Samuel Wright

Samuel Wright was baptised at Deopham church on September 22nd 1754, the son of Francis & Mary his wife:

All rights reserved by Norfolk Record Office who hold the original; their ref is NRO PD 485-2

Samuel Wright was married in March 1776 to Susan King (who was a year older than Samuel) at the church in Methwold where they were both residents. Their son Samuel was baptised in at the same church in July 1776; there is no record of the couple having other children baptised.

Methwold church
Image: http://www.Methwold.net

On February 8^th 1800 it was reported that¹:-

On Sunday last Wm. Bailey, of Lakenheath, in Suffolk, and Samuel Wright of Methwold, in Norfolk, were committed to the county gaol, in Norwich, on the charge of vending forged £1 Bank of England notes, knowing them to be so forged.

On March 29^th 1800 it was reported simply that²

At Thetford assizes, Samuel Wright for forgery was left for execution.

On April 18^th 1800 it was reported that³:-

Samuel Wright was executed on Saturday last, on the Castle-hill, Norwich, pursuant to his sentence, for uttering a forged £1 note. He made no other confession than that which was brought forward at his trial, viz, that he received the notes of one Curry (since apprehended at Birmingham), who allowed him 5s. in every note for cashing them. He was in the 46th years of his age, and left a family of eight children.

Several of the reports add that he “conducted himself, after conviction, with becoming penitence”.
The Northampton Mercury⁴ added further:

The report of his having confessed that he was an accomplice in the robbery of the Lynn mail, which was committed at his own door some years since, is wholly unfounded ;- he solemnly declared to a clergyman, who attended him daily, that he had no concern whatever in that transaction. He made no other confession than that which was brought forward at his trial …

Although described as being “of Methwold”, Samuel Wright was buried in Deopham churchyard on April 13^th 1800; the church register records his manner of death and his crime:-

All rights reserved by Norfolk Record Office who hold the original; their ref is NRO PD 485-2

See here for another example of harsh justice related to Deopham.

Notes

1. Ipswich Journal, 08 February 1800
2. Ipswich Journal, 29 March 1800
3. Stamford Mercury, 18 April 1800
4. Northampton Mercury, 26 April 1800

Date	Change
27/7/23	Published