Documents of Andrew Ray and his children with deed on James River
Louisa, Virginia, British Colonial America • 1734
Documents of Andrew Ray and his children with deed on James River
Contributed By
(Author: Jeneanne Pack Safran)
Louisa County was formed from Hanover County and Albemarle County was formed from part of Louisa County.
Deed Book A Page 88 Year 1743 Louisa County
“John Thommson to Andrew Rea, Planter and his heirs forever, for the sum of thirty five pounds current money of Virginia for the purchase of 524 acres.” This is the same land description as he deeded to his heirs along the James River. No wife was listed
Patent Book 22 Year 1743 page 247
Andrew Reay was Patentee of 63 Acres on both sides of the North Fork of the James River
History of Albemarle page 303
1744 Andrew Rea entered a small tract on the south side of the Rivana River, a short distance above above Ivy Creek, and at that time was the owner of the land adjorning properties.
Fredericksville Parish Page 10
Item 3. Ordered that Andrew Rea and James Coursey do pocession all the lands betweenthe North Fork of James River, the road, Buck Mt. Creek and Goochland line.
Page 25
4. Item that Andrew Rea and James Carney do pocession all the lands between Alemarle line and Buck Mountian Road from Buck Mountain Cree to Powels Creek.
Page 39
Andrew Ray and Thomas Ballard do procession all the lands between Albemarle Line and Buckmountain road from Buck mountain creek and Powles creek.
Frederickville Parish #1 page 64
(blank) day of (blank) 1755
Thomas Meriwether &Thomas Paulet Gent., Churchwardens of the Frederickville Par..Louisa Co., and Andrew Ray of same Par. And Co.,:. Churchwardens do bind Benjamin Via a poor mulatto boy with the conesent of his mothr Mary Via which boy was born the 4th day of July 1754 until the age of thirty one years. Ray to provide sd. Child schooling according to law and sound wholesome lodging clothing and diet and other conveniences according to Law and provide for him at the expiration of his time according to law.
Andrew Ray
Thos.Paulett
Thos. Meriwether
Probate Book Year 1757 Page 45
Persuant to an order of Louisa Court whereas John Phillips, George Terryman, and Charles Goodman were appointed appraisers of Andrew Ray Dec. Estate returns as follows.
I have condensed this but will send the actual document if you want it. They have listed his belongings other than land.
Item 1 To a Mulatto Boy Bound by law 10.4 age Old Baskest 10.1(pounds)
. This was first item listed, then listed 24 more items such as horses and household items. My conclusion is that the three listed children in the inventory are the same listed as younger children and not married at the time of their fathers death.
Item 24 young Soral Mare left for Jane Reay 6. (Pounds)
Item 25 Young Bay mare left for Sarah Reay 6 (pounds)
Item 26 Bay Horse left for Andrew Reay 4 (pounds 10)
Then there was a total of the amount of all the items listed. 119 9 4
The administration of his death listed the surname of Rea two different ways.
Rea, Ray,
Following are the deeds I found along the James River (This is the same land description as he deeded to his heirs along the James River. No wife was mentioned in these deed only himself and his heirs, which leads me to believe his wife was already deceased.)
Louisa County Va Deed Records Book B Page 209
Date 23 Jul 1757
Granter: Thomas Hacket and Mary his wife, Grantee: Charles Goodman
Thomas Hacket and Mary his wife of St. Margaret’s Parish, Caroline Co. to Charles Goodman Fredericksville Pa., Louisa Co. #40, for 400 acres on south side of the sourth branch of the north fork of James River in Fredericksville Par., adj. Roland Horsley’s corner on the river bank and his and Nathaniel Winston’s corner, Andrew Rayes line. Wit Garrett Hackett, Bartlett Mill. Joseph Goodman.
Deed BookPageYear
Book B21019 Aug 1757
Andrew Ray deceased, conveyed Samuel Ray and his wife Jane, 134 acres. Both sides of the Branch of the North Fork of the James River in Louisa County. Beginning at the Fishing Creek, along the side of Francis Graham.
Samuel Ray and wife Jane were to act as the executors:
Heirs were:
Samuel Ray and his wife Jane
Thomas Ray
Francis Graham
Elinor Ray
Jane Ray
Sarah Ray
Charles Goodman
Andrew Ray
Signed in the Court House in Louisa County on 23 Aug 1757
Book BPage 21219 Aug 1757
Samuel Ray and his wife Jane deed to Thomas Ray
Samuel Ray and his wife Jane deed to Thomas Ray as the desire of Andrew Ray deceased.
1 Tract of land in a parcel of 142 acres.
Book BPage 23717 Aug 1757
Samuel Ray and his wife Jane deed to Francis Graham
Samuel Ray and his wife Jane deed to Francis Graham and his wife Mary. 1 tract of land of 101 acres of land of the deceased Andrew Ray.
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Group Sheet and order of birth as I evaluate the Deeds and Inventory.
Andrew Ray born about 1704
Died 1757
Married about 1729
Wife’s name unknown
1. A daughter name unknown married to Charles Goodman as he was the administrator of inventory. I assume she was the eldest child. He was listed in receiving property in Deed. Born about 1730
2. Mary Ray born about 1732 married to Francis Graham and received property in Deed.
3. Samuel Ray born about 1734 married to Jane, he was the executor to his father’s will so I assume he was the eldest son.
4. Thomas Ray born about 1736 received property in the deed.
5. Ellinor Ray born about 1738 named in deed.
6. Jane Ray born about 1740 named in deed. Received a horse in the inventory.
7. Sarah Ray born about 1742 named in deed. Received a horse in the inventory.
8. Andrew Ray born about 1744 named in Deed. He also received a horse in the inventory.
I have the deeds and the property is all the same as listed as Andrew Rea owned. The children’s land match the description of Andrew’s land. All the heirs property line up with each other and they all reside side by side.