First Generation
First Generation1. Dallas Alvin /GRAY/-[2], son of James William /GRAY/ -[19] and Martha Jane /FITZGERALD/ -[18], was born on Oct 5, 1904 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, died on Oct 4, 1977 in Salem, Marion County, Oregon, at age 72, and was buried on Oct 7, 1977 in Dallas Cemetery, Dallas, Polk County, Oregon.
General Notes: Having arrived in Nebraska from Illinois with his parents in a covered wagon at a young age, Dallas Gray's first home in his newly adopted state was a log cabin located on the Spade Ranch near Ellsworth, Nebraska.
Living on the Spade Ranch, some distance from town, his formal education did not exceed the eighth grade.
At the age of 14, he began working as a cowpoke on the ranch. He would work hard all week branding cows and breaking brocks so he could go into town on Friday and Saturday nights to play his self taught music at the local dance halls.
It was at these dances where he met his true love, Esther Ruth Miller. He married Esther Ruth Miller on May 23, 1932. The newly weds settled in Whitman to begin their family.
While living in Whitman, he operated his own gas station/automobile repair garage and tended to the coal bins for the local railroad that ran through town.
When the railroad company replaced the coal burning locomotives with diesel engines, work for the railroad became scarce. In 1951, after hearing about work in the timber industry in Oregon, he decided to move his family to Oregon settling in the small town of Falls City. He immediately began working in a plywood mill in the timber town of Valsetz and remained there until his retirement in 1966.
Dad's music never stopped when he moved to Oregon. My early childhood memories include listening to him play.
On Saturday nights, our house was filled with music played by Dad and anyone else he could get to play with him.
He never took a music lesson in his life, yet he could play any instrument he picked up. Music was a natural talent Dad had that all us kids wished would have been passed on to us.
Dad was a hard worker and good provider for his family. Because there were so many of us, he spent a great deal of time working in the plywood mill just to make ends meet.
He put in so much time at work, us kids did not see him much and when we did, he was working on projects around the house.
Dad's hard work ethics were deeply instilled into each one of us. As a result, our lives have been molded into the hard working, strong individuals that we are today.
The first house we lived in after arriving in Oregon was a log cabin, which was nestled in large fir trees on a gravel road between Falls City and Valsetz.
I don't remember just how long we lived there, but I do remember when Dad started building a new house on property just over the hill from the log cabin.
I can remember walking across the floor joists of the new house while Dad worked on laying down the floor.
Our new house at first did not have running water or an inside toilet, so Dad dug a well by hand at the base of "The Old Fern Hill" and ran a water pipe to the house so we could have inside running water.
Our first outhouse was located back behind the house. It wasn't bad to use except at night. Everyone was scared to use it at night because we thought there were wild animals out there.
Our first outhouse was also the target on at least two different occasions by neighbor boys who thought it was hilarious to tip it over in the middle of the night. Shortly after, Dad built a garage and added an outhouse so no one could tip it over and we didn't need to go out back to use the outhouse.
It wasn't long after that Dad built an inside bathroom. At that point it seemed we had all the comforts of home, but we still had to heat our water on the wood-burning stove in the kitchen to take baths.
Life was good for the short time we lived there.
It seemed like Dad was never content setting back and enjoying the projects he had completed. It was not long until he got the bug to move off the hill and into town were the projects started all over again.
Noted events in his life were:
Dallas married Esther Ruth /MILLER/ -[3] [MRIN:3], daughter of Festus Otto /MILLER/ -[16] and Blanche A /McCORMICK/ -[17], on May 23, 1932 in Hyannis, Grant County, Nebraska. Esther was born on Aug 26, 1912 in Whitman, Grant County, Nebraska, died on May 6, 1999 in Dallas, Polk County, Oregon, at age 86, and was buried on May 8, 1999 in Dallas Cemetery, Dallas, Polk County, Oregon.
Marriage Notes: Certificate of Marriage:
To the county Judge of Grant County Nebraska:
This certifies, that on the 23rd day of May A.D. 1932 at Hyannis Nebraska, in said county, according to law and by authority, I duly joined in marriage, Mr. Dallas A. Gray and Miss Esther Ruth Miller and there were present as witnesses: Mrs. J. W. Class of Grant County, Nebraska and Mr. John F. Miller of Grant County, Nebraska.
Given under my hand the 23rd day of May A.D. 1932. John Glass, County Judge.
Noted events in her life were:
Children from this marriage were:
i. Donald Lawrence /GRAY/ -[9] was born on Aug 25, 1934 in (At Home) Whitman, Grant County, Nebraska.
ii. Francis Annette (Gross) /GRAY/ -[10] was born on Mar 13, 1938 in (At Home) Whitman, Grant County, Nebraska.
iii. James Otto /GRAY/ -[11] was born on May 14, 1940 in (At Home) Whitman, Grant County, Nebraska.
iv. Bonnie Ann (Gladden) /GRAY/ -[12] was born on Oct 19, 1943 in (At Home) Whitman, Grant County, Nebraska.
v. Allen Lee /GRAY/ -[13] was born on Dec 1, 1945 in (At Home) Whitman, Grant County, Nebraska and was baptized in 1987 in Dallas, Polk County, Oregon.
vi. Leroy Dean /GRAY/ -[1] was born on Jan 22, 1950 in Grandmother Miller's Home, Hyannis, Grant County, Nebraska and was baptized on Nov 15, 1951 in The Free Methodist Church, Falls City, Polk County, Oregon.
vii. Louis Dale /GRAY/ -[14] was born on Oct 24, 1951 in The Bartel Hospital, Dallas, Polk County, Oregon.
viii. Gary Alvin /GRAY/ -[15] was born on Oct 26, 1956 in Dallas, Polk County, Oregon, died on Dec 7, 1957 in Salem, Marion County, Oregon, at age 1, and was buried on Dec 11, 1957 in Dallas Cemetery, Dallas, Polk County, Oregon.
Second Generation 
2. James William /GRAY/-[19], son of James Orr /GRAY/ -[7] and Sarah Catherine /FREEMAN/ -[6], was born on Jun 25, 1880 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, died on Jul 14, 1953 in Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska, at age 73, and was buried on Jul 18, 1953 in Alliance (Greenwood) Cemetery, Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska. Another name for James was "Bit" //.
General Notes: Sometime between 1906 and 1908, James William Gray moved his family in a covered wagon from Canton Illinois to Nebraska settling along the banks of the Red Willow river in Hayes County. In 1912 the family packed the covered wagon one more time and traveled to Sheridan County. Part of the team of horses that was used to pull the wagon were two mares each with colts. One of the mares was struck by lighting while at a night camp so the other mare raised both colts.
Along the trip, horse flies were eating at their mare and new colts so his wife, Martha Jane (Fitzgerald) Gray took off her apron and tied it around one of the colt's neck to keep the flies off. When she did that, it spooked the colt and it took of running. "JW" had to stop his team and wagon and go chase down the colt. After that incident, they nicknamed the colt Bouncer.
Once they arrived in Sheridan County, JW was hired as a "cowpoke" on the Spade Ranch near Ellsworth in the heart of the Nebraska "Sand Hills". Their first house was a log cabin situated on the Spade Ranch.
Some time around 1918, "JW" moved his family off the Spade Ranch and purchased his own homestead nine miles northeast of Bingham, Nebraska. At the time, the only income the family was receiving was from the sale of milk and cream from the family cows he raised.
In 1931, "JW" began working for the railroad so he purchased some property south of Alliance, Nebraska and once more, moved his family.
James married Martha Jane /FITZGERALD/ -[18] [MRIN:5] on Oct 13, 1903 in Lewistown, Fulton County, Illinois.
Children from this marriage were:
ii. Ida Katherine (Burton) /GRAY/ -[108] was born on Nov 11, 1906 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, died on Sep 28, 1996 in Highland Park Care Center, Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska, at age 89, and was buried on Oct 3, 1996 in Bingham Cemetery, Bingham, Sheridan County, Nebraska.
iii. James William /GRAY/ -[107] was born on Dec 13, 1908 in Maywood, Nebraska, died on Mar 27, 1996 in Gordon, Sheridan County, Nebraska, at age 87, and was buried on Mar 30, 1996 in Merriman Cemetery, Merriman, Cherry County, Nebraska.
iv. Opal Bessie (Piester-Monroe) /GRAY/ -[111] was born on Jan 11, 1911 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, died on Oct 8, 1995 in Gordon, Sheridan County, Nebraska, at age 84, and was buried in Oct 1995 in Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska.
v. Harvey Harley /GRAY/ -[110] was born on Jan 23, 1913 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, died on Feb 10, 1979 in Englewood, Douglas County, Colorado, at age 66, and was buried on Feb 14, 1979 in Greenwood Cemetery, Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska.
vi. Kenneth Ellis /GRAY/ -[570] was born on Jun 15, 1915 in Spade Ranch, Ellisworth, Nebraska, died on Jun 24, 1915 in Spade Ranch, Ellisworth, Nebraska, and was buried in 1915 in The Spade Cemetery, Wolford Valley, South Of The Spade Ranch, Ellsworth, Nebraska.
vii. Clifford E /GRAY/ -[109] was born on Apr 15, 1916 in Spade Ranch, Ellisworth, Nebraska, died on Jan 7, 1998 in Long Beach, California, at age 81, and was buried in 1998 in Apple Valley, California.
viii. Velma Edith (Post) /GRAY/ -[112] was born on Nov 22, 1919 on the Gray Homestead, 10 Miles North Of Bingham, Sheridan County, Nebraska.
ix. Zelma Coetta (Shetler) /GRAY/ -[113] was born on Feb 4, 1922 in Bingham, Sheridan County, Nebraska, died on Oct 6, 1962 in Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska, at age 40, and was buried in 1962 in Greenwood Cemetery, Aliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska.
3. Martha Jane /FITZGERALD/-[18], daughter of William Collins /FITZGERALD/ -[20] and Ida Luvilla /ELKINS/ -[21], was born on Dec 3, 1887 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, died on Jul 19, 1977 in Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska, at age 89, and was buried on Jul 21, 1977 in Alliance (Greenwood) Cemetery, Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska.
General Notes: After moving with her husband and family to the Sand Hills of Western Nebraska, Martha Jane became the cook on the Spade Ranch near Ellsworth, Nebraska.
Family accounts of Martha Jane indicated she was a strong and compassionate woman, often being called upon by community members to handle difficult matters such as accidents or deaths of family members.
Martha married James William /GRAY/ -[19] [MRIN:5] on Oct 13, 1903 in Lewistown, Fulton County, Illinois.
Third Generation 4. James Orr /GRAY/-[7], son of William /GRAY/ -[8] and Margaret Ann (Mathews) /DEBOW/ -[5], was born on Feb 18, 1852 in Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois, died on Jun 27, 1925 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, at age 73, and was buried on Jun 30, 1925 in Greenwood Cemetery, Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.
General Notes: At the time of his death, James Orr Gray resided at 551 South 5th, Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.
Research Notes: Death Certificate # 2290094
Fulton County, Illinois
Date Filed: 06-30-1925
James married Sarah Catherine /FREEMAN/ -[6] [MRIN:8] on Nov 4, 1874 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.
Marriage Notes: Illinois Statewide Marriage Index 1763 - 1900
Children from this marriage were:
ii. Nora /GRAY/ -[628] was born in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.
iii. John /GRAY/ -[629] was born about 1876 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.
iv. Earl /GRAY/ -[630] was born in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.
v. Ellonor /GRAY/ -[631] was born about 1879 in Illinois.
vi. Unknown (Female) /GRAY/ -[632].
5. Sarah Catherine /FREEMAN/-[6], daughter of William /FREEMAN/ -[802] and Catherine /GAGE/ -[803], was born on Jul 11, 1843 in Illinois.
Sarah married James Orr /GRAY/ -[7] [MRIN:8] on Nov 4, 1874 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.
6. William Collins /FITZGERALD/-[20], son of William C /FITZGERALD/ -[22] and Sarah Jane /COLLINS/ -[23], was born on Mar 26, 1863 in Fulton County Illinois, died on Feb 27, 1941 in Ainsworth, Brown County, Nebraska, at age 77, and was buried in Ainsworth Cemetery, Ainsworth, Brown County, Nebraska. The cause of his death was paralylic stroke two weeks prior to death.
General Notes: William Collins Fitzgerald brought his family to Nebraska in 1905. In 1912 they located in Sheridan County and in 1920 they came to Brown County, which was his home until his death.
He left behind his wife, seven children, thirty-nine grandchildren and twenty-six great grandchildren.
He was also survived by his brothers Elmer Fitzgerald of Hayes Center, Nebraska, Fred Fitzgerald of Gresham, Oregon and sisters Lottie, (Charlotte) Fitzgerald Wilson and Nellie Fitzgerald Morris both of Canton Illinois.
William married Ida Luvilla /ELKINS/ -[21] [MRIN:10] on Nov 23, 1886 in Lewistown Township, Fulton, Illinois.
Children from this marriage were:
ii. Laura Belle /FITZGERALD/ -[130] was born on Jan 26, 1890 in Illinois and died on Sep 17, 1965, at age 75.
iii. Clara /FITZGERALD/ -[131] was born on Aug 22, 1895 and died on Aug 15, 1965 in Silverton, Marion County, Oregon, at age 69.
iv. Claude Earl /FITZGERALD/ -[132] was born on Jun 5, 1898, died on Jul 2, 1974 in Dallas, Polk County, Oregon, at age 76, and was buried in Jul 1974 in Dallas Cemetery, Dallas, Oregon.
v. Verne /FITZGERALD/ Sr -[133] was born on Jul 25, 1903 in Canton, Fulton, Illinois, died on Nov 13, 1983 in Lakeside, Sheridan, Nebraska, at age 80, and was buried on Nov 16, 1983 in Bingham Cemetery, Bingham, Nebraska.
vi. Fern V /FITZGERALD/ -[134] was born on Jul 25, 1903 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, died on Jun 20, 1980 in Ainsworth, Brown County, Nebraska, at age 76, and was buried in 1980 in Ainsworth Cemetery, Ainsworth, Brown County, Nebraska.
vii. Elza /FITZGERALD/ -[135] was born in May 1906 and died on Jul 14, 1909 in Township Of Concord, Villiage Of Marongo, Hayes County, Nebraska, at age 3.
viii. Leonard Collins /FITZGERALD/ -[136] was born on May 16, 1911 in Lincoln, Lincoln County, Nebraska and died on Sep 13, 1952 in Valsetz, Polk County, Oregon, at age 41.
7. Ida Luvilla /ELKINS/-[21], daughter of George W /ELKINS/ -[91] and Martha J /MILLS/ -[92], was born on Dec 5, 1869 in Brown County, Indiana, died on Apr 14, 1956 in Ainsworth, Brown County, Nebraska, at age 86, and was buried on Apr 17, 1956 in Ainsworth Cemetery, Ainsworth, Brown County, Nebraska.
General Notes: At the age of eight years old, Ida Luvilla Elkins moved with her family from Brown County Indiana to Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.
On November 23, 1886, she married William Fitzgerald in Lewistown, Fulton County, Illinois. There were eight children born to this marriage.
In 1905, William and Ida moved to Hayes County then to Willow County Nebraska. They remained there until 1912 at which time they moved to Sheridan County, Nebraska to homestead. In 1920 they moved to a farm in Brown County, Nebraska and remained there until Williams death.
After her husbands death, Ida made her home in Ainsworth Nebraska until 1955 after which she resided with her daughter, Fern and Orville Anderson.
Ida married William Collins /FITZGERALD/ -[20] [MRIN:10] on Nov 23, 1886 in Lewistown Township, Fulton, Illinois.
Fourth Generation 8. William /GRAY/-[8], son of John /GRAY/ -[658] and Esther (Beckelhymer) /FRANCE/ -[659], was born on Jun 5, 1828 in Clermont County, Ohio, died on Oct 29, 1913 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, at age 85, and was buried on Oct 29, 1913 in Greenwood Cemetery, Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.
General Notes: The 1850 census report for Fulton County, Illinois has William Gray, age 20 living with his sister and brother in law, James and Susan (Gray) Orr. His occupation is listed as a Blacksmith.
On August 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company "I", 103rd Illinois Infantry in Bernadotte, Illinois for a three year enlistment. His Army records describe him as being 5 foot 11 inches, having a dark complexion, dark eyes and dark hair.
The 103rd Illinois Infantry was organized in Peoria, Illinois and was mustered into service on October 2, 1862. The 103rd consisted of Companies; "A". "B", "C", "D", "E", "F", "G", "H", "I" and "K" all from Fulton County.
It's first movement was to Cairo, Illinois, thence to Bolivar, Tennessee where it was attached to the 1st Brigade, 4th Division, Right Wing 13th Army Corps. In March of 1863, it was attached to the 2nd Brigade, District of Jackson, 16th Army Corps, thence July 1863 to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 16th Army Corps, thence September 1864 to the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 15th Army Corp, thence June 1865 to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corp.
Company "I", 103rd Illinois Infantry was involved in; "The Battle of Vicksburg", "The Chattanooga Campaign, "The Atlanta Campaign", "The Battle of Resaca in Georgia", "The Battle of Kenesaw Mountain near Marietta Georgia" and "The March to the Sea" from Atlanta to Savannah.
William Gray was wounded at Lookout Mountain during the battle of Missionary Ridge which was a part of the Chattanooga Campaign.
He was mustered out of service in Louisville, Kentucky on June 21, 1865.
After the war, William Gray returned to his wife and family and settled in Cuba, Illinois.
In 1881 he moved to Glenwood, Iowa and on October 4, 1883 he divorced his first wife.
On October 19, 1883, at the age of 55, he married Mary Elizabeth Coleman. Upon her death in 1906, he returned to Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois.
At the time of his death, he was residing with his son, James Orr Gray at 815 South 4th Ave, Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.
Last Will and Testament of William Gray:
State of Illinois, County of Fulton
I William Gray of the city of Canton, County and State afore said, realizing the uncertainty of life, and desiring to arrange my business matters while I live, do hereby make and declare this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking any and all wills heretofore by me at any time made.
First: It is my desire that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be paid.
Second: It is my desire that my son, James O Gray, with whom I now reside shall be paid out of my estate if there be so (four hundred dollars as his interest in my estate) much left of my estate provided that if I should desire to change my place of adobe then and in that case my said son, James O Gray shall share equally with the others.
Third: It is my desire that my son Milton F. Gray having recieved advancements from me, from time to time, which I consider will be equal or greater then the share of the other children, it is my will that he recieve no further interest in my estate; and whereas also said Milton Gray is indebted to me as shown by his note of one hundred dollars, now in my possesion, it is my desire that he shell pay this amount with interest to my estate.
Fourth: And whereas at different times I have advanced to my daughter, Sarah I. Hitchens money and property, which will equal her interest in my estate, it is my will and desire that the amounts advanced shall be in full of all her claims and rights in my said estate.
Fifth: All the rest residue and remainder of my estate, of whatever kind or nature, and wherever situated, I will and desire shall be equally divided among my children: Laura R. Coleman, John D. Gray, Marion S. Gray, George H. Gray, Mary A. Barnett and Jesse F, Gray. Share and share alike.
In testimony whereof, I have here onto set my hand and seal this eighteenth day of September, A.D. 1913.
William married Margaret Ann (Mathews) /DEBOW/ -[5] [MRIN:7] on Dec 31, 1850 in Bernadotte Township, Fulton County, Illinois. The marriage ended in divorce on Oct 4, 1883.
Marriage Notes: Marriage recorded in Illinois Statewide Marriage Index under Fulton County.
Located in volume 00B page 0153. Marriage Licence # 00000248
Children from this marriage were:
ii. Laura R. /GRAY/ -[689] was born on Feb 21, 1854 in Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois.
iii. John D. /GRAY/ -[645] was born on Sep 27, 1855 in Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois.
iv. Myron S. /GRAY/ -[646] was born on Feb 7, 1857 in Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois.
v. Milton Frances /GRAY/ -[647] was born on Oct 19, 1858 in Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois.
vi. George Henry /GRAY/ -[690] was born on Sep 7, 1860 in Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois and died on Jan 2, 1921 in Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois, at age 60.
vii. William /GRAY/ -[691] was born on Nov 19, 1862 in Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois.
viii. Mary Ann /GRAY/ -[649] was born on Feb 22, 1864 in Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois.
ix. Jesse F. /GRAY/ -[650] was born on Jun 18, 1867 in Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois.
x. Dorah Irama /GRAY/ -[692] was born on Feb 24, 1872 in Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois.
xi. Sarah I. /GRAY/ -[699] died on Sep 29, 1917 in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.
William next married Mary Elizabeth /COLEMAN/ -[693] [MRIN:196] on Oct 19, 1883 in Glenwood, Iowa.
9. Margaret Ann (Mathews) /DEBOW/-[5], daughter of John /DEBOW/ -[653] and Mary A /UNKNOWN/ -[654], was born about 1832 in New York.
Margaret married William /GRAY/ -[8] [MRIN:7] on Dec 31, 1850 in Bernadotte Township, Fulton County, Illinois. The marriage ended in divorce on Oct 4, 1883.
Margaret next married Anderson /MATHEWS/ -[651] [MRIN:183] on Jan 4, 1849 in Fulton County, Illinois.
Children from this marriage were:
i. Abagail /MATHEWS/ -[652] was born about 1850.
10. William /FREEMAN/-[802] was born about 1797.
William married Catherine /GAGE/ -[803] [MRIN:235].
Children from this marriage were:
5 i. Sarah Catherine /FREEMAN/ -[6] (born on Jul 11, 1843 Illinois)
11. Catherine /GAGE/-[803] was born on Aug 26, 1800 in Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada.
Catherine married William /FREEMAN/ -[802] [MRIN:235].
12. William C /FITZGERALD/-[22], son of Harvey Lee /FITZGERALD/ -[93] and Elsie /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[24], was born on Feb 18, 1837 near St. Joseph, Missouri, died on Dec 29, 1918 in 723 Anderson Place, Canton, Illinois, at age 81, and was buried on Jan 4, 1919.
General Notes: The following is a transcript from the Canton Weekly Register published on Thursday, October 12, 1911.
Perhaps no soldier of the civil war endured more hardships and suffering than did the subject of this sketch, William Fitzgerald of Canton. His suffering was great physically and mentally, as he was for years compelled to rest under a charge of desertion and it was insinuated that his wounds were received in the confederate service.
After waiting patiently for years he has come out from under the charges with a war record untarnished.
William Fitzgerald was born near St. Joseph, Missouri Feb 18th 1837. His parents, Harvey Fitzgerald and Elsie Stufflebeam Fitzgerald were natives of Kentucky.
Mr. Fitzgerald said:
When I was a boy there were Indians in the part of Missouri in which we lived. One day one came to our house and mother offered him a pipe which he refused to smoke. A boy who was staying with us began to mold some bullets and the Indian began to smoke. Whenever an Indian refused to smoke with you it was a sign that he was on the warpath.
In 1845 we came to Liverpool and settled in this township. I went to school in an old log schoolhouse located on what is now the Harvey Wilcoxen farm. The school was heated by a fireplace. The principle business of the teachers was to teach reading, spelling, writing, a little arithmetic and put in a good deal of time whipping the children. I also went to school to the late Marshall Wilcoxen at a school house situated on the Charles Shaw farm now owned by Frank Hummell. Mr. Wilcoxen was a good teacher and kept order without doing much whipping. He governed by kindness.
On March 26th 1857, I was married to Sarah Jane Collins. The ceremony being performed by Squire Kelley.
We are the parents of 10 living children: Charles, an engineer at Hoopeston, Illinois, Mary Anderson of Chariton Iowa, Hija of Hayes Center Nebraska, William and Jesse of Maywood Nebraska, Nellie Morris of Hettinger North Dakota, Fred of Nebraska, Allie of Canton Illinois, J.L., commissioner of highways of Canton Township and Charlottie Wilson also of Canton.
I helped clear a great deal of the land in the Clark and Wilcoxen settlements and I have helped build many a log house. There was plenty of game, such as turkeys, prairie chickens and squirrels. Raccoons were also plentiful.
I followed farming and clearing until August 14, 1852 when I enlisted in Company One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry. Company A was a Lewistown company and was at first commanded by Captain Willison, but after Willison's promotion to Major, W.W. Bishop became Captain.
We were mustered into the U.S. Service at Peoria, October 1862. From there we were ordered to Bolivar, Tennessee. I had left my wife with several small children and I got a letter from some of the neighbors telling me that my family was in a starving condition and I came home without leave to provide for them. But I wrote to Captain Bishop telling him where I was and that I was coming back to the regiment which I did voluntarily and when I joined my regiment I took part in all the battles until I was captured. I was in the battles of Kennesaw mountain, Dalton, Resaca, New Hope church and Atlanta. I never was absent from duty for a single day while I was with the regiment. I had never asked to be excused for any cause until the day of my capture.
At the battle of Dallas Georgia on May 28, 1864 I heard Colonel Dickerman's last order. We had been driven back and Colonel Dickerman stepped out from behind a tree and said; boys shoot low. They are down there by the branches. As he gave this order, he was struck by a rebel bullet and he died a few days later.
While the army was on the Atlanta campaign, and during the early part of August 1864, I forget the exact day, I awoke one morning feeling quite sick and for the first time in my army life I asked to be excused from duty. The request was granted. I walked back to the rear of our army and went to a peach orchard where I heard the order "come here". Three rebels were there with a gun leveled at me. I was alone. I had a choice of two things, run and die or obey the command. Not being anxious to take up a permanent residence in the other world at that time, I obeyed the command. I was taken to Catawba Alabama where there were 2,100 other prisoners and we were kept there three months. From there we were taken to Millen Junction Georgia and there I met Stephen Nott, another Fulton county soldier who had been captured. From there we were taken to Blackshire Station and then to Florence, South Carolina. Our treatment had been bad ever since our capture, especially in the way of food. When we were first captured we were given cornmeal and meat and wheat flour once a week. Later the flour was cut out of our rations and also meat and we had to be content with cornmeal, two or three spoonfuls of beans daily and soured sorghum molasses. At Gold borough we were told to get ready to march to Wilmington, that we were to be exchanged. The order was countermanded and we lay in a pine woods all night on the ground surrounded by guards. This was in February and we had no blankets and very poor clothing. Many of the prisoners died from exposure. We drew salt beef here and many of us ate so much of it we became sick. From the sickness and exposure, my legs and feet became diseased and a confederate surgeon amputated my left leg. The toes rotted off my right foot. My leg instead of being buried was thrown out on the ground and a hog ran off with it.
I heard the guns of the union army as they approached Gold borough and it was the sweetest music that I have ever heard. Out of seven prisoners who had been with me since my capture, only one besides myself had survived the horrors of prison life.
When the union army captured Gold borough, I was given the best of care by the union surgeons and I was discharged on the following order: Disability of Private William Fitzgerald by the loss of left leg, the result of exposure while in the line of duty. Discharged by orders from the war department, May 31, 1865 by order of Major General Dix.
This will show that I was not then considered a deserter. Years afterward when I applied for a pension, an enemy sent into the pension department the charge that I had lost my leg in the confederate service. This caused me a great deal of trouble to clear up again.
During a part of time we were confined in stockades, timbers were set on end and top of the stockade, guards were always on duty. The time was called every hour, thus eight o' clock and all right. We slept out during all weather, prisoners were dying daily and many a prisoner would pass on to his comrade anything they had of valve. If I die before you, I want you to have any trinket or article of clothing that he might have. One day I was very sick and was told by the commander of the prisoners that I could enlist in the confederate service and get better treatment. I told him that I would stay in the stockade until the ants carried me away before I would fight against my comrades.
One time I stole the food from one of the guards. It consisted of two chunks of meat and cornbread. I traded a part of this to some other union prisoners for the chance to share their blanket that night.
I remember seeing a prisoner have his hands, feet and head tied to a tree in such a position that he could not move.
When I went into the army I was a strong healthy man. When the union army recaptured me at Gold borough, I was a physical wreck. Any man who survived the cruel of a southern prison must have been a strong man.
My brother, Hanan was a member of Company E, One Hundred and Third and was killed at Missionary Ridge, November 23, 1863. I believe that he had the regimental flag in his hands at the time.
After the war I came home and resumed farming in Liverpool township. A few years ago I went to Nebraska and got a farm of 440 acres which I sold to one of my sons. Upon my return I settled here in Canton where I suppose I will end my days. I get a pension of $15.00 a month.
During the war my wife had a very hard time. She spun and wove and washed three days out of a week for the Snell's and Guthrie's. These families were loyal during the war and did all they could to help a soldiers family.
I always tried to do my duty as a soldier and also as a citizen.
The father of a rambler was a member of Mr. Fitzgerald's regiment and is glad to say that he never believed the charge that Mr. Fitzgerald had deserted and gone over to the confederates. He always believed that the story originated in the mind of a personal enemy. Mr. Fitzgerald was always held in high esteem by the citizens of Liverpool Township and not withstanding its large democratic majority, he was elected to the office of commissioner of highways in that township on the Republican ticket.
This old soldier after the war met with quite a serious accident. While out hunting one day, a gun cap burst and struck him in the right eye. Finally causing the loss of the eye. So he surely is a badly maimed soldier - one eye gone, one leg gone and the toes of his remaining foot gone.
Mr. Fitzgerald served his country faithfully from the time of his enlistment in August 1862 until his capture in August 1864. No comrade will ever say that there was any duty that he attempted to shirk - be it in camp or on the firing line.
From August 1864 until March, 1865 he was a prisoner of war and received the most cruel treatment. Yet he was willing to endure the suffering rather than enter the ranks of his country's enemies.
Little did William Fitzgerald think as he lay on the cold ground at Gold borough North Carolina that some of his comrades thought that he was a deserter. When his comrades found him at Gold borough in an almost dying condition and learned his story, they could not help but feel proud of the heroic devotion that their comrade had shown to his country. No child or grandchild need ever be ashamed of the war record of William Fitzgerald.
William married Sarah Jane /COLLINS/ -[23] [MRIN:11] on Mar 26, 1857 in Lewistown Township, Fulton County, Illinois.
Children from this marriage were:
i. Charles Henry /FITZGERALD/ -[162] was born on Dec 8, 1857 in Fulton County, Illinois and died on Jan 19, 1929 in Hoopston, Vermillion County, Illinois, at age 71.
ii. Harvey /FITZGERALD/ -[163] was born on Dec 18, 1858 and died on Oct 4, 1859.
iii. Mary E /FITZGERALD/ -[164] was born on Jan 16, 1860 and died before 1946, before age 86.
iv. Higah Elmer /FITZGERALD/ -[165] was born on Nov 25, 1861 in Lewiston, Fulton County, Illinois and died on Oct 11, 1946 in Hayes County, Nebraska, at age 84.
vi. Alfred E /FITZGERALD/ -[166] was born on Mar 12, 1867 in Liverpool Township, Fulton County, Illinois and died on Oct 21, 1938 in Lewiston, Fulton County, Illinois, at age 71.
vii. Jesse B /FITZGERALD/ -[167] was born on Dec 9, 1869 in Liverpool Township, Fulton County, Illinois and died on Oct 21, 1938 in W Locust St. Canton, Illinois, at age 68.
viii. Jacob L /FITZGERALD/ -[168] was born on Dec 12, 1870 in Illinois.
ix. Nellie /FITZGERALD/ -[169] was born on Nov 7, 1872.
x. Margaret /FITZGERALD/ -[170] was born on Jul 28, 1874.
xi. James /FITZGERALD/ -[171] was born on Oct 26, 1879 and died in 1896, at age 17.
xii. Fred M /FITZGERALD/ -[172] was born on Apr 23, 1883 in Fulton County, Illinois and died on Nov 22, 1954, at age 71.
xiii. Charlotte /FITZGERALD/ -[173] was born on Aug 1, 1885 in Fulton County, Illinois.
xiv. Clarence B /FITZGERALD/ -[174] was born on Aug 15, 1888 and died on Feb 20, 1890 in Fulton County, Illinois, at age 1.
xv. Alonza /FITZGERALD/ -[175] was born in Aug 1889.
13. Sarah Jane /COLLINS/-[23], daughter of Jehu /COLLINS/ -[25] and Charlotte Evual /GRIGSBY/ -[26], was born on Apr 2, 1839 in Illinois, died on Jun 27, 1921 in Fulton County, Illinois, at age 82, and was buried in MT Pleasant Cemetery.
Sarah married William C /FITZGERALD/ -[22] [MRIN:11] on Mar 26, 1857 in Lewistown Township, Fulton County, Illinois.
14. George W /ELKINS/-[91], son of Thomas /ELKINS/ -[114] and Rebecca /STOGDILL/ -[115], was born in 1844 in Brown County Indiana and died on May 10, 1890 in Peoria, Illinois, at age 46.
George married Martha J /MILLS/ -[92] [MRIN:12] on Oct 5, 1864 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.
Children from this marriage were:
ii. Louisa J /ELKINS/ -[528].
iii. Leoina /ELKINS/ -[529].
iv. Lovina /ELKINS/ -[530].
v. Lucinda E /ELKINS/ -[531].
vi. Flora B /ELKINS/ -[532].
15. Martha J /MILLS/-[92], daughter of Peter /MILLS/ -[125] and Lucinda /DOUGHERTY/ -[126], was born on Jan 5, 1845 in Greensville, Indiana, died on Nov 18, 1904 in Peoria County, Illinois, at age 59, and was buried in Lancaster Cemetery Near Glasford Illinois.
Martha married George W /ELKINS/ -[91] [MRIN:12] on Oct 5, 1864 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.
Fifth Generation 16. John /GRAY/-[658], son of Archibald /GRAY/ -[660] and Unknown , was born about 1794 in Ohio and died on Mar 23, 1849 in Fulton County, Illinois, about age 55.
General Notes: In approximately 1832, John Gray and his family, migrated to Illinois with brothers Henry and Vincent Gray.
John married Esther (Beckelhymer) /FRANCE/ -[659] [MRIN:188] on Mar 2, 1820 in Clermont County, Ohio.
Children from this marriage were:
i. Jeremiah /GRAY/ -[685].
ii. Oliver Perry /GRAY/ -[686] was born on Jan 31, 1821 in Clermont County, Ohio and died on Oct 18, 1907, at age 86.
iii. Unknown /GRAY/ -[701] was born between 1820 and 1825 and died about 1825, about age 5.
v. Susanna J. /GRAY/ -[702] was born about 1830 in Ohio.
vi. Unknown /GRAY/ -[703] was born between 1830 and 1835 in Illinois.
vii. Unknown /GRAY/ -[704] was born between 1830 and 1835 in Illinois.
viii. John /GRAY/ -[705] was born about 1836 in Illinois.
17. Esther (Beckelhymer) /FRANCE/-[659], daughter of John /FRANCE/ -[687] and /MAGDALENA/ -[688], was born about 1799 in Clermont County, Ohio.
Esther married John /GRAY/ -[658] [MRIN:188] on Mar 2, 1820 in Clermont County, Ohio.
Esther next married Levi /BECKELHYMER/ -[700] [MRIN:202] on Nov 23, 1812 in Clermont County, Ohio. Levi was born about 1787 in Botetourt (Montgomery County) Virginia and died on May 16, 1818 in Campbell County, Kentucky, about age 31.
18. John /DEBOW/-[653] was born about 1803 in New York.
John married Mary A /UNKNOWN/ -[654] [MRIN:184].
Children from this marriage were:
9 i. Margaret Ann (Mathews) /DEBOW/ -[5] (born about 1832 New York)
19. Mary A /UNKNOWN/-[654] was born about 1812 in New York.
Mary married John /DEBOW/ -[653] [MRIN:184].
24. Harvey Lee /FITZGERALD/-[93] .
Harvey married Elsie /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[24] [MRIN:13] on Jun 8, 1834 in Jackson County, Missouri.
Children from this marriage were:
ii. Lucinda /FITZGERALD/ -[176] was born in 1839.
iii. Haman /FITZGERALD/ -[177] was born in 1841 in Missouri and died on Nov 25, 1863 in Missionary Ridge, Tennessee, at age 22. The cause of his death was died from a neck wound during the charge of Missianary Ridge during the Civil War.
iv. Drucilla /FITZGERALD/ -[178] was born on Dec 18, 1842 in Monmouth, Illinois and died on Nov 24, 1926 in Gallup, New Mexico, at age 83.
25. Elsie /STUFFLEBEAM/-[24], daughter of William John /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[73] and Mary Elizabeth /MILLER/ -[74], was born on Aug 5, 1816 in Frankford, Franklin, Kentucky, died on Aug 7, 1863 in Canton, Fulton, Illinois, at age 47, and was buried on Aug 9, 1863 in Canton, Fulton, Illinois.
Elsie married Harvey Lee /FITZGERALD/ -[93] [MRIN:13] on Jun 8, 1834 in Jackson County, Missouri.
Elsie next married William /FITZGERALD/ -[500] [MRIN:15] in 1845 in Fulton County, Illinois. William was born about 1800 and died about 1846, about age 46.
Elsie next married William Royal /CLARK/ -[501] [MRIN:16] on Feb 18, 1849 in Lewistown Township, Fulton County, Illinois.
Children from this marriage were:
i. Emry W. /CLARK/ -[622].
ii. Orville Ward /CLARK/ -[623].
iii. Jesse B /CLARK/ -[624].
iv. Lydia M /CLARK/ -[625].
v. William R. /CLARK/ -[626].
26. Jehu /COLLINS/-[25] was born between 1791 and 1821 in Kentucky and died in 1845, about age 54.
General Notes: Jehu Collins served in the military from Sangamon County, Illinois. He was a private in Captain Jacob Eaby's company in the Black Hawk War.
Noted events in his life were:
• Military Service.
Jehu married Charlotte Evual /GRIGSBY/ -[26] [MRIN:14].
Children from this marriage were:
ii. William Grigsby /COLLINS/ -[161] was born in 1844 and died in 1925, at age 81.
27. Charlotte Evual /GRIGSBY/-[26], daughter of Nathaniel /GRIGSBY/ -[27] and Sarah /KEELING/ -[28], was born on Jan 8, 1822 in Hardin County KY, died on May 16, 1907 in Multinomah County, Oregon, at age 85, and was buried in Pioneer Cemetery, Milwaukie, Oregon.
Charlotte married Jehu /COLLINS/ -[25] [MRIN:14].
28. Thomas /ELKINS/-[114], son of Richard /ELKINS/ -[116] and Rhoda /STEPHENS/ -[117], was born in 1813 in Pulaski County, Kentucky.
Thomas married Rebecca /STOGDILL/ -[115] [MRIN:52].
Children from this marriage were:
29. Rebecca /STOGDILL/-[115], daughter of James Samuel /STOGDILL/ -[121] and Martha /ELKINS/ -[122].
Rebecca married Thomas /ELKINS/ -[114] [MRIN:52].
30. Peter /MILLS/-[125], son of Thomas /MILLS/ -[127] and Lydia Ann /CACHEL/ -[128], was born on Mar 4, 1811 in Mill Creek, Hamilton County, Ohio and died on May 14, 1896, at age 85.
Peter married Lucinda /DOUGHERTY/ -[126] [MRIN:53].
Children from this marriage were:
31. Lucinda /DOUGHERTY/-[126] was born in 1817 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and was buried on Nov 6, 1904 in Glasford, Peoria County, Illinois.
Lucinda married Peter /MILLS/ -[125] [MRIN:53].
Sixth Generation 32. Archibald /GRAY/-[660], son of John /GRAY/ -[709] and Rebecca /SHAFER/ -[710], was born about 1757 in Pennsylvania, died on Oct 14, 1819 in Clermont County, Ohio, about age 62, and was buried near New Richmond, Clermont County, Ohio.
General Notes: In 1801, Archibald Gray was listed as the Auditor of Supervisors Account's for Clermont County.
On October 12, 1802 he voted as an Ohio Township Elector to elect members for the Constitutional Convention.
Archibald was a Patriot during the American Revolution. On his son's (Hiram Gray) tombstone it reads: "Son of a Revolutionary Soldier".
Archibald Gray was listed as a chain carrier along with Jeremiah Gray and Isaiah Ferguson on the Ferdinand O' Neal Survey conducting Virginia Military Surveys of Clermont and Hamilton Counties, Ohio.
It appears that Archibald Gray may have lived in an early fort settlement along the Little Miami River. Between 1788-95 fort settlements were situated along a 11 - 12 mile stretch of the Little Miami River. A general store operated by John Stites Gano and William Stanley which was located west of the Little Miami River and north of the Ohio River listed Archibald Gray on their 1794 general store ledger.
Some time before 1800, Archibald Gray settled two miles below New Richmond, on a farm which to this day is known by the family name. He died on this farm in 1819.
His Will was probated on October 14, 1819.
Archibald married (name unknown).
Children from this marriage were:
i. Rachel /GRAY/ -[661] was born about 1783-1784 in Pennsylvania, died on Sep 18, 1844 in Clermont County, Ohio, about age 61, and was buried in Sep 1844 in Pierce Township Cemetery, Clermont County, Ohio.
ii. Andrew /GRAY/ -[662] was born on Apr 30, 1786 in Pennsylvania and died on Dec 7, 1851 in Clermont County, Ohio, at age 65.
iii. Jeremiah /GRAY/ -[663] was born about 1788 in Pennsylvania.
iv. Hiram /GRAY/ -[664] was born on Oct 25, 1791 in Kentucky, died on Aug 2, 1851 in Clermont County, Ohio, at age 59, and was buried in Aug 1851 in Pierce Township Cemetery, Clermont County, Ohio.
v. Henry /GRAY/ -[665] was born about 1793 in Kentucky.
16 vi. John /GRAY/ -[658] (born about 1794 Ohio - died on Mar 23, 1849 in Fulton County, Illinois)
vii. James /GRAY/ -[666] was born about 1807 in Ohio and died after 1880, after age 73.
viii. Aaron /GRAY/ -[667] was born about 1809 in Ohio.
ix. Mary /GRAY/ -[668] was born about 1811 in Ohio.
x. Nancy /GRAY/ -[669] was born about 1813 in Ohio.
xi. Elizabeth /GRAY/ -[670] was born about 1815 in Ohio and died before Dec 10, 1836 in Clermont County, Ohio, before age 21.
xii. Vincent /GRAY/ -[671] was born about 1816 in Ohio.
34. John /FRANCE/-[687] .
John married /MAGDALENA/ -[688] [MRIN:195].
Children from this marriage were:
17 i. Esther (Beckelhymer) /FRANCE/ -[659] (born about 1799 Clermont County, Ohio)
35. Magdalena -[688] .
Magdalena married John /FRANCE/ -[687] [MRIN:195].
50. William John /STUFFLEBEAM/-[73], son of Johannes(John) /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[75] and Elsee /LARRISON/ -[76], was born about 1794 in Madison, Kentucky, died about Sep 1836 in Liverpool, Fulton, Illinois, about age 42, and was buried about Sep 1836 in Apple Cemetery, Liverpool, Fulton, Illinois.
William married Mary Elizabeth /MILLER/ -[74] [MRIN:17] on Feb 27, 1812 in Estill County, Kentucky.
Children from this marriage were:
i. Priscilla /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[482] was born on Aug 15, 1815 in Frankfort, Franklin, Kentucky.
iii. Lucinda Elizabeth /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[483] was born on Jun 20, 1819 in Frankfort, Franklin, Kentucky.
iv. Joshua /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[484] was born on Oct 10, 1822 in Frankfort, Franklin, Kentucky.
v. John /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[485] was born on Dec 4, 1823 in Frankfort, Franklin, Kentucky.
vi. Infant Daugther /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[486] was born about 1826 in Frankfort, Franklin, Kentucky, was baptized in 1826 in Quadruplet Daughter - Lived 2 Days, died about 1826 in Frankfort, Franklin, Kentucky, and was buried about 1826 in Frankfort, Franklin, Kentucky.
vii. Elizabeth /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[490] was born on May 24, 1827 in Frankfort, Franklin, Kentucky.
viii. Jacob /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[491] was born on Jan 25, 1830 in Frankfort, Franklin, Kentucky.
ix. Margaret /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[492] was born about 1832.
x. Christopher Columbus /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[493] was born on Apr 16, 1836 in Liverpool, Fulton, Illinois.
51. Mary Elizabeth /MILLER/-[74], daughter of Jacob /MILLER/ -[160] and Unknown , was born about 1796 in Madison, Kentucky, died about 1842 in Liverpool, Fulton, Illinois, about age 46, and was buried about 1842 in Apple Cemetery, Liverpool, Fulton, Illinois.
Mary married William John /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[73] [MRIN:17] on Feb 27, 1812 in Estill County, Kentucky.
54. Nathaniel /GRIGSBY/-[27], son of James /GRIGSBY/ -[29] and Charlotte /GOLLIHUE/ -[30], was born in 1785 in VA and died on Oct 4, 1824 in Hardin County KY, at age 39.
Nathaniel married Sarah /KEELING/ -[28] [MRIN:18] on Sep 6, 1814 in Washington County Kentucky.
Children from this marriage were:
55. Sarah /KEELING/-[28], daughter of William /KEELING/ -[94] and Susannah /GRANT/ -[96], was born on Feb 7, 1792 in Kentucky and died on Jul 27, 1882 in Fulton County Illinois, at age 90.
Sarah married Nathaniel /GRIGSBY/ -[27] [MRIN:18] on Sep 6, 1814 in Washington County Kentucky.
56. Richard /ELKINS/-[116], son of Drury /ELKINS/ -[118] and Margaret // -[119], was born in 1779 in Montgomery County, Virginia and died in 1815 in Kentucky, at age 36. The cause of his death was died in the war of 1812.
Richard married Rhoda /STEPHENS/ -[117] [MRIN:67].
Children from this marriage were:
28 i. Thomas /ELKINS/ -[114] (born in 1813 Pulaski County, Kentucky)
57. Rhoda /STEPHENS/-[117], daughter of Francis /STEPHENS/ -[120] and Unknown , was born in 1780 in Virginia and died before 1837 in Brown County Indiana, before age 57.
Rhoda married Richard /ELKINS/ -[116] [MRIN:67].
58. James Samuel /STOGDILL/-[121] was born about 1765 in Rown County, North Carolina and died about 1830 in Jackson County, Indiana, about age 65.
James married Martha /ELKINS/ -[122] [MRIN:68].
Children from this marriage were:
29 i. Rebecca /STOGDILL/ -[115]
59. Martha /ELKINS/-[122], daughter of Drury /ELKINS/ -[123] and Unknown .
Martha married James Samuel /STOGDILL/ -[121] [MRIN:68].
60. Thomas /MILLS/-[127], son of Hope /MILLS/ III -[129] and Unknown , was born on Mar 29, 1760 in Jamaica, Long Island, Queens County, New York.
Thomas married Lydia Ann /CACHEL/ -[128] [MRIN:73].
Children from this marriage were:
30 i. Peter /MILLS/ -[125] (born on Mar 4, 1811 Mill Creek, Hamilton County, Ohio - died on May 14, 1896)
61. Lydia Ann /CACHEL/-[128] .
Lydia married Thomas /MILLS/ -[127] [MRIN:73].
Seventh Generation 64. John /GRAY/-[709], son of Matthew /GRAY/ -[712] and Isabella /UNKNOWN/ -[713].
General Notes: On March 21, 1812 in Mason County, Kentucky, John Gray conveyed to William Johnston Rolston of Mason County in consideration of 20 shillings a certain negroe boy named John aged 7 months. Witnessed by Johnston Ross and Joseph Early.
John married Rebecca /SHAFER/ -[710] [MRIN:205].
Children from this marriage were:
i. Matthew /GRAY/ -[711] was born about 1747 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
iii. James /GRAY/ -[714].
65. Rebecca /SHAFER/-[710] .
Rebecca married John /GRAY/ -[709] [MRIN:205].
100. Johannes(John) /STUFFLEBEAM/-[75], son of Johannes /STOPPELBEIN/ -[77] and Eve Marie /DINGMANN/ -[78], was born on Feb 28, 1756 in Kinderhook, New York, was baptized on Jan 5, 1757 in German Reformed Church, Germantown, Columbia, New York, died on Jan 16, 1844 in Randolph, Illinois, at age 87, and was buried on Jan 19, 1844 in Kaskaskia, Randolph, Illinois.
General Notes: John Michael Stufflebeam enlisted into the military in 1775 at Orange County, New York. He served as a Revoluntionary Soldier and was held a prisoner. He escaped to Madison County Kentucky about 1780.
Noted events in his life were:
• Military Service.
Johannes(John) married Elsee /LARRISON/ -[76] [MRIN:41] about 1793 in Bourbon County Kentucky.
Children from this marriage were:
ii. Michael /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[475] was born in 1795 in Kentucky.
iii. James /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[476] was born in 1797 in Kentucky.
iv. Andrew /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[477] was born in 1798 in Kentucky.
v. Jacob /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[478] was born in 1800.
vi. Hiram /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[479] was born in 1802.
vii. Mary /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[480] was born in 1806.
viii. Richard /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[481] was born in 1809 in Kentucky.
Johannes(John) next married (name unknown).
Children from this marriage were:
i. Jacob /STOPPELBEIN/ -[89] was born in 1758 in Claverack, New York.
101. Elsee /LARRISON/-[76] was born about 1762 in Kaskaskia, Randolph, Illinois, died on Jun 23, 1848 in Kaskaskia, Randolph County Illinois, about age 86, and was buried on Jun 23, 1848 in Kaskaskia, Randolph, Illinois.
Elsee married Johannes(John) /STUFFLEBEAM/ -[75] [MRIN:41] about 1793 in Bourbon County Kentucky.
102. Jacob /MILLER/-[160] was born on Oct 2, 1748 in Washington, Maryland, died on Jul 11, 1815 in Rockingham County, Virgina, at age 66, and was buried in L Garber Graveyard Moore's Store, Rockingham Virginia.
Jacob married (name unknown).
Children from this marriage were:
108. James /GRIGSBY/-[29], son of Redmond /GRIGSBY/ -[31] and Mary Susanna /JAMES/ -[228], was born in 1747 in Prince Williams County VA and died on Jan 7, 1821 in Washington County KY, at age 74.
James married Charlotte /GOLLIHUE/ -[30] [MRIN:19].
Children from this marriage were:
54 i. Nathaniel /GRIGSBY/ -[27] (born in 1785 VA - died on Oct 4, 1824 in Hardin County KY)
109. Charlotte /GOLLIHUE/-[30], daughter of John /GOLLIHUE/ -[54] and Mary /TACKETT/ -[55], was born on Sep 15, 1761 in Virginia and died on Sep 17, 1855 in Four Mile Township, Polk County, Iowa, at age 94.
Charlotte married James /GRIGSBY/ -[29] [MRIN:19].
110. William /KEELING/-[94], son of Benjamin /KEELING/ -[95] and Elizabeth /WHITMAN?/ -[220], was born about 1765 in England Or Virginia, died before 1826, before age 61, and was buried in Otter Creek, Hardin County, Kentucky.
William married Susannah /GRANT/ -[96] [MRIN:20].
Children from this marriage were:
ii. Nancy /KEELING/ -[221].
iii. Lewis /KEELING/ -[222].
iv. Julia /KEELING/ -[223].
v. Frances /KEELING/ -[224].
vi. Polly /KEELING/ -[225].
vii. Jane /KEELING/ -[226].
111. Susannah /GRANT/-[96], daughter of Adam /GRANT/ -[97] and Jane // -[98], was born in 1769 in England Or Virginia.
Susannah married William /KEELING/ -[94] [MRIN:20].
112. Drury /ELKINS/-[118], son of Richard /ELKINS/ III -[533] and Elizabeth /BUCHANNAN/ -[534], was born in 1769 in Tazewell County, Virginia and died after 1840 in Jackson County, Indiana, after age 71.
Drury married Margaret // -[119] [MRIN:69].
Children from this marriage were:
56 i. Richard /ELKINS/ -[116] (born in 1779 Montgomery County, Virginia - died in 1815 in Kentucky)
113. Margaret -[119] .
Margaret married Drury /ELKINS/ -[118] [MRIN:69].
114. Francis /STEPHENS/-[120] .
Francis married (name unknown).
Children from this marriage were:
57 i. Rhoda /STEPHENS/ -[117] (born in 1780 Virginia - died before 1837 in Brown County Indiana)
118. Drury /ELKINS/-[123] .
Drury married (name unknown).
Children from this marriage were:
59 i. Martha /ELKINS/ -[122]
120. Hope /MILLS/ III-[129] was born between 1734 and 1735 in Jamaica, Long Island, Queens County, New York.
Hope married (name unknown).
Children from this marriage were:
60 i. Thomas /MILLS/ -[127] (born on Mar 29, 1760 Jamaica, Long Island, Queens County, New York)
Eighth Generation 128. Matthew /GRAY/-[712] died about 1768 in Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
General Notes: In Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on August 27, 1768 Matthew Gray signed his will which states:
In the name of God amen. The twenty seventh day of August, Seventeen Hundred and Sixty Eight, I Matthew Gray of the Township of Bart, Lancaster County and province of Pennsylvania, farmer, being very sick and weak in body, but in perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of almighty God that gives it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors. Nothing doubting but I receive the same again at the general resurrection by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I gave demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form: (1) Allow all my debts to be paid by bonds and grain; (2) Allow ye plantation to be sold and if the executors sees it to be most for advantage to reserve the house and garden and a field for a residence for my wife and daughters that are now at home with me ye are to proceed in this manner and if ye see that is not most for advantage they are to sell altogether; (3) I give and bequeath ten pounds out of my estate to be paid next May to my son John Gray; (4) I give and bequeath to William Eager, ten pounds at said time; (5) I give and bequeath to my son James Gray ten pounds payable said month of May; (6) I give and bequeath to my grandson Mathew Sinclear ten pounds and that to be secured by the executors for his use when he comes to age and if the executors put it to interest till he comes to age. The executors are not to receive the ten pounds till the year seventeen hundred and seventy; (7) And if Matthew Sinclear dies before he comes to age I allow his part to be given to my son John Gray; (8) I give and bequeath the remainder of my estate and goods unto my wife Isable and my daughters Jennet and Elizabeth as long as they choose to live together and if they choose to separate each of them is to have their third part. (9) I likewise constitute make and ordain my son John Gray and James Miller to be my sole executors of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
Signed by Matthew Gray by his mark of an X.
Matthew married Isabella /UNKNOWN/ -[713] [MRIN:206].
Children from this marriage were:
64 i. John /GRAY/ -[709]
ii. Rebecca /GRAY/ -[715].
iii. James /GRAY/ -[716].
iv. Jacob /GRAY/ -[717].
v. Elizabeth /GRAY/ -[718].
vi. Jennet /GRAY/ -[719].
129. Isabella /UNKNOWN/-[713] .
Isabella married Matthew /GRAY/ -[712] [MRIN:206].
200. Johannes /STOPPELBEIN/-[77], son of Johan Jacob /STOPPELBEIN/ -[79] and Anna Margaretha /ENCK/ -[80], was born on Dec 31, 1732 in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Germany and died in New York.
Johannes married Eve Marie /DINGMANN/ -[78] [MRIN:44].
Children from this marriage were:
ii. Maria /STOPPELBEIN/ -[494].
iii. Johannes /STOPPELBEIN/ -[495].
iv. Elizabeth /STOPPELBEIN/ -[496].
v. Peter /STOPPELBEIN/ -[497].
201. Eve Marie /DINGMANN/-[78] was born in 1735 in New York and died in New York.
General Notes: Eve Marie Dingmann probably came to colonial New York from Germany in 1741 aboard the St. Mark ship with her parents.
Eve married Johannes /STOPPELBEIN/ -[77] [MRIN:44].
216. Redmond /GRIGSBY/-[31], son of James /GRIGSBY/ -[32] and Susannah /REDMOND/ -[33], was born on Apr 19, 1721 in Stafford County, Virginia and died on Oct 6, 1809 in Stafford County, Virginia, at age 88.
Redmond married Mary Susanna /JAMES/ -[228] [MRIN:21].
Children from this marriage were:
ii. Redmond /GRIGSBY/ -[229].
iii. Susannah /GRIGSBY/ -[230].
iv. Mary /GRIGSBY/ -[231].
v. Elizabeth Redmond /GRIGSBY/ -[232].
vi. Mildred /GRIGSBY/ -[233].
vii. Frances /GRIGSBY/ -[234].
viii. Margaret /GRIGSBY/ -[235].
ix. Catherine /GRIGSBY/ -[236].
x. Dorcas /GRIGSBY/ -[237].
217. Mary Susanna /JAMES/-[228] was born about 1723 in Prince William County Virginia and died before 1820 in Stanford Virginia, before age 97.
Mary married Redmond /GRIGSBY/ -[31] [MRIN:21].
218. John /GOLLIHUE/-[54] .
John married Mary /TACKETT/ -[55] [MRIN:22].
Children from this marriage were:
219. Mary /TACKETT/-[55] .
Mary married John /GOLLIHUE/ -[54] [MRIN:22].
220. Benjamin /KEELING/-[95], son of William /KEELING/ -[227] and Unknown , was born in 1740 in Virginia Or South Carolina and died before 1810 in Washington County Kentucky, before age 70.
Benjamin married Elizabeth /WHITMAN?/ -[220] [MRIN:54].
Children from this marriage were:
221. Elizabeth /WHITMAN?/-[220] died in 1793.
Elizabeth married Benjamin /KEELING/ -[95] [MRIN:54].
222. Adam /GRANT/-[97] .
Adam married Jane // -[98] [MRIN:56].
Children from this marriage were:
111 i. Susannah /GRANT/ -[96] (born in 1769 England Or Virginia)
223. Jane -[98] .
Jane married Adam /GRANT/ -[97] [MRIN:56].
224. Richard /ELKINS/ III-[533], son of Richard /ELKINS/ II -[535] and Mary /GALLOP/ -[536], was born about 1735 in Pittsyvania City, Virginia and died after 1801 in Tazewell County, Virginia, after age 66.
Richard married Elizabeth /BUCHANNAN/ -[534] [MRIN:71].
Children from this marriage were:
225. Elizabeth /BUCHANNAN/-[534] .
Elizabeth married Richard /ELKINS/ III -[533] [MRIN:71].
Ninth Generation 400. Johan Jacob /STOPPELBEIN/-[79], son of Michael /STOPPELBEIN/ -[505] and Maria Magdalena /FARBER/ -[82], was born on Jan 13, 1697 in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Germany and died about 1788 in New York, about age 91.
Johan married Anna Margaretha /ENCK/ -[80] [MRIN:45] on Mar 4, 1710 in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Germany.
Children from this marriage were:
401. Anna Margaretha /ENCK/-[80], daughter of Hans Peter /ENCK/ -[88] and Anna Margaretha /MOSSIN/ -[87], was born in 1705 in Berks County, Pennsylvania and died in New York.
Anna married Johan Jacob /STOPPELBEIN/ -[79] [MRIN:45] on Mar 4, 1710 in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Germany.
432. James /GRIGSBY/-[32], son of John /GRIGSBY/ -[34] and Sarah Jane /ROSSER/ -[35], was born in 1686 in St Paul's Parish, Stafford, Virginia and died Oct 14 1755 or Apr 11 1752 in St Paul's Parish, Stafford, Virginia, at age 69.
James married Susannah /REDMOND/ -[33] [MRIN:23] about 1715 in St. Paul's Parish Stafford Virginia.
Children from this marriage were:
i. Enoch /GRIGSBY/ -[564].
ii. Samuel /GRIGSBY/ -[559].
iii. Nathaniel /GRIGSBY/ -[560].
iv. Elizabeth /GRIGSBY/ -[561].
vii. Susannah /GRIGSBY/ -[563].
433. Susannah /REDMOND/-[33], daughter of William /REDMOND/ -[103] and Elizabeth /ELKINS/ -[104], was born in Stafford County, Virginia.
Susannah married James /GRIGSBY/ -[32] [MRIN:23] about 1715 in St. Paul's Parish Stafford Virginia.
440. William /KEELING/-[227] was born in 1720-1730 in Halifax County Virginia.
William married (name unknown).
Children from this marriage were:
448. Richard /ELKINS/ II-[535], son of Richard /ELKINS/ I -[539] and Elizabeth /BRYANT/ -[540], was born about 1698 in Stafford County, Virginia and died on May 1, 1751 in Pittsyvania City, Virginia, about age 53.
Richard married Mary /GALLOP/ -[536] [MRIN:156] in 1714 in King George County, Virginia.
Children from this marriage were:
449. Mary /GALLOP/-[536], daughter of Robert /GALLOP/ -[537] and Elinor /BRYANT/ -[538], was born in 1698 in Stafford County, Virginia.
Mary married Richard /ELKINS/ II -[535] [MRIN:156] in 1714 in King George County, Virginia.
Tenth Generation 800. Michael /STOPPELBEIN/-[505], son of Hans Valentine /STOPPELBEIN/ -[83] and Anna Maria /MULLERIN/ -[502], was born in 1674 in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Germany and died in 1743 in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Germany, at age 69.
Michael married Maria Magdalena /FARBER/ -[82] [MRIN:46] on Jan 14, 1691 in Laubenheim, Germany.
Children from this marriage were:
ii. Anna Margaretha /STOPPELBEIN/ -[90].
iii. Hans Wilhelm /STOPPELBEIN/ -[498].
iv. Maria Elisabeth /STOPPELBEIN/ -[499].
801. Maria Magdalena /FARBER/-[82], daughter of Unknown and Unknown , was born in 1682 in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Germany and died in 1710 in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Germany, at age 28.
Maria married Michael /STOPPELBEIN/ -[505] [MRIN:46] on Jan 14, 1691 in Laubenheim, Germany.
802. Hans Peter /ENCK/-[88] .
Hans married Anna Margaretha /MOSSIN/ -[87] [MRIN:47] on Jan 1, 1702.
Children from this marriage were:
401 i. Anna Margaretha /ENCK/ -[80] (born in 1705 Berks County, Pennsylvania - , died in New York)
803. Anna Margaretha /MOSSIN/-[87] .
Anna married Hans Peter /ENCK/ -[88] [MRIN:47] on Jan 1, 1702.
864. John /GRIGSBY/-[34], son of Thomas /GRIGSBY/ -[99] and Unknown , was born on Aug 8, 1624 in Maidstone, Kent, England and died on Oct 11, 1730 in St Paul's Parrish, Stafford County, Virginia, at age 106.
John married Sarah Jane /ROSSER/ -[35] [MRIN:24].
Children from this marriage were:
865. Sarah Jane /ROSSER/-[35], daughter of James /ROSSER/ -[102] and Unknown , was born about 1624 in Kent England and died before 1720 in Stanford Virginia, before age 96.
Sarah married John /GRIGSBY/ -[34] [MRIN:24].
866. William /REDMOND/-[103], son of James /GRIGSBY/ -[105] and Unknown , was born between 1652 and 1681 and died between 1706 and 1766, about age 54.
William married Elizabeth /ELKINS/ -[104] [MRIN:25].
Children from this marriage were:
433 i. Susannah /REDMOND/ -[33] (born in Stafford County, Virginia)
867. Elizabeth /ELKINS/-[104], daughter of Ralph /ELKINS/ -[106] and Unknown , was born between 1661 and 1684 and died between 1706 and 1772, about age 45.
Elizabeth married William /REDMOND/ -[103] [MRIN:25].
896. Richard /ELKINS/ I-[539], son of Ralph /ELKINS/ -[541] and Anne /ASHTON/ -[543], was born in 1661 in Stafford County, Virginia and died in 1735 in King George County, Virginia, at age 74.
Richard married Elizabeth /BRYANT/ -[540] [MRIN:157].
Children from this marriage were:
897. Elizabeth /BRYANT/-[540] .
Elizabeth married Richard /ELKINS/ I -[539] [MRIN:157].
898. Robert /GALLOP/-[537] died in 1720 in Richmond County, Virginia.
Robert married Elinor /BRYANT/ -[538] [MRIN:158].
Children from this marriage were:
449 i. Mary /GALLOP/ -[536] (born in 1698 Stafford County, Virginia)
899. Elinor /BRYANT/-[538] .
General Notes: Elinor Bryant is belived to be the great granddauther of Chief Wahanganoche of the Patawomeck Tribe.
Elinor married Robert /GALLOP/ -[537] [MRIN:158].
Eleventh Generation 1600. Hans Valentine /STOPPELBEIN/-[83], son of Johnnnes /STOPPELBEIN/ -[85] and Elizabeth // -[86], was born in 1634 in Laubenheim Germany, died on Dec 23, 1688 in Laubenheim, Germany, at age 54, and was buried on Dec 23, 1688.
Hans married Anna Maria /MULLERIN/ -[502] [MRIN:48] about 1656 in Laubenheim, Germany.
Children from this marriage were:
Hans next married Anna Maria /MULLERIN/ -[502] [MRIN:50] on Jan 8, 1667 in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Preussen.
Children from this marriage were:
i. (Petrus) Hans-Peter /STOPPELBEIN/ -[503] was born in 1667.
ii. Margareth /STOPPELBEIN/ -[504] was born in 1669.
1601. Anna Maria /MULLERIN/-[502] was born in 1640 in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Germany, died on Nov 12, 1690 in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Germany, at age 50, and was buried on Nov 12, 1690.
General Notes: Anna Maria Mullerin was the daughter of a town councilman.
Anna married Hans Valentine /STOPPELBEIN/ -[83] [MRIN:50] on Jan 8, 1667 in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Preussen.
Anna next married Hans Valentine /STOPPELBEIN/ -[83] [MRIN:48] about 1656 in Laubenheim, Germany.
1728. Thomas /GRIGSBY/-[99], son of Issac /GRIGSBY/ -[100] and Joane /FINCH/ -[101], was born on Dec 6, 1599 in Marsham, England and died about 1650 in Maidstone, Kent, England, about age 51.
Thomas married (name unknown).
Children from this marriage were:
1730. James /ROSSER/-[102] .
James married (name unknown).
Children from this marriage were:
865 i. Sarah Jane /ROSSER/ -[35] (born about 1624 Kent England - died before 1720 in Stanford Virginia)
1732. James /GRIGSBY/-[105], son of James /GRIGSBY/ -[32] and Susannah /REDMOND/ -[33].
James married (name unknown).
Children from this marriage were:
866 i. William /REDMOND/ -[103] (born between 1652 and 1681 - died between 1706 and 1766)
1734. Ralph /ELKINS/-[106] .
Ralph married (name unknown).
Children from this marriage were:
867 i. Elizabeth /ELKINS/ -[104] (born between 1661 and 1684 - died between 1706 and 1772)
1792. Ralph /ELKINS/-[541], son of John /ELKINS/ -[542] and Unknown , was born in 1639 in England and died in 1690 in Stafford County, Virginia, at age 51.
Ralph married Anne /ASHTON/ -[543] [MRIN:159].
Children from this marriage were:
1793. Anne /ASHTON/-[543], daughter of John /ASHTON/ -[544] and Unknown .
Anne married Ralph /ELKINS/ -[541] [MRIN:159].
Twelfth Generation3200. Johnnnes /STOPPELBEIN/-[85] was born about 1600 in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Germany and died in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Germany.
General Notes: The earliest records of Stoppelbeins were found in ancient church books at Laubenheim, Germany (Rheinland, Preussen). Recorded there were Johannes and his wife Elizabeth. She was born in 1605 and buried March 31, 1666. Johannes was born about 1600. The next Stoppelbeins listed was a daughter, Margret, born 1633 and a son, Hans Valentine, born in 1632.
Hans Valentine Stoppelbein's first wife was Magdalena, born in 1622. They had two boys and two girls but only the name Georg Michael Stoppelbein is listed. He was born in 1657 in Laubenheim.
During the great pestilence, black plague, in Germany in 1666, Hans Valentine Stoppelbein's mother; one son and two daughters died and were buried on March 31, 1666. Earlier, his wife had died and was buried March 19, 1666.
Laubenheim is located in the Rhine Valley in what is now the Rheinland-pfalz in Germany. The people there were called Palatines.
Johnnnes married Elizabeth // -[86] [MRIN:51].
Children from this marriage were:
3201. Elizabeth -[86] was born about 1605 in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Germany, died on Mar 31, 1666 in Laubenheim, Germany, about age 61, and was buried on Apr 2, 1666 in Laubenheim, Rheinland, Germany. The cause of her death was black Plague.
Elizabeth married Johnnnes /STOPPELBEIN/ -[85] [MRIN:51].
3456. Issac /GRIGSBY/-[100] .
Issac married Joane /FINCH/ -[101] [MRIN:57].
Children from this marriage were:
3457. Joane /FINCH/-[101] was born about 1553 in Maidstone, Kent, England and died on Apr 19, 1615 in Hinxhill, Kent, England, about age 62.
Joane married Issac /GRIGSBY/ -[100] [MRIN:57].
3464. James /GRIGSBY/-[32], son of John /GRIGSBY/ -[34] and Sarah Jane /ROSSER/ -[35], was born in 1686 in St Paul's Parish, Stafford, Virginia and died Oct 14 1755 or Apr 11 1752 in St Paul's Parish, Stafford, Virginia, at age 69.
(Duplicate. See Below)
3465. Susannah /REDMOND/-[33], daughter of William /REDMOND/ -[103] and Elizabeth /ELKINS/ -[104], was born in Stafford County, Virginia.
(Duplicate. See Below)
3584. John /ELKINS/-[542] was born before 1619.
John married (name unknown).
Children from this marriage were:
1792 i. Ralph /ELKINS/ -[541] (born in 1639 England - died in 1690 in Stafford County, Virginia)
3586. John /ASHTON/-[544] .
John married (name unknown).
Children from this marriage were:
1793 i. Anne /ASHTON/ -[543]
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