George Wright (abt. 1814 - 1901)

Born about 1814 in Norwich, Norfolk, England

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Green) Wright — married 11 Jul 1842 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Descendants

Died 6 Apr 1901 at about age 87 in Maungakaramea, Northland, New Zealand

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Biography

George Wright was a convict after the Third Fleet.

George Wright was born about 1814 in Norwich. His parents were probably Frank Wright and Alice Yaxley. In December 1833 he was convicted in Ipswich, Suffolk, of stealing a cloak from Mr Edward Balls of St Nicholas. Records indicate he was 19 at the time. He was sentenced to 7 years transportation. He was transported as a convict on "Lady Kennway" arriving at Van Diemen's Land on the thirteenth of February 1835.^[1]He was sentenced to seven years.

Sarah Green, a convict in the service of Rev Bedford, applied to marry George on the thirtieth of June 1842.^[2] Permission was granted and they were married on the eleventh of July.^[3] His occupation is listed as coachman. In 1843 he was working for Rev Mr Bedford.

Following his wife's sentence completion, the family moved to New Zealand via Sydney. Here they settled in Auckland. George passed away in 1901.^[4]

Research notes

George's death certificate lists his parents as Frank Wright and Alice nee Yaxley. Frank Wright is possible also known as Francis Cork according to some online geneologies. However Francis and Alice did not marry until 1812. In a newspaper article relating to Francis and Alice's marriage she is referred to as the second daughter of John Yaxley of Whissonsett. George's daughter Frances Ann is referred to as a cousin of the Corks in another newspaper article.

Francis Cork's (son of Francis Cork and Alice Yaxley) obituary mentions him settling in Northland with a brother. This may be George as none of his Cork brother's are known to have immigrated to New Zealand. Francis Cork also shows up in this newspaper article with George (https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18650408.2.23.4) having attested for George for him to vote in elections.

I (Paula Cullen) share 11cm of DNA with a descendent of William Yaxley and Mary Spooner, this could add credence to the parentage theory.

Sources

1. ↑ Transportation
2. ↑ Permission to marry
3. ↑ Marriage Record
4. ↑ NZ BDM death registration no. 1901/2481, age 85

• Supplement for book Patchwork Prisoners by Trudy Cowley and Diane Snowden (Biography of Sarah Green)

• Death mentioned in newspaper: TABLE TALK., Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 86, 12 April 1901

"George Wright, an old settler of Whangarei died last week at the age of 85 years. He leaves numerous descendants. Mr Wright arrived here from Wellington in 1855 and resided in Napier-Street going up to Whangarei in 1869."

• LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS., New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11625, 12 April 1901

'An old colonist has passed away at Whangarei in the person of Mr. George Wright, who died on the 6th inst. at the ripe age of 85, He leaves two sons, one daughter, 25 grandchildren, and four great-grandchil-dren. He was an old Auckland identity, having arrived here from Wellington in 1855, being in business in Freeman Bay, and lived in Napier-street till 1869, when he went to Whangarei, where he has resided ever since. One of his sons is Mr. Ed. Wright, of Maungakaramea.'

• New Zealand, Cemetery Records, 1800-2007 Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.