Jacob was the son of Francis and Elizabeth Wright born 19 January 1800 at St. Helens.  Bell’s map of 1848 indicates that a “J. WRIGHT” owned land near Evenwood to the north of Copeland Lane.  The North Bitchburn Coal Company proposed a new coal mine and a tramway was needed to link the pit with the railway line.  The route passed over this land and as such, the owner was entitled to a levy on the tonnage of coal passing over the land.  It is assumed that this is the source of Jacob Wright’s wealth.  He appears in the Evenwood 1851 census as a farmer of 60 acres, the 1861 census as a farmer of 25 acres and 1871 as “retired farmer”.  He was unmarried.  His housekeeper for a period of 20 years was Jane Arrowsmith.  He appears in 1881 at High Street, Northallerton and Ann Hutchinson is recorded as a domestic servant.  Jacob Wright died in 1882.  The Almshouses dedicated to his name were established 1885.       

• Birth: 19 January 1800
• Baptism: 23 February 1800, St. Helen – Father Francis Wright, Mother Elizabeth Burn
• Death of Father: 11 February 1800 [Francis 1774 – 1801]
• 1848: Bell’s map: J. Wright land to the north of an Evenwood Colliery at Thrushwood between it and the future Randolph Colliery over which the future incline tramway would run – ransom – possible lease at a rate of £ per ton

• 1851 census: unmarried, Farmer of 60 acres; House Servant – Jane Arrowsmith

• 1861: unmarried, Occupier of 25 acres; House keeper – Jane Arrowsmith

• 1871: unmarried, Retired Farmer; Housekeeper – Jane Arrowsmith

• 1881: High Street, Northallerton Jacob Wright [age 81] widowed Retired Farmer; Servant Domestic – Ann Hutchinson   

• Death: 1882 Northallerton aged 82

JACOB WRIGHT’S ALMS HOUSES

• 1885: Jacob Wright’s Alms Houses, Evenwood

Below: 2007, Jacob Wright’s Almshouses