Joshua Grainger Wright Paper, 1857
PC. 1071
Manuscript of Address delivered by Wright at a celebration of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, Feb.
27, 1857, with note added by Samuel A. Ashe in 1930.
Biographical Note:
According to Ashe's note, Joshua Grainger Wright, was a brother of William and "one of the most
esteemed lawyers of the Cape Fear." Joshua (1809-1863) was the twelfth child of Superior Court Judge
Joshua Grainger and Susan Bradley Wright of Wilmington, New Hanover County. He attended the
University of North Carolina in 1825, and subsequently enrolled in Washington College (Hartford,
Connecticut), established in 1823 for the education of Episcopal clergyman. Instead of the ministry,
Joshua turned to the practice of law, as did his father, and brothers, Charles J. and William Augustus
Wright (1807-1878). Joshua was in high demand in the region as an orator; and he was often invited to
deliver eulogies, including one for John C. Calhoun (after his remains were taken by train in April 1850 to
Wilmington, prior to transport by steamer to Charleston for burial).
Subject Terms:
Moores Creek Bridge, Battle of, N.C., 1776.
North Carolina - History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 - Campaigns.
Cumberland County (N.C.) -- History.
Sources:
John W. Smith, "Joshua Grainger Wright: Superior Court Judge, 1808-1811," Lower Cape Fear Historical
Society Bulletin 49 (January 2005): 1-3.
Susan Block. The Wrights of Wilmington (Wilmington, N.C.: Wilmington Printing Company, 1992), 82-92.
Website offindagrave.com. Wilmington, N.C., New Hanover County, Oakdale Cemetery. Various Wright
family memorials.
Description by Fran Tracy-Walls
June 2012
