The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
Birth: 11 Oct 1730 Beverly / Essex / MA Death: 14 Jun 1797 Topsfield / Essex / MA
Qualifying Service Description:
Responded to the Lexington Alarm on 19 Apr 1775 for three days with Captain John Gould's company, Colonel John Baker's regiment. Remained on the Topsfield militia rolls through 19 Dec 1775.
Additional References:
Secretary of the Commonwealth, Massachusetts Soldiers, and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Volume XII, Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co., 1901, pg 995
Spouse: Elizabeth Gage; Children: Anna; William; Elizabeth; Hannah; John; Israel; Henry;
Members Who Share This Ancestor
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*This means that the NSSAR has no applications for this Patriot on file.
Instead the information provided is best effort, and from volunteers who have either researched grave sites, service records, or something similar. There is no documentation available at NSSAR HQ to order.
Find-a-Grave has no information regarding the presence of a stone.
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
Author: John Roscoe Ray Jr.
John Ray or Rea was baptized on 11 Oct 1730, in Beverly, Essex County, Massachusetts, the son of John and Hannah (Brown) Ray.
He married Elizabeth Gage on 9 November 1780. They had the following known children:
Anna was born on 14 May 1753 and married John Ray.
William (P276006) was born on 6 May 1755 and married Hannah Gibbs.
Elizabeth was born on 30 December 1756 and married John Lamson.
Hannah was born on 11 November 1758.
John was born on 23 September 1760 and married Elizabeth Matthews.
Israel was born on 15 August 1762 and Lois Lamson.
Henry was born on 16 September 1765 and Margaret Devereaux.
John served in the Topsfield, Massachusetts, militia with his two sons, William and John. He and his son John responded to the Lexington Alarm on 19 April 1775 for three and five days, respectively. John served as a Private in Captain Joseph Gould’s company, Colonel John Baker’s regiment, and remained on the Topsfield militia rolls through 19 December 1775.
He owned 20+ acres in the area and was primarily a farmer. In the 1790 census, he was probably in his son Israel’s household.
The Patriot died on 14 June 1797 in Topsfield, Essex, Massachusetts, and was buried in the Pine Grove Cemetery.
Sources:
Ray, Joseph W, Descendants of Daniel Ray of Plymouth and Salem, Vol 1, pp 206-208, Baltimore, MD, Gateway Press, 2005.
Secretary of the Commonwealth, Massachusetts Soldiers, and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Volume XII, Massachusetts. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Co., 1901, page 995
Dow, George F., History of Topsfield, Massachusetts, pg 172, Topsfield, MA: Topsfield Historical Society, 1940.
Find-A-Grave memorial 228721421, Cemetery #91453.
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