Re: Christopher Spray--1672 PA
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In reply to:
Christopher Spray--1672 PA
9/11/00
The Hinshaw Quaker Records are very useful to Spray researchers.I descend from James Spray and his wife Naomi Hollingsworth Spray who lived in South Carolina.Approximately 1804 this family, along with other Quaker families moved from South Carolina and settled in Warren County, Ohio.It is believed Naomi Hollingsworth Spray died in Warren County, Ohio sometime after the birth of her last child, James who was born 1807.Her husband James remarries to Bridget Fox on 27 March 1825 in Warren County, OH.
When James Spray died in the winter of 1834, he leaves his widow Bridget and one son Barnet plus those children by his first wife Naomi.His will was proven in court in Randolph County, Indiana on 26 January 1835.
Many researchers use the death date for James as 12 February 1836, but I have lost that battle with the National Society of Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century (NSCDXVIIC).The date of 12 February 1836 is taken from a petition filed in Warren County, Ohio by the executors of James Spray's will.Those executors were John Lacy (his son-in-law) and William Lacy (his friend).In their petition they are telling about a payment for some land that was owed to the James Spray estate and it was paid on 12 February 1836.The way it is written it looks as though they mean that James Spray died on that date.
However, James Spray's will was proven on 26 January 1835 and a will isn't proven until the testator dies.Finally, while reading a petition filed for the executors by a lawyer, George Smith the approximate date of James Spray's death was listed as "the winter of 1834."That is a more likely death date than any of the other.
The children I have listed for James and Naomi Hollingsworth Spray are:Benjamin Spray (married the daughter of George McKinsey, Sarah McKinsey); Rebecca Spray (married the son of George McKinsey, Samuel McKinsey--they are my great-great-great-great-grandparents); Elizabeth Spray (John Lacey); William Spray (Martha Cox), Mary Spray (Jordon Whitson); James Spray (1. Jane Huey, 2. Nancy Lucas and 3. Harriet Givens); Thomas Spray (Elizabeth Cassel) and Elias Hollingsworth Spray (Mary A. "Polly" Harris).
The Spray children were disowned by the Quaker Church when they married contray to discipline (mcd).
Barnet Spray married Keziah Graham and I believe he died in the Civil War.
James Spray's parents were James Spray, Sr. and his wife Sarah Sanders.Naomi Hollingsworth's parents were Elias Hollingsworth and his wife Susannah Pearce (Pierce) Hollingsworth.
I'm searching for a marriage record for James Spray and Naomi Hollingsworth, but many of the Bush River Meeting Records are lost.I have a marriage consent signed by James and his wife Naomi Spray in 1805 for their daughter so I know James had a wife named Naomi.They also named a son Elias Hollingsworth Spray with indicates a connection to the Hollingsworth family.