The John Gray Story, Scotland to America. Written and complied by Jody Gray for her family.
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| “New” Aberdeen ca 1790, engraving by J. Kip |
Our family lineage: Alexander Sr and Jane (Fletcher) Gray; John Sr and Bathia (Davidson) Gray; George R and Anne Reed (Wait) Gray; George Alvey and Clare Maud (Lynch) Gray; Robert Lyn and Lucile Marie (Piper) Gray…
Main Characters (our ‘blood-line’ ancestors are in red ink): Alexander Gray and Jane aka Jean Fletcher, their son,John Grayand his wife, Bathia Davidson, and John’s son, William Gray, all born in Scotland. All of them, with the exception of Alexander Gray Sr, immigrate to America.
Alexander Gray Sr, our 4th Great-Grandfather
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| Maddox Christening Map 1800s Scotland Aberdeenshire later became Aberdeen |
Death: after 1822, probably Forgue, Scotland
Jane Fletcher, our 4th Great-Grandmother
Birth: about 1780, Scotland
Death: after 1850, Michigan, U.S
Married: 9/8/1810, Forgue, Aberdeen, Scotland.
Alexander Gray Sr, age 35 and Jean (Jane) Fletcher, age 30
Children [father, Alexander Gray Sr; mother, Jane or Jean Fletcher]
all Born/Christened in Forgue, Aberdeen, Scotland
James, 9/19/1807
Alexander Jr, 8/21/1811
John Sr, 1/21/1813, our 3rd Great Grandfather
William, 10/6/1814
George, 10/4/1816
Jean, 6/3/1819
Barbara, 2/15/1822
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| John lawful son of Alexander Gray and Jane Fletcher of Placemill was born 21st and baptized 22nd of January (1813). Witnesses George Ogg in Frendraught and Theodore Cruickshank in Placemill. |
It appears that the only child of Alexander Sr and Jane Gray to immigrate to America was John Gray Sr, our 3rd great grandfather. At this time, I don’t have or use information about his siblings.
Source: all ‘vital’ (Birth and Marriage) information for Alexander Gray Sr and Jane aka Jean Fletcher and son, John Gray Sr is from FamilySearch, Scotland, Database. Each is linked through the FHL microfilm993,183. I’m satisfied with the FamilySearch records because of the links to Scotland that show up on U.S/Michigan records.
John and Bathia Marriage Record: Extract of an entry in a register kept at the General Register Office, Edinburgh under the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965. February 1, 1835. John Gray, Farm Servant, parish of Forgue, and Bathia Davidson Spinster, Broadford in this parish, signified their purpose of marriage, by Mr. John Riddel, Elder, and being thrice proclaimed, they were married on the 17th day of February, 1835 years, by the Robert Smith, Minister. Proclamations and Marriages, for the Parish of Old Machar.  |
| John Gray... Bathia Daivdson in Parish of Old Mahar... proclaimed and married 17th of February (1834) |
The first record I have of John Gray Sr becoming a father is the record of a son, William Gray, being born 2/1/1834 to John Gray Sr and Barbara Troup. She may have died in childbirth or shortly after, I find no other records of her.
John Sr made his first trip to America, arriving 6/10/1834, most likely to secure land in Michigan before moving his family there. The name, William Davidson, age 24, follows his name on the passenger list, possibly the brother of Bathia Davidson the woman John Sr married, 2/17/1835, after he returned to Scotland.
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| William son of John Gray and Barbara Troup in Placemill... born 1st and baptized 3rd February (1834). Witnesses George Gray and George Ingles |
John Sr made his first trip to America, arriving 6/10/1834, most likely to secure land in Michigan before moving his family there. The name, William Davidson, age 24, follows his name on the passenger list, possibly the brother of Bathia Davidson the woman John Sr married, 2/17/1835, after he returned to Scotland.
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| Map of Michigan 1830, Wayne Co is in the bottom, right corner |
The first child of the union of John Sr and Bathia (Davidson) Gray is, Grace Gray, born 11/24/1836 in Wayne, Michigan.
The 1840 U.S/Michigan Census lists only Head-of-House, John Gray Sr, and the number of household members by gender and age. Using the 1850 Census, I determine John Sr brought from Scotland his mother, Jane (Fletcher) Gray, son, William, wife Bathia and their family has grown to include: Grace 1836, John Jr. 1838 and Alexander 1840 (total household members, 7).
The 1850 U.S/Michigan Census contains the complete family of John Gray Sr in America: (note, their age is based on the date the Census was taken) [born in Scotland] his mother, Jane 70; John 36; Bathia 39; William 16; [born in Michigan] Grace 14, John Jr. 12, Alexander 10, Andrew 8, George 5, Bathia Jr 3, Jane 0. John’s farm value, $800. Equipment $70.
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| Judging by the baby on Bathia's lap, it appears this family portrait was taken around 1851 |
In 1865, when Bathia Davidson-Gray died, two of their children were still living at home and considered minors by the state of Michigan: George 20, and Bathia Jr. 18. Their son, John Jr. filed a probate petition, John Sr. was named guardian in charge of selling the estate of Bathia estimated value, $400.
The 1860 U.S/Michigan Census: John Sr 47, Bathia 48, Andrew 17, George 15, Bertha (Bathia Jr) 13. RE Value $4,000. Personal Estate $600.
William (age 26), moved to Kansas in 1857 to work for the government at Fort Leavingworth.
Grace (age 21), married David William Kerr, 11/25/1857; the newlyweds set out for Dodge County, MN.
John Jr (age 22), is listed as a Farm Laborer, on the Whitsey farm, Dearborn, Michigan.
Alexander (age 20), is listed as a Farm Laborer, on the Rudiman farm, Dearborn, Michigan.
Death of Bathia (Davidson) 1865, According to the Chronicle of Claremont, MN: in the spring or fall of 1866, John Gray Sr came from Michigan and took the homestead southeast of town (Ripley Twp, Dodge County), where his family has lived since. (John Sr is 53 years old)
John Jr. married Martha Jane Ross in 1867. They settle in Buckingham, Tama Co., Iowa. The 1870 U.S/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 but I have not been able to locate any military records for Alexander.
Andrew moved to Northwood, Worth Co., Iowa and opens a Blacksmith Shop. The Northwood Semi-Centennial states he had his shop there for 39 years.
George joined his father, John Sr, on the homestead that will become Riverview Farm (Ripley Twp, Dodge County). He will marry and raise him family there.
Bathia Jr. married 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. Geoge Jr is listed later Census as living with his uncle, George R Gray and John Gray Sr's obituary states his grandson, George Marshal, was working at the Mill in Claremont.
Jane, youngest daughter of John and Bathia, is listed with the family as a baby (Jame, age 0) in the 1850 U.S/Michigan Census. She is not listed in the 1860 Census and she’s not listed as a dependent with siblings, George and Bathia Jr., after the death of their mother in 1865. I haven’t been able to find a burial record for either Jane (Fletcher) Gray (mother of John Sr) or Jane Gray (daughter of John Sr).
Why did they leave their homeland in Aberdeen,Scotland and settle in Dearborn, Michigan?
According to familysearch.org/learn [1]: Scottish emigration increased in the mid-18th century due to political unrest and after 1815 as a way to deal with poor relief. Another web site [2] states that immigration began to increase during the 1820’s in response to the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the western expansion of the United States, and the growth of the American economy.
Google Search results for the History of Aberdeen, Scotland didn’t provide much useful genealogical information.
Google Search results for Michigan Immigration lead me to the information I was looking for both historical and personal (diaries and letters). I found the web site, [3] wayfinding.net most helpful.
[3] Scottish Settlement- Michigan. “Early migration out of Detroit places the first Scottish arrivals in Wayne and Macomb counties.”
Factors influencing new settlement in Michigan, particularly focused on Wayne County: In the late 1830’s and early 1840’s, ‘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.)
From "Pioneer Families and History of Lapeer County, Michigan"; published in 1978. "How did our ancestors come from the east? It was a widespread operation, carried on to great extent by the state, transportation companies like boat lines and railroads, and even by religious sects. An 1838 Michigan gazetteer shows the principle "routes from New York, the Eastern States and Canada, to Michigan, including railroad, canal, stage and steamboat routes- distances- expenses, etc." The Erie canal and lakes then were the principle channels of migration to Michigan, although in favorable seasons land travel was used through Ontario, and on the south shore of Lake Erie...There was a stage route from New York to Buffalo, 385 miles. ...travel from New York to Albany was by steamboats, from Albany to Utica by railroad… from Utica to Buffalo by stage or canal boats (via Lockport). About 3,000 boats operated on the Erie Canal. From Buffalo there were 20 steamships and numerous sailboats also left for Detroit.
[4] Excerpts from Mark Braidwood’s diary. This is a GREAT FIND !! Since I have found no information relating to Alexander Sr or John Gray Sr in Scotland this information gives me historical background and human factors.
There are similarities to the Gray family: both families came from Scotland (though from opposite coastlines - Ayrshire: West, Southern -lower section of Scotland versus Aberdeenshire, East coast, upper section of Scotland ). Timeline: Braidwood, arrival about 1842, 1st Michigan Census, 1850 (wife and child arrived later). John Gray Sr, about 1834, 1st Michigan Census, 1840 (wife and child arrived later).
Mark Braidwood, wrote his memoirs and a set of letters
1842: Mark and two brothers traveled together, Mark’s wife and children came later (1843 -she was pregnant and gave birth while he was on the ship). Family emigrated from Scotland (Ayrshire County). Arrival: early 1840s. Settled in Michigan. 1st Census, 1850.
** letters written to his wife, Mary, who stayed in Scotland with their young children.
8/7/1842: written on the ship… later, letters written 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 Scotchmen, all within a few miles of us.”
Another section of the wayfinding.net web site, contains letters from the Gray family (this Gray family is not related to John Gray)
[5] http://www.wayfinding.net/Scotchlettergray.htm
Scotch Settlement Letters and Family Memories - Gray Family Letters
The “Gray Family History of Romeo, Michigan”; a family genealogy profile (book) by Anita Gray Fresler, 1987. The book is in the Mount Clemen’s, (Michigan) Public Library, Genealogy Section.)
This is great stuff !!In the words of the people who “did it” comes 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. The family letters from Scotland tell us what’s going on in the homeland during this timeline.
“ Perhaps you have heard reform has now become the law of the land. Trade is very flat- the weavers are again repairing the roads for want of employment. Oatmeal is selling for 10/-? per pack. Cholera kept us talking for several months. It has now nearly disappeared…
... (Politics) Professor Sandford has offered his services to the city of Glasgow as a member of parliament. The canvas is keen. Sandford has I understand, no chance to succeed. Oswald will now represent the county of Ayr tho' strongly opposed by Blair. The Earl of Eglinton has now taken his residence at Eglinton and strongly solicits the votes of his tenants for Blair. Mr. Kennedy is likely to carry our District of Burghs without opposition.”
The following questions from a relative living in Scotland provide a glimpse into the minds of those considering immigration to America.
I beg leave to ask a few questions which I hope you will answer candidly in your next.
Questions
1. Was your luggage much trouble or expense to you?
2. Did it cost you much money to travel from New York to Rochester to your place?
3. What is the distance?
4. Under what circumstances did our aunt die? Was her corpse disposed of with my ?
5. Is there any village or city near your place?
6. Can you dispose of your products at an advantageous price?
7. When you speak of a man clearing 2 acres of land in a day what do you mean a man can do to 2 ? acres in a day?
8. What kind of goods or clothes can be carried to America with advantage? Do they examine strictly for the duty?
9. Since you have already 300 Scotch ? would 2000 more be of any use to you?
10. How much did Neil pay for his farm?
11. Is your land covered with trees?
12. Has it ever been laboured?
13. How far are you distant from say to neighboring houses?
14. What kind of grain do you intend to cultivate?
15. Is the Michigan Territory in the State of New York?
16. Is your land near any river, railway, or road?
17. Is it a healthy place? Where is F. Miller?
18. Have you seen or heard from W Wylie or any of his brothers?
19. Is J. Reside living with you or is he otherwise engaged?
20. Is New York the best landing place for Michigan?
November 1832
From: Neil Gray, Sr. [Michigan to Scotland]
Dear Son…
Personal Note: I rearranged the order of his letter to place similar subjects together… he definitely ‘paints a pretty picture’ that would encourage family and friends from the homeland to join him in America… while answering his questions
We have forty acres of wheat looking extremely well. We have saved some oats and intend to sow about 20 acres more. We intend to plant considerable corn, beans, potatoes, cucumbers, melons of various kinds and a great variety of other seeds too numerous to mention.
Our oats last season was a fine crop, the potatoes good, they need no dung here, only put them in the ground and hoe them a little and they will grow better than ever I saw them in Scotland.
We made 200 lbs of sugar this spring from our own (maple) trees with but little trouble.
There is good market for all kinds of produce, wheat 75 cents per bushel, oats 30 cts. corn 50 cts. beans 1 dollar, potatoes 25 cts. cheese 7 cts. per pound of 16 ounces, butter 12 cts.
It would surprise you to see how we get along with the clearing of our land. We have two thirds of it with light brush which we cut with a small hook like a hedge knife. The rest is timbered. We have far better land than Lockridge is. We clear all the brush off from it far easier than we could lime (?) the land in Scotland.
We are 900 miles nearly west of New York, except 400 miles all by water.
A railroad is to be made from Romeo to Mt. Clemens where there is navigable waters to the Locks and from thence to New York.
We are 20 miles from Mount Clemens, five 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 one dollar and 25 cents and acre. There is plenty of government (land) within a few miles mostly very good. People are crowding in almost every day so that there will not be an acre of Government land within a great many miles in a short time. Lots of land cost a hundred dollars last year can be sold for two hundred this year.
About travel:
Our luggage was a great trouble to us from New York and considerable expense.
They did not examine us very particularly for duty.
(you may want to bring clothing &/or cloth): Clothes are generally about 50% dearer here than with your broadcloth particularly.
Sources:
[1] https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Scotland_Emigration_and_Immigration
Scotland Emigration and Immigration, information from famiysearch.org/learn
[2] http://immigrationinamerica.org/486-european-immigrants.html
European Immigrants; Immigration, 1820-1880
[3] http://www.wayfinding.net/scottishsettlement.htm
Scottish Settlement- Michigan
[4] Braidwood Family, with excerpts from Mark Braidwood’s diary
http://www.wayfinding.net/SS%20Braidwood.html
Braidwood Family
[5] http://www.wayfinding.net/Scotchlettergray.htm
Scotch Settlement Letters and Family Memories - Gray Family Letters
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