I am sending this note to both the Perry and Randolph County lists in the hopes that someone can shed some light on the many wives of one Moses J. FRAY (sometimes spelled FREY) who was born about 1832. My connection to Moses is through my 2nd Great Grand Aunt, Martha SOPER who appears to have been his second wife. Moses married Martha C.Soper on Aug. 24, 1858 in Randolph Co. It appears that his first wife, Elizabeth F. died on Dec 25, 1857 and is buried in Gillespie Prairie Cemetery. Have not located a marriage record to Elizabeth, but based on the 1880 census record they had one daughter named Gemima that was born about 1854. The marriage to Martha apparently did not last long as there is another marriage record for Moses J. FRAY to Martha C. BARNS on Aug. 28, 1860, again in Randolph Co. Yet another marriage record appears for Moses C. and Mrs. Nancy K. LIVELY in Perry County on Sept. 11, 1876. Then finally, what appears to be as his last marriage to Edith BROWN on July 21, 1881 in neighboring Franklin County. Apparently, he had built up quite a reputation and the women of Perry and Randolph County would not marry him. So far, the only census record I have found that shows Moses Fray is the 1880 census for Du Quoin, Perry County. It appears that Nancy was history by then as he was living with his daughter Gemima STEEL, 25; son-in-law Cortice STEEL, 25; and sons Thomas J. FRAY, 18; John H. FRAY, 12; and James C. FRAY, 6. Moses does not appear on the 1860 census for Perry, Randolph, or Jackson Counties. Not sure about the 1870 census. Do any of the above names ring a bell with anyone? I am of the opinion that all of the above marriages are for the same Moses Fray, since only one appears on the census records. Thanks, Ken Soper Apple Valley, CA [email protected]