It was a crisp and sunny day on the morning of October 6 when 35 members of Hilton’s Wright family, related family members, members of the Parma Hilton Historical Society, and Town of Parma officials met to dedicate a new historical marker honoring the history of the Wright Cemetery located on Hamlin-Parma Townline Road at Dunbar Road.
Reverend Nancy Whelehan Leport opened the ceremony with dedication remarks and prayer. Tom Burger, a Wright descendant, then shared the Wright family’s history. He and his wife Ann, both well-known Hiltonites, generously contributed funds to create the marker.
Elizabeth White Wright, her four sons, and several daughters arrived in Parma in 1810 to begin new lives, clear new farmland, and begin new families. Over the years, this family has thrived in Parma.
While some members moved on and achieved success in different professions in other parts of the country, Wright and related families still live in Parma, and many attended the ceremony.
Of special interest was the gravesite and story of Noah Downs, a Revolutionary War soldier who marched with General John Sullivan on his 1779 campaign through Western NY.
Parma Supervisor, Dave Ciufo, was on hand to welcome the group and lend his support to the event. Florence (Tiny) Wright, widow of the late Norman Wright of Hilton, was the group’s senior member at age 95. Joyce Pennell, a member of Hilton’s class of 1968, came the farthest from California.
The hour-long event was spirited, with much reminiscing, and culminated when about 12 lingered for a relaxed lunch at Hilton’s Family Restaurant.
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