On February 17th, 1662, in the Rectory House of S. Andrew, Holborn, Bishop Hacket (of Coventry and Lichfield) instituted “Johannes Wright, clericus,” into the vicarage of Seighford, Staff., vacant through death of last incumbent, on presentation of the King.[1]
On the 5th of the same month, at an ordination held in the Parish Church of S. Andrew, Holborn, by the same Bishop Hacket, “Johēs Wright, e Colleg, Dublin, in Regno Hiberiæ,” was ordained priest.
On September 12th, 1671, Bishop Wood instituted Jno. Nash to the vicarage of Seighford, on the resignation of John Wright.
On leaving Seighford, the Rev. John Wright became Rector of Longford, Co. Derby, where he died in 1681. His death is thus recorded in the Parish Register, “1681. John Wright, rector of Longford, an orthodox and worthy son. Buried January 10th.”
This exemplary clergyman left a widow and eight children. The maiden name of the former I have not been able to discover, but her Christian name was Elizabeth, and those of his surviving children (he had lost one, Sarah, during her childhood) are written on the back of the inventory of his goods, thus—
- Richard.
- John.
- Thomas.
- Jonathan.
- Matthewe.
- Elizabeth.
- Mary.
- Bridget.
Letters of Administration were taken out on the 28th June, 1682, and some of the items of the inventory are so interesting as to be worth transcribing. It is to be remarked, in the first place, that his goods were valued at the low total sum of £205, and that the largest item was for “corn, wheat, pease, and oates, £44,” from which, and from other entries, it may be inferred that he farmed his own glebe. Among the latter may be quoted—
| Hay | £25 | 6 | 8 |
| 2 mares, 1 nagg | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 heifers, 4 calves, 6 cows in calf, 3 bullocks | 27 | 13 | 4 |
| 19 sheep and 4 swine | 6 | 19 | 4 |
Of the modest establishment and simple habits of this country parson of the 17th century this document affords evidence. His “plate” was estimated at £5 only, and the same sum was considered sufficient to represent the value of his “purse and apparell,” while the worth of the whole furniture of his “parlour,” consisting of “15 chairs, 2 tables, 1 carpet,” is set down at £3. That he was studious, as well as simple, is attested by the comparatively large valuation of the contents of his “studdy.” These were “one desk and lock, and shelves and books,” which were assessed at £30 4s.—a sum exceeding the supposed equivalent in money of the entire furniture of the Rectory. This assertion I must ask my readers to take upon trust, as the inventory of the contents of the kitchen, dairy, brewhouse, and five upper chambers is scarcely of sufficient interest to print in extenso.