Finding Mr Wright

Another good book Anne, thank you so much. I liked the bit about him disliking clergy and noblemen. His family seems to have soured his opinion towards them. With his father dying in 1738, he might have come into money at that point, although maybe not if his father was a reverend of Leamington Hastings (very small village). Other money may have come to him from his distinguished family or even from Jane's family.

I've been rummaging through the newspapers to try and find the clipping that Neil posted about Ashley House having been built in 1720. Unsuccessful but I did find 2 references - 31st Dec 1946 and 4th Jan 1947 to J B Shelton setting the date of the property at 1720. I don't know how he knew but he would have very probably had contact with the owners and or may have seen architectural details that dated the property, from before it was destroyed in the war. Shelton wasn't confused as to which building had been Ashley House, unlike the later article that mistook the offices next door to be the old building. J B Shelton has to be about as fine a reference source as it's possible to get.

The Herbert came up trumps. I've now got Counsellor Francis Wheeler in the Much Park/Midsford Street ward living next door but one to William Lemon (who owned the first Coach and Horses) from 1753. Potentially a James Hewitt esq owned it before the Lawyer. Given these dates the house was Francis' house bought for his marriage to Jane 18^th Sep 1753. His kids were born there and all but one died. His wife also died. No wonder he moved. I'm now talking of a mere 10 year gap.

Would this be your James Hewitt, Helen. It is a list of Members of Parliament in the Coventry Herald and Weekly Advertiser 1826. Or it could be his grandfather who was also James and a prominent citizen of Coventry. We have come across this gentleman before as having been born in what was the Post Office in Smithford Street in 1712.

You're brilliant Anne I found a letter for a wife Mary complaining that she missed her husband who was away 'on the circuit'. Which would tie in with the court system. It ties in with Thomas Wright having legal connections and Francis Wheler too. I shall pursue this.

I have found this for you Helen, CET 31st December 1946

A Warwickshire man's diary also wrote this in January 1947 I met Mr. Shelton in Much Park Street recently, and we surveyed together the old half timbered buildings near the brewery. As we wandered amid the puddles and rubble of the blitzed interiors he sketched a ruminative picture of Ashley House (now completely destroyed) in the days of its glory, when carriages clattered into the busy yard to ring the 'now-rusty and forlorn warning bell, and ladies mounted their horses by the mounting-stone which can still be seen. City's Smallest House Our return walk to Mr. Shelton's book-filled motorcaravan in Much Park Street was enlivened by his pointing out an historical association almost at every step. We noted the site of a new-buried mediaeval bakery at the corner of St. John Street; recalled the earthwork ramp which ran up to the 15 feet high wall near this point; saw remnants of the old fire signs, dating from the period when insurance companies then the only fire brigades-put out only their policy - holders' fires; and glanced again at Coventry's smallest house (7-8 feet wide) in St. John Street. Mr. Shelton tells me that he is at work on a book describing the blitz experiences.

Thanks Anne I was looking through J B Shelton's stuff this week but alas, the sketch wasn't to be found. I just wish that he'd said how he knew that Ashley/Ashleigh House was built in 1720. But as I'm back to 1752, it looks impossible that the building can be anything but Mr Wright's house. We know that there weren't that many grand buildings built in Coventry in the early 1700s. Actually I'm back to 1749 because the Bradford map shows the recessed property, complete with courtyard. I'd never have got this far without your help and Derek's (Robthu). I'll try to flesh out the James Hewitt esq link, but I think that I can say that we've found Mr Wright.

James Hewitt Hewitt first worked as an attorney's clerk. By 1742, he had become a barrister. Rising quickly through the legal profession, his career climaxed when he was made Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1767, a post he held until his death in 1789. He was raised to the Peerage of Ireland as Baron Lifford, of Lifford in the County of Donegal, in 1768, and was further honoured when he was made Viscount Lifford in 1781, also in the Irish peerage. He was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Coventry for 1761 to 1766. He was not highly regarded as a Parliamentarian: his fellow MPs complained that his speeches were almost inaudible. Hewitt was the son of a Coventry draper, William Hewitt (1683-1747), who was born in Rockcliffe, Cumberland, the son of James Hewitt and Mary Urwin. The judge's mother was Hannah Lewis. In a class-conscious age, his background was something of a handicap, and his "small-town" manners were the subject of unkind comments throughout his life. Lord Lifford married firstly Mary Rhys Williams, daughter of the Rev. Rhys (or Price) Williams of Stapleford Abbotts, Essex, Archdeacon of Carmarthen, in 1749. In a Coventry Collections link, there is a connection between William Hewitt, James' father and William Neale who held the key to the house for Thomas Wright.

Hi Helen, hope you are having the nice sunshine today that we are getting. Just got back from a nice day out at a Radio Rally at Princethorpe College and met up with Daughter and partner and Brother and Sister in law as they live over that way. Right, business, I am getting a bit confused with all these people. Do you have a list of roughly who was in the house when and the dates you have missing. Wouldn't it be so useful if we had J B Shelton's note book.

Do you know much about the articles Shelton wrote for "Austin's monthly magazine" Just flicking through "A Harvest of History" It Says In his history of Much Park Street, as with all his street histories, he lists the occupants of the houses and there trades from the very earliest times from the leet book, trade directories and documents. Rob has quoted from some of the magazines, are they in the archives somewhere ?

Hi Anne, yes thanks, it's been a marvellous day. So my theory is that Thomas Wright had the Much Park Street house built some time in the 1720s. He was involved in matters legal and moved to London, got married to Lydia Halfpenny in 1729 and then didn't want to return to the house, so tries to sell it. He seems to have still had hold of it in 1742 (as per the mucky pavement mentioned in the Constables' Presentments). The next time the building crops up was in 1752 in the possession of James Hewitt esq, who was a lawyer who trained in London, near to where Thomas Wright was located. In 1753 Hewitt sold the property to Francis Wheler (also a lawyer). After that I've got a straight run of owners or inhabitants till the building was bombed. So I'm only short of the direct link between Wright and Hewitt 1742-1752. I believe that the Leet finishes too early to capture the 1700s?

Oh my word, Anne, if only I'd known you were there - I spent the morning there too, with Bev, Steve and my brother, Andy! We might've crossed paths without realising? We left about 11:30 though, after being there a couple of hours. (And I did actually buy Bev a radio! A 1970's Robert's Radio for a tenner.... which, when we got it home, didn't work! That's my project for today! ) As for Auston's Monthly Magazine articles by J. B. Shelton - can I assume that you've seen this page....? https://www.historiccoventry.co.uk/articles/j-b-shelton.php?pg=all A good few years ago I scanned every single copy held at The Herbert, and with permission from a member of Shelton's family I published the complete collection on HC. As you say though, it would be great if we could also see his lists of the occupants of the houses and their trades, online. One book that deals with many of these is The Early Records of Medieval Coventry, by Peter Coss, 1986 - but this book is still very much in copyright.

That's a shame Rob, it would have been nice to say hello. We did not arrive until about 11.00 but we were nearly last to leave as family did not arrive until later and we had the picnic. Not been able to go for a few years as I would not even have been able to walk from the car park. Daughter came in her camper so she made us tea. There are not many local rallies left now, we used to go to a lot, even had a stall at some. Thanks for the link. I will have a read at that. I am just trying to help Helen a bit in her search for Mr Wright although she is a lot more knowledgeable than me about it. Have a good day.

Probably not much help in the search but a few more facts about Mr Wright. I found in a book on Google Books Journals of the House of Commons 1722 to 1727. Thomas Wright and George Aldridge, Physician (most likely Thomas's future son in law) were principal contrivers and promoters of the said riots and tumults and seditions on the 20th November 1722 (1722 Coventry riots). They were taken into custody by the sergeant of arms. They were discharged after their plea and had paid their fees on 17th December 1722. I also had a relook at his will made 1746, he was buried 31st March 1748. If he died in Coventry he wanted to be buried in Holy Trinity Church Yard next to his late dear wife (his first wife). If he died elsewhere he wished to be buried in the local parish church. He left his "small" estates to his daughter Elizabeth Aldridge. He gave a couple of items to his son James but said he has spent enough on his education and he was well provided for. But Lydia he only gives £10 for her mourning and £20 a year for her life, but says free from all taxes, considering I had nothing with her I hope she will think I have dealt kindly with her. (A strange thing to say.) Going back to the auction of the house, Helen, do you know what date that was ?