Wray family of Moundville

The John Wray family lived east of Moundville. The actual location has been described as eight miles south of Nevada and three miles southeast of Moundville. John Wray's first wife was Hester Ann Carter in 1840. Hester's parents were John B. Carter and Mahala Caton. John and Hester Wray had at least 3 children: Mahala Frances Wray (Steinbach) b. 1842, William Elijah Wray b. abt 1848, and Virginia Wray b. 1850 (1850 Warren Co, MO Census). Hester Carter Wray died August 31, 1864 and was buried in Warren County, Missouri. After Hester Ann died John married in 1858 in Vernon Co., MO to Caroline Emily Caton. Their children were Emma C., Hester Ann, Mary Ella, James Noah, and Anna/Annie. (1870 Vernon Co, MO Census and Deepwood Cemetery gravestone). John died May 4, 1884 and was buried in Deepwood cemetery in Nevada. Apparently, not long after John's death (or shortly before), the family sold their farm to the George Westfall family of Henry County. Just a few months later, in December, the house burned killing Mr. Westfall's mother-in-law. It appears that the Wray family then moved back to the farm. They lived there for a few years until the widow, Caroline Wray sold it in December 1888.

The 1880 Vernon County Census lists the family in Moundville Township:

  • John Wray, age 60, born Kentucky
  • Caroline Wray, age 46, born Missouri
  • Ella Wray, age 15, born Missouri
  • Noah Wray, age 13, born Missouri
  • Anna Wray, age 11, born Missouri

In 1888, John and Caroline's daughter, Ella, was murdered apparently by her boyfriend, George Godfrey Korb near their Moundville home. Ella was buried at Deepwood near her father.

In 1892, Caroline Emily Caton Wray married Peter Teel. They and the rest of the family moved west. Caroline Emily is buried in Hope Abby Mausoleum Masonic Cemetery, Eugene, OR. with her daughter Alice Robinson.

John Wray was born in 1814 and died May 4, 1884.

 

Left: Wray family marker in Deepwood Cemetery.

 

Other Wray burials at Deepwood include Mary E., Emma C., and Hester Ann. Neither Mrs. Wray is buried there.

Visit this GenWeb page to see some unidentified Wray family photos.

The photo below shared by JaWan and Nancy Thompson shows Anna, Noah and Ella Wray. One might guess that the photo was taken not long after the 1880 census.

The photo below also shared by JaWan and Nancy Thompson shows Caroline Caton Wray with Noah, Anna and Mary Ella (seated). This photo was probably taken not long before the murder of Mary Ella in 1888.

Information on this page was from Lyndon Irwin, Helen Landis and Nancy Thompson.

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This genealogy page was designed and is maintained by Lyndon Irwin