Peter Wright the Pioneer of Pre-Municipal
Covington, Virginia
By Donna Dressler-Miller
Peter Wright, born ca. 1712, was the son of Adam Jr. (Yeoman). He came to the colonial Augusta County, Virginia (now Alleghany County) from Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York in the spring of 1746. He came in the company of his brother, Thomas, and, Joseph Carpenter, and associate and neighbor in New York.
Peter settled in what is now the principal part of Covington. Joseph Carpenter settled just in the city limits on the opposite side of Jackson River at the mouth of Potts Creek and Thomas on the Cowpasture. Both Thomas and Joseph Carpenter´s surveys joined Peter´s lands. Peter built his small log cabin very soon after his arrival. The terrain was a rugged wilderness and the Jackson River bottom land seemed to be the only practical location to settle.
The pioneer that braved the exploration into this new frontier had to be as rugged as the mountains that he crossed. He had to be of the hardiest stock of settler. A settler that was fearless in the face of danger from the wild animals, harsh winters, and Indians. Peter came from a line of ancestors that were just such people. It seems only natural that he would brave the elements to forge into unknown territory.
Once Peter had built his cabin, it was time to take care of other necessities. There were plenty of game in the mountains around his homestead and he was a good woodsman and hunger. In fact, he loved to hunt, especially on what is now called Peters Mountain. But the game would not be enough. He immediately cleared and planted his fields. As his crops grew he set out to build a grist mill to grind his corn and wheat. It is not known the exact location of Wright´s Mill but it is very likely that it was at the waters edge near Covington High School´s Casey Field. We find record of this mill from Dr. Lyman Chalkley as follows: November 28, 1751 – Adam Dickenson, David Davis, Peter Wright, and Joseph Carpenter to lay off a road from Wrights mill to the Cowpasture near Hughart or Knox. (Chalkley´s Abstracts, Volume 1, page 48.)
In 1748, Peter married Jane Hughart, the daughter of James and Agnes (Jordan) Hughart of the Cowpasture. The Hugharts of Bath County, Virginia may have come from the Oyster Bay Colony. It is also possible that Peter was responsible for their move to Virginia. His cousin Gideon Wright Jr., the son of Gideon and Elizabeth (Townsend) Wright married Margaret Urquehart or Urghartt (Hughart) in 1701. She was the daughter of John. Thomas Hughart believed to be an uncle of James owned land in 1760 on the southeast side of Jackson River near the holdings of Peter.
Two Moravian missionaries give an account of the pioneer family life in their journal of 1749. After they crossed Dunlap Creek, at the end of the day they came to a house. They stayed the night and slept on bearskins like the rest of the family. The journal of these missionaries did not give the name of their host, but it was most likely the home of Peter and Jane Wright, who would have been the only settlers just across Dunlap Creek. Although Peter, and later his wife and two children, had lived on the Jackson River land; had built his cabin and gristmill he did not have his patent recorded until November 1753. Peter actually lived on this land and improved it for about seven years before it became his.
Mrs. Scott McClinitic, in 1936, gave a glimpse of Peter Wright when she related the stories her father-in-law had told before his death. “Peter Wright was a great hunter. He made paths and trails all over Monroe, Bath, Alleghany, and further west. He was the first to make a path over Peter´s Mountain and the name came about thus: One hunter would say to another, “Going hunting?´´ “How are you going over the mountain?´´ “I´m going by Peter´s path.´´ Later, they started to say, “I´m goin over Peter´s Mountain.´´ (W.P.A. Historical Inventory, No. 131, Fort Young, By Mary S. Venable.
Another source gives this: “Near the home of John Lewis, there is on the roadside a large shelving rock called Peter´s Rock where, says tradition, he (Peter Wright) sought shelter in a snow storm. Here he lay for several days, until the snow was four feet deep.´ John Lewis lived near what is now known as Big Ridge. The shelving rock is said to be on the right side of State Route 311, just past the entrance road to Alleghany Cemetery. (Howes Virginia Collections)
Oren F. Morton adds to this story: “The rock is by the side of the road, a mile below Alleghany Station. Wright nearly starved and had begun to chew his moccasins to extract some sustenance from them. But fortunately a deer came struggling through the snow, was promptly shot and the hunter then went to chewing raw venison.´´ (The Centennial History of Alleghany County, Virginia)
“Peter´s Mountain was named for Peter Wright, an old backwoodsman who about 1776, explored and hunted along the valleys at its base.´´ Prior to the year 1776, one Peter Wright, and old hunter, had traveled this valley. (Where the city of Bluefield. West Virginia is now located) know, since his day, as Wright´s Valley, which no doubt led him into the present territory of Tazewell County.´´ (History of Middle New River By David E. Johnston.)
“Perhaps he could be called a “long hunter. Abt 1776 he visited what is now Monroe County, West Virginia and gave name to Peters Mountain and Peters Creek as well as to Wrights Valley, the location of Bluefield, West Virginia. Peter was a soldier in Captain William Christian’s company of regulars and saw service under Colonel William Byrd in 1760. For this service he received a grant of fifty acres of land.” (John M. Caudle – history located in the files at Bath County Historical Society, Warm Springs, Virginia)
Morton continues the legend by saying “Peter Wright hid some money on Peter´s Mountain in so secure a manner that it wasn´t found until comparatively recent days.´´ (The Centennial history of Alleghany County, Virginia)
One tale that seems to really cause a stir was one that was printed in the (Centennial History of Alleghany County, Virginia, page 74. It reads: “The name (Covington, Virginia) is said the have been in honor of Peter Covington. He was the oldest citizen, and was a descendant of Peter Wright.´´ Oren F. Monton, the author of many history books, wrote this in 1923. He stayed at the home of the Hugh McAllisters in Rosedale while doing his research. McAllister was considered a leading historian of this area at the time. In a portion of a letter dated 1985, that appeared in the Covington Virginian, March 18, 1986, Harry A. Walton Jr., a noted Alleghany County historian of today stated: “Morton received his information from Mr. Hugh McAllister, as the McAllister family did not emigrate to this area until 1849, there is no way his family could have had any direct knowledge of any Peter Covington. Mr. McAllister, who was a good friend of mine, told me the story of Peter Covington was hearsay and that Morton had stated it more strongly than he (McAllister) had intended.”
In the same article, written by Leonard Jamison of Akron, Ohio, it states: “Mr. Walton told me (Jamison) that Gay Arritt “hunted for some scrap of information on Peter Covington. . . and she never found a thing more than what Morton repeated.” From 1923 to 1967 this statement was either accepted or just over looked by the historians of Covington. Even Gay Arritt, the historian from 1951 to 1976 for the local newspaper, included the “Peter Covington Story” in her articles.
Then in the fall of 1986, the Covington Virginian published a different story. It gave a detailed explanation of the impossibility of the statement. Harriet Nuchols the daughter of Harry A. Walton Jr. gave a six page report on the name Peter Covington for the Alleghany Historical Society. She read from a report compiled by her father and Jamison, who had researched the early documents at Alleghany County Courthouse and found no record of this Peter Covington. Mr. Walton concluded that the name was probably adopted from the legendary General Leonard Covington, as many other towns across the United States were named for military heroes.
In several weeks that followed the public announcement of the incorrect history, Leonard Jamison wrote a biographical sketch of General Leonard Covington in a 17 part series in his newspaper column “Another View.” This wasn’t enough to satisfy the founding fathers, and in 1987 the city council voted to change history! They decided from then on to use the history that Mr. Walton felt was more accurate.
Form the list of children of Peter and Jane (Hughart) Wright we can see that Peter Wright did not have a descendant named Peter Covington in 1818, much less, have a child whose daughter had married a man named Covington. Certainly, none of the daughters of Peter had married a man by that name. The statement could not be correct.
Peter and Jane (Hughart) Wright had the following issue:
1. Thomas born ca. 1750, Augusta County, Virginia and married Sarah Henderson
2. James born ca. 1751, Augusta County and married 19 Feb 1776 in Bourbon County, Kentucky, Martha Hamilton. He died on 13 Jun 1825 in Bourbon County, Kentucky.
3. Rachel born ca. 1755, Augusta County and married (1) James Estill in 1772 in Greenbrier County, (West) Virginia and then married (2) Nicholas Proctor in 1782. She died between 1815 and 1819 probably in Kentucky.
4. Sarah born 1753, Augusta County and married (1) Paulzer Kimberlin and then (2) a Smith. She died between 1820 and 1830 probably in Virginia.
5. William born in Augusta County and married Rachel Sawyers on the 13 February 1785.
6. Mary born on 9 Jun 1760 in Augusta County and married William Smith on 10 August 1780. She died on 6 October 1858 in Alleghany County, Virginia.
7. Jane “Jennie” born ca. 1762, Augusta County and married Wallace Estill on 11 Dec 1778. She died 4 July 1829 in Franklin County, Tennessee.
8. Agnes “Nancy” born about 1764, Augusta County and married Dr. Christopher Clark on 9 November 1789. She died between 1846 and 1849 in Madison County, Kentucky.
9. John born about 1765, Augusta and married Catherine Persinger in October 1785. He died 3 Mar 1858 probably in Mercer County, (West) Virginia.
10. Rebecca born in Augusta County and married Robert Kincaid on the 13 Jun 1786. She died about 1830.
11. Peter born in Botetourt County and married (1) Nancy Cook on 16 May 1797 and then married (2) Sarah Persinger 17 Dec 1812. He died 1825 in Boone County, Missouri.
12. Martha born ca. 1770 in Virginia and married William Estill on 7 May 1789 and then (2) Reuben Mardis on 11 Sep 1798.
13. Elizabeth born in Botetourt County and married John Alexander Sprowl on 18 Mar 1793.
But, could the “Peter Covington” tale be partially correct? Lets look at more facts. In English history we find that, at the time of the migration to America it was illegal for any person to have a middle name except in the case of persons of royalty or nobility. You will see no middle names in the first ship lists or colonial records (1620) of the English men and women who landed in the New World. When the colonist reached America they started adopting a tradition of giving middle names. Even though the English government still had control of the colonies tray did not enforce many of the less important laws. The colonists started to Baptize their children with a name that was a combination of two names into one long name. Then, by the 18th century they actually had middle names, two separate names and the inherited surname. Middle names of the sons were usually the last names of ancestor, ie. the maiden names of the mother, grandmother, etc.
Peter Wright’s ancestors had come from England to Massachusetts and then settled Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York. They were there long enough to prefer and adopt the new traditions rather than the old English laws. After all, this law was made through the governing church of England and Peter’s ancestors were very much opposed to the medieval discursiveness as can be seen in much of the Wright family’s early history. We have no record of Peter Wright’s mother Only a mere mention of her in his father’s will that was probated November 28, 1749, which states: “I have not mentioned my three elder sons; viz: Peter Wright, Thomas Wright, and James Wright in my will, let it be understood I have give each of them a gun heretofore, which is all I can give them and my youngest daughter Abigail Wright, which is with my wife and by her agreement she is to take care and provide for her . . . .”
Could Adam Wright’s wife’s maiden name have been “Covington?” Was the maiden name of Peter Wright’s mother “Covington?” or could the Covington name have been in the line farther back? The statement had to come from somewhere. Most traditions and legends have some basis to them, even though they may get distorted in the telling over the years. Recently I received a query from a descendant of Peter Wright who had no idea that the “Covington” name had been in dispute. He sent family group sheets of his Wright family line that made me question the possibility of Covington, Virginia being named for General Leonard Covington and not Peter Wright or his descendants.
The following is copied from the History of Howard County and Chariton County 1883, Page 1121-1122:
William C. Wright, farmer and raiser of thoroughbred and high grade cattle among the prominent men of Chariton County who have conquered success in life, and made their way to the farm in agriculture and public affairs of the county by their own exertions and personal work, stands the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Born in Howard County on the 17th day of March in 1830, where he was reared and received the substantial part of an education, at the age of nineteen he exhibited the spirit and enterprise to cast his fortunes with the hardy and daring adventurers bound for the Pacific Coast, in 1849. He made two trips to California and back between that year and 1854, but finally settled down permanently in Chariton County to which his father and family moved in 1850 immediately on his return from the land of the argonauts, in 1854. In March of that year he married to Miss Amanda, an amiable and attractive daughter of George Addis, of this county. Going on to a place then to themselves, he and his worthy young wife went to work to raise themselves by their own exertions and merit to a position in life they were determined to attain. The result has not disappointed their expectations. In the social life of the community in which they live, none were more highly esteemed. In public life Mr. Wright has occupied the most responsible and honorable positions in the gift of the county — the offices of collector and assessor. In material interest his success has been equally marked. He owns one of the best and finest improved farms in Salisbury township, and has it stocked with the purest and best blood of cattle, etc. He takes special pride in his high-grade, fine stock. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have been favored with six children, three of whom, Alas! have been taken away by death. The living children are Nicholas R., Columbus C., and William Luther. Three are dead: George A., Laura E., and James Walter. Mr. Wright’s parents, William C. Sr. and Mary (Burgher) Wright, were born natives of and were married in Madison County, Kentucky from which they migrated to Howard County, Missouri in 1820, and from there to Chariton as stated above. In 1850, where the father died five years afterwards. They reared a family of twelve children all of whom themselves became parents of families.” (Copied from Historical Pictorial and Biographical records of Chariton County, Missouri and published by Salisbury Pictorial and Biographical Publishing Company 1896, Page 212-213)
“William Covington Wright, the subject of this sketch is one among the oldest, most influential, highly respected and best know citizens of Salisbury Township. He was born in Howard County, March 17, 1830 and was the son of William C. and Mary (Burgher) Wright, who were natives of Madison County, Kentucky and were there married. (Marriage of William Covington Wright and Mary “Polly” Burgher recorded in Estill County, Kentucky on April 10, 1812.) They came to Howard County, Missouri where they remained until 1855 and then, when the cold finger of death pointed out the husband and claimed his as it’s own. The mother died August 19, 1876.
“Our subject was the ninth of a family of twelve children, five of whom are now living. He was educated in a log school house in Howard County, where they used split logs hewn smooth for seats, and was reared on a farm where he remained till the gold fever broke out in California in 1849, when he wended his way across the broad western plains between Missouri and his destination, with a caravan made up of citizens from this section of the county. He remained there until 1851 when he started on his homeward journey to Chariton County. In 1852 he returned to California and remained until 1853. He then came back to this county and on March 8, 1854 was married to Miss Amanda J. Addis, daughter of George and Susan Addis, of Chariton County. Our subject was elected township collector in 1874 and to the office of Assessor, where he took the census. In 1892 he was re-elected to the office of Assessor, which he now holds. He is a true-blue Democrats and has been a member of the Baptist church since 1855. Our subject has lived long and prosperous, and not withstanding the many obstacles in the life of a pioneer settler he still enjoys excellent health.
Obituary – Copied from “Salisbury Press-Spectator”
April 24, 1908
Page 1, Column 1 and 3
WRIGHT
In the death of Wm. C. Wright, April 16, 1908, Chariton County loses one of her oldest, most influential and highly respected citizens. Mr. Wright ad been suffering for some weeks with dropsy and the complications due to old age, and passed peacefully away Thursday at the home of his son C.C. Wright at the ripe and honored age of 78 years.
Funeral services were conducted from the house, Friday, by Rev. H.A. Belton. A great crowd of neighbors and friends gathering to pay the last remark of respect to one so greatly beloved and he was laid to rest by the side of his wife in the Wright Family burying-ground. His favorite grand-daughters, Mrs. Floyd Woodruff and husband of Moberly and Miss Sallie Padget of Brunswick attended the Funeral.”
We are reasonably sure that William Covington Wright is the descendant of John, the son of Peter and Jane Hughart Wright. The record of John Wright married in Botetourt County, VA, 12 October 1785 to Catherine Persinger, removed to Kentucky and thence migrated westerly. In the 1790 Tax List from Kentucky only 9 Wright men are listed in the Entire state. There is a John Wright listed in Bourbon County, Kentucky. By the 1800 census there were now 62 Wright men listed throughout the entire state. But, of these 62 men, there is only one that was in Madison County and that was John Wright. Since William C. Wright was born in 1793, he would have to show up in the 1-10 years of age column, which he does. So, it appears that Bourbon County was the first county John lived in and Madison County was the second. The 1810 census of Kentucky shows John Wright had moved from Madison County to Estill County. A male is listed in the proper category that allows for a seventeen year old male, William C. Wright’s age in 1810. (Larry E. Wright of Atchison, Kansas provided the above research on John and William Covington Wright.)
Dr. John Merry purchased the land that was once Peter Wright’s. It was surveyed into lots by 1919 and in 1819, Covington was designated a town. Remember, William Covington was born in 1793, prior to the date of the town. So, the name Covington has been in the Wright family prior to the name of Covington, Virginia.
General Leonard Covington was a soldier and legislator from 1792 until his death in 1813. But was he, in 1793, famous enough to be recognized as a Hero? Now, here is where speculation comes in, Could Peter Wright have actually been Peter Covington Wright and his descendants carried that middle name down from generation to generation? Could Covington, Va. have actually been named for Peter Covington Wright? We can only guess, but one day we may find exactly who can take the credit for the name!
Another statement was written in the Centennial History of Alleghany County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton. It reads on page 125 “The Wrights of this county are a newer family than the Wrights who once lived on the site of Covington.” most readers of this statement take it to mean that the Wright family of Potts Creek area are not related to the Peter Wright of early Pre-Municipal Covington, Virginia but came later.
From Bible records of Phoebe (Terry) Wright who married Moses Wright after the death of her first husband, John Arritt:
John Lewis Arritt was born 2nd day of December 1862
Sophrona P. Wright was born the 13th day of November 1818
Sarah Wright was born 3rd of December 1820
Moses G. Wright was born the 7th of November 1822
Nancy Wright was born the 13 of September 1824
Eliza J. Wright was born the 17th of December 1827
Wm Wright was born the 17th of December 1827
Elizabeth Wright was born the 30th of December 1829
Francis II Wright was born the 28th of January 1833
Catherine Wright departed this life the 29th of March 1838
John Wright died the 3rd of March 1858 in Mercer County
Phebe Wright died November 18, 1915
Andrew Taylor Wright died February 20 1936
Moses G. Wright died March 18, 1898
Henry Bascom Wright was born the 1st day of April 1867, died Dec. 16, 1872
Perry Francis Wright was born the 17th of March 1869
Joseph Osborn Wright was born the 6th of August 1872
Sally C. Wright was born the 5th of June 1875, Died 10 August 1925
M.G. Wright died March 18, 1893
Mary E. Wolfe died June 7, 1851
Mary Elizabeth Terry died July 11, 1855
Joannah Arritt departed this life the 19th of July 1864, age 3 years
Henry E. Wright died the 16th of December 1872, age 5 years
Moses Arritt died December 8, 1945
Perry Francis Wright died August 19, 1960
Copied from files of Phoebe Terry Wright.
It is obvious that some of the entries were not written by Phoebe Terry Arritt Wright. Nevertheless, this record is a valuable resource for relations of Moses and Phoebe. It also tells us that Moses Wright was the descendant of John Wright, the son of Peter. Thus, at least some of the Wright families of Potts Creek are the same Wrights of early covington, Virginia.
It is said that Peter Wright is not buried in Alleghany County and perhaps he is not. He deeded land in now Alleghany County to two of his sons and these deeds are recorded in Botetourt County Court House, Fincastle, Virginia. We do know that his son John who married Catherine Persinger as well as his other so William, James, Peter, and Thomas did leave Alleghany County. It is more likely that Peter died and is buried in Alleghany County and recorded history picks up his son Peter, who in 1821, was appointed sheriff of Botetourt County and “Later in life he was one of three Justices who organized Boone County, Missouri.
The will of Peter was written in 1793 in Botetourt County, Virginia, as well as probated there. It was recorded in will book A, Page 365 as follows:
In the name of God Amen.
I Peter Wright of Botetourt County being sick of body but of sound mind and memory do make this my last will and testament.
First after my deceased I order my body to be decently buried and all my funeral expenses paid with all my just debts by my executors whom I have here constituted and when the things are done I do give and bequeath and divide the remainder of my worldly estate among my wife and children as followth, viz:
First to my son Peter Wright I do give and bequeath the whole of the land of the plantation which I now own and the still and still vessels. Also three head of horse creatures two greys and one other horse they call Jolley:
Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Sprowle one negro slave named kery to be her property during the time of her natural life and in case that she should die without issue of her body begotten then to return to my daughter Mary Smyth and the heirs of her body begotten.
Also I give and bequeathe unto my daughter Rebecca Kinkead one female negro slave named Milly the daughter of my slave Karter to her and the heirs of her body begotten as her property forever.
Also I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Jane the one third part of my plantation and the room of the dwelling house that the stone chimney stands at on the north end of the house during the remainder of her natural life and at her decease to descend to my son Peter Wright as signify ed above.
Also to my wife Jane I bequeath one female slave named Eve to be at her command and for her use during her natural life time and my wifes deceased I allow and devise the said slave and her offspring or children that may be born after this date to be publickly sold and the money be distributed in general among all the other heirs in this will.
Also I give and bequeath unto my wife the horse creatures viz: One black mare that goes by her name and her choice of among the chows as many as tow in number to be her property and to dispose of at pleasures as she thinks fit –Also I give to my wife as her property forever one feather bed and the usual bed furniture to dispose of at her pleasure. Also I give unto Jane Wright of Greenbrier that is my son Thomas Wrights daughter named Jane Wright one female slave named Mattye the daughter of my slave named Eve to her and her heirs forever and in case of her decease without issue to decend to her next younger sister and heirs forever.
Also I bequeath to James Wright in Greenbrier that is to my son Thomas Wright son James one make slave named Nelson the son of my female slave named Eve to him and his heirs forever and in case of his death without issue to descend to his next younger brother and his heirs forever.
Also I give and bequeath unto my son Peter Wright one female slave named Hester with the children which after this date may be born of her to him and his heirs forever to dispose of at his pleasure.
Also I bequeath unto my son Peter Wright the male slave named Harry to stay on the plantation to raise bread and work for my wife so long as she may chuse to live with my son Peter Wright. And at my wifes decease to be sold with Eve and the money to be given as the former slave Eve among the other heirs.
Also I give and bequeath unto my son Peter the waggon now a making and six head of the cattle as letting him have his choice out of the flock and the remaining horses not before mentioned to be his property forever.
Also I give and bequeath the remaining part of all my goods furniture and hogs and sheet except five of the sheep which is to be given to Nancey (Nickname for Agness) to be given to my son Peter and his mother for their use as they thin fit to devide left in their hands for their uses while they live together.
And I constitute and appoint Jacob Persinger and my son Peter Wright Executors of this my last will & testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the twelfth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three.
Peter Wright
Signed and sealed in
the presence of
Christopher Clark
William Wright
Agnes (her Mark) Clark
Wallis Estell
At December Botetourt Court 1793
This instrument of writing was exhibited in court and proved by the oath of William and Wallace Estill two of the witnesses thereto subscribed and ordered to be recorded — the same Wallis Estill having first relinquished his legacy therein contained —
A copy teste
Henry Bowyer C.B.C.
In 1791 Peter deeded to William Smyth, the husband of Mary (Wright) Smith 176 acres on Jackson River. William was a large landowner of Mount pleasant who had come to Alleghany County from Richmond County, Virginia. He served in the Revolutionary War as an Indian Spy. So, we can be assured that that part of Botetourt County mentioned in the will above was what is know as Alleghany County today. In 1792 one year prior to his death, Peter divided land between his sons John and William. In 1793 the present area of Covington where Peter lived would have been in Botetourt County. Jane died in Bourbon County, Kentucky and her will is recorded there as well as in Alleghany County. It reads as follows:
In the Name of God! Amen! —
I Jane Wright being in my proper mind but somewhat indisposed in body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, it is therefore my Last Will and Testament: For the first place I recommend my soul to God that gave it and my body to the earth; and concerning what worldly good God has blest me with I direct to be disposed of in the following manner, Viz: After a Christina burial, it is my desire and will that my negro named Eve be immancipated, which thing I trust my children will be careful to do. And in the next place, I will and bequeath to my daughter Rachel Proctor my feather bed, and in the next place, I will and bequeath unto Elizabeth Sprowl, my daughter all and singular the balance of my moveable property in this state and what actual cash I may have at my death I will and bequeath it to be equally divided amongst my five daughters. viz: Rachel Proctor, Agness Clarke, Jane Estill, Elizabeth Sprowl, and Martha Madis; and in the next place I will and bequeath all singular that part of my estate that is due of me or may hereafter become sue in this sate of Virginia; Botetourt County and for which Moses Mann is my attorney in to my other three daughters. vis: –Sarah Kimberland, Mary Smith and Rebecca Kincaid to be equally divided amongst said daughters, and I do nominate and appoint Christopher Clark and Moses Mann to be my whole and sole executors of this my Last Will and Testament. As witness my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of October one thousand eight hundred
and seven.
Jane Wright (SEal)
Teste
William Kincaid
John Estill
Sampson —–
Bourbon County Court, July tern 1823. This Last Will and Testament of Jame Wright deceased was produced in corr and it appearing that all that subscribing witness are either deceased or non residents and proof being made of the hand writing of the witness and testator and of her sanity the same is ordered to be recorded.
Att. Tho. O. Smith
By
A. P. MCli ——
Will Book 1, Page 39 — Alleghany County
From Jane’s will written in 1807 we have reason to believe that she moved from Alleghany County before her death in 1823 to Bourbon County, Kentucky. We know that Peter died in November or December of 1793 and Jane’s will was written fourteen years after Peter’s death. She left her moveable property to her daughter Elizabeth Sprowl, who probably took care of her in her old age. It is very likely that Peter died in Alleghany County and was buried in the old graveyard at Fort Young in a grave marked only with fieldstones and Jane went to live with her daughter in Kentucky.
The Fort Young graveyard location is not known, but was probably built over as the Industrial Revolution made its way through Covington and the Fort Young site was made into and industrial site in 1894 by the Low Moor Iron Furnace Company. Progress seems to have had little room for sentiment, epically when lining the pockets of the Industrialists. There is no record of when the cemetery was completely lost, but it didn’t take long. A little more than 100 years ago the Alleghany Tribune, Friday July 16, 1880 gave reference to Fort Young Cemetery, “The son of the Reaper is now heard there, to be sure, but in days past the red man and the white have met in the plain to the north, and the mountains, now echoing the reapers song. the echoed the report of the pioneer’s rifle and the war-whoop of the red man, who claimed the land all around as the land of his inheritance, to recover which he came with bended bow and belt and quiver full of barbed arrows. The stone hatchet and the gun, too, were his constant and shocking companions. Often have they spoken. “Trumpet-tongued to the men, women, and children who fled to Fort Young for protection, and whose remains are in the valley below and in site of (Cedar Hill Cemetery). The article goes o to name several graveyards in Alleghany County, one of which was at Fort Young.
Military Service
As most able bodied men in Alleghany County, Peter served in the Militia. The Indians were few, and the white men seemed to be many. Since the Indians did not till the ground and plant their crops for food, the white men felt that the Indian should have no claim to the land. The pioneer had, by this time cleared the land, planted their fields, and built their homes, barns, and mills. They had little respect for the land that they settled. Resources were plentiful and waste was not looked on an eventual problem. The Indians grew in number. They wanted their hunting grounds back and grew resentful of the white man’s disrespect for the land. The Indians were ready to take their sacred places by hostilities. The Indian raids, with the killing, looting, and burning increased and the settlers needed protection. This protection would have to come from forces trained in the Indian warfare, Forts were established. They were the only places of safety for the pioneer women and children. Fort Young, a log fort, was built on Peter Wright’s homestead. It was built by Capt. Peter Hogg according to specifications of Col. George Washington, in 1756. The site where once stood this famous fort was in the Sunnymeade area. In an article that appeared in the Clifton Forge Review at the time the site of Fort Young was being prepared for the building of Low Moore Iron Furnace in 1894 giving the name of the owner of the furnace as Mr. Lyman, states: “The location of Fort Young is on the southeastern part of Covington on Jackson River.”
Not only did Peter provide a site on his land for Fort Young, he also served in Dickenson’s Rangers 1759-1763 (French and Indian War). Augusta County Courthouse records reveal that he was at the fort in an official capacity when he was given a warrant by Joseph Carpenter that had been sent from John Dickenson to apprehend two deserters at Fort Young, John Humphrey and Joseph Garrit. He handed the warrant to Thomas Fitzpatrick to read. Fitzpatrick read part of the warrant out loud, Peter took it out of his hand and put it up. Joseph Carpenter felt that Peter may have had the warrant read aloud to give the deserters, thought to have been close enough to heat, notice. (Chalkley’s Abstracts, Vol. 1, Page 499.)
Another reference to his military service was recorded when Peter applied for a revolutionary pension, February 10, 1780, “Peter Wright’s claim as a soldier in Capt. Christian’s company of Regulars in the year 1760 commanded by Col. Byrd, is ordered to be certified.” (annals of Southwest Virginia, Lewis Preston Summers, 1929.)
Ancestry
This history would not be complete without the ancestry of Peter Wright the Pioneer. He obviously inherited much of his nature from them. Their stories are a remarkable as Peter’s. This history came from another researcher. The author was not included nor was a reference to where it was found is available. It’s documentation seems to follow closely with other histories of Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York and may have been written by a historian there.
Peter Wright of Oyster Bay
Peter Wright (Peter Wright’s great-grandfather) and his younger brothers Anthony and Nicholas, came to America in 1635 from England. They are believed to be descendants of Thomas Wright (1422-1509) of Kilvestone Hall in Norfolk County, England. The brothers settled in Saugus, Massachusetts. In 1637 they were granted land at Sandwich on Cape Cod and remained there until 1653 when they joined a company of about a dozen families under the leadership of Rev. William Leaverich for the purpose of forming a new settlement in Long Island. They were deeded land by the Indian, Asiapum, with the agreement of payment by utensils and wampum (shells). This settlement became Oyster Bay. The original deed has been preserved at Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York.
Anno Dni one thousand six hundred and fifty th(ree). This writing witnesseth ye Asiapum alias Mohenes have sold vnto Peter Wright, Samuel Mail, William Leuerick, their heyrs executors administrators and assignees all his land lyeing & scituate upon Oyster Bay & is bound by Oyster River to ye west side with all ye woods, rivers, marshes, upland, ponds & all other appurtenances lying to ye sea ward excepting one island comonly call Hog Island and bounded neere southward by a point of trees called Canteaing. In consideration of wch bargaine & sale he is to receave as full satisfaction sixe Indian coates, sixe ketles, sixe fathom of wampam, sixe hoes, sixe hatchetts, three pr. of stocking(s), thirty auln-blades and muxes (heads for eel spears), twenty knives, three shirts, & as much peage black wampum as will amount to four pounds sterling. In witness whereof he hath set to his marke in ye presentce of William Washborne.
Asiapum or Mohenes X his mark
Anthony Wright
Robert Williams
Robert Williams was a brother of Roger Williams who was banished by the Puritans in Massachusetts Bay and founded Rhode Island and the First Baptist Church in American. The town of Oyster Bay was founded by Baptists and Quakers who were persecuted in Massachusetts.
When the Indians did not receive their promised payment they became unruly. The townspeople were levied 18 shillings and 10 pence, and the Indians were paid in beef. All of the original purchasers received six acre lots with the privilege of sharing the common meadows for grazing and the woodlands for cutting wood.
Peter is believed to have been born prior to 1600. His wife was Alice Wright from another branch of the Wrights in England. Alice was born in England about 1614. She also came to America in 1635 and the first of their eleven children was born in 1637.
The Wrights were devout Quakers. Anthony donated land in Oyster Bay for a burial ground and meeting house for the Society of Friends, and several of the daughters of Peter and Alice were outspoken in their advocacy of the right to worship God as their consciences directed them. In 1660, Mary Dyer of Rhode Island was imprisoned in Boston and hanged because of their Quaker activities. Mary Wright, daughter of Peter, went to Boston to rebuke the authorities. She was arrested and brought to trial. She was found a Quaker and banished. Her younger sister, Hannah, felt called to protest the numerous executions of Friends and in 1662 at age 16 she appeared before the court to admonish them to spill no more innocent blood. It is surprising that she escaped punishment, but one of the judges answered her remarks. “What, shall we be baffled by such a one as this? Come let us drink a dram.”
Hannah was called “The Devotee” because of her zeal for the Quaker cause. She was drowned while on a mission at age 29.
Lydia, the youngest of Peter and Alice, was also know for her support of the Quaker faith. In the summer of 1667, Margaret Brewster, a Quaker from Barbados, visited Boston to protest the recently imposed law requiring all persons coming into the colony to take an Oath of fidelity to the government. Quakers followed the scriptural direction, “Swear no at all,” and refused to take an oath. Margaret Brewster sent the Governor a letter of protest and also was publicly critical of the ruling. On Sunday, July 8, she went to Public Worship at South Church in sackcloth and ashes. She was barefooted, with her hair about her shoulders, her face blackened, ashes on her hair and sackcloth on her upper garments. She was followed by Lydia Wright and two other women and a man. The party was immediately seized by the constable and imprisoned. They were brought to court on August 4. Margaret Brewster was sentenced to be tied to a cart-tail, stripped to the waist, and drawn through the town. When sentenced, Margaret Brewster said “The will of the Lord be done. I am content.” All of the women appeared to be unconcerned about themselves with a serenity of mind in yielding to a divine calling.
Peter Wright died about 1662 and Alice married Richard Crab. Alice died on February 24, 1685.
The ninth child of Peter and Alice was Adam who was born in 1652. Adam married May Dennis and their second child was named Peter. Peter and his brother, Thomas, migrated to the Virginia Frontier in 1746. Peter was married in 1748 to Jane Hughart, daughter of James Hughart and Agnes Jordan. Peter and Jane had eight daughters and five sons. Three of the daughters married Estill brothers. Rachel married James Estill in 1772 in Augusta County, Virginia.
In Adam Wright Jr.’s Will he described himself as “Yeoman,” a farmer who cultivated his own land for a small farm and who would have belonged to a class of English freeholders. In the system of English Classes a Yeoman is just below the Gentry, who were a people of high social standing, but were not nobility.
Religion
Although Peter’s ancestors were very religious Quakers, it is not recorded that he was a particularly religious man. We have no record of any early meeting houses that he or his sons established. They seemed to be more politically and militarily minded. The Quaker faith did not flourish in Alleghany County. Maybe the memory of the persecution of his ancestors in Massachusetts was deep seeded in Peter’s mind and he found the wilderness a pleasant escape from the religious tyranny in the North. The first meeting house in Covington was built ca. 1770 and was located near the railroad underpass at the end of Main Street. It was built of log and used not only as a meeting house but as the courthouse, barricade against the Indians, school and church.
Henry Dressler’s land was to the rear of the Meeting House and his son-in-law, James Rogers, used it later for his gunsmith, hardware and plumbing business. Henry Dressler’s lot are now a bed for the C&O Railroad Tracks that divide East and West Main Street, where Locust Street in early Covington continued another block or so.
The Dresslers were Methodist-Episcopal and probably this had an influence on the type of church services that were held there. Later the meeting house was abandoned and services were held in the newly erected courthouse, which even had a bell to remind “Not so early risers” that services were being held.
The First Presbyterian Church was established in 1819 and claimed to have organized from the log Meeting House. Only three names of members can be found, Joseph Carpenter, Nancy Skeen and Campbell Karnes. Then in 1829 land was purchased from the town lots sold by Dr. James Merry by the Trustees of the Methodist Church. The Methodist also claimed the Meeting House as their church home. Those Trustees were listed as Joseph Pinnell (one of the earliest regular ministers in Alleghany County), Henry Dressler, Elisha Knox, Jr. Charles Callaghan, Anthony Brunnemer, Charles Tolbert, and Moses Persinger.
No records have been found of the members of the old log Meeting House congregation; there is no record of Peter’s sons being trustees or elders of any of the established churches before they moved west, from the late 1700’s to early 1800s.
Perhaps Peter worshiped God in his own way, high on Peter’s Mountain without the benefit of a religious doctrine, underneath the blue sky with the hymns sung by the wind through the trees.
About This Sketch
This history, by no stretch of the imagination, is complete. It is only an overview of what has been found from research that I have had the opportunity to review and copy. I have tried to document the sources of the informatin so that the historians of the future can prove and add to this sketch. My hope is that all the questions about Peter Wright can be answered. That may be one wish that will never be granted. However, the information is surfacing. You hear about documents being unearthed in piles of junk in the “Rat Rooms” of courthouses across the country. One day, maybe in this generation, we will have undisputed documentation. Until then, we have to suppose. But supposing is not all that bad when it is based on solid facts.
This historical sketch is dedicated to the memory of my fifth great-grandfather. Peter Wright of Pre-Municipal Covington, Virginia.
Donna Dressler-Miller