Rev. Henry Henton Wright

A memorial in St Silas Church introduces us to the Reverend Henry Henton Wright, vicar of St Silas church, Broomhall Street.

The tablet states:

‘This Tablet was erected by the congregation of this Church in loving memory of the Rev. Henry Henton Wright, for 20 years’ their faithful Pastor, he died 3rd November 1898, Aged 68 Years.’

Memorial to Rev. Henry Henton Wright in St Silas Church. 2013

Rev. Wright was a well-respected vicar and well loved by his local community. This lovely photograph of him was kindly donated by his great-niece Helen Gwyddanes.

Reverend Henry Henton Wright, vicar of St Silas Church. 1890s

We had also spotted Rev. Wright on various censuses from the late 1800s living at the vicarage at no 5. Broomhall Road.

In 1861 the census shows Henry Wright as the head of the family, aged 29, living at 17 Broomhall Place with his wife, Sophia E. Wright aged 31 with his three sons. Henry Wright was working as a chapman at a church at this point.

In 1871 the census also shows the family living in the area of Upper Gell Street before his work at St Silas Church.

In 1881 the census shows Henry Wright living at the St Silas Vicarage on Broomhall Road and working as the vicar for St Silas Church, Broomhall. Henry is now aged 49, and also has a daughter and his eldest child being aged 21.

In 1891 the census also shows Henry Wright with his family living at 5 Broomhall Road and his occupation being the vicar of St Silas Church, now aged 59.

Sadly Rev. Wright’s life ended tragically when he fell off a cliff in Scarborough in 1898. Interestingly, the Church memorial plaque doesn’t refer to the circumstances of his death.

Read transcriptions from the newspaper reports of the time

See posters about him produced by Silverdale School pupils