Reverend Henry Wright 1424
Note that the five boys bore the same names as John Wryta’s five sons in 1066. It’s not known whether Henry and Anna chose these names because of family tradition or because they wanted to advertise that the family was Norman in origin. Although it was 400 years since England had been conquered, there was still definite division between the old Vikings (the Saxons) and the new Vikings (the Normans), with the Normans – the landowners – very definitely on top. The Reverend Sir John Wright 1450 - 1509
John and Agnes had at least one child, also named John Wright, in th fall of 1488. There may have been other children; documents mention Edmund, James, Thomas, Nicholas, Fridewold, and Johane Wright, all from the same region during the same period. One or more of these could have been the sons or daughters of John and Agnes, but the records are not clear. The records do show, however, that John was both successful and prosperous. He earned quite a reputation not only as knight but also as a theologian. Like his father, he also was a cleric at Upminster and an “avowdson” of the church, having the right to nominate and appoint clerical staff.
Sir John Wright II, Lord of Kelvedon Hall 1488-1551
Kelvedon HallSometime before 1509, John II had moved to Kelvedon Hatch with his father. The Doomsday Book, a census ordered by King William I in 1086, mentions Kelvenduna, a feudal estate lorded over by a Saxon soldier/sailor, Aethelric. It’s thought that Aethelric may have built St. Nicholas, the oldest surviving church in the area. In 1066, Aethelric had sailed off to fight William the Conqueror, the Wryta brothers, and other Norman invaders. The defeated Aethelric returned to Kelvenduna and continued as lord of the manor under William I. Not long afterwards, however, he fell ill and died. His property passed to the church, probably confiscated by King William, as William did with many Saxon freeholders who fought against him. The ownership of the Kelvenduna estate passed to “St Peter” – the Norman arm of the Roman Catholic Church headquartered in Westminster Abbey. Specifically, it passed to Odo, the Bishop of Bayeux and William’s half-brother. This was William’s way of keeping the spoils of war in the family. Kelvedon Hall from a print in A new display of the beauties of England, 1777. John II erected Kelvedon Hall next to the old Saxon church allegedly built by Aethelric. Its construction took 14 years, beginning in 1524. In 1538, he bought the surrounding lands – about 2000 acres – from Richard Bolles and Westminster Abbey for ₤493. Bolles had inherited the tenancy of the lands from his mother’s family, the Multons, who had in turn been granted the tenancy in 1225 from Westminster Abbey. This real estate deal reeked of politics. The transfer of lands from the church to the loyal gentry was part of Henry’s campaign to weaken the power of the Roman Catholic Church in England. Sir John II and Lady Olive had seven children, including three Johns!
Sir John Wright II died in Kelvedon Hall on 5 October 1551 at the age of 63. His wife Lady Olive Hubbard Wright died in Kelvedon Hatch on 22 June 1560. He had a will drawn up on 25 September 1551, and per his request in the will he was buried in the chancel of Kellydon Church. He divided his land between his four sons. 400 years at Kelvedon HallWhile siblings moved away, the eldest John Wright inhearited the family home for many generations. In 1837, the estate consisted of 880 acres which included the Hall and grounds, Germains Farm, Langford Bridge Farm, Pump House Farm, Hatch Farm and several cottages. The last John Wright died in 1868. The estate then passed to his nephew Edward Carington Wright. He in turn left it to his own nephew, Sir Henry J. Lawson. However, from 1891 onwards, the house had been occupied by a tenant, John Algernon Jones. Upon his death, his widow purchased it from Sir Henry. After her death, the house was sold in 1932 by her son to St Michael's Roman Catholic School. Their occupancy of Kelvedon Hall was short lived as there were a number of unfortunate accidents which resulted in a number of deaths. The school closed in 1937. Despite the rumours that the house was haunted, it was purchased by Henry (Chips) Channon M.P., who restored it to its former elegance and added a pair of entrance lodges. The Hall was used as a convelesance home during the 2nd World War. The Hall was then occupied by his son, Lord Kelvedon, and following his death, the house remains in the care of his son, Henry Channon.
"Here lieth the body of John Wright and Ann his wife who was Lord of this Manor and Patron of this church, son and heir of John Wright who deceased May 20 16*8 as appeareth on his stone and this John Wright was called to the mercy of God Ma* 1654 aged 74. "
"Here lieth the body of John Wright Lord of this manor son and heir of John Wright and Ann the above mentioned died May 31 1656 aged 46. He left 2 sons and 1 daughter. Here lieth buried the body of Ann Wright one of the daughter of Sir Edward Suliard of Flemmins in the county of Essex and was the wife of John Wright - Lord of this manor who deceased in childbed November 28 1617 had issue 3 sons and 4 daughters" "Here lies Francis Wright who was the eldest daughter of Philip Waldegrave and wife of John Wright Lord of the Manor and Patron of this church died May 21 1656. She had by him in issue 2 sons John and Philip ***** One daughter Frances died December 23 1654 aged 44" "Martha Wright died April 19 1786 aged 44" "Thomas Wright late of Navestock died May 18 1784 aged 38" "Sara Wright spinster daughter of John and Elizabeth Wright died August 5, 1800 aged 19" "John Wright late of Priors in this parish died February 6 1781 or 1784 aged 40; also John Herbert Wright son of above died March 30 1784 aged 4 months. Also Elizabeth Wright wife of above died July 28 1789 aged 41"
0 Comments
|