The English John Wright
John Wright was born 2 July 1820, Laxfield, Suffolk Co, England. His parents were John Wright [Sr] (an itinerant farmer) and Elizabeth Sayer, of Laxfield, Suffolk, England. Young John was baptized there on 20 May 1821. His father died while he was at a young age, prior to 1833. John had a younger brother named William who's son Joseph also came to America in the 1800's. His youngest brother Alterman and sister Caroline died a a young age, 1833 and 1834.

The son of John Wright [Sr] was also named John Wright [we call this John, the "English John Wright"].   This John Wright disappears sometime after 1733 and no more is heard of him.

John’s brother William had a son named Joseph Wright.   He arrived in Topeka, Kansas in the mid 1880's.   He sailed aboard the ship Servia from England, to New York and then went directly to Kansas.   What is unusual about this is that very seldom did a new arrival with a new wife get off the boat and go directly to Kansas (or any other area).   They normally stayed on the East Coast for a period of time adjusting themselves to their new way of life, then moved on as they became acquainted with he new county.   However it would not be unusual to go directly to Kansas if someone was there waiting for them.   We now find that it is possible that someone was there to prepare for the arrival of his relative.

[Information on John Wright Sr and the rest of his family was provided by Claire Wright, Solano Co, CA.]

The American John Wright
John Wright's father was born in England.   We know that from the 1880 Allegan Co Census.   We have no documentation to prove or disprove that the John Wright and Elizabeth Sayer (listed above) are the parents of this John Wright.   All indications are that they are one and the same.   The English John Wright was born 2 July 1820.   The American John Wright was born after 12 Jun 1820 and before 18 Aug 1820.

John told his son Myron that he was born in England and that he arrive in America as a deck hand and jumped ship when he was about 20 years old. That would place the date as about 1840. The English John disappeared in England after 1833. The American John Wright was first recorded in 1945 (his marriage). However all census records except one (the 1860 census) indicate that he was born in New York and that his father was from England.

With the English John Wright having disappeared some time after 1833, and the American John Wright arriving about 1840 and being first recorded in 1845, and then having spent a number of years in Kansas, it is very possible that the two John Wrights are one and the same. Yet we find many questions that provide information otherwise.   I have taken the DNA test and we hope soon to have a DNA test taken by a descendant of Joseph Wright.   This hopefully will prove or eliminate this connection.

Note: If John was English, being in the mid-west, he would have no problem with his English accent if he told everyone that he was from New York, or any New England State.

The American John Wright was first found married to Ruth Drake in Ottawa, Ill.   Their Marriage License was issued on 13 Feb 1845 in Bureau Co, IL.   Ruth was listed as Ruthern Drake.

Groom: WRIGHT, JOHN - Bride: DRAKE, RUTHERN
Date: 02/13/1845 (This is no doubt the date of the application)
Family records indicate marriage as: 18 Feb 1845.

Note: The family records of this marriage was found on a sheet of paper written by Alwida (Scidmore) Drake. Alwilda was the wife of Charles Drake, the son of Henry Drake, the brother of Ruth Drake. This list included the dates of birth and death of all children of Jesse R. Drake. It also lists the marriages and dates, as well as the spouses.