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id	first	middle	last	dob	dod	cod
91	Morgan		Gray	10/27/1818	5/24/1889	kidney disease

veteran	exhumed	purchaser	cemetery
	FALSE		Adams Street

lot	plot
	R2 G9 in family lot

relations

William Gray (father) 5 brothers, 3 sisters Helen White (1st wife) Varnum R. Gray (son, b. Sep 1845) Mary A. (daughter, b. c1848-d. before 1860) Emeline Gray (2nd wife, b. c1828-d. 31 May 1870) Marion Gray (son, b. 28 Jul. 1855-d. 18 July 1876) Harriet "Hattie" Gray (daughter, b. 31 Jan 1859-d. 25 Aug 1878) Infant Gray (d. 18 Nov 1865, aged 1 mo.) Lavinia Patterson (mother in law) Catharine "Kate" Rush Gray (3rd wife, b. c1853-d. c1882) Clara F. Gray Munson (daughter, b. c1872, married Charles S. Munson 9 Jan 1892?) Ida M. Gray Root (daughter, b. c1874) Freddie Gray (son, b. 14 Sep 1875-d. 2 Sep 1876) George F. (son, b. Sep 1876) Emma Pilgrim Gray (daughter in law, married to Varnum, 7 July 1868) Morgan G. or J. Gray (grandson, born to Varnum and Emma) Stella Castle Gray (married to Morgan G. or J., 21 Aug 1901 ) Robert V. Gray (grandson, born to Varnum and Emma) Elida Gray (married to Robert V., b. Aug 1879) Hanna E. (granddaughter, born to Varnum and Emma) Hellen B. (granddaughter, born to Varnum and Emma) Pearl Gray (daughter in law, married to George F.) Clara P. Gray (granddaughter, born to George F. and Pearl, b. Mar 1897) For more genealogy, see article on the 1900 Gray family reunion in the Comments section.

comments

The Inscriptions from the Old Village Cemetery state, "Morgan, b. Oct. 27, 1818, d. May 24, 1889." The Cuyahoga County Cemetery Inscriptions state, "Morgan Gray, born Oct 27, 18(1?)8, died Mar 21, 1889." Morgan Gray married Helen White on 2 Dec. 1844 (Morgan Gray-Helen White marriage license). They had two children, Varnum R. and Mary A. Morgan remarried on 21 March 1850, to Emeline Patterson (Morgan Grey-Emeline Patterson marriage license). The family was enumerated in the 1850 census in Middleburg Twp. Morgan Grey [sic], age 35, born in PA, a farmer, married within that year to Emeline, born in OH, age 44 [sic, probably 24], with real estate worth $750. Children Varmum [sic], age 5, and Mary A., age 2, were probably born to Morgan's first wife. Varmum was attending school. Neighbors were Francis Frey and Wm. Cousin. In 1852, Morgan and Emeline sold 19 3/4 acres of land in Middleburg to Joseph Schindler for $525 (Morgan Gray deed, 6 April 1855). In 1855, he bought 33 acres from the Grangers for $339.10 [sic] (Morgan Gray deed, 17 Oct 1856). The family was enumerated in the 1860 census in Middleburg: Morgan Gray, giving his age as 40, born in Ohio [sic], a farmer with $2,000 real estate and $500 personal property. Wife Emilene [sic], age 30, born in PA[sic]. Children all born in OH: Varnum[sic] (14), Marion (5), Harriet (1), and also Lavina Patterson (40--mistake? She is Emeline's mother), born in NY. Varnum was attending school. Between 1863 and 1868, Morgan made 7 more land transactions with Azariah Everett, William Giger, Francis Granger, Christopher Frey, Thomas Wooldridge (a neighbor), Thomas Alexander, and Amos Fay (Morgan Gray deeds, 17 Feb 1867-26 Dec 1868). Morgan's 2nd wife Emeline Gray died on 31 May 1870 (Emeline Gray tombstone). The family was enumerated in the 1870 census in Middleburg Twp. Morgan Grey, 52, a farmer with $7500 in real estate and $800 in personal property. Children Maria [sic--probably Marion, the sex is scribbled over](14), and Harriet (11). Both children attended school. Also living with them was Lavinia Paterson [sic], keeping house, whose age was now given as 76. Their neighbors were Sanford Gray and Thomas Wooldridge. Morgan Gray married again, to Catharine "Kate" Rush, on 19 December 1870 (Morgan Gray-Catharine Rush marriage license). In 1874, Morgan and Catharine sold a half acre of land in Middleburg for $80 to Sanford Gray [Morgan's brother?] (Morgan Gray deed, 2 July 1874). Both of Morgan's surviving children by his 2nd wife Emeline died: Marion on 18 July 1876, of consumption, just short of his 21st birthday (Marion Gray death notice, Grindstone City Advertiser, 19 July 1876) and, tragically, Hattie, in August 1878, when she shot herself after her father refused her permission to marry Mr. Richmond, a laborer living with the family (Grindstone Advertiser, 29 Aug 1878). To read Hattie's story, see entry on Harriet Gray. He and Catharine also lost a one year old baby, Freddie, who died on 2 Sept 1876 (Grindstone City Advertiser, 7 Sept 1876). The family was enumerated in the 1880 census in Middleburg Twp. Morgan gave his age as 64, still farming, born in Ohio of parents from VT. 3rd wife Kate was age 27, born in Ohio of German parents. Children were Clara F (8), Ida M (6), and George F (4). They also had a Prussian farmhand, Martin Baker (20), and a school teacher as boarder, Maggie Tibits (15 [!!]). Clara and Ida were attending school. They had more neighbors but were still in the same location. On 2 Mar 1889, perhaps sensing his coming demise, Morgan Gray deeded property to his children George F., Clara, and Ida, splitting it between George and the two girls. They paid $1 (Morgan Gray deed, 8 June 1889). It appears from other sources that his oldest son Varnum retained the family house. Morgan Gray died on 24 May 1889 (Morgan Gray tombstone), but Berea died not record the date of his burial ("List of burials and names"). Of ten children, only 4 survived him. His 3rd wife Kate had also died. His obituary said "The late Morgan Gray, deceased, of this township, was a son of Wm. Gray, and was one of a family of six boys and three girls. He was born in Euclid in the year 1818. At the age of 14 he went to work on the lake as a sailor which was his occupation until he was 23 years of age, when he married, and purchased a farm in Middleburgh, upon which he resided until death. During his residence in Middleburgh he has buried three wives and a number of children. Those alive at present are V.T. Gray, by his first wife, and Clara, Ida and George by his last wife. Before his health failed he was quite active in politics, being at first an ardent Whig and then an enthusiastic Republican, and assisted in raising the first Republican pole in Berea, during the campaign battle cry of 'Freedom and Fremont'. About 8 years ago he became afflicted with a kidney trouble and two years later was, as people and himself thought, at death’s door. In the meantime his last wife had died and left him three little children to be cared for. The situation necessitated the removal of his son, V.T. Gray, to his father’s farm to care and provide for the father and children. With good care and medical attendance he was pulled through and his life extended for nearly seven years, only to be again prostrated, and this time to succumb to the fatal malady. He passed away gently like falling asleep about 8 o’clock a.m., Friday, the 24th day of May, 1889." AND "Bourne to the Tomb. The funeral of the late Mr. Morgan Gray, whose death was noticed in our last issue, occurred Sunday afternoon commencing at one o’clock at the house and conducted by the Rev. Jos. E. Collom, pastor of the Congl. Church. There was a large gathering of his old neighbors and friends and a long procession of carriages followed his remains to the Methodist church where a funeral sermon was preached in accordance with the expressed wish of the deceased. The pall bearers were Calvin Spafford, Samuel Danald, Thomas Wooldridge, Robert Pilgrim, Monroe Bradley and Hiram Bradley—all of whom are old residents and neighbors. Thus passes away another of the once prominent citizens of this township" (Berea Advertiser, 31 May 1898). Varnum Gray, oldest son of Morgan Gray, survived. He married Emma Pilgrim (Varnum R. Gray-Emma Pilgrim marriage license). He was enumerated in the 1900 census in Middleburg, living in his father's old house (judging by the neighbors), born Sep 1845, age 54, married 32 years, born to parents both from OH, English wife Emma, born Jan 1842, age 52, 5 children, all living, with children at home Morgan G. (b. Nov 1873, age 26, single), Hannah E. (b. Apr 1879, 21, single), Hellen B. (b. Aug 1883, 16, single). All children born in MI. Another of their sons, Robert V, lives next to them: born Dec 1875, age 24, married to Elida, born in OH in Aug 1879, 20 yrs, they had no children yet. Morgan G. Gray may have married his next door neighbor, Stella Castle (1900 census, Morgan J. Gray-Stella Castle marriage license). George F. Gray, youngest son of Morgan Gray, also survived, and married Pearl. He was enumerated in the 1900 census, living close to Varnum, born Sep 1876, age 23, married four years, born to parents born in OH. Wife Pearl, b. Nov 1876, age 23, born to parents born in OH, with one child, Clara P (b. Mar 1897). There are marriage licenses for Clara F., Ida M., and Hanna E. in the Cuyahoga County Historical Marriage License index. The Aug 3, 1900, issue of the Berea Enterprise included an article entitled "The Gray Family Reunion." Those who attended were Mr. and Mrs. Sandford Gray, of Cedar Point; Mr. and Mrs. Varnum Gray and Misses Hannah and Blanch Gray, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gray, Mr. and Mrs. George Gray and Miss Clara Gray, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Wooldridge and family--Alta, Arthur, Eddie, and Glen; Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Gray and daughter Alma, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Baker and daughter Clara, Mrs. Ida Root and children--Eva, Ruth, and Franklin--of Berea; Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Munson and son Ira, of Berea; Mr. and Mrs. John Wooldridge and daughters Ada and Merle, of Berea; Mr. and Mrs. John Brooks and family--Misses Alice and Nellie, and Edward--of Cleveland; Mrs. Reinhart of Cleveland, Mr. Frank Parker of Middleburg; Mrs. Ann Gray of MI; Mr. Ora Gray of Middleburg; Mr. and Mrs. Dona King and sons--Crowley, Clyde, and Lloyd--of Berea; Mr. and Mrs. William Gray and family--Florence, Addie, Freddie, and Elmer--of Olmsted Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Ford Gray and daughter Ida; Mrs. Wilson and sons, of Toledo. Morgan Gray's name appears in the Berea Newspapers: "Mr. Morgan Gray, of Middleburgh, has rejuvenated his residence, by the addition of window blinds and a generous application of paint" (Republican and Advertiser, 22 May 1879). "Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Gray and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wooldridge of Middleburgh, are attending the Toledo Tri-State Fair this week" (Republican and Advertiser, 11 September 1879). "Mrs. Morgan Gray is dangerously ill with consumption" (Berea Advertiser, 13 April 1882). "Death of Mrs. Gray Mrs. Catherine Gray wife of Morgan Gray of Middleburgh, expired, of consumption, April 12th, 1882, aged 29 years one day. We learn that she had been sick about one year. Three young children are left motherless by this sad dispensation. The funeral occurred on Saturday p.m. at the Stone church conducted by the Rev. A.J. Lyon. Friends from abroad were present, among them, Mr. V.R. Gray of Blissfield, Michigan. Mr. Gray seems peculiarly unfortunate, having been twice before similarly bereaved, Mrs. Gray being his third wife" (Berea Advertiser, 20 April 1882). "Mr. Morgan Gray has been at the Huron Street Hospital, Cleveland, several days, for treatment, from which he is improving" (Berea Advertiser, 15 February 1883). "A Blaine and Logan pole was raised near the residence of Mr. Morgan Gray in this township last Friday. Mr. Gray says he assisted in raising the first pole ever raised in Middleburgh, which was during the Scott campaign" (Berea Advertiser, 7 November 1884). John Gray has been appointed guardian of the minors of the late Morgan Gray (Berea Advertiser, 7 June 1889) Morgan Gray had a marble obelisk for his grave marker. It was 67 1/2 and 53 inches high, 25 1/2 inches wide, and 25 1/2 inches thick. The maker's signature was BUHHER, Berea. The grave marker was of sound condition, but had eroded and had voids/losses. The severity of its condition was a 2 (1 being the least and 5 being the most). This serverity of condition was due to weathering and vegetation. There was a previous repair with cement and adhesive. The gravestone was cleaned with D-2 to get rid of excess material from previous repairs. D-2 and water was used for these repairs. The tombstone was inscribed. Morgan Gray had a sandstone personal headstone. The headstone had a pedestal, but the urn was missing. The lot number was 156, the row number was R2, and the grave number was G9. There was a fizz test performed and there was no magnifier used to examine the grain. The headstone is grey with black streaks. It is 68 inches high, 26.5 inches wide, and 26.5 inches thick. The marker faces East and the inscription or carving faces East. The marker only commemorates one person: Morgan Gray. On all four sides of the center section of the gravestone is a design across the top of an urn or cup with a scroll design across the top. On the bottom section, there is a textured pattern. The marker was broken, but repaired. In addition, it was discolored and the inscription is mostly legible (dates are slightly worn, but mostly visible). The tombstone was incised. The inscription stated, “Morgan H. Gray born Oct. 27, 1818 [died] May 24, 1889.”

sources

"List of burials and names," City of Berea Records E. S. Loomis and D. T. Gould, "Inscriptions from the Old Berea Cemetery," 1904, Berea Historical Society "Cuyahoga Cemetery Inscriptions," Vol. I, compiled by the Western Reserve Historical Society, 1934 1850 US Federal Census, Morgan Grey household, series M432, roll 673, p. 191. 1860 US Federal Census, Morgan Gray household, Series: M653 Roll: 954 Page: 89 1870 US Federal Census, Morgan Gray household, Series: M593 Roll: 1193 Page: 396 1880 US Federal Census, Morgan Gray household, Series: T9 Roll: 1009 Page: 216 1900 US Federal Census, Varnum Gray household, Robert V. Gray household, George F. Gray household, Series: T623 Roll: 1261 Page: 53 Morgan Gray-Helen White marriage license, vol. 4, p. 247; Morgan Gray-Emeline Patterson marriage license, vol. 5, p. 52; Morgan Gray-Catharine Rush marriage license, vol. 16, p. 112; Varnum R. Gray-Emma Pilgrim marriage license, vol. 14, p. 204; Morgan J. Gray-Stella Castle marriage license, vol. 52, p. 358; Charles E. Munson-Clara F, Gray marriage license, vol. 36, p. 412; Ida M. Gray-Root marriage license; Cuyahoga County Historical Marriage License Index online; Marriage License collection, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Fairview branch. Gray child death notice & Freddie Gray funeral notice, Grindstone Advertiser, 7 Sept 1876. "By Her Own Hand," Hattie Gray obituary, Grindstone Advertiser, 29 Aug 1878. Marion Gray death notice, Grindstone City Advertiser, 19 July 1876 Morgan Gray obituaries, Berea Advertiser, 31 May 1898. "The Gray Family Reunion," Berea Advertiser, 3 Aug 1900. Republican and Advertiser, 22 May 1879 Republican and Advertiser, 11 September 1879 Berea Advertiser, 13 April 1882 Berea Advertiser, 20 April 1882 Berea Advertiser, 15 February 1883 Berea Advertiser, 7 November 1884 Berea Advertiser, 7 June 1889 Sample Survey Sheet for Individual Burial Markers, Morgan Gray, J. Orlando, 24 July 2009. Baldwin Wallace College History Dept. Cemetery Documentation Project, Morgan Gray, Eileen Horansky, 12 October 2007.