James Bray Jr. Explained

James Bray Jr.
Term:1700-1702
Preceded:Henry Duke
Succeeded:Benjamin Harrison
Alongside:George Marable
Birth Date:circa 1670
Birth Place:Middle Plantation Colony of Virginia
Death Date:November 25, 1725
Death Place:Middle Plantation Colony of Virginia
Resting Place:Bruton Parish, Williamsburg
Occupation:merchant, planter, politician
Spouse:Mourning Glenn Pettus
Children:Thomas, James, Elizabeth
Parents:James Bray, Angelica

James Bray Jr. (ca.1670-November 25, 1725) was a merchant, planter, and politician in the Colony of Virginia, who once represented James City County in the House of Burgesses.[1] [2]

Early and family life

Born to Angelica, the wife of brash attorney and politician James Bray (who died in 1691), he received an education appropriate to his class.

Circa 1697, Bray married Mourning, the widow of Thomas Pettus, who bore sons Thomas and James, and daughter Elizabeth Bray.

Career

In 1700 Bray purchased the legal interests of Pettus' other heirs in 1,280 acres known as the Littletown and Utopia plantations on the east side of College Creek in Williamsburg, which he developed into his family seat. He also owned a brick house and lots in Williamsburg.[2] Bray was a justice of the peace in James City County, and in 1705 so berated fellow justice (and sometime burgess) Thomas Cowles that he resigned.[2]

On July 23, 1700, Bray licensed a slave ship at Jamestown.[2]

James City voters elected Bray one of the men representing them in the House of Burgesses during the 1700-1702 session.[3]

Governor Francis Nicholson disliked Bray.[2]

Death and legacy

Bray made his last will and testament about a week before his death, and it was presented for probate in York County on March 14, 1726.[2] [1]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Lyon Gardiner . Tyler . Lyon Gardiner Tyler . Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography . I . 1915 . 193 . Lewis Historical Publishing Company . New York .
  2. Book: McCartney, Martha W. . Jamestown people to 1800 : landowners, public officials, minorities, and native leaders . Genealogical Pub. Co . Baltimore, Md. . 2012 . 81. 978-0-8063-1872-1 . 812189309.
  3. Cynthia Miller Leonard, The Virginia General Assembly 1619-1978 (Richmond: Virginia State Library 1978) p. 62