Caledonia

GRAY, John

Vermont Historical Magazine, No. XI, October 1867, p 381
(extracted from a section on the history of Ryegate, Caledonia County)

John GRAY was born in Ederslie, near Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, in 
1749. At the age of twenty-eight he joined the Scotch-American Company of 
Farmers. He came with others to Ryegate [Caledonia County, Vermont] in May 
1774. On his arrival he had but one shilling in his pocket. He selected a 
lot about half a mile north of the Corner [Ryegate Corner], on which he 
erected a log cabin, and commenced to clear the land, but spent the 
subsequent winter in Newbury [Orange County, Vermont], in laboring for the 
necessities of life. In 1777 [13 June 1777 in Ryegate, Caledonia County, 
Vermont?] he [John GRAY] was married to [Miss?] Jean McFARLAND, by whom he 
had seven children, five of whom died in 1796 and 1797 [1797 and 1798?], 
leaving the eldest daughter and one next the youngest, a son [William]. 
During the war he was occasionally molested by the Tories and Indians passing 
through this part of the country. He was, from the commencement of its 
settlement, devoted to the interests of the town. Being a man of energy and 
decision of character, and withal generous and public spirited, he gained the 
confidence and esteem of all; occupied a prominent position in the community; 
several times represented the town; was first captain of the militia; and 
held various town offices. He [John GRAY] was an efficient elder in the 
Associate Church, and a zealous advocate for the divine right of the 
Presbyterian form of church government. He was a peace maker. One who knew 
him well said, "He was the noblest work of God, an honest man." He [John 
GRAY] died in November 1816, leaving a widow, a daughter and son, the 
daughter since deceased. The son, William GRAY, Esq., occupies the 
homestead, and is the father of eleven and grandfather of forty children, all 
alive. [Submitter did not seek or view death records, and therefore states 
it is only likely that the following are among the five children of John GRAY 
who died around 1797: John GRAY, 30 June 1797; Hannah Gray, 09 July 1798; 
Robert Gray, 20 August 1798; and James GRAY, 02 September 1798.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly