WILLIAM H. RAY FAMILY - Smith County, TX Submitted by East Texas Genealogical Society P. O. Box 6967, Tyler, TX 75711 18 January 2004 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************************************* East Texas Family Records, VOL. I, No. 1, pages 4-6 W1LLIAM H. RAY FAMILY By Mildred McKnight Shamburger. The following article, except for additional information on the c1lildren, was first published by Mrs. Shamburger in Chronicles of Smith County, Texas, Volume II, Number 1, Spring 1972. William H. Ray was born 9 October 1302 in Kentucky, the fourth child of Joseph M. and Mary (Phouts) Ray. He was in Alabama before, or about the Lime of the organization of Coosa County, as land deeded to him was the fourth entry in the Book of Deeds of that county. In this county he served as Commissioner of Roads and Justice of Peace. Records show there were a few white people scattered in different parts of the county living among tile Indians before the organization of Coosa County. William H. and his family were among these. He married Miss Nancy Herring of South Carolina 22 December 1825. They were the parents of twelve children, eight of these were in Alabama. About 1843-44 William H. Ray moved to Texas bringing with him his elderly parents. It is not known whether they immediately settled in Mt. Carmel Community, Smith County, where they were residing at time of death. Wm. H. established a water power grist mill on the Jacob Mast survey about twelve miles southwest of Tyler. It was situated about four miles east of present Bullard, Texas and about two miles north of the south boundry line of Smith and Cherokee Counties. In connection there, he ran a large "Tannery" during the Civil War. Its location was near old "Beaver Ruin", and was abandoned soon after the Civil War. It is believed that when the call went out from Texas to the Mother States for men of God to come and help establish churches that Rev. William H. Ray answered that call. He was instrumental in organizing several churches in Smith County and was first pastor of the First Baptist Church, Tyler, Texas (organized 8 April 1848). Their first meeting place of worship was a log cabin court house with mother- earth floor (8 members). The next year he organized and was first pastor of Harris Creek Church (now First Baptist, Winona, Texas). This church was near Starville, which was at that time a more thickly populated area than Tyler. The congregation of 15 members first met in homes. The first church building of 20-24 square feet was a cabin made of hewed pine logs hauled from east of Starville by ox wagon and erected near Lott's Springs. When William H. Ray came to Texas he was granted a large survey of land near Fruit Community (now Pine Springs). The old Camp Ford prison was located on its south side. There was a large cooperage factory on Ray Creek, a stream which flowed through the middle of the survey. The village of Kirbyville, and a wagon and harness factory were built here. Several families lived there also. The Rays have always been patriotic. William H. Ray's family was no exception, as four of his sons served the Confederacy. Perry, his third son served as Second lieutenant of Co. I, 22nd Regiment, Texas Voluntary Infantry. At the close of the Civil War, Perry Ray, having no money, walked from New Orleans, Louisiana to Tyler. He arrived home with his feet bleeding. Joseph Young and Bryant H. served with "The Lone Star Rebels", the latter died of injuries received in a raid on Jackson, Miss. 15 July 1863. He was one of ten hundred and twenty one prisoners to Vicksburg, Miss. from Camp Douglas, Illinois for exchange. James H. also served. William H. was a member of St. John #53 Miasonic Lodge, Tyler, receiving his first degree 19 November 1850, the second degree 8 February 1851 and his Masters degree 24 June 1851. Through the Masons he purchased the corner stone for the first brick courthouse in Smith County, Texas. William H. died 25 September 1875 and Nancy, 25 January 1800, both in Smith County. They are buried at Sand Flat Cemetery. The children of William and Nancy were: Demus L., born 17 December 1826 in Creek Indian Territory, died 3 August 1856 in Texas. Burrell Boozman, born 7 March 1828 in Creek Indian Territory, died 4 July 1900 in Texas Married 1850 to Sarah Ann Johnson. Sarah was born 1830 in Alabama and died 17 June 1900 in Texas. Permelia, born 10 December 1329 in Alabama, died 1835 in Alabama. Perry, born 11 January 1832 in Coosa County, Alabama, died 5 January 1916 in Texas, married first 2 February 1860 to Emily J. Thorn. Emily was born 17 November 1842 in Texas and died 23 March 1872. Perry married a second time 15 November 1874 to Martha A. Dodds. His last marriage was to Rachel Hoke in 1880. James H., born 22 July 1834 in Coosa County, Alabama, died 9 August 1897 in Wood County, Texas, Married 25 June 1865 to Mary J. "Mollie" Hunter. Mollie was born 1 September 1854 and died 14 February 1887. Joseph Young, born 21 February 1836 in Coosa County, Alabama, died 5 May 1897 in Texas, married 9 January 1868 to Nancy Elizabeth Lewis. Nancy was born 19 December 1848 in Mississippi and died 9 March 1935 in Texas. Angelina S., born 16 December 1839 in Alabama, married 20 February 1855 to William C. Pearson. Bryant H., born 13 June 1841 in Alabama, died 11 May 1866 of injuries received at Jackson, Mississippi during the Civil War. Mary Elizabeth, born 22 June 1843 in Texas, died 5 September 1896 in Texas, married first 22 December 1855 to E. M. Pearson. Her second husband was David Smith Lavender. Lewis H., born 21 September 1845 in Texas, died 25 April 1854 in Texas. Sarah Ann, born 25 October 1849 in Texas, died 12 March 1876 in Texas, married 19 January 1871 to J. D. Lewis. Amanda, born 26 April 1850 in Texas, died 13 April 1886 in Texas, married 14 December 1875 to 0. A. Thomas. (Coosa County, Alabama was formed from part of the Creek Indian Territory in the Creek Cession of 1832. Source: Handybook, Everton Publishers.-Ed.)