Captain Asahel Wright immigrated to Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1777. Asahel's parents, two brothers and two sisters were forced to leave the United States as the family farm in Vermont was confiscated in April of 1778. His father left behind large holdings at Shaftsbury, Vermont.

Asahel reported to the British military Queen's Loyal Rangers under Captain Justus Sherwood for active duty at Quebec, Canada, on May 20, 1777. This group of men joined up with Lieutenant General Burgoyne's campaign into New York State in July of 1777. They fought in many battles such as Hubbardtown, Bennington, the first battle of Freeman's Farm, and the second battle of Freeman's Farm. At the second battle of Freeman's Farm the Burgoyne army was defeated. Asahel was captured but he escaped and made his way back to Canada, hiding during the day and traveling at night. After this defeat, the men of this corps sat in limbo in Canada until the unit was disbanded in 1781. Asahel then joined the 84th Regiment (The Royal Highland Immigrants) and served until the close of the war in 1783.

After the American Revolutionary War ended, Asahel was granted land in the township of Cornwall, Upper Canada and a lot in the town of Cornwall. He married Eva Hanes, daughter of Joseph Hanes of Williamsburgh, also a Loyalist, who had served with the King's Royal Regiment of New York.

Asahel moved from Cornwall to Augusta township, Grenville Cty., U.C. in 1791 to lots 29 and 30 con 4 that had been granted to his father Ebenezer and brother Amos. His brother David took over the grants of Asahel and his father at Cornwall and remained there. Peleg Spencer a brother-in-law was granted land in Edwardsburg township, one of which was a town lot in Johnstown, to where Ebenezer and Mercy Wright moved and spent the rest of their lives.

Asahel built a house of stone in 1812 on lot 29 in Augusta Twp. which is still being occupied today. The walls were 24" thick with hardwood timbers 18" x 12" and beech rafters 8" square. The rafters were supported by heavy purlin plates and fastened to a triangular ridge pole with wooden pegs. It had a glassed in front porch where the thick oak door opened into the front hall. Just north of this house at the crossroads of the Maitland road and the road between con 4 and 5 a town started. It was called Wright's Corners until about 1867 when it was changed to Algonquin.

The Wright's were a very enterprising family as they owned or operated most of the businesses in Wright's Corners. They ran a large hotel at the main intersection of the village roads which served stagecoach travelers en route to Brockville. They built a steam operated sawmill, a cheese factory, and a grist mill. They operated three blacksmith shops, a watch repair and jewelry shop, a shoe store and millinery shop. They also operated a logging operation in the area. Asahel's family of seven sons and two daughters grew from this area and expanded west across Canada.

As an "official" U.E.L., he was entitled to a land grant upon petition.