Jessie Thompson (Wilson) Gray (1842 - 1931)

Born 2 Feb 1842 in Crailing, Roxburgh, Scotland

Ancestors

Wife of George B Gray — married Jan 1865 in Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States

Descendants

Died 24 Jan 1931 at age 88 in Franklin, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Matthew Koeppen [send private message]

Research Notes

TO DO: 1920 Fed Census neighbors...connected to other family members (Kershenstein, Sharp)

Add city directory listings to all family members.

Notes: Biography below - [NI056670] James Wilson (father ) was b near Kelso, & received his educ there, where he also learned the trade of tanner, but for several yrs prior to his coming to Amer, had been employed as overseer on a farm in Roxburyshire. In Jul 1854, he emigrated to this country & located in Jackson Twp., Cambria Co., PA, but at the beginning of the Civil War he removed to Johnstown, where he followed his trade as a tanner. After the death of his wife he removed to Conemaugh & retired from active life. He was a memb of Presby ch. In politics he was a republican, & served as burgess of Conemaugh. While in his native country he m Mary Bratton, d/o Edward Bratton, Kelso, & to them were b 10 chldn, 3 of whom d in Scotland when quite young. The others are: James, who d in 1876; Charles, now living in Conemaugh; William, who d in 1889; David B.; Margaret, w/o William H. Hunt, farmer in Jackson Twp.: Jessie, widow of George B. Gray, deceased of Conemaugh, & John who d at the age of 16, death resulting from being kicked by a horse. Mr. Wilson d in Jackson Twp.^[1]

Biography

Parents (Both of Scotland): Father - James Wilson; Mother - Mary Bratton

In 1855 Jessie immigrated to the United States from Scotland.

In 1860, James Wilson (57), a farmer with a personal estate value of $300.00, was shown living in Jackson, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States with his wife Mary (61), son John (16), a farm laborer, and daughter Jessie (19). They were all born Scotland.^[2]

In 1870 George Gray (50), laborer, was shown living with his wife Jessie (26), keeping house, and four children Jenny (12), John (4), Emma (2), and Margaret (7 months, born in March). George’s personal estate was valued at $200.00. Both George and Jessie were born in Scotland, and their children were born in Pennsylvania. ^[3]

In 1880, Jessie (38), wife and sewing, was living with her daughters, Mary E (12) and Margaret (10), her son George (6), and James Wilson (77) Grandparent. Jessie was widowed, white, being born in Scotland and her parents were both born in Scotland as well. Both daughters and son were listed as single, and all three attended school during the census year. James Wilson who was widowed/divorced and single, was listed as unemployed for 12 months because he was ‘too feeble’, he was born in Scotland, and his parents were both born in Scotland as well. ^[4]

In 1883, Jessie was listed in the city directory as the widow of George B Gray, owning her own home on Hill Street in Franklin, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States. Her son George B Gray, a brakeman, was also shown to be living with her. ^[5]

Jessie and George Gry were listed on the marriage license for Daniel T. Sharp to daughter Mary C Gray April 18, 1889, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States^[6]

In 1890, Jessie is listed as the widow of Civil War veteran George B Gray who passed in 1874.^[7]

In 1900, Jessie (58), Head of household and a seamstress, was living with her daughter Mary E. (32). Jessie was widowed, born during March, 1842, had seven children, but only four were currently living. Additionally, Jessie, and her parents were born in Scotland, which she immigrated from 44 years prior during 1855. She is shown to have owned her home mortgage free and could read, write, and spell. Mary E was single, born in Pennsylvania during March, 1868, was a seamstress who could read, write, and spell. ^[8]

In 1909, Jessie was listed in the city directory as the widow of George Gray, in a home at 255 Spruce Street, Franlin. Also listed is her daughter Mollie Gray. ^[9]

In 1910, Jessie (68), Head of household and had her ‘own income’, was living with her daughter Mary E. (42). Jessie was widowed, had seven children, but only four were currently living. Additionally, Jessie, and her parents were born in Scot-Gaelic (Scotland), which she immigrated from during 1855. She is shown to have owned her home at 255 Spruce Street, mortgage free, spoke English, and could read and write. Mary E was single, born in Pennsylvania during March, 1868, was a dress maker ‘at home’ with her ‘own account’, spoke English and could read and write. ^[10]

In 1911, Jessie was listed in the city directory as the widow of George Gray, in a home at 255 Spruce Street, Franlin. Also listed is her daughter Mollie Gray. ^[11]

In 1915, Jessie was listed in the city directory as the widow of Georg Gray, in a home at 255 Spruce Street, Franklin. Also listed is her daughter Mollie Gray and E Kunkle and son. ^[12]

In 1918, Jessie was listed in the city directory as the widow of George Gray, in a home at 255 Spruce Street, Franklin. Also listed is her daughter Mollie Gray^[13]

In 1920 Jessie (77), Head of household and no income, was living with her daughter Mollie (49), and granddaughter Mary K Sharp (12). Jessie was widowed. Additionally, Jessie, and her parents were born in Scotland and spoke Scotch, she immigrated during 1855, and was naturalized on an unknown date. She is shown to have owned her home at 257 Spruce Street, mortgage free, spoke English, and could read and write. Mollie was single, born in Pennsylvania, was a sales lady in a department store for a wage, spoke English and could read and write. Mary K was single, born in Pennsylvania, attending school, not working, her father was born in Illinois, spoke English, and could read and write. ^[14]

In 1920, Jessie was listed in the city directory as the widow of George Gray, in a home at 255 Spruce Street, Franklin. Also listed is her daughter Mollie Gray^[15]

In 1922, Jessie was listed in the city directory as the widow of George Gray, in a home at 255 Spruce Street, Franklin. Also listed is her daughter Mollie Gray who worked at Penn Traffic Co.^[16]

In 1925, Jessie was listed in the city directory as the widow of George Gray, in a home at 255 Spruce Street, Franklin. Also listed is her daughter Mollie Gray who worked as a saleslady at P T Co (Penn Traffic Co).^[17]

In 1927, Jessie was listed in the city directory as the widow of George Gray, in a home at rear 255 Spruce Street, Franklin. Also listed is her daughters Mary E who was a clerk. And Mollie Gray who worked as a saleslady at P T Co (Penn Traffic Co).^[18]

In 1930 Jessie (88), Mother and not employed, was living with Mary E (60), Head of household, Mary’s Nephew, Eugene Devlin (25) and his son (her grandnephew) Thomas Devlin (3 and 3 months). Jessie was widowed, shown to been married at twenty, spoke English, could read and write, immigrated in 1855, was naturalized, and she and her parents were from Scotland. Mary E, still single, born in Pennsylvania, now owned the house at 257 Spruce Street, valued at $4,500.00, spoke English, could read and write, and had no income. Eugene was widowed, born in Pennsylvania, spoke English, could read and write, was a manager in a pool room (worker code 837V) for a wage, and was not a veteran. His young son Thomas was born in Pennsylvania. ^[19]

In 1931, Jessie was listed in the city directory as the widow of George Gray, in a home at 255 Spruce Street, Franklin. Also listed is her daughter Mollie Gray.^[20]

Abridged Obituary: GRAY, Jessie (Wilson); Death Date: 24 Jan 1931 in Franklin Borough, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States; Age: 89; Birth Date: Feb 1842 in Scotland; Parents: James & Mary (Bratton) Wilson; Spouses: 1 John Angus, 2 George B. Gray; Preceded in death by: mother (d. 1872); father (d. 1883); 1st husband (m. Jan 1862, d. Oct 1862); 2nd husband (m. 1865, d. 1874); brother, David B. Wilson; Survived by: daughter, Mollie Gray; son, John B. Gray; 8 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; Buried: Headrick's Cemetery^[21]

Full Obituary:Mrs. Jessie Gray Has Passes Away: Franklin Borough Woman Born in Scotland in 1842; Funeral Monday: Mrs. Jessie (Wilson) Gray, one of the oldest residents of this vicinity, died this morning at her home, 257 Spruce Street, Franklin Borough, where she had been bedfast for the last six weeks. Mrs. Gray was in her 89th year. Funeral services will be held at the Gray home at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon with interment in Headrick’s Cemetery. Mrs. Gray was born in Scotland in February 1842, and was a daughter of James and Mary (Bratton) Wilson, who came to America with their family in 1855 and located in Vinco, later removing to Conemaugh. Mrs. Gray’s mother died in 1872, and her father in 1883. The Latter was a tanner. Mrs. Gray was a sister of the late David B. Wilson and the late Charles Wilson. The subject of this sketch was married twice, the first time to John Angus. This ceremony was performed in January, 1862, and in October of that same year Mr. Angus passed away. Her second marriage was to George B. Gray, who served in the 101st Regiment P. V. I., in the Civil War. The Gray-Angus ceremony was performed in 1865 by the late Rev. Dr. B. L. Agnew, who was then the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, this city. George B. Gray was a railroader and was fatally injured in Conemaugh in 1874. Mrs. Gray’s brother, the late David B. Wilson, was also a railroader and veteran of the Civil War. He was fatally injured on the P. R. R. at Mineral Point some 20 years ago. Mrs. Gray is survived by a daughter, a son, eight grandchildren and 11 great grand children. The daughter is Miss Mollie Gray, who resides at the homestead in Franklin Borough, and the son is John B. Gray, of Altoona. Many years ago Mrs. Gray was affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church, this city. She was one of the charter members of the Conemaugh congregation, which was organized in 1881. ^[22]

Burial: Headrick Cem., E. Taylor twp., Cambria, PA Headstone Picture^[23] Grave:^[24]

• Fact: Residence (1842) Crailing, Roxburgh, Scotland
• Fact: Burial Headrick Cem., E. Taylor twp., Cambria, PA
• Fact: Christening , CRAILING, ROXBURGH, SCOTLAND

Sources

1. ↑ Ancestory.com Free pages[1]
2. ↑ 1860 Federal Census; Jackson Township, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States; P 425 (almost illegible); Dwelling number 2983; Family number 3022; Ebensburg Post Office.[2]
3. ↑ 1870 United States Federal Census; Conemaugh Township, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States; P 18; Dwelling 138; Family number 135; Johnstown Post Office.[3]
4. ↑ 1880 United States Census; Franklin Borough, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States; ED 195; Dwelling 98; Family number 137 and Family number 138[4]
5. ↑ City Directory, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; 1883; P 163 [5]
6. ↑ Marriage license dockets v.5(p.417 to end)-7 1888-1891[6]
7. ↑ 1890 Veterans Schedules; Line 18; Franklin and Conemaugh, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States. Page title: Special Schedule-Surviving Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Widows, etc.[7]
8. ↑ 1900 United States Federal Census; Conemaugh Township, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States; District 0109; Sheet 10; House number 171; Family number 176. [8]
9. ↑ City Directory, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; 1909; P 304-305[9]
10. ↑ 1910 United States Federal Census; Franklin Borough, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States; District 0105; Sheet 8; House number 255; Family number 158. [10]
11. ↑ City Directory, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; P 371.[11]
12. ↑ City Directory, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; 1915; P 322[12]
13. ↑ City Directory, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; 1918; P 375.[13]
14. ↑ 1920 United States Census; Franklin Borough, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States; District 0164; House number R257; Dwelling number 160; visit number 255.[14]
15. ↑ City Directory, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; 1920; P 455.[15]
16. ↑ City Directory, Johnstown, Pennsylvania;1922; P 457[16]
17. ↑ City Directory, Johnstown, Pennsylvania;1925; P 439 – 440.[17]
18. ↑ City Directory, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; P 429.[18]
19. ↑ 1930 United States Census; Franklin Borough, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States; District 0043; Sheet 20 A; House number R257; Dwelling number 337; Family number 360.[19]
20. ↑ City Directory, Johnstown, Pennsylvania;1931; P 311.[20]
21. ↑ Newspaper: Johnstown Daily Tribune; 24 Jan 1931 (contibuted by Sharon Trosan-volunteer) [21]
22. ↑ The Daily Tribune, Johnstown, Cambria, Pennsylvania, United States; January 24, 1931
23. ↑ Cambriapa.com[22]
24. ↑ Findagrave.com[23]

• "Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : modified 21 September 2017, 12:25), entry for Jessie Thompson Wilson(PID https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/4:1:LHNG-FRJ); contributed by various users.

https://www.familysearch.org/search/linker?pal=/ark:/61903/1:1:VF3D-C9X&id=9V9C-WL6