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[3104.ftw]

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 22, Ed. 1, Tree #3104, Date of Import: Dec 9, 1998]

!Wright Genealogy, by C.Wright p.147; Geneal. Dict of N.E. IV:659
Deerfield, MA by Sheldon 1896; Hist of Northfield, MA
Samuel Wright Sr. was a Puritan from England, who came to Am. ca.1636, and was the ancestor of many of those in western MA. It is said that both his father's and grandfather's name was John, and that they lived at a place called Wright's Bridge, co.Essex, 40 miles from London.
At first he may have lived in some town at the Bay, as did most of the early settlers, but soon rem. to Springfield, 1638, which had been purchased and founded by Wm. Pychon and a few brave souls. It was surrounded by tribes of savages, and was the only Eng. settlement in MA, west of Boston and vicinity,
and perhaps contained not over 10 or 15 families when Samuel Wright and family came and settled on what is now Main Street, a little below where now stands the historic First Church.
Here in 1639, he was made Deacon of what is one of the 1st churches organiexed in the states. After the resignation of the 1st minister, and his return to Eng. 1652, Dea. Wright, Dea. Chapin, Mr Holyoke and Henry Burt, conducted religious services on the Sabbath; but at a meeting of the town 24 Mar 1656, Dea. Wright alone was chosen to dispence the word of God on the Sabbath at 50 shillings per month.
Rem.1656 to Northampton, where his son Samuel had preceeded him and was one of its selectmen that year. In 1666, the records says "He died while sleeping in his chair". In his will, he gave his homestead to son James. Will dated 10 Nov 1663-27 Mar 1667.
At Northampton, there was granted to him and his son, Samuel, a home lot of 4 1/2 acres on Main Street, between King and Market Streets. He is spoken of as one of the leaders of the town, prominent in local affairs, serving on various committees, and that his name was the first one signed to the church covenant adopted in 1661.[phelps.FTW]

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 1, Ed. 1, Tree #1377, Date of Import: Oct 25, 1998]

Deacon Samuel Wright was one of the first settlers of Springfield and came to that place about 1636; removed to Northampton about 1656 or 1657 and died there Oct. 17, 1665; his son James was a resident of Northampton and father of Preserved who inturn resided in Northampton as did also his son Ephraim.

-Westhampton Local History-Wright Part 1