Husband Isaac Gray 1
Born: 22 Feb 1834 - Patton Twp, Centre Co, PA 2
Christened:
Died: 27 Mar 1889 3
Buried:
Father: John Gray (Abt 1799-1856) 4
Mother: Mary Mattern (Abt 1798-1871) 4
Marriage: 4 Nov 1862 5
Wife Sarah Liggett 3
Born: 5 Feb 1837 - Liberty Twp, Centre Co, PA 5
Christened:
Died: Aft 1897
Buried:
Father: John Liggett (1797-1857) 5
Mother: Susannah Neff (Abt 1800-1887) 5
Children
1 F Lulu Gray 5 6
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: Rev. George M. Glenn (1861- ) 5 6
2 F Mary Gray 5
Born: Abt 1865
Christened:
Died: 8 Jun 1871 5
Buried:
Spouse: Did Not Marry
3 F Ruth Gray 5
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: Rev. Frank Hartsock ( - ) 5
4 F Esther Katherine Gray 5
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
5 M Bond Gray 5
Born:
Christened:
Died: in infancy
Buried:
Spouse: Did Not Marry
General Notes: Husband - Isaac Gray
He was born on the old family homestead in the vicinity of Gray's Church, in Patton township, where his father and grandfather before him had lived, and there his life of over half a century was passed. Descending from a pious and Christian ancestry through several generations, he inherited a Christian spirit and a desire to live in keeping with the commands of the Savior, which were so strengthened by the example of those older lives about him that he early espoused the cause of Christ and enlisted in the work of His vineyard. In Half Moon Valley, Methodism took earliest root among the religiously inclined, and Methodism prevailed thereafter through the pioneer era as the popular creed. About 1790 Peter Gray so arranged it that M. E. Circuit preachers stopped at his house occasionally to hold services, and for nearly thirty years his home was a temple where the surrounding community gathered once a month, and sometimes oftener, to enjoy the privilege of worship. In 1826 a rude log church was built near Peter Gray's home. He was chosen a leader when the class was formed in 1790, and for full thirty-five years stood faithfully at the helm. His successor was his son Peter B., who was likewise a local preacher. After him followed Samuel P. Gray and Jacob Gray, and later, Isaac Gray, of this sketch. Since the formation of the class a Gray has been one of its leaders. The old log church stood from 1826 to 1851, when it was destroyed by fire. It was replaced by a more pretentious structure, which was used until the building of a more beautiful edifice, long called "Gray's Church." Imbibing by tradition, and reared in such an atmosphere as pervaded the Gray family, it is not to be wondered at that young Isaac followed in the footsteps of his pious ancestry. It was mainly through his efforts and generous contributions that the new church was built. He went on through life assuming the duties of the day as his conscience directed, and led a useful life. He held all the offices of the Church, such as class-leader, trustee, steward, district steward and lay electoral delegate to the annual Conference. Like most of the Grays, he was in politics a Republican, though not active in the sense of a politician, but only interested as citizenship seemed to demand. He served his State as juror at a session of the supreme court held at Erie, Pennsylvania. He served in various township offices, always acceptably to his people. He was a most successful farmer, and considered a solid and substantial citizen, highly esteemed. The press at this time said:
Half Moon Valley loses one of its best citizens, and the county one of its most successful farmers; he has been ailing for years from an affection of the lungs, and although his case was known to be hopeless, death was not anticipated.
He was a consistent and devout member of the Methodist Church, a good neighbor and a devoted husband and affectionate father, and will be sorely missed in the community of which he was a leading member.
Born of pious Methodist ancestry, early he professed Christ, and joined the M. E. Church; for twenty-three years he was class leader, and also either Sunday-school superintendent or teacher. He always took an active interest in the Sabbath-school, and all the means of grace. Largely through his lead, and the active co-operation of a few others, he saw completed in his native community a most beautiful, substantial and convenient country church. By unavoidable delay it was not dedicated until two weeks after his death. [CBRCP-CCJC, 129]