In Memoriam Of Pastor
Rev. Henry Dawson Wright
First Pastor Of:
Ryan Chapel Methodist Church South
Appointed 1866 - Pastor Until Death October 27, 1877
Note: Copy of Land Affidavit to right states H. D. Wright was occupying homestead on October 27, 1877, sworn by sons C. C. (Christopher Columbus) Wright and J. W. (John Wesley) Wright, and W. M. Selman. The affidavit later states that was the date he departed this life.
This Wright family history is a brief paraphrased outline from online "Genealogy of Barbara S. Byley and Leo Wright", who researched many years and documented their early Wright family generations from the 1700s in Virginia Colony to their settling in Texas a century later. Excellent reading in depth for anyone researching the Wrights.
The Wright family saga begins in 1762 in Virginia Colony when James Wright was born to Robert and Margaret Wright. By 1795 he was living in Georgia where he owned a bookstore, and he married Frances Dawson. Their first born was Robert Dawson Wright on June 12,1796; (Robert Dawson Wright was the father of Rev. Henry Dawson Wright) Nancy C. Wright was born Nov 11, 1798; Henry Denson Wright arrived on May 3, 1800. By 1802 they had moved to MS. His beloved wife Frances became ill and died on Oct 5, 1802, and James was left with their three young children. In 1803 James Wright married Mary Scoggins Carroll, widow of John Carroll of Natchez, MS. Mary had four children from her marriage to John Carroll. They moved to Catahoula Parish, LA, sometime in 1803, where James Wright built them a solid log house, and he was co-owner of a sawmill with Jonas Scoggins his father-in-law. He and Mary became the parents of seven children from 1805 - 1815. James was a blacksmith machinist, and he worked his sawmill over the next several years.
James sold his home sometime during the 1820s and moved his family to Ouachita Parish, LA, where he worked a small farm for a few years that he named "Pinehill". In 1836 he journeyed to MS to see his grown son Henry Denson Wright who was very ill. Henry died Dec 20, 1836 in Yazoo Co., MS. James and Mary Wright remained in what is Yazoo Co, MS after Henry's death; James Wright died Feb 1, 1838 in Satartia, Yazoo Co., MS, burial place unknown.
Robert Dawson Wright was a son of James Wright and Frances (Dawson) Wright, b Jun 12, 1796 in Savanna, GA - d Sep 19, 1861 in Sumpter, Trinity Co, TX. He married Eleanor Dickerson May 21, 1820 in Monroe, LA. She was was b Oct 26, 1800 in GA - d Aug 30, 1866, Trinty Co, TX; both buried in Sumpter Cemetery, Trinity Co. TX.
1815: Pvt Robert Dawson Wright 18 years of age: Served in Captain Sackett's Company under General Andrew Jackson in Battle of New Orleans against the British on January 9, 1815.
1827: Captain Robert Dawson Wright, 3rd Company, 19th Regiment, Louisiana State Militia.
1833: Robert Wright was Appointed Lt. Col. 6th Brigade, 19th Regiment, Louisiana Militia by Governor of Louisiana after election by Officers.
1840 Census: Robert Dawson Wright & family lived in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.
1849: Robert D. Wright listed as one of the Trustees of deed on lots to build Methodist Episcopal Church South, Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
1850: Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana. Name is on cornerstone of Many Methodist Church. Census listed Robert and Eleanor Wright in Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
1852: Robert Dawson Wright was the Blacksmith On The Square, Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas.
1855: Applied for Bounty land in Trinity County, Texas.
1859: Purchased lot in Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas.
James Paymer Wright was a young farmer who was living with his parents and siblings in Sabine Parish, Louisiana in 1846.
James Paymer Wright and his brother Rev. Henry Dawson Wright, who was a young Methodist-Episcopal preacher, met two young sisters, Louisiana Jacks and Martha Ann Jacks. James Wright and Louisiana Jacks fell in love. They married on June 11, 1846 in Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana. The following year Henry Dawson Wright and Martha "Marthie" Ann Jacks, a daughter of Nicholas Marion Jacks (b May 5, 1784 Jacks Creek, Jackson, Tennessee - d January 5, 1854 Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas - buried Smith Cemetery) and Amelia Grubb (b abt 1795 Louisiana - d October 20, 1854 Sabine Parish, Louisiana) were married on September 22, 1847, Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
1850 Census: Henry D. Wright age 21 & "Marthie" Wright age 20, and Robert 2 year old son resided in Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
Lt. Col. Robert Dawson Wright died September 18, 1861, Sumpter Trinity County, Texas and his beloved wife Eleanor Dickerson died August 30, 1866, Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas. They were both buried in Sumpter Cemetery, Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas.
Their second born child and eldest son James Paymer Wright (1822 - 1868) was buried beside them in same cemetery. He has no headstone.
In Pennington Cemetery, Trinity County, Texas rests their youngest daughter, Lydia Ann (Wright) [Henderson] Reynolds (1841 - 1907). Lydia who lived in Trinity County for several years, was a Civil War widow of Pvt. Thomas W. Henderson Company M 1st Tex Volunteers Infantry Regiment, CSA, (Trinity County, Texas soldiers) with Hood's Brigade, fighting during the 9 month siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Pvt. Thomas Henderson died from illness September 8, 1862, in Camp Lee Hospital, Richmond, Virginia. Buried Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, City of Richmond, Virginia in Civil War Soldiers Section. No headstone, only a number adorns his grave, like many of the Civil War dead. Their infant son born spring of 1862 was named Thomas W. Henderson to honor his father. A few years later Lydia Wright Henderson married John Reynolds and they became the parents of one child in 1872, a son they named James Reynolds. John Reynolds died only a few years after their marriage and is thought to be buried in Pennington Cemetery, Trinity County, Texas, with no headstone as many pioneers there.
About the time his parents moved to Trinity County, Texas, 1852, Rev. Henry Dawson Wright & Martha Ann (Jacks) Wright were living near Kirbyville, Newton County, Texas, with Henry farming and preaching wherever he could, when their son Christopher Columbus Wright was born.
Five of Robert Dawson Wright's six sons became Ministers and they farmed. The five Ministers sons were: Rev. Henry Dawson Wright, Rev. Robert Dickerson Wright
, Rev. Isaac Edward (Alexander Tally) Wright
, Rev. John Wesley Wright
, and Rev. Christopher Columbus Wright
. His sixth son, James Paymer Wright
who had married Louisiana Jacks was farming in Trinity County, Texas.
Ryan Chapel came to be established after a revival meeting was held in the new home of Rev. Isaac Ryan. They appointed a committee to decide on where to locate a church and to build it. The church building was a 16x20 feet log house with a chimney for heat, and was built on a lovely pine hill that overlooks Pine Valley, about two miles from Burke.
Rev. Henry Dawson Wright was appointed by the East Texas Conference to be the the first Pastor of Ryan Chapel Methodist-Episcopal Church South in Burke, Texas in 1866. The congregation began with 19 charter members and grew to about 250 members quickly from the church records. Four other Methodist churches grew out of Ryan Chapel's members later. The historical sign on the church states that Rev. Henry Wright was paid in bacon, corn and syrup.
About 1868 the cemetery was begun with its first burial. Ryan Chapel Cemetery is the final resting place for many early settlers of the area and Angelina County. Rev. Henry Dawson Wright's beloved wife Martha "Marthie" Ann (Jacks) Wright" died in 1870. His brother Rev. Isaac Edward Wright (in some records listed as Isaac Edward Alexander Tally Wright) was buried a few yards over from Martha when he died January 20, 1873. Directly below Isaac's grave rests his 12 year old young son Robert Henry Wright who died October 15, 1873, only nine months after his father.
*Rev. Marion Duneyan, Minister of the Gospel, officiated at the wedding of widower Rev. Henry Dawson Wright and Nancy Ella (Stone) Murphy (b. abt 1845 MS) in Homer, Angelina County, Texas, October 21, 1872.
Rev. Henry and Nancy Wright had two children:
Henry Stevenson Wright: b Dec 22, 1876 Angelina Co., TX - d Nov 9, 1953 Lufkin, Angelina Co, TX. Married Susan Caroline "Callie" Trevathan, daughter to Bunyon Trevathan and Phoebe Weeks. Susan Caroline Trevathan: b Aug 19, 1886 Angelina Co., TX - d Jan 10, 1962 Lufkin, Angelina Co, TX. Both Old Union Cemetery, Hudson, Angelina Co, TX.
Henry Stevenson Wright and Susan "Callie" Wright had a son, Eldon M. Wright: b Aug 24, 1920 Cherokee Co., TX - d Sep 25, 1983 Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches Co, TX. Marr Ida Maude (maiden name unknown). Ida Maud: b 1924 - d 1962. Both (Sims) Rocky Hill Cemetery, Lufkin, Angelina Co, TX.
Malissa Wright: b 1874 TX - d abt. or bef. 1900 TX. Burial unknown.
Nancy also had a daughter by her first marriage, Mary M. Murphy (b. 1868). She married W. A. Bird.
Rev. Henry Dawson Wright died October 27, 1877. He was laid to rest between Martha Ann Jacks, his 1st wife, and his brother Rev. Issac Wright. Henry Dawson Wright's son, Rev. John Wesley Wright, (named after Henry's brother Rev. John Wesley Wright), and Isaac's wife Martha Ellen Henderson were buried at Ryan Chapel Cemetery, as are several of the Wright family generations through the years.
**Nancy Wright remarried Mar 6, 1887, Angelina County to Wesley M. Selman and had one son, Coony L. Selman. W. M. Selman was a witness on the Land Affidavit pictured above. Burials unknown.
Special thanks to Debbie Hambrick [#47081014] for the information on Henry Wright's second marriage to Nancy Ellen (Stone) Murphy and their children.
Note: Please view Martha Ann (Jacks) Wright Memorial #61851491, linked below, Ryan Chapel Cemetery, for list of their children.
Rev. Henry Dawson Wright
First Pastor Of:
Ryan Chapel Methodist Church South
Appointed 1866 - Pastor Until Death October 27, 1877
Note: Copy of Land Affidavit to right states H. D. Wright was occupying homestead on October 27, 1877, sworn by sons C. C. (Christopher Columbus) Wright and J. W. (John Wesley) Wright, and W. M. Selman. The affidavit later states that was the date he departed this life.
This Wright family history is a brief paraphrased outline from online "Genealogy of Barbara S. Byley and Leo Wright", who researched many years and documented their early Wright family generations from the 1700s in Virginia Colony to their settling in Texas a century later. Excellent reading in depth for anyone researching the Wrights.
The Wright family saga begins in 1762 in Virginia Colony when James Wright was born to Robert and Margaret Wright. By 1795 he was living in Georgia where he owned a bookstore, and he married Frances Dawson. Their first born was Robert Dawson Wright on June 12,1796; (Robert Dawson Wright was the father of Rev. Henry Dawson Wright) Nancy C. Wright was born Nov 11, 1798; Henry Denson Wright arrived on May 3, 1800. By 1802 they had moved to MS. His beloved wife Frances became ill and died on Oct 5, 1802, and James was left with their three young children. In 1803 James Wright married Mary Scoggins Carroll, widow of John Carroll of Natchez, MS. Mary had four children from her marriage to John Carroll. They moved to Catahoula Parish, LA, sometime in 1803, where James Wright built them a solid log house, and he was co-owner of a sawmill with Jonas Scoggins his father-in-law. He and Mary became the parents of seven children from 1805 - 1815. James was a blacksmith machinist, and he worked his sawmill over the next several years.
James sold his home sometime during the 1820s and moved his family to Ouachita Parish, LA, where he worked a small farm for a few years that he named "Pinehill". In 1836 he journeyed to MS to see his grown son Henry Denson Wright who was very ill. Henry died Dec 20, 1836 in Yazoo Co., MS. James and Mary Wright remained in what is Yazoo Co, MS after Henry's death; James Wright died Feb 1, 1838 in Satartia, Yazoo Co., MS, burial place unknown.
Robert Dawson Wright was a son of James Wright and Frances (Dawson) Wright, b Jun 12, 1796 in Savanna, GA - d Sep 19, 1861 in Sumpter, Trinity Co, TX. He married Eleanor Dickerson May 21, 1820 in Monroe, LA. She was was b Oct 26, 1800 in GA - d Aug 30, 1866, Trinty Co, TX; both buried in Sumpter Cemetery, Trinity Co. TX.
1815: Pvt Robert Dawson Wright 18 years of age: Served in Captain Sackett's Company under General Andrew Jackson in Battle of New Orleans against the British on January 9, 1815.
1827: Captain Robert Dawson Wright, 3rd Company, 19th Regiment, Louisiana State Militia.
1833: Robert Wright was Appointed Lt. Col. 6th Brigade, 19th Regiment, Louisiana Militia by Governor of Louisiana after election by Officers.
1840 Census: Robert Dawson Wright & family lived in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.
1849: Robert D. Wright listed as one of the Trustees of deed on lots to build Methodist Episcopal Church South, Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
1850: Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana. Name is on cornerstone of Many Methodist Church. Census listed Robert and Eleanor Wright in Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
1852: Robert Dawson Wright was the Blacksmith On The Square, Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas.
1855: Applied for Bounty land in Trinity County, Texas.
1859: Purchased lot in Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas.
James Paymer Wright was a young farmer who was living with his parents and siblings in Sabine Parish, Louisiana in 1846.
James Paymer Wright and his brother Rev. Henry Dawson Wright, who was a young Methodist-Episcopal preacher, met two young sisters, Louisiana Jacks and Martha Ann Jacks. James Wright and Louisiana Jacks fell in love. They married on June 11, 1846 in Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana. The following year Henry Dawson Wright and Martha "Marthie" Ann Jacks, a daughter of Nicholas Marion Jacks (b May 5, 1784 Jacks Creek, Jackson, Tennessee - d January 5, 1854 Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas - buried Smith Cemetery) and Amelia Grubb (b abt 1795 Louisiana - d October 20, 1854 Sabine Parish, Louisiana) were married on September 22, 1847, Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
1850 Census: Henry D. Wright age 21 & "Marthie" Wright age 20, and Robert 2 year old son resided in Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
Lt. Col. Robert Dawson Wright died September 18, 1861, Sumpter Trinity County, Texas and his beloved wife Eleanor Dickerson died August 30, 1866, Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas. They were both buried in Sumpter Cemetery, Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas.
Their second born child and eldest son James Paymer Wright (1822 - 1868) was buried beside them in same cemetery. He has no headstone.
In Pennington Cemetery, Trinity County, Texas rests their youngest daughter, Lydia Ann (Wright) [Henderson] Reynolds (1841 - 1907). Lydia who lived in Trinity County for several years, was a Civil War widow of Pvt. Thomas W. Henderson Company M 1st Tex Volunteers Infantry Regiment, CSA, (Trinity County, Texas soldiers) with Hood's Brigade, fighting during the 9 month siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Pvt. Thomas Henderson died from illness September 8, 1862, in Camp Lee Hospital, Richmond, Virginia. Buried Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, City of Richmond, Virginia in Civil War Soldiers Section. No headstone, only a number adorns his grave, like many of the Civil War dead. Their infant son born spring of 1862 was named Thomas W. Henderson to honor his father. A few years later Lydia Wright Henderson married John Reynolds and they became the parents of one child in 1872, a son they named James Reynolds. John Reynolds died only a few years after their marriage and is thought to be buried in Pennington Cemetery, Trinity County, Texas, with no headstone as many pioneers there.
About the time his parents moved to Trinity County, Texas, 1852, Rev. Henry Dawson Wright & Martha Ann (Jacks) Wright were living near Kirbyville, Newton County, Texas, with Henry farming and preaching wherever he could, when their son Christopher Columbus Wright was born.
Five of Robert Dawson Wright's six sons became Ministers and they farmed. The five Ministers sons were: Rev. Henry Dawson Wright, Rev. Robert Dickerson Wright
, Rev. Isaac Edward (Alexander Tally) Wright
, Rev. John Wesley Wright
, and Rev. Christopher Columbus Wright
. His sixth son, James Paymer Wright
who had married Louisiana Jacks was farming in Trinity County, Texas.
Ryan Chapel came to be established after a revival meeting was held in the new home of Rev. Isaac Ryan. They appointed a committee to decide on where to locate a church and to build it. The church building was a 16x20 feet log house with a chimney for heat, and was built on a lovely pine hill that overlooks Pine Valley, about two miles from Burke.
Rev. Henry Dawson Wright was appointed by the East Texas Conference to be the the first Pastor of Ryan Chapel Methodist-Episcopal Church South in Burke, Texas in 1866. The congregation began with 19 charter members and grew to about 250 members quickly from the church records. Four other Methodist churches grew out of Ryan Chapel's members later. The historical sign on the church states that Rev. Henry Wright was paid in bacon, corn and syrup.
About 1868 the cemetery was begun with its first burial. Ryan Chapel Cemetery is the final resting place for many early settlers of the area and Angelina County. Rev. Henry Dawson Wright's beloved wife Martha "Marthie" Ann (Jacks) Wright" died in 1870. His brother Rev. Isaac Edward Wright (in some records listed as Isaac Edward Alexander Tally Wright) was buried a few yards over from Martha when he died January 20, 1873. Directly below Isaac's grave rests his 12 year old young son Robert Henry Wright who died October 15, 1873, only nine months after his father.
*Rev. Marion Duneyan, Minister of the Gospel, officiated at the wedding of widower Rev. Henry Dawson Wright and Nancy Ella (Stone) Murphy (b. abt 1845 MS) in Homer, Angelina County, Texas, October 21, 1872.
Rev. Henry and Nancy Wright had two children:
Henry Stevenson Wright: b Dec 22, 1876 Angelina Co., TX - d Nov 9, 1953 Lufkin, Angelina Co, TX. Married Susan Caroline "Callie" Trevathan, daughter to Bunyon Trevathan and Phoebe Weeks. Susan Caroline Trevathan: b Aug 19, 1886 Angelina Co., TX - d Jan 10, 1962 Lufkin, Angelina Co, TX. Both Old Union Cemetery, Hudson, Angelina Co, TX.
Henry Stevenson Wright and Susan "Callie" Wright had a son, Eldon M. Wright: b Aug 24, 1920 Cherokee Co., TX - d Sep 25, 1983 Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches Co, TX. Marr Ida Maude (maiden name unknown). Ida Maud: b 1924 - d 1962. Both (Sims) Rocky Hill Cemetery, Lufkin, Angelina Co, TX.
Malissa Wright: b 1874 TX - d abt. or bef. 1900 TX. Burial unknown.
Nancy also had a daughter by her first marriage, Mary M. Murphy (b. 1868). She married W. A. Bird.
Rev. Henry Dawson Wright died October 27, 1877. He was laid to rest between Martha Ann Jacks, his 1st wife, and his brother Rev. Issac Wright. Henry Dawson Wright's son, Rev. John Wesley Wright, (named after Henry's brother Rev. John Wesley Wright), and Isaac's wife Martha Ellen Henderson were buried at Ryan Chapel Cemetery, as are several of the Wright family generations through the years.
**Nancy Wright remarried Mar 6, 1887, Angelina County to Wesley M. Selman and had one son, Coony L. Selman. W. M. Selman was a witness on the Land Affidavit pictured above. Burials unknown.
Special thanks to Debbie Hambrick [#47081014] for the information on Henry Wright's second marriage to Nancy Ellen (Stone) Murphy and their children.
Note: Please view Martha Ann (Jacks) Wright Memorial #61851491, linked below, Ryan Chapel Cemetery, for list of their children.
In Memoriam Of Pastor
Rev. Henry Dawson Wright
First Pastor Of:
Ryan Chapel Methodist Church South
Appointed 1866 - Pastor Until Death October 27, 1877
Note: Copy of Land Affidavit to right states H. D. Wright was occupying homestead on October 27, 1877, sworn by sons C. C. (Christopher Columbus) Wright and J. W. (John Wesley) Wright, and W. M. Selman. The affidavit later states that was the date he departed this life.
This Wright family history is a brief paraphrased outline from online "Genealogy of Barbara S. Byley and Leo Wright", who researched many years and documented their early Wright family generations from the 1700s in Virginia Colony to their settling in Texas a century later. Excellent reading in depth for anyone researching the Wrights.
The Wright family saga begins in 1762 in Virginia Colony when James Wright was born to Robert and Margaret Wright. By 1795 he was living in Georgia where he owned a bookstore, and he married Frances Dawson. Their first born was Robert Dawson Wright on June 12,1796; (Robert Dawson Wright was the father of Rev. Henry Dawson Wright) Nancy C. Wright was born Nov 11, 1798; Henry Denson Wright arrived on May 3, 1800. By 1802 they had moved to MS. His beloved wife Frances became ill and died on Oct 5, 1802, and James was left with their three young children. In 1803 James Wright married Mary Scoggins Carroll, widow of John Carroll of Natchez, MS. Mary had four children from her marriage to John Carroll. They moved to Catahoula Parish, LA, sometime in 1803, where James Wright built them a solid log house, and he was co-owner of a sawmill with Jonas Scoggins his father-in-law. He and Mary became the parents of seven children from 1805 - 1815. James was a blacksmith machinist, and he worked his sawmill over the next several years.
James sold his home sometime during the 1820s and moved his family to Ouachita Parish, LA, where he worked a small farm for a few years that he named "Pinehill". In 1836 he journeyed to MS to see his grown son Henry Denson Wright who was very ill. Henry died Dec 20, 1836 in Yazoo Co., MS. James and Mary Wright remained in what is Yazoo Co, MS after Henry's death; James Wright died Feb 1, 1838 in Satartia, Yazoo Co., MS, burial place unknown.
Robert Dawson Wright was a son of James Wright and Frances (Dawson) Wright, b Jun 12, 1796 in Savanna, GA - d Sep 19, 1861 in Sumpter, Trinity Co, TX. He married Eleanor Dickerson May 21, 1820 in Monroe, LA. She was was b Oct 26, 1800 in GA - d Aug 30, 1866, Trinty Co, TX; both buried in Sumpter Cemetery, Trinity Co. TX.
1815: Pvt Robert Dawson Wright 18 years of age: Served in Captain Sackett's Company under General Andrew Jackson in Battle of New Orleans against the British on January 9, 1815.
1827: Captain Robert Dawson Wright, 3rd Company, 19th Regiment, Louisiana State Militia.
1833: Robert Wright was Appointed Lt. Col. 6th Brigade, 19th Regiment, Louisiana Militia by Governor of Louisiana after election by Officers.
1840 Census: Robert Dawson Wright & family lived in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.
1849: Robert D. Wright listed as one of the Trustees of deed on lots to build Methodist Episcopal Church South, Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
1850: Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana. Name is on cornerstone of Many Methodist Church. Census listed Robert and Eleanor Wright in Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
1852: Robert Dawson Wright was the Blacksmith On The Square, Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas.
1855: Applied for Bounty land in Trinity County, Texas.
1859: Purchased lot in Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas.
James Paymer Wright was a young farmer who was living with his parents and siblings in Sabine Parish, Louisiana in 1846.
James Paymer Wright and his brother Rev. Henry Dawson Wright, who was a young Methodist-Episcopal preacher, met two young sisters, Louisiana Jacks and Martha Ann Jacks. James Wright and Louisiana Jacks fell in love. They married on June 11, 1846 in Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana. The following year Henry Dawson Wright and Martha "Marthie" Ann Jacks, a daughter of Nicholas Marion Jacks (b May 5, 1784 Jacks Creek, Jackson, Tennessee - d January 5, 1854 Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas - buried Smith Cemetery) and Amelia Grubb (b abt 1795 Louisiana - d October 20, 1854 Sabine Parish, Louisiana) were married on September 22, 1847, Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
1850 Census: Henry D. Wright age 21 & "Marthie" Wright age 20, and Robert 2 year old son resided in Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
Lt. Col. Robert Dawson Wright died September 18, 1861, Sumpter Trinity County, Texas and his beloved wife Eleanor Dickerson died August 30, 1866, Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas. They were both buried in Sumpter Cemetery, Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas.
Their second born child and eldest son James Paymer Wright (1822 - 1868) was buried beside them in same cemetery. He has no headstone.
In Pennington Cemetery, Trinity County, Texas rests their youngest daughter, Lydia Ann (Wright) [Henderson] Reynolds (1841 - 1907). Lydia who lived in Trinity County for several years, was a Civil War widow of Pvt. Thomas W. Henderson Company M 1st Tex Volunteers Infantry Regiment, CSA, (Trinity County, Texas soldiers) with Hood's Brigade, fighting during the 9 month siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Pvt. Thomas Henderson died from illness September 8, 1862, in Camp Lee Hospital, Richmond, Virginia. Buried Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, City of Richmond, Virginia in Civil War Soldiers Section. No headstone, only a number adorns his grave, like many of the Civil War dead. Their infant son born spring of 1862 was named Thomas W. Henderson to honor his father. A few years later Lydia Wright Henderson married John Reynolds and they became the parents of one child in 1872, a son they named James Reynolds. John Reynolds died only a few years after their marriage and is thought to be buried in Pennington Cemetery, Trinity County, Texas, with no headstone as many pioneers there.
About the time his parents moved to Trinity County, Texas, 1852, Rev. Henry Dawson Wright & Martha Ann (Jacks) Wright were living near Kirbyville, Newton County, Texas, with Henry farming and preaching wherever he could, when their son Christopher Columbus Wright was born.
Five of Robert Dawson Wright's six sons became Ministers and they farmed. The five Ministers sons were: Rev. Henry Dawson Wright, Rev. Robert Dickerson Wright
, Rev. Isaac Edward (Alexander Tally) Wright
, Rev. John Wesley Wright
, and Rev. Christopher Columbus Wright
. His sixth son, James Paymer Wright
who had married Louisiana Jacks was farming in Trinity County, Texas.
Ryan Chapel came to be established after a revival meeting was held in the new home of Rev. Isaac Ryan. They appointed a committee to decide on where to locate a church and to build it. The church building was a 16x20 feet log house with a chimney for heat, and was built on a lovely pine hill that overlooks Pine Valley, about two miles from Burke.
Rev. Henry Dawson Wright was appointed by the East Texas Conference to be the the first Pastor of Ryan Chapel Methodist-Episcopal Church South in Burke, Texas in 1866. The congregation began with 19 charter members and grew to about 250 members quickly from the church records. Four other Methodist churches grew out of Ryan Chapel's members later. The historical sign on the church states that Rev. Henry Wright was paid in bacon, corn and syrup.
About 1868 the cemetery was begun with its first burial. Ryan Chapel Cemetery is the final resting place for many early settlers of the area and Angelina County. Rev. Henry Dawson Wright's beloved wife Martha "Marthie" Ann (Jacks) Wright" died in 1870. His brother Rev. Isaac Edward Wright (in some records listed as Isaac Edward Alexander Tally Wright) was buried a few yards over from Martha when he died January 20, 1873. Directly below Isaac's grave rests his 12 year old young son Robert Henry Wright who died October 15, 1873, only nine months after his father.
*Rev. Marion Duneyan, Minister of the Gospel, officiated at the wedding of widower Rev. Henry Dawson Wright and Nancy Ella (Stone) Murphy (b. abt 1845 MS) in Homer, Angelina County, Texas, October 21, 1872.
Rev. Henry and Nancy Wright had two children:
Henry Stevenson Wright: b Dec 22, 1876 Angelina Co., TX - d Nov 9, 1953 Lufkin, Angelina Co, TX. Married Susan Caroline "Callie" Trevathan, daughter to Bunyon Trevathan and Phoebe Weeks. Susan Caroline Trevathan: b Aug 19, 1886 Angelina Co., TX - d Jan 10, 1962 Lufkin, Angelina Co, TX. Both Old Union Cemetery, Hudson, Angelina Co, TX.
Henry Stevenson Wright and Susan "Callie" Wright had a son, Eldon M. Wright: b Aug 24, 1920 Cherokee Co., TX - d Sep 25, 1983 Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches Co, TX. Marr Ida Maude (maiden name unknown). Ida Maud: b 1924 - d 1962. Both (Sims) Rocky Hill Cemetery, Lufkin, Angelina Co, TX.
Malissa Wright: b 1874 TX - d abt. or bef. 1900 TX. Burial unknown.
Nancy also had a daughter by her first marriage, Mary M. Murphy (b. 1868). She married W. A. Bird.
Rev. Henry Dawson Wright died October 27, 1877. He was laid to rest between Martha Ann Jacks, his 1st wife, and his brother Rev. Issac Wright. Henry Dawson Wright's son, Rev. John Wesley Wright, (named after Henry's brother Rev. John Wesley Wright), and Isaac's wife Martha Ellen Henderson were buried at Ryan Chapel Cemetery, as are several of the Wright family generations through the years.
**Nancy Wright remarried Mar 6, 1887, Angelina County to Wesley M. Selman and had one son, Coony L. Selman. W. M. Selman was a witness on the Land Affidavit pictured above. Burials unknown.
Special thanks to Debbie Hambrick [#47081014] for the information on Henry Wright's second marriage to Nancy Ellen (Stone) Murphy and their children.
Note: Please view Martha Ann (Jacks) Wright Memorial #61851491, linked below, Ryan Chapel Cemetery, for list of their children.
Rev. Henry Dawson Wright
First Pastor Of:
Ryan Chapel Methodist Church South
Appointed 1866 - Pastor Until Death October 27, 1877
Note: Copy of Land Affidavit to right states H. D. Wright was occupying homestead on October 27, 1877, sworn by sons C. C. (Christopher Columbus) Wright and J. W. (John Wesley) Wright, and W. M. Selman. The affidavit later states that was the date he departed this life.
This Wright family history is a brief paraphrased outline from online "Genealogy of Barbara S. Byley and Leo Wright", who researched many years and documented their early Wright family generations from the 1700s in Virginia Colony to their settling in Texas a century later. Excellent reading in depth for anyone researching the Wrights.
The Wright family saga begins in 1762 in Virginia Colony when James Wright was born to Robert and Margaret Wright. By 1795 he was living in Georgia where he owned a bookstore, and he married Frances Dawson. Their first born was Robert Dawson Wright on June 12,1796; (Robert Dawson Wright was the father of Rev. Henry Dawson Wright) Nancy C. Wright was born Nov 11, 1798; Henry Denson Wright arrived on May 3, 1800. By 1802 they had moved to MS. His beloved wife Frances became ill and died on Oct 5, 1802, and James was left with their three young children. In 1803 James Wright married Mary Scoggins Carroll, widow of John Carroll of Natchez, MS. Mary had four children from her marriage to John Carroll. They moved to Catahoula Parish, LA, sometime in 1803, where James Wright built them a solid log house, and he was co-owner of a sawmill with Jonas Scoggins his father-in-law. He and Mary became the parents of seven children from 1805 - 1815. James was a blacksmith machinist, and he worked his sawmill over the next several years.
James sold his home sometime during the 1820s and moved his family to Ouachita Parish, LA, where he worked a small farm for a few years that he named "Pinehill". In 1836 he journeyed to MS to see his grown son Henry Denson Wright who was very ill. Henry died Dec 20, 1836 in Yazoo Co., MS. James and Mary Wright remained in what is Yazoo Co, MS after Henry's death; James Wright died Feb 1, 1838 in Satartia, Yazoo Co., MS, burial place unknown.
Robert Dawson Wright was a son of James Wright and Frances (Dawson) Wright, b Jun 12, 1796 in Savanna, GA - d Sep 19, 1861 in Sumpter, Trinity Co, TX. He married Eleanor Dickerson May 21, 1820 in Monroe, LA. She was was b Oct 26, 1800 in GA - d Aug 30, 1866, Trinty Co, TX; both buried in Sumpter Cemetery, Trinity Co. TX.
1815: Pvt Robert Dawson Wright 18 years of age: Served in Captain Sackett's Company under General Andrew Jackson in Battle of New Orleans against the British on January 9, 1815.
1827: Captain Robert Dawson Wright, 3rd Company, 19th Regiment, Louisiana State Militia.
1833: Robert Wright was Appointed Lt. Col. 6th Brigade, 19th Regiment, Louisiana Militia by Governor of Louisiana after election by Officers.
1840 Census: Robert Dawson Wright & family lived in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.
1849: Robert D. Wright listed as one of the Trustees of deed on lots to build Methodist Episcopal Church South, Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
1850: Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana. Name is on cornerstone of Many Methodist Church. Census listed Robert and Eleanor Wright in Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
1852: Robert Dawson Wright was the Blacksmith On The Square, Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas.
1855: Applied for Bounty land in Trinity County, Texas.
1859: Purchased lot in Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas.
James Paymer Wright was a young farmer who was living with his parents and siblings in Sabine Parish, Louisiana in 1846.
James Paymer Wright and his brother Rev. Henry Dawson Wright, who was a young Methodist-Episcopal preacher, met two young sisters, Louisiana Jacks and Martha Ann Jacks. James Wright and Louisiana Jacks fell in love. They married on June 11, 1846 in Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana. The following year Henry Dawson Wright and Martha "Marthie" Ann Jacks, a daughter of Nicholas Marion Jacks (b May 5, 1784 Jacks Creek, Jackson, Tennessee - d January 5, 1854 Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas - buried Smith Cemetery) and Amelia Grubb (b abt 1795 Louisiana - d October 20, 1854 Sabine Parish, Louisiana) were married on September 22, 1847, Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
1850 Census: Henry D. Wright age 21 & "Marthie" Wright age 20, and Robert 2 year old son resided in Sabine Parish, Louisiana.
Lt. Col. Robert Dawson Wright died September 18, 1861, Sumpter Trinity County, Texas and his beloved wife Eleanor Dickerson died August 30, 1866, Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas. They were both buried in Sumpter Cemetery, Sumpter, Trinity County, Texas.
Their second born child and eldest son James Paymer Wright (1822 - 1868) was buried beside them in same cemetery. He has no headstone.
In Pennington Cemetery, Trinity County, Texas rests their youngest daughter, Lydia Ann (Wright) [Henderson] Reynolds (1841 - 1907). Lydia who lived in Trinity County for several years, was a Civil War widow of Pvt. Thomas W. Henderson Company M 1st Tex Volunteers Infantry Regiment, CSA, (Trinity County, Texas soldiers) with Hood's Brigade, fighting during the 9 month siege of Petersburg, Virginia. Pvt. Thomas Henderson died from illness September 8, 1862, in Camp Lee Hospital, Richmond, Virginia. Buried Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, City of Richmond, Virginia in Civil War Soldiers Section. No headstone, only a number adorns his grave, like many of the Civil War dead. Their infant son born spring of 1862 was named Thomas W. Henderson to honor his father. A few years later Lydia Wright Henderson married John Reynolds and they became the parents of one child in 1872, a son they named James Reynolds. John Reynolds died only a few years after their marriage and is thought to be buried in Pennington Cemetery, Trinity County, Texas, with no headstone as many pioneers there.
About the time his parents moved to Trinity County, Texas, 1852, Rev. Henry Dawson Wright & Martha Ann (Jacks) Wright were living near Kirbyville, Newton County, Texas, with Henry farming and preaching wherever he could, when their son Christopher Columbus Wright was born.
Five of Robert Dawson Wright's six sons became Ministers and they farmed. The five Ministers sons were: Rev. Henry Dawson Wright, Rev. Robert Dickerson Wright
, Rev. Isaac Edward (Alexander Tally) Wright
, Rev. John Wesley Wright
, and Rev. Christopher Columbus Wright
. His sixth son, James Paymer Wright
who had married Louisiana Jacks was farming in Trinity County, Texas.
Ryan Chapel came to be established after a revival meeting was held in the new home of Rev. Isaac Ryan. They appointed a committee to decide on where to locate a church and to build it. The church building was a 16x20 feet log house with a chimney for heat, and was built on a lovely pine hill that overlooks Pine Valley, about two miles from Burke.
Rev. Henry Dawson Wright was appointed by the East Texas Conference to be the the first Pastor of Ryan Chapel Methodist-Episcopal Church South in Burke, Texas in 1866. The congregation began with 19 charter members and grew to about 250 members quickly from the church records. Four other Methodist churches grew out of Ryan Chapel's members later. The historical sign on the church states that Rev. Henry Wright was paid in bacon, corn and syrup.
About 1868 the cemetery was begun with its first burial. Ryan Chapel Cemetery is the final resting place for many early settlers of the area and Angelina County. Rev. Henry Dawson Wright's beloved wife Martha "Marthie" Ann (Jacks) Wright" died in 1870. His brother Rev. Isaac Edward Wright (in some records listed as Isaac Edward Alexander Tally Wright) was buried a few yards over from Martha when he died January 20, 1873. Directly below Isaac's grave rests his 12 year old young son Robert Henry Wright who died October 15, 1873, only nine months after his father.
*Rev. Marion Duneyan, Minister of the Gospel, officiated at the wedding of widower Rev. Henry Dawson Wright and Nancy Ella (Stone) Murphy (b. abt 1845 MS) in Homer, Angelina County, Texas, October 21, 1872.
Rev. Henry and Nancy Wright had two children:
Henry Stevenson Wright: b Dec 22, 1876 Angelina Co., TX - d Nov 9, 1953 Lufkin, Angelina Co, TX. Married Susan Caroline "Callie" Trevathan, daughter to Bunyon Trevathan and Phoebe Weeks. Susan Caroline Trevathan: b Aug 19, 1886 Angelina Co., TX - d Jan 10, 1962 Lufkin, Angelina Co, TX. Both Old Union Cemetery, Hudson, Angelina Co, TX.
Henry Stevenson Wright and Susan "Callie" Wright had a son, Eldon M. Wright: b Aug 24, 1920 Cherokee Co., TX - d Sep 25, 1983 Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches Co, TX. Marr Ida Maude (maiden name unknown). Ida Maud: b 1924 - d 1962. Both (Sims) Rocky Hill Cemetery, Lufkin, Angelina Co, TX.
Malissa Wright: b 1874 TX - d abt. or bef. 1900 TX. Burial unknown.
Nancy also had a daughter by her first marriage, Mary M. Murphy (b. 1868). She married W. A. Bird.
Rev. Henry Dawson Wright died October 27, 1877. He was laid to rest between Martha Ann Jacks, his 1st wife, and his brother Rev. Issac Wright. Henry Dawson Wright's son, Rev. John Wesley Wright, (named after Henry's brother Rev. John Wesley Wright), and Isaac's wife Martha Ellen Henderson were buried at Ryan Chapel Cemetery, as are several of the Wright family generations through the years.
**Nancy Wright remarried Mar 6, 1887, Angelina County to Wesley M. Selman and had one son, Coony L. Selman. W. M. Selman was a witness on the Land Affidavit pictured above. Burials unknown.
Special thanks to Debbie Hambrick [#47081014] for the information on Henry Wright's second marriage to Nancy Ellen (Stone) Murphy and their children.
Note: Please view Martha Ann (Jacks) Wright Memorial #61851491, linked below, Ryan Chapel Cemetery, for list of their children.
Family Members
Siblings
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Mary Ann Elizabeth Wright Duckworth
1821–1899
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James Paymer Wright
1822–1868
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Francis D. Wright Watkins
1827–1897
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Rev Robert Dickerson Wright
1830–1889
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Eleanor Louisa Wright West
1834–1857
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Rev Isaac Edward Wright
1836–1873
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Lydia Ann "Liddie" Wright Henderson Reynolds
1841–1907
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Rev. John Wesley Wright
1842–1884
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Christopher Columbus Wright
1844–1923
