Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Ancestors of William Greenberry Ray

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Ancestors of William Greenberry Ray

Generation No. 2

      2. Greenberry C. Ray, born January 06, 1802 in South Carolina*; died July 21, 1890 in Rio Vista, Johnson County, Texas. He was the son of 4. ***** Ray. He married 3. Catherine B. Collins February 16, 1826 in Morgan County, Alabama**.

      3. Catherine B. Collins, born July 07, 1807 in Jefferson Co., Tennessee*; died January 14, 1892 in Rio Vista, Johnson County, Texas. She was the daughter of 6. John Fain Collins and 7. Mahala Sehorn.

Notes for Greenberry C. Ray:
GREEN---- RAY APPEARS IN THE 1850 US CENSUS OF ITAWAMBA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI. The complete spelling of his first name is indistinct, but is listed in the Census Index as Greenburg. ( WFT Vol. 2, #4332 lists the name as Greenberry Colin Ray.) His age is given as 50, occupation: farmer, property value: $400, birthplace: SC. Research of census records suggests that many of the Ray family may have moved from Greenville County, South Carolina to Alabama and subsequently to Mississippi. The name Ray is spelled several ways, sometimes differently within the same document. Most documents record his first name as Green, with middle initial B.-i.e. Green B. Ray or G. B. Ray.

INFORMATION FROM WFT V0l. 2, # 4332:
Rays appear in the US Census and county records of several counties in Alabama. This partially reflects moves, but is sometimes attributable to the creation of new counties from old ones as immigration from other states swelled the population. Also Alabama and Mississippi were part of the same Mississippi Territory prior to statehood. Madison Co., AL was formed in 1808, Morgan Co. was formed (from Madison?) in 1818 it was initially called 'Cotaco'. Fayette County,AL was formed in 1824 partly from Marion and Tuscalosa counties. Land grants were awarded to Rays in Morgan County in 1818 from the Land Office in Huntsville. These lands are relatively near to Tennessee and northern Mississippi. Itawamba Co., MS was formed in 1836 and whites could not own land in the area until after a treaty with the Indians in 1832. Green Ray probably arrived in Alabama after 1818, married there in 1826, and moved on to Mississippi shortly before 1838. In 1869 many of the Itawamba County Rays (Green Ray's line), including Green & Catherine, moved by wagontrain to Johnson County, Texas.
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U. S. CENSUS AND OTHER RECORDS OF GREEN RAY:

1) Morgan County (AL) Marriage Book; pg 95: Greenberry Ray to Catherine B. Collins, Bond issued Feb. 2, 1826. Marriage performed Feb 16, 1826 by T. W. Mcarty, JP.

2) 1830 US Census for Morgan Co., AL: Wray, Green B.; 1m under 5, 2m 20 - 30, 1f under 5, 1f 20 - 30

3) 1838 Itawamba Co., MS Tax List: Greenberry Ray

4) 1839 Itawamba Co., MS Tax List: Greenberry Ray

5) 1840 US Census for Itawamba Co., MS: Ray, Green pg 141

6) 1850 US Census for Itawamba Co., MS: Greenberry Ray pg 413
GREENBERRY RAY 50-m-w-farmer-$400 -b.SC
Catherine " 46-f- -b.Tenn
Alexander " 23-m-w- " -b.Ala
John T. " 19-m-w " -b. "
William G. " 17-m-w- " -b. "
George " 14-m-w- -b. "
Delila " 12-f-w- -b. " attended school
Eliza " 10-f-w- -b.Mis attended school
Mahala " 8-f-w- -b. "
Mary " 6-f-w- -b. "
Frances * " * (Francis)* 4-f-w- * (M) * -b. "
Permelia " 2-f-w- -b. "
*error - *(correct)*
7) 1860 US Census for Itawamba Co., MS: Green B. Ray (Fulton Post Office)
1585/1585
GREEN B. WRAY 57-m- -farmer- $500 - $600 -b.SC / (unable to read/write)
Catherine * 50-f- -b.Do *(Tenn)*
Mahala C. 18-f- -b.Miss
Francis M. 14-m- -b.Do
Permelia R. 12-f- -b.Do
Amanda A. 8-f- -b.Do
(NOTE: 'Wray' , Catherine b.SC, Francis - Male, also Amanda - NOT Alicie Dora--John T., George G., and Wm. G. and their families all enumerated as WRAY on the same page by Wm. H. H. Tison.)
1596/1596 (BROTHER?)
JOHN WRAY 56-M -Farmer $600 $400 -b.Ga
etc........................................................
.............................................
.........................
8) 1869 Itawamba Co., MS - Deed Book #20, pg 265: G. B. Ray to Thomas Dulaney (reflecting sale of land prior to move to Texas) (Thomas Dulaney was a close by and possibly adjoining neighbor per 1860 Census)

9) 1870 US Census for Johnson Co., TX:
RAY, G. B. 67-m-white-farmer-$240 / $140 -b. SC
Catherine 62-f-white-keeping house -b. TN
Francis M. 23-m-white-farmer -b. MS
Permelia B. 20-f-white -b. MS
Alicia Dora 18-f-keeping house -b. MS
Works Be ii 11-m-black -b. MS
10) 1880 US Census for Johnson Co., TX:
255/259
RAY, GREEN B. w-m-78 m farmer asthma -b.GA f-b.__ m-b.__
Catherine B w-f-73 wife m keeping house asthma -b.TN f-b.Va. m-b.__
Bradshaw, Chas F w-m-30 son-in-law m works on farm -b.SC f-b__ m-b.__
Cornelia K w-f-29 daughter m at home -b.MS f-b.GA m-b.__
John G w-m-4 grand son -b.TN f-b.SC m-b.__
Wm Henry w-m-2 grand son -b.TN f-b.SC m-b.__

256/260
Ray, Franklin M. w-m-22 m farmer -b.MS f-b.GA m-b.TN
Martha G w-f-25 wife m keeping house -b.AR f-b.__ m-b.__
_____ A w-f-4 daughter -b.TN f-b.MS m-b.__
Eliza C w-f-2 daughter -b.TN
George M w-m-1 son -b.TN
Chester A w-m-1/12 son -b.TN
(NOTE MULTIPLE ERRORS ON 1880 CENSUS: Green actually -b.SC, Cornelia K is prob Permilia, Franklin M. Ray - 22 is probably Francis M. Ray - 32. Blanks were illegible or off the page of the photocopy.)
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NOTE TAKEN FROM WFT Vol. 2, # 4332: 'Letter from Phyllis Drake Robinson, Gonzales, Texas: descendant of Solomon: "....... My Solomon Ray and John Ray were in Fayette Co., Ala. around 1836. I Feel that Solomon, John, Hamilton and Greenberry were brothers. They may have come from Greenville, B.C.. Solomon's wife was an Indian, John's wife was an Indian. Were Hamilton's and Greenberry's wives Indian?...."
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WAGONTRAIN TO TEXAS 1869-- FROM WFT Vol. 2, #4332 : "From a diary about the migration of the Ray family from Itawamba County, Mississippi to Johnson County, Texas in 1869":

"In the fall of 1869 about thirty families, making a hundred people all told, started for Texas from Mississippi in thirty-seven ox wagons - a long caravan to come on a long journey, like a traveling town. It took nine months(WEEKS) to make the trip. We crossed the Mississippi River at Memphis, where the bottoms were sixty miles wide. Our hardships were many, for we had to cross many rivers and small streams, usually at each crossing some of our cattle and oxen being drowned. Yet, though we passed through country in which daring robberies had been perpetrated, none of our caravan was robbed by thieves.

The Mississippi River was an experience never to be forgotten. It was late in the day and raining hard. There were two ferrys and one of them rammed into the tongue of fathers wagon breaking it causing a delay as we had to go back to get it mended. Some of the party had to spend the night in the wagon yards in Memphis and others camped on the other side of the river and waited for us. During the Journey to Texas the little traveling town experienced everything from death to marriages. There were several cases of pneumonia. Uncle, who was a minister, married a couple. That night the marriage was celebrated by singing songs and playing fiddles. The celebration ended with a sweet potato roasting.

Upon reaching Texas some of the families settled in Kaufman County, the majority went on to Johnson County, while a few went on to Hill, Bosque and Hood Counties. Thomas Priddy went to Johnson Co. and then moved back up to Kaufman. Among those who settled in Johnson Co. were: Bill Ray* and his wife and ten children; Henry Cooper and wife*; Green B. Ray*and his wife and six children; Tom Reeves and wife; George Caruthers; Bud Porter and wife (married on the way); Bill Crownover and wife; Bill Reeves and wife and six children; Bill Priddy and wife and ten children; Old Tom Priddy (a Baptist preacher); Newt Reeves and wife and four children; George Reeves and wife and four children; A. J. Reeves and wife and six children; Mrs. Delilah Ewing* and one son, Henry; Gilbert Ewing and wife and six children; John L. Ewing and Wife, Laney Ewing; William Ewing and wife, Martha Ann Ray Ewing*, and ten children; Berry Webb and wife; Lum Priddy and wife.

When the group arrived at Cleburn, a little village, we camped near the spring, which was just a bank of a stream about as big as a washtub. It was Christmas Eve and preacher Tom Priddy said a prayer of thanks for our safe arrival.

The next morning after our arrival we went on to the farm where Hopkins lives now, near the Nolan River, near Old Wardville, where some made tents and used the wagons until the men could build some cabins. The house was two large rooms with a hall between and a large lean-to that served as a kitchen and dining room. The large rooms were used for bed rooms and living rooms. At first they had dirt floors until logs were hewn to fit. Later, better houses were built." (*Green Ray family - GLM)
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More About Greenberry C. Ray:
Buri: 1890, Hart C. on Mustang Ck, Rio Vista, TX-WFT4332
Fact 9: 1850, US CENSUS-Itawamba Co.,MS, also 1860
Fact 10: "Greenberry C Ray" per WFT4332
Immi: 1869, fr MS to TX by wagontrain with most of family
Occu: 1850, per census: Farmer, val of real estate - $400

Notes for Catherine B. Collins:

CATHERINE B. COLLINS' father was John Collins who's heritage has been traced back to William Collins who arrived at Jamestown in the Virginia colony on May 15, 1635 at age 23 aboard the ship 'Plain Joan'.

Her mother, Mahala Sehorn, was the daughter of John Sehorn, who served in the Revolutionary War as a lieutenant, then captain. He served as a major in the Tennessee Militia and was Secretary of the 'State of Franklin'. The Sehorn family was originally German and came initially to Pennsylvania.
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I suspect her middle name may have been 'Blair'. - GLM

More About Catherine B. Collins:
Buri: 1892, Hart C. on Mustang Ck, Rio Vista, TX-WFT4332
Fact 9: 1850, 46 y/o per US Census: Itawamba Co., MS
Fact 10: 1880, US Census: Mother of GW Ray b in SC ???

Marriage Notes for Greenberry Ray and Catherine Collins:

MORGAN COUNTY, ALABAMA MARRIAGE BOOK PG 95: Greenberry Ray to Catherine B. Collins, Bond issued 2 Feb. 1826. Marriage performed Feb 16, 1826 by T. W. Mccarty, JP.

Children of Greenberry Ray and Catherine Collins are:

1	i.	William Greenberry Ray, born April 27, 1832 in Fayette Co, Alabama+; died 1906 in Midway, Hot Spring Co., Arkansas; married Nancy Virginia Drake January 30, 1856 in Itawamba Co., Mississippi**.
	ii.	Alexander Blair Ray, born June 08, 1827 in Alabama; died WFT Est. 1828-1917.
	iii.	Martha Ann Ray, born December 09, 1828 in Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama; died July 10, 1873 in Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas; married William Mose Ewing 1847 in Fulton, Itawamba Co., Mississippi; born July 04, 1825 in Moulton, Lawrence County, Alabama; died May 26, 1899 in Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas.

More About Martha Ann Ray:
Buri: 1873, Cleburne Cemetery, Johnson Co., TX

More About William Mose Ewing:
Occu: 1870, US CENSUS - JOHNSON CO, TEXAS: FARMER

iv.

John Thomas Ray, born March 24, 1830 in Alabama*; died Abt. 1862 in the Civil War probably; married Frances Elizabeth Jaynes February 04, 1858 in Itawamba Co., Mississippi***; born Abt. 1836 in South Carolina; died in Texas. probably.

Notes for John Thomas Ray:
May have died in the War, possibly in 1862 according to a Ewing genealogy. Wife and children may be listed as destitute widows and children in the 1866 list of Mississippi Pensioners for Itawamba County: F. E. Ray drew $60/yr for 3 people. Apparently his widow went to Johnson County, Texas with or after the rest of the family, where she later married William Mose Ewing after the death of his first wife Martha Ann Ray in 1873. Martha was John Thomas Ray's sister.

More About John Thomas Ray:
Occu: 1850, FARMER, per US Census, Itawamba Co., MS

Marriage Notes for John Ray and Frances Jaynes:

JOHN T. RAY to FRANCES JAMES, Feb. 4, 1858 from GRS 3.03, (c) 1994 Automated Archives - CD 5, 1st edition, Mississippi Marriages - Itawamba Co.

George Graham Ray, born February 24, 1835 in Alabama*; married (1) Elizabeth; married (2) Artimissa Guess December 21, 1858 in Itawamba Co., Mississippi***; born Abt. 1837 in Alabama*; died Bef. 1865 in Itawamba Co., Mississippi?.

Notes for George Graham Ray:

1870 US CENSUS FOR JOHNSON COUNTY, TEXAS - Cleburn, p.g. 521
269/270
RAY, G. G. 35 m-w-farmer $240 / $250 b.Ala
Sarah J. 10 f-w-keeping house b.Miss
'Pernina' 8 m-w b.Miss
'Terrie Alice' 4 f-w b.Miss
(handwriting on the census page is difficult to read)
(There is no enumeration of G. G. Ray's wife, it is likely that she died prior to the census since he is living with young children and a 10 y/o is 'keeping house'.)

1880 US CENSUS FOR JOHNSON COUNTY, TEXAS:
175/178
RAY, GEORGE G. w-m-45 m farmer b.Mississippi F-b.Ala M-b.___
Elizabeth w-f-43 m wife Keeping house b. Tennessee F-b.N.C. M-b.___
Sallie J. w-f-19 s daughter at home b.Mississippi F-b.Miss M-b.___
Pauliney w-f-18 s daughter at home b.Mississippi F-b.Miss M-b.___
Green T. w-m-17 s son works on farm b.Mississippi F-b.Miss M-b.___
Tennessee A. w-f-14 daughter at home b.Mississippi F-b.Miss M-b.___
Beulah D. w-f-8 daughter b. Texas F-b.Miss M-b.___
Anna C. w-f-7 daughter b.Mississippi F-b.Miss M-b.___

There is much conflicting information in these two censuses. George apparently has remarried, possibly someone he already knew in Mississippi? The children s names ages and even sex are at variance, but may be explained by illegible handwriting and enumerator/informant error.
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More About George Graham Ray:
Occu: 1870, US CENSUS - JOHNSON CO, TEXAS: FARMER

Notes for Artimissa Guess:

Not enumerated in the 1870 US Census for Johnson County, Texas with the rest of the family. Her 10 y/o daughter, Sarah, is listed as "keeping house". The youngest child is recorded as 4 y/o; It's likely she died in Mississippi abt 1865 or 1866.

Marriage Notes for George Ray and Artimissa Guess:

GRS 3.03, (c) 1994 Automated Archives, CD 5, 1St Edition: Mississippi Marriages, Itawamba Co.
GEORGE G. RAY to ARTIMISSA GUESS , Dec 21, 1858.

vi.

Delila Frances (Fanny) Ray, born May 27, 1837 in Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama*+; died March 05, 1914 in Stubblefield, Johnson County, Texas; married (1) Mose King Ewing January 05, 1858 in Itawamba County, Mississippi***; born February 26, 1838 in Itawamba Co., MS; died June 17, 1862; married (2) John Thomas (Tom) Rogers 1870 in Johnson County, Texas; born October 24, 1835 in Alabama; died April 13, 1908 in Stubblefield, Johnson County, Texas.

More About Delila Frances (Fanny) Ray:
Buri: 1914, Larramore Cem., Johnson Co., TX

More About Mose King Ewing:
Burial: 1862, Fairview Cem, Itawamba Co., MS

Marriage Notes for Delila Ray and Mose Ewing:

Marriage names and dates from Automated Archives, Inc. Reccord of Itawamba Co., AL

Mose Ewing probably died during and or as a consequence of the Civil War. The widow and her young son William H. Ewing, b. abt 1860, emmigrated to Texas in 1869. She remarried in 1870 to John Thomas Rogers in Johnson County, Texas.

vii.

Eliza Jane Ray, born November 25, 1839 in Fulton, Itawamba Co.,MS; died WFT Est. 1840-1933; married Thomas Hopper November 24, 1862 in Itawamba Co., Mississippi***.

Marriage Notes for Eliza Ray and Thomas Hopper:

ELIZA RAY to THOMAS HOPPER, Nov. 24, 1862 - GRS 3.03 (c) 1994 Automated Archives, Inc. CD5 first edition. Mississippi Marriages - Itawamba Co. THIS IS NOT A PROVEN LINK!!!!

viii.

Mahala Catherine Ray, born August 02, 1842 in Fulton, Itawamba County, Mississippi; died in prob. Texas; married Henry Cooper December 27, 1865 in Itawamba County, Mississippi***; born Unknown in Fulton, Itawamba County, Mississippi; died in prob. Texas.

Marriage Notes for Mahala Ray and Henry Cooper:

GRS 3.03, (c) 1994 Automated Archives, Inc.; Mississippi Marriages, Itawamba County, MS
Cooper, Henry to Ray, Mahala 1865 - Dec, 27.

ix.

Francis M. Ray, born June 11, 1847 in Fulton, Itawamba Co., MS*.

More About Francis M. Ray:
Fact 9: 1869, Moved to TX by wagontrain fr MS
Fact 10: 1847, 'Frances Marion' prob for the "Swamp Fox"
Occu: 1870, US CENSUS - JOHNSON CO, TEXAS: FARMER

		x.		Mary Emeline Ray, born June 11, 1847 in Itawamba Co.,MS.
		xi.		Permelia Rebecca Ray, born August 02, 1849 in Itawamba Co., Mississippi; died in Texas, probably; married Charles Franklin Bradshaw March 20, 1869 in Johnson County, Texas**; born in North Carolina; died in Texas, probably.

Notes for Permelia Rebecca Ray:

DOB PER WFT 4332: AUG. 2, 1850. Census information suggests 1847 0r 1848

1850 US Census for Itawamba Co., MS: Greenberry Ray pg 413
GREENBERRY RAY 50-m-w-farmer-$400-b.SC
Catherine " 46-f- -b.Tenn
Alexander " 23-m-w- " -b.Ala
John T. " 19-m-w " -b. "
William G. " 17-m-w- " -b. "
George " 14-m-w- -b. "
Delila " 12-f-w- -b. " attended school
Eliza " 10-f-w- -b.Mis attended school
Mahala " 8-f-w- -b. "
Mary " 6-f-w- -b. "
Frances " 4-f-w- -b. "
PERMELIA " 2-f-w- -b. "

1860 US Census for Itawamba Co., MS: Green B. Ray
GREEN B. RAY 57-m- -farmer- -b.SC
Catherine 50-f- -b.Tenn
Mahala C. -f- -b.
Francis M. 14-f- -b.
PERMILIA R. 12-f- -b.
Amanda A. 8-f- -b.

Marriage Notes for Permelia Ray and Charles Bradshaw:

MARRIAGE DATE AND PLACE per WFT 4332.

xii.

Alcie Dora Ray, born June 30, 1852 in Fulton, Itawamba Co., Mississippi*; married Owen A. Gray.

Notes for Alcie Dora Ray:

AMANDA A. in the 1860 US CENSUS for Itawamba Co., MS is ALICIA DORA in 1870 US CENSUS for JOHNSON COUNTY, TEXAS!! Most genealogies list her as Alcie Dora. The 1870 census page on microfilm is indistinct and could be Amanda A.. The 1860 census page is very distinct, but could have been in error!

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