Robert Gray of Jamaica

Apparently resident Jamaican slave-owner, owner of Virgin Valley, Industry and Prospect Pen, each of which passed to what appear to be family members after the death of Robert Gray c. 1776.

1. The genealogy of the Gray family is outlined in an obituary for the eldest sister Barbara Gray who died in Edinbugh in 1810 aged 83. Their father was Hugh Gray, a tacksman of Helmsdale in Sutherland. There were three sons: the eldest Robert (Barbada's twin) who "rendered himself famous by introducing into the Island of Jamaica and keeping a pen of cattle much superior to any thing of the kind known there before his time"; the middle son Charles studied medicine and died young; the third Mr John Gray, as of 1810, "lives in England, a very worthy character." Charles Gordon Gray was the son of Robert Gray. The only surviving issue of the four daughters of Hugh Gray, as of 1810, was Mr Hugh Macpherson, "of the Island of Jamaica."

2. Robert Gray of St James, Esquire. Estate probated in Jamaica in 1776. Slave-ownership at probate: 417 of whom 241 were listed as male and 176 as female. 47 were listed as boys, girls or children. Total value of estate at probate: £40,936.76 Jamaican currency of which £26,685 currency was the value of enslaved people. Estate valuation included £0 currency cash, £3,674.56 currency debts and £90.29 currency plate.

1. Gentleman's Magazine vol. 80 part 1 p. 180 (February 1810).

2. Trevor Burnard, Database of Jamaican inventories, 1674-1784.

We are grateful to Michael Rhodes for his assistance with compiling this entry.