Goldsmith Apprenticeship Record

[Peter Cockerill]

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

[Bookbox]

May the 22^th 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

[Neale1961]

I wondered if the parish was Wix - spelled here Wex ?

[Peter Cockerill]

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

[Bookbox]

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)?

[Lady Di]

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.

[keldon]

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.

[keldon]

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

[Watson]

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)?