Joseph Wright (1793-1859)
Joseph Wright (1793-1859) of Joseph Wright and Sons
1793 November 18th. Born at Reading the son of William Wright and his wife Susan
Married Elizabeth Mary
1819 October 18th. Birth of son Henry Wright (1819-1893) at Coppice Row, Clerkenwell,
1821 October 8th. Birth of son Benjamin Wright (1821-1871) at Clarkenwell
1823 Birth of son George Wright (1823-1880) at Clarkenwell
1826 October 12th. Birth of son Joseph Wright (1826-1905) at Clerkenwell
1829 Birth of daughter Elizabeth Mary (1829-1917) at Clerkenwell
1841 Living at 1 Calthorpe Street, St Pancras, Middlesex. Coach Builder.[1]
1851 Living at 1 Calthorpe Street, St Pancras, Middlesex. Master Coach Builder.[2]
1859 November 8th. Died. Of Fair Lawn Villa, Turnham Green. Buried at Hanwell Cemetery, Kensington
1859 Funeral [3]
FUNERAL OF JOSEPH WRIGHT, ESQ. The remains of the late Mr. Joseph Wright, formerly of the Saltley Works, whose sudden demise we announced a few days ago, took place yesterday, at St. Mary Abbott's Cemetery, Hanwell.
The men in the employ of the firm, at Saltley, by whom the late senior partner was held in the highest esteem, expressed a wish that a special service should take place at the Saltley Church on the occasion of his funeral, with the view to manifest a suitable expression of regret for the memory of their old employer and friend. The present partners of the firm assented; and yesterday the works were entirely closed. All employed at the establishment assembled at eleven o'clock - the number exceeded five hundred - and a procession was formed to the Church service, suitable to the occasion, was performed by the Rev. Mr. Williams, the incumbent; a fell choir sang the ode, "Vital spark; and "Why do we mourn departing friends?" The sermon which followed was suitable to the occasion. The minister selected for his text the passages from the 15th chapter of the 1st Corinthians, the 56th and two following verses. He alluded, in such affectionate terms as the occasion might well call forth, to the sudden call upon which Mr. Wright had passed away; he spoke of the feeling of veneration with which he was regarded; to the love which his blameless life had enkindled about him; and referred to the intention of the deceased to visit Saltley on the very day on which his spirit was called to its Master.
The minister traced the career of a good man, industrious in this world, yet making all things subservient to the honour and glory of his God; and he pointed to the life of the deceased as an example of benevolence and usefulness as a man, yet whose way was ever directed to the Eternal Way. The large audience were evidently much affected; to which the preacher's earnestness, his theme, and the solemnity of the occasion, much contributed.
The name of Mr. Joseph Wright will for ever be honourably associated with the trading annals of this town. In the old coaching days Mr. Wright was, if we mistake not, the very largest contractor in the kingdom for the build of those vehicles. He planted the works at Saltley many years ago, before the railway system had begun fairly to develop itself; but from the commencement of that era, Mr. Wright embarked in the new field open to industry and enterprise with his accustomed energy: of this the rapid expansion of the works at Saltley afforded the best proof wherever the genius of Stephenson planted the locomotive - in whatever country or clime - the skill and resources of Joseph Wright were always visible there.
He retired from an active participation in business some years ago, leaving to his sons the conduct of that which his industry had raised up. Those who knew the late Mr. Wright, or who had ever come into contact with him, were at once made sensible of his kindly and gentle nature, whilst those who enjoyed the inexpressible pleasure of his society, and were familiar with the charms and graces of his manner, will appreciate the sentiment that a gentler spirit or a nobler nature has seldom been withdrawn from this world.
That withdrawal was so sudden and unexpected as to invest death in his case with circumstances peculiarly mournful. One short week since Mr. Wright was in good health - certainly in his usual health - and yesterday the grave closed over him.
He has left behind him a host of loving friends, who will find a blank in the sacred circle which time can scarcely fill up. To those who loved him most, the affectionate tribute paid to his memory yesterday by those in whose welfare lie took so deep an interest, will be appreciated as a fitting, truthful, end generous expression of veneration and regard, by all who have reason to cherish his memory with thankfulness.