James Wright did not marry Mary Bowater. Her father was John Bowater which is often confused with an older John Bowater in London who died in 1704. Both men had daughters named Mary and the two men died only a year apart.
The younger John Bowater was born about 1650 in Worcestershire, married Franes Corbott in 1683, and settled in America in 1684. He held Quaker Meetings at his home, had several children and died in 1705. In his will he names his daughter Mary Bowater. His wife, Frances (Corbott) Bowater later names Mary as Mary Ailes in her will. There are also marriage records that show Mary Bowater married Stephen Ailes. Furthermore Stephen Ailes lists two of her nephews as his executors of his will, proving Mary was his wife and not the wife of James Wright.
Also James Wright was a witness at a wedding in November 1707 along with his wife, Mary Wright. Other witnesses included Bowaters, particularly Mary Bowater, with the maiden name of Bowater. So this single document proves that Mrs Mary Wright AND Miss Mary Bowater are two different people and James Wright was married to another Mary, not Mary Bowater.
The whole theory of James Wright marrying Mary Bowater is based on a marriage record of a "Mary Wright" whose marriage was condemned in Dec 1708. First, only this "Mary Wright" is listed, not her husband's name and not her maiden name which could have very well been Wright. Secondly, her supposed marriage to a respected Quaker elder is condemned, why? And thirdly, the late 1708 marriage date is a after the birth of the 1st child in and it is after the document where James and Mary Wright were listed as witnesses to a marriage in 1707. So the theory is based on one record which conflicts with other known facts and does not even have the surname of Bowater listed, just "Mary Wright" which both Mary and the surname of Wright were very common.
The theory also uses circumstantial evidence that because James Wright witnessed many Bowater marriages, then he must be related to them. This assumption is similar of being guilty by association. James Wright a respect Quaker elder and named as one of the founders of the colony of Hopewell Meeting, so naturally he would attend many weddings and other functions. But also more than once he was appointed as keeper of the marriage records. So it was his job to be there. He attended lots of marriages, not just the Bowaters. He recorded and kept the records, then he would journey to the main Quaker Meeting House in Philadelphia and give them a copy. His assigned job led to another theory that he was some kind of a traveling minister.
So far no proof has been found to show who James Wright married beyond her given name of Mary. However multiple records prove Mary Bowater was married to Stephen Ailes.
Personal note: Recently my father Les Ballinger was DNA tested. He is a direct descendant of James and Mary Wright's 1st born child, Mary who married Josiah Ballinger. I have found no matches to descendants of any Bowaters except for descendants of Sarah daughter of Thomas Bowater. She married John Beals. My father has many matches to John Beals siblings, but no matches from his wife, Sarah Bowater relatives which show that the DNA is coming from the Beals side. We have no known Beals in our family tree whatsoever. So it could be that James Wright wife was a Beals relation or possibly Clayton who was John Beals Sr's wife. All of their descendants which many DNA match to my father would carry both bloodlines.∼Research Notes:Stewart Baldwin in "The American Genealogist" July/Oct 1997 issue.
She was a Bowater based on multiple pieces of evidence.Mary Wright's Birthdate is listed in Feb 12 1689 in Hopewell Quaker records.This is off by 1 day from being Mary Bowater Actual Birthdatein English records records 1689 date is interpreted as 1688/1689.As an orphaned young women,Mary Bowater was recieved on certificate from England to live near her brother,Thomas in the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting records dated 28 4th month 1706,this is the only Philadelphia records Mary condemed her marriage as contrary to discipline.
This record coincides with the estimated marriage date for Mary & James Wright.Although the Quaker records were destoryed for the time period of their Marriage,later marriage records of Mary & James Wright's children include many Boater relatives as witnesses and do not include any Davis relative.Mary & James Wright were also listed in the relatives column for her brother,Thomas Bowater's daughter's marriage.Lastly,they have a grandson named Bowater.Stewart Baldwin's case that Mary is a Bowater is actually one of the finest pieces of genealogical analysis.
Her will is as follows:"I,Mary Wright.of Frederick County in the colony of Virginia,being aged and sickly but of a sound and well disposing mind and memory do make this my last will and testament herby revoking and disanulling all other will that have heretofore been made or done by me.First,my will is that my body be decently buried and that all my just debts abd funeral charges that i leave to be defrayed at the discretion of my executors herefter named.Secondly,I give and bequeath and demise to the proper use and behalf of himthe said Thomas Wright his heirs and assigns forever.Thridly,I ive and bequeath all and singular
of my weddin apparel unto my seven daughters,vis.,Mary,Hannah,Martha,Elizabeth,Ann,Sarah,Lidia to be equally divided among them.Fourthly,I give and bequeathto my daughter Sarah Pickering,one brass mortar.Fifthly,i give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Wright
all and singular of my stock and household goods.I also will that what money remains after my decease,from the land sold on Middlefork is to be equally divided among my ten children,vis.James Isaac,Mary Hannah,Martha,Elizabeth,Ann,Sarah,Lydia and John.Lastly,I ordain and constitute my well beloved daughter Mary Ballinger,Jesse Pugh and William Pickering sole executors of this my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal this 5th day of the 8th month.1760.Signed,sealed and acknowledged by the said Mary Wright to be her last will and testament in presence of us.Signed:Mary Wright Witness:Elizabeth Powell,EElinor Rogers,Susanna Bevin
(this was proved March 6 1764 in Frederick County,Va)
Married to James Wright on Feb 2 1707 in East Nottingham MM,Chester County,Pennsylivana
Children from this marriage were:
i.Mary Wright was born on 3 Jun 1708 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County, Maryland and died on 21 Oct 1800 in Back Creek, Frederick County, Virginia at age 92.
ii.Hannah Susannah Wright was born on 24 Jan 1709 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County,Maryland and died in 1760 at age 51.
iii.Thomas Wright was born on 11 Nov 1711 in Chester County, Pennsylvania and died in 1720 in Chester County, Pennsylvania at age 9.
iv.Martha Wright was born on 14 Feb 1713 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County, Maryland and died in 1794 in Martinsburg (West) Virginia at age 81.
Research Notes: Source: The Quakers at "Monoquesey"
Excerpts from "Pioneers of Old Monocacy:
The Early Settlement of Frederick Co.,Maryland 1721-1743
by Grace L. Tracey and John P.Dern,Genealogical Publishing Co., 1987
Martha Wright Mendenhall became an able Quaker leader and died in Martinsubrg,(West)Virginia in 1794 at the age of 82.
Martha married John III Mendenhall, son of John Mendenhall and Susannah Pearson,in 1731.John was born on 14 Apr 1713 in Chester County,Pennsylvania and died in 1771 in Berkeley,Berkeley County,West Virginia at age 58.
v. Elizabeth Wright 2 was born on 23 Nov 1714 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County,Maryland and died in 1790 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 76.
vi. John C. Wright was born on 4 Nov 1716 in East Nottingham MM, Chester County, Pennsylvania and died before 8 Jun 1790 in Bush River MM, Newberry Co.,South Carolina.
vii. James Jr. Wright was born on 8 Nov 1718 in New Garden Mm, Chester County,Pennsylvania and died on an unknown date.
viii. Thomas Wright was born on 14 Jan 1720 in Nottingham MM, Cecil County,Pennsylvania and died on 18 Aug 1765 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 45.
ix. Isacc Wright was born on 25 Mar 1723 in New Garden Mm, Chester County,Pennsylvania and died on 31 May 1777 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 54.
x. Anne Wright was born on 29 Jan 1725 in Nottingham MM, Maryland and died on 27 Apr 1801 in Hopewell Mm,Frederick County,Virginia at age 76.
xi. Sarah Wright was born on 15 Mar 1727 in Apple Pie Ridge,Frederick County,Virginia and died in 1775 at age 48.
Sarah married William Pickering in 1749 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. William was born on 1 Mar 1726 in Frederick County,Virginia and died on 10 Jan 1789 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 62.
F-xii. Lydia Wright was born on 31 Aug 1730 in Apple Pie Ridge,Frederick County,Virginia and died on 24 Jun 1778 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 47.
The younger John Bowater was born about 1650 in Worcestershire, married Franes Corbott in 1683, and settled in America in 1684. He held Quaker Meetings at his home, had several children and died in 1705. In his will he names his daughter Mary Bowater. His wife, Frances (Corbott) Bowater later names Mary as Mary Ailes in her will. There are also marriage records that show Mary Bowater married Stephen Ailes. Furthermore Stephen Ailes lists two of her nephews as his executors of his will, proving Mary was his wife and not the wife of James Wright.
Also James Wright was a witness at a wedding in November 1707 along with his wife, Mary Wright. Other witnesses included Bowaters, particularly Mary Bowater, with the maiden name of Bowater. So this single document proves that Mrs Mary Wright AND Miss Mary Bowater are two different people and James Wright was married to another Mary, not Mary Bowater.
The whole theory of James Wright marrying Mary Bowater is based on a marriage record of a "Mary Wright" whose marriage was condemned in Dec 1708. First, only this "Mary Wright" is listed, not her husband's name and not her maiden name which could have very well been Wright. Secondly, her supposed marriage to a respected Quaker elder is condemned, why? And thirdly, the late 1708 marriage date is a after the birth of the 1st child in and it is after the document where James and Mary Wright were listed as witnesses to a marriage in 1707. So the theory is based on one record which conflicts with other known facts and does not even have the surname of Bowater listed, just "Mary Wright" which both Mary and the surname of Wright were very common.
The theory also uses circumstantial evidence that because James Wright witnessed many Bowater marriages, then he must be related to them. This assumption is similar of being guilty by association. James Wright a respect Quaker elder and named as one of the founders of the colony of Hopewell Meeting, so naturally he would attend many weddings and other functions. But also more than once he was appointed as keeper of the marriage records. So it was his job to be there. He attended lots of marriages, not just the Bowaters. He recorded and kept the records, then he would journey to the main Quaker Meeting House in Philadelphia and give them a copy. His assigned job led to another theory that he was some kind of a traveling minister.
So far no proof has been found to show who James Wright married beyond her given name of Mary. However multiple records prove Mary Bowater was married to Stephen Ailes.
Personal note: Recently my father Les Ballinger was DNA tested. He is a direct descendant of James and Mary Wright's 1st born child, Mary who married Josiah Ballinger. I have found no matches to descendants of any Bowaters except for descendants of Sarah daughter of Thomas Bowater. She married John Beals. My father has many matches to John Beals siblings, but no matches from his wife, Sarah Bowater relatives which show that the DNA is coming from the Beals side. We have no known Beals in our family tree whatsoever. So it could be that James Wright wife was a Beals relation or possibly Clayton who was John Beals Sr's wife. All of their descendants which many DNA match to my father would carry both bloodlines.∼Research Notes:Stewart Baldwin in "The American Genealogist" July/Oct 1997 issue.
She was a Bowater based on multiple pieces of evidence.Mary Wright's Birthdate is listed in Feb 12 1689 in Hopewell Quaker records.This is off by 1 day from being Mary Bowater Actual Birthdatein English records records 1689 date is interpreted as 1688/1689.As an orphaned young women,Mary Bowater was recieved on certificate from England to live near her brother,Thomas in the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting records dated 28 4th month 1706,this is the only Philadelphia records Mary condemed her marriage as contrary to discipline.
This record coincides with the estimated marriage date for Mary & James Wright.Although the Quaker records were destoryed for the time period of their Marriage,later marriage records of Mary & James Wright's children include many Boater relatives as witnesses and do not include any Davis relative.Mary & James Wright were also listed in the relatives column for her brother,Thomas Bowater's daughter's marriage.Lastly,they have a grandson named Bowater.Stewart Baldwin's case that Mary is a Bowater is actually one of the finest pieces of genealogical analysis.
Her will is as follows:"I,Mary Wright.of Frederick County in the colony of Virginia,being aged and sickly but of a sound and well disposing mind and memory do make this my last will and testament herby revoking and disanulling all other will that have heretofore been made or done by me.First,my will is that my body be decently buried and that all my just debts abd funeral charges that i leave to be defrayed at the discretion of my executors herefter named.Secondly,I give and bequeath and demise to the proper use and behalf of himthe said Thomas Wright his heirs and assigns forever.Thridly,I ive and bequeath all and singular
of my weddin apparel unto my seven daughters,vis.,Mary,Hannah,Martha,Elizabeth,Ann,Sarah,Lidia to be equally divided among them.Fourthly,I give and bequeathto my daughter Sarah Pickering,one brass mortar.Fifthly,i give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Wright
all and singular of my stock and household goods.I also will that what money remains after my decease,from the land sold on Middlefork is to be equally divided among my ten children,vis.James Isaac,Mary Hannah,Martha,Elizabeth,Ann,Sarah,Lydia and John.Lastly,I ordain and constitute my well beloved daughter Mary Ballinger,Jesse Pugh and William Pickering sole executors of this my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal this 5th day of the 8th month.1760.Signed,sealed and acknowledged by the said Mary Wright to be her last will and testament in presence of us.Signed:Mary Wright Witness:Elizabeth Powell,EElinor Rogers,Susanna Bevin
(this was proved March 6 1764 in Frederick County,Va)
Married to James Wright on Feb 2 1707 in East Nottingham MM,Chester County,Pennsylivana
Children from this marriage were:
i.Mary Wright was born on 3 Jun 1708 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County, Maryland and died on 21 Oct 1800 in Back Creek, Frederick County, Virginia at age 92.
ii.Hannah Susannah Wright was born on 24 Jan 1709 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County,Maryland and died in 1760 at age 51.
iii.Thomas Wright was born on 11 Nov 1711 in Chester County, Pennsylvania and died in 1720 in Chester County, Pennsylvania at age 9.
iv.Martha Wright was born on 14 Feb 1713 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County, Maryland and died in 1794 in Martinsburg (West) Virginia at age 81.
Research Notes: Source: The Quakers at "Monoquesey"
Excerpts from "Pioneers of Old Monocacy:
The Early Settlement of Frederick Co.,Maryland 1721-1743
by Grace L. Tracey and John P.Dern,Genealogical Publishing Co., 1987
Martha Wright Mendenhall became an able Quaker leader and died in Martinsubrg,(West)Virginia in 1794 at the age of 82.
Martha married John III Mendenhall, son of John Mendenhall and Susannah Pearson,in 1731.John was born on 14 Apr 1713 in Chester County,Pennsylvania and died in 1771 in Berkeley,Berkeley County,West Virginia at age 58.
v. Elizabeth Wright 2 was born on 23 Nov 1714 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County,Maryland and died in 1790 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 76.
vi. John C. Wright was born on 4 Nov 1716 in East Nottingham MM, Chester County, Pennsylvania and died before 8 Jun 1790 in Bush River MM, Newberry Co.,South Carolina.
vii. James Jr. Wright was born on 8 Nov 1718 in New Garden Mm, Chester County,Pennsylvania and died on an unknown date.
viii. Thomas Wright was born on 14 Jan 1720 in Nottingham MM, Cecil County,Pennsylvania and died on 18 Aug 1765 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 45.
ix. Isacc Wright was born on 25 Mar 1723 in New Garden Mm, Chester County,Pennsylvania and died on 31 May 1777 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 54.
x. Anne Wright was born on 29 Jan 1725 in Nottingham MM, Maryland and died on 27 Apr 1801 in Hopewell Mm,Frederick County,Virginia at age 76.
xi. Sarah Wright was born on 15 Mar 1727 in Apple Pie Ridge,Frederick County,Virginia and died in 1775 at age 48.
Sarah married William Pickering in 1749 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. William was born on 1 Mar 1726 in Frederick County,Virginia and died on 10 Jan 1789 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 62.
F-xii. Lydia Wright was born on 31 Aug 1730 in Apple Pie Ridge,Frederick County,Virginia and died on 24 Jun 1778 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 47.
James Wright did not marry Mary Bowater. Her father was John Bowater which is often confused with an older John Bowater in London who died in 1704. Both men had daughters named Mary and the two men died only a year apart.
The younger John Bowater was born about 1650 in Worcestershire, married Franes Corbott in 1683, and settled in America in 1684. He held Quaker Meetings at his home, had several children and died in 1705. In his will he names his daughter Mary Bowater. His wife, Frances (Corbott) Bowater later names Mary as Mary Ailes in her will. There are also marriage records that show Mary Bowater married Stephen Ailes. Furthermore Stephen Ailes lists two of her nephews as his executors of his will, proving Mary was his wife and not the wife of James Wright.
Also James Wright was a witness at a wedding in November 1707 along with his wife, Mary Wright. Other witnesses included Bowaters, particularly Mary Bowater, with the maiden name of Bowater. So this single document proves that Mrs Mary Wright AND Miss Mary Bowater are two different people and James Wright was married to another Mary, not Mary Bowater.
The whole theory of James Wright marrying Mary Bowater is based on a marriage record of a "Mary Wright" whose marriage was condemned in Dec 1708. First, only this "Mary Wright" is listed, not her husband's name and not her maiden name which could have very well been Wright. Secondly, her supposed marriage to a respected Quaker elder is condemned, why? And thirdly, the late 1708 marriage date is a after the birth of the 1st child in and it is after the document where James and Mary Wright were listed as witnesses to a marriage in 1707. So the theory is based on one record which conflicts with other known facts and does not even have the surname of Bowater listed, just "Mary Wright" which both Mary and the surname of Wright were very common.
The theory also uses circumstantial evidence that because James Wright witnessed many Bowater marriages, then he must be related to them. This assumption is similar of being guilty by association. James Wright a respect Quaker elder and named as one of the founders of the colony of Hopewell Meeting, so naturally he would attend many weddings and other functions. But also more than once he was appointed as keeper of the marriage records. So it was his job to be there. He attended lots of marriages, not just the Bowaters. He recorded and kept the records, then he would journey to the main Quaker Meeting House in Philadelphia and give them a copy. His assigned job led to another theory that he was some kind of a traveling minister.
So far no proof has been found to show who James Wright married beyond her given name of Mary. However multiple records prove Mary Bowater was married to Stephen Ailes.
Personal note: Recently my father Les Ballinger was DNA tested. He is a direct descendant of James and Mary Wright's 1st born child, Mary who married Josiah Ballinger. I have found no matches to descendants of any Bowaters except for descendants of Sarah daughter of Thomas Bowater. She married John Beals. My father has many matches to John Beals siblings, but no matches from his wife, Sarah Bowater relatives which show that the DNA is coming from the Beals side. We have no known Beals in our family tree whatsoever. So it could be that James Wright wife was a Beals relation or possibly Clayton who was John Beals Sr's wife. All of their descendants which many DNA match to my father would carry both bloodlines.∼Research Notes:Stewart Baldwin in "The American Genealogist" July/Oct 1997 issue.
She was a Bowater based on multiple pieces of evidence.Mary Wright's Birthdate is listed in Feb 12 1689 in Hopewell Quaker records.This is off by 1 day from being Mary Bowater Actual Birthdatein English records records 1689 date is interpreted as 1688/1689.As an orphaned young women,Mary Bowater was recieved on certificate from England to live near her brother,Thomas in the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting records dated 28 4th month 1706,this is the only Philadelphia records Mary condemed her marriage as contrary to discipline.
This record coincides with the estimated marriage date for Mary & James Wright.Although the Quaker records were destoryed for the time period of their Marriage,later marriage records of Mary & James Wright's children include many Boater relatives as witnesses and do not include any Davis relative.Mary & James Wright were also listed in the relatives column for her brother,Thomas Bowater's daughter's marriage.Lastly,they have a grandson named Bowater.Stewart Baldwin's case that Mary is a Bowater is actually one of the finest pieces of genealogical analysis.
Her will is as follows:"I,Mary Wright.of Frederick County in the colony of Virginia,being aged and sickly but of a sound and well disposing mind and memory do make this my last will and testament herby revoking and disanulling all other will that have heretofore been made or done by me.First,my will is that my body be decently buried and that all my just debts abd funeral charges that i leave to be defrayed at the discretion of my executors herefter named.Secondly,I give and bequeath and demise to the proper use and behalf of himthe said Thomas Wright his heirs and assigns forever.Thridly,I ive and bequeath all and singular
of my weddin apparel unto my seven daughters,vis.,Mary,Hannah,Martha,Elizabeth,Ann,Sarah,Lidia to be equally divided among them.Fourthly,I give and bequeathto my daughter Sarah Pickering,one brass mortar.Fifthly,i give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Wright
all and singular of my stock and household goods.I also will that what money remains after my decease,from the land sold on Middlefork is to be equally divided among my ten children,vis.James Isaac,Mary Hannah,Martha,Elizabeth,Ann,Sarah,Lydia and John.Lastly,I ordain and constitute my well beloved daughter Mary Ballinger,Jesse Pugh and William Pickering sole executors of this my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal this 5th day of the 8th month.1760.Signed,sealed and acknowledged by the said Mary Wright to be her last will and testament in presence of us.Signed:Mary Wright Witness:Elizabeth Powell,EElinor Rogers,Susanna Bevin
(this was proved March 6 1764 in Frederick County,Va)
Married to James Wright on Feb 2 1707 in East Nottingham MM,Chester County,Pennsylivana
Children from this marriage were:
i.Mary Wright was born on 3 Jun 1708 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County, Maryland and died on 21 Oct 1800 in Back Creek, Frederick County, Virginia at age 92.
ii.Hannah Susannah Wright was born on 24 Jan 1709 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County,Maryland and died in 1760 at age 51.
iii.Thomas Wright was born on 11 Nov 1711 in Chester County, Pennsylvania and died in 1720 in Chester County, Pennsylvania at age 9.
iv.Martha Wright was born on 14 Feb 1713 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County, Maryland and died in 1794 in Martinsburg (West) Virginia at age 81.
Research Notes: Source: The Quakers at "Monoquesey"
Excerpts from "Pioneers of Old Monocacy:
The Early Settlement of Frederick Co.,Maryland 1721-1743
by Grace L. Tracey and John P.Dern,Genealogical Publishing Co., 1987
Martha Wright Mendenhall became an able Quaker leader and died in Martinsubrg,(West)Virginia in 1794 at the age of 82.
Martha married John III Mendenhall, son of John Mendenhall and Susannah Pearson,in 1731.John was born on 14 Apr 1713 in Chester County,Pennsylvania and died in 1771 in Berkeley,Berkeley County,West Virginia at age 58.
v. Elizabeth Wright 2 was born on 23 Nov 1714 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County,Maryland and died in 1790 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 76.
vi. John C. Wright was born on 4 Nov 1716 in East Nottingham MM, Chester County, Pennsylvania and died before 8 Jun 1790 in Bush River MM, Newberry Co.,South Carolina.
vii. James Jr. Wright was born on 8 Nov 1718 in New Garden Mm, Chester County,Pennsylvania and died on an unknown date.
viii. Thomas Wright was born on 14 Jan 1720 in Nottingham MM, Cecil County,Pennsylvania and died on 18 Aug 1765 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 45.
ix. Isacc Wright was born on 25 Mar 1723 in New Garden Mm, Chester County,Pennsylvania and died on 31 May 1777 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 54.
x. Anne Wright was born on 29 Jan 1725 in Nottingham MM, Maryland and died on 27 Apr 1801 in Hopewell Mm,Frederick County,Virginia at age 76.
xi. Sarah Wright was born on 15 Mar 1727 in Apple Pie Ridge,Frederick County,Virginia and died in 1775 at age 48.
Sarah married William Pickering in 1749 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. William was born on 1 Mar 1726 in Frederick County,Virginia and died on 10 Jan 1789 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 62.
F-xii. Lydia Wright was born on 31 Aug 1730 in Apple Pie Ridge,Frederick County,Virginia and died on 24 Jun 1778 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 47.
The younger John Bowater was born about 1650 in Worcestershire, married Franes Corbott in 1683, and settled in America in 1684. He held Quaker Meetings at his home, had several children and died in 1705. In his will he names his daughter Mary Bowater. His wife, Frances (Corbott) Bowater later names Mary as Mary Ailes in her will. There are also marriage records that show Mary Bowater married Stephen Ailes. Furthermore Stephen Ailes lists two of her nephews as his executors of his will, proving Mary was his wife and not the wife of James Wright.
Also James Wright was a witness at a wedding in November 1707 along with his wife, Mary Wright. Other witnesses included Bowaters, particularly Mary Bowater, with the maiden name of Bowater. So this single document proves that Mrs Mary Wright AND Miss Mary Bowater are two different people and James Wright was married to another Mary, not Mary Bowater.
The whole theory of James Wright marrying Mary Bowater is based on a marriage record of a "Mary Wright" whose marriage was condemned in Dec 1708. First, only this "Mary Wright" is listed, not her husband's name and not her maiden name which could have very well been Wright. Secondly, her supposed marriage to a respected Quaker elder is condemned, why? And thirdly, the late 1708 marriage date is a after the birth of the 1st child in and it is after the document where James and Mary Wright were listed as witnesses to a marriage in 1707. So the theory is based on one record which conflicts with other known facts and does not even have the surname of Bowater listed, just "Mary Wright" which both Mary and the surname of Wright were very common.
The theory also uses circumstantial evidence that because James Wright witnessed many Bowater marriages, then he must be related to them. This assumption is similar of being guilty by association. James Wright a respect Quaker elder and named as one of the founders of the colony of Hopewell Meeting, so naturally he would attend many weddings and other functions. But also more than once he was appointed as keeper of the marriage records. So it was his job to be there. He attended lots of marriages, not just the Bowaters. He recorded and kept the records, then he would journey to the main Quaker Meeting House in Philadelphia and give them a copy. His assigned job led to another theory that he was some kind of a traveling minister.
So far no proof has been found to show who James Wright married beyond her given name of Mary. However multiple records prove Mary Bowater was married to Stephen Ailes.
Personal note: Recently my father Les Ballinger was DNA tested. He is a direct descendant of James and Mary Wright's 1st born child, Mary who married Josiah Ballinger. I have found no matches to descendants of any Bowaters except for descendants of Sarah daughter of Thomas Bowater. She married John Beals. My father has many matches to John Beals siblings, but no matches from his wife, Sarah Bowater relatives which show that the DNA is coming from the Beals side. We have no known Beals in our family tree whatsoever. So it could be that James Wright wife was a Beals relation or possibly Clayton who was John Beals Sr's wife. All of their descendants which many DNA match to my father would carry both bloodlines.∼Research Notes:Stewart Baldwin in "The American Genealogist" July/Oct 1997 issue.
She was a Bowater based on multiple pieces of evidence.Mary Wright's Birthdate is listed in Feb 12 1689 in Hopewell Quaker records.This is off by 1 day from being Mary Bowater Actual Birthdatein English records records 1689 date is interpreted as 1688/1689.As an orphaned young women,Mary Bowater was recieved on certificate from England to live near her brother,Thomas in the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting records dated 28 4th month 1706,this is the only Philadelphia records Mary condemed her marriage as contrary to discipline.
This record coincides with the estimated marriage date for Mary & James Wright.Although the Quaker records were destoryed for the time period of their Marriage,later marriage records of Mary & James Wright's children include many Boater relatives as witnesses and do not include any Davis relative.Mary & James Wright were also listed in the relatives column for her brother,Thomas Bowater's daughter's marriage.Lastly,they have a grandson named Bowater.Stewart Baldwin's case that Mary is a Bowater is actually one of the finest pieces of genealogical analysis.
Her will is as follows:"I,Mary Wright.of Frederick County in the colony of Virginia,being aged and sickly but of a sound and well disposing mind and memory do make this my last will and testament herby revoking and disanulling all other will that have heretofore been made or done by me.First,my will is that my body be decently buried and that all my just debts abd funeral charges that i leave to be defrayed at the discretion of my executors herefter named.Secondly,I give and bequeath and demise to the proper use and behalf of himthe said Thomas Wright his heirs and assigns forever.Thridly,I ive and bequeath all and singular
of my weddin apparel unto my seven daughters,vis.,Mary,Hannah,Martha,Elizabeth,Ann,Sarah,Lidia to be equally divided among them.Fourthly,I give and bequeathto my daughter Sarah Pickering,one brass mortar.Fifthly,i give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Wright
all and singular of my stock and household goods.I also will that what money remains after my decease,from the land sold on Middlefork is to be equally divided among my ten children,vis.James Isaac,Mary Hannah,Martha,Elizabeth,Ann,Sarah,Lydia and John.Lastly,I ordain and constitute my well beloved daughter Mary Ballinger,Jesse Pugh and William Pickering sole executors of this my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal this 5th day of the 8th month.1760.Signed,sealed and acknowledged by the said Mary Wright to be her last will and testament in presence of us.Signed:Mary Wright Witness:Elizabeth Powell,EElinor Rogers,Susanna Bevin
(this was proved March 6 1764 in Frederick County,Va)
Married to James Wright on Feb 2 1707 in East Nottingham MM,Chester County,Pennsylivana
Children from this marriage were:
i.Mary Wright was born on 3 Jun 1708 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County, Maryland and died on 21 Oct 1800 in Back Creek, Frederick County, Virginia at age 92.
ii.Hannah Susannah Wright was born on 24 Jan 1709 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County,Maryland and died in 1760 at age 51.
iii.Thomas Wright was born on 11 Nov 1711 in Chester County, Pennsylvania and died in 1720 in Chester County, Pennsylvania at age 9.
iv.Martha Wright was born on 14 Feb 1713 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County, Maryland and died in 1794 in Martinsburg (West) Virginia at age 81.
Research Notes: Source: The Quakers at "Monoquesey"
Excerpts from "Pioneers of Old Monocacy:
The Early Settlement of Frederick Co.,Maryland 1721-1743
by Grace L. Tracey and John P.Dern,Genealogical Publishing Co., 1987
Martha Wright Mendenhall became an able Quaker leader and died in Martinsubrg,(West)Virginia in 1794 at the age of 82.
Martha married John III Mendenhall, son of John Mendenhall and Susannah Pearson,in 1731.John was born on 14 Apr 1713 in Chester County,Pennsylvania and died in 1771 in Berkeley,Berkeley County,West Virginia at age 58.
v. Elizabeth Wright 2 was born on 23 Nov 1714 in East Nottingham MM, Cecil County,Maryland and died in 1790 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 76.
vi. John C. Wright was born on 4 Nov 1716 in East Nottingham MM, Chester County, Pennsylvania and died before 8 Jun 1790 in Bush River MM, Newberry Co.,South Carolina.
vii. James Jr. Wright was born on 8 Nov 1718 in New Garden Mm, Chester County,Pennsylvania and died on an unknown date.
viii. Thomas Wright was born on 14 Jan 1720 in Nottingham MM, Cecil County,Pennsylvania and died on 18 Aug 1765 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 45.
ix. Isacc Wright was born on 25 Mar 1723 in New Garden Mm, Chester County,Pennsylvania and died on 31 May 1777 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 54.
x. Anne Wright was born on 29 Jan 1725 in Nottingham MM, Maryland and died on 27 Apr 1801 in Hopewell Mm,Frederick County,Virginia at age 76.
xi. Sarah Wright was born on 15 Mar 1727 in Apple Pie Ridge,Frederick County,Virginia and died in 1775 at age 48.
Sarah married William Pickering in 1749 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. William was born on 1 Mar 1726 in Frederick County,Virginia and died on 10 Jan 1789 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 62.
F-xii. Lydia Wright was born on 31 Aug 1730 in Apple Pie Ridge,Frederick County,Virginia and died on 24 Jun 1778 in Frederick County,Virginia at age 47.
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