Freeman Alphonse Gray
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: Feb 27, 1847 - Alexandria, NH Christening: Death: Dec 19, 1926 - Bristol, NH Burial: in Homeland Cemetery, Bristol, Grafton Cnty, NH Cause of Death: AFN :
Parents
Father: Stephen O. Gray Mother: Sarah Otis Chapman
Spouses and Children
1. *Sadie Grace Lamson Marriage: 2. Caroline B. Simonds Marriage: Aug 25, 1877 - Alexandria, NHGeorge Gray
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: Abt 1878 - Lebanon, NH Christening: Death: Burial: Cause of Death: AFN :George H. Gray
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: Christening: Death: Burial: Cause of Death: AFN :
Spouses and Children
1. *Nelie M. Bennett Marriage: Apr 14, 1885 - Farmington, NHHannah Gray
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth: Nov 30, 1674 Christening: Death: 1763 Burial: Cause of Death: AFN :
Spouses and Children
1. *Thomas Abbott Marriage: Dec 7, 1697 Children: 1. Thomas Abbott 2. Hannah Abbott 3. Edward Abbott 4. Deborah Abbott 5. George Abbott 6. Zebadiah Abbott 7. Benjamin Abbott 8. Catherine Abbott 9. Aaron Abbott 10. Isaac AbbottHannah Gray
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth: 1805 Christening: Death: 1887 44 Burial: in Fairview Cemetery Old, Northwood, NH Cause of Death: AFN :
Spouses and Children
1. *Ira Emerson Marriage: Children: 1. Nathaniel M. EmersonHattie A. Gray
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth: Dec 2, 1859 - Alexandria, NH Christening: Death: Feb 18, 1924 - Concord, NH Burial: in Homeland Cemetery, Bristol, Grafton Cnty, NH Cause of Death: AFN :
Parents
Father: Stephen O. Gray Mother: Sarah Otis Chapman
Spouses and Children
1. *Levi Guy Adams Marriage: Sep 26, 1877 - Franklin, NHHerbert A. Gray
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: in Barnstead, NH Christening: Death: Burial: Cause of Death: AFN :
Spouses and Children
1. *Mertie S. Cate Marriage: Children: 1. Ethel G. Gray 2. Florence M. GrayIsrael Putnam Gray
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: Jul 25, 1837 - Sedgwick, ME Christening: Death: Apr 29, 1896 Burial: Cause of Death: AFN :
Spouses and Children
1. *Dorothy F. Goss Marriage:James Gray
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 1772 - Epsom, NH Christening: Feb 2, 1772 - Epsom, NH Death: Bef 1781 - Epsom, NH Burial: Cause of Death: AFN :Events
• Baptism: by Rev. John Tuck in Epsom, NH, Feb 2, 1772.
Parents
Father: James Gray Mother: Jane Wallace
Notes
General:
The Epsom, NH Church Records of John Tuck " 1772 Feby 2 James ye son of James Gray (his Wife being dead) was Bapt.
His mother died shortly after his birth, and likely this son died as well, his brother John is mentioned in the will of his grandfather George Wallace, written 1781, no mention of James.
James Gray
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: Oct 8, 1749 - Newburyport, MA Christening: Death: Jan 10, 1822 - Epsom, NH Burial: in McClary-Epsom, NH Center Cemetery, Epsom, NH Cause of Death: AFN :
Spouses and Children
1. *Jane Wallace Marriage: Jul 20, 1769 - Epsom, NH Children: 1. John Gray 2. James Gray 2. Susanna Parsons Marriage: Mar 20, 1777 - Newbury, MA Children: 1. Moses Parsons Gray 2. Theodore Parsons Gray 3. Catherine L. Gray 4. Lucretia Billings Gray 5. James Higgins Gray 6. Judith Parsons Gray 7. Maria T. Gray 8. Susan P. Gray
Notes
General:
Buried McClary Cemetery, died at age 72.Marriage Notes (Susanna Parsons)
Lived on the Jonathan Chapman farm several years. In 1788 he removed to the John Cass place, now Hiram Holmes (John Mark Moses 1910)
Appointed at Cambridge and Medford (for Bunker Hill) of Col. Starks Regt, James Gray Sergt Majr
Appointed a County Coroner for Rockingham County 1784
Farmers Cabinet 1-19-1822 JAMES GRAY - In Epsom, Capt. James Gray, 70.
S 45567
PENSION of James Gray
11954 Certificate of Pension issued May 25, 1819
I James Gray of Epsom in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire testify and declare that in the month of November 1776 I was appointed a Captain in the continental army n the revolutionary war against Great Britain, in a Regiment under the command of Colonel Alexander Scammell in the New Hampshire line, that served in said Regiment as a Captain till the month of January one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight when I resigned and left the service, and I further declare that my commission as Captain was lost in the retreat from Ticonderoga, it being in my hat which fell into the hands of the enemy and that from my reduced circumstances I am in need of the assistance of my country for support.
April 17, 1818
James Gray
State of New Hampshire, Rockingham SS
April 17, 1818
Then James Gray who subscribed the above personally appearing made solemn oath that the foregoing declaration by him subscribed is just and true
Before me
John Harvey, one of the Justices of the County Court of Common Pleas for the County of Rockingham
State of New Hampshire, Rockingham
On this 29th day of June AD 1820, personally appeared before me, Hall Burgin, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Rockingham, State of New Hampshire, James Gray, aged seventy, a resident in Epsom in said county, who first being duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath declare he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: viz A Captain in the third New Hampshire Regt. Commanded by Col. Scammell as more fully appears by his declaration made the 7th day of April 1818 and now in the Pension Office.
The date of my original declaration in order to obtain a pension is the 7th day of April AD 1818, The number of my pension certificate is 11.054. My occupation is yeoman, but am not of sufficient ability to pursue it in any degree. In family residing with me, a wife sixty seven years of age, one son, Moses P. Gray, forty years of age; three daughters, Catherine, Lucretia B. and Judith P. Gray, one 36, one 34 and one 31 years of age. Their capacity to contribute to their support \endash my children all able to support themselves, but unable to render any assistance toward my support.
Sworn to and declared at Epsom in said County on the 29th day of June AD 1820.
Schedule
Containing the whole estate and income of James Gray (his necessary clothing and bedding excepted) by him subscribed, exhibited to the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Rockingham in the State of New Hampshire, on the fourth day of July 1820, and annexed to his oath, viz:
Two beds and bedding - $60.00
Four tables \endash 30.00
One desk \endash 5.00
Two looking glasses \endash 8.00
Twenty four chairs \endash 6.00
Two carpets (?) \endash 12.60
Five trunks and chests \endash 8.00
Kitchen furniture \endash 40.00
Cooking &c \endash 20.00
Watch \endash 5.00
Sundry small utensils \endash 6.00
Total $200.00
James Gray
I hereby certify that the above named James Gray is not nor has be been for some years able to do any kind of labor, but has only been able to walk about house by being supported by a staff and ___ appearance cannot continue for a long period.
Hall Burgin, June 30, 1820
Hurd's History of Belknap and Merrimack COunties:
Capt. James Gray 1749-1822
The Gray Family. - Another family that was prominent in town for many years, but leaves no male descendent bearing their name, was that of Captain James Gray.
Mr. Gray was born in Newburyport, Mass., October 8, 1749. He came to Epsom when nineteen years of age and was employed by the town to teach school.
In July, 1769, he married Jane Wallace, who lived but a few years.
At the breaking out of the war Mr. Gray at once joined the American forces and received a captain's commission in the First New Hampshire Regiment.
As will be seen by the accompanying papers, he was appointed an enlisting officer by Colonel Marshall, of Boston, and did valiant service at Ticonderoga.
He married, for a second wife, Susannah Parsons, of Newbury, Mass., daughter of Rev. Moses Parsons and sister to Judge Theophilus Parsons. About 1778 they moved to Epsom, bringing into town the first chaise ever owned in that place.
They lived for several years in the house of the widow of Rev. John Tucke, the first settled minister in town, which we understand to have been where George W. Bacheldor now lives. They then moved on to Sandborn's Hill, and owned and occupied the farm now owned by Samuel Quimby. Afterwards they bought on the turnpike, on what has ever since been known as "Gray's Hill."
He had a grist-mill on the Little Suncook River, near where the mill of Horace Bickford now stands. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1788, and was also town clerk, selectman and representative.
His appointment or commission as coroner for the county of Rockingham, dated December 25, 1784, signed by Mesheck Weare, President of the State, is still in a good state of preservation, in the hands of his daughter, Mrs. Susan M. G. Perkins.
He was a teacher of vocal music and for several years was church chorister.
The mother of Mr. Gray was with him when he first came to town, and she was employed as a school-teacher.
Moses Parsons Gray, the oldest son of James and Susannah Gray, was born in Epsom June 29, 1779. When quite a small boy he went to Byfield, Mass., to live with is Grandmother Parsons, with whom he moved to Boston and attended school there. At the age of fifteen years he became a clerk in a store for a short time, but soon entered his uncle's employ as a sailor, that he might learn the art of navigation. When he became of age, he took command of the ship "Diana" and made several voyages to the West Indies and other foreign ports, having, while following the sea, visited Spain, Portugal and Russia.
When about thirty years of age, he returned to Epsom, where he resided until his death, which occurred November 8, 1858. After coming to Epsom he taught school in the Cilley District and also in the Centre District.
While in Boston, after he had left school, he employed his spare moments in the study of surveying, which art he was very frequently called upon to practice while in Epsom, there being hardly a division line in the town but what he was acquainted with, and he was often called to other towns in the capacity of a surveyor. A plan of the town drawn by him is now in the possession of the town.
Although he never studied law, yet his reading and his intercourse with his uncle, Chief Justice Parsons, made him familiar with much that pertained to the profession, so that he was often called upon to assist in the settlement of disputes.
While he was hardly ever elected to any office by the town, yet he very frequently assisted those who were elected, and his peculiar handwriting can be found in several places upon the records.
Theodore Parsons Gray, born August 8, 1781, followed the sea, and was killed by falling from aloft to the main-deck, September 20, 1796, and was buried in "that vast cemetery where there are no monuments."
Katharine L. Gray, born February 19, 1783, married Dr. John Proctor, and lived in Epsom, where he died in June, 1837. She died in Georgetown, Mass., March, 1854. They left no children.
Lucretia B. Gray, born May 5, 1785, married William Brown and lived in Epsom, where she died May 11, 1875, leaving one son and two daughters, one of whom, Mrs. Susan E. P. Forbes, has recently purchased "Fatherland Farm," the old Parsons homestead, at Byfield, Mass., where she spends her summers.
James H. Gray, born June 29, 1787, was also a sailor, and died when but twenty-three years of age, upon an island off the coast of Florida.
Judith Parsons Gray, born March 12, 1789, married John Rand, of Epsom.
Of the eight children born to them, only one had died, - James G., who died December, 1850.
The following found among the well preserved papers of the late Captain James Gray, we deem of sufficient interest to be given a place in the history of Epsom:
Letter from Captain Gray to his wife.
"CHARLESTOWN (No. 4), May 18th, 1777.
"My Dear Susie: As I would not, if possible, let any opportunity of writing to you pass unnoticed, therefore I embrace the present by the post to Exeter, viz. : Mr. Waldo. I arrived here last Tuesday at night, as you will find by my Journal, transmitted to your Father; but it was attended with some difficulty, the roads being so excessively miry and my horse taken sick that I was obliged to walk a considerable part of the way ; but at present am very well. I expect on Tuesday next to take my departure for Ticonderoga, to put my baggage upon my horse & travel through the woods, which journey is eighty miles from here. When I left Exeter I forgot my Coffe pot and thought not of it until I got to Keene, so that I am now at a loss how to make use of my coffee. Since I came here I have heard from my Brother, by Mr. Tucker, who left him about a fortnight since in good health and high spirits. Capt. McClary has been very ill here, but has marched since through the woods.
"My Love and duty to the family. The reason of my putting my Baggage upon my horse or going on foot is because the wagon cannot get through the woods."
Letter from Captain James Gray to his father-in-law, the original being in the possession of his granddaughter, Mrs. A. W. Perkins, of Chichester.
"TICONDEROGA, June 26, 1777.
"Hon. Sir: The last letter which I sent you by Col. Little I hope came safe to hand. I have now the pleasure, by Dr. Conner, of Exeter, to write a second. The Wednesday after the date of my first I set of from No. 4 for Ticonderoga. Our wagon not being able to carry our Baggage through the woods, I was obliged to load mine upon my horse and venture my body upon my Legs through to my Journey's end, which, perhaps, may be said to be no small risqué. However, after a tedious Journey, I arrived at Ticonderoga, distance from No. 4 eighty miles, the 28th of May. Nothing worthy of observation has occurred to me since I cam e into Camp until the 17th instant, at which time the Camp at Ticonderoga was alarmed by the report of small arms at about half a mile distant from the Line, in the woods, which proved to be a party of Indians, about thirty in number, which lay in ambush for us and had then fired upon some of our men as they were returning from duty into Camp, three of which were killed and one carried off by the Savages, upon which a scouting-party was immediately sent in pursuit of them; but so precipitate was their retreat that we could not overtake them; but in their hurry to Crown Point they were met by a party of Rangers, eleven in number, who readily gave them fire. The Indians returned the same, upon which three or four rounds were exchanged, when the Commander of the party of Rangers, Lieut. Little, received a wound in the arm & was obliged to retreat with the loss of three men. The next day a scouting-party came upon the same grounds, where they found one Indian dead and took another who could not keep up with his party; him they brought into Camp and now have him confined.
"Sir: If I am not to tedious, I would observe that those four men who were killed and taken belonged to one Company and one mess, and the fifth, who was the only one left of the mess, was the next day standing with his gun loaded in his hands, leaning his chin upon the muzzle of his gun, when it went off, as he was talking with is Brother, and drove the whole charge through his head, dashing his brains through the side of the house by which they were standing.
"I have just received news from Ticonderoga that the British Troops are landed at Crown Point; this I believe to be depended upon as a fact, so that we are now preparing for Battle.
"Gen. St. Clair has the Command of the Troops in this department. We have fit for duty about 3000 men and about 1000 unfit for duty, by reason of disorders that are incident to Camp life.
"The 18th I was ordered, with my Company, to take command of this post, where we are to keep Garrison within the stockade. How long we shall remain here I can't say. I will endeavor to write again by the post who goes and comes through this Garrison.
"A letter, sir, would be very acceptable.
"My Duty and respects to all.
"Your Son,
"JAMES GRAY.
"REV. MOSES PARSONS, Newbury Falls.
"To be left at Mr. Davenport's Tavern."
Upon the bank of an old document, headed "return of the 3d New Hampshire Regiment of Foot, in the service of the United States, commanded by Col. Alexander Scannel, Ticonderoga, June 28, 1777," in which Captains Gray and McClary, of this town, were reported as on duty, the former with thirty-nine men and the latter with forty-nine, is found the following in Captian Gray's beautiful writing:
"Sunday, 6th July 1777, - Retreated from Sheensboro' & lost all my money, Baggage, &c. Lodged in the woods at Night.
"Monday, 7th, - Got into Fort Ann at 6 in ye morning; everything in the utmost confusion; nothing to eat. At 11 o'clock A.M. was ordered to take the Command of a party upon a scout and marched with 150 men besides 17 Rangers; had not marched from Garrison into the woods more than half a mile, after detaching my front, Rear and flanking Guards, when we met with a party of Regulars and gave them fire, which was Returned by the enemy, who then gave back. I then pursued them with close fire till they betook themselves to the top of a mountain. At the foot of this mountain we posted our selves and continued our fire until 6 P.M., when a reinforcement of 150 more joined me; but night approaching obliged me to return with my party to Garrison, after finding one of my party killed and 3 wounded, and three of the enemy killed by our first fire.
"Tuesday Morning, 8th, - Myself, with Capt. Hutchins, with the same number of men, marched to the aforesaid mountain and attacked the enemy very warmly. The engagement lasted about 2 hours, at which time the Commander of yo Garrison sent Colo. Ransleur with a small party of militia to reinforce us. We then advanced (firing) up the hill, where we found the enemy's surgeon dressing a Capts Leg. Those, with two of their wounded soldiers, we took and sent in, and a number of our own people, men & women, who were the day before cut off by the enemy, we retook. At last, finding out ammunition gone and none to be had in Garrison, ordered off my wounded and some of the dead, and formed a retreat. Much fatigued when I returned and found no refreshments, neither meat or drink; immediately a Council was called and the prisoners who were retaken brot upon examination, who gave information that an express just arrived before we made this second attack and gave the enemy intelligence that a reinforcement of 2000, with Indians, were near at hand to join them, at which time they were to make a general attack upon us. It was then determined upon to retreat to fort Edward, after setting fire the Garrison. Accordingly, the wounded were sent off, except one, who was one of my own Company; him the Surgeon thot proper not to order off, that he would soon expire, or that if he was likely to live, the enemy, when they took possession, would take care of him. This I knew not of till we were ordered to march, at which time I turned back alone (my Company being gone) to the rear of the Army, where I found him. I then picked up a tent & fastened it between two poles, laid him upon it, and hired four soldiers to carry him. I took their four guns with my own and carried them to fort Edward; this was about 3 o'clock P.M.; rained very hard; distance from fort Ann to Fort Edward, 14 miles; arrived at Fort Edward at 10 in the Evening; no Barracks nor Tents to go into; therefore laid down in the rain and slept upon the ground; the fatigue of this day I believe I shall always remember.
"Colo Ransleur, wounded; Capt Weare, wounded; Ensign Walcutt, killed; Isaac Davis, a sergeant in my company, killed. Our loss is the two skirmishes about 15; the Enemy's unknown.
"Wednesdy 9th, - I found my self very much indisposed, having no cloths to shift myself with & nothing to eat or drink, but walking about to make myself warm. Upon parade I met Capt. Peters (a Dutchman), a gentleman I never had seen but once before; he seeing me in my helpless situation took me to his tent, gave me a dram, then ordered some warm breakfast for me. Here I refreshed. He then procured barracks for my Company and furnished with Blankets to lodge on. I then sent my wounded men off to Albany. Applied for kettles for my Compy, but in vain; obliged to mix our flour in our hats and bake it upon Chips before the fire and broil our salt beef upon the coals.
"Thur. 10th, - Confined to my barrack; sent for a Doctor - none could attend - no appetite to food.
"Frid. 11, - Applied by an officer to Gen. Schuyler to go down the river to recruit my health; could not obtain it.
"Sat. 12th, - Gens St. Clair, Poor, Patterson & Termo arrived. Gen. Nixon's Brigade marched into camp in the Evening. Gen1 Poor, having heard that I was sick, came with Colo Long & Maj. McClintock to see me and gave me liberty to go to Saratoga to recruit.
"Sun. 13th, - Set off on horseback and rode to Fort Miller, where I met with Col. Scammell, then proceeded to Saratoga, but the inhabitants being alarmed by the Tories, who every night were plundering houses, were moving off; therefore, I was obliged to ride until 12 at night before I could get a lodging. Lodged at Mr. Van Vaiters.
"Mondy 14th, - Set off and well to Still Watter; could get no entertainment; rode to 'Half-Moon.'"
Upon the above return is the following:
"BILL OF LOSS.
1777 PARSONS Susanna, and Capt. James Gray of Epsom, N. H., Mar. 20, 1777. * Marriage Newbury MASS
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