Earliest Known Bray Ancestor: married in 1753 at Bitteswell, Leicestershire. Descent is via Thomas (baptised 1756 Lutterworth, Leics., m. 1780 Bitteswell), John Bray (baptised 1792 Lutterworth, m. Lydia Ball 1814 Earl Shilton), William Bray (b. 1817 Hinckley, m. Elizabeth Jones 1841 Stoke Golding), William (aka Wilford) Bray (b. 1847 Stoke Golding, m. Eliza Bradbury 1868 Stoke Golding) to my maternal grandfather Walter Jones (aka William) Bray (b. 1883 Leicester, d.1953 Leicester). See Bray Pedigree for details.

General Information
There are several nonconformists in this line, with baptisms at the Independent chapels of Lutterworth and Ullesthorpe. John Bray was a framework knitter in 1851, a stocking maker in 1861. He died in 1868 at Willoughby Waterless, Leics. William, Wilford and Walter were labourers.

Next Steps

Bitteswell PRs searched 1713 - 1753 by Pat Grundy, Leics. R.O., Feb 2005. The only Bray entry found is a baptism of John, Son of John and Ann Bray, baptised 6 August 1719. Pat also reports that surviving records for Lutterworth Ind. Chapel start at 1733, so if Thomas was baptised to John and Ann after they turned non-conformist, his baptism record will not be found. There was no trace of Mary Sherman's baptism at Bitteswell either.

Only hope now is if John Bray left a will...