Aaron Alexander Wright and Annis Dulcenia Waters of Cherokee Co, NC

I (Marty Grant) am a Great Great Grandson of Aaron Alexander Wright and Annis Dulcenia Waters.

Special thanks to my Grandmother Luella George Grant (deceased), my Great Grandmother Della Wright George (deceased), my Great Aunt Marynell George Lequire, Alton Wright and others for data shared on this family.

Aaron Alexander Wright was born 2 Oct 1847 in Cherokee Co, NC, presumably in the Rhodo area (Valleytown Township). He was home with his parents for the 1850, 1860 and 1870 census. He is a son of James S. Wright and Caroline Winfrey.

Aaron Alexander Wright was known by the nickname "El", which is short for "Elexander", the way they pronounced "Alexander". In some records he was listed as "A.A. Wright".

On 17 Dec 1876, A.A. Wright went to neighboring Macon County to marry Annis Dulcenia Waters. They probably married at her father's house. She is a daughter of Jacob Jackson Waters and Emily A. Tanner.

They came back to Rhodo after marriage, and lived there until A.A.'s death (1907). Just a few years later Dulcenia moved to Topton (ca 1914).

A. A. Wright and family were listed on the 1880 census in Cherokee Co, NC in Valleytown Township, about 9 households from his parents.

They were still in Cherokee Co, NC for the 1900 census, still in Valleytown Township, again not listed too far from his parents.

Aaron Alexander Wright was killed by his nephew Auz Wright (Osburn Long Wright, son of Tom Wright). Although it was accidental, it would still be considered murder by todays standards. In an 1977 interview with Alton Wright, my Great grandmother Della Wright George told the story of how it happened. I'll paraphrase it here. Apparently it was a Sunday, and the family had walked to Church. A.A. Wright left to meet his son Boone Wright at the Post office. As he was walking down the Railroad tracks, he approached the Depot, where two boys were fighting, one was his nephew Auz Wright, the other was Arthur Postell. Auz Wright took out his pistol to hit Postell with it, and it went off and the bullet hit A.A. Wright. It didn't kill him instantly. He died the following morning on 21 Oct 1907. I have no information on whether or not Auz Wright was charged with a crime or not. Luther Crisp said that Auz and his brother Emmett "was about two of the wickedest guys that ever raised up". I seem to recall someone telling me that Auz Wright himself was killed by one of is Burchfield cousins. I can't recall the details now.

For the 1910 census, Dulcenia Waters Wright was listed as head of household, still in Cherokee Co, NC, still in Valleytown Township.

Dulcenia died on 18 Oct 1918 in Topton, taken by the Flu epidemic that killed so many. She is buried at Red Marble Baptist Church next to Aaron Alexander Wright. Her death record lists her father as "Jack Waters", and mother as "Emily Tanner".

For the 1920 census, the youngest children of A.A. and Dulcenia were residing with their sister Della Wright George (see below).

In a deed dated 1 Jan 1923, the Estate of A.A. Wright, deceased, was divided up among his heirs, including: D.B. Wright, R.M. Wright, J.E. Wright, E.B. Wright, A.B. Wright, R.W. Wright, Arnold Wright, Mrs. Florence Nichols, Mrs. Della George, Mrs. Florence Hazelman, Mrs. Viola Crisp, Mrs. Lula Lusk, Mrs. Arzelie Matherson and Rosselle Wright. (Cherokee Co, NC Deed Book 81 page 422).

Aaron Alexander Wright family, ca 1905. Thanks to my cousin Bill Crispe (William H. Crispe) for this photo.

Front Row: (Seated), Aaron Alexander Wright, Paul Rozzelle Wright, Annis Dulcenia Waters Wright, Florence (on lap), Daniel Boone Wright, Emily Arzelia Wright Matheson.

Back Row: (Standing), Lula C. Wright, Richard Murphy Wright, Della C. Wright, Aaron Burr Wright, Viola Wright, Rush Wright, Ernest Wright (in front of Rush), Flora B. Wright, Lon Wright.

I've seen numerous copies of the above photo, I don't know who has the original.

Children

A.A. Wright and Dulcenia Waters had 14 children. These are well documented by the census, birth and death records, a deed dividing up A.A.'s estate, and of course personal family knowledge. I only knew one of these personally (Della, my Great grandmother), though I probably met many of the rest when I was small, but I don't remember them, unfortunately.

Daniel Boone Wright was born 22 Feb 1878 in Cherokee Co, NC, presumably in the Rhodo community.

Boone married Ollie Vandora Pace on 24 Dec 1899 in Cherokee Co, NC. Ollie's parents were Charles Pace and Mary Emaline Bryson, who was a granddaughter of James Nail Bryson (my 5th great uncle).

Boone died in 1950, in Topton. Ollie died 27 Oct 1969 in Robbinsville, Graham Co, NC. I don't know where either are buried. I believe that all but one of their five children are also dead.

Boone died before I was born, so I never knew him. I was only three years old when Ollie died, but I don't know if I ever met her or not.

Emily Arzelia Wright was born 21 Feb 1880 in Cherokee Co, NC, presumably in Rhodo. She was home with her parents for the 1880 census.

They were still in Cherokee County for the 1910 census, and living very near her siblings and other relatives.

For the 1920 census, they were still in the same area, very close to Arzelia's relatives.

Arzelia was named in the 1923 division of her father's estate as "Mrs. Arzelie Matherson".

Joe Matheson died 2 Oct 1953, and Arzelia died 18 May 1974. I'm not sure where either of them died, nor where they are buried. Though I was 8 years old when Arzelia died, I don't recall ever meeting her.

Lula Cansas Wright was born 7 Jan 1882 in Cherokee Co, NC, presumably in Rhodo. She was home with her parents for the 1900 census.

Henry and Lula were listed on the 1910 census in Cherokee Co, NC near several of her siblings.

I didn't locate Henry and Lula on the 1920 census for Cherokee Co, NC. I've only looked once, so I may have missed them, or perhaps they had moved out of the county by then.

Henry M. Lusk died 21 Aug 1945 and is buried at the Valleytown Cemetery in Andrews, Cherokee Co, NC.

Though I was 6 years old when my Great Great Aunt Lula died, I don't remember meeting her.

Richard Murphy Wright was born 17 Feb 1884 in Cherokee Co, NC, presumably at Rhodo. He was undoubtedly named for his uncle Richard Murphy Wright. Richard (the younger) was known as "Dick" Wright.

Richard M. Wright married Maggie Jones in Macon Co, NC on 12 Oct 1916. They lived in the Aquone area of Macon County (near present Nantahala Lake). Maggie was born 9 Apr 1898 in Macon County, daughter of James C. Jones and Hettie A. (---) Jones.

They were listed on the 1920 census with Maggie's parents in Macon County just a few houses from Richard's aunt Laura Wright Stepp.

Richard died on 17 Mar 1976 in Asheville. He is buried at the Aquone cemetery in Macon Co, NC.

Maggie died 15 Mar 1988 in Asheville. She is also buried at Aquone. I've been to their graves a couple of times. Though I was 10 when Dick died, and 22 when Maggie died, I don't recall ever meeting either of them.

Aaron Burr Wright was born 14 Apr 1886 in Cherokee Co, NC, presumably at Rhodo. He was home with his parents for the 1900 and 1910 census.

Burr Wright married Nora Jenkins on 3 Sep 1910 in Graham Co, NC. Interestingly, neither lived there. The marriage record shows him "of Cherokee" and her "of Swain" County.

Burr married again on 4 Sep 1915 to Olive Lowery, also of Swain County. I'm not sure where they were married. They moved to Old Fort sometime.

I didn't find them in Cherokee Co, NC for the 1920 census, so perhaps they had already moved to Old Fort by then.

William Rush Wright was born 2 Apr 1888 in Cherokee Co, NC, presumably at Rhodo.

They were listed on the 1910 census in Cherokee Co, NC next door to his mother and siblings.

For the 1920 census, Rush and family were listed between his sister Della and his brother Lon Wright in Cherokee Co, NC.

Hassie died in 1960, and Rush died in 1970. I'm not sure where either of them died, nor where they are buried.

Minnie Viola Wright was born 9 Mar 1890 in Cherokee Co, NC, presumably at Rhodo. Viola was home with her parents for the 1900 and 1910 census.

Viola married William Luther Crisp on 26 Mar 1911, presumably in Cherokee Co, NC.

I didn't find Luther and Viola on the 1920 census, but I may have overlooked them, as I think they were still in Cherokee County in 1920.

Viola was named in the 1923 estate division of her father as "Mrs. Viola Crisp".

Luther and Viola moved to Ocala, Florida at some point. Viola died there in 1966, and Luther in 1984.

James Alonzo Wright (1892) was born 4 Apr 1892 in Cherokee Co, NC, presumably at Rhodo. Lon was home with his parents for the 1900 and 1910 census.

On 27 May 1911 Lon Wright married Mary Emaline George in Cherokee Co, NC. Mary was my Great Great Aunt by blood as well as by marriage, she was a daughter of my great great grandparents Thomas Jefferson George and Sarah Elvira Carpenter, of Graham Co, NC.

For the 1920 census, Lon and Mary were in Cherokee Co, NC listed near several of his siblings.

Lon died on 5 Nov 1964, and Mary on 31 Aug 1972. I'm not sure where either died, nor where they are buried.

Flora Bell Wright was born 6 Dec 1894 in Cherokee Co, NC, presumably at Rhodo. Flora was home with her parents for the 1900 and 1910 census.

Sometime between 1910 and 1914 Flora married Mack A. Hazelman, presumably in Cherokee Co, NC, or possibly in Swain County. Mack was born ca 1882/83 in Kentucky. I don't know who his parents are, but his 1920 census entry showed his father was born in "Shttrenlause", (if I read it correctly), which is probably in present Germany or near there. His mother was reported as born in "Germany".

They were in neighboring Swain County for the 1920 census in Charleston Township (probably in or close to Bryson City). Their address was "Main Street", so they probably lived in town.

Flora was named in the 1923 estate division of her father as "Mrs. Florence Hazelman".

I have very little additional data on this branch of the family. I show that Flora died in Asheville, NC (no date), and that Mack died in Waycross, GA (no date).

Della Christmas Wright was born 24 Dec 1896 in Cherokee Co, NC at home in Rhodo. Della was my (Marty Grant) Great Grandmother.

Della (known to siblings as "Dell") was home with her parents for the 1900 and 1910 census.

She married Albert Conley on 25 Jan 1914 in Cherokee Co, NC. They had only been married a few months when he was killed in an accident on a train (he was an engineer). He died on 8 Jul 1914. Several months later Dell gave birth to their only child: Alberta Conley.

Della married Charles Noten George on 25 Dec 1918 in Swain Co, NC. He was from Graham County, so I'm not sure why they married in Swain. Noten was my Great Grandfather. He was a son of Thomas Jefferson George and Sarah Elvira Carpenter of Graham County.

Ernest Bristol Wright was born 12 Jun 1899 in Cherokee Co, NC, presumably at Rhodo. Ernest was home with his parents for the 1900 and 1910 census.

I didn't find him on the 1920 census. However, he married Mary Sue Wall on 17 Aug 1920, possibly in McDowell Co, NC, so that may be where he was earlier that year.

Their family resided in McDowell Co, NC which is where the Walls were from. Mary Sue died there on 4 Jan 1936.

On 30 Nov 1936 Ernest married Chloe Banner Brinkley, presumably in McDowell Co, NC.

I don't know when Chloe died, but Ernest died on 15 Oct 1975 in Marion, McDowell Co, NC. I don't recall ever meeting him. I don't know where they are all buried, but I'm assuming it is in McDowell County.

Ernest and Mary Sue's son Alton Wright had done alot of research on the Wright family, and his information on the family helped get me started many years ago.

Paul Rozzelle Wright was born 11 Sep 1901 in Cherokee Co, NC, presumably at Rhodo.

Roz was home with his widowed mother for the 1910 census. I didn't locate him in 1920. He moved to Asheville, NC at some point.

He married Annie Wall (sister of Mary Sue Wall, wife of Ernest Bristol Wright), and I have no additional data on them.

Florence Idema Wright was born 16 May 1904 in Cherokee Co, NC, presumably in Rhodo. Some records list her middle name as "Irene" instead of "Idema". I'm not sure which is correct.

Florence was home with her widowed mother for the 1910 census, and with her sister Della Wright George for the 1920 census.

On 2 Dec 1920, Florence married Luther Lloyd Nichols in Cherokee Co, NC. He was a brother of Hassie Nichols who married Rush Wright.

Florence was named in the 1923 estate division of her father as "Mrs. Florence Nichols".

The family lived in Topton for many years, but at some point (perhaps during World War II), they moved to Valdese in Burke Co, NC.

I don't know when Luther Nichols died, but it was before 1977. Florence just passed away recently, in fact, she was the last of the 14 children of Aaron A. Wright and Dulcenia Waters. Florence died on 6 Sep 1999. I'm not sure if she was in Valdese or near there. She had been in a Nursing home for a number of years.

Arnold Jacob Wright was born 28 Dec 1906 in Cherokee Co, NC, presumably at Rhodo.

He was home with his widowed mother for the 1910 census, and with his sister Della Wright George for the 1920 census.

Arnold died on 5 Mar 1927 in Cherokee Co, NC. I don't remember why he died so young, though I know my grandmother told me about it. I wish I could remember!

Researcher List

1. Aaron Alexander¹ Wright , born 2 Oct 1847 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died 21 Oct 1907 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Red Marble Cem, Cherokee Co, NC, son of James S Wright and Caroline C Winfrey . He married on 17 Dec 1876 in Macon Co, NC Annis Dulcenia Waters , born 6 Jan 1862 in Macon Co, NC; died 18 Oct 1918 in Topton, Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Red Marble Cem, Cherokee Co, NC, daughter of Jacob Jackson Waters and Emily A Tanner .

Children of Aaron Alexander Wright and Annis Dulcenia Waters were as follows:

+ 2 i Daniel Boone² Wright , born 22 Feb 1878 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died 1950 in Topton, Cherokee Co, NC. He married Ollie Vandora Pace .

+ 3 ii Emily Arzelia² Wright , born 21 Feb 1880 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died 18 May 1974. She married Joseph Wiles Matheson .

+ 4 iii Lula Cansus² Wright , born 7 Jan 1882 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died 11 Nov 1971 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC. She married Henry M Lusk .

+ 5 iv Richard Murphy² Wright , born 17 Feb 1884 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died 17 Mar 1976 in Asheville, Buncombe Co, NC; buried in Aqoune Cem, Macon Co, NC. He married Maggie Jones .

+ 6 v Aaron Burr² Wright , born 14 Apr 1886 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died in Old Fort, Rutherford Co, NC. He married (1) Nora Jenkins ; (2) Olive Lowery .

+ 7 vi William Rush² Wright , born 2 Apr 1888 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died 1970 in Cherokee Co, NC. He married Hassie Nichols .

+ 8 vii Minnie Viola² Wright , born 9 Mar 1890 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died 14 May 1966 in Okala, FL. She married William Luther Crisp .

+ 9 viii James Alonzo² Wright , born 4 Apr 1892 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died 5 Nov 1964. He married Mary Emaline George .

+ 10 ix Flora Bell² Wright , born 6 Dec 1894 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died in Asheville, Buncombe Co, NC. She married Mack Hazelman .

+ 11 x Della Christmas² Wright , born 24 Dec 1896 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died 30 Mar 1982 in Blue Ridge, Fannin Co, GA; buried in Red Marble Cem, Cherokee Co, NC. She married (1) Albert Conley ; (2) Charles Noten George .

+ 12 xi Ernest Bristol² Wright , born 12 Jun 1899 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died 15 Oct 1975 in Marion, NC. He married (1) Mary Sue Wall ; (2) Chloe Banner .

13 xii Paul Rozzelle² Wright , born 11 Sep 1901 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died in Asheville, Buncombe Co, NC. He married Annie Wall , daughter of Lloyd Oliver Wall and Mary Elizabeth Cuthbertson .

+ 14 xiii Florence Idema² Wright , born 16 May 1904 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died 6 Sep 1999 in Valdese, Burke Co, NC. She married Luther Lloyd Nichols .

15 xiv Arnold Jacob² Wright , born 28 Dec 1906 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died 5 Mar 1927 in Topton, Cherokee Co, NC.

Aaron Alexander Wright (1847) and Annis Dulcenia Waters of Cherokee Co, NC

Children

Researcher List

Register Report