. 9 Jun 1904 to Marie Elise Pertuit, the daughter of Theodule Pertuit and Zephora Wolf. [William Thomas died 23 Sept. 1954. Again there are many descendants from this line. - nlw]

8. Sarah, d. 1940's Houma, LA, never married. [Sarah Sadie was born 3 Oct. 1883 and died 6 June 1953. Apparently she never married. - nlw]

9. Leonce, m. Emma Buquet. [Leonce Owen Davis was born 23 Sept. 1881 and died 16 May 1935. ETB, the great grandson of Laura does not list any children to this union. -nlw]

10. Exenia Olga, d. 1970's, never married. [Xeina Olga Davis was born 3 April 1885 and died 19 Dec 1978. - nlw] (All of the additional information on the Davis line is from ETB, the great grandson of Laura Joanna Wright Davis.)

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