WRIGHT FAMILIES
of Poplar Creek in Roane County, TN

From The Story of Oliver Springs, TN and Its People, Vol. IV by Snyder E. Roberts - page 95-99

"Much more study and research remains to be done in order to fill out the story of the Wright families who settled along the East For of Poplar Creek and on Main Poplar Creek in Roane County." S.E.R.

JOHN WRIGHT, RWS

Based upon information provided by Mrs. Ernest B. Jones of McLean, VA (formerly Miss Laura May Adams of Wheat, TN) the Wright families had their origin in VA. The Revolutionary War ancestor, John Wright (sometimes spelled Right), served as a soldier in the 6th VA Regiment under Capt. Richard Stephens and Col. Samuel Hawes. He enlisted in November 1776 and served until November 1779. He was discharged at Valley Forge, PA. John was engaged in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Mud Island. During the War, he contracted small pox and was much marked by the disease. His Revolutionary War soldier's pension records are filed in Vol. No. 43, File No 8816, Virginia Service.

The birthplace and birth date of John Wright are not now known. He died in Caroline County, VA, January 1815. John married (December 1793) ELIZABETH DURRETT, who was the daughter of ACHILLES DURRETT (d. 1781). Elizabeth's sister, Catherine Durett (1786-1843) was the second wife of Douglas Oliver, Sr. who came to Anderson County in 1797 and acquired more than 1200 acres of land in present-day downtown Oak Ridge.

After the death of her husband, John Wright, in VA in 1815, Elizabeth Durrett Wright came with her two sons to Anderson County. Elizabeth died in Roane County in May 1848. Her son, John H. Wright (b 1804) settled on East Fork near the Bradley Springs, and her son, William W. Wright (1808-1896) settled on Main Poplar Creek at the Anderson-Roane county line.

JOHN H. WRIGHT (1804)

John H. Wright was born in VA in 1804, and married MARY "POLLY" _______ (b 1814). They made their home on East Fork and had the following children:

WILLIAM C. WRIGHT (1837), ANDREW JACKSON WRIGHT (1838), GEORGE W. WRIGHT (1838) [twins], MARY F. WRIGHT (1840), JAMES WRIGHT (1843), SARAH J. WRIGHT (1845), ELIZABETH WRIGHT (1847), HORACE WRIGHT (1855)

Of the above children, only the twin brothers, Andrew Jackson and George W, relate to the Oliver Springs story.

Andrew Jackson Wright (1838)

Andrew Jackson Wright married (1857) MARTHA J. BUTLER (1844) who was the daughter of Caleb Butler. They had the following children.

 

George W. Wright (1838)

George Wright, the other twin, married (1863) SARAH QUALLS. George was a Civil War pensioner. He and Sarah were the parents of:

WILLIAM W. WRIGHT (1808)

William W. Wright (1808-1896), the son of RWS, John Wright, lived on Main Poplar Creek at the Roane-Anderson counties line, married ELIZABETH ODLE MANLEY (1809) who was one of the ten children of RWS, Ancil Manley (1763 VA-1853 TN) and Elizabeth Butler Manley. Parenthetically, female descendants of William W. and Ellizabeth Wright who may desire to join the D.A.R. may find it easier to follow the precedent set by Mrs. Ernest (Laura May Adams) Jones who joined with Ancil Manley as her RW ancestor, and who's DAR number is 177194. William W. Wright and his wife "Betsy" lived adjoining the Manley and Butler families, and within one mile of William's first cousin, Richard Oliver. The tombstone of William W. in the Butler Cemetery at Oliver Springs gives him credit for a life of 88 years, but Gertrude Wright (Halburnt), a 91-year old living [in 1985] descendant says that it was a general belief in the Wright family that William W. died at the age of 108 years. "Betsy" almost tied this record of her husband, and did tie the record of her grandfather, RWS, William Butler, Sr. who lived to 98 years of age.

Billy and Betsy's old homeplace was sold to their son, Thomas Clark Wright. Thomas C. married Martha Wilkey who was the daughter of Martin Wilkey and Letitia (Yost) Wilkey. Martha had a twin sister, Mary, who married Pleasant Wilson. Thomas C. and at least two of his brothers, John H. and William "Jack" fought in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.

Two daughters married Butlers from the old pioneer family, and one married John Tyler Galbraith from another pioneer family. D. Lafayette "Fate" Wright married Irene Butler. Their old home still stands near the point where Oxier Creek crosses Blair Road. The old landmark, Fate Wright Grist Mill was located on the site of the present Blair Road, and was powered by the water of Oxier Creek. The mill was operated by his son-in-law, Dave Brock, in later years.

Children of William Wright and Elizabeth O. Manley Wright:

In his Civil War papers for Thomas Clark Wright of Oliver Springs, he says was in Co. K, 1st Regiment, Thomas' Legion of NC and TN.  That his father was William Wright, born Lynchburg, VA.  Mother Elizabeth Dale Manley.  Grandparents Ancil Manley, Elizabeth Butler.  "My grandfather, Ancil Manley, a resident of Kuvanna (?) Co., VA enlisted as a private June 18, 1776, under Capt. Joseph Haden, and Col. Spencer of VA in the Rev. War.  He was engaged in the battle of Camden and was present when Cornwallis surrendered his sword to Geo. Washington.  He was pensioned for his services while a resident of Anderson Co. TN where he died in 1853.

William says, at the close of the Civil War he went to Meigs County, TN were he remained about 2 years.  In 1871 he married Martha Wilkey of Kingston, TN, and had four daughters--Elizabeth, Lula Katherine, Hilia Irene and Cora Lee.  For 12 years after marriage he lived at Martel, TN and engaged in millering.  Then bought my father's old homestead at which place I have since lived.  This homestead has been in our family for over 100 years." 
From:  The TN Civil War Veterans Questionnaires Vol. 5 - Confederate Soldiers, Southern Historic Press. 

Listed also in this book is William's brother, W. J. Wright, Kingston, age 82.  Co. A, 5tth Artillery (Cane's)   He says he was discharged on the 9th of April 1865 in Christianburg, VA and walked to his home in Anderson County, TN arriving on 1st day of May 1865.  He worked at blacksmith trade for 25-30 years.  Eight years for the State at Petras [Petros?].  "I lost my wife and two children.  I had married Jan 11, 1866.  I married second time about 11 years ago, wife still living.  [Name of wives not mentioned] 

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