Possible Ray Connection and brick wall

[Melissa]

I was sent this in email today and hopefully I can find the connection for these folks. If any of you see a connection please post or email me. I havent had a chance to go through my big tree .. YET!

Dear Melissa:
I saw your mention of the Ray /Wray family on ancestry's letter, so I went to your site.
My sister and I are the last of a branch from John P. Ray born in Pa 1805 and wife Hannah Born abt 1815, also supposidly born in PA acordind to census. The problem I have been having is finding John and Hannah's Parents and sibblings. I have no Idea where they sailed from and where they landed. I do know however that Johns Line had been here from at least the time of the French and Indian wars and probably earlier. The Ray Family that John Hails from lived in Northumberland County Pennsylvania in 1790's how ever I only find John and His wife and family in Northumberland County after 1830, and that branch eventually stays in Sunbury, Northumberland county Pa till He and Hannah and some of the children die there. Do you have any connections from VA? There are lots of Johns in this family, and his children and there children seem to name their children after each other so there are generations of John's, Joseph's and William, among others. If you have any small connections of any that may have migrated North early (maybe due to the Revolution?) could you email me? Thanks in advance! Toni

[Melissa]

Here's a quickie reply to this, ALL of my early Wray/Ray family are from Virginia and migrated south and west. The other branches of my family stayed on the N.E. I have some info on the NE Wray/Ray family, but not a whole lot. I do know some family members that may be able to help, however.

#1 Are you sure it's spelled Ray instead of Wray on your earlier documents?

My Wray ancestors came over here around 1770 from England to Brunswick Va. The first immigrant was John Wray who married Francis Oher Bailey. ... I'll confirm that when I get my tree up here. I believe he was born in England and died in Brunswick. I have I think 2 generations before the immigration, and they're sketchy.

[Melissa]

Just ran across this tidbit in my saved stuff. It mentions the Rev war.. so maybe we should start looking in the last place your ancestor left a footprint. Do you have any wills, census info, military records?ANYTHING that may point to a VA connection?:

JOHN WRAY of Brunswick County, Mehrin Parish, Virginia. John may have arrived in Brunswick Co from Surry Co, Va ca 1726. He may have attended church at St Andrew's Parish. Church records exist for St Andrew's Parish, Va State Archives, has anyone researched these? John Wray left a will in 1774 which identifies his children and wife and grandson Benjamin Wray to whom he left 50 sh. He recieved a Royal Land Patent 5/15/1722, on East side of Jeneto Creek, Brunswick Co, Virgina. John was a surveyor, in Brunswick Co, in 1739 and 1748. Information source: Brunswick Co, Va 1720- 1975 by Gay Nealse.

Carl Ray, is looking for information on this grandson, Benjamin Ray (1756-1841) who joined the Revolutionary Army at Wilmington, NC in the Spring of 1776. Carl knows that some of the Brunswick Co Va Wrays migrated south into North Carolina, Georgia & Alabama. According to Arline McGuire, Benjamin was the illegitimate child of Edy Wray (who married Jeremiah Mize). He was probably raised by this grandparents John and Frances Wray.

[Melissa]

PA ray info....



www.pa-roots.com/~armstrong/smithproject/bios/wrayfamily.html



The progenitor of the Wray family in this section of Pennsylvania was Daniel Wray, who emigrated with his family from County Antrim, Ireland, in the latter part of the eighteenth century, but little of their history is known further than that they were sturdy people who were held in high esteem by those who knew them. Some time previous to 1794 he settled in Franklin county, where Robert Wray was born in the year above mentioned.

From Franklin county the family removed to Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and several years later to Indiana county, where the elder Wray purchased a farm adjoining the now prosperous town of Saltsburg. Robert was at this time a young man full of energy and push, and as his father had seriously involved himself in the purchase of the property and was in danger of losing it, he assumed the indebtedness, took the claim, and by engaging in the manufacture of salt (an industry in which he was a pioneer), he paid for the farm, which did not pass out of his possession until after his death. Early in life he was united in marriage with Miss Abagail Manners, whose parents were of German extraction and among the early settlers of Armstrong county. She was an estimable lady – possessed of many ennobling traits of character; she endeared herself to all by her kindness and benevolence; she was an example of all that is Christian charity and thought, ready for every good work, herself an illustration of all she taught. Industry and thrift were salient points in her character, and it was with pride that she referred to the fact that her wedding-dress and bonnet were purchased with linen cloth, manufactured by herself from flax of her own raising. After her marriage she spun and wove a quantity of cloth with which she purchased a copper kettle which is still in possession of the family. Her husband was her counterpart in all that pertains to true nobility of character – a typical pioneer, hardy and resolute, and inured to all the privations and hardships of frontier life, he was well fitted for the arduous work he did so well. Possessed of more than an ordinary amount of intelligence, he soon became a leading spirit, and his counsel was sought after and many a difficulty between neighbors was amicably adjusted by him, that had it not been for his kindly services would have involved the parties in litigation. His social qualities were marked and his hospitality was proverbial. His “latch-string was always out,” and no one was ever turned from his door.

In his eighty-fourth year this good old man went to his reward, “full of days, riches and honor.” He died on the farm to which he removed soon after his marriage, and which is in possession of his son Robert. His wife survived him until she attained the ripe old age of eighty-four, beloved and honored by all her acquaintances.

“None knew her but to love her,
None named her but to praise

They reared a family of nine children – Daniel, John M., William H., Robert, Sarah, Elizabeth, Nancy, Anna J. and Abbie M.

In his political and religious affiliations, Mr. Wray was a republican and a Presbyterian; all religious enterprises found in him a friend and supporter. His interest in politics was great, and he took a leading part and was one of those citizens desirous of the best welfare of the state and society.
JOHN M. WRAY

John M. Wray, the second son of Robert and Abagail Manners, was born in 1818, and was reared on the old homestead in Kiskiminetas township, Armstrong county. His early life was replete with toil and hardship, and it was only by the possession of strong hands and a robust constitution that he was able to endure the arduous labor imposed upon him in making the great transition from the wilderness to productive fields. The present generation can scarcely comprehend the magnitude of the work performed by this pioneer and his contemporaries, and to them we are indebted for the substructure of our present wealth and prosperity. The father, with his sons, John M., Daniel, William and Robert, cleared a trio of the finest farms in Western Pennsylvania, one of which is still occupied by John M., the others by Daniel and Robert (his elder and youngest brothers). In his twenty-first year he married Miss Anna Margaret, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Townsend, whose portraits and biography appear elsewhere in this volume. The result of this union were eight children, Harriet M. (Scott), Clara E. (Marshall), Abagail G. (Alexander), Hiram H., Anna M. (deceased), Robert T., Mary A. and Emma E. (deceased). Robert T. is a prominent and successful business man, and is at present connected with extensive coke works in the Fayette region. The only child remaining under the parental roof is Mary A., the youngest child. Mr. Wray has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, and in his chosen avocation has been eminently successful; he has given special attention to the rearing of fine stock, especially English draft horses. Notwithstanding he has passed threescore years and is still active, and given promise of many years of industry and usefulness. During his eventful career he has been three times engaged in mercantile pursuits, but his preference has always been for the farm, which is endeared to him by many precious associations.

But few men can retrospect a more successful career; starting in life with only his natural resources for his capital, he has conquered success in everything, and now in his old age surrounded by his children, whose love and respect he holds in the highest degree, and whose positions in business and society reflect credit upon him, he is still actively engaged in business, and bids fair to attain the position reached by his father.

Source: Pages 284, History of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania by Robert Walker Smith, Esq. Chicago: Waterman, Watkins & Co., 1883.
Transcribed December 2000 by Jeffrey Bish for the Armstrong County Smith Project.
Published 2000 by the Armstrong County Pennsylvania Genealogy Project.

[Melissa]

I was sent this also:
Henry, Hugh, James, John, Mathew, Robert, Thomas and William Wray, all arrived in Philadelphia between 1838-1868.

I did look in a few databases and there are Johns married to Hannahs but none that match you dates or areas... I will keep looking, however.

[William Jeter]

Hi,

I am looking for the parents of Matilda (W)Ray, b. about 1798, Tn, d??? who married John Bradford, b. abt 1801, Wilson Co, TN, d. aft 1870, Henderson Co, TN. She and John were married May 24, 1821, Wilson Co, TN., and believe it or not, the marriage license has her last name Wray and Ray? Unfortunately it doesn't offer a whole lot of information. One of the signers was William Robinson. The other was Edmund ? Family legion has it, that, John Bradford and Matilda moved to Henderson Co, TN, shortly after their marriage and a couple of Matilda's brother's relocated with them. This is brick wall material. Thanks.