1. Benjamin RAY
1The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical Index (R), Copyright (c) 1980, 1997, data as of February 1997, Family History Library, 35 N. West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150, USA, www.familysearch.org.
2Carl Ray, Ray Family Card File (Obtainied and copied 2001), B-5, 1972, Terry Ray library, 6521 Ocaso Dr., Castle Rock, CO 80108.
see Benjamin Ray per old tax records, census records, -CHR -MSR -Will.3Phil &Terry Ray Family Files, Pension Cert. # 4433, 1 Feb 1938, Phil and A.Terry (Petersen) Ray Family Archive, 6521 Ocaso Dr, Castle Rock, CO, 80108.
War Pension Document.4Internet, http://www.rootsweb.com/~varussel/other/ray.html, 2 Feb 1997.
"Benjamin Ray, the progenitor of the Ray family in Russell County, Virinia, was born in 1756, probably in Brunswick Co., Va. Benjamin was the son of Edy Ray, and the grandson of John Wray/Ray who d. in Brunswick Co., Va. abt. 1774.
In the spring of 1775, Benjamin enlisted as a private soldier in Capt. John Baptist Nash's company of the 6th North Carolina Regiment of the Line, which was commanded by Col. Thomas Clarke, for a period of 2 1/2 years. He joined the regiment at Wilmington, N. C. and shortly thereafter reenlisted for the duration of the war. He fought at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth, and was later taken prisoner at the siege of Charleston, S. C., and was held as a prisoner of war for 14 months and somedays. He was discharged in 1783 in Stafford County, Va.
After the war, Benjamin married and lived in Surry Co. N. C. It is unknown who his first wife was, but to this union, was born his son, John Ray (1788-abt1865). About 1795, Benjamin moved his family to Russell Co., Va. where he lived for the remainder of his life. On May 5, 1818, he made application for, and was granted a pension for his service in the Revolutionary War. On January 31, 1830, he married his second wife, Nancy Sutherland, also known as Nancy Wilson.
Benjamin Ray died on January 28, 1841 and was buried in the Whitt Cemetery located near Big A Mtn. in Russell Co. His tombstone reads "BENJAMIN RAY, PVT 6 NC REGT, REV WAR, 1756-1841. "There are several of Benjamin's decendants also buried in the Whitt Cem.,including his grandson, James Ray (1820 - 18 Jun 1904), who along with his brothers John, Ira and Henry, also served their country as confederate soldiers in the War Between the States.
This information was submitted by Michael Dye."5The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, International Genealogical Index, Family History Library, 35 N. West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150, USA, www.familysearch.org.
"Benjamin Ray; Male; Birth: About 1756 , , North Carolina; Death: 28 JAN 1841 , Russell, Virginia; No source information is available."
Record submitted after 1991 by a member of the LDS Church.
Search performed using PAF Insight on 08 Jun 2005.6Internet, http://www.rootsweb.com/~varussel/cemeteries/whittcem.html.
James Ray 3rd Sgt, Co. G, 37th VA Inf. CSA 1820 - 1904 (s/o John Ray & Elizabeth Hess, grandson of Benjamin Ray) Benjamin Ray Pvt. 6 NC Regt. Rev. War 1756 - 1841."
"Whitt Cemetary Located on Rt. 647, which runs off Rt. 620, which runs off Rt. 80 between Honaker and Big A Mtn. Rt. 647 also runs off Rt. 646, which runs between Honaker & Finney (Coulwood). The newer section of the cemetery is well cared for, the older section could use some work. There are are some unmarked fieldstones and many missing stones in the older section.
Note: Items in the Notes section have been added by the compiler.
This file submitted by Michael A. Dye <mailto:m.a.d.man@worldnet.att.net> (e-mail invalid 10/2005)
Whitt Cemetary List.
1. PINNION?
1Carl Ray, Ray Family Card File (Obtainied and copied 2001), B-5, 1972, Terry Ray library, 6521 Ocaso Dr., Castle Rock, CO 80108.
see Benjamin Ray per old tax records, census records, CHR, MSR, will.