In the mid-Victorian period there were few career opportunities for an ambitious, working class girl. But perhaps attitudes were different in the Wright family home.
Susan Ann Wright was born on November 10, 1858 the second child and eldest daughter of Joseph Fletcher Wright and his wife Elizabeth. The family appear on the 1861 census living at 41, Exeter Street. Joseph was a Turner in the GWR Works, a skilled, well paid job. Perhaps he had a progressive attitude towards education and was pleased to see his daughter advance in her chosen career.
By 1891 Susan, 32 was living with her widowed father and her sister Emily, 30 and brother Alfred, 25 at 35 Wellington Street, which would be her home for the rest of her life.
Susan died on February 18, 1940 aged 81. She was buried in plot E8178 on February 23, a grave she shares with her brother Alfred who died in 1897 and his wife Esther Goodship (remarried surname) who died in 1932.
A snowy cemetery view
Swindon Funeral of Miss S.A. Wright
The funeral service took place on Friday at Wesley Church, Faringdon road, Swindon, of Miss Susan Ann Wright of Wellington street, Swindon, who for many years was a prominent figure in the educational and religious life of Swindon. Born in 1858, the eldest daughter of the late Joseph Fletcher Wright, she commenced her teaching career in the Wesleyan Day School at Eastbury. Later she took appointments in the Swindon schools, and for upwards of thirty years was headmistress of the Clifton Street Girls’ School. Her retirement in 1923 was made the occasion of a tribute of appreciation in which hundreds of pupils past and present took part.
For more than sixty years she was a valued and honoured member of Wesley Church, Faringdon Road, where she exercised an active ministry in many spheres, particularly among the young. Her intimate friends were few, but many will remember her generosity to the needy and her thoughtfulness for others.
Extract from North Wilts Herald, Friday, 1 March, 1940
Image published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library
Clifton Street, of three departments, built at a cost of about £6,457, & opened in January, 1885; for 300 boys, 220 girls & 315 infants; average attendance, 282 boys, 211 girls & 302 infants; J. Dutton, headmaster; Miss S. Wright, headmistress; Mrs Le Manquais, infants’ headmistress.
Kelly’s Directory 1903.
Radnor Street Cemetery 