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Surnames: Wright - Hawkins - Thomas
Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/zh.2ADE/1864.1.1.1.1.1.1
Message Board Post:
Roderick Wright’s will in South Carolina does reference his name with both spellings,
Wright and Right. From what I have been able to determine the name was spelled Right when
they first came to Indiana, but at that time most spelling was phonetically. Firmly
believe the correct spelling of the name had been Wright but due to education or what ever
reasons, the name was spelled differently in the wilderness.
I have a copy of John Coleman Wright’s Civil War Discharge, original spelling was Right,
which was crossed out and “Wright” was written above. My grandmother said she had been
told by her grandmother, John’s wife, that the discharge officer when signing the papers
stated the spelling was incorrect and changed it. However, I have discovered both
spellings of the name within his service papers.
James C. Wright’s marriage record is as “James Right” and early census records use this
spelling, however his gravestone is under “James Wright” One of the cemetery books of
Daviess County noted for James that he was brother to Wiley and John. Thus far I am not
finding a John in this age group.
Have you located documentation that Catherine Right Thomas and Lavinia Right Thomas were
sisters? My evidence on Lavinia was from my grandmother telling me that Catherine Right
was buried between her children. (Lavenia
Wiley & Catherine from the gravestones)
Documentation on Catherine Right as mother-in-law to Edmond Thomas was found in his will:
Edmund A. Thomas will dated 7 December 1848, proved 1st day of February Term 1842.
Mentioned his daughters Levina R. Thomas and Mary Francis Thomas. John Thomas was named
as his brother and guardian to both girls. Solomon Thomas was deeded land. Catherine
Right was named as his mother-in-law, to her was given the "little gray mare"
she loved. [I do have a copy of this will if you have not seen it]
Catherine Right married to Edmund Thomas 26 July 1827 had two daughters that I am aware
of, Mary Francis Thomas and Lavinia R. Thomas (Lavinia Right Thomas ?) born 19 May 1828 d
10 May 1842 buried Bethel Cemetery -Veale Twp. Daviess Co. Indiana Edmund’s brother John
was named as guardian of Mary Francis and Lavenia at Edmund’s death.
Lavenia (Right) and John Thomas had three children that I am aware of, Sarah Thomas,
Edmond Thomas and William Right Thomas b 4 June 1826 in Daviess County. Naming patterns
as they are could this Lavinia’s father have been the William Right found in early census
records. This person is also located in early Knox County Court Records as signing
petition requesting a road from Eli Hawkins Ferry to the Mud Hole Community. There is
also a William Wright in Union South Carolina at the time of Roderick Wright’s will. This
William Wright was affiliated with the Quakers. William seems to have left the Union
County district near the same time as the Hawkins and Veal families. Could this be the
same William located in Daviess county Indiana?
I am also researching the Hawkins and Lucas families buried at Hawkins Prairie. Sims
Lucas had been a neighbor of Wiley Wright and then was the administrator of his
estate/probate in 1855. Sims was married to Rebecca Bon 17 Dec 1849. 1860 census has
Sims living with Cornelia (Right) Doherty, widow of his brother-in-law Thomas J. Doughtery
(who had been married 1st to Sim’s sister Catherine Lucas 12 May 1843) Confusion in there
have been references to two children to Thomas J. Daugherty; James M. Daugherty b 1847 and
Catherine Daugherty b 1845. This Catherine was apparently married to Eli Hawkins 15 June
1866. Have seen references to this person as Catherine Daugherty and also Catherine
Right. I question if this is the Catherine Right that married Richard Merrill after the
death of her husband Eli Hawkins. Interesting information regarding this family in the
Daviess County History of 1886.
I have been in contact with a descendant of James C. and Sally/Sarah (Hawkins) Wright.
The name Roderick has been carried forward in this family at least since coming to
Indiana.
James C & Sally/Sarah’s son John was named as guardian of John Coleman Wright who was
the youngest child of Wiley and Ann (Coleman) Wright after their deaths in April 1855.
Other children mentioned in Wiley’s probate were son Roderick and daughter Eliza Ann.
Natural guardian would have been Wiley’s brother James, however James had died in 1843;
thus the obligation fell to James & Sally’s eldest son John H. Right and his wife
Caroline Waller. There were apparently conflicts here because there was a split in the
family at that time.
I to feel there is a strong connection between the Wright and Hawkins families, through
the line you have mentioned. I believe that Catherine was more than likely a 2nd or
possibly 3rd wife to Roderick Wright in South Carolina have not discovered her maiden
name. There is evidence of a Roderick Wright in Virginia. There is the fact of common
names in the families in Virginia, South Carolina and Indiana – John Wright b 1700-1710
Virginia m Judith Easley b 1711-15 Virginia who had sons named John, James, William and
Roderick. This Roderick I have been told was born about 1747 in Goochland County Virginia
this would possibly put him at 53 yrs of age in 1803 – the time of our possible Roderick
Wright’s will in Union County South Carolina.
Almost forgot to mention, also located William Wright in Union South Carolina, this person
was apparently affiliated with the Quakers, possibly the same William Wright coming to
Indiana?