1. BENJAMIN1 RAY was born 1756 in Brunswick County, Virginia, and died January 28, 1841 in Russell Co. Virginia. He married (1) UNKNOWN. She was born Unknown, and died Unknown. He married (2) NANCY SUTHERLAND-WILSON January 31, 1830 in Russell Co.,Va.. She died Unknown.
Notes for BENJAMIN RAY:
. Benjamin RAY was born in 1756. He died on Jan 28 1841 in Russell Co. Virginia. Benjamin was born in 1756, in Brunswick County, Virginia. It is believed that his mother was Edy Wray, daughter of John and Frances Bailey Wray. Benjamin was listed in the will of his grandfather, John Wray, dated May 11, 1774, in Brunswick County, Virginia. Benjamin received 50 shillings under the will. According to one source, Benjamin was named in a Brunswick County court record dated June 28, 1773 as a "Bastard" son of Edy Wray and was ordered to be "bound out" by the Church Warden of Meherrin Parish. However, I have been unable to confirm this alleged record nor any other record on Benjamin in Brunswick County records.
Benjamin enlisted in the Revolutionary Army at Wilmington, NC, (New Hanover County) at age 20 (1776) and served eight years throughout the war (until 1784). He served as a private in Capt. John Babtista Ashe's and Capt. McCree's Companies, Col. Thomas Clark's Regiment (6th North Carolina). Private Benjamin fought in in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, and was at the siege of Charleston, where he was taken prisoner by the British and held fourteen months and "some days". Place of confinement was not stated. Col. William Russell was also captured when Charleston fell to British hands. A few years later, the now General Russell was in southwest VA with Daniel Boone. Russell Co., formed in 1797, was named after the General.
After the war, Benjamin and another Ray, William, (relation unknown) settled in Surry Co., NC, where they were living in 1790. According to the census that year, Benjamin and his wife (name not known) had two daughters and a son. William was married, but had no children. No record between 1790 and 1797 has been located.
Benjamin moved to Russell Co., Va, probably about 1795 and appears in records in 1797 (tax record). By 1810, William Ray (relation unknown) appeared in Russell County as well. Also living in Russell Co in 1810 was young John Ray, Benjamin's son, and an older John Ray, possibly Benjamin's uncle, John Ray, Jr.
The oldest records of the New Garden (Township) Primitive Baptist Church (1830) show Benjamin and others of the "Ray Clan" were faithful members of the congregation.
Benjamin was allowed a war pension of eight dollars a month on his application executed May 5, 1818. At that time, he was 62 years old, his wife, 48, and they still had one daughter at home, Lucy Ray, age 14. His net worth listed on his pension application was two cows and calfs, one three-year old heifer, two heifer yearlings, one three gallon frot, one half-bushel oven and lid, one kettle with one leg broke off which holds three pecks, one iron wedge, an old saddle, one weeding hoe, an axe, an old spinning wheel. When put together, not worth more than $30.00. His liabilities were upward of $300. Benjamin signed his name with a mark (X).
Benjamin married again on January 31, 1830, to Nancy Sutherland-Wilson.
It is believed that Sarah Ray, born 1796 in NC was another of Benjamin's daughters, since he was living with her and her husband, William Wallis, at the time of his death on January 28, 1841, at age 85. A record of his deed of gift of his personal property was filed on February 5, 1841. Recipients of his gift included Jane, Mary and Cosby Wallis, children of William Wallis and Sarah Ray "for their trouble with me while I am here". Gifts included one chesnut sorrell and one cow and calf. Benjamin signed with a mark (X).
According to "SOME EARLY RUSSELL CO VA MARRIAGE CLUES", by Jack Hockett of St. David's PA , the following information appears in the Russell County Virginia Law Order Book:
[RAY (Wray?), Benjamin; m. Nancy WILSON in RCV about 1831 (RCV LOB 12:`134, 04 Jul 1848)] "...proven to satisfaction of the court on the oath of Nancy Rasnick that she was present at the time Benjamin Ray, late Rev. War pensioner married Nancy Wilson which she believes was about 17 years ago; Ray died in the month of Jan about 8 years ago previous to last Jan (i.e., about 1840)...Nancy, a widow...")
From Becky Falin: "Benjamin Ray Private in NC line, acquired pension in 1819, age 75 in 1835, age 83 in 1840 (living with William Wallis)
Benjamin was burird in Ray-Whitt Cemetary, (private) Honaker, VA. A Revolutionary War headstone was provided by the DAR and placed there by Carl Ray of Kingsport TN.
More About BENJAMIN RAY:
Burial: Unknown, Ray-Whitt Cemetary, Honaker,Va.
More About UNKNOWN:
Burial: Unknown
More About BENJAMIN RAY and NANCY SUTHERLAND-WILSON:
Marriage: January 31, 1830, Russell Co.,Va.
Children of BENJAMIN RAY and UNKNOWN are:
