James Anderson Wright (abt. 1816 - abt. 1892)

Born about 1816 in Newberry, South Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Died about Oct 1892 at about age 76 in Alabama, United States

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Biography

James was a birthright Quaker born to William and Mary (Mills) Wright in about 1816. They lived in the area of the Bush River Quaker Monthly Meeting House in Newberry Co., SC.

Early in that century most of the 500 members of that Quaker community decided they no longer wished to live in a slave state, Economic factors also influenced that decision. Twice the family was given permission to head toward Miami Co., OH (a non-slave state), but did not go.

In late spring 1822 the last meetings were held at Bush River MM and the community was "laid down." Even then this family did not leave. Mary died sometime between that time and 1828. Details of her death and burial are unknown.

In about 1828 William married Margery Caroline Palmer, a young non-Quaker woman living in Newberry Co.

On the 1830 census most of William's family can be accounted for, except for his oldest son, Nathan David, who was the only one of their immediate family who left SC as planned and headed to Miami Co., OH. Wife Margery does not appear to be on the census of William or of her father and family in the area. That may be due to a clerical error, as she was 19 that year. The closest age range for females was 20-29. Three were listed who could have been William's three daughters who were in that age range. But maybe one of those sisters was not present and the census taker added Margery in her place.

William and Margery had a son, William Palmer, in 1830. Early in that decade they left with William and Marys three youngest children, John Mills, Sophia, and James Anderson for AL. Margery's Palmer family traveled to the same area, too. At least some appeared to stop in Perry Co., AL for a few years before ending up in nearby Bibb Co., AL.

The first time James Anderson appears on formal records in AL is his marriage to Caroline Smith in 13 Nov 1844. They appear to have had one son, William Jasper Wright, born 6 Oct 1844 in Bibb Co.

James appears next on the U.S. Federal Census Record of 1850 in Bibb Co.,AL. His father's family, brother John Mills and family are listed in the two land parcels before him. His occupation is as a miller, common to his male ancestors for at least three gene4rations. Neither his wife, Caroline, nor their child, was living with him at the time. Only a young man named William D. Smith was living with James. He may have been a relative of Caroline, who shared her maiden surname. .

On 10 Sep 1851 James married Susannah Susan Terry. They had a child, Nathaniel. At some point Susan left and had a child with a Mr.Tidmore in 1856.

Next James married Nancy M. Gibson 24 Feb 1857 in Macon, AL. No children are noted, even though she was much younger than he. That marriage lasted until his death in Oct 1892. He wrote a will with help on 1 Oct 1892. It was signed by James himself, as well as two with the surname that looked like W.H. Wright and S.A. Wright, along with a W.F. Foster. Probate was held 28 Nov 1892. He appeared to leave all possessions and decisions to his wife, Nancy.

Sources

• U.S. Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1994

U.S. Federal Census Records, 1850 U.S. Federal Census Records, 1860 U.S. Federal Census Records, 1870 AL Marriage Collection, 1800-1969 AL County Marriages, 1805-1967 AL Will and Probate Records: Will 1 Oct 1892; Probate 28 Nov 1892