William Ray, Sr.

• Biography and records discovered by George Arthur Trail IV

William Ray Sr. (1639-1737) can be considered one of the ancient Scotch chiefs of the Patuxent River frontier settlement. Along with his Scottish comrades Col. Ninian Beall (92), James Moore (99),Simon Nicholls (100), and Thomas Beall (101), William Ray Sr. (98) lived well into his nineties at a time when most men were lucky to live half that long.

William Ray Sr. was born at Haddington, Scotland in 1639 to William Ray (Rea) and Margaret Clerk.
William Ray married Jeane Moor in 1665 at Haddington, Scotland daughter of John Moor and Marion Brysson.
William Ray and Jeane Moor registered the births of 6 children at Haddington.
John Ray born 1666 died 1718 Prince George's County, Md.
William Ray Jr. born 1667 died 1760 Frederick County, Md.
Jeane Ray born 1671 died after 1737 Prince George's County, Md.
Margaret Ray born 1674
George Ray born 1675 died 1735 Prince George's County,Md.
Thomas Ray born 1679 died 1722 Prince George's County, Md.

The family of William Ray disappears from the Haddington,Scotland records after the birth of Thomas Ray in 1679 then reappears residing on the land of James Moore of Calvert County, Maryland called " Beall's Hunting Quarter" where William Ray Sr. resided the rest of his life. William Ray Sr. mentioned real estate he still owned in Great Britain when he died in 1737 so he came to America a man of property. Jeane Moor's brother ,John Moor (1632- c.1695) also came to Calvert County and his son ,William Moor (c. 1680) was the nephew and long time neighbor of William Ray Sr. on "Beall's Hunting Quarter".

Jeane Moore apparently died not long after the birth of Thomas Ray in 1679 because there is a gap of about 10 years when William Ray remarried in the year 1689 at Calvert County to another woman( most likely Elizabeth Magruder, daughter of Alexander Magruder) with whom he had Elizabeth Boyd, Joseph, Luke, Magdaline Locker, Francis Whittner, and Ann Norris.

William Ray Sr. was a leader of his community and appointed Constable of Collington Hundred, Prince George's County in 1696 at the creation of the county.

• (Prince George's County Land Certificates, unpatented, MSA S1226-54)....June 23, 1713.....By virtue of a special warrant...unto James Moore....to resurvey a tract of land called Beall's Hunting Quarter...adding what vacant land should be discovered...also to divide the same according according to the direction of the partys possessed which warrant is by the said Moore assigned unto William Ray and John Perry the partys in possession....
• (Prince George's County Land Records, Liber I, folio 54)....Dec. 9, 1717.......Ann Fletchall, relict of Thomas Fletchall, and Charles Beall ....to William Ray of Prince George's County....a parcel of land lying in the branches of Rock Creek called Charles and Thomas.....witness; Andrew Hamilton, Samuel Magruder, William Harben...
• P. G. Land Records, I,p.119).....May 31, 1721..... William Ray Sr. to Clement Hill...land ...called Bread and Cheese...witness; Joseph Belt and Thomas Sprigg..
• (P.G. Land Records, liber T.p.260)...May 21, 1735.....at the request of John Perree Jun. the following deed of gift was recorded.......I William Ray of Prince George's County planter for...goodwill and affection I have....unto my granddaughter Priscilla Perree....child...called...Moll.....witness; Elizabeth Boyd and John Cook
• ( P.G. Land Records, liber T,p.375)......May 29,1736......Between William Ray...planter...and Edward Jones..planter....consideration..of seven pounds sterling....land being part of the tract called Charles and Thomas....beginning tree...standing on the west side of Rock Creek.....laid out for 60 acres.... William Rae Sen. (his mark)....witnesss; David Crauford and Thomas Clagett