Hello, First, please excuse for cross-posting. You may receive more than one copy of this e-mail if you are on the same multiple mailing lists that I am on and with this e-mail being posted to. I am researching my direct ancestor Thomas Wright, Patriot of the Revolutionary War, who lived most of his life in Cumberland County, Virginia. His father was George Wright of Essex County, Virginia. His widow, Elizabeth McGehee Wright, and a couple of children (my ancestress Martha "Patsy" Wright Ligon) migrated to Laurens District, South Carolina circa 1805 or so. Other researchers have his death varying from before 1791, or around 1794, in Cumberland County, Virginia, to even a death time-period of 1820/1821 in Laurens District, South Carolina. The 1791 date is based upon a supposed will and probate in Cumberland County, Virginia. I cannot find the basis for the 1794 date. The 1820 and 1821 dates are also based upon supposed will and probate in Laurens District, South Carolina. I would like to think that my research in Laurens District, South Carolina has been thorough and as a result I have turned up no such will or probate, or other record of death, for Thomas Wright in that location. I think this death date and location has been confused with that of his wife Elizabeth McGehee Wright whose grave I have visited and the tombstone reads June 22, 1821 as the date of death. If someone has records to prove me right or wrong, I would greatly love thorough citations and at least abstracts or transcriptions if not a full copy of the record itself. The date that looks most likely to me is that of about January 24, 1791 with some sources referencing, but not clearly, a will and or probate of estate around that time period. If anyone could locate a source or citation for such a will and/or probate, or even provide an abstract or transcription, I would be ever so grateful. Of course, a copy of the will and/or probate package would be best of all. I'm sorry that I don't have more information to provide. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Robert M. Wilbanks IV Scottsdale, Arizona

Hi Robert, It's been awhile since we've corresponded so I'm not sure how much has transpired since that time. I paid for a Wright cousin to DNA test and at the same time, another descendant of Thomas Wright and Elizabeth McGehee was also testing and they matched! Their results are under haplogroup J2 in the Wright DNA Project: http://www.wright-dna.org/ I began corresponding with the descendant who matched and he sent me a copy of Thomas' will! The will is dated 12 Nov 1790 and is from Cumberland Co. Also, there's a gentlemen, Robert Grant, who is compiling and offering books for sale on the George Wright line. Send me your address off-list and I'll mail you a copy of the will and Robert Grant's info. Best regards, Katherine

...if you have access to an LDS Family History Center, there are some great old Ligon documents on Film# 24095 "Court of Equity Records, Equity bills, 1826-1835" 1827 - No 2 Box 13 Susannah Ligon/William Ligon and there's another one regarding Thomas Ligon on this film.