Joseph Wright was born 10 June 1721 at Plympton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, the son of Isaac and Mary (Cole) Wright.
Joseph married Sarah Brewster on 8 November 1748 at Duxbury. Sarah was born 11 February 1727 at Duxbury, the daughter of Joshua and Deborah (Jackson) Brewster. I wrote about her parents here. Sarah is a direct descendant of Mayflower passenger William Brewster. Joseph is a direct descendant of Mayflower passengers Francis Cooke and George Soule. Joseph and Sarah are my 6th great-grandparents on my grandfather Arthur Washburn Davis’ side of the family.
Deborah b. 17 Oct 1749, m. Nathaniel Churchill
Susanna b. 14 Nov 1751, m. Abner Rickard
Mary,
b. 24 Feb 1754, married Silvanus Sampson
Joseph,
b. 20 May 1756, d. prob. bef. 27 Feb 1788, unmarried
Joshua,
b. 9 Nov 1758, m. Susanna Pearsons
Thomas,
who died before 1788 as he isn’t named in his father’s will
I descend from Deborah and Nathaniel Churchill.
In his 2 July 1760 will, Isaac Wright left his son Joseph half of his dwelling house and other real estate. On 20 December 1760 Joshua Brewster, Sarah’s father, deeded to Joseph Wright and Joshua Brewster equal portions on behalf of their respective sons “the full one ninth part of all the iron ore…on a certain lot of land butting on Crane Brook, situate lying in the town of Plympton exclusive of the fee of said lot containing by estimation about seventy five acres…purchased of Abigail Robins…14 Feb 1739.”
There was a Joseph Wright from the area who served in the Colonial wars, but I’m not sure if it is this Joseph. In 1742 he was on the list of men in full communion of the First Church, Plymouth.
In the 1798 Plymouth Direct Tax list, Joseph Wright was the owner and occupant of 62 acres, 80 perches, valued at $350.
Joseph’s will is dated 27 Feb 1788, proved 4 September 1804, he’s a yeoman of
Plymouth, gives his wife Sarah Wright one-third of his estate. He left three
pounds each to oldest daughter Deborah Churchill of Plympton, daughter Susanna
Rickard wife of Abner, daughter Mary Sampson wife of Sylvanus. He left rest of
estate to son Joshua, including his land at Plymouth, Plympton, Middleborough,
Duxbury, provided son Joseph shall never return “whom I am apprehensive is not
living.” Sarah and Joshua were named executors.
Joseph and Sarah had very long lives for the time they lived in: Joseph died at Plymouth on 24 August 1804 at the age of 83; Sarah died at 84 years of age, Plymouth, 15 January 1812. Their deaths are recorded in the First Church records, Plymouth.
Sarah and Joseph are buried at South Pond Cemetery in Plymouth. I’ve visited this cemetery and couldn’t find their stones but have since learned they are difficult to read. The cemetery is off the beaten path, accessible by dirt road and near a cranberry bog, and includes unmarked graves of Native Americans who died of smallpox. Their son Joshua Wright is buried there also with his wife. The Wright homestead must have been nearby, but I have not investigated this yet.
To the memory of
Mrs. SARAH WRIGHT
wife of Mr. JOSEPH WRIGHT
who died Janu'y 15, 1812
in the 85 year
of her age
footstone: S.R.
1812
(NOTE: The actual engraved
surnames on this stone both appear as " WRight".
Memory of
Mr. JOSEPH WRIGHT
Who died
August 24th, 1804
In the 85 year
Of his age.
Footstone: J.B.
1804
Ralph V. Wood, Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, Francis Cooke, 1996
Susan
E. Roser, Mayflower Deeds and Probates,
2009
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