Looking for information on John Ray born in late 1700s . He was a Methodist Preacher in the early 1800s. Finally ended up in Kentucky where I am from. He later died in Indiana or Illnoise.

David

David: I am a decendent of John Watson Ray sr, born in Amherst co va about 1769, he and his family ended up in Pike co ky, both he and his son John jr died and were buried in ky, john sr in Floyd co in 1842 and John jr in Pike co in 1874, does any of this sound like who you are looking for?.............James Ray

Hi James.
The John Ray I have listed was a Methodist Preacher. The time frame you have is about right and I believe he was from VA. His wife was Fanny or Francis. I believe she was a RAY also. May have been a cousin.? The children names I have are, Volney Ray (my G,G,Grand Pa), Louisa D Ray, Montraville W. Ray, Gideon G. Ray, Lafayette C. Ray, George H. Ray, Robert Marion Ray, Coleman Owen Ray, Wickliff L. Ray...
They moved from Bath County Kentucky about 1849 to Cumberland Co Illnois and was back in Bath County by 1850. John Died while in Illnois. There may have been more children but I dont have them listed. I believe there was a John and Elizabeth.
Hope this helps. Thx for writing to me.
David

David: Today as I was looking at the tax list for washington co va years, 1783 on at about 1798 I found a john rhea esq. who owned 2100 or so acres, I read some months about 2 different preachers by the name of john and a william ray, william was a babptist and I'm not sure about john but john was supposed to have moved to either tenn or southern ky, washington co was cut up to make russel and parts of other counties later on, I hope this helps you and I will be looking for any john ray's who fit that discription.. please ex cuse my spelling my light just burned out.....james ray.. p.s. both these gentlemen were from southwest va/ nc area.

John & David,

I am researching the Ray line that came from VA to Cumberland county, Kentucky. William Ray, my 4th great grandfather, was a baptist preacher and was one of the initial preachers for Big Fork Church, Sinking Springs (KY & IN), Big Spring church ((Kettle Creek was the intial name)(Green River Assoc.)), all being part of the Stockton Valley Association.

Here is an excerpt: "Elder Wm. Ray was appointed to be the backup preacher for the introductory sermon at the 1811 meeting at Renic’s [sic] (Rennix) Creek in Cumberland county, KY."

Also: "Wm. Ray was a humble, good man, and was one of the first preachers raised up in Old South Kentucky Association, where he began to preach, as early as 1792. He afterwards gathered a church called, at first, Kettle Creek, which united with Green River Association, in 1801. The church appears to have gone into the constitution of Stocktons Valley, under the name of Caney Fork. Again, in 1801, it changed its name to Big Spring. In 1812, it split, most probably on the subject or Arianism, or Newlightism. But previous to this, Mr. Ray had moved to Tennessee, where he united with the Big Fork church, which belonged to Stocktons Valley. He preached the introductory sermon before that Association, in 1811, after which no more is heard of him. " Page 220 from History of Kentucky Baptists, Volume II by J.H. Spencer (original copyright, 1885).

1813
At the West Fork Meeting House in Overton County, TN
-Wm. Ray (ordained minister) and Nicholas Gillentine were messengers from the Big Fork Church.
-Gillentine and Ray were to prepare correspondence to other associations."

William had several siblings, Nathaniel and Thomas being the only two that I can verify at this time. William and Nathaniel married O'Bannon sisters in KY. William moved between Cumberland, KY & White, TN with the church. It is unknown where he actually died.

There is a "Ray's Branch" off the Cumberland River in KY that was named for this family. At first, I thought it was just Wm & Nathaniel, but after further research, there are a John Ray, Sr., Richard Ray, Nicholas Ray, John Ray, & a Samuel Ray that all had land grants for the Beech Fork & Beech Branch area. These two areas also incompass the Ray's Branch area of the Cumberland River just outside of Bowling Springs, KY.

This family immigrated from VA to KY in the late 1700's (poss around 1785 or so), as well as O'Bannon, Skaggs, Turner, Coppage, and other families that tie in.

I received a copy of "Cumberland county Kentucky Yesterday And Today" Ruth Wooten, Project Director, from another researcher, and there is a lot of information about the Ray & O'Bannon lines in there. Not nearly what I am needing, but a good start and valuable "hints" as to where they may have been living.

My Ray line migrated to Indiana, and some to Illinois in the early to mid 1800's.

This William Ray had to sons that I can account for: James Harvey Ray, & Joel Ray. I know there are more, I just can't find documentation.

If anyone knows where the Rays migrated from in Virginia to Kentucky, I would love to hear from you. I would also like to know if anyone has any documentation on the Rays, even associated families.

I appreciate any information that you may have, and I will be glad to share what I have as well.

Sincerely,

Tamara

Tammy: I have spent 5yrs and some, searching, and found things that have not all been confirmed, even with valid records the john sr and william ray I am searching for may be different from yours, my william, john sr's father was from amherst co va, john was born about 1770, and married rutha robertson dec. 16 1791 in amherst co va, william was a son of moses ray, the area they lived was around bear mountain, on bear creek close to the old indian reservation established by gov. smallwood in 1710 ..if any of this sounds close post back I've traced by deed records that can support part of what I have...jim

I need to know the wives names . I have a little info on Rays in VA and NC.

David

Hi Jim,

My William Ray was married to Rebecca O'Bannon 29 Feb 1795 in Springfield,Washington, Kentucky. He was born ca. 1768/1770 in VA. This is just about all I have on him other than what I mentioned in my first post. The two sons that I have been able to confirm are James Harvey b. 1 Jan 1799 in Louisville, Mercer, Kentucky and Joel Willford Ray b. Jan 1801 in Cumberland Co. KY. Both of these children ended up in Orange Co., Indiana.

Rebecca is the daughter of James O'Bannon and Mary Mason. Rebecca's sister, Sarah, married William's brother, Nathaniel Ray 18 Nov 1796 in Washington Co., Kentucky.

You mentioned a Moses Ray. There is a Moses Ray from the Cumberland/Washington, KY land records deeded in 1805 on Ray's Branch. I know that this is all family to each other, I just don't know how to put it together.

Let me know if you have ties to the family(ies) in Orange, Indiana. I have a lot of information.

Thanks!
Tamara

David,

The two Ray brothers, William and Nathaniel, married O'Bannon sisters. William to Rebecca, and Nathaniel to Sarah. The O'Bannon's were from Price William (now Fauquier Co., VA) and moved into KY around 1790

Info I have on John Ray.....................
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