Rev. Edward Collins Wright

Son of Rev. Samson Wright of Bradley, Staffordshire. Claimed in right of his deceased first wife Maria (née White), a legatee of David White of Jamaica and Bristol.

1. Fellow of Worcester College Oxford. Matriculated Worcester College Oxford 07/04/1796 aged 19, BA 1800, MA 1805. Perpetual curate of Bradley 1801 and [Rector] of Pitsford Northants 1824 to death. Married (1) Mary White, a legatee of David White of Jamaica, at Pitsford Northants in 1808. Married (2) Frances Ellen Pemberton 09/08/1821 St George the Martyr Queen Square Camden, when he was identified as a widower of Pitsford. Died 17/08/1842.

2. Edward Wright, age 60, was living in Pitsford in the census of 1841 with Frances age 50, Catherine age 20, Thomas age 14, Loveday (female) age 15, one male servant and four female servants. His occupation was given as "Parish Rector" at his burial in Pitsford, age 65 years, 20/08/1842.

3. Will of Edward Collins Wright of Pitsford [made in 1826] proved 31/10/1842. In the will he rehearsed his marriage settlement of 1808 with Mary Wright, under which his trustees were James Clayton White and William Linwood (each of whom q.v.) who were to receive £2000 for the benefit of the children on this marriage. He was he said entitled to 1/4th of the produce of an unnamed estate in Jamaica as tenant 'by the courtesy in right of my marriage with my said deceased wife' which he left to his second wife for life. In a codicil of 1829 he said that he had on his own behalf and that of his son Edward Henry Wright contracted for the sale of the Terra Nova estate 'together with the slaves thereon', to which [sic] he was entitled as tenant for life and his son was entitled to the reversion as heir to his late mother who had been owner-in-fee and co-partenacy [sic] with her sisters Frances Marlton, Sarah Gower and Catherine L. Griffiths. He had contracted with his son E.H. Wright that the latter would confirm the sale on reaching 21, and the proceeds be applied to paying down interest and principal charges on Whitehall to which his wife was seised as to 1/4th by the will of her father David White of Jamaica: if E. H. Wright did not observe this arrangement he would lose his entitlement under the rest of the will. He said he had kept account of the advances made to his children for their advancement and education from the accumulations from the West india property and that these should be taken into account in settling amounts under his will. In a second codicil of 1838 he revealed the previous codicil and out of the proceeds of his West India property, his life insurance and money with Mr Linwood and Mr Markland he left £2000 to his daughter Catherine, £550 (being the proceeds from the sale of Terra Nova to Mr White) to his son E.H. Wright, and the remainder to his sons E.H. Wright and William Gaven.

4. There is a memorial to Edward Collins Wright in All Saints Church, Pitsford: "To the Rev. Edwd. Collins Wright, Rector of this parish, who died 15th Aug. 1842, aged 65 years. His unceasing exertions in the discharge of the sacred duties of his ministry, and his universal benevolence, for 36 years, had endeared him to all his parishioners, who have dedicated this tablet to his memory as a small tribute of respect and affectionate regard. 'Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble.'"

T71/868 Portland claim no. 229A-D (Whitehall).

1. Ancestry.com, Oxford University Alumni, 1715-1886 [database online]; Monthly Magazine and British Register (1808), Vol. 27, p. 103; Ancestry.com, London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921 [database online]; sons from Ancestry.com, Oxford University Alumni, 1715-1886 [database online]; CCEd [database online], Person ID 21030. Note that Wright was Rector rather than Perpetual Curate of Pitsford.

2. 1841 census online; Findmypast, Northamptonshire Burials [database online].

3. PROB 11/1970/158.

4. Photograph of memorial sent by email 11/09/2020.

We are grateful to Stephen Trott for his assistance with compiling this entry.