Janet and Robert Wolfe Genealogy --- Go to Genealogy Page for Jonathan Wright --- Go to Genealogy Page for Elizabeth Fretwell

Notes for Jonathan Wright and Elizabeth Fretwell

A biosketch of Jonothan Wright reports [1]:

Jonothan Wright, son of Thomas, was the founder of the family in this country. He married, in 1712, Elizabeth Fretwell, daughter of Peter Fretwell, whose estate, comprising fishing places at Egg Harbor, New Jersey, a large portion of the land on the west side of High street, Burlington, and extensive tracts in Morris, Gloucester and Hunterdon counties, he inherited. He was a justice of the peace in 1739, member of the general assembly in 1721, collector of customs in 1725, judge of the court of common pleas in 1739, and served as overseer of highways. He died in 1742.

1692 On 26 of month 11, Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Fretwell, was born. [2]

1693/94 On 12th day, 12th month 1693 (February, 1694), Thomas Wright, Jonathan Wright, Robert Wright, and Benjamin Wright were among those agreeing to attend town meetings, in Chesterfield township, Burlington County, or face a fine [3].

1708 At a Chesterfield town meeting 10 mo. (December) 18, 1708 Jonathan Wright and Robert Wright were "Colexters Chosen by the Town to reserve the Tax and Pay it to ye Trasur."

1708 Jonathan Wright was overseer of the poor, Chesterfield Twp.

1712 Jonathan Wright married, first, to Elizabeth Fretwell born Jan. 26, 1692, died Jan. 17, 1733, buried Burlington, New Jersey [Burlington MM record], daughter of Peter Fretwell (1659 - 1719) and Elizabeth (Wright) Fretwell (1670 - 1732). On 5 of month 10 [December], Jonathan Wright made acknowledgment to the Chesterfield monthly meeting, which was accepted, of marrying contrary to Discipline. [4]

1713 Jonathan Wright was granted a certificate 5 mo. (July) 2, 1713 (or 4 mo. (June ) 4, 1713) by Chesterfield MM to Burlington MM, and he was received from Chesterfield MM by Burlington MM 5 mo. (July) 6, 1713. [5]

1715 Jonathan Wright was appointed overseer of highways, Burlington Twp.

1718 Jonathan Wright was appointed constable of Burlington Twp. 1718 - 1719, and collector 1720.

1721 Jonathan Wright was a member of the West New Jersey General assembly 1721.

1725 Jonathan Wright was collector of Customs for Burlington County.

1727 Jonathan Wright was appointed overseer of the poor in Burlington Twp.

1730 Elinor Wright, daughter of Jonathan Wright of Burlington, married Isaac Connarro on October 22. Witnessed by Jonathan and Elizabeth Wright and others. [6]

1732 Jonathan Wright was commissioned Justice of the Peace of Burlington County 19 August 1732.

1733 Jonathan Wright was appointed overseer of Highways in Burlington Twp.

1732/33 On 17 of month 11, 1732/3, Elizabeth Wright, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Fretwell, died and was buried at Burlington. [7] [8] [9]

1734 Jonathan Wright married, second, Philadelphia Meeting 4 mo. (June) 11,1734 to Elizabeth (Oldman-Gilbert) Preston (born 1689, died 11 mo. 16. 1736, buried the same day). daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Sykes) Oldman. The original marriage certificate of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Oldman-Gilbert-Preston) Wright, filed in the Department of Records, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, is signed by Frettwell Wright, William Preston (Paul and Elizabeth (Oldman-Gilbert) Preston's son), Rebecca Wright, Sarah Wright, Esther Wright, Joshua Wright, Thomas Wright, and Evan Thomas. Jonathan Wright was granted a certificate by Burlington MM 2 mo. 4. 1734 to Philadelphia MM to marry, and he was received by Philadelphia MM on certificate dated 3 mo. 6. 1734 from Burlington MM. Elizabeth Wright was granted a certificate 7 mo. 27. 1734 by Philadelphia MM to Burlington MM, and she was received 8 mo.7. 1734 by Burlington MM.

1739 Jonathan Wright appeared in a Burlington County Poll book of an election for candidates for the General Assembly, and he was commissioned Justice of the Quorum, Burlington County.

1742 The will Jonathan Wright Esq of City and Co of Burlington was dated 11th day 6th mo (Aug). Eldest son, Fretwell, my tan yard and houses. Sons Jonathan and Ebenezer plantation whereon Joseph Woodrow now dwelleth (about 700 acres) and sait marsh bought of Peter Baynton and John Douglass; also lands in little Eggharbour, grist mill in partnership with Patrick Reynolds, and lands bought of Thomas Scott at Wrightstown. Daughters Esther and Rebecca two tenements near Yorkshire Bridge, lands and meadows bought of Joshua Raper, and 320 acres in Hunterdon Co near land I sold Jacob Doughty. Dwelling houses on High Street in possession of Charles Tonkin and Sarah Borradail. Lot on High Street in tenure of Daniel Smith. 260 acres in Hunterdon on Raritan River and on Musconetcong River, at an Old Indian plantation called Whopemenchonhhong. Daughter Ellen (wife of Isaac Connarro), 300 acres in Gloucester Co. Friend Martha Milnor 100 pounds and liberty of house on York Road. Granddaughter Sarah Connarroe. Friend, Patrick Reynolds, land near Pellock Mile, being land surveyed to us and William Murrels. Land now in possession of Benjamin Butterworth; land at Black River, Morris Co now in tenure of Aaron Starke, and 50 acres at Tom Roberts' meadow. Negro woman, Nanny, to be free and to be under care of my friend, Samuel Lovett. Executors Caleb Raper, Samuel Lovett, and Joshua Raper. Witnesses Thomas Wetherill. Joseph Robinson. Jos Scattergood. Proved Aug 31 1742. [10]

1742 Aug 30. Inventory 1817.17 10 1.3 pounds made by Thomas Wetherill and Rob Smith. Includes bonds and bills 320.5.0 ½ pounds article with Aaron Starke, Jun'r (81.6.5 pounds); money due on agreement with John Robinson and William Griffith, 69.18.0 pounds; also with Jacob Drake, Obadlah Seward, Atkinson, Webster & Southworth; clock, silver tankard, etc 37.7 pounds; large quarto Bible; Denah Bard's note. Debts supposed to be insolvent and not included in inventory - James Stephenson, John Albert, Peter Vantilbury, Richard Ridgway, John Bell, John Hillas, John Bennet, John Oakford, Samuel Shinn, Jonas Cattel, Robert Newbury, Francis Collins, Francis Hickman. [11]

1742 Caleb Raper, Samuel Lovell, and Joshua Raper, executors for the estate of Jonathan Wright, "late of Burlington," announced the sale of the following tracts of land belonging to this estate: 250 acres within three miles of the city of Burlington " thereon a good Logg-House, a small Barn, and an Orchard of about a hundred trees," then occupied by Benjamin Butterworth; 250 acres at Laomentong, alias Black River, in Morris County; 800 acres of "choice Pine land and two Pieces of Cedar Swamp, lying near Edge-Piltock Saw Mill," Burlington County; 50 acres "on the Road from Burlington to Little Egg-Harbour, known by the name of Tom Robert's Meadow, very suitable to build a House of Entertainment." [12]

1747 Jan. 20. Ebenezer Wright, (over 15 years), son of Jonathan, Esq., of Burlington, petitioned that William Skeeles, of same place, yeoman, be appointed his guardian. Letters issued. Elias Hughes, fellow bondsman. [13]


Footnotes:

[1] Francis Bazley Lee, ed., Genealogical and Personal Memorial of Mercer County, New Jersey, Vol. 1 (1907), 178, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].

[2] Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Burlington Monthly Meeting, Marriages, Births and Deaths, 1677-1765, 51, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[3] Carlos E. Godfrey, "Town Dockets of Chesterfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 35 (1911), 211-222, at 212, [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].

[4] Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Men's Minutes, 1684-1738, 138, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[5] Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Men's Minutes, 1684-1738, 140, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[6] Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Burlington Monthly Meeting, Minutes, 1677-1777 (includes many different types of records), 233, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[7] Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Burlington Monthly Meeting, Marriages, Births and Deaths, 1677-1765, 50, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].

[8] William Wade Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol. 2 [NJ and Pennsylvania] (1938), 190, [HathiTrust].

[9] Charlotte D. Meldrum, Early Church Records of Burlington County, New Jersey, Vol. 1 (1994), 6.

[10] A. Van Doren Honeyman, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 30. (Wills and Administrations 2, 1730-1750) (1918), 550, citing Lib 4 p 345, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust].

[11] A. Van Doren Honeyman, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 30. (Wills and Administrations 2, 1730-1750) (1918), 550, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust].

[12] Newspaper, Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 2 September 1742.

[13] A. Van Doren Honeyman, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 30. (Wills and Administrations 2, 1730-1750) (1918), 549, citing Burlington Wills, 4171 C, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust].