Great x3 Grandfather William Wright

My Great x3 Grandfather William (1821 - 1880) was a boot and shoe maker, mason's labourer, labourer in an iron foundry, and father of eight.

William Wright was born around 1821 in Exeter, Devon. 

On William's marriage certificate of 1848, he listed his father as Henry Right, a Seaman.

On 11th September 1848, William (about 27) married Sarah Emberry (about 20), a lacemaker, in Exeter.

Whilst Sarah left only her mark, implying she could not write, William signed his name. Noticeably, he spelt his surname as Right.

William and Sarah had eight children (six sons and two daughters):

• Thomas William  1849 -
• Henry John  1851 -
• Frederick Emberry  1854 -
• Ellen  1857 -
• Walter Charles  1861 -
• Alfred Frank  1864 -
• Francis 'Frank' George  1868 -
• Bessie  1870 -

1851 Census:

In the mid 1850's, William and his family moved from Coombe Street to Sun Street. When his children Frederick and Ellen were baptised in 1857, their residence was given as Sun Street and William's occupation is given simply as labourer. By the time of the 1861 Census, the family were still living at Sun Street and William was working as a mason's labourer.

1861 Census:

In the late 1860's, William and his family moved from Sun Street to Prospect Place. When William's youngest son Frank was baptised in 1868, the family's residence was given as Prospect Place.

By the time of the 1871 Census, the family were still living at Prospect Place, but William was now working as a labourer in an iron factory.

1871 Census:

William passed away, aged fifty-nine, on 24th June 1880, at his home at Prospect Place.