My Genealogy Hound

JAMES GRAY, farmer, post office Negley, was born in Allegheny county, Feb. 10, 1815, a son of George and Jane (Hope) Gray, who were born in Washington county, Pa., June 25, 1791, and August 31, 1791, respectively. His grandparents were William and Mary (Borland) Gray, who came from east of the mountains and settled here at a very early day, the former born in 1762 and died in 1794; the latter died in 1838, aged seventy-two years. His maternal grandparents were James and Jane (McPherson) Hope, former of whom was born Jan. 22, 1758, and died in 1828, aged seventy years; the latter died in 1839, aged seventy-six years. George Gray, father of our subject, learned the blacksmith’s trade, which he followed about twenty-five years, and then began farming. He was the father of six sons and two daughters and celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of his marriage, all the children being present. He died in 1876, his wife in 1878. James Gray, on leaving school, learned the blacksmith’s trade, which he followed for fifteen years two miles east of Turtle Creek, on the Pittsburgh & Greensburg turnpike-road. In 1850 he bought and in 1851 moved to his present farm, on which he erected all the buildings. He sold fifty acres of coal-land at $100 to $300 per acre, and through his influence and energy the New York Coal-works were started, and the branch of the Allegheny road was built. He was reared a democrat, but adopted the republican platform, taking a strong stand for abolition, and in the cause of temperance. His name was on the first ticket of the liberty party in this county.

Mr. Gray married, March 31, 1836, Rachel Hughey, who was born at Turtle Creek in 1817, a daughter of Joseph and Eleanor (Stewart) Hughey, and six children were born to them, three of whom are living: Col. Joseph H., ex-sheriff of this county; Cyrus S., clerk of the orphans’ court, and Jennie H. (Mrs. Joel Monroe), who carries on Mr. Gray’s farm. The deceased are Oliver P., who died at the age of four years; James, at the age of sixteen years, and Ella, at the age of eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Gray are members of the Presbyterian Church. They have lived to celebrate their golden wedding. Every year they travel considerably.