Introduction / Westray Grays

Archibald Gray

The baptismal records show only one Archibald Gray baptised in Westray in the period from 1733 to 1760. That child was the son of Thomas Gray and Barbara Liddell, baptised on 14th April 1748. It seems likely that that child, the Archibald Gray who married Hannah Meil, and the Archibald Gray who married Marjory Paterson, were all the same person.

Archibald Gray was a farm servant, according to the Death registration for his daughter Louisa, or a farmer according to the Death registration for his daughter Mary Ann.

Archibald seems to have been married, probably about 1768, to Hannah Meil (possibly the Hannah Meil who was christened in Westray on 22nd August 1742, the daughter of James Meil and Jane Peterson). Their daughter Hannah Gray was christened on 13th February 1769. No further records have been found for either the mother or the child.

Hannah Meil presumably died shortly after the birth of her daughter, and about 1773 Archibald married again. His wife Marjory Paterson (or Peterson) may have been the Marjory Peterson who was christened in Westray on 13th May 1749, the daughter of George Peterson and Merren (Marion) Bews.

Christening records have been found for seven children of Archibald Gray and Marjory Paterson/ Peterson, and census and death records indicate that there were at least two other daughters. The children are:

• James Gray, baptised 15th December 1774

• Mary Ann Gray, born about 1775. She married John Tulloch and had several children.

• Ann Gray, baptised 1st June 1777

• Elizabeth Gray, baptised 23rd April 1780

• Lucy Gray baptised 4th November 1781

• Louisa Gray born about 1781. She married William Lennie and had several children. (Lucy and Louisa may have been twins. However, at least one other case has been found in which the two names were both used for the same person. The woman known later as Louisa may have been the one who was christened Lucy.)

• Margaret Gray baptised 3rd April 1785

• Christian Gray baptised 1st September 1787

• Marjory Gray baptised 13th January 1790

No further records have been found for Archibald Gray or Marjory Paterson.