This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: richardwright142 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.wright/15221.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The obvious purpose of my first post was to ask any living "Mr. Wrights" to join in the DNA project, but, since this last post of "oldmedico" has inaccuracies in it, I have to respond. To keep the record clear, I must explain that I have three pieces of information that seem to indicate that Simeon Wright, born 1726, was a Loyalist, beginning sometime after 1781. While I am not an expert on who is, and who is not, a Loyalist, the evidence seems to be quite strong (as opposed to "absolutely no evidence" as stated in the previous post of "oldmedico") 1. I have a copy of the original documents referred to in the "oldmedico" post and while he says that it was a petition for a land grant, it is actually a Claim for Compensation for Losses. The document itself clearly says that it is for "losses sustained by Simeon Wright formerly inhabitant of Rutland, State of Vermont & County of Bennington (But at present Inhabitant of Canada) An account of his Loyalty and attachment to British Government." This exact quote was followed by a list of Wheat, Rye, Indian Corn, Potatoes, Peas, Horses, Cattle, Swine, Household furniture, "Waring" apparel and a quantity of Flax, along with the monetary values. This document was filed by Sarah Wright on behalf of "her husband Simeon Wright" under oath on February 16, 1786. This is not a petition for a land grant. Further, to refer to other information in the "oldmedico" post, while it is clearly stamped "Rejected", I think that people are making too much of an assumption to say it was reje! cted because it was filed too late. If you want to examine this document yourself, you can see why people might start assuming the "too late" reason for rejection, but I think that might be wrong to assume that. This Claim is from Bundle 81 and an image can be examined at the LDS Library in Salt Lake City. I prefer to look at images of the originals, whenever feasible, because frequently the information is garbled in the abstracts and/or transcriptions and/or posts. 2. The second piece of information that seems to show he was a Loyalist is that he is listed as one on page 331 of "The Old United Empire Loyalists List" by Milton Rubincam 1976 (Reprint of 1885). This book claims to be the "official list" in it's forward. I have not examined any images of the original source documents of Rubincam. I know that the UEL has exacting standards, and, if it would help, I'll just say right here "OK maybe he wasn't a proven UE Loyalist". No offense, but I don't really care about that strict category. (His wife swore under oath that he was a Loyalist !) 3. Simeon Wright was granted provisions by the British between July 1, and August 31 1786 on the "List of Loyalists of and attached to the Kings late Rangers victualled at the 3rd Township above Cataraqui (Fredericksburgh)" according to the transcriptions of the Provisioning Lists in "Early Ontario Settlers, A Source Book" by Norman K. Crowder 1993 So, he was granted provisions in a Loyalist settlement, filed a claim for losses as a Loyalist, and is listed on the official list of Loyalists. What more is necessary to say that he was "a Loyalist". He moved to Canada with other Loyalists before, or in, 1786 and #3 is the last record that I have been able to find on his whereabouts. I have found no evidence of him returning to the US, all of the references to that incorrectly mix him up with his son Simeon 1750-1847 or grandson Simeon 1773-1833, both of whom lived in Vermont then lived and died in Ohio. Actually, distant cousins also named Simeon Wright have been incorrectly linked also. I dream of someone, someday, finding an old grave in Canada for Simeon Wright b. 1726, died after 1786. I looked at many other sources that I am not citing here, and of course his son Wait Wright appears to have been a Loyalist (I hope everyone is happy with that choice of words). I have not, however, done an exhaustive examination of the old documents in Canada, or England regarding any of the Loyalist angle except #1 above. If someone wants to contribute accurate information about Simeon Wright b 1726 from the original 18th century documents in Canada, that may help. I have heard/read that some settlers in Canada went there only for the land offers, or for a better life, but, when we look at the 3 pieces mentioned here, it seems that we have to call him a Loyalist. There is more information from Vermont that seems to indicate Simeon Wright b 1726 may have been a Loyalist, but space and time and disinterest prevent the exposition of that here. Simeon b. 1726, and both of his sons, Simeon b. 1750, and Wait, were "on the side of" the Colonies, initially. In his Revolutionary War Pension Application, Simeon Wright b.1750 said that he was in the first party that crossed the lake and entered Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 and that he saw the British Officer surrender his sword to Col. Ethan Allen. Simeon b. 1750 remained in Rutland, VT through most of the War and for decades afterwards. By the way, some of my most important research finally linked Simeon b. 1750 to his father Simeon b. 1726 and his father Daniel b. 1697 by obtaining and analyzing images of 18th century documents. That is why we can now refer to the Simeon Wright, father of Wait, and, Simeon b. 1750, as Simeon b. 1726. Exactly: he was born January 25, 1726 in Northfield, MA. The explanation of the proof of this is many pages long, but undeniable. I'm open to criticism based on original source information and good analysis. Sorry for length. I hope this helps. If anyone out there knows a living Mr. Wright in our branch, please have him read my first post about DNA. Kind regards, Richard Wright Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.