HEDGES, Rebecca - Putnam

In the History of Kentucky, by Collins, I read the following: "In Bourbon Co KY there was once an Indian population. In proof of this the vestiges of a large Indian town are still perceptible near where Pretty-run empties into Strodes Creek on the farm of Peter Hedges. Rebecca Hedges, 3rd child and first daughter of Joseph Hedges was born in Frederick County, MD March 3, 1775 and died April 29, 1853 in Putnam County, Indiana. She became the wife of Samuel McCray, April 2, 1795 of Middletown, Ky located less than 10 miles SE of Paris. This marriage record can be found in the files in the court house at Paris, Bourbon Co KY. From a family bible in the possession of his granddaughter, Mrs. Hattie Thomas, daughter of William McCray of Putnam County I have taken Samuel McCray's birth date, listed Jan 1775 and date of Death, Sept 11, 1862. He and his wife Rebecca Hedges are buried at Brick Chapel Cemetery, located 5 miles north of Greencastle, Ind which is considered the most beautiful and best cared-for cemetery in Putnam Co. Here is the resting place of many pioneers of Ky and In. During a recent visit to this spot, I searched for graves of members of the Hedges and McCray families and behind the old chapel, I discovered those of William and Fleming, sons of Samuel and Rebecca (Hedges) McCray, and that of William's wife, Nancy. The stone of William McCray gives the date of birth March 27, 1818 and death July 20, 1909. The inscription on the stone of his wife Nancy states that her death occurred Jan 26, 1878, age 51 years 10 months and 24 days. This cemetery is in a beautiful location and substantiates the description given it in the History of Putnam County. It is situated on the paved highway extending north from Greencastle, the county seat and home of Depauw University, on high ground with declivities on the north, east and south, and is a peaceful resting spot for our early ancestors, Samuel and Rebecca McCray and their children. Samuel was a pioneer of Bourbon Co Ky. I have no record of the time of his emigration to the new state of Indiana, which relinquished the right of territory in the year 1816 but doubtless after 1825 as his daughter, my mother's grandmother, Sarah McCray was married in Bourbon Co in 1825, and this doubtless was her home as very little unnecessary traveling was done over a century ago, especially by unchaperoned females. The McCrays have been holding family reunions in Indiana for 45 years and I have a copy of their program for the second reunion held Aug 9, 1894 on the grounds of Frank Hall, just north of Brick Chapel which lists the following members of the family who attended :. . .

(much more about this) Samuel McCray and his wife Rebeeca were parents of 10 children, 9 are listed in the McCray family bible

Sarah b. May 3, 1798 marr Abner Peyton June 4, 1825

John b. May 25, 1800

Mary (Polly) b. June 14, 1802 marr John Call

Levi b. Sept 1, 1804

Jemima b. Oct 25, 1806

Henry b. Oct 29, 1808

James b. Nov 1810

Fleming b. Nov 8, 1812; d 1873; m. Sept 1, 1842 Mary Howlett, July 27, 1824

d. July 1880

Fanny b. March 28, 1814 m. James Chamberlain and live on Mooresville Road near Indianapolis.

William b. March 27, 1818; name not listed in the family bible but taken from another record. William McCray came to Putnam Co in 1837, where he died July 20, 1909. His wife Nancy Wood was born in VA about 1821, and died in Putnam County, Ind Jan 26, 1878.

Last Modified: March 11, 2016