Thank you Pat & James for feedback on the earliest BRAY generations posting (Southern branches of the family). Pat, while healthy skepticism is always a good thing, I would like to point out that Mahala BRAY BROWN was of Henry BRAY & Marie WILSON's family while the William Gilmer BRAY who served in the US Congress from Indiana was of Edward BRAY married Sarah MAYNARDs line. Seems highly improbable they knew one another yet both lines of the family end up pointing to the same couple of BRAY men. And while a Congressman might have some incentive to connect to famous BRAYs, there isn't anything in the letter Mahala BRAY BROWN wrote that indicates she recalled the historical import of Thomas BRAY other than he was a man of the Church. Plus, Mahala BRAY BROWN was the great-grand-daughter of Henry BRAY & Marie WILSON and typically family memories go back to the g-g-grandparents before the memories begin to dim. Mahala certainly did not put Thomas BRAY front and center in her account either, highlighting his important activities in America prior to his return to England. So, I for one am inclined to give the account the benefit of a doubt until disproven. I realize these family stories can attract embellishments over time, but the fact a detail here or there is off is not the same as saying the entire story is hokem & hooey. People have lived to 113 in the past. Is there evidence that Henry BRAY who married Marie WILSON died at a younger age? It is one thing to dismiss a claim, it is quite another to disprove it. Do you have any proof how old Henry BRAY who married Marie WILSON was at the time of his death Pat? (or anyone else?) It seems to me that the easiest way to fact test the story is to confirm Henry BRAY's birth and death dates. I hope this discussion is of interest to the list. I find I typically learn more from those I disagree, with than those who I do, so don't take the fact my thoughts are different from anothers as a criticism of them. I appreciate all interested researchers feedback :) james wall