WRIGHT, William, senator, born in Clarkstown, Rockland County, New York, in 1794; died in Newark, New Jersey, 1 November, 1866. He was a volunteer for the defence of Stonington, Connecticut, in the war of 1812. The death of his father, Dr. William Wright, compelled him to abandon the hope of a collegiate education, and he learned the trade of a saddler, and followed this business in Bridge port, Connecticut, for seven years. After acquiring a for tune, he removed to Newark, New Jersey, in 1821, and was mayor of that town in 1840-'3. Being elected to congress as a Henry Clay Whig, he served from 4 December, 1843, till 3 March, 1847, and in the latter year was a defeated candidate for governor of New Jersey. He was twice elected to the United States senate as a Democrat, and served from 4 March, 1853, till 4 March, 1859, and from 7 December, 1863, till his death, he was chairman of the committee on manufactures and of that on the contingent expenses of the senate, and served also on the committees on public lands and Revolutionary claims.