Born in Clare.1

Baptised in Clare, St Peter & Paul.1

Father  James Reynolds Ray
Mother - Dorothy

Married Elizabeth NORMAN in Thingoe.20

Birth of son John Norman Reynolds RAY in Norwich.15

Birth of daughter Elizabeth Mary RAY in Norwich.12,16

Birth of daughter Catherine Stammers RAY in Norwich, St Gregory.17,18

Legacy.2

Received a legacy of GBP 100 pre tax from the estate of Lydia Ray

From the Legacy Receipt - Stamps and Taxes :-
"John Ray - Descendant of the brother of the mother of the deceased - Legacy"

Mentioned in Will.3

of Catherine Clayton
Described as :-
"Mr. John Ray of Saint Gregory Norwich"

Occupation Iron merchant employing 2 men.4

Recorded in census in Norwich, East Wymer (Thorpe Road).4

John Ray - Head - 38 - Iron merchant employing 2 men - born Clare
Elizabeth Ray - Wife - 35 - born Wordwell
John Ray - Son - 10 - born Norwich
Mary Ray - Daughter - 8 - born Norwich
Catherine Ray - Daughter - 6 - born Norwich
Staff x 2

Wrote will.5

From the probated copy of the will in the Norfolk Record Office .-

"This is the last will and testament of me John Ray of the hamlet of Thorpe in the county of the City of Norwich Gentleman ... ..."

Some names mentioned :-
1. "my wife Elizabeth"
2. "my brothers James Stammers Ray John Reynolds Ray Charles Ray and William Ray"

Occupation Retired iron merchant.6

Recorded in census in Norwich, West Wymer (Chapelfield Road, West End Cottage).6

John Ray - Head - Married - 49 - Retired iron merchant - born Clare
John N R Ray - Son - 19 - born Norwich
Catherine Ray - Daughter - 15 - born Norwich
James S Ray - Visitor - Unmarried - 54 - General draper - born Clare
Staff x 2

Executor.7

of the Will with two Codicils of Ann Clayton late of Finningham.
Effects - under GBP 16,000.
Executors :-
Margaret Elizabeth Clayton, of the Hamlet of Thorpe, sister
Thomas Damant Eaton, of Chapelfield, gentleman
John Ray, of Chapelfield Road, gentleman.

Executor.8

of the Will and three Codicils of Susanna Clayton, late of Finningham
Effects - under GBP 25,000
Executors :-
John Ray, of the City of Norwich, Merchant
Thomas Damant Eaton, of Norwich, gentleman.

Executor.9

of a Will with a Codicil of Margaret Elizabeth Clayton formerly of Thorpe next Norwich but late of the hamlet of Thorpe, spinster.
Effects - under GBP 50,000
Executors :-
John Ray, of Norwich, gentleman
Thomas Damant Eaton of Norwich, gentleman
Peter Eade of Norwich, doctor of medicine
William Robert Heath Clayton of 36 Great Hermitage Street Wapping, gentleman

Occupation Retired iron merchant in Risbridge.10

Recorded in census in Risbridge, Clare (Nethergate Street).10

William Ray - Head - Married - 56 - Grocer & draper employs 5 assistants 1 porter - born Clare
Sarah Ray - Wife - 40 - Draper's wife - born Suffolk
John Ray - Brother - 59 - Retired iron merchant - born Clare
Visitor - Charlotte Waller, 55 - farmer's daughter - born Suffolk
Staff x 5

Codicil to Will.5

From the probated copy in the Norfolk Record Office :-

Some names mentioned :-
1. "my brothers James Stammers Ray Thomas Reynolds ray Charles Ray and William Ray"
2. "my son John Norman Reynolds Ray"
3. "my daughter Elizabeth Mary Ray"

Occupation Retired iron merchant in Risbridge.11

Recorded in census in Risbridge, Clare (Mill Road, Mill House).11

Charles Ray - Head - 68 - Miller & Maltster - Clare
Adelaide Ray - Wife - 50 - Essex
Kate Ray - Daughter - 26 - Clare
John Ray - Brother - Married - 69 - Retired iron merchant - Clare
Staff x 2

Death of Elizabeth NORMAN in Aylsham.19

Occupation Living on own means.12

Recorded in census in Aylsham (Paradise House).12

John Ray - Head - Widower - 79 - Living on own means - born Clare
Elizabeth M Ray - Daughter - 47 - born Norwich
Staff x 3

Died in Mitford, Aylsham.13,14

Probate in Norwich.14,5

of the will of John Ray of Aylsham, gentleman
Executors :-
John Norman Reynolds Ray farmer
Elizabeth Mary Ray spinster
Effects - GBP 28,469 11s. 4d.
Resworn - October 1893 - GBP 29.570 7s. 4d.

Research Note .-
The original probated copy is in the Norfolk Records Office
"Probate of the Will and codicil of Mr John
Ray formerly of Thorpe Hamlet Norwich
and late of Aylesham in Norfolk deceased"
NRO - ETN 11/1/7