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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Peter Cockerill on Wednesday 09 November 22 21:06 GMT (UK)

Title: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: Peter Cockerill on Wednesday 09 November 22 21:06 GMT (UK)
Dear Friends

I would be grateful for a transcript of attached. I am having problems with the Essex parish name.

Thank you so much

Peter
Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: Bookbox on Wednesday 09 November 22 21:47 GMT (UK)
May the 22th 1685
Memorandum that I Richard Wright the Sonne of
Anthoney wright of the parish of well in the
Countey of Esex, yeuman doe put my
self Apprentice to Henery Leyon Citizen and
Goldsmith of London for the terme of seven
years frome this present day


It definitely starts with w, as compared with the w in wright (especially in Anthoney wright).

But what parish is intended? (Woodford) Well(s)? (South) Weald?

Can you find an Anthony Wright in any Essex PR with a son Richard born c1670? He would have to be 14 or over in 1685 to be apprenticed in the City of London.

ADDED
Looks like LondonRoll is also uncertain ...
https://www.londonroll.org/event/?company=gsm&event_id=GSDM7419
Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: Neale1961 on Wednesday 09 November 22 22:53 GMT (UK)
I wondered if the parish was Wix - spelled here Wex ?
Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: Peter Cockerill on Thursday 10 November 22 09:54 GMT (UK)
Dear Neale1961 and Bookbox

Thank you both for your helpful replies. The family of Wright had their main branch at Kelvedon also in Essex but some way from Wix.

Do you happen to know if the signature would be Richard's or the clerk's who made the entry.

The Wrights were recusant catholics and I wonder if Richard Wright wanted to disguise his origins and gave an artificial parish name? 1685 was the year King Charles II died, he was thought to have Catholic sympathies but his brother James II less so perhaps therefore a need for caution.

Many thanks again
Peter




Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: Bookbox on Thursday 10 November 22 11:22 GMT (UK)
Do you happen to know if the signature would be Richard's or the clerk's who made the entry.

What exactly is the source?

The Wrights were recusant catholics and I wonder if Richard Wright wanted to disguise his origins and gave an artificial parish name?

Most unlikely. Probably the person who wrote the entry was not familiar with the parish name. You need to take into account what the source is, where it was written and by whom.

Have you tried the parish register search I suggested (reply #1)?
Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: Lady Di on Thursday 10 November 22 11:37 GMT (UK)
Have you had a look at SEAX - Essex Archives?
The following might be of interest
https://www.essexarchivesonline.co.uk/result_details.aspx?ThisRecordsOffSet=1&id=232851

This mentions a Richard Wright, Goldsmith (of London). He has property (currently rented) at "South Weald" etc 
 - all under the heading of "Register of Papist estates", dated 1717

I have an ancestor who was an apprentice Goldsmith in 1660's and he signed in apprenticeship agreement. Suggest you see of there is a copy of Richard's at the Goldsmith's Company.

Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: keldon on Thursday 10 November 22 12:09 GMT (UK)
The Wright's were a well-established family in South Weald and Kelvedon Hatch. I've seen South Weald referred to as just Weald before. Perhaps this is what the writer meant. Can be confusing though as there is a North Weald Bassett 13 miles away.
Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: keldon on Thursday 10 November 22 12:13 GMT (UK)
Essex Parish Registers - index on Ancestry

Name:   Richard Wright
Gender:   Male
Baptism Date:   26 Jun 1669
Baptism Place:   South Weald, St Peter, Essex, England
Father: Anthony Wright
Mother: Gent Joane Wright
Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: Watson on Thursday 10 November 22 12:18 GMT (UK)
It looks like "Well", though I'm puzzled by what seem to be two small horizontal sticks on the "W".  Do Chigwell, Bradwell and Hawkwell come into consideration (to name only three)?
Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: Peter Cockerill on Thursday 10 November 22 17:09 GMT (UK)
Thank you all for so much help.

In response to Bookbox The manuscript document is from Goldsmith's Livery Company and is I understand their original register of apprentices. Keldon has kindly dug out the Parish reference.

Thanks to Keldon for the Parish Register entry this is a big help.

Also thanks to Lady Di very helpful info. which I need to follow up.

Thank you too Watson for your suggestions.

Thank you all again for so much help. I am trying to complete the pedigree of this junior line of Wrights of Kelvedon and your input has been most helpful.

Any furhter info. most welcome.

Best wishes

Peter

Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: Peter Cockerill on Thursday 10 November 22 17:23 GMT (UK)
Dear Friends

FYI

I have just heard from Librarian at Goldsmith's Livery Company who confirms the signatures in the register are those of the apprentices.

Best wishes

Peter
Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: spendlove on Thursday 10 November 22 20:32 GMT (UK)
Hi,

Do you think the name Well? Was a poor attempt by the Clerk and should be Weald?

Richard Wright  married Martha. ?  According to her Will  Richard died intestate, so his estate would have been divided between his children:-

Anthony
Frances
Teresa

If you have access to Ancestry this is the Will of Martha Wright widow.

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/881376:5111?_phsrc=rHn27&_phstart=successSource&gsfn=Martha&gsln=Wright&ml_rpos=13&queryId=0475c874f594bc2fb34b83f2d27f2f22

The will also gives names of other relatives.

Regards
Spendlove


Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: Peter Cockerill on Thursday 10 November 22 20:41 GMT (UK)
Thank you Spendlove. Unfortunately I don't have access to Ancestry but this is a great lead thank you

I have found this reference:
 
'The Manor of Wallextons in Writtle in his own occupation; a messuage and farm called Wallextons alias Owsons in Writtle and Roxwell'

Could the strange lettering transcribed as 'Well' be abbreviaition for Wallextons I wonder?

Peter

 
Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: spendlove on Thursday 10 November 22 21:48 GMT (UK)
Martha in her Will names sisters Frances & Mary Pulton, she also asked to be buried in Weald near to her husband.    Looking on Find a Grave St. Peter’s South Weald there is the following  info re Martha & Richard Wright.                                                         https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143157080/martha-wright                                                                                                                   
Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: Peter Cockerill on Thursday 10 November 22 22:25 GMT (UK)
Thanks so much Spendlove and a thousand thanks more

Peter
Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: Watson on Friday 11 November 22 07:34 GMT (UK)
Peter asked:  Could the strange lettering transcribed as 'Well' be abbreviation for Wallextons I wonder?

I would think you can rule that out, as Wallextons is not a parish.
Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: keldon on Friday 11 November 22 08:58 GMT (UK)
Nuncupative will of Anthony Wright of South Weald dated 1674 at the Essex Record Office. Executrix Joanne. Very blurred image, subscription required.
https://www.essexarchivesonline.co.uk/result_details.aspx?ThisRecordsOffSet=1&id=912275
Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: Peter Cockerill on Friday 11 November 22 13:34 GMT (UK)
Thank you so much Keldon this is so helpful. I will get copy.

Very best wishes

Peter


Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: Peter Cockerill on Friday 11 November 22 13:37 GMT (UK)
Think I will go with Keldon's suggestion of 'Weald' for the parish referred to in the apprenticeship record.

Thanks everyone

Peter
Title: Re: Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record
Post by: arthurk on Friday 11 November 22 16:28 GMT (UK)
There's an article on South Weald in the Victoria County History, with mentions of the Wright family:

https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol8/pp74-90

It might also be worth exploring the VCH for other Essex parishes you're interested in, as they might be similarly well-described.