Hero Spotlight
James W. Gray
James W. Gray
James W. Gray was born in Lincoln county, Tennesse about 1821, he married Jane J. McDowell , probably in Scott Co. about 1849 or 1850. Alexander and Susanna Vanderbilt Gray, the parents of James are shown with real estate worth $2600.00 while James and Jane had real estate valued at $800.00 James was 29 and Jane was 22 in 1850 in the census. Alexander, James’ father having moved to Texas, probably following the death of his wife Susanna, James and Jane followed . James and Jane had four children born in Scott county, Mississippi. Their other children, James Buchanan and Sarah F. were born in Cherokee County. When their last child was born, James was 40 while Jane was 33. On September 16, 1861, James joined the New Salem Invincibles Cavalry as a 1st Lieutenant. His service record shows that the unit was armed with double barreled shotguns and Bowie Knives. Captain James F. Wiggins commanded. He had joined Col. Sibley in a campaign to take New Mexico for the Confederacy. They were ready for the line of march by September 30, 1861. Within a few short months, James was dead. Jane was left alone to raise 6 children 12 and under. Sarah was still an infant. In those days, it was necessary for Jane to seek an appointment from the court to be guardian for the children.
Probate records in Cherokee County show that James and Jane were doing fairly well as farmers in east Texas. Among the items inventoried for the estate were 41 head of stock cattle at $5.00 per head, 1 pony horse $45.00, 2 wagons $150.00 each 1 yoke of steers $40.00, 4 bales cotton $180 1 Negro woman $12.00, 1 man $150.00 and 348 acres of land $1200. There were also several hundred dollars in notes held by James that were due the estate. Later, in November 1871, Jane, or her estate, sold some of the land to William Jones for $500.00. Jane’s date of death according to her tombstone appears to be January 20, 1871 although it is somewhat illegible and could be 1877. She is buried in the Myrtle Springs cemetery.
The following information was received by the great great grandaughter, Sarah Olsen, in September 1994 from the United State Department of the Interior, National Park Services,Pecos New Mexico.
The pages of The Confederate Army of New Mexico list James Gray as being in company F of the 7th Regiment Texas Mounted Volunteers. He is listed as wounded at Valverde and dying of pneumonia at Albuquerque March 27, 1862. Valverde was the first big battle of the Civil War in New Mexico. It took place near Ft. Craig in the southern part of the state February 21,1862. After Valverde, the Texans moved up the Rio Grande toward Ft. Union staying in Albuquerque March 4th through March 18th. The wounded and sick were left behind at the hospital. The Battle of Glorieta occured March 26th - 28th, but Lt. Gray was not among them.
Sandra Olsen now lives in Mississippi and plans to attend the dedication of the marker for James Gray when we receive it. It will be placed with the marker for Jane Gray at Myrtle Springs.
The marker has been set at Myrtle Springs and will be dedicated on May 17, 2008 at 3:00 PM. You areinvited to attend this dedication
Hero Spotlight
James W. Gray
James W. Gray
James W. Gray was born in Lincoln county, Tennesse about 1821, he married Jane J. McDowell , probably in Scott Co. about 1849 or 1850. Alexander and Susanna Vanderbilt Gray, the parents of James are shown with real estate worth $2600.00 while James and Jane had real estate valued at $800.00 James was 29 and Jane was 22 in 1850 in the census. Alexander, James’ father having moved to Texas, probably following the death of his wife Susanna, James and Jane followed . James and Jane had four children born in Scott county, Mississippi. Their other children, James Buchanan and Sarah F. were born in Cherokee County. When their last child was born, James was 40 while Jane was 33. On September 16, 1861, James joined the New Salem Invincibles Cavalry as a 1st Lieutenant. His service record shows that the unit was armed with double barreled shotguns and Bowie Knives. Captain James F. Wiggins commanded. He had joined Col. Sibley in a campaign to take New Mexico for the Confederacy. They were ready for the line of march by September 30, 1861. Within a few short months, James was dead. Jane was left alone to raise 6 children 12 and under. Sarah was still an infant. In those days, it was necessary for Jane to seek an appointment from the court to be guardian for the children.
Probate records in Cherokee County show that James and Jane were doing fairly well as farmers in east Texas. Among the items inventoried for the estate were 41 head of stock cattle at $5.00 per head, 1 pony horse $45.00, 2 wagons $150.00 each 1 yoke of steers $40.00, 4 bales cotton $180 1 Negro woman $12.00, 1 man $150.00 and 348 acres of land $1200. There were also several hundred dollars in notes held by James that were due the estate. Later, in November 1871, Jane, or her estate, sold some of the land to William Jones for $500.00. Jane’s date of death according to her tombstone appears to be January 20, 1871 although it is somewhat illegible and could be 1877. She is buried in the Myrtle Springs cemetery.
The following information was received by the great great grandaughter, Sarah Olsen, in September 1994 from the United State Department of the Interior, National Park Services,Pecos New Mexico.
Sandra Olsen now lives in Mississippi and plans to attend the dedication of the marker for James Gray when we receive it. It will be placed with the marker for Jane Gray at Myrtle Springs.
The marker has been set at Myrtle Springs and will be dedicated on May 17, 2008 at 3:00 PM. You areinvited to attend this dedication