My father's parents were Clifford Babb and Elizabeth Richardson
Brown, of whom earlier. Clifford's parents were Martin Everette
Babb and Martha Hannah Prior, daughter of Joseph Prior and
Martha Green Gray, also known as Mary Green Gray. So begins my
GRAY/GREEN/BISHOP lines.
The following narrative is taken from the work of Sara Mary Nash,
who granted permission for its inclusion.
Numerous Gray Revolutionary War service records are found in the SC State Archives. Also, there were several Loyalist Grays, and several John Grays served, but it is fairly easy to identify which John is which by their associates and localities. See Revolutionary War folder AA3049 also shown in S.E. S-502. Descendants have joined NSDAR in Washington, DC on his record.
John Gray's home was burned by the Tories (Gray Family Journal, 1937). This researcher has heard the story many times: While John Gray was serving as a horseman in the SC Militia, his wife Ailesy came to the time of her fulfilment and her husband came home on leave of absence. He was tracked there by the Tory band who were followers of Bloody Bill Cunningham. They were infuriated because John has escaped into the woods in view of them. They entered the house where Ailsey was confined and plundered it of portable valuables. They scattered to the four winds the feathers of the bed, and only gave her enough time to grab the infant and a satchel of baby clothes. They they burned the house to the ground. Ailsey died about 1795, and John married a second time to Rebecca Bishop, sister of Martha Bishop who was later the wife of Jesse Gray. Both were sisters of Nathan Bishop who married Manima Gray.
John Gray died probably in 1806. He is reputed to have had a life of integrity, initiative, industry, faith and conviction. He left to his children and succeding generations a heritage which transcends material value.
The nine children of (A) John and Ailsey Gray are:
GENERATION II
1 - Ailsey m. Reuben Bramlett
2 - Elizabeth m. Nathan Bramlette
3 - John - 4 - William
5 - Seth
6 - Manima m. Nathan Bishop
7 - Hezekiah
8 - Zachariah
9 - Jesse
My line continues with Jesse, my 3-times great-grandfather. He was born in 1785 and died in 1868. He married Martha Bishop born 1780 and died 2/26/1838. She was the daughter of Thomas Absalom Bishop and Mary Green, also called Martha. Jesse and Martha were buried in Bramlett Methodist Cemetery, near the place where they spent most of their married life. Their nine children were:
GENERATION III
1 - Hezekiah m. a Riddlesperger, then a Ragsdale
2 - Elizabeth m. Hiram Peterson
3 - Ailsey m.Alex. Abercrombie
4 - Mary Green Gray my great-great-grandmother was born 7/20/1815 and died 7/17/1892. She married Joseph Prior whose father was reportedly from the Charleston, SC area. I have not researched the Prior line as yet. Both are buried at Bramlett.
5 - Richardson m. Margaret Watson
6 - William m. Arena Parks
7 - John m. Margaret Toland
8 - Carolina m. Jonas Swink
9 - Emily m. Benjamin Little
GENERATION II
Sam Mack Bishop b. bef. 1629 in Ireland. Came to Jamestown with his parents and sister. A child of Sam Mack Bishop is:
GENERATION III
Nathanial Bishop b. 1662 in Virginia. He was a farmer of tobacco and cereals. A child of Nathanial Bishop was:
GENERATION IV
Thomas Bishop b. 1698 in Virginia. His wife was daughter of a millwright. Thomas established grist mills on the James and Potomas Rivers in Virginia. A child of Thomas is:
GENERATION V
Absalom Thomas Bishop b. 1730 in Virginia; d. 1807 Union County S.C. He married Martha Rebecca Greene in 1767 in Halifax County N.C. She the daughter of Nathan Greene. Absalom left virginia in 1765 and moved to Halifax. Left there in 1782 and settled in Union District, S.C. along the Tyger River. His wife was a Quaker. Their children are:
GENERATION VI
1 - Martha Bishop b. 1780, Union; d. 2/26/1838; married Jesse Gray, son of John Gray and Ailsey
2 - Absalom Bishop b. 1772 Halifax
3 - Thomas Bishop b. 1778 Halifax
4 - Nathan Bishop b. 1780 and married Manima Gray
5 - Rebecca Bishop b.abt. 1790 Union. She was the 2nd wife to John Gray whose first wife was Ailsey.
My line continues with Martha Bishop and Jesse Gray whose children were:
GENERATION VII
1 - Walter Gray
2 - Carolina Gray
3 - Emily Gray who married Benjamin Little
4 - Mary (Martha) Green Gray b. 7/20/1815; d. 7/17/1892; married Joseph Prior
5 - Elizabeth Gray married Hiram Peterson
6 - Hezekiah Gray
7 - Ailsey Gray married Alexander Abercrombie
8 - Richardson Gray married Margaret Watson
9 - William Gray married Arena Parks
10- John Gray married Margaret Toland
Should you require further information for any of the above names, please contact me at richmond01@hotmail.com