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FOURTH GENERATION

8. Octavius Charles BRAY ⁽²²⁾⁽⁹⁵⁾ was born on 14 Sep 1836 in Newbridge, Glamorganshire, Wales.⁽⁴⁾⁽⁹⁶⁾ ⁽⁹⁷⁾⁽⁹⁸⁾⁽⁹⁹⁾⁽¹⁰⁰⁾⁽¹⁰¹⁾⁽¹⁰²⁾ The 1920 census indicated that Albert's father and mother were born in England. The 1870 census lists Octavius as born in Wales. Octavius' Civil ward pension files explain that he was from Newbridge, Glamorganshire, England. 1841 Wales census shows him 5 years old in June 1841. He was living on 11 Nov 1838 in Llantwit Fardre, Glamorganshire, Wales. He was living on 6 Dec 1840 in Treforest, Taff Vale Iron Works, Parish of Llantwit Fardre, Glamorganshire, Wales. He was living in Jun 1841 in New Castle, Upper Hamlet, Glamorganshire, England. He appeared on the census in Jun 1841 in New Castle, Upper Hamlet, Glamorganshire, England.⁽¹⁰³⁾ He immigrated between Sep 1841 and Nov 1844 to from Wales to U.S..⁽⁹⁸⁾⁽¹⁰⁴⁾ Octavius stated that he came to the U.S. from Wales with his family when he was three or four years old. His sister Amelia was born England 1841, and his sister Mary was born PA 1844. The 1910 census shows 1850 as the immigration date. He was living about 1850 in Mt. Savage, Allegheny County, MD.⁽⁹⁸⁾ He was ill with broken right leg 3" above the ankle about 1850 in Mt. Savage, Allegheny County, MD.⁽⁹⁸⁾ When he was about 14, Octavius was working about 3/4 of a mile from home in Mt.Savage, MD, when railroad iron rails fell on him, and his right ankle was broken 3 inches above the ankle. His right foot turned slightly inward the rest of his life, and his gait had a slight limp. Octavius was probably helping to build the railroad which followed the Cumberland (National) Road, from Cumberland MD to Wheeling WV. He was a railroad worker about 1850 in Mt. Savage, Allegheny County, MD.⁽¹⁰⁵⁾ He was living from 1856 to 1868 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁰⁶⁾⁽⁹⁸⁾ Based upon birth place of children, census data, and his statements in his pension files. He was an iron boiler on 15 Dec 1856 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁰⁷⁾ He was living on 15 Dec 1856 in South Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁰⁷⁾ He was an iron boiler worker in 1857 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁰⁸⁾ He was a collier (coal miner) in 1859 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁰⁹⁾ He was an iron boiler in 1860 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹¹⁰⁾ He resided at Fourth near Filbert St., South Wheeling in 1860 in South Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹¹¹⁾ He appeared on the census in 1860 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹¹²⁾ He was an iron puddler on 3 Oct 1860 in South Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹¹³⁾ ⁽¹¹⁴⁾ He was a laborer in 1861 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹¹⁵⁾ He served in the military from 30 Jun 1863 to 15 Mar 1864 in West Virginia, 4th Regiment Cavalry, Company A, "Shanley's".⁽¹¹⁶⁾ ⁽¹¹⁷⁾ Octavius served in the West Virginia Volunteer Calvary, 4th regiment, company A, under Lieutenant William H. Shanley from 30 June 1863 until his honorable discharge 15 March 1864. Octavius entered the Cavalry as a private, and left as a Quarter Master Sergeant.

Octavius was receiving a $6 per month soldier's/invalid pension July 12, 1897. It was $8 per month of 19 December, 1904. In Feb. 1970 is was $15. The pension payment was $20 by 28 September, 1911. On 28 May 1912 it was increased to $22.50. On March 25, 1921 it was increased to $32. His last check ,received after his death, was 4 March, 1921 for the amount of $150.00 (apparently $50 per month).

4th Regiment Cavalry

Organized at Parkersburg and Wheeling, W. Va., July and August, 1863, for one year. Attached to Wilkinson's Brigade, Army of West Virginia, to December, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, West Virginia, to April, 1864. Kelly's Command, Reserve Division, West Virginia, to June, 1864.

SERVICE.--Duty at Parkersburg, Clarksburg, Grafton, New Creek and other points on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad until June, 1864, guarding railroad and operating against guerrillas. Actions at Salt Lick Bridge October 11 and 14, 1863. Operations in Hampshire and Hardy Counties January 27 to February 7, 1864. Action at Medley, Williamsport, January 29-30. Mustered out June 23, 1864.

Regiment lost during service 30 by disease.

He resided at west side of Coal St., between Catherine and Caldwell, South Wheeling, WV in 1864 in South Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹¹⁸⁾ He served in the military on 6 Jun 1865 in West Virginia State Troops, 5th Militia, Ohio County, Company "B".⁽¹¹⁹⁾ 5th Militia Company "B" was under Captain Andrew Glass, Octavius' brother-in-law. He was an iron boiler in 1867/68 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹²⁰⁾ He resided at west side Coal St. south of Fairmont Rd., SOuth Wheeling WV in 1867/68 in South Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹²¹⁾ He was living from 1868 to 1880 in City of Bellaire, Pultney Township, Belmont Cnty, OH. Based upon birth place of children and statements made in his pension files. It is interesting that Octavius Bray and Charles Hanke were neighbors at the time of Alcinius' birth. Thier children Clara and Alcinus would eventually marry. He was an iron boiler worker in 1870 in City of Bellaire, Pultney Township, Belmont Cnty, OH.⁽¹⁰⁴⁾ Octavius is shown in the 1870 census as working on town boilers. Thomas Bray and Octavius Bray both worked at the town boiler. He appeared on the census in Jun 1870 in Bellaire, Belmont Cnty, OH.⁽¹⁰⁴⁾ He was elected as Sachem, Red Cloud Lodge no. 56 on 27 Feb 1871 in Bellaire, Belmont Cnty, OH.⁽¹²²⁾ FRATERNAL ORDERS, in the U.S. as generally defined in law, voluntary nonprofit associations established for the mutual aid and sociability of their members. They are also called fraternal societies or benefit associations. These orders generally provide for the payment of death and other benefits, mainly through a form of insurance known as fraternal insurance. In this respect fraternal orders are the American counterpart of the English friendly societies that originated in the 16th century. Most U.S. fraternal orders, however, were patterned after certain European benevolent secret societies modeled on the order established by the Freemasons. These prototypes included such organizations as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of Druids, and the Ancient Order of Foresters, which were introduced into the U.S. in 1819, about 1830, and 1832, respectively. From these and similar associations fraternal orders of the U.S. derived their lodge system of organization and democratic form of representative self-government, their practice of doing business in confidential meetings, and their ritualism and social characteristics.
The first fraternal order of American origin was the Improved Order of Red Men, established in 1833, which included in its ritual many American Indian customs. During the latter half of the 19th century the number and size of fraternal orders in the U.S. greatly increased. A mark of their influence was the adoption of the lodge form of organization by a number of trade unions.
He owned Cummins addition section F lots 9 & 12, Bellaire OH from 29 Oct 1874 to 11 Apr 1876 in Bellaire, Belmont Cnty, OH.⁽¹²³⁾⁽¹²⁴⁾ He was first wife Amelia died on 5 May 1879 in Bellaire, Belmont Cnty, OH. He appeared on the census in 1880 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽¹²⁵⁾ He was living from 1880 to 1921 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽⁹⁸⁾ He resided at 74 West Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA on 8 Jun 1880 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽¹²⁶⁾ He was ill with fell and injured right shoulder about 1885 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA. He was ill with typhoid fever about 1886 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA. He was an iron puddler on 24 Aug 1892 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽⁹⁵⁾ He was living on 24 Aug 1892 in Chartiers Borough, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽⁹⁵⁾ He was living in 1895 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁰⁹⁾ He was ill with rhumatism,pleurisy, hernia right side,varicocele,broken right ankle/leg,shoulder injury on 23 Jul 1897 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽¹²⁷⁾ He was described as 5ft 5 1/2 inches, 125lbs., 61 years old on 18 Aug 1897 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽⁹⁸⁾ He resided at Love Avenue, Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, PA in 1900 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽¹²⁸⁾ He was a laborer in 1900 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA. He appeared on the census in 1900 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽¹²⁹⁾ He was described as 5ft. 6inches, 123lbs., 65 years on 27 Mar 1901 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA. He was living on 17 Sep 1904 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽⁹⁸⁾ He resided at 413 Steuben Street, Elliott, Pittsburgh, PA between Sep 1905 and Mar 1907 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽⁹⁸⁾ He owned DEED:Ohio County, WV; 1 1/4 Acre, Liberty District, frame house on lot 908 Blk E in 1907 in Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹³⁰⁾ He resided at RFD2, Roneys Point, Triadelphia, Ohio County, West Virginia from 1907 to 25 May 1912 in Roneys Point, Triadelphia, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽⁹⁸⁾⁽¹³¹⁾ He resided at 135 Marena Street, Elliott, Pittsburgh, PA on 17 May 1907 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽⁹⁸⁾ He resided at 141 Marena, Elliott, Pittsburgh PA in 1908 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽¹³²⁾ He was a laborer in 1908 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA. He was a laborer in 1909 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA. He resided at 131 Marena, Elliott, Pittsburgh PA in 1909 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA. He was a laborer in 1910 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA. He resided at 131 Marena, Elliott, Pittsburgh PA in 1910 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽¹³³⁾⁽¹³⁴⁾ He appeared on the census on 21 Apr 1910 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽¹³⁵⁾ He was a street laborer on 21 Apr 1910 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽¹³⁴⁾ He was described as 5 ft. 6in. tall, light complexion, gray eyes, brown hair on 25 May 1912 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA. He was a boiler on 25 May 1912 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽⁹⁸⁾ He resided at 131 Marena Street, Elliott, Pittsburgh PA on 5 Apr 1915 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽⁹⁸⁾ He was second wife Martha died on 19 May 1915 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA. He resided at 1314 McCready Alley, Sewickly, PA on 4 Dec 1920 in Sewickly, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽⁹⁸⁾ He resided at 1314 Arnold Street, Elliott, Pittsburgh, PA from 6 Jan 1921 to 21 Feb 1921 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽⁹⁸⁾⁽¹³⁶⁾ His daughter Gertrude Harriet tended him during his illness. He died on 21 Feb 1921 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽⁹⁸⁾⁽¹³⁶⁾⁽¹³⁷⁾ Apparently Octavius had a stroke January 6, 1921. His grand-daughter-in-law Lida Bryant, living at 413 Lorenz Avenue in Pittsburgh, attended to him at 1314 Arnold Street, Pittsburgh until his death. At the time of death he was described as an invalid soldier.

Mrs. Gertrude H. Bryant, his daughter, received an life insurance premium from Prudential Insurance Co. in the amount of $112.80, after paying a 25 cent premium per week for the policy.

Octavius left an estate valued at $250.00 in a bank account. The bill sent to the government for his funeral and burial arrangements totalled $451.50. He was buried on 23 Feb 1921 in Chartiers Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA.⁽⁹⁸⁾⁽¹³⁸⁾ The undertaker for Octavius was J.P. Herschberger and Sons. The service and burial fee was $215. He is buried in the honorable Civil War Veteran's section of the cemetary.

Octavius apparently choose what he would wear in his casket. Five day before his death, his grandson went out and bought him a new Union Suit, new pants, shirt, tie, socks, and a collar. I assume that "Union shirt" refers to a uniform. He was Welsh, Glamorgan.⁽⁹⁸⁾ He was also known as Charles O. Bray. He was married to Amelia A. HARRIS on 15 Dec 1856 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹³⁹⁾⁽¹⁴⁰⁾ Bray, Octavius, 15 Dec 1856, Harris, Amelia, 3-97
Wales is a small principality situated on the west side of England; it has its own national anthem (Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau), official language (Welsh) and flag (see below). The Welsh are Brythonic Celts, along with the Cornish and Bretons. (Welsh is not Gaelic, as is so often mistakenly thought. The Gaelic Celts are the Irish, Scots and Manx.) Besides the red dragon, other common Welsh symbols are the leek and daffodil.

The Welsh celebrate their heritage on March 1, the date of the death of their patron saint, the sixth-century St. David.

Wales is beautiful, with mountains, rolling hills, ocean coastlines, old towns and ancient monuments. The famous male voice choirs, of which there are a great many, still rehearse and perform all year round.

9. Amelia A. HARRIS ⁽²²⁾ was born about 1837 in Bilston, Staffordshire, England.⁽⁴⁾⁽¹⁴¹⁾ The 1920 census indicated that Alsenius's parents were born in England. The 1870 census shows Amelia born in England. Alsenius listed his mother born England in 1900 census. Probably Bilston, Staffordshire, like her brother. She was living between 1837 and 1840 in Bilston, Staffordshire, England. She immigrated before 1856 to from England to U.S.. She was living from 1856 to 1868 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV. She was living on 15 Dec 1856 in South Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁰⁷⁾ She was living from 1868 to 1879 in City of Bellaire, Pultney Township, Belmont Cnty, OH. She died on 5 May 1879 in Bellaire, Belmont Cnty, OH.⁽⁹⁸⁾ She died on 5 Jun 1880 in Bellaire, Belmont Cnty, OH.⁽⁹⁸⁾ She was English. She was buried.⁽¹⁴²⁾ SPECULATION Children were:

i. William Byron BRAY was born on 2 Oct 1857 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁴³⁾⁽¹⁴⁴⁾⁽¹⁰⁶⁾⁽⁹⁸⁾⁽¹⁴⁵⁾ He was living on 3 Oct 1860 in South Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁰⁶⁾ He resided at Jefferson St., Bellaire, OH; boarder with Edwin Stephens family on 17 Jun 1880 in Bellaire, Belmont Cnty, OH.⁽¹⁴⁶⁾ He was an iron puddler on 17 Jun 1880 in Bellaire, Belmont Cnty, OH. He resided at 806 Phillips Cove, Esples Borough (Pitts.), Pa. in Jun 1900 in Esplen Borough, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽¹⁴⁷⁾ Esples is a suburb of Pittsburgh. He was an iron puddler in Jun 1900 in Esplen Borough, Allegheny Cnty, PA. The 1900 census indicated that William and Ella had no children after 18 years of marriage.
ii. Harriet Gertrude BRAY was born on 22 Aug 1859 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁴⁸⁾⁽¹⁰⁹⁾⁽¹⁰⁶⁾⁽⁹⁸⁾⁽¹⁴⁹⁾ She was living on 3 Oct 1860 in South Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁰⁶⁾ She resided at Love Avenue, Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, PA in 1900 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽¹⁵⁰⁾ She resided at 131 Marena in Apr 1910 in Elliott Borough, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA.⁽¹³⁴⁾ She was living on 21 Feb 1921 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Cnty, PA. She died after 21 Apr 1921. 1910 census indicates 8 children, 7 living.
iii. Sarah Jane BRAY was born on 30 Dec 1861 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁵¹⁾⁽¹⁵²⁾⁽⁹⁸⁾ Octavius' pension file lists her birth date as August 31, 1861. She died in 1864 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁵³⁾
iv. James Thomas BRAY⁽⁹⁸⁾ was born on 1 Jun 1869 in City of Bellaire, Pultney Township, Belmont Cnty, OH.⁽¹⁵⁴⁾ He died on 19 Jun 1869 in City of Bellaire, Pultney Township, Belmont Cnty, OH.⁽¹⁵⁵⁾
4 v. Alcinus Sanders BRAY.
vi. Annie Kate BRAY was born on 10 Jun 1872 in Ohio.⁽¹⁵⁶⁾ She was raised by Mother's sister, Aunt Harriet Glass after 1879 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁵⁷⁾ She resided at 69 Thirty-first Street, South Wheeling WV in 1880 in South Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁵⁷⁾ This was a very posh neighborhood. She resided at Boards 25 13th, Wheeling WV between 1890 and 1891 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁵⁸⁾ She was also known as Kate Bray.⁽⁹⁸⁾ ⁽¹⁵⁷⁾ Kate's existence as Octavius's daughter is speculation. Kate, shown as a niece, is in the care of Harriet Glass, presumed to be the sister of Alcinius Bray.
vii. Dora May BRAY was born on 24 May 1875 in Belmont County, OH.⁽¹⁵⁹⁾⁽⁹⁸⁾⁽¹⁶⁰⁾ She was raised by Mother's brother, Thomas Harris after 1879 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁶¹⁾ After her mother's death, Dora was sent to be raised by her mother's brother, Thomas Harris and his wife. She resided at 3115 McCullough St., South Wheeling WV in 1880 in South Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV.⁽¹⁶²⁾ She was living in 1929 in Wheeling, Ohio Cnty, WV. was bequeathed some property from Annie E. Harris in her will dated 1929 She died after 1929.