Snapshot: Elizabeth (aka Eliza or Lizzie) Wright Bleecker

Elizabeth, who was Leslie and Mary Ann’s third child was born in Scotland in 1852.  She came to America with the family in 1854 and eventually settled in Elba, Wisconsin. 

On 23 November  1877, Elizabeth married John R. Bleecker in Dodge County.  John had a Canadian father and his mother was from New Hampshire.   Elizabeth and George had five children; Mary Eliza (1880-1946), William L. (1881-1938), Dean E. (1884-1941), Lulu(1889-1966), and George (1890-1949).  In 1895 the family was living in Waterloo Wisconsin.  In 1900 they lived in Portland Township Wisconsin, and in 1910 they lived in Concord Minnesota. By 1917 they were back in Wisconsin; they really moved around!  In 1920 John and Lulu were back in Waterloo.  Lulu was 30 at this time. None of the other kids are there, perhaps they stayed in Minnesota.

Elizabeth died in 1917, and is buried in Waterloo City Cemetery.

In 1922 John married his second wife, Clara, and they moved out to California.  John died in California in 1937.  He has a marker at Waterloo City Cemetery.

One interesting mystery we found; in 1895 Mary Eliza was with the family, in 1900 she was not with them, and then in 1905 in Minnesota she was back with the family.  Where was Mary from 1900 to sometime before 1905?

Stay tuned!  Next week belongs to George L. Wright.  If any descendants of George are out there and have information about him we would love to have it. Also, if you have any information on any of the folks we already did a snapshot of, feel free to send it to us! wrightreunion@sbcglobal.net

Snapshot: Mary Wright Bleecker Randall

Snapshot: Mary A. Wright Bleecker Randall

Mary A. Wright was born in Scotland in 1849, the oldest child of Leslie and Mary Ann Wright. She travelled with them across the Atlantic to settle in Ohio, then moved with them to Wisconsin.

Mary Wright married her first husband, Henry Bleecker in Columbia County Wisconsin. We don’t know when Henry was born, but he died in the year 1874, the same year that their daughter, Nellie, was born. We assume that Mary and Nellie lived with her folks until 1880 when she married Eugene A. Randall.

Eugene was born 1851 in Dodge C. Wisconsin. He enlisted in the US Army and was stationed
during the 1870’s at Fort Sanders, Albany, Wyoming Territory, 4th Infantry Company C. He married Mary sometime shortly before the 1880 census. Mary is on the 1880 census as Mary Randall, living with Leslie and Mary Ann, along with Nellie. We think maybe Eugene was out sussing out a place to live during that year, and they settled in Hetland Township, Kingsbury County, South Dakota. Mary and Eugene had six kids, George, Jessie, L. Maud, Mary, Amos, and Lizzie.

Mary died in 1933 in Hetland Township, Kingsbury County, South Dakota. She is buried in Hetland Cemetery.

Snapshot: Leslie and Mary Ann, Jeannie, and Charles Wright

Leslie and Mary Ann, Jeannie and Charles Wright

The Wright family has roots in Old Rayne, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The children of James and Elizabeth (Hay) Wright were christened in St. Nicholas Church near Old Rayne and the family births marriages, and deaths are recorded in the Old Parish registers. Wright family graves still exist in the Kirkyard. One of James and Elizabeth's children was Leslie Wright. Here is a small exerpt of how Leslie got his name:

Copied from the back of a postcard showing Leslie Castle c.1900 - brought to
the Wright Family Reunion 2001 by Harry Wright - William Leslie, who owned this
estate, was a friend of Leslie Wright (dad's father) & it was from him the
name "Leslie" originally came. Leslie Wright was a tenant in the
estate at one time. Dad and Mother brought home a piece of slate from the roof.
It was here Dad met an old lady who remembered carrying him in her arms. She
said she wouldn't have recognized him.


On 28 Dec 1848 Leslie Wright married Mary Ann Lowe, who was born in 1825, also in Old Rayne. They had four children born in Scotland; Mary, Jeannie, Eliza, and George. Sometime between 1854 and 1855 they came to the United States and settled in Harrisville Township in the County of Medina in Ohio where Leslie made his living as a farmer. While in Ohio they had six more Children, William, Jessie, May, Charles, Alexander and Leslie. Sometime between Leslie’s birth in Ohio it 1863., and Albert’s birth in 1865 the growing family moved to Elba in Dodge County, Wisconsin. After Albert was born in Wisconsin came the couple’s last child, Abbie, also in Wisconsin. Leslie died 4 Jan 1905 one year after the death of his wife in 1904.

This paragraph, copied from the typewritten Leslie Wright obit, gives us more information about Leslie's life. "Being an early settler, he was well known and highly respected for his sterling Scotch qualities and business integrity. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church in
Scotland and Ohio, but when he came to Wisconsin, he united with the Methodist Episcopal church of which he was an active member until promoted to the church triumphant. A greal [sic] lover of God's word, much of which he had committed to memory, a good singer and a lover of good music, and a splendid conversationalist, his company was eagerly sought by all who knew him and his presence was always an inspiration and benediction and no words seem so fitting
to the close of such a full rounded life as the words of St. Paul: 'I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.'"
~~~
Not much is known about Jeannie or Jane Wright, Leslie and Mary Ann’s second child who was born 1850 in Scotland. Tragically she died in 1866, in Wisconsin, at only 16 years of age.
~~~
Charles Wright, Leslie and Mary Ann’s 8th son had no living descendants. He was born in
1860 in Ohio. In 1889 he married Eula Snow, and they had one son, Allen Wright, who died only thirteen days after he was born. Eula died in 1917 and in 1921 Charles married his second wife, Grace Freitag. Charles lived until 1937. Grace died in 1960.

If you have any other tidbits of information about these
folks, put them in the comments are send them to wrightreunion@sbcglobal.net

Next week: Mary Wright Bleeker

Snapshots Introduction

In our final days as your secretary and secretary's genealogist (my husband
Nathan) we have decided to do a little genealogy project for your enjoyment and
edification. Each week we will take one of the twelve and write a little
"snapshot" of each, with basic genealogical research, and, we hope, input from
you. It will be posted to our blog, http://www.wrightsofoldrayne.blogspot.com/ .
Our first week is dedicated to Leslie and Mary Ann, the mother and father of the
twelve, and Jeannie (AKA Jane) (who died young) and Charles Wright, who had no
living descendants. If you have more information about these folks PLEASE write
them in as comments on the blog or send them to wrightreunion@sbcglobal.net. If
you send info about any of Leslie and Mary Ann's 12 children, please send it to
us before we post the "snapshot" then we can incorporate the information which
will be so much fun. So please send us stories or information about your "12"
family member! Except for Jeannie and Charles we will go in chronological
order, so the second snapshot will be Mary Wright Bleecker, then Eliza Wright Bleecker, followed by George L. Wright, William Wright, Jessie Wright Newton, May Wright Bleecker, Alexander H. Wright, Leslie Allyn Wright, Albert L. Wright, Abbie Wright Austin.

Have fun and enjoy, and we will see you in July!

Cheers,

Mary Bubenzer
Secretary

and

Nathan Bubenzer
Secretary's genealogist

88th Reunion

Hello Wrights!

Join us for the 88th Wright Family Reunion! We will be gathering at the
Cedar Community Beach House once again, 5595 County Road Z, West Bend, WI 53095

July 8th 2012 at 10:00 in the morning. We will gather, have a meal (bring
a dish to pass!) have our family business meeting and hang out together at
Beautiful Cedar Lake. You can find a map at our blog:

http://www.wrightsofoldrayne.blogspot.com/

or if you need futher instructions feel free to contact me, Mary Bubenzer
(your secretary) at

bubenzer@charter.net

If you are unable to come this year please send us a note via email to
share with us "doings" in your family!

Due to cost and ease of use after this year we will be sending email only,
and not the paper mailing. If you know someone who is still getting the
mailing, please encourage them to send us their email addresses.

Hope you can come in July! We'd love to see you there!

Cheers,

Mary Bubenzer
Wright Family Secretary

87th Wright Family Reunion

87th Wright Family Reunion minutes
Big Cedar Lake- July 10, 2011

The Sunday dawned warm, sunny and humid, with rainy periods all day. Members started arriving at 10 am to enjoy Racine kringle and coffee. We took family pictures before dinner.

Rex Dachenbach offered prayer and at noon we feasted on our potluck meal.

Promptly at 1:00 pm, John Stofflet began the family meeting. He welcomed everyone and thanked the Laycocks for reserving Cedar Community Beach House, arranging for the golf cart to aid in transportation from the parking area, and asking a local skipper to take us for a pontoon boat tour of the lake. Great fun! We said “Goodbye, and see you next year” by 3:00 pm.

Statistics:
24 persons at the reunion
Youngest: Kaia Stofflet
Wisest: Alberta Kickbush at 93
Longest trip: Douglas Rory Kickbush, who came from Portugal to visit his mom and attend the reunion.

Letters and e-mails received:
Dorothy Tempel, from New Zealand
Katie and Harlan Sutton
Jim and Jeanette Wright
Gloria Austin Karow
John Wright

Sharing from attending members:
Frank A. Laycock
Frank E. Laycock (brought greetings from the Bubenzers)
Jo Gross
Alberta Wright Kickbush
Judy Stubbe
Phil Atwood
Judy Bishop
Rex Dachenbach
Nancy West Martin
Bonnie Stofflet
Rita Stofflet
Douglas Kickbush
John Stofflet

Members attending:

Frank E. Laycock
KC Laycock
Frank A. Laycock
Judy Stubbe
Phil Atwood
Nancy Wright
Woody Wright
John Stofflet
Kaia Stofflet
Cole Wohler
Judy Bishop
Jo A. Gross
Thomas Gross
Rex N. Dachenbach
JoAnn Dachenbach
Lisa Dachenbach
Nancy Martin
Shan Martin
Alberta Kickbush
Douglas Kickbush
Tabatha Feerick
Bonnie Anderson
Steve Anderson
Rita Stofflet

Further Business:
With John leading the conversation we discussed the future reunions. Most attending have positive feelings about the reunion, but attendance has fallen over the years. We have tried to maintain a valid mailing list, but it has been difficult to keep new addresses, moves, dispersing family all straight. More of the family can use electronic mail and an up-to-date website is very useful. The leadership of the reunion has been carried by a small group. With declining involvement this is frustrating. We elected leadership for one more year, decided location and agreed to do some research and make a decision at the 88th Reunion.

Leadership for 2012:
President Rex Dachenbach
Secretary Mary Laycock Bubenzer
Treasurer KC Laycock

Location of the 88th Wright Reunion:
Cedar Community Beach House
July 8, 2012

Respectfully submitted,
KC Laycock, for Mary Bubenzer

Come to the 87th Wright Family Reunion!

Come to the 87th Wright Family Reunion!

When: Sunday, July 10, 2011
The 2011 reunion will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday July 11th at the Cedar Community Lake Front Beach House, 5595 County Road Z, West Bend, Wisconsin 53095.

The morning is set aside to permit family members of all ages to get acquainted. Coffee and Kringle will be served as usual. We will have the traditional pot luck dinner at noon. This will be followed by activities and the family meeting.

We encourage all of you to come and enjoy the friendship and renew the family ties. Even if you haven't been for awhile (or ever), we'd be delighted to see you and your family. Family historical documents and memorabilia will be on display. If you have photos or anything to share with the Clan, bring them.

Please bring your address books to update the mailing list!

You will need to bring dishes, silverware, and beverages for your family, and a dish to pass (hot dish, salad or dessert, with emphasis on hot dishes) in sufficient quantity to enable us to leave complaining about how much we overate.

Plus! Lots of fun activites on the shores of gorgeous Big Cedar Lake - Bring your swimsuit!

Directions:
If you bring up your favorite map website and request the map for 5595 County Road Z, West Bend, Wisconsin 53095, the location of the Community is shown.
Once you arrive there will be signs to guide you to the Beach House.
For more information about Cedar Community and directions, please check out their website: http://www.cedarcommunity.org/

Where to stay:
For the families that want a place to sleep over near West Bend, here are several choices:
Country Inn and Suites by Carlson
2000 Gateway Ct
West Bend, WI 53095
Phone: 262-334-9400
Website: http://www.countryinns.com/westbendwi

Hampton Inn and Suites
1975 South 18th Avenue
West Bend, WI 53095
Phone: 262-438-1500
Website: http://www.blogger.com/www.westbendsuites.hamptoninn.com

Questions? Email Mary: bubenzer@charter.net

86th reunion minutes

Sorry that it's been such a long time! Here are the 2010 minutes. I will post information about this year's reunion soon.

Attendance:
Harry Wright, KC and Frank Laycock, Frank A. Laycock, Mary Nathan and Sam Bubenzer, Lowell Wright, Russ Kickbush, Matt Kickbush, Colleen G. Curtis, Jim Cosgrove, Tom Cosgrove, Nancy and Woody Wright, Alexa Austin and Dylan Wright, John Taylor and Kaia Stofflet, Judy Stubbe, Phil Atwood, Roxanne Otto, Dave Atwood, Judy Bishop, Rex Joanne Lisa Dachenbach, Bonnie Anderson, Rita Stofflet, Ryan Anderson, Alberta Kickbush, Peggy Cosgrove, Tabatha Feerick, Jo Tom and Justice Gross

Minutes from 86th Wright Family Reunion, Sunday July 11, 2010

Longest travelled: David Atwood from Albany New York

Wisest Member: Alberta Kickbush 92,

Youngest: Austin and Dylan Wright at 13.

Farthest: David Atwood, Albany NY

Closest: Alberta Kickbush, Cedar Community

We did not have any reports of anyone in the clan who passed away this past year.

Letter from Jim and Jeanette Wright.

Letter from Gloria Austin and Wes Karow.

Bud Harry Moertl sent note.

Treasurer's report: Mary Bubenzer:

post reunion balance from last year $307.88

This year had expenses of $98 for flyers and postage.

Additional expenses $83.70

pre-2010 reunion balance is $126.18

$2 contribution or whatever you can give.

2010 money collected: $125.00

2010 post $251.30

John Stofflet and Mary Bubenzer will serve for one more year as President and Secretary-Treasurer. Unanimous.

It was agreed to meet next year at Big Cedar Lake again; the 87th Wright Family Reunion, July 10, 2011



Family Sharing:

Harry Wright

Lowell Wright

Peggy Cosgrove

Russ Kickbush

Matt Kickbush

Woody Wright

Rex Dachenbach

Judy Bishop

Frank A. Laycock

Frank E. Laycock

Judy Stubbe

Joanne Atwood

Phil Atwood

Mary Bubenzer

Rita Stofflet

John Stofflet

Tabby Feerick



Next Reunion: Cedar Community: July 10th 2011



1 fish was caught

Come to the 86th Wright Family Reunion!

Come to the 86th Wright Family Reunion!
When: Sunday, July 11, 2010
The 2010 reunion will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday July 11th at the Cedar Community Lake Front Beach House, 5595 County Road Z, West Bend, Wisconsin 53095.



The morning is set aside to permit family members of all ages to get acquainted. Coffee and Kringle will be served as usual. We will have the traditional pot luck dinner at noon. This will be followed by activities and the family meeting.
We encourage all of you to come and enjoy the friendship and renew the family ties. Even if you haven't been for awhile (or ever), we'd be delighted to see you and your family. Family historical documents and memorabilia will be on display. If you have photos or anything to share with the Clan, bring them.
Please bring your address books to update the mailing list!
You will need to bring dishes, silverware, and beverages for your family, and a dish to pass (hot dish, salad or dessert, with emphasis on hot dishes) in sufficient quantity to enable us to leave complaining about how much we overate.

Plus! Lots of fun activites on the shores of gorgeous Big Cedar Lake - Bring your swimsuit!

Directions:
If you bring up your favorite map website and request the map for 5595 County Road Z, West Bend, Wisconsin 53095, the location of the Community is shown.
Once you arrive there will be signs to guide you to the Beach House.
For more information about Cedar Community and directions, please check out their website: http://www.cedarcommunity.org/

Where to stay:
For the families that want a place to sleep over near West Bend, here are several choices:
Country Inn and Suites by Carlson
2000 Gateway Ct
West Bend, WI 53095
Phone: 262-334-9400
Website: http://www.countryinns.com/westbendwi

Hampton Inn and Suites
1975 South 18th Avenue
West Bend, WI 53095
Phone: 262-438-1500
Website: www.westbendsuites.hamptoninn.com

Minutes from 85th Wright Family Reunion

85th Wright Family Reunion
Columbus, WI Fireman's Park
Sunday July 12, 2009

Attendance:
Jim and Jeanette Wright, Frank and KC Laycock, Frank A. Laycock, Mary, Nathan and Sam Bubenzer, Judy Stubbe, Philip Atwood with Rocky and Dorothy Otto, Judy Bishop, Nancy and Woody Wright, Margie Nitschke, Matthew Kickbush, Colleen Curtis, Rex and JoAnn Dachenbach, Amy and Lisa, Russ Kickbush, Wesley and Gloria (Austin) Karow, Austin Wright, Dylan Wright, Mike Wright, John, Beth, Kaia Stofflet, Rita Stofflet, Bonnie Anderson, Mike, DJ and Cydney Kickbush, Alberta Kickbush, Tabatha Feerick

Notes:
· Plentiful food, really good.
· Youngest Attendee: Cydney Kickbush 1 year old
· "Wisest" Attendee: Alberta Kickbush 91 yrs old
· Letters and emails on file
· the postcard reminder/invitation was sufficient

· 120 postcards and 60 emails were sent

Family news shared:
Russ Kickbush: Matthew graduating next year i8n special education for the visually impaired, made dean's list, 4 point average, scholarships coming in, 3 job offers already. Michael here with wife and baby Cydney, he's an architect with master's degree, started new business on the island (Washington Island In DC), managing and leasing out people's homes. Mother (Alberta) here brought book she had published, a children's book about a duck based on a true story, illustrated by her.
Bonnie Stofflet Anderson: Daughter of John and Rita, granddaughter of Alva(?) Oldest daughter still in Downer's Grove IL, Granddaughter just finished first year at U of I. Middle daughter Jackie getting married in October; she's a teacher in Chicago. Youngest son Ryan is 21 trying to "find himself" living at home (lost job due to downsizing). She is still working in a high school with all of the "naughty children" in principal's office, but "I can take it, I'm a Wright". Husband is still landscaping
John Stofflet: My daughter Kaia will be a junior in high school, she loves Drama. Son Taylor is working at Lake Windsor Golf Course, sophomore at Edgewood college where he plays soccer, had a good first season, got his first goal as a college player. John still at NBC 15 in Madison doing the 6 and 10 o'clock news (nbc15.com) Wife is teaching in the DeForest schools. Last August got my first and only hole in one golfing.
Jim Wright: here with wife Jeanette. Nephew has 3 daughters, Amy, Angie and Amanda. Sister Ruth just getting out of hospital. Going down to Florida each year, meet Marge's brother, Harlan Sutton.
Rita Stofflet: Best kids in the world, watches John in all of his broadcasts. She wants to make sure he's dressed properly! Thank you to all the people who do all the work.
Marge Nitschke: Living in a home in Beaver Dam, Charleston House, has a lot of friends there has 14 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. She said this is the last year she's sending birthday cards out: she can't keep up!
Judy Bishop: Sister Sue and her husband Ken are well, their boys Nathan and Matthew, everyone healthy. Brother Reed and wife Sue and daughter Rachel are well. Daughter Tara closer to Madison; lives in Marshall, daughter Kim doing well, living in Madison, all well.
Rex Dachenbach: Addicted to Family reunions when he was a preteen started out in Waterloo and kept coming back with occasional intermissions for marching band, it's hard to stop, he'll keep on coming, even when they have to roll him up in a casket!! Youngest daughter Lisa, 19, finished marching band last year, graduated high school, finished first year in vocational school, MATC in Madison area. In early childhood education, found a job easily. Amy just graduated from college, planning to work a year, but seeing the state of the economy is going on to grad school. Joanne head secretary at an elementary school. Joe 29 living in Seattle area, has granddaughter Zoe who just turned 2. Rex doing well, had some heart work done and hips replaced. Things going good and will come back on a regular basis.
Alberta Kickbush: Wrote books about pintail ducks right outside of her window in West Virginia. Duck got feet frozen into the ice. Kitty and Jim rescued duck. Story illustrated and written by Bert, and published.
Tabatha Feerick: West Virginia contingent in Tabby's Mom and Dad, Kitty and Jim. Kitty started business "Camp Kitty" dog agility classes. Gramma (Alberta) moved into West Bend Cedar Bay Community. Tabby moved on from her husband and have started her own business, Canine Connection dog grooming. Stepdaughter Adeline is "apple of her eye"
Mike Wright: Son of Woody and Nancy, great to be back at reunion. Just got back from cottage in Elk Rapids Michigan with parents, niece and nephew. Brought his 3 kids, spend lots of time doing sports. Austin spent 6 years working way up in Jr. Hockey ranks, last year 2nd state championship. Daughter basketball team got 2nd in state. Other son playing boy's basketball. Daughter starting high school (Franklin), boys moving into middle school. Happy to be here and share I don't know how many generations broccoli cheese rice casserole.
Gloria Austin Karow: Her grandmother was youngest of the 12 (Abby). Family doing well. Oldest is Stephen, still horsing around, he's a farrier. They have horses dogs cats donkeys buffalo... lives at Northfield. Works at a prison in Fox Lake and is a teacher of heating and air conditioning which he learned in the service. 2nd one is in Oregon State at Oregon State University. He's our miracle kid all around: 9 weeks early and 4 lb one oz. Now he's a professor with 150 people under him. Their son, Scott, lives in Boston and works for Liberty Mutual and bought a condo on the 7th floor. Daughter just moved into her own home, kindergarten teacher. Youngest boy, wife is a home health giver. Dale just got laid off. Son is 17. Wife teaches art in Janesville, and they have a prairie, and are experts in it. Wes and she are fine.
Phil Atwood: Grandson of Albert Wright, here with fried Roxanne and her mother Dorothy. Boys in New York, son Ben is working at an organic farm learning the agriculture trade, and son David is working in communications at state of New York University in New Paultz, Daughter Corinne is working as a nurse in Albany Hospital and 3 grandchildren, Zoe, Ella, and Jackson are doing well and going to school.
Judy Stubbe: Granddaughter of Albert Wright. Live at Cedar Ridge, love it. Been living in the area 3 years close to both sisters and brother and find it to be delightful. Was supposed to go to Grand Canyon, but 2 months ago fell and broke hip, healed right up. 'I'm a happy camper and life is good."
Frank A Laycock: Wife Michelle can't be there, has "a slave driver for a boss; She has quit the newspaper and is working for herself." LaycockDesigns.com. Designs blogs and other websites for people. I'm still with the computer place, still at Allen Bradley, at the big clock tower in Milwaukee. Fostering cats still, had 40 come through our house since last year. Still president and first bass in Shorewood Concert Band, and am published: "Sequels to Famous Books"
Mary Bubenzer: Here with husband Nathan and son Sam. Nathan graduated this year from Edgewood College in nursing and got a wonderful job working at Meriter Hospital in Madison in ICU and Sam graduated from 8th grade and will be starting High School
KC/Frank Laycock: KC: Frank and I are very happily living in Cedar Community but still spend lots of time driving into Milwaukee to usher. Just had 2 weeks having grandson Sam stay with them to be a counselor. Frank: also took Woody's advice and took Amtrak to an Elderhostel, suggests taking full bedroom next time! Also went to Elderhostels in Indiana, Michigan and next month in Quebec.
Woody Wright: Nancy and I took Amtrak to see brother John in DC, Jan. went to Barbados for a week, March to LA, stopping in Flagstaff, and to see the Grand Canyon. Doing fine, already have plans to go to Alaska in September for cruise, and heading to Seattle in September, and March to go to Europe to go from Belgium to Italy to Germany. Mark and Kim live in Flushing, Michigan, they have 17 year old who is driving, she'll be a senior in high school, Mitch will be a freshman in high school, involved in sports. Woody glad he's retired.

Nominations & Election of Clan Officers:

Only nominations and elected by unanimous consent:

John Stoffler - President

Mary Bubenzer - Secretary/Treasurer

Next Year's Reunion:

Sunday July 11th, 2010

A suggestion was made to hold it at the Cedar Community Beach House in West Bend WI

Beach House in case of inclement weather, full kitchen, chairs and tables.

Activities available: Swimming, hiking, volleyball courts, Pontoon Boat Rides on Big Cedar Lake, "Bug" rides through the forest

Unanimous consent, KC Laycock will reserve the building.

Origins

The Wright family has roots in Old Rayne, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The children of James and Elizabeth (Hay) Wright were christened in St. Nicholas Church near Old Rayne and the family births marriages, and deaths are recorded in the Old Parish registers. Wright family graves still exist in the Kirkyard.

One of James and Elizabeth's children was Leslie Wright.
Here is a small excerpt of how Leslie got his name:
[Copied from the back of a postcard showing Leslie Castle c.1900 - brought to the Wright Family Reunion 2001 by Harry Wright]
William Leslie, who owned this estate, was a friend of Leslie Wright (dad's father) & it was from him the name "Leslie" originally came. Leslie Wright was a tenant in the estate at one time. Dad and Mother brought home a piece of slate from the roof. It was here Dad met an old lady who remembered carrying him in her arms. She said she wouldn't have recognized him.

Leslie Wright married the lovely Mary Ann Lowe.
They came to the United States and first settled in Ohio. In later years, they moved their clan to Columbia County, Wisconsin.
This paragraph, copied from the typewritten Leslie Wright obit, gives us more information about Leslie's life:
"Being an early settler, he was well known and highly respected for his sterling Scotch qualities and business integrity. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church in Scotland and Ohio, but when he came to Wisconsin, he united with the Methodist Episcopal church of which he was an active member until promoted to the church triumphant. A greal [sic] lover of God's word, much of which he had committed to memory, a good singer and a lover of good music, and a splendid conversationalist, his company was eagerly sought by all who knew him and his presence was always an inspiration and benediction and no words seem so fitting to the close of such a full rounded life as the words of St. Paul: 'I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.'"

Family Register

James Wright, (1771-1839) married to Elizabeth Hay (1772-1855).

They had the following children:
Helen (1809-1838)
Elizabeth (? - ?), married to John Thom
George (July 20 1814 in Rayne, Aberdeenshire, Scotland - ?)
Robert (August 29 1812 in Rayne, Aberdeenshire, Scotland - 1840)
John (June 30 1800 in Chapel of Garioch, Aderdeenshire, Scotland - ?)
James (?-?)
William (December 22 1802 in Chapel of Garioch, Aderdeenshire, Scotland - ?)
Leslie (January 5 1818 in Rayne, Aberdeenshire, Scotland - January 4 1905 in the Town of Elba, near Columbus Wisconsin, USA)

William Wright first married Ann Gray.
They had five children:
Jean (?-?)
Ann (?-?)
Jessie (?-?)
James (?-?)
Isabella (1853-1942)
William then married Ann Beattie (1811-March 24 1874)
They had two children:
William (1835-1878)
Peter (?-?)

Leslie Wright married Mary Ann Lowe (February 4 1825 in St. Nicolas, Rayne, Aberdeenshire Scotland - 1904) on December 28, 1848.
They had 12 children:
Mary A. (1849-1933)
Jeannie (1850-1866)
Eliza (1852-1917)
George L. (1854-1950)
William (1855-1922)
Jessie (1857-1929)
May I. (1858-1942)
Charles B. (1860-1937)
Alexander H. (1862-1935)
Leslie Allyn (1863-1930)
Albert L. (1865-1935)
Abbie (1868-1927)

(Due to the fact that there is still a living child of one of the 12 I am not going to post any further generations at this time. We do have lots more info on spouses, children etc. so if you think you are a relative please contact us at wrightreunion[at]sbcglobal.net.)

Welcome to the Wrights of Old Rayne Blog!

Greetings to all the descendants of James Wright and Elizabeth Hay of Old Rayne, Aberdeenshire, Scotland!

This will be the new home of announcements about the annual Reunion, minutes of the previous years and other historical items - pictures, poems and more!

The former Yahoo Group and website at rootsweb will be closing down later this summer after this year's Reunion - our 86th!