Norman Scofield's Ancestors:Information about Daniel McCray
Daniel McCray (b. Abt. 1745, d. Jun 20, 1819)
Notes for Daniel McCray:Daniel McCray was born between 1744 and 1746 in Scotland.Daniel may have been one of three brothers who came to America in the 18th century.Tradition has the other two brothers settling in Rhode Island and North Carolina while Daniel settled in Virginia.In 1768 Daniel married Sarah Nodding the daughter of William and Mary Nodding.In 1770 Daniel leased about 150 acres of land a mile above the Great Falls of the Potomac River in Loudon County, Virginia.Part of the lease calls for Daniel to plant one hundred apple trees and two hundred peach trees on the property.Daniel served in the Revolutionary War for Loudon County.
By 1783 Daniel and Sarah had moved to Jonesboro, Washington County, Tennessee along with Sarah's parents.By 1801 Daniel had accumulated five hundred and forty acreas of land in Washington County.Sarah died May 8, 1809 and Daniel married Polly Pritchett.Daniel died ten years later on June 25, 1819.He asked in his will that, "his negro man Elleck shall have the choosing of his master and mistress amongst my children and they shall not sell and run him out of the County"
From "Piper, McCray, Jenkins, Fahnestock" by Robert Haack
Daniel McCray and Sarah Nodding McCray
Daniel McCray, born circa 1745 in northern Scotland, emigrated before 1768 to America, probably locating first in Maryland since some of his McCray relatives had settled there at an earlier date.About 1768, Daniel married Sarah Nodding, the daughter of William and Mary Nodding of Loudoun County, Virginia.Their oldest child was born 1769 in Maryland.
By December 1770, Daniel and Sarah McCray were living in Loudoun County, Virginia.A lease recorded to Daniel gives his location as one mile above the Great Falls of the Potomac.His father-in-law, William Nodding, was a witness to this lease.Both Daniel McCray and William Nodding were on the Loudoun County, Virginia 1771 Tithable List in Cameron Parish.
About the time of the Revolutionary War, the McCrays, along with the Noddings, Calverts and Bayless', migrated to Washington County (then North Carolina), from which Daniel McCray served in the Revolutionary War. The Lanty Armstrong Tax List of Washington County lists both Daniel McCray and William Nodding, and both are on the 1786 list of voters at the Courthouse at Jonesborough, Washington County.Both Daniel McCray and William Nodding received land grants in Washington County.
In the original minutes of the Cherokee Baptist Church on Cherokee Creek, Washington County, North Carolina, dated 1783, the covenant signers included Daniel and Sarah Nodding McCray.Also on this list were William and Mary Nodding and Samuel and Mary Nodding Bayless.
From the time Daniel McCray arrived in what is now Washington County, Tennessee, he lived in the Cherokee and Little Limestone Creek areas until his death 25 June 1819.His will, dated 1 March 1819, was recorded in Washington County, Tennessee.Daniel's wife, Sarah Nodding McCray, born circa 1750, died 8 May 1809.During this time, Daniel and Sarah lived under the following governments: 1777-1784 Washington County, North Carolina; 1784-1788 State of Franklin; 1788-1790 Washington County, North Carolina a second time; 1790-1796 Territory of United States South of River Ohio; after 1796 the State of Tennessee.They can truly be listed among the first families of Tennessee.They raised a large family, of which many migrated to other states at an early date.From tradition and recorded sources, Daniel and Sarah had the following children: (1) Charles, born 1769, died 1812, married Betsey Deakins, Washington County.Charles was Trustee of Washington County in 1796, and is buried in Cherokee Baptist Church cemetery: (2) Henry, born 1770-80, died 1847 Chattooga County, Georgia, married 1st Mary Moore 19 September 1796 Washington County, married 2nd Elizabeth (3) Elisha; (4) Phillip; (5) William - moved to Missouri; (6) Jane, married George Jenkins - moved to Monroe County, Kentucky; (7) Sally, married Harris; (8) Rebecca, married _____ Deakins; (9) Priscilla, born 18 January 1783, died 11 October 1835, married 1stTemplin, 2nd Cox, Washington County - buried Cherokee Baptist Church cemetery; (10) Thomas, born 1781, died 1 August 1867 Lawrence County, Missouri, married circa 1803 Jane Moore, sister of Mary Moore, wife of Henry McCray.
This may not be a complete list of children for Daniel and Sarah Nodding McCray. Amelia, mentioned in the will of Daniel McCray, may be a daughter also.
Submitted by Richard L. McCray, 603 Ridgeview Dr., Johnson City, Tennessee 37604
More About Daniel McCray:
Military service: Revolutionary War Veteran.
Residence 1: 1769, Loudoun Co, VA.2110
Residence 2: 1772, Loudoun Co, VA.2111
Residence 3: 1773, Cameron Parish, Loudoun, VA.2112
Residence 4: 1774, Loudoun Co, VA.2113
Residence 5: 1777, Cameron Parish, Loudoun, VA.2114
Residence 6: 1779, Loudoun Co, VA.2115
More About Daniel McCray and Sarah Nodding:
Marriage: Abt. 1768, Montgomery Co., MD.2116
Children of Daniel McCray and Sarah Nodding are:
- +Henry McCray, b. Bet. 1770 - 1780, Loudon Co, VA2117, d. Bef. Jul 31, 1847, Summerville, Chattooga, GA2117.