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| Elizabeth Gray Gibbs 1915 - 1975 |
Surname Gray:
An ancient Anglo-Scottish name literally meaning a man with gray hair or beard from the pre- 7th century word "graeg". Of course, in our family it could mean : those whose hair turns prematurely gray. wink wink 😉
An ancient Anglo-Scottish name literally meaning a man with gray hair or beard from the pre- 7th century word "graeg". Of course, in our family it could mean : those whose hair turns prematurely gray. wink wink 😉
All kidding aside, because of all the information I have been able to uncover (we're talking 7 generations here), this will be a lengthy edition. So grab some popcorn, your favorite beverage, and get comfy. May I introduce to you to the American lineage of Phillip Gray:
When starting the research into my grandmother, Elizabeth Gray Gibbs' family history , I wasn't sure what I would find. She died in 1975 when I was almost eleven. Memories are a little foggy and I only remember snapshots of times we shared and names of family members being mentioned through the years.
What I didn't know was that the Grays were such entrepreneurs. It is also the first branch in which a time frame can be determined for when the first ancestors may have arrived in the U.S. The following account is taken from the History of Ledyard CT. A similar account is written in the book Gray Genealogy.
The Connecticut Grays
Two Scotch brothers, Phillip and Benjamin Gray, arrived from the Island of Guernsey to Boston on a vessel "whilst still boys". We know that Phillip (our ancestor) was born in 1690. If he were a boy, he may have arrived anywhere from 1700 to 1710. Phillip moved from Boston to Groton, CT, north of Ledyard, around 1710. It was here that Phillip Sr. married whom I believe to be Mary Killam. Together, they had 4 sons: Phillip Jr., Benjamin, Ezekial, and Elijah. Phillip Sr's. occupation was a knitter. A knitter at that time may have been the same as someone who spun flax or silk for clothing as this was a cottage industry in the early days of Groton. Elijah fought in the Revolutionary War, was wounded and sent to the Jersey prison ship near NY where he died. He left behind a wife and 4 children. Ezekial died at sea at the age of 18. There are many accounts of local men being lost at sea either while whaling or sailing around Cape Horn for international trade.
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| Marriage entry for Phillip Gray and Mary Killam in 1737. Also lists their 4 children correctly. Most verbal stories handed down state that Phillip's wife was a Mary Stoddard, but looking at this doc, I believe Mary Killem is the correct person. |
Phillip Gray, Jr. was my 6th g grandfather. He was born in 1749 in Groton, CT. His first wife was Hannah Latham. Together, they had 6 children: Jonas, Latham Sr, Ezekial, Stephen, Lydia, and Mary. After Hannah died, Phillip married Mercy Chapman. They had a son named Asa, who is credited with writing a pamphlet on the Gray family history as he knew it.
Latham Gray Sr.(1772-1821) married Amy Brown(?-1822) in 1791. Together, they had 2 sons and 6 daughters: Henry, Latham, Jr., Mercy, Esther, Annah, Betsey Amy, and Filena
Thus far, I have been unable to find out much about Phillip Gray, Jr. or his son Latham's occupation, but piecing together local town history and the careers of other family members, it may be a safe conclusion that they were involved in the lumber or sawmill industry. Phillip Sr .'s 2nd son, Benjamin who was a revolutionary war veteran, partnered with Joseph Lee to build the Lee's Brook Sawmill . The Grays that remained in Groton would continue to work in sawmill industry as well as farming. Future generations that left Groton would continue this occupation elsewhere.
Latham Gray Sr.(1772-1821) married Amy Brown(?-1822) in 1791. Together, they had 2 sons and 6 daughters: Henry, Latham, Jr., Mercy, Esther, Annah, Betsey Amy, and Filena
Thus far, I have been unable to find out much about Phillip Gray, Jr. or his son Latham's occupation, but piecing together local town history and the careers of other family members, it may be a safe conclusion that they were involved in the lumber or sawmill industry. Phillip Sr .'s 2nd son, Benjamin who was a revolutionary war veteran, partnered with Joseph Lee to build the Lee's Brook Sawmill . The Grays that remained in Groton would continue to work in sawmill industry as well as farming. Future generations that left Groton would continue this occupation elsewhere.
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| The Ledyard Up-Down Sawmill still exists today. Check it out: http://www.ledyardsawmill.org |
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| Grave marker for Benjamin Gray of Groton, CT, brother of Phillip Gray, Sr. |
Grays of Herkimer NY
According to the history of Ledyard, CT, the population of the town began to deteriorate as certain industries died off. Farming became hard with "worn-out" farms and fewer children being born to take up the family trade. Many families moved west for a better life. Latham Gray, Jr. (1800-1884)was one of those who moved west to Ohio, Herkimer County, NY. In 1820, he bought 300 acres on the southside of the creek of the town of Ohio and began improvements, so many in fact, that businesses were started and the area was called Gray or Grayville. By 1828, Latham moved his first wife Julia Ann Pendelton Gray and their two boys: Henry Pendleton and William L. from CT to NY. The village thrived under Latham's efforts. Dairy was a major industry in the area. In 1837, Latham bought a business which produced cheese boxes. The first store, blacksmith shop, tavern, boot & shoe shop, and tannery all opened and have been credited to his talents with business development. It has also been said that he may have been a manufacturer of lumber and furniture maker. A sawmill was already in place on the northern side of the creek of his 300 acres, so this may have been possible and would certainly continue the family business started in CT. He was also a Free mason and supervisor of the village. Busy Guy!!
His son William L Gray, would become the first postmaster of Gray NY.
On the homefront, Latham's first wife, Julia died in 1831. He married his second wife, Catherine Benchley in 1836. They had one daughter, Helen S. and one son, Charles. Catherine died in 1855. A crazy side note here: Catherine Benchley was the sister of Lucina. Lucina would marry Latham's son, Henry. So, father and son married two sisters. Basically, Henry P married his step aunt. Wow! 😮 Latham would marry a third time to Mary Ann Vickery. That marriage produced no children.
Latham died in 1884, leaving quite a legacy in Herkimer county. He is buried at Fairview Cemetery in Gray NY, as are Catherine and Mary Ann. Julia's burial location is unknown.
Latham died in 1884, leaving quite a legacy in Herkimer county. He is buried at Fairview Cemetery in Gray NY, as are Catherine and Mary Ann. Julia's burial location is unknown.
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| Latham Gray Jr.'s gravesite |
The Grays of Georgia
Latham Jr.'s eldest son Henry Pendleton Gray, married Lucina Benchley in 1847, you know, his stepmom's sister. They had 9 children: Benjamin Benchley (BB) , John C., George, Mary, Catherine, Henry P., William, Charles, & Helen.
Sometime between 1855 and 1860, the Grays moved from NY to Taylor GA. By 1870, they would live in Brunswick, GA. On the 1870 census, Henry lists his occupation as salesman.
In 1880, millwork was listed as his occupation. I'm seeing the family trend continue here. In 1876, Henry's first wife, Lucina died. In 1878, Henry married Mrs. Mary Brown. She had two children from a previous marriage, Eddy and Minnie. She died in 1889. Henry married for a third time to Mary S. Furlong in 1891. She died in 1894 of ueteran cancer.
Henry would eventually move to Willacoochee, GA and live with his daughter Kate until his death in 1912. He is buried in Brunswick along with Lucina and his 2nd wife Mary in Oak Grove Cemetery. Sadly, it is in poor condition.
photo sources: findagrave.com
Latham Jr.'s eldest son Henry Pendleton Gray, married Lucina Benchley in 1847, you know, his stepmom's sister. They had 9 children: Benjamin Benchley (BB) , John C., George, Mary, Catherine, Henry P., William, Charles, & Helen.
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| 1855 NY Census showing Henry and Lucina living in the household of Lucina's parents Benjamin and Sarah Benchley. It also lists their first four children: Benjamin, John, George and Mary. |
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| 1870 Census. Henry and Lucina had moved to GA and added to their family with four children. The first 5 children were born in NY. BB was out of the house by this time and married. Also, Lucina is mistakenly named Susan. Daughter Mary Cordelia is listed as Caroline. |
Henry would eventually move to Willacoochee, GA and live with his daughter Kate until his death in 1912. He is buried in Brunswick along with Lucina and his 2nd wife Mary in Oak Grove Cemetery. Sadly, it is in poor condition.
photo sources: findagrave.com
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| Gray Family Plot in Oak Grove Cemetery, Brunswick, GA |
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| Lucina's headstone laying on the ground and broken. Not all graves have markers. |
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| Lucina's broken headstone 😢 |
