Isobell (Gray) Courage (1718)

Born 1718 in Slains, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Ancestors

Wife of Archibald Courage — married 16 Aug 1756 in St. Nicholas Parish, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Descendants

Died [date unknown] in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire Scotland [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Bob Gray [send private message]

Biography

Isobell was the daughter of William Gray (c.1678–1744) and his wife, Elizabeth (Elspet) Annan (c.1689–1770).

She was probably born at her parents' home of Clochtow in the Aberdeenshire parish of Slains and was baptised in the parish on 5 April 1718.^[1] The entry made in the baptismal register was:

"Aprils [sic] the 5le [sic] 1718 / William Gray In Clochtow had a Daughter baptized named Isobell [sic] witnesses Alexr Annand [sic] and Andrew Gray".

Her mother's identity has been established on the basis of the following:

1. William Gray's marriage to Elizabeth Annan in 1709;^[2] and
2. The reference to William and Elizabeth having lived at Clochtow on their gravestone.^[3]

Research note: Marriage to Archibald Courage unlikely

David Dobie thinks it is unlikely that she married Archibald Courage, as attributed, as the entry in the marriage register states the following:

"Aberdeen 16th August 1756 / Saturday last were privately contracted in order to marriage […] Mr Forbes’s son Alexander Courage shoe maker in Aberdeen and Isabel Gray lawful daughter of John Gray farmer in the parish of Newhills. Paid the […] £2. […]"^[4]

She is therefore also unlikely to have been the mother of John Courage (1761–1797).

It is recommended that this record is reviewed and amended accordingly.

Sources

1. ↑ “Old Parish Registers, Births and Baptisms, 1553–1854,” database and images, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk : accessed 29 May 2020), image, entry for Isobell Gray, baptised on 5 April 1718 in Slains, Aberdeenshire, citing reference no. 239/ 10 52.
2. ↑ “Old Parish Registers, Marriages and Banns, 1553–1854,” database and images, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk : accessed 28 May 2020), image, entry for William Gray and Elizabeth Annan, married on 1 December 1709 in Slains, Aberdeenshire, citing reference no. 239/ 10 209.
3. ↑ “Unpublished Memorial Inscriptions,” on-line database, Aberdeen and North East Scotland Family History Society (https://www.anesfhs.org.uk : accessed 28 May 2020), entry for William Gray and Elspet Annan, Slains Burial Ground, stone number 74.
4. ↑ “Old Parish Registers, Marriages and Banns, 1553–1854,” database and images, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk : accessed 29 May 2020), image, entry for Alexander Courage and Isabel Gray, married on 16 August 1756 in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, citing reference no. 168/A 130 389.

See also:

• http://www.thepeerage.com/p44496.htm#i444953
• Isobell Gray on FamilySearch.org. Person ID: G7G6-RW2.
• Research by Robert T. Gray and David Dobie.