Born in Killingworth, CT of an old Rhode Island family, Joseph Marcus Sr was the son of Edward Gray IV and Mary Wellman Gray. He was only one year old when his father died.
In 1773 the British were taking over the coastline villages in Rhode Island and Connecticutt, and Joseph's mother, her parents and all the children removed inland to Worcester Co MA. In 1775 Joseph was just old enough to join the Continental army under Capt Benj. Richardson's Company as a Private with travel allowances from his home and stationed at Rhode Island from Col. Denny's regiment. He engaged for the town of Worcester on several occasions. Became a Captain in 1778 and his enlistment expired 1779. It is reported in the Gray Family History that "at one time, while scouting with a small body of men, he was fired upon by a party of Indians in ambush, in which encounter he was wounded and became unconscious. When he came to himself he saw the Indians scalping his comrades, and finding himself free to move, he jumped up and made for the woods, where he escaped."
At the close of the Revolutionary War he settled in Worcester MA., married Hannah Millet in 1780, and raised five children. Hannah died in Worcester and is interred there with her daughter Elizabeth. Joseph moved to northern Vermont with 5 of his children and died in Coventry. Joseph's name is engraved on the Coventry War memorial in the town square.
In 1773 the British were taking over the coastline villages in Rhode Island and Connecticutt, and Joseph's mother, her parents and all the children removed inland to Worcester Co MA. In 1775 Joseph was just old enough to join the Continental army under Capt Benj. Richardson's Company as a Private with travel allowances from his home and stationed at Rhode Island from Col. Denny's regiment. He engaged for the town of Worcester on several occasions. Became a Captain in 1778 and his enlistment expired 1779. It is reported in the Gray Family History that "at one time, while scouting with a small body of men, he was fired upon by a party of Indians in ambush, in which encounter he was wounded and became unconscious. When he came to himself he saw the Indians scalping his comrades, and finding himself free to move, he jumped up and made for the woods, where he escaped."
At the close of the Revolutionary War he settled in Worcester MA., married Hannah Millet in 1780, and raised five children. Hannah died in Worcester and is interred there with her daughter Elizabeth. Joseph moved to northern Vermont with 5 of his children and died in Coventry. Joseph's name is engraved on the Coventry War memorial in the town square.
Born in Killingworth, CT of an old Rhode Island family, Joseph Marcus Sr was the son of Edward Gray IV and Mary Wellman Gray. He was only one year old when his father died.
In 1773 the British were taking over the coastline villages in Rhode Island and Connecticutt, and Joseph's mother, her parents and all the children removed inland to Worcester Co MA. In 1775 Joseph was just old enough to join the Continental army under Capt Benj. Richardson's Company as a Private with travel allowances from his home and stationed at Rhode Island from Col. Denny's regiment. He engaged for the town of Worcester on several occasions. Became a Captain in 1778 and his enlistment expired 1779. It is reported in the Gray Family History that "at one time, while scouting with a small body of men, he was fired upon by a party of Indians in ambush, in which encounter he was wounded and became unconscious. When he came to himself he saw the Indians scalping his comrades, and finding himself free to move, he jumped up and made for the woods, where he escaped."
At the close of the Revolutionary War he settled in Worcester MA., married Hannah Millet in 1780, and raised five children. Hannah died in Worcester and is interred there with her daughter Elizabeth. Joseph moved to northern Vermont with 5 of his children and died in Coventry. Joseph's name is engraved on the Coventry War memorial in the town square.
In 1773 the British were taking over the coastline villages in Rhode Island and Connecticutt, and Joseph's mother, her parents and all the children removed inland to Worcester Co MA. In 1775 Joseph was just old enough to join the Continental army under Capt Benj. Richardson's Company as a Private with travel allowances from his home and stationed at Rhode Island from Col. Denny's regiment. He engaged for the town of Worcester on several occasions. Became a Captain in 1778 and his enlistment expired 1779. It is reported in the Gray Family History that "at one time, while scouting with a small body of men, he was fired upon by a party of Indians in ambush, in which encounter he was wounded and became unconscious. When he came to himself he saw the Indians scalping his comrades, and finding himself free to move, he jumped up and made for the woods, where he escaped."
At the close of the Revolutionary War he settled in Worcester MA., married Hannah Millet in 1780, and raised five children. Hannah died in Worcester and is interred there with her daughter Elizabeth. Joseph moved to northern Vermont with 5 of his children and died in Coventry. Joseph's name is engraved on the Coventry War memorial in the town square.
Inscription
In Memory of Joseph Gray, who died Sept 26, 1825 in the 66th year of his life.
Gravesite Details
Tombstone is a tall, thin stone and in 2002 was broken across at the middle and lying on the ground. In 2010 the stone was restored and up-righted.
Family Members
Parents
