RHEA-L Archives

From: "Ernie & Fran Ray" <>
Subject: Attn: Richard C. Fremon
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 18:34:11 -0700

Hi, Richard,
I have noticed that you do a tremendous amount of research on the RHEA
surname, thus I thought you might be able to point me in the right
direction to track down the parents, siblings etc. of my husband's
Gr-Grandfather. He is:

Chesley S. RAY b: 13 Feb 1830
d: 17 Feb 1884, Clinton County, MO
He married Penelope Jane Deer (Dear) 4 Jan 1855, Buchanan County, MO. They
were the parents of 5 or 6 children, one of them Joshua Richard Ray (or
Richard Joshua Ray) b: 18 Aug 1855 on a farm near Gower, Clinton County,
MO. Joshua was the father of Ernest C. Ray, Sr., my husband is the Jr.

According to family legend and History of Clinton County, this family came
to Mo from Asheville, N.C.
(or Ashebury, N.C.), settled on Rock House Prairie, Buchanan County. The
History of Clinton County states that Chesley's father was Mark from
Randolph County, N.C. Our 2nd cousin says he was John, from Asheville,
Buncomb County, no idea who the mother was.

One of Joshua's children was Grace Ray Blair, mother of Governor of Mo,
James Blair who was installed in that office in 1957.

Does any of this relate at all to your findings about the Ray family? I
shall be most appreciative of any light you are able to shed and/or your
suggestions as to where next to look. And, I am most willing to share what
information I have.

I shall look forward to hearing from you with much anticipation.

Fran Ray, Shasta County, CA

This thread:

• Attn: Richard C. Fremon by "Ernie & Fran Ray" <>