Joseph Wright

first name

Joseph

last name

Wright

gender

male

birth, death year

-- , --

first, last year in records

--, --

confidence level

None

freed status (year freed)

unknown

enslaver(s)

location(s)

Deerfield, MA

place of origin

Bio

From 1780 through 1787, "Joseph Wright (Negro)" was treated by Dr. Elihu Ashley of Deerfield, Massachusetts. Wright was a cooper and laborer. He paid for the doctor's services with, among other things, cider barrels and a mash tub (used for making beer.) In 1788, Wright stole a hog, was found guilty in the court case, and had to pay about £8 in expenses.

Wright was married to a woman named Lois and they had at least one child, also named Joseph.

Entry	Source	Vol Name	Date	entry id
• Hampshire Sr. Deerfield Dec^r 16^th 1788-By Virtue of this Writ I attach one Chain, One Cow- one- Cow Bell-one Ax- an Adz- a Fro- one Shave- a Sickle- one Cooling-Iron & one Coopers Ax- and on the 22^nd of Dec^r 1788- by Virtue of this Writ I attach^d two Tons of Hay- all the above- articles being the Estate of the within named Joseph Wright and at the Same Time I gave him a Summons for his- Appearance at Court as the Law directs- Eben^r Wells Constable of Deerfield Service 1/4 Travel 6 1/10 William Joiner Jos. Wright Williams Esq^rDec^r 29^th 1788 Defaulted	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts	1788 Dec 16	2766
• Hampshire To the Sheriff of the said County of Hampshire or either of his Deputies, or any of the Constables of the Town of Deerfield within the same County. GREETING. In the Name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to attach the Goods or estate of Joseph Wright Negro of Deerfield aforesaid Labourer to the Value of Eight pounds and for Want thereof, to take the Body of the said Joseph (if he may be found in your Precinct) and him safely keep, so that he may be had before me John Williams Esq. one of the Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid, at my Dwelling House in Deefield on Monday the twenty Ninth Day of Dec^r current at two of the Clock, in the afternoon; then and there to answer to William Joiner of Deerfield in Said County Yeoman- in a plea of Trespass- for that the said Joseph at said Deerfield on the twentieth Day of December- in the Year of Our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Eighty six- with Force and Arms took on fat Hog- then and there found- being- the property of the plaintiff and of the Value of four pounds- and the same Hog the said Joseph carried away and converted to his Wife To the Damage of the said William Joiner- (as he saith) the sum of four pounds as shall then and there appear with other due Damages. Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Writt, and of your Doings therein, to myself, at or before the said twenty ninth Day of December current Dated at Deerfield aforesaid, the sixteenth Day of December in the Year of our Lord, One thousand seven hundred eighty eight- John Williams Just. Pacis.	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts	1788 Dec 16	2765
• Hampshire to Peter Phillips late resident in Conway And Joseph abels You are hereby Required in the Name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to make your Appearance before me John Williams Esq; one of the Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid at my Dwelling House in Deerfield on mond^y the 20^th Day of Dec^r current at two of the Clock in the afternoon, to give Evidence of what you know relating to Joeph Wright- Negro, steal^g a Hog the property of William Joiner- Hereof fail not, as you will answer your Default under the Pains and Penalty in the Law in that Behalf made and provided. Dated at Deerfield the seventeenth Day of Dec^r in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty eight- John Williams Justice of the Peace	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts	1788 Dec 17	2772
• Hampshire Js Dec^er 20 1788 I have Summon^d the within Named Peter Phillipes and Joseph Abels to appear as witness as is Drafted in the within Summons Summoning 2 Es^q 1/4 Caleb Lyman Constable of Northfield Relvin Prop^t 3/ 4/4 Subpena- Peter-	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts	1788 Dec 20	2773
• and him bring as soon as may be before me or some other Justice of the Peace for Said County to answer to the foregoing Complaints: and to be dealt with therein as to Law and Justice appertains- and you are likewise required to summon Jonathan Hoit 2^d and Abigail his wife William Joiner- Lois Wright & Joseph Wright son of the same Joseph- and Nabby wife of Peter an Indain Man late resident in Conway to appear when & where you shall bring the same Joseph- Said Joseph Wright first named to give Evidence of what they know relating to the Premises- and also to notify the said Edward Joiner to appear at the same time & place- given under my Hand and Seal dated at Deerfield aforesaid the seventeenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty eight John Williams Justice of the Peace Hampshire Jr. Dec^r y^e 20^th 1788- In Obedience to the Warrant foregoing. I have Apprehended the Body of Joseph Wright therein mention^d - I have him at this Time- before your Honor for Trial- I have also summon^d the above named Jon^a Hoit y^e 2^nd and William Joiner to appear & give Evience of what they know respect^g the foregoing Complaints- and have notified Edw^d Joiner the Complainant to appear- Eben^r Wells- Constable of Deerfield	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts	1788 Dec 20	2768
• To John Williams Esq^r One of the Justices of the peace for the County of Hampshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Edward Joiner Jun^r of Deerfield in said County yeoman- complains- and informs your Honour that Joseph Wright Negro of said Deerfield Labourer- did on the twentieth Day of December in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eight six at Deerfield aforesaid- with force and Arms feloniously steal take and carry away one fat- Hog of the Value of thirteen shillings & four pence Lawf^l money the property of William Joiner of said Deerfield yeoman- contrary to Law- and against the peace & Dignity of said Commonwealth- the said Edward therefore prays proof may issue against the said Joseph and that he may be made to do in the premises as to Law & Justice appertains and as in Duty bound shall pray- Deerfield Dec^r 16^th 1788- Edward Joyner Jun^r Witnesses Jon^a Hoit 2^nd- Abigail Hoit William Joiner- Lois Wright Joseph Wright Jun^r - Nabby Wife of peter an Indian Man- Commonwealth of Massachusetts- Hampshire Jr- To The Sheriff of said County of Hampshire or either of his Deputies either or the Constables of the Town of Deerfield Belchertown or Sunderland within the same County. -- Greetings--- In the Name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby required forthwith to apprehend the Body of the above named Joseph Wright of said Deerfield Labourer (if he may be found in your Precincts) and	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts	1788 Dec 20	2767
• Hampshire Lt Sunderland Desember 19 1788 The Derection of this rit hath bin atended to and have summond Nabbe the wif of Peter An indiun Man as the Law Derects David Graves Constable fees Serve 006 travel yearly 012 Complaint & Warrant agst Jos. Wright [?] pleads not guilty afterwards retracts & pleads guilty	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts	1788 Dec 20	2769
• Hamp Jr Dec^er 22^th 1788 by Virtue of this writ of atatch one Cow and one bed and strap the Estate of the within Named Wright and gave him a sommons to appearing [paper torn- cort?] attn Ethansom D J Jhos D William [page torn] Jos. Wrig [page torn] Wiliam C [page torn] Dec^r 29th 1 [page torn- 1788?] Defaulted	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts	1788 Dec 22	2775
• Hampshir [page torn] nwealth of Massachusetts. [page torn] ounty of Hampshire [page torn] onstables of the Town of Deerfield [page torn] to any or either of them GREETING. [page torn] monwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to [page torn] te of Joseph Wright / Negro/ of Deerfield i [page torn] t- Pounds- and for Want [page torn] t [page torn] y of the said Joseph (if [page torn] n your Precinct) and him safely keep, so that he may be had [page torn] Williams- Esq. one of the Justices of the Peace for t [page torn] esaid, at my Dwelling-House in Deerfield- in said Count [page torn] day- the twenty ninth Day of Dec^r current at tw [page torn] Clock in the afternoon: Then and there to answer to William Holloway of [page torn] in said County yeoman in a plea of the Case, for that the said Joseph at s^d Deerfield on the twenty eighth Day of November last part by his- promisory Note in Writing under his hand of that Date for Valu [page torn] ed promised the said William to pay him or hindrd the Sum of four pounds Lawful Money on Demand with the Lawful Intress of said Sum till paid- Yet the said Joseph tho' often requested hath never paid the Same or any part thereof but- he unjustly neglects it- To the Damage of the said William (as he saith) the Sum of Four- Pounds as shall then and there be made to appear, with other due Damages. Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Writ, and your Doings therein, unto myself, at or before the said twenty ninth Day of December Dated at Deerfield aforesaid, the twenty second Day of December in the Year of our Lord, oneThousand seven Hundred and Eighty Eight John Williams	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts	1788 Dec 22	2774
• On Complaint Edw^d Joiner Jun^r vs Joseph Wright, Negro Bill of Costs Compl^t & Warrant 2/ £ ..2.. Service 1/4- Trav^l 1/ ..2..4 Summons 2 Witnesses 1/ ..1.. Trav^l For D^d /4 .. ..4 Entry &c 2/10 ..2..10 Witnesses Viz- Will^m Joiner Attend^e 2/ Trav^l /4^d ..2..4 Jon^a Hoit 2^nd D^o 2/ D^o /6^d ..2..6 Edw^d Joiner Jun D^o 2/ ..2.. Casar D^o 2/ Trav^l 1/8 ..3..8 John Warner D^o 4/ D^o 1/8 ..5..8 Irena D^o 4/ D^o 1/8 ..5..8 Sarah D^o 2/ D^o 1/8 ..3..8 Officer's aid- keep^g prisoner 24 Novr 1..8.. Zur Hawks sum^g 4 Witnesses /6^dp= ..2.. Trav^l for D^o 1/2 ..1..2 David Graves sum^g 1 Witness /6^d .. ..6 Trav^l for D^o 1/2 ..1..2 Eben^r Barnard Trav^l for a Witness 2/ ..2.. Itham^r Burt Trav^l for D^o 3/ ..3.. Epaph^s Hoit Trav^l for a Witness 14/ ..14.. Abiath^r Joy Trav^l for Witness 12/ ..12.. Caleb Lyman sum^g a Witness 1/ ..1.. Travel for D^o 3/ ..3.. Witness peter phillips Attend: 2/- Trav^l 5/ ..7.. Jos. Abel- Attend 2/- Trav^l 5/ ..7.. Jon^a Hoit 2^nd Trav^l for Witness 3/ ..3.. Trial Issue 2/ ..2.. £6.. ..10 Exam^d & Allow^d John Williams pr. Dam^g 2.. .. Fine 15/ ..15.. £8..15..10	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts	1789 Jan 3	2770
• Jan^y 3. 1789 we hereby acknowledge we have rec^d the sums set to our Names in full of the within Bill of Cost taxed to us respectively John Warner Rec 5/8 Rends 5/8 Sarah x 3/8 Epaphras Hoit 14/ W^m x Joyner 2/4 W^m x Joyner 40/ Abiatha Joy 12/- Eben^r Barnard Jun^r 2/- JW Barrett for Caleb Lyman 4/-	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace	Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts	1789 Jan 3	2771

Entry

Source

Vol Name

Date

entry id

• Hampshire Sr. Deerfield Dec^r 16^th 1788-By Virtue of this Writ I attach one Chain, One Cow- one- Cow Bell-one Ax- an Adz- a Fro- one Shave- a Sickle- one Cooling-Iron & one Coopers Ax- and on the 22^nd of Dec^r 1788- by Virtue of this Writ I attach^d two Tons of Hay- all the above- articles being the Estate of the within named Joseph Wright and at the Same Time I gave him a Summons for his- Appearance at Court as the Law directs- Eben^r Wells Constable of Deerfield
Service 1/4
Travel 6
1/10

William Joiner
Jos. Wright
Williams Esq^rDec^r 29^th 1788

Defaulted

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts

1788 Dec 16

2766

• Hampshire To the Sheriff of the said County of Hampshire or either of his Deputies, or any of the Constables of the Town of Deerfield within the same County. GREETING. In the Name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to attach the Goods or estate of Joseph Wright Negro of Deerfield aforesaid Labourer to the Value of Eight pounds and for Want thereof, to take the Body of the said Joseph (if he may be found in your Precinct) and him safely keep, so that he may be had before me John Williams Esq. one of the Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid, at my Dwelling House in Deefield on Monday the twenty Ninth Day of Dec^r current at two of the Clock, in the afternoon; then and there to answer to William Joiner of Deerfield in Said County Yeoman- in a plea of Trespass- for that the said Joseph at said Deerfield on the twentieth Day of December- in the Year of Our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Eighty six- with Force and Arms took on fat Hog- then and there found- being- the property of the plaintiff and of the Value of four pounds- and the same Hog the said Joseph carried away and converted to his Wife

To the Damage of the said William Joiner- (as he saith) the sum of four pounds as shall then and there appear with other due Damages. Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Writt, and of your Doings therein, to myself, at or before the said twenty ninth Day of December current Dated at Deerfield aforesaid, the sixteenth Day of December in the Year of our Lord, One thousand seven hundred eighty eight-
John Williams Just. Pacis.

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts

1788 Dec 16

2765

• Hampshire to Peter Phillips late resident in Conway And Joseph abels You are hereby Required in the Name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to make your Appearance before me John Williams Esq; one of the Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid at my Dwelling House in Deerfield on mond^y the 20^th Day of Dec^r current at two of the Clock in the afternoon, to give Evidence of what you know relating to Joeph Wright- Negro, steal^g a Hog the property of William Joiner- Hereof fail not, as you will answer your Default under the Pains and Penalty in the Law in that Behalf made and provided. Dated at Deerfield the seventeenth Day of Dec^r in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty eight-
John Williams Justice of the Peace

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts

1788 Dec 17

2772

• Hampshire Js Dec^er 20 1788
I have Summon^d the within Named Peter Phillipes and Joseph Abels to appear as witness as is Drafted in the within Summons
Summoning 2 Es^q 1/4 Caleb Lyman Constable of Northfield
Relvin Prop^t 3/
4/4

Subpena- Peter-

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts

1788 Dec 20

2773

• and him bring as soon as may be before me or some other Justice of the Peace for Said County to answer to the foregoing Complaints: and to be dealt with therein as to Law and Justice appertains- and you are likewise required to summon Jonathan Hoit 2^d and Abigail his wife William Joiner- Lois Wright & Joseph Wright son of the same Joseph- and Nabby wife of Peter an Indain Man late resident in Conway to appear when & where you shall bring the same Joseph- Said Joseph Wright first named to give Evidence of what they know relating to the Premises- and also to notify the said Edward Joiner to appear at the same time & place- given under my Hand and Seal dated at Deerfield aforesaid the seventeenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty eight
John Williams Justice of the Peace

Hampshire Jr. Dec^r y^e 20^th 1788-
In Obedience to the Warrant foregoing. I have Apprehended the Body of Joseph Wright therein mention^d - I have him at this Time- before your Honor for Trial- I have also summon^d the above named Jon^a Hoit y^e 2^nd and William Joiner to appear & give Evience of what they know respect^g the foregoing Complaints- and have notified Edw^d Joiner the Complainant to appear-
Eben^r Wells- Constable of Deerfield

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts

1788 Dec 20

2768

• To John Williams Esq^r One of the Justices of the peace for the County of Hampshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Edward Joiner Jun^r of Deerfield in said County yeoman- complains- and informs your Honour that Joseph Wright Negro of said Deerfield Labourer- did on the twentieth Day of December in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eight six at Deerfield aforesaid- with force and Arms feloniously steal take and carry away one fat- Hog of the Value of thirteen shillings & four pence Lawf^l money the property of William Joiner of said Deerfield yeoman- contrary to Law- and against the peace & Dignity of said Commonwealth- the said Edward therefore prays proof may issue against the said Joseph and that he may be made to do in the premises as to Law & Justice appertains and as in Duty bound shall pray-
Deerfield Dec^r 16^th 1788- Edward Joyner Jun^r
Witnesses
Jon^a Hoit 2^nd- Abigail Hoit
William Joiner- Lois Wright
Joseph Wright Jun^r - Nabby Wife
of peter an Indian Man-

Commonwealth of Massachusetts- Hampshire Jr- To The Sheriff of said County of Hampshire or either of his Deputies either or the Constables of the Town of Deerfield Belchertown or Sunderland within the same County. -- Greetings--- In the Name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby required forthwith to apprehend the Body of the above named Joseph Wright of said Deerfield Labourer (if he may be found in your Precincts) and

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts

1788 Dec 20

2767

• Hampshire Lt Sunderland Desember 19 1788

The Derection of this rit hath bin atended to and have summond Nabbe the wif of Peter An indiun Man as the Law Derects
David Graves Constable
fees Serve 006
travel yearly 012

Complaint & Warrant agst Jos. Wright [?] pleads not guilty afterwards retracts & pleads guilty

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts

1788 Dec 20

2769

• Hamp Jr Dec^er 22^th 1788
by Virtue of this writ of atatch one Cow and one bed and strap the Estate of the within Named Wright and gave him a sommons to appearing [paper torn- cort?]
attn Ethansom D J Jhos
D
William [page torn]
Jos. Wrig [page torn]
Wiliam C [page torn]
Dec^r 29th 1 [page torn- 1788?]

Defaulted

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts-Town Offices-Law Enforcement-Justice of the Peace

Town of Deerfield, MA, Manuscripts

1788 Dec 22

2775

• Hampshir [page torn] nwealth of Massachusetts. [page torn] ounty of Hampshire [page torn] onstables of the Town of Deerfield [page torn] to any or either of them GREETING. [page torn] monwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to [page torn] te of Joseph Wright / Negro/ of Deerfield i [page torn] t- Pounds- and for Want [page torn] t [page torn] y of the said Joseph (if [page torn] n your Precinct) and him safely keep, so that he may be had [page torn] Williams- Esq. one of the Justices of the Peace for t [page torn] esaid, at my Dwelling-House in Deerfield- in said Count [page torn] day- the twenty ninth Day of Dec^r current at tw [page torn] Clock in the afternoon: Then and there to answer to William Holloway of [page torn] in said County yeoman in a plea of the Case, for that the said Joseph at s^d Deerfield on the twenty eighth Day of November last part by his- promisory Note in Writing under his hand of that Date for Valu [page torn] ed promised the said William to pay him or hindrd the Sum of four pounds Lawful Money on Demand with the Lawful Intress of said Sum till paid- Yet the said Joseph tho' often requested hath never paid the Same or any part thereof but- he unjustly neglects it-