Edwin B. WRAY

Notes:

WFT#3597 date of birth December 12, 1776

Will on file for Thomas Wray in Lawrence County, Ohio, year 1848:
In the name of the Benevolent Father of all, I Thomas Wray of the County
of Lawrence and State of Ohio do make and publish this my last will and
testament. Item first I give and devise to my beloved wife in lieu of
her dower the farm on which we now reside situate in the Counties of
Lawrence and Gallia containing about two hundred and ten acres and
bounded and described as follows (to wit) east half of the south east
quarter of section eleven township five and range seventeen also west
half of the southwest quarter of section no. twelve township no. five
and range no. seventeen also about seven or eight acres deeded by
Benjamin Nelson to Thomas Wray out of the east half of the northeast
quarter section fourteen township five and range seventeen that lies
north east of Symmes Creek and on the north east corner of said lot also
the north end of the west half of the northwest quarter of section
thirteen township five and range no. seventeen beginning at the
northwest corner and run south to Symmes Creek then down Symmes Creek
till just below a small field at the lower end of Thomas Wrays farm to a
large poplar to Corner & run east to the line of said lot thence north
to the northeast corner thence west to the place of beginning also about
five or six acres & is all that part of the east half of the northeast
quarter of Section Eleven Township five & Range no. seventeen that lies
south of Sym's Creek during her natural lifetime & all the household
furniture & two horses to be selected by her & such other stock & tools
as she shall see fit to select & as she pleases both in Quantity &
Quality She however selling so much there as will pay all my just debts.

I do hereby appoint my wife guardian of my son Volentine until he
becomes twenty one years of age & further Volentine is to live with his
mother during her life time or until he becomes of age to be provided
for off the farm by his mother. At the death of my said wife the real
estate aforesaid I give and devise to my son John Wray in consideration
he pays each of my other sons the sums of money hereafter described to
each of them, Volentine Wray two hundred dollars so soon as he becomes
of twenty one years of age, to pay James Wray one hundred dollars at the
end of one year after he gets possession of the aforesaid land, Eli Wray
one hundred dollars in two years, and Jackson Wray one hundred dollars
in three years and Thomas Wray one hundred dollars in four years and
Edwin Wray one hundred dollars in five years and William Wray one
hundred dollars in six years after he gets possession of the land
aforesaid. And my son John Wray being bound also to pay my daughters the
following sums to Matilda Garten twenty dollars to Lucinda Corrington
ten dollars.

Deposition of J.L. Armstrong:
J.L. Armstrong one of the said witnesses being duly sworn saith that he
was called by at request of testator to write his last will that when he
came over, he found the testator unwell, that he was able to go out and
in the house when called by necessity; that he wrote a will according to
the direction of the testator, and which when nearly finished was read
by witness to testator in presence of his son John Wray and when said
reading came to the part willed to said John Wray to pay James Wray one
hundred dollars John Wray said to his father if you give me nothing or
little don't think me to pay anything argued with his father that he was
deprived by the will of father and a suitable house seat and if his
father saw fit give him one hundred dollars or nothing and he would
shift for himself said John Wray not my will but thine be done at same
time telling his father that when he came to live with him he told him
he never should be put out of a home and that he had promised him that
what he would give him should be worth a thousand dollars. His father
answered what he had given him was worth a thousand dollars. John Wray
said during the conversation that some of his children had not done as
much for him as he had done. Witness then left the room and heard no
more conversation between testator and said John Wray till he was called
an hour or two afterwards to write a new will. The testator said that it
must be fixed at that time he had allotted for some time past to come to
see him that is witness me to get him to write his said will and that he
felt very unwell and something must be done. Then witness believes
testator to be at his decease about sixty five or six years of age and
believes he was as much in his right mind as he would have been under
similar circumstances when he was well. Witness considers testator
easily interrupted in the transaction of his business when well. Witness
said testator signed and heard him acknowledge the will and testator see
witness sign his witnesses name to said will at the request of said
testator and also at the request of said testator the will was retained
by witness to be safely kept till needed. Further the witness says the
last will was worth one thousand dollars more to said John Wray then the
first will wrote by witness was. Said witness says he signed the will in
presence of testator, and of the other witness and that he believes that
testator was of a sound mind and under no further influence than the
conversation.

Deposition of Adam Coulter:
In the case of will made by Thomas Wray my understanding was as follows
- after being requested to go to said ranch to be witness a will there
was a will wrote and read to Thomas Wray in the presence of myself and
John Wray. John Wray objected to said will and said that the will would leave him without any
house or stable and that it was not according to the promise that his
father had made him but said your will be done not mine father, and said
further that he could not get to a piece of land he had lying joining
the old man's farm. The old man then made answer and said he never
thought of that and said John Wray said that his father had promist him
a house if he would leave where he was and come and live on his farm and
help him to take care of his farm and himself and that his father had
promist as good as a thousand dollars at his death. He then spoke to his
father and said, father you know that you promised me that if I would
come and live with you and help to take care of your farm and you that
you would give as good as a thousand dollars at your death. Then his
father said I thought that it was as good as a thousand dollars. Then
John Wray said your will be done not mine and said he would be out of a
house on the mercies of other people and said if you will give me one
hundred dollars will you and shift for myself and started out of the
house, and the old man called to him and said come back John this matter
must be fixt for it is only burning daylight. John came back and there
was something said how the will had better be fixt. John then said that
if his father would give him the farm he would be willing to pay the
rest of the heirs something but I did not recollect what it was. Then
John and the rest who was in the house went out of the house all but
myself I then remarked to the old man and said Uncle Thomas if I was a
going to make a will and had a farm to give I would give it to one if it
was only calculated for one farm and he might give the rest of the heirs
what was right and if the farm was calculated for two farms involved
give it to two and they might pay the balance

Symmes Township, Data compiled by Ralph E. Lunsford from "Atlas of
Lawrence County, Ohio, Hardesty - 1882, Lake __ 1887" and "Symmes Creek"
by Wayne B. Ingles. Symmes Township lies in the northern part of
Lawrence County. This township contains 34 sections and was named for
Symmes Creek which flows through its eastern part. The surface of the
township is rough and hilly; the highest elevation being 1,012 feet at
Stewart Knob. Symmes Township was originally heavily forested and
supported a variety of wild animals including buffalo, bear, panther,
deer and wild turkey. The principal streams are Symmes, Buffalo and
Johns creeks. Symmes township was organized in 1820. George Pine, John
C. Stewart, William G. Robinson and Silas Spurlock were the first
settlers. Silas Spurlock made the first cabin in 1820. The first
settlement was made at the mouth of Johns Creek, the next at Yates Fork
on Buffalo. Other early settlers were: Constantine Handley, Thomas and
John Wray, Caleb McDaniel, Benjamin and Solomon Nelson, George Irwin,
William Burke and R. Cooper. The early settlers cleared most of the
timber and killed or drove off most of the wild animals. By 1870, all of
Symmes was owned by individuals or companies. However, in 1989 the
Federal Government has regained 61% of the township and many deer, wild
turkey and some beaver have returned. The first school was 1834, taught
in a log cabin on Johns creek by Andrew Burke. The twelve students came
from Symmes, Aid, Mason and Walnut townships. The next school was on
Buffalo near Rehoboth Church. By 1887 there were eight schools with a
total enrollment of 407. In the 1920's, The Waterloo Local School
District was formed consisting of Symmes and parts of Aid, Mason and
Walnut Townships. High school was conducted in an old church until a new
school was built in 1929 housing grades one through twelve.

Notes for Thomas Wray:
"Neals of Bedford County, Virginia", Chester I. Miller, 1992:
The first recorded mention of his name that I have been able to find of my great great grandfather, Thomas Wray, is in the marriage records of Monroe County, Virginia (Jacket #46) when on 09 Sep 1800 he acted as witness, along with Elizabeth Feagon as witnesses to the marriage of Obediah Neel and Sarah Miller. Another Thomas Wray lived a the same time in Monroe County, Virginia. The other Thomas lived on Hans Creek several miles westward and a little south of the Dropping Lick community. The name of the wife of the Hans Creek Thomas was Priscilla (Gold) Wray. In 1785 a certain Joseph Wray had received a patent for 154 acres of land on Hans Creek, and in 1809 Thomas and Priscilla Wray sold land on Hans Creek that seems to fit the other description. Thomas Wray died on the 17th day of October 1843. On his gravestone, "Beneath his feet and o'er his head - Is equal warning given - Around him lies the silent dead - Above him is the heaven."

Gallia Co. Ohio It's People in History:
One of the first teachers in Walnut Twp. Fell and hurt his back while working in an orchard. Rachel finished raising the children. 6 sons were in the Civil War, 1 died in service. 3 were Methodist Preachers.

1810 Census, Monroe Co., Virginia: Thomas Wray, 2 males under 5, 1 male 26-45, 3 females under 5, 1 female 16-25. John Wray & Mathias McGlammery are neighbors.

From Donna Bott, Valdese, NC:
- 21 Dec 1812 witness to a land transaction from Agnes Neal to John Wiseman, Bedford Co., VA.
- 23 Dec 1820 Deed Book Vol G, pg 299, Monroe Co., VA, sells Rachels 1/10th share of Walter Neal's 285 acres to brother-in-law, Charles Neal.
- Lawrence Co., Ohio Deed Book 5, page 399, 23 Aug 1831, purchased land on east side of Symmes Creek from Benjamin and Delphina Nelson for $1. Lived on adjacent land at the time. On 1 Nov 1844, Deed Book 18, page 60, John Wray (son of Thomas and exec. of estate) sold this land to James Armstrong with the stipulation that his mother, Rachel, should live on the land until her death.

20 Apr 1813, Monroe Co., Virginia, Deed Book D, Page 30: Thomas Wray for one dollar to Benjamin Harvie 100 acres on the north side of Peter's Mountain in Monroe Co., VA. part of survey 7,570 acres and deeded to said Arbuckle by Joseph Scott and by him to Lively McGhee & by him to Benjamin Harvie & John Mann & by Mann to said Harvie by nature of an act of Congress for selling lands for taxes lying in Monroe County. Thomas paid taxes in 1815 for 40 acres on north side of Peter's Mtn., about 9 miles from the courthouse. This same 40 acres was sold to John Mann in 1840 for delinquent taxes.

Symmes Creek; Wayne B. Ingles; Gallipolis Library:
Robert Armstrong, Mr. Petty, Thomas Wray and Jacob Bosworth taught school, commencing in 1818, in a round log building near Henry McDaniel.

Owned land in both Gallia and Lawrence Counties, Ohio. The family joked that they ate dinner in one county and slept in another. Land was 210 acres in east 1/2 of southeast quarter of section 11, township 5 range 17 and west 1/2 of southwest 1/2 of section 12 township 5 range 17 also 7 or 8 acres out of the east 1/2 of northeast quarter of section 14 township 5 range 17 that lies northeast of Symmes Creek and northeast corner of said lot also north end of west 1/2 of northwest quarter of section 13 township 5 range 17 beginning at northwest corner and run south to Symmes Creek till just below a small field.

1830 Census, Symmes Twp., Lawrence Co., Ohio - 2 males under 5, 1 male 5-10, 1 male 10-15, 2 males 15-20, 1 male 50-60, 3 females 10-15, 2 females 15-20, 1 female 40-50.

There is a will on file for Thomas Wray in Lawrence County, Ohio, year 1848:
In the name of the Benevolent Father of all, I Thomas Wray of the County of Lawrence and State of Ohio do make and publish this my last will and testament. Item first I give and devise to my beloved wife in lieu of her dower the farm on which we now reside situate in the Counties of Lawrence and Gallia containing about two hundred and ten acres and bounded and described as follows (to wit) east half of the south east quarter of section eleven township five and range seventeen also west half of the southwest quarter of section no. twelve township no. five and range no. seventeen also about seven or eight acres deeded by Benjamin Nelson to Thomas Wray out of the east half of the northeast quarter section fourteen township five and range seventeen that lies north east of Symmes Creek and on the north east corner of said lot also the north end of the west half of the northwest quarter of section thirteen township five and range no. seventeen beginning at the northwest corner and run south to Symmes Creek then down Symmes Creek till just below a small field at the lower end of Thomas Wrays farm to a large poplar to Corner & run east to the line of said lot thence north to the northeast corner thence west to the place of beginning also about five or six acres & is all that part of the east half of the northeast quarter of Section Eleven Township five & Range no. seventeen that lies south of Sym's Creek during her natural lifetime & all the household furniture & two horses to be selected by her & such other stock & tools as she shall see fit to select & as she pleases both in Quantity & Quality She however selling so much there as will pay all my just debts. I do hereby appoint my wife guardian of my son Volentine until he becomes twenty one years of age & further Volentine is to live with his mother during her life time or until he becomes of age to be provided for off the farm by his mother. At the death of my said wife the real estate aforesaid I give and devise to my son John Wray in consideration he pays each of my other sons the sums of money hereafter described to each of them, Volentine Wray two hundred dollars so soon as he becomes of twenty one years of age, to pay James Wray one hundred dollars at the end of one year after he gets possession of the aforesaid land, Eli Wray one hundred dollars in two years, and Jackson Wray one hundred dollars in three years and Thomas Wray one hundred dollars in four years and Edwin Wray one hundred dollars in five years and William Wray one hundred dollars in six years after he gets possession of the land aforesaid. And my son John Wray being bound also to pay my daughters the following sums to Matilda Garten twenty dollars to Lucinda Corrington ten dollars to Nancy Smith ten dollars to Rachael Storgill ten dollars to Winna Miller ten dollars to Rebecca Rose ten dollars the sums given to the girls to be paid the seventh year after he gets possession. ____ mistake Thomas Wray is to be paid at the time specified to pay Jackson Wray and Jackson to be paid at the time specified to pay Thomas as the intention is to pay the oldest first. I do hereby nominate and appoint John Wray and James Wray executors of this my last will and testament.

Deposition of J.L. Armstrong:
J.L. Armstrong one of the said witnesses being duly sworn saith that he was called by at request of testator to write his last will that when he came over, he found the testator unwell, that he was able to go out and in the house when called by necessity; that he wrote a will according to the direction of the testator, and which when nearly finished was read by witness to testator in presence of his son John Wray and when said reading came to the part willed to said John Wray to pay James Wray one hundred dollars John Wray said to his father if you give me nothing or little don't think me to pay anything argued with his father that he was deprived by the will of father and a suitable house seat and if his father saw fit give him one hundred dollars or nothing and he would shift for himself said John Wray not my will but thine be done at same time telling his father that when he came to live with him he told him he never should be put out of a home and that he had promised him that what he would give him should be worth a thousand dollars. His father answered what he had given him was worth a thousand dollars. John Wray said during the conversation that some of his children had not done as much for him as he had done. Witness then left the room and heard no more conversation between testator and said John Wray till he was called an hour or two afterwards to write a new will. The testator said that it must be fixed at that time he had allotted for some time past to come to see him that is witness me to get him to write his said will and that he felt very unwell and something must be done. Then witness believes testator to be at his decease about sixty five or six years of age and believes he was as much in his right mind as he would have been under similar circumstances when he was well. Witness considers testator easily interrupted in the transaction of his business when well. Witness said testator signed and heard him acknowledge the will and testator see witness sign his witnesses name to said will at the request of said testator and also at the request of said testator the will was retained by witness to be safely kept till needed. Further the witness says the last will was worth one thousand dollars more to said John Wray then the first will wrote by witness was. Said witness says he signed the will in presence of testator, and of the other witness and that he believes that testator was of a sound mind and under no further influence than the conversation.

Deposition of Adam Coulter:
In the case of will made by Thomas Wray my understanding was as follows - after being requested to go to said ranch to be witness a will there was a will wrote and read to Thomas Wray in the presence of myself and John Wray. John Wray objected to said will and said that the will would leave him without any house or stable and that it was not according to the promise that his father had made him but said your will be done not mine father, and said further that he could not get to a piece of land he had lying joining the old man's farm. The old man then made answer and said he never thought of that and said John Wray said that his father had promist him a house if he would leave where he was and come and live on his farm and help him to take care of his farm and himself and that his father had promist as good as a thousand dollars at his death. He then spoke to his father and said, father you know that you promised me that if I would come and live with you and help to take care of your farm and you that you would give as good as a thousand dollars at your death. Then his father said I thought that it was as good as a thousand dollars. Then John Wray said your will be done not mine and said he would be out of a house on the mercies of other people and said if you will give me one hundred dollars will you and shift for myself and started out of the house, and the old man called to him and said come back John this matter must be fixt for it is only burning daylight. John came back and there was something said how the will had better be fixt. John then said that if his father would give him the farm he would be willing to pay the rest of the heirs something but I did not recollect what it was. Then John and the rest who was in the house went out of the house all but myself I then remarked to the old man and said Uncle Thomas if I was a going to make a will and had a farm to give I would give it to one if it was only calculated for one farm and he might give the rest of the heirs what was right and if the farm was calculated for two farms involved give it to two and they might pay the balance for I think it would be the best way to fix such offures and the old man said that is afterward rather it was fixt that way. I then left house and thought that the old man was pleased with that plan and that he was perfectly in his right mind. In a short time J.L. Armstrong was called in the house where the old man stayed and in a short time I went in to the house and J.L. Armstrong was writing a will in the presence of John Wray and his father, John Wray then was ast how soon he was willing to pay the several sums to the rest of heirs. Father mentioned the times that is in the will first made by Thomas Wray. The old man said that he must have plenty time he must not be crowded. The will was finished in their presence and read to them. The will then was signed in the presence of J.L. Armstrong and myself by the said Thomas Wray and we signed the will in the presence of the said Thomas Wray as witnesses. This is as near the conversation by and between the parties I can recollect at this time. It now comes to my recollection that the old man said he did not know that John would be willing to pay so much to the rest. _____Signed by Adam Coulter on Oct 24, 1848.

Symmes Township, Data compiled by Ralph E. Lunsford from "Atlas of Lawrence County, Ohio, Hardesty - 1882, Lake __ 1887" and "Symmes Creek" by Wayne B. Ingles. Symmes Township lies in the northern part of Lawrence County. This township contains 34 sections and was named for Symmes Creek which flows through its eastern part. The surface of the township is rough and hilly; the highest elevation being 1,012 feet at Stewart Knob. Symmes Township was originally heavily forested and supported a variety of wild animals including buffalo, bear, panther, deer and wild turkey. The principal streams are Symmes, Buffalo and Johns creeks. Symmes township was organized in 1820. George Pine, John C. Stewart, William G. Robinson and Silas Spurlock were the first settlers. Silas Spurlock made the first cabin in 1820. The first settlement was made at the mouth of Johns Creek, the next at Yates Fork on Buffalo. Other early settlers were: Constantine Handley, Thomas and John Wray, Caleb McDaniel, Benjamin and Solomon Nelson, George Irwin, William Burke and R. Cooper. The early settlers cleared most of the timber and killed or drove off most of the wild animals. By 1870, all of Symmes was owned by individuals or companies. However, in 1989 the Federal Government has regained 61% of the township and many deer, wild turkey and some beaver have returned. The first school was 1834, taught in a log cabin on Johns creek by Andrew Burke. The twelve students came from Symmes, Aid, Mason and Walnut townships. The next school was on Buffalo near Rehoboth Church. By 1887 there were eight schools with a total enrollment of 407. In the 1920's, The Waterloo Local School District was formed consisting of Symmes and parts of Aid, Mason and Walnut Townships. High school was conducted in an old church until a new school was built in 1929 housing grades one through twelve.

Thomas married Rachel NEAL on 26 Sep 1802 in Monroe County, Virginia. Rachel (daughter of Walter NEAL, Sr. and Winifred WOOD) was born on 08 Feb 1784 in Bedford County, Virginia; died on 10 Sep 1852 in Gallia County, Ohio; was buried in 1852 in Flag Springs Cemetery, Sec 19/Walnut Twp., Gallia County, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

WFT #1736 has death date as April 10, 1882
WFT #3597 has birth date as January 16, 1784

"Neals of Bedford County, Virginia", Chester I. Miller, 1992:
Rachel Neal, my great great grandmother, was born in Bedford County, Virginia, in the beginning of 1784. Walter Neal, her father, owned land and lived in the vicinity of Oslin and Sycamore Creeks, north branches of the Otter river. Both of her grandparents owned or had owned land in the same area. This was within sight of the Peaks of Otter. Winifred, her mother, was the daughter of John and Agnes Wood. When Rachel was ten years old, her father, Walter, purchased land and moved his family to an area on the waters of Dropping Lick and Turkey Creek in what became Monroe County, Virginia, and there Rachel grew up to womanhood. When Rachel was 17 years old her father died, and one year later in 1802 she was married to a neighbor, Thomas Wray, also of Virginia. After their marriage her husband purchased land on the lower part of Peter's Mountain on the waters of Dropping Lick. Here their family, all except the youngest of 14 children were born. Rachel outlived her husband by about nine years. She remarried to a man by name of Charles Knox. Her three youngest sons all of them of age are living next door to them in the census of 1850.

On Rachel's Tombstone:
"Her name is graven on this stone, Her bones are in the clay,
And ere another day is done, Myself may be as she."

From Donna Bott, Valdese, NC:
1850 census, Symmes Twp., Lawrence Co., Ohio #850 lives next to Edwin & Deborah Wray, Valentine Wray and William Wray, her sons. Charles Knox, age 60, farmer, born Virginia; Rachel, age 60, born Virginia.

Notes:

Notes for John Wray:
Probably born around 1740.

John Ray is, so far the most likely candidate for the father of Thomas and John Wray of Monroe county Virginia and later Lawrence/Gallia counties Ohio. This is an attempt to piece together information on the only Rockingham county Virginia Ray family we have found in the 1770s. The reasons I have included this are because Thomas was mentioned to have come from Rockingham county Virginia in one of his county biographies, we have not, to date, found a father close by in Monroe county, Thomas and brother John's place of residence, from 1800 on. (A biographical sketch about Eli Wray, son of Thomas, is given in a history of Nodaway County, Polk Township in which some interesting data is shown. It mentions that he was the son of Thomas Wray who was from Rockingham County, Virginia, and his mother was Rachel Neal, born in Bedford County, Virginia.) Many Rockingham county families moved to the Greenbrier and Monroe county area around 1780-1790, including John Adlerson, Mathias McGlammery, Reuben Harrison, John Conner and many others mentioned as neighbors of John & Susannah. John Wray, of Monroe named a daughter Susannah. Both John & Thomas named sons John.

Notes on the Rockingham County, Virginia Ray Family:

Date: 19 Apr 1755; Augusta Co.; Rhey, David: Only an appraisement of the estate. Appraised by James McGown, Samuel Keys, Robert Bell. There is no furniture listed in this appraisement or guns. The only weapons are knives. Several pieces of yard goods, also sewing and darning needles. There was also a small bible. (Included because James McGowin and Robert Bell are both in Rockingham). Source: Will Book 2, Page 107 & 108. Document on file.

Date: 21 Sep 1763; Augusta Co.; Ray, John: Vol 1, p. 109 (Augusta County Court Records. Order Book No. VIII),(224) John Ray appointed Constable in lower end of County. (Included because the lower end of the county is the valley). Source: Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, 1745 - 1800; Lyman Chalkley

Date: Aug 1765; Rockingham Co.; Ray, John: John Ray and Thomas Evans were admitted to membership. (Abtracts of Church Records_ Linville Creek, Smith Creek and Brock's Gap). Source: Virginia Valley Records; John W. Wayland.

Date: 21 Oct 1765; Augusta Co. (part that became Rockingham); Ray, John: Vol 1, p. 126 (Augusta County Court Records. Order Book No. X), (78) Nicholas Seahorn, Jr. vs. John Ray - Abates by death of defendant." Source: Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, 1745 - 1800; Lyman Chalkley. Note: There was obviously an elder John Ray who died in 1765.

Date: 22 Aug 1767; Augusta Co. (part that became Rockingham); Ray, John: Vol 1, p. 139 (Augusta County Court Records. Order Book No. XI), (257) Jurors: John Ray, Moses Williams, John Gray, Nicholas Seahorn." Source: Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, 1745 - 1800; Lyman Chalkley

Date: May 1768; Rockingham Co.; Ray, John: Page 55. At a business meeting the last Saturday in May 1768, Thomas Porter was appointed to warn John Ray to appear before the church to give satisfaction for some offences; Mr. John Alderson to warn John Noth to appear... (a John Alderson "married" half of Greenbrier co., VA.). Source: Virginia Valley Records; John W. Wayland.

Date: 30 May 1769; Rockingham Co.; Ray, John: 169 acres, Smith's Creek. Adjoining Reuben Harrison. Also on Smith's Creek were John Needham. Thomas Moore, Jeremiah Harrison, Solomon Turpine, Townsend Mathews, Jacob Dickenson, John Ewin(g), William Hinton, John Harrison, John Alderson, Jonathan Hilyard. Source: Augusta & Rockingham Counties 1751-1791 - Abstracts of Land Surveys

Date: 30 Oct 1770; Rockingham Co.; Ray, John: 65 acres, Smith's Creek. Adjoining Harrison, Ewin and his survey. Source: Augusta & Rockingham Counties 1751-1791 - Abstracts of Land Surveys

Date: 3 May 1771; Rockingham Co.; Ray, John: Conrad Smith, 30 acres, Dry Fork of Smith's Creek. Adjoining John Ewins and John Ray. Source: Augusta & Rockingham Counties 1751-1791 - Abstracts of Land Surveys

Date: 21 May 1771; Augusta Co. (part that became Rockingham); Ray, John: Vol. 3, page 118, Will Book No. 4: "Page 398. - 30th July, 169. John Harrison's will, cordwinder - To wife, Phoebe; to son, Zebulon; to son, Reuben, the Long Meadow plantation; to daughter, Pheby Moore; to daughter, Ann Langdon. Executors, sons Zebulon and Reuben. A Baptist minister to preach his funeral sarment. Teste: Felix Sheltman, John Ray, John Harrison, Jr. Proved, 21st May, 1771, by Ray and Harrison. Executors qualify with Archibald Huston, James Beard." Source: Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, 1745 - 1800; Lyman Chalkley

Date: 1772; Rockingham Co.; Ray, John: Baptized ... Susannah Ray, wife of John Ray & Mary Alderson, wife of Jno. Alderson Jr. Source: Virginia Valley Records; John W. Wayland.

Date: 6 Aug 1774; Rockingham Co.; Ray, John: This day met together the members of our Church, living on Smith's Creek, in order to examine into an affair between John Conner & Susannah Ray, wife of Jno. Ray. Rev. Jno. Alderson Sr. was suspended. (John Connor was suspended for unseemly behaviour with Sister Sarah Porter, she was also suspended.). Source: Virginia Valley Records; John W. Wayland.

Date: 9 Mar 1776; Rockingham Co.; Ray, John: Someone was sent to see why John Conner and John Ray were absenting themselves from church meetings. Source: Virginia Valley Records; John W. Wayland.

Date :Aug 1776; Rockingham Co.; Ray, John: John Ray to continue suspended ... John Conner to continue under consideration. Source: Virginia Valley Records; John W. Wayland.

Date: 9 Nov 1776; Rockingham Co.; Ray, John: Church met at the Big Spring (now known as Lacey Spring, at the head of Smith Creek about midway between New Market & Harrisonburg) John Ray sentenced to be excommunicated and likewise John Conner... Source: Virginia Valley Records; John W. Wayland.

Date: 1777; Augusta Co. (part that became Rockingham); Ray, John: In Capt. Reuben Harrison's Company. Part of the Illinois Papers - rolls of militia and regulars in the Illinois Department now in the Virginia State Library, indexed in the State Archives. There is also a Thomas Wray in the Illinois Papers. Source: Virginians in the Revolution.

In 1781 John Ray patented the land on Smith Creek (234 acres) which he had surveyed in 1770. Perhaps he finally had the land patented at that point because he was getting ready to leave and sell it. Curiously, he had it patented in Augusta county although the land is clearly in Rockingham county.

Note - this may not mean a thing - A John Wray paid 30 lbs. for 18 acres on Walker Creek in Montgomery County, Virginia. Paid to Thomas Shannon on 6 Oct 1795. Greenbrier Co. was formed from Montgomery Co., Virginia. He purchased 40 more acres from a land grant in 1803 bordering his own and Thomas Shannon's lines. This land was in Montgomery county VA when purchased, but later (1806) became part of Giles county. This land was to the north of Walker's Mountain and to the south of Peter's Mountain where John & Thomas Wray later purchased 60 acres and 100 acres respectively for back taxes, both paying $1. (The route from Rockingham county to Monroe county would be through the Shenandoah Valley through a pass in Botetourt county then north of Radford (very close to Blacksburg VA) through another pass which lands you at Walker's Creek. This may or may not be the John Ray who was in Rockingham county VA. In 1810 either this or another John Wray purchased 44 acres through a land grant in Montgomery county on Walker's Creek, however it does not border anyone familiar.

John married Susannah UNK. Susannah was born before 1765. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Walter Neal to Washington Dewitt, land, $363. Ironton Register NOV. 23, 1876

IRONTON REGISTER, FEBRUARY 13, 1879*
* W. C. Amos to Walter Neal, land, $1050.
* Walter Neal to Daniel Neal, land, $4,000.

IRONTON REGISTER, MARCH 27, 1879
* Walter Neal to Robt. E. Neal, land, $2,500.

Ironton Weekly Register, April 19, 1897
* Aid Township - Walter Neal to Nancy V. Neal, 201 acres, and
undivided 1/2 of 202 acres, $8,500.

The following from http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/k/e/r/Loraine-L-Kerns/GENE9-0015.html
History of Monroe Co., W.VA.; Morton; Pg 384: Neal, Walter (d.1801)(Winifred) was a cooper and lived at the head of Turkey Run.

Bedford County, Virginia Transactions:
1.) 6 Sep 1777. Signed Oath of Affirmation as directed by the Virginia Assembly.
2.) 6 Jun 1780. Appears in the accounts of Thomas Dooley.
3.) 21 Oct 1787. Gets 40 acres on north side of Otter River on old line of William Mead.
4.) 13 Apr 1792. Gets 100 acres on Oslin Creek adjoining Zachariah Neal. Purchased from Samuel Hatcher.
5.) 1793. Sells 40 acres on Otter River to Cornelius Noell.
6.) Feb 1794. Walter & Winifred sell 249 acres on branches of the Otter, Roaring Run and Sycamore Creeks to Williamson Millner. This land was probably inherited by Winifred from her father, John Wood. The land was surveyed for John Wood.
7.) 19 Jan 1795. Walter Neal of Greenbryer County sells land to Francis Steal. 100 acres on Oslin Creek.

Greenbrier County & Monroe County, Virginia Transactions:
1.) 8 Oct 1794. Buys 200 acres on head of Turkey Creek from Wm. & Catherine Shannon. Became part of Monroe County 4 years later.
2.) 10 Mar 1797. 60 acres on waters of Dropping Lick near the foot of Peter's Mountain. Purchased from Joseph Feagon, Matthias McGammery and the widow Kincaid.
3.) 15 Oct 1799. Walter & Winifred sell 50 acres of land purchased from Shannon. Land was sold to Henry Arnott.
4.) 1801. Died intestate. From the tools he left, he must have been a cooper and a farmer. Value was 135 pounds, 16 shillings and 6 pence.

Estate of Walter Neal, Will Book 1, Monroe Co., WV, Page 20:
At a Court Held for the County of Monroe, at the House of Humphrey Hays (Keys?) on Tuesday, the twentieth day of October, Eighteen Hundred and One -- On the motion of Wineford Neel, Relict of Walter Neel, and James Christy, leave is granted them to Administer the goods and chattles of Said Walter Neel, Deceas'd and leave is granted them to have probate of the Same -- Whereupon the Said Wineford Neel, and James Christy, With Richard Ramsey and John Wiseman, their Securitys, Entered into Bond according to law, for faithfully Discharging their Duty there in -- ordered that Samuel Clerk, John Handly Senior, John Handly Junior, and Matthew Patterson, Being first sworn, appraise the Estate of Walter Neel Deceas'd and Make Report to the Court, In Compliance with an Order, from the Worshipful Court, of Monroe County, to us Directed, we Samuel Clerk, John Handly Senior And John Handly Junior have proceeded Appraise the Estate of Walter Neel Deceased and do make the following Ret'n -- December Nineteenth Eighteen Hundred and One - (Appraised Items) ... One gray mare, one bay filly, one bay colt, one bay horse, one cow and bell, one red cow, one red cow, one riged cow, one brinled cow, one bull, one steer, one heifer, 3 calves and bell, eight sheep, four bee scaps and bees, 1/0 sundry hogs, one still and vessels, 1/0 rie, one cutting knife and steel, one crib of corn, 1/0 brandy, 1/0 five guns, 2/8 sundry farming utensils, 1/0 beeds and other articles, one loom and tackling, 1/0 two kettles, one kettle, one pot, one tea kettle, 2/0 sundry household furniture, 2/0 sundry kinds of copper ware, 2/0 two saddles, one breed and steed, one barrel, 2/0 two hides, 1/0 Dutch Ovens and one Bason, 1/0 Sundry Cooper tools and other articles, 2/0 one Steer, 1/0 Jugs, pitchers and other articles, 2/0 Cash, 2/0 Cash, 1/0 Sundry Books, 1/0 Dog Irons, 1/0 two Iron Wedges, one ax and one bell - We do certify the above list, to be a true account of the Property Delivered to us, by the Executors of Walter Neel, Deceased, with its Value Monroe October Court, Eighteen Hundred and One -- the Decedant, Walter Neel, Having died Intestate, On the Motion of his Relict, Wineford Neel, & James Christy, leave is granted them to administer the goods and chattles of the said Deceas'd and Obtain a probate there of in Due form Whereupon the Said Wineford Neel and James Christy with their Securities, Richard Ramsey & John Wiseman, Entered into, and acknowledged Bond, in the penalty of fifteen hundred Dollars, for their Due administration of the Decedants Estate, and faithfully Dischargining their Duty Therein. Samuel Clerk, John Handly, Sen'r, John Handly Jun'r. Test, John Hutchinson, Clk. (Names of those listed as owing credits to the Estate) - Mathias McGlammery, John Millar, Thos. Millar, Aron Kean, Joseph Davis, McCajy Porter. (Names listed as contra-credits to the Estate) - Benj Halls, Rich'd Shanklins, Aron Keans, Adam Bowyer, Sam'l Graham, Thos. Millers, John Miller, William Neals, John Wray, Mathias McGlammery.

"The Overmountain Men"; Pat Alderman; 1970:
1783 Greene Co., TN Tax List - Walter Neil is found with Benjamin, Thomas and William Ray and John Wood. (John Wood was killed by Indians in Washington Co., TN abt 1780.

Walter married Winifred WOOD in 1774 in Bedford County, Virginia. Winifred (daughter of John WOOD and Agness GRIFFITH) was born about 1754 in Augusta, Bedford County, Virginia; died in 1864 in Gallia County, Ohio; was buried in Flag Springs Cemetery/Walnut Township, Gallia County, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

WFT #2947 had b. 1730 in Maryland, d. 1803 in Virginia
WFT #1662 had b. 1718 in Charles County, Maryland, d. abt 1800

Daniel Neal: (From http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/k/e/r/Loraine-L-Kerns/GENE9-0016.html)
Will of Daniel Neal, Bedford County, Virginia, Will Book 2, Page 412; Made 7 Mar 1791; Probated 25 Apr 1803:

In the Name of God Amen. I, Daniel Neal of the county of Bedford being in a low state of health but of perfect mind memory and understanding, and knowing that is appointed for all men once to die but knowing the uncertainty thereof do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. First of all I recommend my soul to Almighty God, who gave it, my body to the dust from whence it came, and for such wordly good as it hath been God to bless me with in this life I dispose of as follows to wit, I hereby lend to my beloved wife, Mary Neal, my whole estate real and personal after all my just debts are paid during her natural life, and then the whole so lent, that remains at her death to be equally divided between my five children here after named Walter and Zephaniah Neal, Betty Steal, Mary Varnum, and Margaret Millam, to them and their heirs, forever. I do hereby appoint my beloved wife Mary Neal and my son Zephaniah Neal executors of this my last will and testament. Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of March one thousand seven hundred and ninety one. Signed and sealed in the presence of Henry Jeter, John Chastain Jr., Thomas Terry. MEMORANDUM that on the day above written I do impower my executors to make a deed in fee simple to Thos. Logwood and Francis Steal for the lands I sold to each of them. Signed by Daniel Neal.

Bedford County, Virginia Transactions:
1.) 7 Jan 1764. Amherst Co., VA deed for Daniel O'Neal from John Robinson 304 A. on Meachum adj. Jno. Roads.
2.) 25 Apr 1769. Purchased 225 acres for 50 lbs. on Oslin Creek (graveyard excepted) from John & Agnes Wood. Land was by that of Jarvis Jackson, and on both sides of above named creek.
3.) 28 Dec 1770. Deed of trust on 225 acres purchased from John Wood to William Hook, who is acting for William Donald Jr., merchant, to whom John Wood had given Daniel Neal's note.
4.) Jul 1771. Served on Jury Duty in case of Mead vs. Dillaney.
5.) 26 May 1772. Gave deed of bargain and sale to William Calloway Sr. and Zachariah O'Neal for amount of 50 lbs. as his security for deed of trust and for this offers one slave, Sambo, 2 horses and 8 head of cattle on the condition that if he does not pay back the 50 lbs. security that Calloway and O'Neal furnished then the cattle, horses and slave is to go with them.
6.) 15 Feb 1781. Had 300 acres surveyed for himself on Oslin and Sycamore Creeks, adj. to Tracy's line to Nancy Neal's line, to Oslin and down. Land warrant #17448.
7.) Nov 1788. Ordered to court to answer in regard to treatment of indentured servant, Joshua Roberts. Summoned to appear Mar 1789.
8.) 24 Jan 1791. Gets 275 acres from James Buford on north fork of Otter River, adjoining William Boyd and Peter Harmon.
9.) 1 Nov 1795. To Thomas Noell 200 acres on Oslin Creek.
10.) 25 Jan 1796. To Thomas Noell 84 acres on Sycamore and Oslin.
11.) 26 Feb 1798. Exempted from roadwork under Cornelius Noell, surveyor.

Daniel married Mary HEUTON about 1750 in New London, Bedford County, Virginia. Mary (daughter of Allen HEUTON and Frances DODSON) was born about 1730 in Bedford County, Virginia; died on 23 Feb 1807 in Bedford County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Notes for Mary Heuton (from http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/k/e/r/Loraine-L-Kerns/GENE9-0016.html)
Indenture 22 Feb 1802 in Deed Book 11 of Bedford County, page 511, Mary Neal, late Mary Dodson of Bedford Co., VA , for a certain amount of money gave up all her interest and rights to the estate of a certain Walter Dodson of Charles County, Maryland to a man named Luke White Barber of St. Mary's County, MD.

Sarum owned by Walter Dodson dec'd of Charles County, MD. ("Sarum" was 1160 acres in the Newport 100 area granted to Lord Baltimore in 1680. 16 Jan 1691 Joseph Pile Sr. to son, Joseph Jr., daughters Ann, Mary, Eliza and 700 acres to Joseph and Bennett Pile, sons.)

Charles County, MD, Liber S-3, Folio 278: Walter Dodson, 29 Jul 1772, purchased for 202.10 lbs., 150 acres, part of "Sarum" from Henry Boarman and wife, Lady Mary. (William Boarman was the son-in-law of Capt. James Neale, husband of Jane.)

Heirs of Walter Dodson on 18 Jun 1796 to Luke White Barber. William Barton Smoot and Margaret; Jacob Dodson and Lidia; WIlliam B. Dodson and Letishia; Ignatius Dodson and Chloe; Mary Dodson - all of Charles County. (Liber 1 - B; Folio 25, 26, 27).

Liber 1B, No 2 , page 167, 168: 5 Apr 1797 John Dodson of Prince George's Co., MD, his share. Also signed by wife, Sarah Smith Dodson.

Liber 1 B # 2, page 169: 4 May 1797: Charles Dodson of Virginia to Luke White Barber.

Notes:

Killed by Indians in 1870 in Jonesboro, Washington County, Tennessee, the first settlement in Tennessee. (WFT #2947)

"The Overmountain Men"; Pat Alderman; 1970:
1783 Greene Co., TN Tax List - Walter Neil is found with Benjamin, Thomas and William Ray and John Wood.

Notes for John Wood:
Will: Bedford Co., Virginia 11 Jun 1773. Probably died in Washington Co., TN where the will was probated in May 1780, Will Book 1, Page 38. In the Name of God Amen. Calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die, Do make and order this my last will and testament, that is to say principally and first of all I recommend my soul to the hands of God who gave it and as for my body I recommend it to the dust to be buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my executors nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same by the Almighty power of God and ordering what worldly estate it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I devise and despose of the same in the following form and manner: to wit: First of all it is my will and pleasure that all my just debts be paid. Item: I give to my beloved wife Agness Wood all land plantation and purtenances where I now live with all and every other of my stock of every kind and hogs with all my plantation implements during her natural life always reserving to each of my children now living five shillings. Item: I give and bequeath to my son John Wood after my beloved wife's death all the land and plantation where I now live to him his heirs and assign forever. Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Winifred five shillings current money. Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Miley five shillings current money. I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth five shillings current money. Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Reachel five shillings current money. Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Agness five shillings current money. Item: I give and bequeath to my son Richard five shillings current money. Item: I give and bequeath to my son Elijah five shillings current money. Likewise it is my will and pleasure that all my moveable estate that remains at my beloved wife's death be disposed of at the discetion among my children. It is my will and pleasure that my survey and tract of land containg 180 acres lying on the waters of Sycamore Creek in Bedford be sold for the best price and the money arising therefrom to be applied to paying my just debts. Likewise it is my will and pleasure that all my entries of land be sold and applied to the same uses -- and I hereby fully empower and appoint Robert Donald and William Armstrong or either of them to make goos and sufficient rights and titles of the tract of land and entries to the said purchasers of such conveyances as may be necessary. I give and bequeath to my son Henery five shillings current money. Like wise it is further my will and leasure that all my four above named sons at proper age be bound to suitable trades at the discretion of their mother and my executors. I hereby also constitute and appoint Robert Donald and William Armstrong executors of this my last will and testament, revoking, disanulling, and disallowing any and every will and testament by me here-to-fore made, done or advocated, rectifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this eleventh day of June one thousand seven hundred and seventy three. Signed, sealed, acknowledged, declared and presented by said John Wood to be his last will and testament in the presence of us: Robert Ewing, Robert Irwin, Barbra Mayberry.

Conversation with Reverend Chester Miller, London, Ohio : John Wood, husband of Agnes, was tomahawked and killed by Indians around 1780 while making maple syrup in the spring in Washington County, Tennessee (Carl E. Smith, Nampa, ID, Apr 1935).

First appears in Jonesboro, TN in the spring of 1778.

John Wood was in the Battle of Point Pleasant. He enlisted from Bedford Co., Virginia in Buford's Co. 10 Oct 1774. He joined the Virginia line in 1775, the same year Indians began to attack Holston River settlers. The Cherokee Expedition was sent to protect settlers.

5 May 1778 Jacob Brown sold 673 acres to John Wood for 100 lbs. It was located on the southside of the Nolachucky River near William Clark's line. Wit: Michael Woods, John Lolemas, Heyerich Collins. The History of Washington County claims Michael and John Woods both were recipients of Jacob Brown's land sales on the Nolachucky.

1778 Washington County TN Tax List: James Wray, Joseph Wray, Michael Woods, John Woods. John's property was valued at 218 pounds/18 shillings/ 8 pence for which he paid 2 lbs/ 4 shillings/ 10 pence.

John married Agness GRIFFITH in 1750 in Augusta County, Virginia. Agness was born between 1729 and 1735 in Augusta, Virginia; died before 1811 in Bedford County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Notes for Agnes Griffith (From http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/k/e/r/Loraine-L-Kerns/GENE9-0017.html):
1787 Botetourt County Taxes: WIlliam Davidson's List - Chisholm and William Griffith, Isiah and Elisha Van Zandt, Samuel Todd, John Griffith, John Wood (physician's license).

Note: In at least 2 Family files Agnes' maiden name has been shown as Van Zandt.