John Gray Sr Timeline

John Gray Sr, Timeline Summary: Facts and Sources

Gray, John (Sr): 1813-1892, B: Scotland. (to Michigan) D: Minnesota

Bathia (Davidson) 1811-1865 B: Scotland. D: Michigan

Note: see, John Gray Sr’s Ancestry Profile Page for a List of Media attached to his profile page (includes summary after Title)

Birth: 1/2/1813, Forgue, Aberdeen, Scotland Source: "Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," Database,FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XB74-6HN : accessed 17 June 2015), Jane Fletcher in entry for John Gray, 21 Jan 1813; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 993,183. Note: this reference also includes his Christening: 1/22/1813.

Birth of son  William (1834-1913) 2/1/1834, Forgue, Aberdeen, Scotland Source: "Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XB74-VQM : accessed 24 June 2015), William Gray, 01 Feb 1834; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 993,183. Father: John Gray. Mother: Barbara Troup

Departure: Aberdeen, Scotland before June 1834 Source: (1) New York, Passenger and Immigration Lists, 1820-1957 (Index-only record) Port of Arrival: NY. Port of Departure: Aberdeen. Place of Origin: Great Britain. Destination: U.S.A. Ship: Brig Pursuit. M237...23...408 Source: (2) New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957. Port of Departure: Aberdeen, Scotland. Port of Arrival: NY, NY. Ship Name: Pursuit. Master: Alexander Alexander. John Gray 20, William Davidson 24 Note: it appears that John went to the US to secure land before he returned to Scotland to marry Bathia Davidson. Question: Below his name on the list is William Davidson, I wonder if this is Bathia’s brother?

Arrival: New York, New York 6/10/1834 Source: New York, Passenger Lists, and New York, Passenger and Immigration Lists, 1820-1957. Port of Arrival: New York. Port of Departure: Aberdeen. Place of Origin: Great Britain. Destination: U.S.A. Ship: Brig Pursuit. M237...23...408 (see, Source (1) Departure)

Marriage 2/17/1835, Forgue, Aberdeen, Scotland Description: John Gray, Farm Servant, parish of Forgue, and Bathia Davidson Spinster, Broadford, married by Robert Smith, Minister at the Parish of Old Machar. Source: General Register Office, Edinburgh.

Birth of daughter Grace (1836-1911) 11/24/1836, Dearborn, Wayne, MI

Birth of son John Jr (1838-1930) 7/16/1838, Dearborn, Wayne, MI

Birth of son Alexander (1840-1866) abt 1840, Michigan

Residence: Wayne, MI 1840 Census Description: Census. Schedule of the whole number of persons: Male -5 (2); 5-9 (2); 20-29 (1). Female 20-29 (1); 50-59 (1). Total (7)

Birth of son Andrew (1842-1923) Feb 1842, Dearborn, Wayne, MI

Birth of son  George R (1845-1923) July 1845, Michigan

Birth of daughter Bathia aka Bertha (1847-1871) abt 1847, Michigan

Birth of daughter Jane (1850-sometime before 1860) abt 1850, Michigan

Residence: Dearborn, Wayne, MI 1850, Aug 23 Census Description: John 36, Bathia 39, both Scotland. Children: Scotland, William 16. Michigan, Grace 14, John 12, Alexander 10, Andrew 8, George 5, Bathia 3, Jane 0. Mother, Jane Gray 70, Scotland. Farm Value: $800. Equip $70.

Death of Mother, Jane aka Jean (Fletcher) Gray (1780-1850). Source of her birth is the 1850 Census (abt 1780, Scotland). Aft 1850 Personal Note: she is not in a Census list with the John’s family after 1850. Death of Daughter, Jane (1850-1851). Source of her birth is the 1850 Census. Aft 1851 Personal Note: She's not listed in the 1860 Census, and she's not listed as a dependent with siblings, George & Bathia, after the death of their mother in 1865. She is in the John and Bathia Gray Family Portrait, she looks to be atleast a year old; which leads me to believe the portrait was taken circa 1851.

Residence: Dearborn, Wayne, MI 1860 Census Description: John 47, Bathia 48, Scotland. Children, Michigan: Andrew 17, George 15, Bertha 13. RE Value $4,000. Personal Estate $600.

Death of Wife, Bathia 5/12/1865, Detroit, Wayne, MI Source: Probate Filed, 12/12/1865, John Gray, Sr., Father, appointed guardian of minor children: George (20) and Bathia, Jr. (18). Petitioner: John Jr.

move from Michigan to Minnesota ***Purchase of Homestead 3/17/1866, Ripley Twp, Dodge Co, MN Source: Warranty Deed, Joseph B and Hannah C Gibhard to John Gray; 160 acres; $1,800.00. See, Media: 6th Generation Gray lives on Riverview Farm in 2015

Death of Son, Alexander (1840-1866) 10/13/1866, Dodge Co, MN

Transfer of Deed 1/25/1867, Ripley Twp, Dodge Co, MN Source: John Gray to George Gray; 160 acres, $200.00. See, Media: 6th Generation Gray lives on Riverview Farm in 2015

Mortgage 11/10/1868, Ripley Twp, Dodge Co, MN Source: George and Anna R Gray to John Gray; $500.00 due and payable. See, Media: 6th Generation Gray lives on Riverview Farm in 2015

Death of Daughter, Bathia aka Bertha (1847-1871) 8/15/1871, Mantorville, Dodge, MN

Satisfaction -Fully Paid 6/4/1872, Ripley Twp, Dodge Co, MN Source: John Gray to George and Anna R Gray. Release of Mortgage. See, Media: 6th Generation Gray lives on Riverview Farm in 2015

Residence: Claremont, Dodge Co, MN 1880 Census Description: John (67), abt 1813, Scotland. Father, Mother, Scotland. Widowed: living at Peter McMartin hotel. To see full listing, see, Media: Census Notes

Purchase of 2 lots in Claremont; $85.00 8/16./1881, Claremont, Dodge Co, MN Source: see, Media: Gray, John Sr; purchase of lots in Claremont; Mantorville Press, Real Estate Transfers.

Residence: Claremont, Dodge Co, MN 1885 Census Description: John 72, abt 1813, Scotland. No one else is listed with him. The name James Edmond Family follows him, was he a neighbor?

Death 11/27/1892, Ripley Twp, Dodge Co, MN Description: Cause of death, paralysis (stroke), he had been living at the house of his son, George Gray. Source: see, Media, John Gray obituary

Burial: Claremont Cemetery, Claremont, Dodge Co, MN Source: Find A Grave, Obituary, see Media. Remains placed in Claremont Street Cemetery. See, also (Photo), John Gray Head Stone: John Cray 1809-1892 ? should be 1812/1813

Media Sources [1ms] The Gray Family Story, Scotland to America: John Gray Sr, Bathia Davidson, William Gray Personal Note: includes both records and ‘family history’ which sometimes comes from ‘word of mouth’ (handed-down stories). [2ms] Descendants of Alexander Gray: Alexander m: Jane (Fletcher) Gray [3ms] Mother of William Gray: John Gray Sr, Bathia Davidson, William Gray, Barbara Troup [4ms] Gray, Bathia (Davidson), Probate: John Gray Sr, Bathia Davidson, George R Gray, Bathia aka Bertha Gray [5ms] Gray, George R and John, Historical Information: (source) A Chronicle of Claremont Township and Village -begun in the fall of 1932 [6ms] 6th Generation Gray lives on Riverview Farm in 2015: John Gray Sr, George R Gray, George Alvey Gray, Robert Lyn Gray -includes Deeds and Mortgages history [7ms] Gray, Family History by George Robert Gray: John Gray Sr, George R, George Alvey, Clare Maud Lynch, Robert Lyn Gray, Lucile Marie Piper Other Media  Media List; for John Gray Sr Gray, John, Census Notes, 1880 Personal Records [1pr] John Gray birth and baptism record (scanned copy of ledger page, Scotland) [2pr] John Gray and Bathia Davidson marriage record (scanned copy of ledger page, Scotland) [2pr] Gray, John and Bathia marriage record (scanned copy; Parish of Old Machar, Scotland) [3pr] Probate File, Bathia (Davidson) Gray; Wayne County, Detroit, Michigan; 12/12/1865 Wills and Probate (government -legal): children (potential heirs). Estate of Bathia (Davidson) Gray; Minor Children, George R Gray (20), Bathia Gray (18) [3pr] Detroit Free Press; In the matter of the estate of George Gray and Bathia Gray, minor 12/27/1865, Detroit, Michigan [4pr] Obituary (usually family is the source of information): they usually include the name and residence of children, their spouses; birth, death, history e.g. where they have lived, achievements and organizations e.g. military service, church affiliation, political affiliation, public service, career, occupation… Gray, John obituary ***see, [4pr] Obituary Details (below) [5pr] Gray, John Sr; purchase of lots in Claremont, $85.00 (8 weeks ending 8/16/1881) [6pr] Gray Farmstead Century Award (year 1984) Census (government records; potential for error is the ‘census taker’) Michigan: 1840, 1850, 1860. Minnesota: 1880, 1885 Find A Grave Memorial and Headstone/Marker: both of these usually provide birth and death dates but are created by relatives or researchers and are not reliable unless linked to records; sometimes obituaries are attached ***see, Find A Grave Details (below) Historical Information e.g. biographical sketches of noteworthy individuals, see [5ms] Gray, George R and John, Historical Information Includes: A Chronicle of Claremont Township and Village and Summary: John Gray Sr, the start of the Riverview, Gray Family Farm, Claremont, Minnesota -includes (newspaper clippings and Find A Grave Memorials): The 1867 drowning accident on the Zumbro River; Comparison of 4 different newspaper accounts (to compare with the one given in the Chronicle of Claremont Township and Village). About Helen Marshall and her family. Also, noteworthy (links between the Marshall and Gray families): John Gray Sr, George R Gray ***[4pr] Obituary Details Obituary: Gray, John obituary Dodge County Rec (12/1/1892) died of paralysis (stroke), 11/27/1892 *invalid several yrs spent his last years with Geo. George Marshall, employed at mill here, grandson funeral held at the house of Geo remains placed in Claremont Cemetery John Gray Obituary 1813-1892 died 11/27/1892 (paralysis), at the home of his son George where he has lived the past 2 yrs born near Aberdeenshire, Scotland, January, 1813 came to this country when he was 21 yrs old (after he married) *calculations match born 1813 *1st Trip: Passenger List, 1834 (age 20). Married Bathia, brought her to US 1835 (age 21) settled on a farm near Detroit, Michigan where he lived many yrs father of 10 children, surviving: John, George, Andrew, William, Grace. Iowa: Andrew, John. Kansas: William (visited less than a yr ago) Claremont Cemetery beside his wife Came to Dodge County nearly 27 yrs ago. *calculations, 28 yrs; some family records state 1865 *Purchased land, Warranty Deed, 3/17/1866 He was a very honorable, upright man and well liked by all who knew him. *** Find A Grave Details Find A Grave Memorial Name: John Gray Birth: 1809, Scotland Death: 11/27/1892, Claremont, Dodge Co, MN Cemetery: Claremont Street Cemetery, Claremont, Dodge Co, Mn Spouse: Bathia Davidson Gray Children: George, Grace Kerr, Andrew, Bathia Marshall, William, John Notes: On the 1880 census, John’s year of birth is listed as abt 1813. Maybe the engraver didn’t know his exact year of birth. But this is the only John Gray listed in census records in the Claremont area around that time. He was a farmer, widowed, and boarded with the McMartin family. Note: www.dodgecohistorical.addr.com/Research/dodge_obit.pdf, which lists year of birth as 1812. Created by: Alice. Record added: Apr 5, 2011 Personal Note: inscription, JOHN CRAY 1809-1892. Should be Gray. I did not see his headstone when I visited the Claremont Street Cemetery in July 2015; according to his obituary, it’s suppose to be next to his wife, Batha’s; her stone is upright and exposed, his is flat; the cemetery is not maintained (other than an occasional mowing) so flat stones are covered over with mud and weeds. I plan on visiting the cemetery, again, next year to see if I can find it: pull weeds and remove mud, etc. P.S. I tried following the web link above; results: this page is not available. Below, I've added two web links I found for Dodge County, MN http://www.dodgecountyhistorical.org/researchholdings/obituaries/ https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Dodge_County,_Minnesota_Genealogy Other, Newspaper Clippings Detroit Free Press, List of Entries Made for Exhibition at the State Fair (John Gray) Mrs. John Gray, Dearborn, 15 lbs of butter made in one day from 8 cows. John Gray, Dearborn, pair of woolen blankets. (see enlarged duplicate copy). 9/24/1852; Detroit, Michigan Detroit Free Press. List of Premium Articles -John Gray. Domestic Manufacturers: John Gray, Dearborn, 1st Premium; pair Woolen Blankets. Diploma (Certificate) and $4.00. 10/1/1851

Family Collection [1fc] Newspaper: Gray Family Reunion held July 13th, 2002 John Gray and Bethia Gray emigrated from Aberdeen Scotland and settled in Claremont Township in 1866. Personal Note: Bathia died in 1865 in Michigan, see, Media: Gray, Bathia (Davidson) Probate

Important details from John Gray Sr’s Media, 

provided here for easy reviewing and locating important details

[2ms] Media: Descendants of Alexander Gray *Verification* (See, Alexander Gray for details)

FamilySearch Database: Scotland, Births… Marriages...

Birth: John Gray 1/21/1813. Forgue, Aberdeen, Scotland *we now have a scanned copy (register page) of John Gray's Scotland Birth and Baptism

(Father: Alexander Gray. Mother: Jane Fletcher )

"Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," Database,FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XB74-6HN : accessed 17 June 2015), Jane Fletcher in entry for John Gray, 21 Jan 1813; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 993,183.

Lists both his Birth (1/21/1813) and Christening (1/22/1813)

Christening Place: Forgue, Aberdeen, Scotland

Father: Alexander. Mother: Jane Fletcher

[3pr] Media: Probate File, Bathia (Davidson) Gray *PDF file, need to download

[4ms] Media: Gray, Bathia (Davidson), Probate *I transcribed the PDF file to make it easier to read and review.

Probate: Wayne County Probate Court, Detroit, Michigan. Probate File: 5084

Gray, Bathia. Mother of minors (deceased, 1865)

Gray, George (20 yrs). Detroit, Michigan

Gray, Bathia (18 yrs). Detroit Michigan

Gray, John Jr; brother, petitioner

Gray, John Sr; father, appointed guardian

Probate Order Filed: January 16, 1866

Petition for the appointment of guardian

Real Estate in County of Wayne (State of Michigan)

Value $400. or thereabouts

Guardian Bond Filed December 12, 1865  

1st. That he shall make a true inventory…

2nd. That he shall dispose of and manage all such estate…

3rd. That he shall render an account… proceeds… within one year…

4th. That at the expiration of his trust he… settle his accounts…

the annexed notice has been published in The Detroit Free Press: January 17, 1866.

Sworn to (Notary Public): March 3, 1886 *I will sell at public auctions, to the highest bidder, on the premises, on Saturday, March 3…

[3ms] Media: Mother of William Gray

I can find no records of the marriage of John Gray and Barbara Troup. However, they are listed as the Father and Mother of William Gray born 2/1/1834 and christened 2/3/1834 in Forque, Aberdeen, Scotland. **we now have a scanned copy (register page) of William Gray's Scotland Birth and Baptism

"Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," Database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XB74-VQM : accessed 24 June 2015), William Gray, 01 Feb 1834; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 993,183. Father: John Gray. Mother: Barbara Troup

Personal Note: It appears that Barbara died during or soon after of the birth of her son, William (2/1/1834). Most likely, John’s mother, Jane Gray,  took care of William while his father was gone to America to secure land (6/1834). John returns, marries Bathia Davidson (2/17/1835), takes his new wife, Bathia, baby William, and his mother, Jane (Fletcher) Gray to America (Dearborn, Michigan).

    The 1st child of John and Bathia, Grace, is born 11/24/1836, in MIchigan. The 1850 U.S Census: Dearborn, Wayne County, Michigan lists John 36, Bathia 39, both of Scotland. Children: Scotland, William 16. Michigan, Grace 14, John 12, Alexander 10, Andrew 8, George 5, Bathia 3, Jame 0. Mother, Jane Gray 70, Scotland.

[6ms] Media: 6th Generation Gray lives on Riverview Farm.

[The Chronicles of the Village and Township of Claremont, published around 1935 and the Obituary of George Alvey (1957) states that 5th Generation of Grays lives at Riverview Farm.]

John Sr. purchased the homestead in 1866. George R lived there until 1909 when he purchased a house in town and moved there. George Alvey remained at Riverview all his life (except for a couple years (1907-1909) when he lived in Renville. Robert Lyn spent his entire life on Riverview Farm; when he married Lucile Marie Piper in 1926 and “the house on the hill” was built for them; in 1941 they moved their family down to “the big house”. Robert’s youngest son raised his family on Riverview Farm; Robert’s grandson (6th Generation) now lives in “the big house”.

Note: I wrote this on October 4, 2015.

Gray; Riverview Farm in Ripley Twp, Dodge County, MN

Warranty Deed

3/17/1866

Joseph B. Gibhard and wife, Hannah C

to John Gray

160 acres; 1,800.00

Note: I did not copy down the Section #’s and identifiers, e.g. NE ½

1/25/1867

John Gray

to George Gray

160 acres; 200.00

Note: the Section #’s and identifiers are the same as the above entry

Mortgage

11/10/1868

500.00

George Gray and wife, Anna R

to John Gray

500.00 due and payable

Satisfaction

6/4/1872

Fully Paid

John Gray to George and Anna R Gray

Release of Mortgage

Recorded in Book K of Mortgages, Pg 68

Warranty Deed

1/18/1873

80 acres; 1,200.00

R B and Mary A Newhall to Anna R Gray

Mortgage

1/20/1873

120 acres; 1,4000

George and Anna R Gray to Ruben B Newhall

1,400.00 due and payable

1200 bushels #2 Wheat to-wit:

400 bushels #2 Wheat - Oct 1, 1873

400 bushels #2 Wheat - Oct 1, 1874

400 bushels #2 Wheat - Oct 1, 1875

Satisfaction

2/18/1876

Fully Paid

Ruben B Newhall to George and Anna R Gray

Assignment of School Lands

3/30/1882

Geo Gray

Assignment of School Lands

6/5/1882

George And Anna R Gray

Warranty Deed

2/17/1920

1.00 and other

George and Amelia M Gray to George A Gray 210 Acres

Note: same Section #s and identifiers

Last Will and Testament

12/11/1920

Filed: 11/13/1924

George to Amelia M Gray, Robert C Gray, George A Gray

Note: I have the scanned copy of the Last Will and Testament

Final Decree

10/6/1924

Filed: 11/13/1924

George Died 12/26/1923

Final Decree

2/9/1931

Probate: Estate of Robert C Gray to George A Gray brother

Robert Died 6/22/1930

Warranty Deed

8/26/1946

1.00 and other

Amelia M Gray to George A Gray

Section 2-106-18

Warranty Deed

9/13/1946

1.00 and other

George A Gray widower to Robert Lyn Gray

Final Degree

4/20/1972

Robert L Gray to Lucile M Gray

died: 6/15/1971

Final Decree

8/7/1972

Lucile M Gray

¼ undivided to her four children

died: 12/12/1971

[5ms] Media: Gray, (George R) and John; Historical Information (A Chronicle of Claremont Township and Village, compiling began in 1932)

In 1866, John Gray Sr (age 53) came from Michigan and took the homestead southeast of Town, where his family has lived ever since, “unto the fifth generation”...
According to George Gray’s notes (see, [7ms] Media: Gray, Family History by George Robert Gray), John Sr purchased 160 acres from Joe Girhard and built his first house there in March of 1866; he had to go to Kasson for lumber, the railway didn’t run by Claremont until 1867.

 New Information, October 2015: From the Land Purchase Records (at Don's): Warranty Deed, 3/17/1866, Joseph B Gibhard and wife, Hannah C; 160 acres, 1,800.00. Transferred to George R, 1/25/1867, 160 acres.

 1878 (1881, see, New Information, below): John Gray, G. A. Gray’s grandfather, built a small house on East Street… and lived there several years, until near the time of his death.
New Information, John Gray purchased land in Claremont in 1881, I assume THAT is when he built a small house; see, [5pr] Media: Gray, John Sr; purchase of lots in Claremont. Source: Mantorville and Kasson express (8/19/1881) pg 3 -Real Estate Transfers (for the eight weeks ending August 16, 1881) -W.S.P. Land Co. to J. Gray, south ½ lots 11 and 12, block 10, Claremont, $85.00 (contributed by Stephen Hamilton).

  I added: Summary: John Gray Sr, the start of the Riverview, Gray Family Farm, Claremont, Minnesota. He probably farmed with his son, George R, about 12 years. In 1881 (age 68) he built a small house in Claremont.

  The 1880 Minnesota Census (age 67) lists him among the residents of the Peter McMartin Hotel (he may have been recovering from a minor stroke). In the 1885 Minnesota Census (age 72) he is listed by himself (he may have been able to return to his home in Claremont); the James Edmond family follows him, was he a neighbor?

    He died in 1892 (age 79) at the home of his son, George R Gray where he had been living. His obituary states that he died of paralysis (stroke) and that he had been an invalid for several years (a happy release from suffering).

[1ms] Media: The Gray Family Story, Scotland to America

Written and compiled by Jody Gray for her family.

Our family lineage… all ‘vital’ information from FamilySearch, Scotland, Database.

About William Gray, his mother, Barbara Troup.

John Sr, 1st arrives in America 6/10/1834 (Passenger List) “to secure land”

He marries Bathia Davidson 2/17/1835 after he returns to Scotland

daughter, Grace Gray born 11/24/1836 in Wayne Michigan

1840 Michigan Census (# only): John, Bathia, William, Grace, John Jr, Alexander, mother Jane (Fletcher) Gray

1850 Michigan Census: John, Bathia, William, Grace, John Jr, Alexander, Andrew, George R, Bathia (Jr), Jame, mother Jane (Fletcher) Gray. Farm value, $800. Equipment $70.

1860 Michigan Census: John, Bathia, Andrew, George, Bathia (Jr). RE value: $2,000. Livestock value: $200. Missing: William, Grace, John Jr, Alexander, Jame, mother Jane (Fletcher) Gray

Note: it appears his daughter Jame and his mother Jane (Fletcher) Gray have died between the 1850 and 1860 Census. Jame is not listed as a minor (dependent) in Bathia’s Probate.

Son, William moved to Kansas in 1857 to work for the government at Fort Leavingworth

Daughter, Grace (21) married David William Kerr (11/25/1857); they left for Dodge County, MN

Son, John Jr (22) farm laborer, Whitsey farm, Dearborn,  Michigan *1860 Census

Son, Alexander (20) farm laborer, Rudiman farm, Dearborn, Michigan *1860 Census

1865, death of Bathia (Davidson) Gray, see [3pr and 4ms] Media: Probate. According to A Chronicle of Claremont Township and Village, MN: in the spring or fall of 1866, John Gray came from Michigan and took the homestead southeast of town, where his family has lived since. Record: Warranty Deed, 3/17/1866

John Jr marries Martha Jane Ross in 1867. They settle in Buckingham, Tama Co, Iowa. The 1870 Iowa Census: Occupation, Farmer. RE Value: $500. Personal Property: $300.

Alexander died in Oct. of 1866; he is buried in the Claremont Street Cemetery, the location of death is unknown. Don Gray (son of Robert Lyn Gray) said they were told Andrew died of wounds suffered in the Revolutionary War.  

 Andrew moves to Northwood, Worth Co., Iowa and opens a Blacksmith Shop. The Northwood Semi-Centennial states he had his shop there for 39 years.

 George joins his father, John, on the homestead that will become Riverview. He will marry and raise him family there.

  Bathia Jr. marries George Marshal. They are listed in the 1870 U.S/Minnesota Census, living in Mantorville with son, George Jr, 2 years old. Bathia gives birth to a daughter, Aug 5, 1871. The child was either stillborn or died soon after birth; Bathia died 10 days later; she is buried in the Claremont Street Cemetery.

Why did they leave their homeland in Aberdeen, Scotland and settle in Dearborn, Michigan?

familysearch.org [1]: due to political unrest and a way to deal with poor relief. [2] in response to the end of the Napoleonic Wars, western expansion of the US, growth of the American economy.

Google Search results for Michigan Immigration lead me to the information I was looking for both historical and personable (diaries and letters). [3] wayfinding.net

‘Michigan fever’ swept the East, and millions of acres of land were grabbed at the bargain price of $1.25 an acre… Michigan employed an emigrant agent… selling land helped the government pay debts and accumulate tax-payers…

 Transportation, was an important factor, both in getting people to available land in Michigan and once settled, the ability to sell (transport) their products (grain, etc.)

 Excerpt from “Pioneer Families and History of Lapeer County, Michigan”; It was a widespread operation… transportation companies like boat lines and railroads… the principle “routes from New York, the Eastern States and Canada, to Michigan, including railroad, canal, stage and steamboat routes…

[4] Excerpts from Mark Braidwood’s diary (similarities to John Gray’s immigration). Arrival from Scotland: early 1840’s; Mark and two brothers traveled together… Settled in Michigan. 1st Cenus, 1950. Includes letters written to his wife on this ship and letter after arrival and settlement in Michigan; these two letters praise the land, the ability to purchase land at a very low price per acre: “tell him I have a farm for him with a house on it… 160 acres for $100 near to where I am.”

 “We have 400 acres of land, 100 cleared and 50 acres of wheat.”

 “We are in a settlement of about 200 Scotchman, all within a few miles of us.”

[5] Letters and Family Memories -Gray Family Letters. In the words of the people who “did it” their reasons and the results of their immigration and the letters provide a much needed historical and human link from the old country to the new country. Letters from Scotland tell us what’s going on in the homeland during this timeline: reform, the law of the land; weavers repairing the roads for want of employment; Cholera kept us talking for several months… Political news is included… Questions (from a relative in Scotland) provide a glimpse into the minds of those considering immigration to America: cost of luggage; travel to (destination) from NY; distance; close by village or city; potential profits for sale of products; clearing land; near river, railway, or road; healthy (environment); best landing place… question: have you seen or heard from W Wylie or any of his brothers? Personal Note: relation of Matilda Wiley (from Canada) who married Edgar C. Merkley?

In his reponse (from Michigan): he ‘paints a pretty picture’ that would encourage family and friends to join him in America, including: grains looking extremely well; intention to plant corn, beans, potatoes, cucumbers, melons and a great variety of other seeds too numerous to mention… “they need no dung here, only put them in the ground an hoe them a little and they grow better than ever I saw them in Scotland.” “We made 200 lbs of sugar from our own trees with but little trouble.: “There is a good market for all kinds of produce” “We clear all the brush off… far easier than we could lime the land in Scotland.”

 We are 40 miles from New York by water. A railroad to be made from Romeo (Michigan)... 20 miles from Mount Clemens, 5 from Romeo… There is 20 families within a mile and a half of us.

 We own 720 acres which we purchased from the US Government at 1.25 an acre.

 Our luggage was a great deal of trouble to us from New York and considerable expense. (you may want to bring clothing &/or cloth): Clothes are generally about 50% dearer here than with your broadcloth particularly.

Children of John and Bathia (Davidson) Gray

Note: Prior to his marriage to Bathia (Davidson) John Gray had a son, William Gray (2/1/1834), with Barbara Troup. See, [3ms] Media: Mother of William Gray Marriage, 2/17/1835: Bathia Davidson Children: William 1832-1913 m: Hannah 1842-1926 (see, [3ms] Media: Mother of William, Barbara Troup) Grace 1836-1911 m: David Kerr John Jr 1838-1930 m: Martha Jane Ross Alexander 1840-1866 *died young, age 26, Civil War wounds Andrew 1842-1921 m: Dorlesca L Abbey George R 1845-1923 m: Anne Reed Wait Bathia aka Bertha 1847-1871 m: George Marshall Jane Gray 1850-1851 after (1850 is last census she’s listed in; in the John Gray Family Portrait, 1851 she appears to be around a year old) in the  “Epistle” written by Robert Lyn Gray before he died in 1971 (before the Internet and genealogical web sites like Ancestry.com.) he states John and Bathia had 5 children: Grace 1835-1911 (1836) *John and Bathia were married in 1835 in Scotland; Grace is born in Michigan John Jr 1838 Alexander 1840-1866 Andrew 1842-1921 George 1845-1923 Note: actually, they had eight children (John's obituary states he had 10 but I find no records of an additional two children). The information Dad used (in his memories) doesn’t include: William (Born in Scotland, different mother), moved to Kansas in 1856 to work at Fort Leavenworth. Buried at Fairview Cemetery, Potter, Kansas Bathia (Jr) died young, 1871, (age 24). Find A Grave: buried at Claremont Street Cemetery. Jane died young (uncertain, she is in the 1850 Census [Jame, age 0] but doesn’t show up again); is most likely buried in Michigan.

xxx