HOW IT ALL BEGAN

       MY HERITAGE

Nelson & Harriet Perry, left, and Louise & Wesley Wright.

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The idea to create this site came to me in stages. Firstly, I wanted to revive some of the things that my father had written and I felt that his "word picture" on the Town of Dresden in 1910 would be a good place to start. Then I thought I might add some reflections of my own. Before long the site took on a life of its own and what I have ended up with is the equivalent of a book -- and it continues to be a work in progress with additions and revisions almost weekly as I think of something or come across some forgotten information.

     A few years ago when the history of Dresden was being updated there was some confusion about the origin of my Wright family in Dresden. It was incorrectly assumed that we were connected to the William Wright that is credited with being the founder of the Town of Dresden and the earlier Fairfield settlement.

     My research has shown otherwise, however, as grandfather Wesley was born in the township of Colchester South, Essex County, 1852, the second son of Ebeneezer and Eliza Wright. At 22 years-of-age, young Wesley married even younger Mary Klie, 18, the daughter of Henry and Louise Klie of Amherstburg on the 9th of February, 1875.  Sadly Mary, who was of poor health, died within days of the marriage.  Coincidentally, Wesley's second wife Annie was the young widow of  another Wright, David (relationship undetermined), who died suddenly on the 26th of November, 1877, at 33 years-of-age. Wes, then 27, and Annie, 29, were married in Ridgetown on the 14th of October, 1879 and had two sons, Owen Bruce and Ebbie Eavis. Annie (the daughter of Nelson and Elizabth Fury of Dresden) passed away in 1892 and Wes remarried in 1896 to the former Louise Reddick, (daughter of James and Elizabeth Reddick of Sombra), my father Aubry Kenneth being the result of that union.  I know that is all very confusing but genealogically, it is what it is.

     Segments of the Wright clan, primarily Irish and Scottish, arrived in America about the time of the Mayflower and formed the nucleus of numerous settlements from Main to the Cumberland Gap. In Canada they settled Nova Scotia, the St. Lawrence and the Ottawa Valley.
    My mother's family, *see "The Perrys: My Other Half"  http://dicktheblogster7.blogspot.com/

were descendants of United Empire Loyalists who found their way into Canada by way of Cape Breton Island and Newfoundland. So no matter how you slice the encorporated family tree, we've been "working" this North American soil for a long time.

     Both sets of grandparents, Wesley and Louise Wright and Nelson and Harriet (Peck) Perry, were prominent in Dresden in the late 1800s and early 1900s, as were my mother and father, Grace and Ken, in later years. It is to these dear folks that I dedicate this site.

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GOD'S MERCIES

A "rhyme" written by Ken Wright, 1921

Sects, creeds and theories

Are thoughts seeking the light;

Nations and races of people

Constantly are seeking the right.
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All have desires within them
God's truth to understand,
Evidence of honour and justice
Are witnessed in every land.
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Each has a creed or a theory
Many a faith strong and true,
All are God's children in weakness
Righteous lives they seek anew.

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God's hand is seen all around us
His mercies and blessings abound,
On that day when all must face Him
He then our course will expound.