When John Wesley Ray was born in January 1818, in Jasper, Georgia, United States, his father, Frederick Ray, was 58 and his mother, Nancy Ann Harwell, was 48. He married Mary Ann Cork in September 1845. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 1 daughter. He lived in Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States in 1850 and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States in 1860. He died from 1860 to 1870, in Bibb, Alabama, United States.
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Historical Boundaries: 1818: Cahawba, Alabama Territory, United States 1819: Cahawba, Alabama, United States 1820: Bibb, Alabama, United States* *Renamed from Cahawba in 1820
With the Aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars the global market for trade was down. During this time, America had its first financial crisis and it lasted for only two years.
Convinced that a group of Native American tribes were hostile, The United States formed a frontier militia to stop them in their tracks. Even though Black Hawk was hoping to avoid bloodshed while trying to resettle on tribal land, U.S. officials opened fire on the Native Americans. Black Hawk then responded to this confrontation by successfully attacking the militia at the Battle of Stillman's Run and then left northward. After a few months the militia caught up with Black Hawk and his men and defeated them at the Battle of Wisconsin Heights. While being weakened by hunger, injuries and desertion, Black Hawk and the rest of the many native survivors retreated towards the Mississippi. Unfortunately, Black Hawk and other leaders were later captured when they surrendered to the US forces and were then imprisoned for a year.
English: from the Middle English personal name Ray or Rey, perhaps a pet form of names beginning in Ray or Rey, especially Raymond .
English: nickname from Old French rei ‘king’, denoting someone who behaved in a regal fashion, one with the bearing of a king, or referring to the mock king or lord in festive games and pageants, e.g. at Christmas, May Day, or harvest. Compare Roy and King .
English: nickname from Middle English ræghe (Old English rǣge) ‘female roe deer’ or in northern England more likely northern Middle English rā, raa, rae, ray (Old English rā) ‘roe deer’, perhaps for a timid person or swift runner. Compare Roe .
Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.
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