He was a Regulator in Chatham County, N.C.
Henry was one of the Regulators who brought charges against Edmund Fanning for collecting illegal fees for registering deeds.
Henry married Sarah Yokely, they had at least 12 children:
Henry was in the Revolution and was at the Battle of Alamance in 1771.
Prior to Henrys death in 1812 this plantation consisted of 8,000 to 10,000 acres depending on various deed books and documents. The land where Henry Bray d. 1812 is buried was probably continously occupied by Brays from 1760 to at least 1900. There are many Brays and related families buried in the cemetery as well as slaves.
The slave cemetery is located about 50 feet from the main cemetery.
Here is his Will dated 4 Jan. 1812:
"In the Name of God amen, I HENRY BRAY, of the County of Chatham and State of North Carolina being of weak and infirm of body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God, calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed once for all men to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. That is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors and as touching such worldly estate where with it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give and dispose in this following manner.
"I give and bequeath to SARAH BRAY my dearly beloved wife one Negro wench by the name of Biney also one Negro fellow by the name of Harry also one Negro boy by the name of Elisha, also one horse by the name of Buck and one mare by the name of Ball, bridle and saddle, two ploughs and gears, four hoes and two matticks and other articles such as is needful about farming, six head of cattle, six head of sheep and as many hogs as will be sufficient for her also the plantation where she now lives or as much of it as will sufficient for to support her also two beds and furniture also as much house hold furniture as she sees cause to keep.
"I give and bequeath unto my son JOHN BRAY one tract of land where his son Henry now lives, price seven hundred dollars, also one tract where the said JOHN BRAY now lives, two hundred and fifty acres. Price five hundred dollars also one Negro woman by the name of Cate, price two hundred and twenty five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Ephren, price three hundred dollars, also one hundred and fifty three acres and a half and half of the mill where JOHN LAMBERT has the other half, price one thousand dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath unto my son MATHIAS BRAY one tract of land where he now lives containing three hundred acres, price six hundred dollars also two tracts adjoining, price five hundred dollars, also tract of land where Thomas Younger used to live, price five hundred and twenty five dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Plisent, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Jacob, price three hundred dollars, to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath unto my son JAMES BRAY one tract of land containing four hundred and forty five acres where he lives, price nine hundred dollars, also one tract of land where EDWARD BRAY Sr. used to live, containing two hundred and seventy five acres, price four hundred dollars, also one hundred acres adjoining the other containing one hundred acres, price one hundred dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Hannes, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Duke, price three hundred dollars, to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give to my son WILLIAM BRAY one tract of land containing one hundred and sixty five acres where he lives, price six hundred and fifty dollars, also one tract adjoining the other one hundred and ten acres, price two hundred and twenty dollars, also one tract of land beginning at the head of a glade known by the name of, "The Big Glade", down said glade to the road that leads from JESSE BRAYES to JOHN SILERS thence East to Smith?s line thence North Round for to connect the store place, price five hundred and fifty dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Diley, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro Girl name of Nancy, price one hundred and twenty five dollars, also one Negro man by the name of Joe, price four hundred and seventy five dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath unto my son HENRY BRAY one tract of land where he now lives containing six hundred and forty acres, price eight hundred dollars and two tracts where he used to live and GRANDFATHERS old place, price seven hundred dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Chelse, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Jurden, price one hundred and twenty five dollars, also two tracts of land adjoining his other tract where he now lives containing three hundred and forty acres, price seven hundred dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath to my daughter MARY LAMBERT, three notes principle, one thousand dollars interest thirty six dollars, also one tract of land where BENJAMIN JOHNSON now lives, price four hundred dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Jude, price three hundred dollars, also two Negro girls by the names of Luck and Phiney, price three hundred dollars.
"I give and bequeath unto my daughter SARA WELCH, one tract of land where she now lives, for her lifetime, lying on the Herdon branches beginning at a rock near the ford of the branch then up the branch to the fork then up to the North fork to the ford then along to the road to the ford of a small branch, then up the branch to another ford, then North to the East and West line of ___ tract running East including the Burr place containing five hundred and eighty acres, price seven hundred dollars, the right of said land to remain in the hand of the executors to be made to the heirs of her body, but to remain in possession of the said SARAH and MICHAEL HER HUSBAND for her lifetime and then to disinherit to her heirs, also one Negro girl by the name of Agge, price three hundred dollars which shall remain in the power of the executors to lend to the said SARAH and MICHAEL HER HUSBAND (during) her lifetime except bad abuse and if so to be taken and hired and the money to descend to her heirs at her decease, also the said Negro to descend to her heirs at her decease, one tract adjoining the ___ other lands containing two hundred acres, price seventy five dollars, also a part of the tract where I now live beginning at lanes line a little below the old bridge that is on the south prong of Little Brush Creek running down said creek until it comes near the saw mill, then excepting one acre of land the most convenient for the mill yard and privilege for a road through to the said mill now for the balance of the rest look above for the lift - The rest and then to the creek and then with the various courses of the creek to Gillilands line, then south with said line to the corner pine then east to Hardens Branch to a rock. The first station of the above mentioned tract of five hundred and eighty acres then up the branch with the varying courses of the other tract to the North corner then West to Lanes Corner, then North to the creek and the beginning, price seven hundred and fifty dollars, all rights and privileges withheld from her and her husband until the death of her mother and then privilege given to her, for her lifetime and to descent to the heirs of her body, also I give to her son HENRY, one mare which is to be in the power of the executors to prevent any defraud or sale of the said mare until the said HENRY shall come of age, but that she shall have the use of the said mare until the said HENRY is of age, price sixty five dollars, which is to be reduced out of her part of the estate and the balance of her part to make her equal with the rest of my heirs is to be paid in good property and money.
"I give and bequeath to my son JESSE BRAY one tract of land where he now lives, containing two hundred and fifty acres, price twelve hundred dollars, also part of another tract lying between his other tract and WILLIAM BRAYES line, price four hundred and fifty dollars, also one Negro man by the name of Dave, price four hundred and fifty dollars, to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath to my son ELI BRAY one tract of land and Mills containing four hundred and eight acres, price eleven hundred dollars, also one tract adjoining the other ___ two hundred and thirteen acres, price three hundred dollars, also one Negro man by the name of George, price four hundred and fifty dollars, also one Negro girl by the name of Betty, two hundred dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath to my son SOLOMON BRAY his equal part of my estate with the rest of my heirs only that there shall be a reduction of three hundred dollars which is to be paid to his DAUGHTER POLLY that he had by his WIFE HANNAH, the daughter of PETER CRAVEN of Randolph County, the said three hundred dollars to be left in the hands of my executors until the said POLLY shall arrive at lawful age and then due to her and also a reduction of the debts due from him to my estate. I give unto the said SOLOMON one Negro man by the name of Caster at the price of four hundred and fifty dollars in part payment of the above sum one half of the balance to be paid in cash and the other half to be paid in property when legally demanded of my executors.
"I give and bequeath to my son EDWARD BRAY two thousand dollars out of my whole estate, to be paid when collected and called for and if the said EDWARD BRAY should die without a lawful heir, I desire this money should be equally divided among my heirs. My desire is that the remainder part of my estate to be so divided as to make their sums equal except EDWARDs, also it is my desire that the property that I left to my wife at her decease shall be equally divided among my heirs.
"Again I do hereby nominate and appoint my sons HENRY, JESSE and ELI my whole and soul executors of this my last will and testament also reasonable allowance to be made to them for their trouble and if any dispute should arise it to be left to one magistrate and two or three free holders to state the same in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal this fourth day of January 1812.
HENRY BRAY (Seal)"
Signed and sealed,
In the presence of Isaac Johnson
A. Lane (Abner Lane)
Chatham County Recorded in Book A page 198
Thomas Vaugh - Clerk
Henry was one of the Regulators who brought charges against Edmund Fanning for collecting illegal fees for registering deeds.
Henry married Sarah Yokely, they had at least 12 children:
Henry was in the Revolution and was at the Battle of Alamance in 1771.
Prior to Henrys death in 1812 this plantation consisted of 8,000 to 10,000 acres depending on various deed books and documents. The land where Henry Bray d. 1812 is buried was probably continously occupied by Brays from 1760 to at least 1900. There are many Brays and related families buried in the cemetery as well as slaves.
The slave cemetery is located about 50 feet from the main cemetery.
Here is his Will dated 4 Jan. 1812:
"In the Name of God amen, I HENRY BRAY, of the County of Chatham and State of North Carolina being of weak and infirm of body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God, calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed once for all men to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. That is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors and as touching such worldly estate where with it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give and dispose in this following manner.
"I give and bequeath to SARAH BRAY my dearly beloved wife one Negro wench by the name of Biney also one Negro fellow by the name of Harry also one Negro boy by the name of Elisha, also one horse by the name of Buck and one mare by the name of Ball, bridle and saddle, two ploughs and gears, four hoes and two matticks and other articles such as is needful about farming, six head of cattle, six head of sheep and as many hogs as will be sufficient for her also the plantation where she now lives or as much of it as will sufficient for to support her also two beds and furniture also as much house hold furniture as she sees cause to keep.
"I give and bequeath unto my son JOHN BRAY one tract of land where his son Henry now lives, price seven hundred dollars, also one tract where the said JOHN BRAY now lives, two hundred and fifty acres. Price five hundred dollars also one Negro woman by the name of Cate, price two hundred and twenty five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Ephren, price three hundred dollars, also one hundred and fifty three acres and a half and half of the mill where JOHN LAMBERT has the other half, price one thousand dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath unto my son MATHIAS BRAY one tract of land where he now lives containing three hundred acres, price six hundred dollars also two tracts adjoining, price five hundred dollars, also tract of land where Thomas Younger used to live, price five hundred and twenty five dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Plisent, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Jacob, price three hundred dollars, to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath unto my son JAMES BRAY one tract of land containing four hundred and forty five acres where he lives, price nine hundred dollars, also one tract of land where EDWARD BRAY Sr. used to live, containing two hundred and seventy five acres, price four hundred dollars, also one hundred acres adjoining the other containing one hundred acres, price one hundred dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Hannes, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Duke, price three hundred dollars, to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give to my son WILLIAM BRAY one tract of land containing one hundred and sixty five acres where he lives, price six hundred and fifty dollars, also one tract adjoining the other one hundred and ten acres, price two hundred and twenty dollars, also one tract of land beginning at the head of a glade known by the name of, "The Big Glade", down said glade to the road that leads from JESSE BRAYES to JOHN SILERS thence East to Smith?s line thence North Round for to connect the store place, price five hundred and fifty dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Diley, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro Girl name of Nancy, price one hundred and twenty five dollars, also one Negro man by the name of Joe, price four hundred and seventy five dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath unto my son HENRY BRAY one tract of land where he now lives containing six hundred and forty acres, price eight hundred dollars and two tracts where he used to live and GRANDFATHERS old place, price seven hundred dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Chelse, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Jurden, price one hundred and twenty five dollars, also two tracts of land adjoining his other tract where he now lives containing three hundred and forty acres, price seven hundred dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath to my daughter MARY LAMBERT, three notes principle, one thousand dollars interest thirty six dollars, also one tract of land where BENJAMIN JOHNSON now lives, price four hundred dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Jude, price three hundred dollars, also two Negro girls by the names of Luck and Phiney, price three hundred dollars.
"I give and bequeath unto my daughter SARA WELCH, one tract of land where she now lives, for her lifetime, lying on the Herdon branches beginning at a rock near the ford of the branch then up the branch to the fork then up to the North fork to the ford then along to the road to the ford of a small branch, then up the branch to another ford, then North to the East and West line of ___ tract running East including the Burr place containing five hundred and eighty acres, price seven hundred dollars, the right of said land to remain in the hand of the executors to be made to the heirs of her body, but to remain in possession of the said SARAH and MICHAEL HER HUSBAND for her lifetime and then to disinherit to her heirs, also one Negro girl by the name of Agge, price three hundred dollars which shall remain in the power of the executors to lend to the said SARAH and MICHAEL HER HUSBAND (during) her lifetime except bad abuse and if so to be taken and hired and the money to descend to her heirs at her decease, also the said Negro to descend to her heirs at her decease, one tract adjoining the ___ other lands containing two hundred acres, price seventy five dollars, also a part of the tract where I now live beginning at lanes line a little below the old bridge that is on the south prong of Little Brush Creek running down said creek until it comes near the saw mill, then excepting one acre of land the most convenient for the mill yard and privilege for a road through to the said mill now for the balance of the rest look above for the lift - The rest and then to the creek and then with the various courses of the creek to Gillilands line, then south with said line to the corner pine then east to Hardens Branch to a rock. The first station of the above mentioned tract of five hundred and eighty acres then up the branch with the varying courses of the other tract to the North corner then West to Lanes Corner, then North to the creek and the beginning, price seven hundred and fifty dollars, all rights and privileges withheld from her and her husband until the death of her mother and then privilege given to her, for her lifetime and to descent to the heirs of her body, also I give to her son HENRY, one mare which is to be in the power of the executors to prevent any defraud or sale of the said mare until the said HENRY shall come of age, but that she shall have the use of the said mare until the said HENRY is of age, price sixty five dollars, which is to be reduced out of her part of the estate and the balance of her part to make her equal with the rest of my heirs is to be paid in good property and money.
"I give and bequeath to my son JESSE BRAY one tract of land where he now lives, containing two hundred and fifty acres, price twelve hundred dollars, also part of another tract lying between his other tract and WILLIAM BRAYES line, price four hundred and fifty dollars, also one Negro man by the name of Dave, price four hundred and fifty dollars, to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath to my son ELI BRAY one tract of land and Mills containing four hundred and eight acres, price eleven hundred dollars, also one tract adjoining the other ___ two hundred and thirteen acres, price three hundred dollars, also one Negro man by the name of George, price four hundred and fifty dollars, also one Negro girl by the name of Betty, two hundred dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath to my son SOLOMON BRAY his equal part of my estate with the rest of my heirs only that there shall be a reduction of three hundred dollars which is to be paid to his DAUGHTER POLLY that he had by his WIFE HANNAH, the daughter of PETER CRAVEN of Randolph County, the said three hundred dollars to be left in the hands of my executors until the said POLLY shall arrive at lawful age and then due to her and also a reduction of the debts due from him to my estate. I give unto the said SOLOMON one Negro man by the name of Caster at the price of four hundred and fifty dollars in part payment of the above sum one half of the balance to be paid in cash and the other half to be paid in property when legally demanded of my executors.
"I give and bequeath to my son EDWARD BRAY two thousand dollars out of my whole estate, to be paid when collected and called for and if the said EDWARD BRAY should die without a lawful heir, I desire this money should be equally divided among my heirs. My desire is that the remainder part of my estate to be so divided as to make their sums equal except EDWARDs, also it is my desire that the property that I left to my wife at her decease shall be equally divided among my heirs.
"Again I do hereby nominate and appoint my sons HENRY, JESSE and ELI my whole and soul executors of this my last will and testament also reasonable allowance to be made to them for their trouble and if any dispute should arise it to be left to one magistrate and two or three free holders to state the same in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal this fourth day of January 1812.
HENRY BRAY (Seal)"
Signed and sealed,
In the presence of Isaac Johnson
A. Lane (Abner Lane)
Chatham County Recorded in Book A page 198
Thomas Vaugh - Clerk
He was a Regulator in Chatham County, N.C.
Henry was one of the Regulators who brought charges against Edmund Fanning for collecting illegal fees for registering deeds.
Henry married Sarah Yokely, they had at least 12 children:
Henry was in the Revolution and was at the Battle of Alamance in 1771.
Prior to Henrys death in 1812 this plantation consisted of 8,000 to 10,000 acres depending on various deed books and documents. The land where Henry Bray d. 1812 is buried was probably continously occupied by Brays from 1760 to at least 1900. There are many Brays and related families buried in the cemetery as well as slaves.
The slave cemetery is located about 50 feet from the main cemetery.
Here is his Will dated 4 Jan. 1812:
"In the Name of God amen, I HENRY BRAY, of the County of Chatham and State of North Carolina being of weak and infirm of body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God, calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed once for all men to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. That is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors and as touching such worldly estate where with it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give and dispose in this following manner.
"I give and bequeath to SARAH BRAY my dearly beloved wife one Negro wench by the name of Biney also one Negro fellow by the name of Harry also one Negro boy by the name of Elisha, also one horse by the name of Buck and one mare by the name of Ball, bridle and saddle, two ploughs and gears, four hoes and two matticks and other articles such as is needful about farming, six head of cattle, six head of sheep and as many hogs as will be sufficient for her also the plantation where she now lives or as much of it as will sufficient for to support her also two beds and furniture also as much house hold furniture as she sees cause to keep.
"I give and bequeath unto my son JOHN BRAY one tract of land where his son Henry now lives, price seven hundred dollars, also one tract where the said JOHN BRAY now lives, two hundred and fifty acres. Price five hundred dollars also one Negro woman by the name of Cate, price two hundred and twenty five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Ephren, price three hundred dollars, also one hundred and fifty three acres and a half and half of the mill where JOHN LAMBERT has the other half, price one thousand dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath unto my son MATHIAS BRAY one tract of land where he now lives containing three hundred acres, price six hundred dollars also two tracts adjoining, price five hundred dollars, also tract of land where Thomas Younger used to live, price five hundred and twenty five dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Plisent, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Jacob, price three hundred dollars, to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath unto my son JAMES BRAY one tract of land containing four hundred and forty five acres where he lives, price nine hundred dollars, also one tract of land where EDWARD BRAY Sr. used to live, containing two hundred and seventy five acres, price four hundred dollars, also one hundred acres adjoining the other containing one hundred acres, price one hundred dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Hannes, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Duke, price three hundred dollars, to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give to my son WILLIAM BRAY one tract of land containing one hundred and sixty five acres where he lives, price six hundred and fifty dollars, also one tract adjoining the other one hundred and ten acres, price two hundred and twenty dollars, also one tract of land beginning at the head of a glade known by the name of, "The Big Glade", down said glade to the road that leads from JESSE BRAYES to JOHN SILERS thence East to Smith?s line thence North Round for to connect the store place, price five hundred and fifty dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Diley, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro Girl name of Nancy, price one hundred and twenty five dollars, also one Negro man by the name of Joe, price four hundred and seventy five dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath unto my son HENRY BRAY one tract of land where he now lives containing six hundred and forty acres, price eight hundred dollars and two tracts where he used to live and GRANDFATHERS old place, price seven hundred dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Chelse, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Jurden, price one hundred and twenty five dollars, also two tracts of land adjoining his other tract where he now lives containing three hundred and forty acres, price seven hundred dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath to my daughter MARY LAMBERT, three notes principle, one thousand dollars interest thirty six dollars, also one tract of land where BENJAMIN JOHNSON now lives, price four hundred dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Jude, price three hundred dollars, also two Negro girls by the names of Luck and Phiney, price three hundred dollars.
"I give and bequeath unto my daughter SARA WELCH, one tract of land where she now lives, for her lifetime, lying on the Herdon branches beginning at a rock near the ford of the branch then up the branch to the fork then up to the North fork to the ford then along to the road to the ford of a small branch, then up the branch to another ford, then North to the East and West line of ___ tract running East including the Burr place containing five hundred and eighty acres, price seven hundred dollars, the right of said land to remain in the hand of the executors to be made to the heirs of her body, but to remain in possession of the said SARAH and MICHAEL HER HUSBAND for her lifetime and then to disinherit to her heirs, also one Negro girl by the name of Agge, price three hundred dollars which shall remain in the power of the executors to lend to the said SARAH and MICHAEL HER HUSBAND (during) her lifetime except bad abuse and if so to be taken and hired and the money to descend to her heirs at her decease, also the said Negro to descend to her heirs at her decease, one tract adjoining the ___ other lands containing two hundred acres, price seventy five dollars, also a part of the tract where I now live beginning at lanes line a little below the old bridge that is on the south prong of Little Brush Creek running down said creek until it comes near the saw mill, then excepting one acre of land the most convenient for the mill yard and privilege for a road through to the said mill now for the balance of the rest look above for the lift - The rest and then to the creek and then with the various courses of the creek to Gillilands line, then south with said line to the corner pine then east to Hardens Branch to a rock. The first station of the above mentioned tract of five hundred and eighty acres then up the branch with the varying courses of the other tract to the North corner then West to Lanes Corner, then North to the creek and the beginning, price seven hundred and fifty dollars, all rights and privileges withheld from her and her husband until the death of her mother and then privilege given to her, for her lifetime and to descent to the heirs of her body, also I give to her son HENRY, one mare which is to be in the power of the executors to prevent any defraud or sale of the said mare until the said HENRY shall come of age, but that she shall have the use of the said mare until the said HENRY is of age, price sixty five dollars, which is to be reduced out of her part of the estate and the balance of her part to make her equal with the rest of my heirs is to be paid in good property and money.
"I give and bequeath to my son JESSE BRAY one tract of land where he now lives, containing two hundred and fifty acres, price twelve hundred dollars, also part of another tract lying between his other tract and WILLIAM BRAYES line, price four hundred and fifty dollars, also one Negro man by the name of Dave, price four hundred and fifty dollars, to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath to my son ELI BRAY one tract of land and Mills containing four hundred and eight acres, price eleven hundred dollars, also one tract adjoining the other ___ two hundred and thirteen acres, price three hundred dollars, also one Negro man by the name of George, price four hundred and fifty dollars, also one Negro girl by the name of Betty, two hundred dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath to my son SOLOMON BRAY his equal part of my estate with the rest of my heirs only that there shall be a reduction of three hundred dollars which is to be paid to his DAUGHTER POLLY that he had by his WIFE HANNAH, the daughter of PETER CRAVEN of Randolph County, the said three hundred dollars to be left in the hands of my executors until the said POLLY shall arrive at lawful age and then due to her and also a reduction of the debts due from him to my estate. I give unto the said SOLOMON one Negro man by the name of Caster at the price of four hundred and fifty dollars in part payment of the above sum one half of the balance to be paid in cash and the other half to be paid in property when legally demanded of my executors.
"I give and bequeath to my son EDWARD BRAY two thousand dollars out of my whole estate, to be paid when collected and called for and if the said EDWARD BRAY should die without a lawful heir, I desire this money should be equally divided among my heirs. My desire is that the remainder part of my estate to be so divided as to make their sums equal except EDWARDs, also it is my desire that the property that I left to my wife at her decease shall be equally divided among my heirs.
"Again I do hereby nominate and appoint my sons HENRY, JESSE and ELI my whole and soul executors of this my last will and testament also reasonable allowance to be made to them for their trouble and if any dispute should arise it to be left to one magistrate and two or three free holders to state the same in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal this fourth day of January 1812.
HENRY BRAY (Seal)"
Signed and sealed,
In the presence of Isaac Johnson
A. Lane (Abner Lane)
Chatham County Recorded in Book A page 198
Thomas Vaugh - Clerk
Henry was one of the Regulators who brought charges against Edmund Fanning for collecting illegal fees for registering deeds.
Henry married Sarah Yokely, they had at least 12 children:
Henry was in the Revolution and was at the Battle of Alamance in 1771.
Prior to Henrys death in 1812 this plantation consisted of 8,000 to 10,000 acres depending on various deed books and documents. The land where Henry Bray d. 1812 is buried was probably continously occupied by Brays from 1760 to at least 1900. There are many Brays and related families buried in the cemetery as well as slaves.
The slave cemetery is located about 50 feet from the main cemetery.
Here is his Will dated 4 Jan. 1812:
"In the Name of God amen, I HENRY BRAY, of the County of Chatham and State of North Carolina being of weak and infirm of body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God, calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed once for all men to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. That is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors and as touching such worldly estate where with it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give and dispose in this following manner.
"I give and bequeath to SARAH BRAY my dearly beloved wife one Negro wench by the name of Biney also one Negro fellow by the name of Harry also one Negro boy by the name of Elisha, also one horse by the name of Buck and one mare by the name of Ball, bridle and saddle, two ploughs and gears, four hoes and two matticks and other articles such as is needful about farming, six head of cattle, six head of sheep and as many hogs as will be sufficient for her also the plantation where she now lives or as much of it as will sufficient for to support her also two beds and furniture also as much house hold furniture as she sees cause to keep.
"I give and bequeath unto my son JOHN BRAY one tract of land where his son Henry now lives, price seven hundred dollars, also one tract where the said JOHN BRAY now lives, two hundred and fifty acres. Price five hundred dollars also one Negro woman by the name of Cate, price two hundred and twenty five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Ephren, price three hundred dollars, also one hundred and fifty three acres and a half and half of the mill where JOHN LAMBERT has the other half, price one thousand dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath unto my son MATHIAS BRAY one tract of land where he now lives containing three hundred acres, price six hundred dollars also two tracts adjoining, price five hundred dollars, also tract of land where Thomas Younger used to live, price five hundred and twenty five dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Plisent, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Jacob, price three hundred dollars, to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath unto my son JAMES BRAY one tract of land containing four hundred and forty five acres where he lives, price nine hundred dollars, also one tract of land where EDWARD BRAY Sr. used to live, containing two hundred and seventy five acres, price four hundred dollars, also one hundred acres adjoining the other containing one hundred acres, price one hundred dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Hannes, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Duke, price three hundred dollars, to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give to my son WILLIAM BRAY one tract of land containing one hundred and sixty five acres where he lives, price six hundred and fifty dollars, also one tract adjoining the other one hundred and ten acres, price two hundred and twenty dollars, also one tract of land beginning at the head of a glade known by the name of, "The Big Glade", down said glade to the road that leads from JESSE BRAYES to JOHN SILERS thence East to Smith?s line thence North Round for to connect the store place, price five hundred and fifty dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Diley, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro Girl name of Nancy, price one hundred and twenty five dollars, also one Negro man by the name of Joe, price four hundred and seventy five dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath unto my son HENRY BRAY one tract of land where he now lives containing six hundred and forty acres, price eight hundred dollars and two tracts where he used to live and GRANDFATHERS old place, price seven hundred dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Chelse, price three hundred and seventy five dollars, also one Negro boy by the name of Jurden, price one hundred and twenty five dollars, also two tracts of land adjoining his other tract where he now lives containing three hundred and forty acres, price seven hundred dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath to my daughter MARY LAMBERT, three notes principle, one thousand dollars interest thirty six dollars, also one tract of land where BENJAMIN JOHNSON now lives, price four hundred dollars, also one Negro woman by the name of Jude, price three hundred dollars, also two Negro girls by the names of Luck and Phiney, price three hundred dollars.
"I give and bequeath unto my daughter SARA WELCH, one tract of land where she now lives, for her lifetime, lying on the Herdon branches beginning at a rock near the ford of the branch then up the branch to the fork then up to the North fork to the ford then along to the road to the ford of a small branch, then up the branch to another ford, then North to the East and West line of ___ tract running East including the Burr place containing five hundred and eighty acres, price seven hundred dollars, the right of said land to remain in the hand of the executors to be made to the heirs of her body, but to remain in possession of the said SARAH and MICHAEL HER HUSBAND for her lifetime and then to disinherit to her heirs, also one Negro girl by the name of Agge, price three hundred dollars which shall remain in the power of the executors to lend to the said SARAH and MICHAEL HER HUSBAND (during) her lifetime except bad abuse and if so to be taken and hired and the money to descend to her heirs at her decease, also the said Negro to descend to her heirs at her decease, one tract adjoining the ___ other lands containing two hundred acres, price seventy five dollars, also a part of the tract where I now live beginning at lanes line a little below the old bridge that is on the south prong of Little Brush Creek running down said creek until it comes near the saw mill, then excepting one acre of land the most convenient for the mill yard and privilege for a road through to the said mill now for the balance of the rest look above for the lift - The rest and then to the creek and then with the various courses of the creek to Gillilands line, then south with said line to the corner pine then east to Hardens Branch to a rock. The first station of the above mentioned tract of five hundred and eighty acres then up the branch with the varying courses of the other tract to the North corner then West to Lanes Corner, then North to the creek and the beginning, price seven hundred and fifty dollars, all rights and privileges withheld from her and her husband until the death of her mother and then privilege given to her, for her lifetime and to descent to the heirs of her body, also I give to her son HENRY, one mare which is to be in the power of the executors to prevent any defraud or sale of the said mare until the said HENRY shall come of age, but that she shall have the use of the said mare until the said HENRY is of age, price sixty five dollars, which is to be reduced out of her part of the estate and the balance of her part to make her equal with the rest of my heirs is to be paid in good property and money.
"I give and bequeath to my son JESSE BRAY one tract of land where he now lives, containing two hundred and fifty acres, price twelve hundred dollars, also part of another tract lying between his other tract and WILLIAM BRAYES line, price four hundred and fifty dollars, also one Negro man by the name of Dave, price four hundred and fifty dollars, to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath to my son ELI BRAY one tract of land and Mills containing four hundred and eight acres, price eleven hundred dollars, also one tract adjoining the other ___ two hundred and thirteen acres, price three hundred dollars, also one Negro man by the name of George, price four hundred and fifty dollars, also one Negro girl by the name of Betty, two hundred dollars to him and his heirs for ever.
"I give and bequeath to my son SOLOMON BRAY his equal part of my estate with the rest of my heirs only that there shall be a reduction of three hundred dollars which is to be paid to his DAUGHTER POLLY that he had by his WIFE HANNAH, the daughter of PETER CRAVEN of Randolph County, the said three hundred dollars to be left in the hands of my executors until the said POLLY shall arrive at lawful age and then due to her and also a reduction of the debts due from him to my estate. I give unto the said SOLOMON one Negro man by the name of Caster at the price of four hundred and fifty dollars in part payment of the above sum one half of the balance to be paid in cash and the other half to be paid in property when legally demanded of my executors.
"I give and bequeath to my son EDWARD BRAY two thousand dollars out of my whole estate, to be paid when collected and called for and if the said EDWARD BRAY should die without a lawful heir, I desire this money should be equally divided among my heirs. My desire is that the remainder part of my estate to be so divided as to make their sums equal except EDWARDs, also it is my desire that the property that I left to my wife at her decease shall be equally divided among my heirs.
"Again I do hereby nominate and appoint my sons HENRY, JESSE and ELI my whole and soul executors of this my last will and testament also reasonable allowance to be made to them for their trouble and if any dispute should arise it to be left to one magistrate and two or three free holders to state the same in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal this fourth day of January 1812.
HENRY BRAY (Seal)"
Signed and sealed,
In the presence of Isaac Johnson
A. Lane (Abner Lane)
Chatham County Recorded in Book A page 198
Thomas Vaugh - Clerk
