There is a story in the Bible about a man named Zaccheus who was the superintendent of taxes and was “very rich.” But Zaccheus was a very generous man who gave half of his possessions away to charity and stated that he was sorry if he had ever cheated anyone and if he did, he was willing to “repay them four times over.”
By James VanBever (February 2021)
Fittingly, Zaccheus is an appropriate name for one of Westford’s most prominent citizens, Zaccheus Wright. Westford’s Zaccheus was born in Westford on October 27, 1738, his parents owned a large and prosperous farm on Chamberlain Corner. The family would have been considered well-off by 18 th
century standards.
Wright held almost every office that a Westford citizen could hold. He was town clerk, selectman, state senator, state representative, and Justice of the Peace. He also served as a colonel in the Sixth Middlesex Regiment during the American Revolution. Zaccheus held all these positions in addition to running his large and productive farm and tanning operation on Chamberlain Corner.
But it is Wright’s generosity that he is most remembered for in Westford. In 1792, Zaccheus “sparked the organization and founding of Westford Academy.” He, along with John Abbot and Abel Boynton promised 30lbs each for the creation and building of the new school. Ultimately, Mr. Wright donated
more than one third of the funds that were eventually raised and contributed the land that was used for the original Academy building. For his hard work, leadership, and generosity, Zaccheus was named the first president of the Westford Academy Trustees. A position he held for 16 years.
Above all, it must be noted that Zaccheus Wright contributed his time and resources to the fledgling school when he and his wife Rachel (Parker) Wright did not have any children of their own. Wright’s philosophy was that “all persons and especially the children should add to their knowledge through books and schools.”
Yet, the Westford farmer’s dedication to books and learning was not limited to the founding of Westford Academy. Wright was one of a group of citizens who first met in 1797 to form the first library in town. The original library was called the Westford Social Library. When the group first met, Zaccheus was chosen moderator for the Westford Social Library and in 1801 was selected president, a position he held until 1806. In honor of his contributions to its founding.
Other contributions by Wright to his community included a large bible that was printed by Isaiah Thomas that he donated to the third church meetinghouse dedication in 1794. He also was instrumental in bringing the large Paul Revere Bell from Boston to Westford Academy for a minimal amount of money.
Zaccheus most likely transported the bell by oxen, a strenuous journey that was 30 miles each way.
In 1973, when Westford Academy moved to its current location on Patten Road. The school committee
considered naming the old Academy the “Wright School”. But instead it was called the “Abbot School”
to honor the Abbot family who had been so instrumental in the founding of the secondary school.
However, in Zaccheus Wright’s honor, the school committee named the library at the new Academy in
his name.
Zaccheus Wright was a large man for his time, weighing around 250 lbs. But it is the size of this citizen’s
heart that was most important. His contributions to the town of Westford are everlasting. The town
should always be grateful for this farmer’s work, dedication, and generosity that he gave to his
hometown of Westford.
Mr. Wright died in 1811 at the age of 72. He and his wife Rachel are buried at the Fairview Cemetery in
Westford.
Information for this article was taken from articles by Gordon Seavey, Lowell Sun on December 12, 1975,
Carlton L. Smith, Lowell Sun April 9, 1967, Mrs. Charles S. Kennedy, prepared by Mrs. Arthur Deforge,
Westford Eagle, January 21, 1971, Gordon Seavey, Westford Eagle, January 8, 1976, Allister MacDougall,
Westford Eagle, February 24, 1977. Gordon Seavey, Lowell Sun, April 5, 1974.