Rachel Bray married 5-4-1776, dis 1785 at Cane Creek MM, N.C.
From "Bray Nostalgia" June 1986 Vol. 2, No. 1
Bray Ancestor
Henry was married in Maryland. The surname of his wife is not known for
certain, but it is supposed to be JONES. From Maryland he went to what is known as South Carolina and thence to Chatham County, North Carolina, when he died at the ripe age of 113 years.
Henry begot 2 sons, the eldest being in our line of descent and Henry by
name. This Henry married Miss Sarah YOKLEY and lived and died in CHatham
COunty at the age of 70 years. He was a farmer and merchant and to him and
Sarah, his wife, were born eleven children, nine sons and two daughters.
Called a "Gentleman", owned a large estate in Chatham Co., N.C. He was a British colonial regulator, and a Patriot during the Revolutionary War. Some have joined the DAR thru him. Will probated 4 January 1812 in Chatham Co., N.C.
Some records said he was a Tory, fought and aided the British all through
the Rev. War, for 7 years. However, he is in the DAR Parriot Index, and not a
Tory.See chart sent by Karen Bray Keeley, 107 S 12th East, Riverton, WY 82501. Chart shows that he died at the age of 70.
Taken From "Bray Nostalgia" June 1986 Vol.2, No. 1, page 4:
"The following information was sent to me by Mary Edgington, 4042 Seabridge
Drive, Orlando, Florida 32809. She told me she received it from Catherine
Paschal. No address for her.""Gentleman" Henry BRAY came to Chatham County, North Carolina, about
1754 and built his first residence in Matthews Township about 150 yards slightly northeast of the house where Richard BRAY and Matilda SCHMIDT PASCHAL lived. G. W. PASCHAL has said, "I can first remember the lot was enclosed and had a fine lawn of short English lawn grass near the house site, and around for some distances were walnut trees, apple trees, some of the said to have been brought from England, as were all the old perennial garden vegetables which were transferred to Mother's vegetable garden when Gentleman Henry moved, such things as horseradish, comfrey, rhubarb and garlic." About 1783 he left his first home and moved to a new place, a mile of two south of Brush Creek Church.
Records in the office of the Secretary of State of North Carolina show
that Henry BRAY entered more than 8,600 acres in that section centering around Brush Creek Baptist Church.
Henry BRAY was a Regulator as is revealed by entries in "The Colonial
Records of North Carolina." The Colonial Records also tell that he was
appointed by Provincial Governor Josiah MARTIN, about 1774, a member of a group or commitee which laid out the highway from the Cape Fear region to the Yadkin not far from Winston-Salem. There is also and entry in The Colonial Records to the effect that about 1770 he sued Edmund Fanning, an official of the Court at Hillsborough, with regard to extortionate charges for registering a deed made by Henry and his wife Sarah for about 200 acres of land sold to a man named MOSES, who joined Henry BRAY in the suit. The suit, in the court at Hillsborough, went against Henry BRAY, was appealed to London and was there dismissed on a technicallity.
There is a note among G.W. PASCHAL'S papers on family history that Henry BRAY bought "Desolate Meadows" on Loves Creek from Herman HUSBAND (the
Regulator leader). (the original deed made to Cadmus BRAY). This information is listed with other date from The Colonial Records, and possible came from the same source.
The DAR Patriot Index shows that Henry BRAY was born about 1742 and died
after February 1812, and that he was married to Sarah YOKLEY.Letter written August 20, 1891, Seymour, Indiana from Mahala BRown (daughter of William Bray & Margaret Brooks) copy from Thermofax. Notes of Ruth Sowers Owen.
Dear Relatives:
I'll write you a short letter in answer to yours. I'm sorry to hear of
your troubles. I'll write you a lonf letter some other time. My health is good. I had the rheumatism about three years ago part of the time almost helpless and am taking medicine and getting better. Am still keeping house. Have not yet heard from Luther yet. Now I give what information about the names I can.
My great-grandfather's name was Henry Bray - He came to America sometime
before the Revolutionary War. He had only two sons. All the children he had
were Henry and Edward. Henry was my grandfather, he fought and aided the
British all through the 7 years war. He lived and died in Chatham County, N.C. He died about 79 or 80 years ago, while I was still a baby. My grandmother's maiden name was Sallie Yokley. All my grandfather's children's names John, Henry, Josiah, William, James, Jessie, Edward, Eli, and Soloman. His daughter Polly and Sally. His (my) father's name was William Bray. His children: Josiah died when he was a baby. William, Mark, Harris, Nathan, and Calvin. The dau. Fanny, Sallye, Polly, Patsey, Peggy, Nancey, Betsey, and Mahala.
I don't know whether my great-grandfather died in this country or went
back to England. I think my great-grandmother's name was Wilson. Don't remember given name. This is all I can think of now and if you want to know more write to me. My love to all. Write soon. I'll write your ma a longer letter soon.
Mrs. M. B. BrownSubmitted: Eileen Skibo 513 East 17th St., Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001