Daniel McCray (abt. 1745 - 1819)

Born about 1745 in South Ayrshire, Scotland

Husband of Sarah (Nodding) McCray — married 1768 in Montgomery County, Maryland

Descendants

Died 1 Mar 1819 at about age 74 in Washington County, Tennessee, USA

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Biography

He was born about 1745 in South Ayrshire, Scotland. ^[1]

By 1768 he had emigrated to America. ^[2]

Daniel McCray first married about 1768 in Montgomery County, Maryland to Sarah Nodding (1751-1809).

In 1770 he leased land one mile above the Great Falls of the Potomac River in Loudoun County, Virginia which was witnessed by his father-in-law, William Nodding. ^[3]

In 1771 Daniel McCray and and his father-in-law, William Nodding, were both included on the Tithable List for Cameron Parish, Loudoun County, Virginia.

He moved his family from Virginia to North Carolina (now Washington County, Tennessee).

Original covenant signers of the Cherokee (Creek) Baptist Church, Washington County in 1783 included Daniel McCray, his wife, her parents, and Samuel and Mary (Nodding) Bayless.

Daniel is shown with land in Washington County before 1783.

During the American Revolutionary War he served from Washington County as a soldier during June 1783 to April 1784. ^[4]

For his military service, he received bounty land in Washington County. Monetary payment was rendered on 16 April 1784. ^[5]

In 1785 what is now Tennessee was then recognized as 4 counties in North Carolina which rebelled and established an independent State of Franklin Territory. The rebellion was put down in 1787 by North Carolina. In 1792 North Carolina ceded this and it became a part of the South West Territory. In 1796 it was admitted as the State of Tennessee.

In 1786 Daniel McCray and William Nodding were recorded on the Lanty Armstrong Tax List for Washington County and were listed voters at Jonesboro, Tennessee, USA. Further, the minutes of the Cherokee Baptist Church (on Cherokee Creek) 1783, list Sarah and Daniel McCray, as well as Mary and William Nodding.

Both Daniel and his wife Sarah were mentioned in the last Will of William Nodding ^[6]

Daniel's wife Sarah died on 08 May 1809, probably in Washington County, Tennessee. Daniel may have married a second time, the: marriage record of Washington County shows a Daniel McKay to

Daniel McCray married secondly about 1810 Washington County, Tennessee to Polly Prichard or Pritchet and they had no children.

About 1813 Daniel McCray granted land in Washington County to Singleton Pritchett. ^[7]

On 01 March 1819 he made his last Will in the courthouse Jonesboro, Washington County, Tennessee which assigned executors Henry McCray and Thomas McCray (question: sons or brothers?) and gave his slave, Elick, the option of choosing between his offspring who would be his new master. The Will was sworn to before Daniel McCray, Charles Jenkins, Joseph Jenkins and George Hayes (who wrote the Will as he was the only man of the group who could write). ^[8]

He passed away on 25 June 1819 in Washington County, East Tennessee, USA. ^[9]

Marriage

Marriage#1: c1768 Montgomery County, Maryland ^{[1] [2]}

Husband: Daniel McCray

Wife: Sarah Nodding, b: 1751 d: 08 May 1809 Jonesborough, Washington Co, TN; and their children included ...

1. Charles McCray, b: 1769
2. Rebecca McCray, b: aft. 1770
3. Jane "Jennie" McCray, b: 1772
4. Henry McCray (Sr.), b: c1775
5. Thomas Daniel McCray, b: 02 Dec 1781
6. Priscilla McCray, b: 18 Jan 1783 Washington Co, NC (now TN)
7. William McCray, b: 23 Apr 1789 Jonesborough, Washington Co, NC (now TN)
8. Elisha McCray, b: 1790 Washington Co, Southwest Territory (now TN)
9. Phillip McCray, b: 1792/3 Washington Co, Southwest Territory (now TN)
10. Sarah "Sally" McCray, b: 1793 Washington Co, Southwest Territory (now TN)

Marriage#2: c1810

Husband: Daniel McCray

Wife: Mary "Polly" Prichard=Pritchard=Pretchard=Pritchet (with no children)

Will

Daniel McCray, Nuncupative Will 01 March 1819.

It is the request of Daniel McCray that Jane Jenkins shall have my three beds and sids and furniture and pots and chest and hackle and smothen iron and forty dollars for Sally Harris this being her part for horse beast that they ought to of had. Know all men of the County of Washington and the State of Tennessee, that I, Daniel McCray, I do certify this be my last Will and testament that after lawful debts be paid that my negro man Elleck shall have the choosing of his own master and mistress amongst my children and they shall not sell and run him out of the County and whosoever he chooses for master if it be more than their share he must pay to the others as I allow all my children to have an equal share of what I have. I leave Henry McCray and Thomas McCray to be my executors, and I leave (illegible name) ten dollars.

(signature) Daniel McCray (his "D" mark)

witnesses: George Hays & Charles Jinkins (his X mark) & Joseph Jinkins (his X mark)

The foregoing Will was proven in court by the oaths of Charles Jinkins and Joseph Jinkins, two of the subscribing witnesses there to at (date?) and records, Henry McCray and Thomas McCray, qualified as executors.

Timeline

c1745 birth of Daniel McCRAY

1751 birth of Sarah NODDING

c1768 marriage of Daniel McCRAY & Sarah NODDING

1769 birth of son, Charles

1770 Loudoun County, Virginia land lease for Sarah and Daniel McCray witnessed by his father-in-law, William Nodding

1771 Cameron Parish, Loudoun County, Virginia Tithable List included Daniel McCray and his father-in-law, William Nodding

1772 birth of daughter, Jane

1776 NC (now TN): Washington District formed from Indian territory

1777 NC (now TN): Washington District becomes Washington County

1779 Davidson & Greens Counties formed after Sullivan

1779 NC (now TN): Sullivan County formed from Washington County

1781 birth of son, Thomas

1782 NC (now TN): Washington County tax list for Daniel McCRAY

bef. 1783 Washington County Tax List by Lanty Armstrong p51 for Daniel McCray with land: 560; horses: 160; cash: 268 pounds

1783 birth of daughter, Priscilla

1783 NC (now TN): part of Washington County went into the formation of Greene County

1784 Franklin (now TN): Washington, Sullivan, and Greene Counties formed the State of Franklin and moved to secede

1785 Franklin (now TN): part of Washington County went into the formation of Wayne County

1786 Hawkins & Sumner Counties formed

1786 Washington County Tax List by Lanty Armstrong included Daniel MCcray and William Nodding and were listed voters at Jonesboro, Tennessee, USA. Further, the 1783 minutes of the Cherokee Baptist Church (on Cherokee Creek), list Daniel and Sarah McCray, as well as William and Mary Nodding.

1787 NC (now TN) takes over state of Franklin; Franklin and Wayne County cease to exist

1787 Washington County Tax List #496 for Dan'l. McCray with 100 acres & 1 white poll ^[10]

1788/July/11 North Carolina land grant #824 for 200 acres located on Penson's Creek, joining Bird's line was issued to Daniel McCray

1789 birth of son, William

1790 birth of son, Elisha

1790 North Carolina cedes its western territory, which becomes the "Southwest Territory" (aka: "Territory South of the Ohio River")

1790 Washington County loses land to North Carolina

1790 Census no extant schedules for "Tennessee"

1791 SWT (now TN): Washington County tax list included Danell McCREE

1791 Tax List by Captain North's Company p790 included Daniel McCree with 100 acres & 1 white poll & Dan'l. McCree with 200 acres disputed & 1 white poll

1792 SWT (now TN): Washington County tax list for Daniel McCRAY

1792 Tax List by Captain North's Company p92 for Daniel McCray with no land & 1 white poll

1792 Jefferson & Knox Counties were formed

1792/3 birth of son, Phillip

1793 birth of daughter, Sarah

1793 List by Captain Hales Company p104 for Daniel McCray with 316 acres & 1 white poll

1794 Sevier County was formed

1795 Blount County was formed

1796 Tax List by Captain Longmire's Company p160 for Daniel McCray with 414 acres & no white poll

1796 Tennessee achieved statehood & became the 16th State

1796 SWT [now TN]: part of Washington County went into the formation of Carter County

1796 TN: Washington County tax list included Daniel McCRAY

1797 List by Captain York's Company p181 for Daniel McRay with 350 acres & no white poll

1797 Cocke County was formed.

1799 Tax List by Captain Norwood's Company p221 for Daniel McCray with 350 acres & no white poll

1799 Smith, Williamson & Willson Counties were formed

1800 Census no extant schedules for Tennessee

1801 List by Captain Calvert's Company p230 for Daniel McCray with 542 acres & 1 black poll

1801 Anderson, Claiborne, Jackson, Roane Counties were formed

1809/May/08 TN: Washington County - death of wife#1 Sarah NODDING

1810 Census no extant schedules for Tennessee (except for Rutherford County and parts of Grainger County)

1812 TN: Washington County - marriage of Daniel McCRAY & Polly PRITCHARD

c1813 TN: Washington County - Daniel McCray granted land to Singleton Pritchett

1819 TN: Washington County - death of Daniel McCRAY

Messages

Posted by Jo Kerr on 15 Feb 1998 ... Daniel McCray was born slightly NW of the center of Scotland near Loch Ness. He immigrated to America before 1768. Two brothers are supposed to have arrived with him, possibly Charles and James. Daniel married Sarah Nodding abt 1768. In 1759, the Will of Charles Macrey (McCray) "to my dear and loving cousin" all his real estate in VA. Sarah was only age 9 at the time this Will was written.

From: "Shari" <shari@viptx.net> To: "Lee A. Wolfe" <wooffee@earthlink.net>

A cousin from Texas sent this to me on some genealogy forms. Daniel McCray of Scotland and Sarah Nodding had 10 children including our common ancestor Thomas (1781-1867). The other siblings listed in order are Charles (1769-1812), Henry (1770-1850), William (1789-?), Elisha, Philip (1742?-1864?), Rebecca, Jennie, Sally, Priscilla (spouse names are also listed) [someone inked in those dates for Philip which don't seem right to be Sarah's son]. The page for Thomas and Jane Moore McCray lists 7 children which is where doesn't jive with your family notes. Elizabeth McCray (1804-1888) married Jeremiah Love in 1823; Charles T. McCray (1805-1872) married Lydia in ?; Sarah McCray (c.1807-<1874) and was married to William Forsythe; Ora McCray (1813-1869) married Richard Stuart in 1834; my ancestor, Daniel McCray (1816-1862) married Louisa Jane Gilbreath; (The History of Greene County has this: "The next man murdered was a Confederate sympathizer named Daniel McCray, who, in the summer of 1862, was waylaid and shot and killed by two boys, neither of whom was over 16 years of age. The boys hid in the bushes and did their work effectively." p667); Bathsheba McCray (1822-1890) married Thomas Watson; Jane McCray (b: 1825) was married twice: the first time to Thomas H. Gilbreath and the second time to Maston Cannon. Daniel McCray is the grandfather of my great-grandmother Maggie Mae Slaughter nee McCray (1877-1972). I would think that it would be possible for a census taker in 1850 to switch names: Elizabeth McCray. Love would have been 46 in 1850; or perhaps Jane McCray Gilbreath had Elizabeth as her middle name.

Roberta Pierson of Citrus Heights, California, USA

Daniel McCRAY

Daniel McCray was born c1744-46, based on a last charged poll tax in which Daniel would be age 50, in Washington County, Tennessee. Daniel was most likely born in Scotland. ^[11]

George M. Jinkins: "The mother of the subject of this sketch was Jane McCray, a: daughter of Daniel McCray, a native of Scotland, who settled in East Tennessee when that territory was first opened to settle ment."

William Lafayette McCray: "A son of the late William Henry McCray, he was born 14 August 1848 in Middlebury, Missouri, coming from Scotch ancestry, his great-grandfather (Daniel McCray) having emigrated to the United States from Scotland in colonial days." ^[12]

"There is a tradition, that some time in the 17th century (he probably meant 18th century) three brothers, McCrays, landed on this continent from Scotland and subsequently, one of them located n the East, probably in Rhode Island. Another located in North Carolina and a third one, my grandfather, in Virginia, where father was born (Henry McCray). My grandfathers's children - well, there were Uncle Elisha, Uncle Phillip, Uncle Tom, Uncle William and my father (Henry McCray), and two or three others, I forget the names. And there were Aunt Rebecca Deacons, Aunt Jennie Jenkins, Aunt Sally Harris and Aunt Priscilla Cox." ^[13]

Daniel McCray married prior to 1770, probably near Loudon County, Virginia, to Sarah Nodding, the daughter of William Nodding, Sr. and his wife Mary.

Research Notes

Discrepancies for marriage #2 include ...

m: 08 May 1809 to Polly Pritchet ? OR

m: 14 Oct 1812 Polly Prichard ? ^[14]

Records of Grace (Kirk) McCray

Esther and Gus Collins state marriage location as Fairfax, Virginia.

Will v1 p88-89, 24 Oct 1804 Washington County, TN.

DAR submission: Sandra Murray Freeling, Edmonds, WA

Norman Scofield has father listed as William MacRae, b: Scotland, as father (source unknown) d: 20 Jun 1819. Norm also lists a son Robert McCray, b: 1710 and Will dated 1775.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "McCrays of America" by Philip Roger McCray in 1989; edition#2 by Heritage Books of Bowie, MD; chapter#6 p128-170 for Sarah (NODDING) and Daniel McCRAY and their descendants; birth year based on last payment of poll tax at age 50 years
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} World Family Tree #6299; v3; edition#1; customer pedigree on Family Archive cd by Brøderbund Software Inc.; released: 09 Feb 1996; imported: 31 Dec 1997; for Daniel McCray, b: c1745 Scotland; d: 25 Jun 1818 Washington County, Tennessee
3. ↑ "History of Washington County, Tennessee" by Watauga Association of Genealogists of Upper East Tennessee in 1988; Daniel McCray, res: about one mile above the Great Falls of the Potomac.
4. ↑ Revolutionary Army Accounts v12 p101, folio#2 State of North Carolina, Dept. of Archives & History; Daniel McCray was granted in June 1783 the sum of 17 pounds, 2 shillings as pay for service in Washington and Sullivan Counties, North Carolina (now TN)
5. ↑ North Carolina Revolutionary Army Accounts v12 p101 folio#2 for receipt.
6. ↑ Washington County, Tennessee v1 p88
7. ↑ Washington County Deed book#4; p198; 14 Oct 1812, Polly Pritchett, bondsman: none; grantor: Daniel McCray and Polly McCray, his wife; grantee: Singleton Pritchett; 30 Nov 1814; reference is made to the plantation where Charles Pritchett resided before his decease of which the said Daniel McCray came to succeed in right of his wife, being the daughter of and heir to the said Charles Pritchett.
8. ↑ Will Book v1 p165 for Nuncupative Will of Daniel McCray, d: 25 June 1819
9. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #7008580 for Daniel McCray
10. ↑ East Tennessee Historical Society Publication #35 p111
11. ↑ "Souvenir of Texas" published by F.A. Batty in 1889 for George M. Jinkins
12. ↑ "History of the State of California and Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California" p1199 by Professor G. M. Quinn, AM Chapman; Publishing Company of Chicago, Illinois in 1904
13. ↑ Letter by Thomas McCray to his sister-in-law, Malinda McCroskey, dated 18 May 1890 Chicago, Illinois
14. ↑ "Early East Tennessee Marriages" by Barbara & Byron Sistler & published by Byron Sistler & Assoc. of Nashville, TN in 1987; v1 Grooms; p245 for Daniel McKay to Polly Prichard, m: 14 Oct 1812 Washington County, TN

• Washington County Lists of Taxables 1778-1801 v1 Daniel McCray became 50 years of age c1795

• "The Birth of Tennessee and Missouri" by Philip Roger McCray in 1993

• Family Group Sheet prepared by Betty Ann (Matthiesen) Cogliati and her grandmother, Maude Irene (Thompson) Rose.

• "Washington County Tennessee Wills 1777-1872" by Goldene Fillers Burgner & Southern Historical Press of Greenville, SC in 1983/1992; with ...

> Daniel McCray is executor on these Wills ...

- William Nodding, Jr., dated 15 Sep 1792 (p5);

- William Nodding, dated: 23 Dec 1792 (p12);

- Samuel Culbertson, dated: 24 Dec 1798 (p7);

- William Nodding, dated: 04 Oct 1804.

> Daniel McCray's Will dated: 01 Mar 1819 and (p 23) the abstract states ...

- Jane Jenkins shall have my 3 beds, furniture, pots and pans and for Sally Hains.

- All my children to receive equally. Executors: Henry and Thomas McCray.

Witnesses: George Hayes, Charles Jenkins, Joseph Jenkins of Mark.

Proven: (date not given). ["Hains" must be a misreading of "Harris" (count the bumps)]

• "Tennesseans before 1800, Washington County" by Marjorie Hood Fischer & Frontier Press of Galveston, Texas in 1996. Anyone with kin in Washington County, Tennessee, before 1800 needs this book! The book is an index, not the records themselves, but the entries are voluminous and exhaustive - and include many for the McCRAYs. Includes book, page, and microfilm roll numbers. Summarizing those for Daniel, as found on p188 and 200-201. The records below are available on microfilm at the Tennessee State Library and the LDS FHL ...

Name / Record Type / with # of Records or Years

Macray, Daniel / Deed / 1

McCrary, Daniel / Inventory / 1

McCrary, Daniel / County Court Minutes /1

McCray, Dan / County Court Minutes /1

McCray, Dan? / Deed /1

McCray, Daniel / Will /2

McCray, Daniel / Inventory /2

McCray, Daniel / Deed /3

McCray, Daniel / Tax List / 1782, 1792, 1796

McCray, Daniel / Deed /6

McCray, Daniel / County Court Minutes / 15

McCray, Daniel / County Pleas / 23

McCray, Daniel / Deed / 3

McCray, Danl. / County Court Minutes / 6

McCray, Danl. / County Pleas / 2

McCray, David [Daniel] / Inventory / 1

McCray, Wm. Daniel / Inventory / 1

McCrea, Daniel / Superior Court Minutes / 1

McCreay, Daniel / County Court Minutes / 1

McCree, Danell / Tax List / 1791.

Acknowledgments

• WikiTree profile McCray-193 was created on 21 Jul 2013 by Robert Haack through the import of haack.ged

• WikiTree profile McCray-644 was created on 14 May 2019 by Callie (Yates) Yates-Hammer

1771 Indenture

A deed is found from Leesburg, Loudon County, Virginia in Deed Book-H p177 ...

"This indenture made the twenty first day of December in the: year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy between Richard Graham in Dumfries in the County of Prince William of the one part, and Daniel Macrae of the County of Loudon, planter of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Richard Graham in consideration of the rents and covenants hereafter mentioned and reserved on the part and behalf of the said Daniel Macrae to be paid and performed hath demised granted and to farm let and by these presents doth demise, grant and to farm let unto the said Daniel Macrae, a certain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the County of Loudon about a Mile above the Great Falls of Potomac River and bounded by a survey made by Jno. Gunnell as followeth ...

beginning at C, a Chestnut and three Red Oaks, the corner of Jno. Semple, thence S79E, 385 poles to B, a little below the first glade from the said Macrae's house and near some Red Oak saplins, thence N2W to Brewsters, thence up the said Brewster Line to the beginning, containing one hundred and fifty acres

under the reservation hereafter mentioned and excepting all mines and minerals and quarries whatsoever only such stones as may be needful to be used on the premises reserving out of this present demise liberty of Ingress, egress and regress from time to time and at all times during the dontinuance of this demise to and for the said Richard Graham his heirs, executors, adm'rs. and assigns into and from the said demised premises with horses, oxen carts and carriages, to have and to hold the said three hundred acres of land with the appurtenances unto the said Daniel Macrae, his heirs, ex'rs.and adm'rs for and during the natural lives of them the said Daniel Macrae, Sarah, his wife, and Charles, his son, yielding and paying there for to the said Richard Graham his heirs ex'rs, adm'rs or assigns on or before the twenty fifth day of June yearly and every year during the continuance of this demise the annual rent of seven pounds ten shillings lawful money of Virginia together with the quitrents of the said land and the tennant in possession shall not suffer or make suffer to be made and waste or spoil of or on the woods, underwoods, trees or timber on the said premises by the said tenant or any person belonging to him or by and person or persons whatsoever by his or their procurement knowledge or consent but they and every one of them shall hinder and withstand the same to the utmost of their power, and the said Tenant is possession shall keep and preserve at least a sufficient quantity of wood land to supply the said plantation with in future and the said Daniel Macrae at the expiration of determination of this demise, his heirs & etc. shall deliver the houses, orchards and fences in the said land in good tenatable repair and if it should happen that all or any part of the yearly rents herein reserved shall be unpaid by the space of ninety days after becoming due in any year during the demise, although the same be not demanded and so sufficient distress can be, whereby to levy the same that then and from thenceforth it shall be lawful to and for the said Richard Graham, his heir, ex'rs. adm'rs and assigns into the demised premises wholy to re enter and the same to have again to reposses and enjoy as if this demise had never been made any thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding. And the said Richard Graham for himself, his heirs Executors Adm'rs and assigns doth covenant promise and grant to and with he said Daniel Macrae, his Ex'rs and Adm'rs by these presents that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Daniel Macrae his heirs & etc. for and under the covenants rents and agreements here in before contained to have hold occupy possess and enjoy all and singular the said premises with the apurtenances (except as before excepted In witness whereof the parties above mentioned to these presents have interchangeably set their hands and seals this day and year above written. The said Graham agreeing the said Macrae may assign over these premises provided it is to a person Agreeable to him the said Graham, and the said Daniel Macrae obliges himself to plant on the said demised premises within four years from the date hereof at least one hundred apple trees and two hundred peach trees, the said Macrae to have the liberty of taking a sub tenant while he the said Macrae remains on the premises.

Sealed and Delivered in presence of ...

Rich'd. Graham

Rich'd Vallandigham

John Gunnell

Henry Boggess

William Noddy

Daniel Macrae (his "D" mark).

May the 13th 1771 At a Court held for Loudon County, Virginia

This Indenture was proved by the Oath of Richard Vallandigham and William Noddy two of the Subscribing witnesses thereto, and at another Court held for the said County the 13th day of June in the year aforesaid the same was fully proved by the oath of Henry Boggess another of the witnesses and the Ordered to be recorded.

Test: Cha's Binns, County Court

Examed & delivered

John Nodding by Order from D. McRae, Aug. 27, 1773

1799 Estate Sale

Daniel McCray and James Deakens both purchased property at an estate sale as recorded in Tennessee Records, Washington County Inventories of Estates, 00-0-I.

Samuel Culbertson Estate, sold at public venue commencing on the 26th day of February 1799.

$ c.

Daniel McCRAY

A new plough 4 33 1/3

one dung fork and rake 67

plough bridle 50

an old scythe 33 1/3

one iron shovel 55

a Dutch oven 1 50

one old chest 83 1/3

one old square 1 1/4

one bell and collar 46

Spern tow thread 35

flesh forks 25

10 bushels of corn 4 16 1/2

4 awls 16 1/2

one bag 43

Jamer DEAKENS

one pair of double trees 75

10 dozen oates 2 66

(other entries)

(signature) Able Edwards, executor

Daniel McCray, Executor

Jane Culbertson, Executrix

May 1810 Sessions

A deed of conveyance from Daniel McCray to Henry McCray for two hundred acres of land, acknowledged in open court by said Daniel McCray."

Tax Lists with acres of land

1814

McCray Elisha

173 McCray Thomas

126 Pritchett Singleton

086 Pritchett Charles

236 Jenkins George.

1815

025 McCray Elisha

238 Jenkins George

173 McCray Thomas.

1816

025 McCray Elisha

100 McCray William

173 McCray Thomas

239 Pritchett Singleton

238 Jenkins George

200 McCray Henry

McCray George.

1817

173 McCray Thomas

100 McCray William

239 Pritchett Singleton

McCray Elisha

238 Jenkins George.

1818

173 McCray Thomas

McCray Elisha

238 Jenkins George.

1819

200 McCray William

McCray George

McCray Philip

McCray Elijah

173 McCray Thomas

349 Pritchett Singleton

238 Jenkins George.

Surname History

"History of the McCREA-MCCRAE-MCCRAY Surname"

ORIGIN: "Irish Names and Surnames" by Woulfe says that the name McCrea, McCrae, McCray means "son of MacRait a common Irish personal name Meaning "son of Grace" or prosperity Variants of the name are:M'Crayth,M'Cragh, M'Creagh, MacRay, MacRea, MacCraith, MacWray, Rea and others,

According to O'Hart's IRISH Pedigrees Craith, brother of Roger who was number one hundred and seventeen on the "0'Sullivan Mor" pedigree was the ancestor of MacCraith. The name was anglicized and modernized MacGrath, McGrath, Magrath, MacCrae, Macrae, Creethe McCrea and McCray.

"Surnames of the United Kingdom" by Harrison says that the name McCrea, McCrae or McCray is of Celtic origins, signifying "son of Rath" meaning "Grace or luck", derived from the Gaelic `Mac Raith. Harrison also states that the name McCrae, McCrea or McCray in of Celtic or Celtic plus Teutonic origin meaning "son of Rae"

(Records of Grace Kirk McCray) copied from a letter originally sent to Anna K. Faulkner by Mrs Reynolds whose father was a Tennessee Lawyer. "A unique and interesting and neglected early history". Mrs., Louise W. Reynolds*

The Clan of MACRAE

The natives of the parish of Kintail, says the author of the "Old Statistical Account" writing in 1791 "Clan MacRaes, except two or three families"

We have elsewhere stated that when the MacRaes first entered Kintail there were several clans inhabiting the district, particularly the MacAulayn, of whom no vestige now remains. According to the statistics the first man of the clan there had to encounter many difficulties from which he extricated himself with great dexterity upon hearing which his father exclaimed, "Bhai Mhac mobaigh! "He is the son of good fortune!" - whence the name.

It is believed that the MacRaes migrated from the Braes of Airem the estate of Lovat, though what induced than to quit the plain for the mountains will never be known but one fact remains, they ever maintained a firm alliance (with the) Frasers of Aird. The tradition which long prevailed, that an Inscription, was put up close to the gate of Lovat's residence, "That no MacRae must lodge without with when a. Fraser resides within," WAS THUS NOT WHOLLY WITHOUT FOUNDATION. When the MacRaes came, the only people who would not yield to them were the MacLennons, a small tribe in Glenshiel. At the battle of Auldearn in 1643 they guarded the Cabar Feidh, or banner of Seaforth, in defense of which they were nearly all cut off, and eighteen of their widows were married by MacRaes. In memory of that alliance, the two races became as one clan and were distinguished by their attachment to the House Of Seaforth.

A writer in the "New Statistical Account of Scotland", a MacRae denies the story of this amalgamation and asserts that the MacRaes were an important clan long before the MacLennons and that many awe of then than the latter, fell at Auldearn.

The boundary which divided the two tribes in the close of the last century was a stream which runs into Loch Duich

A William Rae, or MacRae, was Bishop of Glasgow in 1335.

In the second line, at the battle of Killycrankie were the MacKenzies of Seaforth, with the MacRaes from Kintail On this day the latter were led by Duncan Mhor of Torluish, who seemed to have had the presentiment sometimes experienced by brave men that he would never return; for when the clan took up its march he took up a large stones and tossing it to a wonderful distances exclaimed, 'May the day never cone when the MacRaes will not find among them a man who will throw the stone further than that". And in Kintail the stone, we believe, lies untouched where he threw it, to this day.

Under him the MacRaes are said to have made a desperate resistance and to have died almost to a man. Ere he fell he was frequently seen to brandish his claymore on high and heard to shout, " Cobhair! cobhair!-----D---- son K---Hamish!" (Relief! relief! in the name of God, and King James!")

A recent writer in the "Inverness Courier" states that ere Duncan was slain he slew fifteen with his own hand, which was so swollen in his claymore-hilt that it was extricated with difficulty.

It is related that some years after this battle a handsome Highland Fully armed and accoutered as was then the custom and for a long time after, when driving his herd of cattle to the South country, sought quarters for the night at the house of a Captain MacDougall, who had commanded a squadron of regular at the field of Sha -----, as the celts name Sheriffmuir. The Captain questioned his guest as to the news from the North and asked him if he knew a place in Kintail called Corrie-choing and the name of its owner; and the Highlander listened un-moved while the Captain related the following anecdote, which is given in the "Inverness Courier" for 1847:

"In the pursuit of that day, with three well-mounted Troopers, I followed a stout Highlander, who on perceiving our approach faced about, took off his plaid, which he coolly folded and placed on the ground, that by standing on it he might have firmer footing. Desirous not to kill, but to take him prisoner, we brandished our swords about him, but one of my troopers, coming within reach of his claymore, had his skull cleft in two, the others kept a more respectful distance,but one was unhorsed and slain. I questioned the Highlander as to who he was, but he would only tell me that he was from Corrie-choing.

"I know the man,; replied the drover, his name is Duncan MacRae"

"I wish him no harm now now," replied Captain MacDougal, "but I have often been curious to know the name of so gallant a fellow."

"I shall tell him so, sir," replied the wary drover, who was no other than the identical Duncan MacRae from Corrie-choing.

In 1778 the story of Jean MacRae, a young lady of the clan, made some excitement at the time. On the 27th July that year discredit was thrown on the British arms when Burgoyne's held the chain of lakes extending towards Canada. Near Fort Edward,Jane or Jean MacRae, from New York, lived with a widow named MacNeil "She was a lovely girl of twenty, extremely intelligent and of charming -manners," She had a lover named Jones serving under Burgoyne, Her brother wished to have her in a safer place, and a party of Indians were sent to bring her and Mrs. MacNeil into Burgoyne's camp. They were fired upon by the Americans and came in with Mrs. MacNeil but of the poor girl. only her scalp with her long flowing hair, She had been shot in the skirmish and the Indians, seeing her dead, brought away that terrible relic. She was buried in the little village cemetery near Fort Edward. (Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution.)

In 1778 Edinburgh was startled by what was known as the "Affair of the Wild MacRaes," some hundreds of whom had enrolled in the Seaforth Regiment of Highlanders formed in 1778 by Kenneth, the Earl of that title, and which mutinied at Edinburgh on hearing that they bad been sold to the East India Company. In military order, after one wing bad fired on another at Leith Links, the main body marched to Arthur Seat, where they threw up trenches which are visible to this day under the cone of the hill near the loch of Dunsappie, and defied all attempts to reduce them, even though the 11th Light Draggons, 200 of the Buccleuch Fencibles, and 400 of the Glasgow regiment environed their position.

General Skene, Lord MacDonald and others proved to the men that their complaints were groundless, and the affair which promised to have a serious termination was satisfactorily arranged by the Duke of Buccleuch. The regiment then marched with pipes playing to Holyrood, and on the 27th of September embarked for Guernsey from whence it sailed soon after for India on what proved a fatal voyage to the MacKenzies and the MacRaes, for ere St Helena was in sight, Lord Seaforth died, and than a great grief, with the Mal du pays, fell upon his clansmen; so of the thousand from the British Isles, 230 perished at sea, and only 390 were able to carry arms when, in April 1782, they began the long, hot, and march to Chingleput.

There were several Bards of old in Kinstall . One of the last of these , John MacRae, otherwise MacCurchi, emigrated to America before the close of the last century, where he met with many misfortunes.

At the first siege of Bhurtpore in 1805, one of the clan, Colonel MacRae led the stromers under a fire so dreadful that of them alone no less than 591 fell. (Beveridge's India)

NOTE: Taken from records of Grace Grant (Kirk) McCray 20 Oct 1972