Edward Wright (abt. 1753 - 1811)

Husband of Freelove Bennett — married 2 Feb 1780 in Cambridge, Washington, New York, United States of America

Descendants

Died 2 Feb 1811 at about age 58 in Sodus, Ontario, New York, United States of America

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jill Perry [send private message]

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Biography

Limited information about Edward Wright appears in his wife Freelove Bennett Wright's Revolutionary War Pension Application file. His birth date is not included, but Freelove is 83 years old 30 November 1839. She states they were married 2 February 1780 at Cambridge, Washington, New York by Esquire Blair who was a Justice of the Peace there. Edward died 2 February 1811 at Sodus, Wayne, New York and she has never remarried.^[1]

Charles Bennett who served with Edward also has a deposition and statements in the file. He confirms the marriage and death dates and adds that he was present at their marriage and that Edward was killed "by the falling of a tree".^[1]

It is never mentioned in the application, but Charles is Freelove's brother. He declares himself so when he requested that letters of administration be issued to him to settle her estate after her death 29 July 1840.^[2]

Edward enlisted in the First New York Regiment at Saratoga, Saratoga, New York in October of 1778 and was discharged at Newburgh, Orange, New York June 1782 as was Charles Bennett. They served under Col. Goose VanSchaick and Captain Austin and/or Closson.^[1]

Freelove and Charles both give detailed information about the activities of the unit Edward served in. The major events Edward and Charles participated in were the Sullivan Expedition and the Battle of Yorktown.^[1]

A transcription of Charles Bennett's "History of Service" dated 30 November 1839 states: "I hereby certify that I am a soldier of the Revolutionary army as before stated and I was in the following service with the said Edward Wright [?] in Sullivans and Clintons campaign in the west against the Indians, also at the taking Cornwallace at Little York also at the erection of a lock to raise the water in the Otsego Lake in Indian campaign as above mentioned."^[1]

Research Notes

An Edward Wright appears on numerous records in "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch, but spot checks of the details don't seem to match this Edward's officers. The only Edward Wright indexed by FamilySearch in New York state on the 1790 Census is residing in Saratoga, Albany. There isn't enough information to confirm or reject this record."United States Census, 1790," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHKP-G9F : accessed 17 January 2019), Edward Wright, Saratoga, Albany, New York, United States; citing p. 327, NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 6; FHL microfilm 568,146. An Edward Wright appears at Argyle/Salem, Washington, New York in 1800 and an entry for a Charles Bennett is a few lines away. "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5B-8SP : accessed 17 January 2019), Edward Wright, Salem, Washington, New York, United States; citing p. 244, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 26; FHL microfilm 193,714. More research needs to be done on both the Wright and Bennett children to determine if this is a good match. (2 Males under 10, 1 male 26-45; 1 Female under 10, 1 Female 10-16; 2 female 16-26; 1 female 26-45) Edward's children with birth dates are: Ephraim (1785) 15; Esther (1792) 8, Elizabeth (1795), 5. David could be one of the under 10 males. Anna was born about 1800. Jill Perry 17 January 2019 Unable to find any Edward Wright on 1810 Census at Sodus, Ontario, New York.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5} Revolutionary War Pension - widow Freelove Wright. M805 R891 I483 FW18388 (Heritage Quest site) - Indexed as Wright, Edward NH (New Hampshire) - error - record NY. Enlisted Oct. 1778 Saratoga, NY; Discharged Newburgh, NY June 1782. [Note: Served in 1st New York Regiment under Col. Goose VanSchaick.]
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "New York Probate Records, 1629-1971," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYCR-N4Q?cc=1920234&wc=Q7P2-N36%3A213301901%2C214049301 : 28 May 2014), Washington > Minutes 1836-1842 vol C-D > image 467 of 576; county courthouses, New York.

• Mumaw, William. "Bennetts from Rhode Island to California 1725-1975." Rootsweb.com. Accessed January 15, 2019. (https://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=the_bennett_tree&id.)