Gray

Complete Adobe Version of "Robert Gray and His Descendants"

"Robert Gray and His Descendants"

by

Diane Joy Gray Neely Witt Benson

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TO MY ANCESTORS

I see you toiling down the tedious years,

You bearded, bent and gaunt old pioneers,

Sowing and reaping, sowing once again,

In patience for an unborn race of men.

I see you struggling in the wilderness,

Where failure meant starvation and success

A cabin in a clearing, rough-hewn, rude,

Garments of homespun and a humblesy  food.

Tradition scarely tells me whence you came;

I only know a few of you by name;

I only know you lived and multiplied,

Quite profligate in progency, and died.

Yet in my heart, I know that most of you

Were strong and steadfast, and that one or two,

At least had weaknesses that still may be

Traced in the trend of atavistic me.

One I am sure, was blessed with wit

(I am thankful he transmitted some of it)

That helped him dodge Dame Trouble’s swiftest dart,

And meet misfortune with merry heart.

One was a rather worthless wight, I fear,

Who when the bluebird spring was near,

Forsook his plow—a shiftless sluggard one—

And roamed the woods alone with rod and gun.

And one a gentle dreamer was, I know,

Who lured by shadows, let the substance go.

“twas he who dared the raging western sea,”—

I’m glad he handed down his dreams to me.

Unknown

“I ever had a pleasure in obtaining any little anecdotes of my ancestors.” —Benjamin Franklin.

“He only deserves to be remembered by posterity who treasures up and preserves the history of his

ancestors.”—Edmund Burke.

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PREFACE

In the spring of 1963 I began to think of my ancestors. I wondered who is born who loved and married,

who died, and who fought for their country, in order that I might be here. What was my heritage? I felt

a strong desire to know all I could about my ancestors.

I started work on my various family trees, and the first one started was my maiden name “Gray” and it

was also the last to be completed. Others that I compiled were: “Markowski,” maiden name of my

mother—“Painter,” maiden name of my paternal grandmother—“Priddy,” maiden name of my great

grandmother—“Ronald,” maiden name of another great grandmother—“Haines,” maiden name of my

great-great grandmother—also doing “Neely,” My son’s name and “Brewster,” my son’s paternal

grandmother.

My mother told me to visit Robert K. Gray, great-great grandson of Robert Gray, our progenitor. From

him I copied almost the entire book, “The Ronald Clan, “ and Robert also gave me other data which

helped me, He had in his possession work that the Judge George Law Gray, great grandson of Robert

Gray, had begun. The Judge should live in our memory because without the work which he started

many of the records might have been lost in time.

Later I went to see Melvin Gray, great-great-great grandson of Robert Gray who also had work that his

grandfather, the Judge had written, I went to graveyards and began to write to people. I believe I am

the first one in about 35 years to go into the family history very deeply. William C. Gray the grandson

of Robert Gray, and Leonora Irene Gray Tucker, great granddaughter of Robert Gray were also inter-

ested in family.

I want to thank my mother who did my earliest typing for me, and my cousin James J. Ripley III of

Pacific Palisade, Calif., who through he is in the Markowski branch of the family and no relation to the

Grays offered help and suggestions. He also made a Coat-of-Arms for me from the description of our

Gray Coat-of-Arms.

I want to specially thank the following listed in order as contacted – Robert K. Gray, Melvin Gray,

Dorothy Gray Rose, Archibald Gray, Sabra Gray Hobbs, Jane Gray Jeffery, Lola Gray Stevens, Maxine

Gray Alcorn, Blanche Gray Birky, Helen Hinchman Osting, Katherine Ryburn Hinchman, Nell

Ryburn, Wm. Wylie Gray, Lena Gray Strong, Olive Gray Epply, Vera Collum, Lois Good. Dora Gray

Ritchie Graham, James L. Douglas, Anna Cole Smith McFarland, Eliose Smith Corts, Katherine Smith

Bolt, Dorothy Smith James, Mary Smith French, Glenn O. Pope, Marjorie Smith Smith, Opal Douglas

McKeen, Mary Anna Pope Boutilier, Jerrie Pope Wells, Elizabeth Pope Whitsitt, Hazel Wagner

Hammond, Arthur E. Hirschler, Herman Wayman Gray, Marian Doyn Reder Scruggs, James D.

Kennedy, Vard Vernett Gray, Ethel Glenn Cilley Downs, Ruth Tucker, Phillis Hammond Paul, Ralph

Lorado Gray, Helen Leonore Reder Patterson, Robert Russell Gray, Robert W. Gray, William J. Paris,

Margaret Gray Hall, Marilee Paris Kochs, Coral Kate Douglas Moore, Charlene Marie Gray Woltanski,

Max Johnson Paris, Jean McAlpine Hopkins, Gertrude Anne McAlpine Prostka, Betty Jane Ramsey

Hockett, Betty Gray Mortier, Lois Lucille Steinman Lessenger Bonnichsen, Loren Lee Stineman, Dr.

& Mrs. Wm. C. French, Jeanne Margaret Pope Maxey, Margaret Ann Hogan Sharp, Vivian Huff Wood,

George Gibson Rose, and all others who helped make this genealogy possible.

In My possession are many pictures, some as early as the 4^th generation, all labeled, of past and present

generations. Some I already had and quite a few were sent to me by people in the family and several

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were given to me by persons not related to the family who knew I was interested in all the pictures of

our family. Also I have several patents that were in the possession of my paternal grandmother.

I did not wish a cut and dried history of just names and dates so whenever possible I included things of

interest, anecdotes, biographies and miscellaneous items.

Several different spellings of a name or locality may appear, this to the fact that different branches of

the family had different data. If I knew the correct spelling I entered it by a note. Since the genealogy

goes as high as 11 generations in some branches of family, to help identify I list by generation. To

further identify each family is listed and their children directly following. Then each child is taken in

order and their family is given. After the head of each family the line directly to Robert Gray is given,

in parenthesis, Although the first generation starts with Rev. James Neil Gray, when giving the direct

line I stop at Robert. For example my line would read – Diane Joy Gray Neely Witt – (Leslie Ronald

Gray - John Ronald Gray - Hugh Gray Sr. - Robert Gray.) Each Child of Robert in a separate chapter.

Maiden names of spouses parents are entered in parenthesis.

Abbreviations are as follows -

b. —born

bur. —buried

dau. —daughter

d. —died

div. —divorced

m. —married

ref. —reference

Down through the years the work of the Judge was either miscopied or he made a few errors in the

beginning. I wrote it as it was given to me and made corrections by note where I knew it to be in error.

Also many other branches of the family gave me sketches of history and the versions sometimes

differed, In order that each may be read and pondered I have presented them in the family branch that

gave them to me.

It will be noted that there are various birth dates for our progenitor Robert Gray and different years of

entry into this country this is not uncommon in genealogy research. There is quite a bit of data on the

Ronald family due to the fact that two Ronald sisters married two sons of Robert, John and Hugh, this

making double cousins of the descendants. Much Ronald data was available to me so I entered it.

To the best of my knowledge my data is correct but any additions or corrections will be appreciated.

Some Families for reasons known only to themselves would not send me the data I needed to com-

plete their branch so it will be noted there are branches that are incomplete. Also some branches are

lost to us.

__________________________________________

Diane Joy Gray Neely Witt

808 W. 22

nd

Connersville, Indiana

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Copied from papers in possession of Robert K. Gray

The Genealogy of the Gray Family

By Judge George Law Gray

The Grays have been a Fayette County, Indiana family for more than a hundred years. The original

family pioneer home and habitation is still extant in the Southwestern part of the Country, where the

land title has remained in the family for more than a century.

It is of interest to trace the family past generation and to know something of your ancestors who have

lived and died and vanished from the earth, something of the race to which they belonged. The region

of the habitable globe in which they dwelt in the remote centuries gone and to possess and to perpetu-

ate as intelligent as intelligent beings a record, history and genealogy of such past generations in your

people.

While it may be generally known that the Grays are an English, Scotch and Scotch-Irish race, their

existance as a people may be more remotely traced into the past. Back of the generations of this family

in England Scotland and Ireland the precedent and earlier home of the family was in Northern France.

At a still earlier time back of such date, the family home was in Eastern France, on the left bank of the

Soane River, as early as the seventh century as now shown by genealogical and historical data.

CONNECTION OF THE FAMILY WITH THE NORMANS IN FRANCE

In the ninth century Rolf a Norman Chief, from the North Coast of Europe settled in Northern France,

opposite the English Channel and King Charles of France gave him and his followers a grant of terri-

tory extending back from the coast on both sides of the mouth of the river Seine, and this region at

France was therefore called Normandy, because was occupied and ruled by the Normans from the

ninth to the twelfth century.

The Grays at that time were a French people, probably of Roman Origin and they inter-married with

the Norman-French; and Robert a Norman and Duke of Normandy bestowed upon the Grays the castle

Croy and which was afterwards known as the house and castle of de Gray “In French” and in 1066

when William the Conqueror, son of Robert, Duke of Normandy, with an army crossed the English

Channel and fought the battle of Hastings and usurped the English Throne, and the deGray’s were a

part of King William’s train. They entered England with the Norman King and from that date the Grays

have been known as British family and as such they gave, belonged to the ruling classes, have partici-

pated in the public affairs of the country, and have also in history been connected with the Royal

House of England.

Walter deGray was an English prelate and statesman, during the reign King John of England. He was

the King’s chief counselor and was present with King John in 1215 when he signed the Magna Char-

ter, recognizing the rights of British subjects and which has since secured to all English people their

inalienable rights as free men. By the intercession of King John and the appointment of Pope Innocent

Third, he was made Archbishop of York.

When King Henry the Third, visited the continent, he put kingly authority in the hands of deGray,

during his absence from the British Kingdom.

King Richard bestowed on Henry deGray the Manor or Turroek in Essex, known as the Grays.

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King Edward 4th

of England married the widow of Sir John Gray, their sons, Prince Edward and his

brother were put to death in the Tower by the usurper Richard the 3rd

, to prevent their claims or acces-sion to the throne. Henry Gray Duke Suffolk, married the daughter of King Henry the 7th, the sister of King Henry the 8^th , of England and widow of Louis 12th

of France. Lady Jane Gray, Queen of England, was the daughter of King Henry the 7th. After a brief reign she was executed by rival claimants to the throne in1544, and her father Henry and his two brothers Lord Robert Gray, were also executed by royal intrigue and cruelty, to obtain the throne.

Sir Andrew Gray was created a peer of Scotland and given the title of Lord Gray in 1445 He was born

in 1390, one hundred years before Columbus discovered America, And was a prominent figure in

Scotland under three Scottish Kings.

Sir Patrick Gray participated in the public affairs in Scotland during the reign of Queen Mary Stuart

who also was of Norman origin and whose first ancestors in England were granted land by King Henry

1st. Edward Dwyer Gray was a member of the Irish Parliament and prominent public figure in Irish

history during the 19^th century, he was chairman of the Dublin Committee that raised the million

dollars for the relief of Ireland’s distress in 1880.

Sir John Gray was an Irish Journalist and was the proprietor of the Belfast News and the Freemen’s

Journal, the foremost Irish newspaper of his day. The Right Honorable Henry Gray was premier 1830-1834 and his son Lord Howick was a member of the British House of Commons.

John Hamilton Gray was a member of the Canadian Parliament and later was prime minister of New

Brunswick. The Grays coming from the continent of Europe across to England in the 11

Th century in the course of time spread out into the different Kingdoms and political divisions of Great Britain, but the Grays or Greys in England, Scotland and Ireland are recognized as of the same common family.

The Scottish grays have the same coat of arms as the English Grays and it is established that the Grays

of North Ireland are descendants from the Scottish Grays, they crossed the North Channel between

Ireland and Scotland.

There is a variation in the manner of spelling the name, the orthography is sometimes Gray and some-

times Grey, but it is established by English authority that those who spell the name Gray are descended

house and castle de Gray in France.

The following from English Authority; Nesbits Heraldry, establishes the origin of the Gray family in

Great Britain, and refer to its different branches originating from the Castle de Gray in France as

follows: “Grey or Gray Earl of Kent, chief of the ancient and illustrious house of Gray or de Gray so

dignified in the reign of Edward 4

th

from whom are descended and branched the Barons of Rothfield,

Godmore, Milton, Ruthem, Groby and Rugement, the Viscount of Lisle, the Earl of Stamford, Marquis

of Dorset, and the Duke of Suffolk — all of that surname derived from the honor and Castle of Gray or

de Gray, in Picardy, France their patrimony before the conquest.

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The Encyclopedia Britanica, the highest English authority recognized the name Gray, Grey and deGray

as being the surname of the same common family.

The home of our branch of the British Grays, before their emigration to America, was located in the

North of Ireland, in the territory of Londonderry, twenty miles inland from the North Channel — an

arm of the sea between Ireland and Scotland. Here our family for several generations were Protestant

Clergymen in both the 17^th and 18^th centuries, Rev. James Neil Gray, the son of Clergyman, was born at

Londonderry about 1640 and preached until the year of his death in 1715. His son Rev. William Gray

preached from 1699 to 1744.

His son Robert was the founder of our branch of the Grays in America. He was born at Londonderry in

1743. He immigrated to America in 1764, ten years before the revolution and became a teacher in the

schools of Philadelphia. He was educated and became a teacher in Philadelphia during the times of

the Continental congress.

He made three enlistments in the war for American Independence and fought under General Putman

and General Washington.

He married Agnes Gray and located at Lewiston, in the Junita River Valley, PA., 65 miles north west of

Harrisburg. Here he reared his family of six stalwart sons and one daughter, who were all born during

the period of the beginning of the American Republic, wherein the times of the articles of

conferderation, the adoption of the United States Constitution, and the presidency of George Washing-

ton.

His children were born as follows:

William July. 20, 1778

Richard Oct. 29, 1780

Robert Aug. 17, 1783

Mary Apr. 10, 1785

James May 17, 1787

John G. Aug. 17, 1789

Hugh May, 1790

Jonathon Jan, 14, 1794

Martin Nov. 4, 1796

In 1805 Robert Gray resolved to immigrate with his family to the then new world or land of the west.

Ohio had just been carved out of the Northwest territory, and adopted as a state in the Union.

Here in the Junita River Valley, between grand old mountain ranges he had lived his entire home and

family life; here his children were all born; here he had reared his family, here all were attached to that

home amid the mountains; here he had settled and built his habitation after the service of three enlist-

ments in the Patriot Army; here he received the final news that America had won the war in which he

fought for freedom; here he had lived under the articles of Confederation and while Franklin and

Adams and Jefferson, George Washington and other patriotic statesmen were in session at Philadelphia

to establish a National Constitution and secure its adoption by the states in 1778. Here he cast his first

vote for the president of the Republic. Here he had lived up to this time under the Administrations of

Washington, Adams and Jefferson and here his children had dwelt in all the years of their existance;

now the giving up of the old home for an unknown habitation beyond the mountains was a solemn and

historic event in the family life.

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The day set for their departure westward from the homeland arrived and Robert Gray with his family

began their journey toward the setting sun.

The family movable property and equipment was transported in wagon one hundred and fifty miles

over the mountains to Pittsburgh in the autumn of 1805 and here it was left in the charge of the two

sons, John and Hugh, who as brothers were inseparable companions. They were to remain in Pitts-

burgh until spring and then by water bring the property and goods down the river to Cincinnati, Ohio.

Robert Gray and family then proceeded overland across Ohio to Cincinnati then considered an outpost

in the far West, Where they arrived and remained during the winter. In the spring the two sons per-

formed the task of transporting the family property 500 miles down the Ohio River in a flat boat. Then

in happy reunion they joined the family, anxiously awaiting their arrival and then the last lap of the

journey, was made to the selected site of the new family home and settlement on the east side of the

Miami River in now Butler Co., Ohio, some 18 miles northwest from Cincinnati and seven miles

south of present city of Hamilton and this western homesite became the permanent and abiding home

of the Grays in the new territory, west of the mountains and the land upon which the same was estab-

lished in that region, has now been in the family for one hundred and twenty-four years and has been

owned successively by four generations and remains to this day in the possession of the family descen-

dants (Compiler’s note –this was true when the Judge wrote this some years ago but later data will

show the land passes out of the hands of the Grays.)

Both Robert Gray and his wife Agnes, were possessed with great health and remarkable longevity.

Agnes Gray was born in Pennsylvania in 1753, about the time of the French and Indian War and was

twenty years old when Patrick Henry made his immortal speech for American Independence. She

reared seven stalwart men who became honoured citizens. She lived a long life, almost a century, and

thru the lifetime of two ordinary generations, down to the year of 1851 and within nine years of the

administration of Abraham Lincoln.

Robert Gray was born, as herein before shown on the other side of the ocean in 1743 and died in 1843

on the interior of the western continent to which he sailed from his native shores while still a youth. In

his long and eventful life he had resided in two continents, in his early home on the Irish coast and

then afterwards in both the east and the West of his adopted land, and he lived a century in point and

time, grew up to manhood on the coast of Ireland, came to America in 1764, taught in the Philadelphia

schools, during the times of the continental Congress, lived under the articles of Confederation, was

45 years old when the U. S. Constitution was adopted and at the time of his death lived under the

administrations of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Jackson,

VanBuren, Harrison and Tyler and also during the days of those great statesman, Webster, Clay,

Calhoun, and Burton; he now sleeps in his last resting place in Southwestern Fayette Co., Indiana, on

land now occupied by his descendant, Quincy Gray, and his mother Mrs. Judge Gray —and now in

possession of George L. Gray.

Cedar Lodge, the Ronald home was built in 1 20 on an eminence and was constructed of perfectly

hewn logs. It was two stories high with a mamouth fireplace and double pouches extending around it

on three sides, with a massive stone chimney at the west end of the dwelling. Its floors were of ash and

fastened with wooden pins. The outside porches on both stories were artistically built with railings

and turned banisters making it an elaborate structure for those early times.

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(compiler’s note –in my lifetime Cedar Lodge was the home of Wendell Gray and after his passing

was allowed to decay and crumble until finally what was left of it was torn down and today a girl scout

camp stands in it’s place.)

John Gibson Gray built a house also not far from cedar lodge. This land also contains the site of the

early family burial place where now sleeps the first of our ancestors to reach the new world, here on

this land is the tomb of Robert Gray, born in Londonderry, Ireland and also the grave of George

Ronald, The maternal ancestor, born near Glasgow, Scotland, and who was the father of the mother of

Whitelaw Reid, the successor of Horace Greely as editor of the New York Tribune, who was appointed

as one of the U. S. Commission to draft the terms of peace between Spain and the U. S. Ambassador to

both France and Great Britain, at the court of St. James.

The sons of Robert Gray, the first generation of the family in the new world became stalwart men,

Americans of High character and citizenship. Two of them, William and Jonathon remained in Ohio.

William the oldest son, came westward to locate in the then new land of the west. He reached Cincin-

nati, then a frontier town and purchased government land eighteen miles N. W. of that place in the

East of the Miami river, and about seven miles out of the present city of Hamilton.

He had two sons, James and John Milton Gray. James located in Miss., and was there elected to

Congress and his brother John Milton, had two sons, John Munson Gray and Philibus Gray who was

wounded in the battle of Stone River and guide in the Union hospital at Nashville, Tenn. John

Munson Gray established his home in Louisiana, and died there in 1934 at the advanced age of almost

90.

At the death of Robert gray the American ancestor, the land became the property of William C.,

Jonathan Jr., and Mary Gray Ritchie.

Jonathon Gray Sr.’s son William C. Gray became editor of the Chicago Interior, and Mary became the

wife of the Rev. Ritchie of Wyoming, a suburb of Cincinnati, and Jonathon Jr. remained on the old

homestead until his death in 1924. The home is now owned by Melville and Edward Ritchie, sons of

Mary Gray Ritchie.

Edward Ritchie died recently leaving a family at Wyoming, Ohio, his wife was a daughter of Calvin

Brice, U. S. Senator from Ohio. (compiler’s note-this last have been written about 1930 as Edward

died in 1925.)

William C. Gray had a son and a daughter, Frank Gray and Anna. Frank was for a time managing

editor of the Interior of Chicago, later of the New York tribune. (compiler’s note-I wrote to the New

York tribune! And they had no record of him, Perhaps the judge was in error here.) the daughter Anna

gray Percell became a world traveler, touring her own country and visiting foreign lands. She died in

Los Angeles.

Richard Gray, born in 1780, in Philadelphia, located in Iowa. He had a granddaughter, Irene Gray

Tucker, whose husband is a lawyer in Aberdeen, state of Washington, near Gray’s Harbor, the first

large bay on the pacific coast, discovered by Captain Gray. (compiler’s note-this is wrong as Irene was

the granddaughter of Martin son of Robert gray and Martin settled in Iowa)

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Robert Gray Jr., born 1783, indecipherable, Wisconsin and so far as is now known he has no descen-

dants living. He was a man of large statue, stormy mentality and great family attachment and sensibil-

ity and while the brothers were still living, he continued through life to make his brothers regular

visits and keep in family touch with them, tho the members of the family lived in different states.

Mary Gray, daughter born April 10, 1785, was never married, remained at the Miami original home

until her death in 1842 at the age of 57. In the journey westward from her home and birth place in the

Juniata River Valley, Pennsylvania, she made the journey after reaching Pittsburgh, on horseback

across the state of Ohio in company with other members of the family, as in the early pioneer days this

was a common mode of travel into the new lend.

John Gray, born April 1789, and his younger brother, Hugh Gray, born May 1792, came west with the

family until they reached Pittsburgh and there they loaded the family baggage and equipment on a flat

boat and they’d the journey down the Ohio River to Cincinnati, where they joined the companions and

while still young men, they went together on horse back on a trip from the Miami home to Kaskaski,

Ill., and returninig, the slept at night on the ground where Indianapolis, Indiana now stands and also

passing eastward, down the Garrison Creek Valley, a west branch tributary of the Whitewater River in

Fayette Co., Indiana, they stopped over night at a new pioneer settlement on that virgin stream in the

depth of the native forest.

Here they found the Scotch history family of George Ronald, compound of himself and wife, Eliza-

beth, two sons, John and James and a bevy of lovely daughters, who afterwards became noble woman

and the mothers of distinguished families. The sequel of this stops when these two young explorers

and pioneer revelers, married the Ronald sisters, Hugh marrying Susan and John G. Gray, my grandfa-

ther, marrying Mary Ronald. They established their homes in the Garrison Creek Valley where it has

now rested for more than 100 years.

Martin Gray, the son of Robert gray, born 1796, the youngest brother went west and reared his family

in the state of Iowa. In recent years, a granddaughter of his was connected with public education in

the state of Nebraska, and was Co. school supt. (compiler’s note-she was Anna Gray Clark and was the

daughter of Richard Gray, son of William Gray who was Martin’s brother.)

The family of John G. Gray and his wife Mary Ronald, my grandparents, established their home and

reared their family on this land and they too are buried here. Family data as follows:

John G. Gray, born Aug.17, 1789, died 1872

Mary Ronald born May 12, 1795, at Ryegate, Vt., died 1879

Robert Patton Gray born Aug.18, 1822, died Sept. sixth, 1908

Elizabeth born June 25, 1824, died Dec.21, 1845

Agnes born June 24, 1826, died March 18, 1854

Marian born Dec.1, 1830

Rosana born Aug. 29, 1832

Mary Dessie born Aug.14, 1834, died Feb.1863

Rachel born Sept.19, 1836, died March.28, 1860

John Gibson

Robert Patton Gray, married Miss. Jameson of Indianapolis, Indiana, Jan.16, 1844. Their daughter, Ida

Gray, married a Mr. Scott and she was a fine concert singer in Los Angeles.

Elizabeth to Robert Little, June 16, 1842

Agnes to John G. Carlisle of Indianapolis in 1850

John G. Jr. to Marcie B. Demaree of Franklin, Indiana., Dec.2, 1856

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Marian to Dr. Jesse Dailey, Nov. 22, 1856

Mary Dessie to William Law of Xenia, Ohio, Sept.12, 1863

(compiler’s note-there would be some error here on Mary’s marriage or death date.)

The daughters, Rosana, Rachel, and Joanna (compilers note-he did not mention Joanna above) were

never married. They were bright, handsome women as shown by their pictures, and by the memory

and statement of family members who were old enough to recollect them, but there lives were prema-

turely terminated, the result of malignant fevers, that were attended with such fatality in the early days.

My parents, John G. and Marcie Demaree were both educated. My mother was educated at Franklin,

Indiana, the county seat of Johnson Co. she taught in the schools of Howard county before she was 20

and was married at the age of 21 and came to Fayette county, and lived here the balance of her life.

She died Nov. 1912. My father while still a young man, taught in the Indianapolis Schools and to of

his long life of almost 90 years, he sought and red the books of philosophy, science and history, and no

more humane, tolerant, unselfish, and noble minded man ever lived. Their children are as follows.

William Horatio, son, born June 27, 1858, died Oct.19, 1876 of typhoid fever, at the age of 18 years.

He was a fine scholar and student and had taught 3 terms of school.

George Law Gray, born Feb.14, 1862, lawyer, was elected three terms as prosecuting attorney and

served 12 years as circuit judge of the 37

th

judicial District of Indiana.

Finly H. Gray, lawyer, was born July 28, 1864, was elected mayor of the city of Connersville, Indiana.,

two terms, during which time he established the reform of a deep well pure water system for the

inhabitants of the city, against the organized and entrenched opposition of the Connersville Hydraulic

Canal Co., and which achievement established his ability and sincerity as a champion of the peoples

welfare. In 1910 he defeated two popular candidates for the congressional nomination in his district

and was 3 times successfully elected to Congress in a district normally largely Republican, being the

first and only Democrat elected in such district since the civil war or within the period of a half cen-

tury. He was married to Alice Green. They had a daughter who never married, named Mary.

Quincy Gray, born May 19, 1870, died Nov. 29, 1945. He had an unusually keen mind, was a fine

businessman, loved his mother and father dearly but was a tyrant with his own family.

Fletcher Gray, born Aug.27, 1867, attended Indiana University and was a fine teacher until his heart

condition caused him to retire at a very early age, thus never marrying. He died as a direct result of

heart trouble, but many years later.

Mabel Gray, born Feb.10, 1872, died Feb. 28, 1920. She was an efficient stenographer court reporter

and congressional private secretary. She served for years as court reporter in the Bartholomew circuit

at Columbus, Indiana under judge Hoard of that circuit. She was also court reporter under Judge Swift

andJudge Gray in the 37

th

circuit and served 6 years as stenographic and private secretary for the

brother Finly H. Gray while he was a member of congress. She helped take care of her invalid mother

part of her life, thus never married. (Compiler’s note-this is all that the judge wrote and copies were

sent to family members.)

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THE GRAY FAMILY AND ITS COAT OF ARMS

MOTTO: “Tenebo” (I WILL HOLD)

ARMS: Gules, a lion rampant within

a bordure engrailed argent

CREST: An anchor, sans gable, erect in pale or.

While a number of variations and completely different designs are noted as having been in use, these

arms are regarded as the hereditary arms and crest of the Gray Family of Scotland. This device is from

Douglas “Peerage of Scotland,”1813, edition and with the omission of supporters and baron’s coronet,

is regarded as correct for use by American descendants.

The Hundred Rolls (1275 A. D.) and other old world records list the name de Gray in a number of

instances, and it is probably that the progenitors of the family in the British Isles was of Norman

origin, and may have been among the followers of William the Conqueror during the invasion of 1066.

As with all ancient families, it is difficult to establish the relationship of the persons bearing the same

name, because of the innumerable branches down through the ages before the time when accurate

records of vital statistics were kept, including the referred to below, which contain a wealth of infor-

mation painstakingly compiled.

One of the earliest known settlers in the New World bearing this family name was Edward Gray, who

with his brother John came to Plymouth colony, Massachusetts, in 1643. Edward is recorded to have

married Mary Winslow in 1650 and after her death in 1663, he then married Dorothy Lettice, by

whom he had 9 children. He died in 1681. In the book ” Plymouth Plantation” it speaks of Edward

Winslow. It is presumed that Mary Winslow was either the widow or daughter of Edward Winslow,

one of the Mayflower passengers and one of the outstanding figures of that intrepid group known as

the Pilgrims who established Plymouth Plantation in 1620.

Within a hundred years, persons bearing the name Gray were to be found in most of the colonies, and

along the ever expanding frontiers of the new nation. From these original settlers came many who

were leaders in the country’s march to greatness, and American history pays just tribute to their many

contributions.

To those interested in more detailed study of this early colonial family, the following references are

suggested:

1. “Americana, volume 19, published by American historical society, 1925.

2. “Joshua Gray and his Descendants.” Published by Press of Murray and Emery Co. (compiler’s note-

I could never find this book.)

The name Gray is derived from the nickname ”the gray,” from the complexion and the hair, as Russell,

Brown, White, Black, etc. Early recording going back to the 13th century were: Robert de Gray, John

de Gray, Eva de Gray and Peter de Gray.

Reference: “General Armory,” a registry of American Families entitled to coat of armor.

Gray-Mass. Edward Gray, Boston 1686, (Lincolnshire,) Barry of six, argent and azure on a band gules

three chaplets or.

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Reference: gray family records by S. A. Perry.

A Coat of Arms is an emblem or a device, which is displayed by a person of royal blood, and their

descendants. Coats of Arms were originally used for purposes of identification and recognition on the

field of battle as well as in civil life.

It is claimed by some writers that Coats of Arms, in a crude form, were used by Noah’s sons after the

flood. There are records of other Coats of Arms, in one crude form or another, at different periods of

ancient history. Heraldry, however, as we know it today, did not become of much importance until

soon after the invasion of England by William the conqueror, A. D. 1066. Heraldry became of general

interest at about the time of the Crusades.

The Gray Coat of Arms has been used for generations by many American branches of the gray family.

The shield is red; the border and lion are silver.

Ancient Gray Families were located in Scotland in counties Perth, Aberdeen, Forfar, and Lanark; in

England in Counties Berks, Durham, Essex, Exter, Flint, Lancaster, Middlesex, Norfolk,

Northumberland, and York; also in

Ireland in counties Dublin and Cork.

A pretty legend ascribes the origin of the fesse (a band drawn horizontally across the center of an

escutcheon, and containing in breadth a third part of it) in heraldry to ”a king at the close of battle

visiting one of his wounded warriors, dabbing him knight, and with his hand dipt in the wounded

heroe’s own blood tracing a red stripe across his shield, and seen that should be his device.”

It is a fair assertion make that coats-of-arms used prior to 1625 were generally the rightful property of

the users. It is fairly conclusive that any person using a seal with a shield thereon engraved back

during the score of years back following the first colonization of New England would have had a

social position in England among the gentry or yeomanry. Considerable reliance can be placed upon

the seals as affording a clue to trace the family of a person using such a seal. All persons who can

deduce decent from an ancestor whose armorial ensigns have been acknowledged in any one of the

visitations are entitled to carry those arms by right of inheritance.

In England the rules about using a coat-of-arms are rigid. The right must be hereditary, or by special

royal grant. In America there are no rules. It is all a matter of propriety or good taste. It can be

assumed that, if the coat-of-arms is an old one, used by many families of the name in England, and if

the emigrant came from a county in England in which the coat-of-arms was being used, there might be

a probability that the emigrant was a descendant of the family using the coat-of-arms, even though a

relationship has not been established, due most likely, to the poorly kept records in England in the

16th and 17th centuries. In such cases a coat-of-arms could be displayed as a matter of family interest,

even though the right for its use had not been established.

(Ref.: for the forgoing-“Richard Haines and his descendants.” By John W. Haines, Apache Trail,

Medford Lakes, N. J.)

One place to send for a coat of arms is:

Joe T. Boyes

North Hollywood, Calif.—P.O. Box 930 Dept. 6-C

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Copy of a letter and poem received from my cousin James J. Ripley III

Dear Diane,

Enclosed are two items: 1. A poem entitled Tenebo; 2. And, a glossary to help you to understand the

archaic, medieval, and heraldic terms, etc.

When you read it, fancy armored knights mounted on proud steeds covered with gayly colored trap-

pings. Imagine your kinsman, Gray, in silver armor and back with red and silver, and red and white

colors streaming from his lance. Atop his helmet is crested a golden anchor.

He is in the center of his line. He and his line face the enemy line across a wide sweeping green field.

The breeze is brisk, and the pennons and banners are flapping wildly. The rattle and of equipment

breaks the quiet of the cool English air. It is a little after dawn. The enemy is gathering for the attack.

Your kinsman and his people are defending. At all costs, they must defend so strongly that their line

will not yield or break.

Gray is the anchor of that line—and does not matter even if he should be known by another name,

because his bold inheritance will manifest itself no matter what name he bears.

They stand their ground and wait to receive the attack, the battle of their lives, and symbolically, life’s

battle.

The enemy attacks. Now, read the poem.

TENEBO

By

James J. Rippley

Centered in the line of battle,

Rampant on our side’s proud array,

Whether otherwise clept or not,

Recognize the lineage Gray.

That line’s kinsmen never waiver

For in that name’s sept blood boils bold,

The strength of our side’s battle line,

Anchor to which our line can hold.

Gules his shield (his ancestor’s blood)

Engrailed with a lion argent;

His anchor—crested helm; his shield

Battered on field and battlement.

Receive the enemy’s assault!

Corps a corps—to live or die!

Over the din of clashing steel,

Pray Gray, sound your battle cry!

Pacific Palisades, Calif.

6 June 1965.

Sincerely,

Jimmy

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With your courage our line endow,

In the melee where blood runs cold

Let us hear your tenacious vow,

Cry out: Tenebo! —I will hold!

30 May 1965

GLOSARY OF THE POEM

TENEBO

1. Anchor—an instrument that is attached to a ship by a cable and lays hold of the earth by a fluke or

hook and thus hold (tenebo) the vessel in a particular place, hence, anything or anyone re

garded as a sure support.

2. Argent—silver or white.

3. Array—to dispose or marshal troops in an orderly and regular imposing arrangement; hence, order

of battle, which is the case of the subject poem is on line and not in column.

4. Assault—the final phase of an attack.

5. Battlement—a parapet with open spaces, surmounting the walls of castles and fortified buildings.

6. Clept—clept is an archaic past participle of clepe which means to call, or to name.

7. Corps a corps—a French word meaning body-to-body, as in hand-to-hand combat.

8. Crested—having a crest. In heraldry, a crest is a bearing set not upon the shield but upon the helm.

9. Engrailed—to ornament.

10. Gules—red.

11. Helm—an archaic word for a helmet.

12. Line—a formation of troops in which the elements are abreast of each other.

13. Melee—a fight between combatants mingled in a confused mass; an affray.

14. Rampant—threatening, extravagant, or unrestrained in bearing, similar to the lion on the Gray’s

arms, rearing upon its hind legs and clawing the enemy with its extended forelegs.

15. Sept—in ancient Ireland, a clan, hence a social group in which all are believe to have descended

from a single ancestor.

16. Tenacious—holds fast, or inclined to hold fast. It is derived from the Latin word tenore, which

means to hold.

17. Tenebo—Latin word meaning I will hold. It is pronounced- the-nay-beau.

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Family history in possession of Anna Cole Smith McFarland-(Mary Eliza Herron Smith-Rachel Gray

Herron-Martin Gray-Robert Gray.)

The first of our relatives that we know a wood the Rev. Neil Gray, pastor of Moneagle Presbyterian

congregation six miles from Londonderry, Ireland in 1691 and he remained in charge of that church

until his death May third, 1715. His son Rev. William Gray, was assistant pastor to his father, entering

the ministry Oct.18, 1699. He remained in charge after his father’s death until 1721. In his early

married life, this Rev. William Gray had two sons, one by the name of Elisha. When they grew to

manhood, they emigrated to Boston where they engaged in the shipping business and became quite

wealthy. Neither ever married. In the later life of Rev. William Gray, in 1747 when he was about 60

years of age, he had another son and called him Robert. He passed away when this Robert was but a

small lad, and the boy’s grandfather on his mother’s side of the house, Robert Patton, took him, cared

for and educated him, and when he was in his 18th year, gave him an outfit and sent him to America.

He landed in Philadelphia in 1764 where he taught school for a living and was said to be a teacher of

the ”First Class.” He met and married a Miss Agnes Gray of English descent, and later pushed west-

wards up the Juanita River to Mifflin County where his ten sons and one daughter were born. He

fought in the Revolutionary War and in later years came with his family to Hamilton County, Ohio,

where they lived on a farm seven miles from Hamilton.

Additional Genealogy of the Gray Family, such as origin and nationality as given to me by Melvin

Gray – (Wendell Phillips Gray-Judge George Law Gray-John Gibson Gray Sr.-Robert Gray)

The British Isles are the ancestral home of the Gray family. They lived in England, Scotland and the

North of Ireland in the early centuries. Grey is the usual orthography in England, while in Scotland

and America the name is generally GRAY.

In medieval times in Great Britain the Gray’s became mixed with nobility of Scotland. They held the

castle of Grey in the seventh century, and it is said that the family name sprang from this castle, the

name Grey resolving itself into the name Gray.

Edward IV married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Gray and their son, Prince Edward and his brother

were put to it in the Tower by the usurper, Richard III.

The Duke of Suffolk, who was of Grey lineage, married Mary, daughter of Henry VII, widow of Louis

XII of France, Lady Jane Grey was their daughter, and after a brief reign as queen she was executed.

During the reign of James I the Greys were restored to court favor. Sir Andrew Grey was created Peer

of Scotland and given the title Lord Grey in the year 1445. He was born in 1390, nearly 100 years

before Columbus discovered America. He was an eminent figure in history during the reign of the

three Scottish Kings. Patrick Grey was his grandson and participated back in the public affairs of

Scotland during the reign of Queen Mary Stuart.

During 1600 and 1700 several branches of the Gray family emigrated to America, establishing this

family in the New World. John and Thomas Gray bought the island of Nantasket from the Indian

Tribes.

Edward Gray sailed from Scotland and landed in Boston in 1686. This was more than 100 years

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16

before the American Government was formed and George Washington became President.

Robert Gray sailed from Ireland in 1764 and landed at Philadelphia, and he is the direct line connect-

ing our family with the British Grays.

At the time of the Revolutionary War the Grays were all patriots and were found on the side of the

colonies in their struggle for American freedom. John Gray was in the battle of Stillwater and joined

in the capture of Saratoga. His son and namesake also enlisted and taught in the continental army, for

American freedom. Our progenitor Robert Gray, who landed at Philadelphia in 1764, enlisted in the

Continental Army at the outbreak of the revolution, and found an older brother of his in the army, who

had preceded him to America. Another member of the Gray family who took part in the war for

independents was Captain George Gray, later of Louisville, Kentucky. (compiler’s note-I found no

trace of this George Gray in our tree.)

So it is seen that if the Gray family in England and Scotland’s medieval history got mixed up with

royalty and the throne, it nobly redeemed itself in taking the side of the colonies back in the battles for

American freedom.

The Gray family has been represented in the learned professions and in statesmanship. Thomas Gray

was a British post, the author of Gray’s Eulogy. Professor Asa Gray was a scientist and was the succes-

sor of Louie Agassiz as Regent of the Smithsonian Institute of Washington. Charles Gray was a leader

of the British House of Commons. Sir Andrew Grey was made back a Scottish peer and given the

cuddle of Lord Grey in the 15th century. Horace Gray, of Massachusetts, was a member of the Su-

preme Court in the United States. William C. Gray, was Editor of the Chicago Interior. Judge George

gray, of Delaware, was appointed and took part in the peace negotiations between America and Spain

at the close of the Spanish-American war, and has on different locations been prominently mentioned

for the Presidency of the United States. Sir Edward Gray was foreign secretary of the British govern-

ment at the time of the beginning of the present World War.

Ref:- “Gray Genealogy,” being a genealogical record and history of the descendants of John Gray of

Beverly, Massachusetts, and also included sketches of other Gray families. By M. D. Raymond,

Terrytown, New York, 1887. Terrytown, New York. Copyrighted by M. D. Raymond. This book is in

the possession of Melvin Gray of Rushville, Indiana.

Page 285-286.

Robert Gray (compiler’s note-this should be William Gray) died near Londonderry, Ireland in 1744

leaving an infant son Robert, born 1743. This son grew up and emigrated to America in 1765. He

enlisted under General Israel Putnam and served three terms in the revolution being among those who

captured Burgoyne. He emigrated to Ohio in 1800 locating near Cincinnati. His son Jonathon took

part in the war of 1812.

Jonathon’s son William C. Gray was born in 1830, was educated and admitted to the practice of the

law in 1852. In 1853 he entered upon the profession of journalism. He moved from Cincinnati to

Chicago to take the position of editor in chief of the newspaper back ”The Interior.” Under his able

management it has achieved a large success. Frank Gray, son of William C. Gray is publisher of “The

Interior.”

Also listed in the book was a Robert Gray from Ireland, 1744, Herkimer, New York, age about 18. He

had five sons: Adam, Nicholas, Samuel, Robert and Andrew.

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Ref: A copy of the ”Interior,” in procession of the compiler, dated Aug.9, 1888. William C. Gray says

“my father’s father came from near Londonderry in the year 1760 and fought through the Revolution-

ary War. He was at the surrender of Burgoyne. And in other important actions with the northern army.

He removed to the Symmas purchase in Ohio in the year 1803. My brother lives on the old farm were

he located.”

OTHER GRAY FAMILIES

David Gray, born 1751, North Ireland, Anthrop or Antwerp, in this Country a resident of Bucks

County, Philadelphia, removed to Franklin County, Bath Township, Indiana, a Revolutionary Soldier,

married Nancy Blackburn and to them were born 12 children.

One family in Ireland had names very similar to our family names and it was at first taught there might

be some connection until the difference in localities improved his to be untrue. Rev. Henry David

Gray, born in Ireland, pastor of the South Congregational Church of Hartford, Conn., writes “I came

directly from Ireland. The first members of my family to come to Ireland came in the year 1611, and

the families were named Gray, McBride, Murdock, and Lawther. They live, all of them, on a hillside

named Donegore which is near Belfast. They were all ministers or teachers and the commonest names

among them were; James, William, Robert, Agnes, John, Mary, Hugh and Nathaniel. But the places

are different from yours. There are eighteen headstones to one side of my family in the Donegore

burial ground, which is about twelve miles from Belfast. On the other side of the burial grounds there

are ten headstones to the other side of my family.

Nearly all of our families settled in Ireland between 1603 and 1611, arriving from Aryshire in Scot-

land. But I have no record of any of them at Londonderry.”

Edgar Harkness Gray, D. D. (1815-94) grad. Waterville Coll., 1838; Bapt. Minister; Chaplain U. S.

Senate 1865-69, and officiated at the funeral of President Lincoln; m. 1

st

, 1840 Mary Jane Rice.

Robert Gray came from Ireland 1795, settled at Winchester, Va.; m. in Ireland Rebecca Watson.

There was a Gray family close to Queen Elizabeth that fled to Ireland with the advent of “Bloody

Queen Mary.” They were pardoned later, largely because they helped quell the Irish.

It was handed down in my branch of the family, by word of mouth that the Grays were related, distant

cousins, to Queen Victoria, but no proof of this has ever been found.

Ref.: Peerage and Baronetage

The 22

nd

Baron Gray (Angus Diarmid Ian Campbell Gray,) educated, Eton. b. 3 July, 1931; s. his

grandmother as 22

nd

Baron, 1946, m. 5 Sept. 1959, Patricia Margaret, only dau. Of late Capt. Philip

Sylvester Alexander, 8

th

K. R. J. hus. Of Kilmorna, Lismore, C. Waterford. His line was crested in

1444.

Sir William Gray, 2nd Bt., of Tunstall Manor, his baronetage created seven July, 1917. Sir William

John saint Claire Anstruthar-Gray. His Baronetage was created 4, July 1956. Their coats-of-arms are

similar to ours.

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Reference: Funk and Wagnall’s Encyclopedia.

Gray, Asa (1810-88 American botanist born at Souquoit, near Paris N. Y. He received the the degree of

M. D. from the medical scool at Fairfield, N. Y., but never practiced medicine. Grays first position as

a professional botanist was as curator of the New York Lyceum of Natural History, a position secured

for him in 1835 by John Torrey. Gray was appointed professor of natural history at Harvard University

in 1842. The flora of North America wasn’t that time being studied, discovered and scientifically

systematized, and his work and taxonomy accorded Gray the position of foremost botanist of the state.

Cambridge became the leading center of botanical investigation in the United States, and that her-

barium of Cambridge established by Gray, grew to be the largest and most valuable in the country.

From 1835 until his death Gray wrote copiously and his books and papers were not only of great

importance in establishing a scientific system of taxonomy for plants, but they encourage them

populararized the study of botany. He was one of Darwin’s earliest supporters. Grays most important

work, Manual of the Botany of North United States (1848), has been through many revisions. It was

the most widely used manual for many generations of botanist, and the 8th edition, entitled Gray’s

Manual of Botany (1850), is still a standard work of reference. Some of his other books are: Elements

of Botany (1836), Botanical Textbook (1842), First Lessons in Botany and Vegetable Physiology

(1857), How Plants Grow (1858), How Plants Behave (1872), and Darwiniana (1876).

Gray, Elisha (1835 — 1901), American inventor, born at Barnesville, Ohio, and educated at Oberlin

college. He invented and patented many electrical devices, including a faximile telegraph. He filed a

caveat claiming invention of the telephone in 1876 a few hours after Alexander Graham Bell had

registered his final patent. Bell’s right to the patent was sustained by the U.S. Supreme Court. Gray

organized a manufacturing concern which later developed into the Western Electrical Co.. He wrote

experimental research in Electro— Harmonic Telegraph and Telephony (1878).

Gray, Robert (1855 — 1806), American sea captain and explorer, born at Riverton, R. I. During the

American Revolution he served in the Navy and in 1787 he was made commander of the Lady Wash-

ington, one of a fleet subsidized by Boston merchants wished to procure furs from the north west for

trade with the Orient. After the expedition had procured a load of furs from the Indians of the pacific

coast, Gray was made head of the expedition and placed in command of the ship Columbus. He sailed

to China and thence eastward, completing the first voyage around the world by an American vessel; he

arrived in Boston Aug. 10, 1790. Shortly after his return he undertook a second voyage to the Colum-

bia River, which he named after his ship. He completed the trip around the world a second time and

arrived in Boston in July, 1793. The explorations and discoveries of Gray in the Pacific Northwest

gave American basis for claim to the Oregon County.

Gray, Thomas (1716 — 71), English poet, born in Cornhill, London, and educated at Eton College and

Pererhouse, Cambridge University. In 1850 he finished the poem by which he is best known, the

Elegy. Written in a concrete church the art, and sent it to his friend Horace Walpole, at whose insis-

tence it was published the following year. Since that time the work has remained a favorite. Before

1751 Gray had written other poems with these were not collected until the publication of his forums

(1753), a volume including the Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College and the Ode on the Death

of a Favorite Cat (both written in 1747). The poems are possibly the last expression in English verse

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19

of the classicism of John Dryden and Alexander Pope. Living at Cambridge, Gray wrote the progress

of post the in 1757 and in the same year refused to accept an appointment as poet laureate. He became

professor of history and modern languages at Cambridge University in 1768, and in the intervals of his

scholastic duties, traveled widely through Great Britain in search of picturesque scenery and ancient

monuments, recording his impressions in his Journal (1775). An interest in Celtic and Norse mythol-

ogy, was expressed in such of his poems as The Bard (1757) and the Descent of Odin (1761).

Gray’s Peak, mountain in Clear Creek and Summit counties, North Central Colorado. It is one of the

loftiest peaks in the Rocky Mountains, rising 14,274 ft. Above sea level. The peak was named for the

American botanist Asa Gray.

NAME PLACES IN THE UNITED STATES

Ala.

Graysville

Grayson

Ariz.

Gray Mountain

Ark.

Grays

Ga.

Gray

Graymont

Grayson

Ill.

Graymont

Grays Lake

Grayville

Grayson

IND.

Graysville

Ia.

Gray

Kentucky

Gray

Gray Hawk

La.

Gray

Grays

Grayson

Maine

Gray

Md.

Grayton

Nev.

Grayson

New York

Gray

Ohio

Graysville

Graytown

Okla.

Gray

Pa.

Graysville

Gray

Graybill

Grays Landing

S. D.

Gray Court

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Because our progenitor came from Philadelphia, I offered the following data on Gray, Philadelphia.

Reference: historical society, Somerset Philadelphia, County history of gender township, Somerset

County.

This town was built by the the Consolidation Coal Co. in 913 when that company started mining coal

in the area nearby. All houses are the same construction and were Coal Company property, rented to

their employees. Other than this there is no historical information about the town. It is not known

how the Coal Company selected the named for the town, except it is thought by some people that one

of the coal Company officials was named Gray. It is what we in the mining regions know as a he ghost

town, since the coal mines were closed down many years ago and no work was available for the

inhabitants. There are a few of the old company houses still standing which were purchased by local

farmers and restored to livable condition.

Additional Family data taken from the notes imposition of — Milton Gray (Wendell Phillips Gray —

Judge George Law Gray — John Gibson Gray Jr. — John Gibson Gray Sr. — Robert Gray.)

Rev. William Gray married the daughter of Robert Patton. There were three children, Richard, Will-

iam, and Robert. (Compilers note — we will notice that some family histories call one of the brothers

off Robert — Elisha.) Robert Gray was the youngest and they were raised by Robert Patton when their

father was killed. As each arrived at age they came to America, their mother having remarried again.

Two of them became merchants in Philadelphia and embarked in trade. One of then bought a farm in

Mifflin County, Philadelphia. Robert made his living by teaching. The brothers in Philadelphia failed

in business owing to the loss of a ship and cargo in which they had put their fortunes. The farm

occupied by Robert in Mifflin County was seized by their creditors and sold on execution. Two of

Robert sons, William and Robert Jr. had already settled in Hamilton County, Ohio, William having

taken out the Sargent place on the Butler County line, Colerain township. The father Robert Gray and

his wife and children determined to join the sons in Ohio. They started with all their effects but at

Pittsburgh the weather becoming bad, they found the roads impassable. They left their wagons and all

their goods along with two boys John and Hugh. With a friend in Pittsburgh and started across the

country on horseback. Jonathon and Martin on one horse and Polly (Mary) on another and Robert and

Agnes each on one horse. The following spring the boys John and Hugh came down the river on a flat

boat with the wagons and effects, landing at Columbus where the Armstrong and Devor families were

located. Agnes Gray’s sister had married Jonathon Devor who was great friend of Robert Gray.

(Compiler’s note-if Robert Gray’s mother remarried as it states above that would give us other relation

if she had children and if we knew who she married. Data which may be found in the Martin Gray

chapter states that the brothers of Robert did not marry.)

Family data in possession of my grandmother — Minnie Jane Painter Gray, wife of John Ronald Gray,

(Hugh Gray Sr. — Robert Gray) it was written by William C. Gray, (Jonathon Gray — Robert Gray.)

Our Ancestors

The first of them of which we know anything was the Rev. Neil Gray, who was pastor of Monagle

Presbyterian Congregation, six miles from Londonderry, Ireland in 1691. He remained in charge of

the church until his death, May 3, 1715.

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His son William Gray, also minister, was his father’s assistant, entering the ministry Oct. 18, 1699, and

remaining in charge after his father’s death, until 1721, when synod transferred him to Usher’s Quay,

were he preached for seven years, till 1726. Then he returned to the vicinity of this old charge of

Monagle and began mission work, and gathered at church. The old congregation was strongly op-

posed to this, as it was “irregular,” and he was ordered by presbytery to desist. This he refused to do

and was suspended from the ministry for contumacy. He built up his church and remained there to his

death, the date of which is not known, as he disappeared from the regular church records.

Robert Gray, his son, my grandfather, was born 1743; so that has father must been about 60 years old

when Robert was born. He was the youngest. His two older brothers immigrated to Boston.

(Compiler’s note-one history says Philadelphia.) Rev. William Gray, my great grandfather, was killed

by a bull as he attempted to cross a field in which the animal was grazing. Robert a small lad, was

taken by his mother’s brother, (compiler’s note-Melvin’s history said taken by the mothers father)

Robert Patton, and raised to manhood. He gave him an outfit to take him to America when he was of

age, and he landed in Philadelphia in 1764, where he began to make his living by teaching. Later he

pushed westward up to Junita to Mifflin County, where his 10 sons and one daughter were born. In

1810 he went over the mountains with his family and down the Ohio River to Cincinnati.

Jonathon Gray, my father, went overland from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati with his older brother, Robert

on horseback. I suppose this was because it was cheaper than to float them down the barge — or there

may have not been room. Grandfather located on the farm now in possession of my brother Jonathon

Gray.

Grandfather Robert named his oldest son after his father Rev. William Gray. His second son he named

after his maternal grandfather, Robert Patton. The name was given to two of his grandsons, the sons of

John and Hugh. (Compiler’s note-by this statement it would seem to that William C. meant to say that

Robert was raised by the father Patton instead of the brother