Horatio Nelson Gray (abt. 1825 - 1908)

Born about 16 Oct 1825 in District of Columbia, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (McMillan) Gray — married 7 May 1867 (to about 1896) in Rapides, Rapides, Louisiana, United States

Descendants

Died 27 Dec 1908 at about age 83 in Hineston, Rapides, Louisiana, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Gary Gray [send private message]

Biography

Note NI032Excerpts from "Guns In The Night" by Tommy G. Johnson:

"Horatio Nelson Gray was a medical doctor in Rapides and Vernon Parishes during the last 3 decades of the nineteenth century. He first appears on the 1870 Louisiana census, Weste Ward, rapides parish with his wife Elizabeth McMillan: They had no children at that time. A previous baby had died ca. 1870."

Thus far, I have not located the 1870 census Mr. Johnson refers to.

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Following is information obtained from his application for Civil War Pension filed on November 22, 1898 ^[1] ) and two subsequent requests for pension increase submitted in 1905 and 1906.

H.N. Gray was born Athens, Clarke County, Ga. in 1825. In reality, he was born in the District of Columbia. Since he fought for the South and lived in the south, he probably wouldn't want everyone to know this. He joined Co. G, 13th Texas Cavalry under Col. John Burnett fighting for the Confederacy in the fall of 1862. He was never wounded during his three years of service. He was promoted to Ordinance Sergeant while his company was enroute to Little Rock, Arkansas from Camp McCulloch near Tyler, Tx. At the end of the war he was the acting Quarter Master in Jasper where he was released from service. He became a resident of Louisiana in about 1866 or 67. At the time he applied for pension he stated his wife had died with no mention of her name or how/when she had passed (See Notes for Elizabeth McMillan for more information). He said he had two children, a boy, 27 yrs. and girl, 17 yrs. (Anderson and Catherine). He stated his residence was in Hineston [Louisiana] and was living with his son (no name mentioned but it must have been Anderson). H.N. wrote a letter in 1905, followed by a second in 1906, requesting an increase in his pension. The letters indicated he was in extremely poor health and living at or near poverty level. There was no indication whether or not he ever received the increase. He died 2 years later.

NOTE: When speaking of his children, he apparently did not include Farleigh who was in prison for murder at that time (see letter below).

Horatio's gravestone, erected by Tommy Glenn Johnson on June 8, 1994, states the following:

Horatio Nelson Gray

Ord. Serg.

Co. G 13th Texas Cav.

Burnetts Regt.

CSA

Oct 16, 1825 - Dec 27, 1908

Name

Name: Horatio Nelson /Gray/^[2][3][4][5]

Title

Title: Dr. and Farmer

Occupation

Occupation: Doctor & Farmer

Place: Hineston, La.

Event

Event: Attendee

Type: College

Place: University of Georgia

Event: Military Service

Type: Private, Ordinance Sgt, Quarter Master.

Unit: Co. G, 13th Texas Cavalry (Dismounted) (Released 1865)

Burial

Place: Hardshell Cemetery in Sieper, La. This cannot be confirmed as the grave was lost to time. A Civil War grave marker was erected at Hemphill Star Cemetery (among his deceased family members) by Tommy Glenn Johnson in respect to his service.

Notes

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Following is a letter from H.N. Gray speaking of the conviction of his son on the charge of murder and a speech he prepared for a college commencement:

Hineston, Rapides Parish, La.

June 6, 1897

Walter E. Pope, Eng.

Big Sandy, Texas

Dear Sir:

Your most welcome favor of May 23rd rec'd a few days since. The same brought also a letter from Farleigh. I am so glad that you can confidently endorse Farleigh's innocence. I cannot unravel the mystery surrounding his case. I can find no motive, cannot even imagine one. His conduct and whole bearing throughout his trial and before, argue innocence or a total want of human feeling and conscience. Which can it be? He grew up around my feet and I am sure gave no sign of such a event of human sympathy as the commission of such a crime would imply.

From infancy to manhood, he was ever kind and charitable, was ever ready to defend the weak and aid the helpless and distressed. He was neither quarrelsome or overbearing and if he ever had any contests with his companions at school or in neighborhood intercourse, it was in defense of one unable to defend himself - to prevent foul play and defeat imposition. He would not be imposed upon himself, nor stand idly by and see another so wronged.

I cannot understand how a man of [James] Danzy's low and brutal nature could have obtained the influence over him and have won such confidence as Danzy's story implies. It is unreasonable and unnatural! Men of Farleigh's stamp were made to rule and control such as Danzy. He was involved by circumstances easily and plainly explained, but perjury stepped in and all our efforts were in vain.

If you can in anyway elucidate this great riddle why my son should do such a thing; how Danzy managed to make a catspaw and tool of him; how Danzy managed to change his very nature - change him from a gracious human being into an animal, you will greatly ease my mind and I shall cease to speculate or to grumble at fate and curse what is called "justice" as counterfeit.

I greatly thank you for your kind offer of assistance and trust that your charity may not be at any charge. I shall only exact of you a promise of a visit should you ever again return to Rapides Parish. By no means pass by my humble home where you are sure to receive a warm and grateful welcome.

Allow me to thank you for your kindness to Farleigh. I trust it is not thrown away, but may return a thousand fold at some critical hour to add to a triumph or soothe and disarm a sorrow.

We have a fine prospect for a crop and should the seasons be propitious will be able to maintain our independence and recoup the great stress laid upon us by Farleigh's trial.

Beggars tho we may be, in times of stress, some generous helper is sure to appear. As such a one I look upon you and trust that through the mails we may be able to keep in touch with each other.

The time will come when an effort for a pardon may be possible, but not at the present. I think public opinion is undergoing a change. Several persons who were inclined to think my son guilty, have recently expressed themselves as satisfied of his innocence and I hope the reaction in opinion will soon be strong enough to warrant an effort for his liberty. Write often and keep me posted as to you whereabouts.

Sincerely and gratefully your friend,

H.N. Gray

For More Information Go To Farleigh Gray's Family Page

"Confound the Luck"

How common an expression is this? Let anything go amiss, and we are all ready to cry out "Confound the Luck". Is there such a thing as luck? If so, then duty, wisdom, energy, precaution and all such words are but empty sounds, signifying no qualification moral or mental - expressions without meaning or sense. The boy or girl who trusts to "luck" to learn their lessons for them, stands ever at the foot of the class - is the "drag" of the school and the terror of the teacher. The man who trusts to "Luck" to carry out his enterprises finds all his aims come to grief. The farmer depends upon properly directed and constant labor to fill his corn crib and his cottonhouse. The merchant depends upon closed purchases, large sales and safe credits. If wise, he knows that "luck" would bankrupt a Gould! Why, even our young ladies know that "luck" will catch them no beaux and so they primp, and fix up, and put on their sweetest looks and their kindest smiles. Who ever heard of "luck" making a lawyer or a doctor, a statesman or anything, but a vagabond & a pauper!

I advise you my young friends to let "Luck" alone, for if you trust him, he will betray you. No! Hard study, industry, labor, self-respect and a determination to succeed will make success possible in whatever pursuit in life you choose. Men who have accomplished anything great or good, all attribute their success to industry, energy and fixity of purpose. Providence bestows her prizes in life upon the brave, laborious and the true. Whatever tasks duty puts in your way, do then with all your heart and mind.

And now farewell! Our school has reached its close. Let us endeavor to remember all we have learned and with such remembrances to mingle thoughts of our kind, faithful and efficient teacher!

Once More Farewell!

Sources

1. ↑ Reel and Microdex CPI.57 at the Shreve Memorial Library
2. ↑ Source: #S11986
3. ↑ Source: #S11417
4. ↑ Source: #S11980
5. ↑ Source: #S10767

• Source: S11417 Title: Hemphill Cemetery, Rapides Parish, Louisiana
• Source: S11980 Title: La. Pension Records Author: State of Louisiana
• Source: S11986 Title: Personal Letters Author: Horatio Nelson Gray

Acknowledgments

• WikiTree profile Gray-3819 was started by Gary Gray on 1 October 2012 and through the import of GLGray.GED on Oct 10, 2012 by Gary Gray.