Introduction / William Gray and Mary Robertson

William Gray

William Gray was born on Papa Westray on 23rd June and baptized 6th August 1826. He was 14 years old and a farm servant at Holland, Papa Westray, in the 1841 census. A Seaman's ticket (no. 187-632) was issued in Newcastle, England, on 4th May 1845, for a William Gray who was born in Papa Westray. The date of birth given on the ticket is 3rd June 1828, two years later than this William Gray was actually born. However, there is no record of any other Gray family in Papa Westray, or of any other William Gray born in Papa Westray until 1851, so it seems probable that this ticket was issued to the son of William Gray and Mary Robertson.

William Gray served on the ship Coquet for two years, then, according to a crew list, jumped ship in St. John, New Brunswick on 27th June 1847. There is no further definite word of him, but a William Gray who was born in Orkney about 1825, married Eliza Jane Shields on 11th April 1853 at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, Australia. He was a fireman on a ship. Again, it appears likely that this was the son of William Gray and Mary Robertson.

Eliza was the daughter of Patrick Shields and Elizabeth McCamley. She was born in 1837 (baptised 4th September) in Newry, County Down, Ireland.

William and Eliza had several children, all born in Sydney:

• John William Gray, born 1854, died 1857

• Eliza Jane Gray, born 2nd September 1855 at Kent St, Sydney who married James Day

• Francis Gray (male), born 22nd May 1857 at 96 Gloucester St, Sydney

• Martha Esther Gray, born 24th April 1859 at Kent St, Sydney who married Martin Thompson

• Mary Ann Gray, born 26th December 1860

• Ethlind Gray, born 7th August 1862 in Francis St, Glebe, Sydney who married (1) John Edward Pollard and (2) Thomas Parton

• William A. Gray, born 1864

• Ernest Albert Gray, born 26th June 1866 at Surrey Hills, NSW who married Jane Amelia McAteer

William worked on the ships "Lady Young" and "Yarra Yarra" along the east coast of Australia.

Eliza died at Foveaux St, Sydney on 18th March 1876 and William at Francis St, Glebe (a suburb of Sydney), on 27th December 1878. He is buried in Balmain Cemetery (also in the Sydney region).