Benjamin T. Wright was born around 1834 in New York. He moved to Greenwich, Connecticut, sometime before 1860 and began work as a merchant. By 1860, he owned $1,000 of personal property. He married Abigail Mead on June 29, 1860, and they had at least four children: Benjamin, born around 1861; Clara, born around 1869; Wilber, born around 1871; and Abigail, born around 1881.
Wright enlisted in the Union army on September 13, 1861, and mustered in as a sergeant in Company I of the 10th Connecticut Infantry on October 9. The regiment took part in the Battle of Roanoke Island, the Battle of New Bern, the Battle of Fort Wagner, and the siege of Petersburg. He was promoted to 2nd lieutenant on January 8, 1863, and to 1st lieutenant on June 6, 1864. He mustered out on October 17, 1864.
Wright returned to Greenwich after leaving the army and resumed his work as a merchant. By 1870, he owned $3,000 of real estate and $300 of personal property. He played an active role in the Grand Army of the Republic, the Loyal Legion, and the Society of the Army of the James. Abigail died on October 15, 1897. By 1900, Wright was working as a customs inspector. He died on May 16, 1913, “following a long illness.”