Thread: Matthias/Mathias Gray

Alright, well I've been looking for information on my great-great-great-great grandfather Matthias (Alternative spelling: Mathias) Gray. What I'm told is that he was born in Manchester/Greater Manchester, Lancashire, England. If I remember correctly the date of birth was between 1828 to 1835 (Depending on the source - though my money is with 1828). I know he came over on the American Eagle, and arrived in New York City. Eventually he married a one Susan (Former married name: Lange. Maiden:Sheppard) of New York. (Her father, so far as i know, is a one George Sheppard, and mother is a one Anna King.)



That's all I know about him. What I'm trying to find is anything that could pinpoint where in the Lancashire/Machester area. A people from that area willingly researched, but they never replied.



Help? If there's anything else you need info-wise, just let me know.



Thanks, ~Lucas

Hi there Lucas.



A couple of questions.



Have you the marriage certificate?? Ours in the UK state father's name and occupation.



"Palmer List of Merchant Vessels - Am[b]The U.S. ship AMERICAN EAGLE was built at New York by Jacob A. Westervelt & William Mackey and launched in 1846. 899/1059 tons (old/new measurement); 158 ft 5 in x 30 ft 3 in x 21 ft 6 in (length x beam x depth of hold); 3 decks; draft 20 ft 6 in. She served in Griswold's Black X Line of sailing packets between New York and London from 1846 to 1867, during which period her westbound passages averaged 35 days, her shortest passage being 22 days, her longest 57. I do not at present know her history after 1867, or her ultimate fate.

Source: Robert Greenhalgh Albion, Square-riggers on Schedule; The New York Sailing Packets to England, France, and the Cotton Ports (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1938), pp. 282-283, 298.

Voyages:

1. Ship AMERICAN EAGLE, Richard H. Moore, Jr., master, arrived at New York on 10 December 1855, from London and Portsmouth 30 October, with merchandise and passengers, to E[lisha] E. Morgan."
   

When did the American Eagle drop him off in New York? He doesnt appear on the 1857 or 1858 manifest.



http://www.immigrantships.net/v4/180...e18570904.html

http://www.immigrantships.net/v7/180...e18580108.html



There have to be other manifests, somewhere

I do not. I do have a copy of the announcement concerning his last will and testament, as well as one of the obituaries concerning him. All I know concerning his father, would be that the surname would likely be Gray, or some variant.



As for the ship, I believe it was early July of 1847 (apparently he was 18...?). Someone was able to confirm that he came in on that ship, and that it came from London.

It might be an idea to see if you can get hold of it as it would give you a firm starting point.

The census you sent me via email, what year was it done? And, do you have anything else on him, or perhaps even a guess on where i could go next?



Thanks, ~L

How would I get the birth certificate?