Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Margaret Wright

Female 1631 - Bef 1676  (~ 44 years)


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  • Name Margaret Wright 
    Christened 25 Dec 1631  Uxbridge, Middlesex, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died Bef Nov 1676  of Westfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I2193  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Family Thomas Bancroft,   b. Abt 1625, of Chellaston, Derbyshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 Dec 1684, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 59 years) 
    Married 8 Dec 1653  Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Lydia Bancroft,   b. 6 Apr 1655, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 30 Jul 1665, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 10 years)
     2. Margaret Bancroft,   b. 16 Nov 1656, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 3/03 Feb 1703/4, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 47 years)
     3. Anna Bancroft,   b. 1 Sep 1658, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   bur. 30 Jun 1659, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 0 years)
     4. Thomas Bancroft,   b. 20/20 Feb 1659/60, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 1703/4, of Cape May, Cape May, New Jersey, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age > 45 years)
     5. Anna Bancroft,   b. 5 May 1663, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Mar 1733, Westfield, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 69 years)
     6. Julia Bancroft,   b. Bef 30 Jul 1666, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 30 Jul 1666, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age > 0 years)
     7. Samuel Bancroft,   b. 25/25 Jan 1667/8, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 30/30 Jan 1667/8, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 0 years)
     8. Ruth Bancroft,   b. 29 Aug 1670, Westfield, Hampshire (now Hampden), Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1714, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 43 years)
     9. Samuel Bancroft,   b. Abt 1672, Enfield, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 29 Nov 1742, Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 70 years)
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F1219  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. 12 Dec 2001 email: Ellen Baker "dab@3-cities.com": "This is the known family unit of Deacon Samuel Wright and Margaret according to expert researcher Mike Wright who is directly connected to this line.
      Samuel probably married about 1625 or 1626 to Margaret ____. (Many sites have a last name for her, but at present it is not known for sure.)
      Children:
      Samuel Jr. (m. Elizabeth Burt)
      Margaret (m. #1 Thomas Bancroft, m. #2 Thomas Bliss)
      Hester (m. Samuel Marshfield)
      Lydia (m. #1 Lawrence Bliss, m. #2 John Norton, m. #3 John Lamb, m. #4 George Colton)
      Mary (m. John/Jonathan Taylor)
      James (m. Abigail Jess/Jese/Jesse - Wright Brothers' ancestor)
      Judah (m. #1 Mercy "Mary" Burt, m. #2 Sarah Woodford)
      Helped (Died in infancy)
      Note: Many of the sites had a Deacon Samuel having a daughter Hannah. At this time, there is no proof that he did have a daughter Hannah (m. Thomas Stebbins). Also there is a bit of controversy on the exact lineage of Deacon Samuel since there were many Samuels in England during the same time period. But it is known for sure that a Deacon Samuel settled in Northampton, MA in the 1600's.

      2. First name may also be Margarite.

      3. Henry R. Stiles, "The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut," 1892, v. 2, p. 41:
      "Thomas Bancroft (son of John), at Springfield, Mass., 8 Dec 1653; in 1654 res. there at 'lower wharf,' now Thompsonville (Enfield), Conn., as see 'S. Rec. of Possessions.' His cattle-mark was 'ye top of both ears cut off and a little piece cut out of ye off eare.' He m. (1) Margaret (dau. Samuel) Wright of S., 8 Dec 1653; m. (2) ___ (John M. Bancroft [the author's source for much on the Bancrofts] thinks that the Hannah (dau. Samuel) Gardner of Hadley, who (acc. to Boltwood's 'History Hadley,' p. 497) m. Nathaniel Bancroft, 1675, really m. this Thomas Bancroft, and was the 2d wife, who m. (2) John Barber.) He was a farmer; while at Westfield a selectman; (see his affidavit in regard to his bro.-in-law, John Griffen, p. 477, Vol. I.); in 1668 he was at Westfield; sold farm there in 1680, Mar 20; returned to Enfield, where he d. 14 Dec 1684; will dated in Nov. of that year and upon rec. at S.; gave son Thomas, Jr., 15 acres of land on S. side of Woxonoak river, belonging to Springfield; to sons Samuel, John, and Nath'l, equal shares at Enfield; ₤7 each to daughters Anne and Rebecca; house, etc. to his loving wife. The will, being unsigned, could not be estab., and estate was not settled until 3 Feb 1703/4, before which time the widow had m. (2) John Barber of S.
      Children (b. probably at Enfield), the first seven by 1st wife:
      A. Lydia, b. 6, 2d mo., 1655.
      B. Margaret, b. 16, 8 mo. 1656; d. probably unmarried 3 Feb 1703/4.
      C. Anna, b. 1, 7 mo., 1658; bu. 30, 6 mo., 1659.
      D. Thomas, b. 21, 11 mo., 1659; was living at time of father's death, and (presumably) at the sett. of his estate, 1703-4, when he is thus mentioned; to the eld. s., Thomas B., Jr., or to his issue, a double portion, ₤10.12.4.' From 'North. Rec.': 'Nath'l Edwards and Thos. Shelding of N., for securing (Thos. Bancroft) an offender, a day and a night, was allowed 3d, apiece, and Isiah Shelding one shilling on sd. allowance, as Sam'll Strong for his mare to Westfield to apprehend ye sd. Bancroft, as also pd. to John Taylor, who went to Windsor after said Bancroft - to be pd. as aforesaid.' Among others, he was an early settler at Cape May, N.J., and had located or purchased a lot there prior to 1700 - Beasley's 'Early History Cape May Co., N.J.' Samuel B. (presumably his son) m. Margaret Miller at Easthampton, Long Island, 1717; had one or more ch. there; soon after, was at Cape May; and abt. 1750 d., leaving wid. Margaret and numerous ch., from whom desc. can be traced to present day. Prob. Thomas Jr. was a seafaring man.
      E. Anna, b. 5 May 1663; m. James Sexton; was living 1703-4.
      F. Lydia, b. 6, 2 mo., 1665.
      G. Julia, 'dau. Thos. and Marg't B.,' d. 30 Jul 1666. - 'Springfield Rec.'
      H. Samuel (Lieut.), b. 25 Jan 1667.
      I. Ruth, b. 29 Aug 1670, at Westfield; m. John Stiles of W., and, after being a mother 13 times (twice with twins), d. in childbirth, 1714. 'Pres. Stiles's MS,' says, 'being left an orphan at an early age, was given to Mr. Fowler of Westfield, to bring up; when of age she lived with Rev. Mr. Glover of Springfield, and was in the fortified house when it was besieged by Indians, 1675.' This does not say she was of age when living in the fort-house. Rev. Peletiah Glover sett. as S. 1661, and d. there 29 Mar 1692.
      J. John, d. Enfield, 26 Feb 1684; mentioned in father's will.
      K. Rebecca, b. Enf., 23 Feb 1680; m. ___ Gillett.
      L. Nathaniel, b. 24 Oct 1683; m. Ruth Haile; res. W. Springfield; desc. in Granville, Mass., and Ohio."
      [Note: Stiles's book from which the above was taken does not have entires for Metcalf, Bacon, Pool, Gardner, Miller, Haile (or Heald), or Gilbert.)

      4. "New England Historical and Genealogical Register," v. 40, p. 281, "The Wrights of Northampton, Mass.," by William K. Wright, Esq., of Northampton, Mass.: "I have gathered from old records the names of many of the descendants of Dea. Samuel Wright, who was one of the first settlers of Northampton. Dea. Samuel Wright, by his wife Margaret, had children:
      A. Samuel, m. Elizabeth Burt, 24 Nov 1653.
      B. James, m. Abigail Jess, 18 Jan 1664.
      C. Mary.
      D. Margaret, m. Thomas Bancroft, 8 Dec 1653.
      E. Hester, m. Samuel marshfield, 18 Feb 1651-2.
      F. Lydia, d. 13 Feb 1699, m. first, Lawrence Bliss, 25 Oct 1654; m. second, John Norton, 3 Oct 1678; m. third, John Lamb, 1688; m. fourth, George Colton, 1692.
      G. Judah, b. 10 May 1692.
      H. Helped, b. 7 mo. (i.e. September) 15, 1644, probably d. y."

      BIRTH:
      1. Margaret's father first appears in documented records at Springfield, Hampden Co., MA in jury duty 14 Nov 1639 hearing cases between John Woodcake and John Cable and between William Pynchon and Thomas Merricke. This was the first jury noted in the court records. Springfield was not settled until 1636. Today's Hampden County of Massachusetts was originally Middlesex County until it was split off in 1662 and named Hampshire County. Hampden County was formed from Hampshire County in 1812. Some databases indicate Margaret was born 1633/1634 in Springfield, but there does not appear to be any documentation for this and is hard to accept considering the founding date of Springfield in 1636. Others indicate England, which appears to me to be more likely. Her next older sibling is Sergeant Samuel Wright Jr. who some indicate was born 30 Oct 1632 in Wrightsbridge, Essex, England. Her younger sibling Lydia is believed to have been born about 1635 in England. No documentation is given to prove or disprove any exact birthplace. Her father was baptized 30 Jun 1606 at South Weald, Essex, England. The father probably went to America under the auspices of his brother Nathaniel and was attracted to Springfield by Mr. Pynchon, both of whom had been assistants in Winthrop's company. He moved to Northampton in 1655, and was among the first settlers of that town, where he "died, Oct. 17, 1665, while sleeping his chair." By his Will he left property to his wife Margaret and to each of his children exept Helped.

      MARRIAGE:
      1. Marriage of Thomas Bancroft and Margaret Wright 8 Dec 1653 in Springfield. Source is John Pynchon, Pynchon Birth Marriage and Death Records, (Families of the Pioneer Valley, Regional Publications, West Springfield, MA, 2000). Springfield, p. 55.

      2. There seems to be some discrepancy among the Wright family in regards to Margaret Wright and her marriage to Thomas Bliss. Mike Wright, in the first quoted email which follows, would have us believe that Thomas Bancroft died before Margaret Wright and that she remarried Thomas Bliss before she died herself in the mid-1680s. On the other hand, Sue Canney in the second email below, provides a rebuttal indicating that Bliss actually married a different Margaret and that Thomas Bancroft's wife Margaret died before Bancroft.
      A. Per email of 12/28/2001 from Mike Wright of Hardmba@aol.com: "I would refer you to the New England Historical and Genealogy Register, Volume IX, p 200, [I checked and this is a bad reference] for some more on Margaret. Margaret did marry first to Thomas Bancroft in Northampton on 8 Dec 1653. He was the son of John and Jane Bancroft who arrived 5 June 1631 in Boston aboard the "James" (See "Planters of the Commonwealth," p. 98 by Charles Edward Banks, (1930) reprinted 1997 by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.) Thomas Bancroft died, apparently shortly after he married Margaret and apparently without issue. Margaret then remarried to Thomas Bliss, date and place unknown, but which is otherwise reported on in some detail in the NEHGR reference I have cited above. To whit it says: "Thomas Bliss moved to Hartford and died there. He married Margaret, dau. of Deacon Samuel Wright: they were among the first settlers there. They had five sons and four daughters. Their eldest son Thomas moved to Saybrook {CT} and after to Norwich, Conn., and is supposed to be ancestor to Maj. Bliss, son-in-law to Gen'l Taylor. ..." And "Margaret, widow of Thomas Bliss, ... followed her son Nathaniel to Springfield {MA} bringing with her, sons Lawrence, Samuel, John and daughters Hannah, Mary, Elizabeth and Sarah. Mary married Joseph Parsons the ancestor of Dr. Usher Parsons of Providence, R.I., ..." Widow Margaret died Aug 28, 1684. We do not know exactly when Margaret was born, but it is certain that it was not in Springfield in 1634 because that place, orginally called Agawam, was not yet settled by Pynchon's group. It most likely was not Watertown or Roxbury either where the Pynchon group were before coming to Agawam. There have never been any New England vital statistics or early records found for the birth of the Deacon's first five children. However, based on the latest research we would guess that she was born sometime between 1630 and 1633, though the full span we calculate for the Deacon's children is from 1627 to 1638 based on his earliest likely marriage date and the first recorded child (James) in 1639 in Springfield. Based on that proposed birth date span, it is much more likely that Margaret was born in England than in New England, and came over as a small child with her parents and four other siblings (Samuel, Hester, Lydia and Mary). We believe that the Deacon's family did not make the trip to New England until sometime between 1634 and 1637 (no ship record has ever been found for them) so it seems most likely she was born in England if you assume she married at age 20 to 23. Turning to the English records, we have, so far, been unable to find any marriage record or birth record for the Deacon and his first five children in England, although we have a very interesting lead to where they might have been recorded. Unfortunately, that particular parish register could not be found in the place where it should have been and we are having to mount a serious search for it in order to determine if it is the long lost proof everyone has been searching for regarding the Deacon's family. That is all I have at the moment on Margaret Wright's marriages, but I am sure that since the NEHGR piece was written, more information on Margaret's descendants may have been developed by those interested in the Bliss, Taylor and Parsons surnames. I believe all the children except Thomas and Lawrence were married in or around Springfield, MA about the turn of the century and those marriages would be recorded there. Thomas may have married in Hartford, Saybrook or Norwich and Lawrence probably married in Hartford, but I do not have the Barbour Collection registers for those towns so am unable to check for you."

      B. This is from researcher Sue Canney. canney@mediaone.net Re: email from Mike Wright about Margaret Wright, Thomas Bancroft and Thomas Bliss.Date sent: Sat, 29 Dec 2001 I believe there are quite a few errors in this message. Please let me know if I am wrong! Thomas Bancroft did marry Margaret Wright, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Wright but according to Springfield Famillies by Thomas B. Warren (these volumes are included in the Families of the Pioneer Valley CD by Regional Publications) Margaret died before Thomas Bancroft and he remarried before 29 August 1670 when he had a daughter Ruth born by his second wife. He died in Enfield, CT 14 Dec. 1684. The Margaret who married Thomas Bliss was Margaret Hulins (Genealogy of the Bliss Family by Aaron Tyler Bliss; Springfield Families by Thomas B.Warren; First Century of the History of Springfield by Henry M. Burt; Hale, House and Related Families by Donald Lines Jacobus et al.) She did move up to Springfield after the death of her husband Thomas Bliss where she died. In addition I could find no information in Vol. IX, p. 20 of NEHGR about Margaret Wright or Thomas Bancroft. Perhaps the wrong volume was indicated. Therefore I don't believe the Margaret Wright who married Thomas Bancroft was the same Margaret who married Thomas Bliss. Aaron Tyler Bliss indicated Thomas Bliss' wife's name was Margaret Hulins.Visit <http://www.RegionalPublications.com> Member of the Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society <http://www.rootsweb.com/~mawmgs/> <http://www.genealogy.bond.tc>.

      SOURCES_MISC:
      1. Mike Wright e-mail is dated Jan. 2, 2002: "My reference linking Margaret to marriages to T. Bancroft and T. Bliss, came from a footnote at the bottom of page 151 of "Genealogical and Biographical Notices of Descendants to Sir John Wright of Kelvedon Hall, Essex, England; In America Thomas Wright of Wethersfield, Conn., Dea. Samuel Wright, of Northampton, Mass., 1610-1670, 1614-1665" by Curtis Wright (1915), reprinted by Higginson Book Co., Salem, MA."

      2. Sources on Wright reported per Mike Wright via email:
      a. Wrights of Northampton, MA; NEHGS "Register," v. 40, p. 281.
      b. "Gen. Dict. of the Early Settlers of New England," James Savage, 1860-62.
      c. Samuel Allen of Windsor, CT; NEHGS "Register," v. 30, p 446.
      d. "Genealogical and Biographical Notices of Descendants of Sir John Wright of Kelvedon Hall, Essex, England in America: Thomas Wright of Wethersfield, Conn; Dea. Samuel Wright, of Northampton, Mass. (1610-11670; 1614-1665) by Curtis Wright, Carthage, MO, 1915.