The activities of W. J. A. Wray are summarized in an undated memorial given in an undated clipping from an unidentified Irish paper, copy of which follows:
Prominent Donegal Man Dead
Widespread regret 'was felt throughout the entire county of Donegal and the counties of Derry and Tyrone when the news became known that Mr. W. J. A. Wray, J.P., of Rockfeld, Castlefin, had passed away. Deceased was an extensive farmer in the district. He was a Justice of the Peace for County Donegal, and up till a few years ago was chairman of the Strabane No. 2 Rural District Council. Deceased also was a member of the Donegal County Council, and served on numerous other Boards for his native country."
He died 8 October 1915 and was buried in Donaghmore Presbyterian Churchyard, near Castlefin. Among the mementoes of him are three letters written to his son, John Wray, his cane, and a badge for the Ulster Unionist Convention held in 1892.Last Will
William John Adams Wray of Carnone in the county, of Donegal do hereby make this my last Will and testament this first day of August one thousand nine hundred and seven. I appoint John Patrick of Dunaird Broughshane in the Coy of Antrim and William McComb of Artigarvan in the County of Tyrone executors and Trustees of this my will. I LEAVE DEVISE AND BEQUEATH to my son James Stewart Wray my two farms in Carnone and my farm in Doohen together with the stock crop and farm implements thereon subject to the payment of Fifty Pounds to my son John Wray now in America, and of Fifty Pounds to my daughter Martha H. Hobson, and of Fifty Pounds to my daughter Jane H. Roulstone, and of Fifty Pounds to my daughter Elizabeth A. Holmes, and of Fifty Pounds to my daughter Annie Brent, and of Fifty Pounds to my daughter Mary A Patrick, and of Fifty Pounds to my daughter Kathleen McComb, and of Fifty Pounds to my daughter Ethel Wray, all the above sums are to be paid free of legacy duty and within one year of my decease. In case my daughter Ethel shall not be married before my decease I direct that she shall have a charge on said farms for her lodging food and clothes in a manner befitting her station of Life until she marries I bequeath to my daughter Ethel Wray the money and interest thereon (if any) I have in the Northern Banking Coy and all moneys due me on promissory notes and for cash lent.
AS WITNESS my hand the day and year aforesaid
----------------------- William John Adams Wray -------------------------------------
SIGNED by the said William John Adams Wray as and for his last Will and testament in our presence at the same time who in his presence at his request and in presence of each other all three present at the same time have hereunto put our name as witnesses,
Henry T. Gallagher, Solr., Strabane.
James Kennedy, Law Clerk, Strabane.Wray History, by O.R. Wray, 1980
He went to New Zealand in 1883, later going to Australia. He returned to Ireland for at least one visit. He never married. He died of typhoid fever at Barcaldiine, Queensland.
182. Elizabeth Adams WRAY
She came to Canada with Martha. She was the first teacher at Kew Beach School in Toronto, starting when it opened in 1891. From 1893 she was Principal of this school. The Toronto Directories indicate that she shared lodgings with sister Annie for a year, then resided at 2284 Queen Street, East. She had a stepson, Arthur. In her final years she lived with her niece Margaret Grace (Wray) Dyvig in Chicago.
2nd wife Elizabeth Wray was his first cousin once removed.
186. Isa Margaretta WRAY
She came to Canada in 1891 and worked for T. Eaton at his Toronto store. Her death, from "galloping consumption" occurred about six months after her marriage. There was no family. She and her husband are buried at Kirkfield, Sask., a small community south of Grenfell.
189. Ethel WRAY
She lived with her younger brother on the family estate, which he had inherited on the death of his father. She never married. She was reputed to have held decided views on any matter under discussion, with a sharp tongue to back them up. The tradition is that it was due to her that no mention of this branch of the family was made in Mrs. Trench's book.
'Mrs Trench's book' possibly refers to "The Wrays of Donegal" by C.V. Trench, Oxford University Press, 1945
190. James Stewart WRAY
He was the one to remain at home and inherit the farm. Frank Roulston commented that it was evident that he had little enthusiasm for agriculture. He had one son who served in the Air Force. His mother and Ethel remained on the farm until their deaths, Ethel dying in February and Elizabeth passing away on 5 April 1959.
Died unmarried.
195. William John McCURDY
Killed in the Great War.
200. George McCURDY
Killed in action in Egypt in WWI. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces on Sept. 6, 1915 and served with the 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment as a teamster. He registered from Blackboy, Western Australia.
115. Dr. Benjamin Franklin HOLMES
2nd wife Elizabeth Wray was his first cousin once removed.
She came to Canada with Martha. She was the first teacher at Kew Beach School in Toronto, starting when it opened in 1891. From 1893 she was Principal of this school. The Toronto Directories indicate that she shared lodgings with sister Annie for a year, then resided at 2284 Queen Street, East. She had a stepson, Arthur. In her final years she lived with her niece Margaret Grace (Wray) Dyvig in Chicago.