Individual Details

Married George Wesley Ray, 13 Dec 1851, Autauga Co, AL. George Wesley Ray was the son of Allen Ray and Laodecia "Dicey" Moore

Mary Ray apparently first applied for pension on George W. Ray's service, 15 Mar 1894 - application examined and recommended by the Board of Examiners, 9 Jul 1895.
Then there is the handwritten note: G. W. Ray conscripted May 20, 1864. Had kept hid in the mountains for eight months previous to avoid being conscripted. Lived in Autauga Co, AL. Gave himself up voluntarily to join Union forces near Petersburgh Va, June 18, 1864. Desired to take oath of allegiance to U.S. at Elmira, NY, Sep 30, 1864. George W. Ray Soldier in Co. E, 59th Reg. Ala. Troops
2 Jun 1896, she stated she had 180 acres of land. Another page dated 9 Apr 1897, lists 180 acres of land in Coopers, AL. On the 20th of May 1898, Mary Ray had appeared in person declaring she had no property and was the widow of George W. Ray, a soldier in Co E, 59th Regt, Ala troops. She signs as Mary Ray. On 25 Sep 1907, there is a new application which states that George Ray died in May of 1869. Also on 25 Sep 1907, is an itemized statement of her property shows none - she still signs her name, but the signature is showing signs of aging. William Moore and Elias Minor both attested to the service of George Ray. A letter from the Board of Examiners dated 28 Sep 1907, says she is worthy and should be placed on the Pension rolls.
1913. Mary Ray applied for Pension on the service of Geroge Ray, Autauga Co, AL. He served in Company E, 59th Regt. There is a note "Stricken" on the card, dated 24 Sept 1913. This pensioner did not appear in person, only by written statement made by her son, Sept 1st, 1913. There was no answer to a notice served and she should be stricken from the Roll.
To Mary Ray, widow of George Ray, from the pension bureau in Montgomery, AL. "George Ray has not been found on the rolls, on filed in the War Dept, Washington DC of Company ?, 59th Alabama Infantry, CSA, nor is the capture of parole of such a man found." Notice mailed 1 Sep 1913. A response dated 10 Sep 1913: "Mr. Ferguson this is my mother she died in July there is no questions about George Ray being in the army there may be something wrong about the company but there is positively no question about his bein in the war. Respectfully, William Ray"

From Fold3:
A George W. Ray was listed as a private in Co. B, 59th AL Infantry. He appears on a card as a Prisoner of War at Point Lookout, MD. He arrived at Fort Monroe, 24 Jun 1864; captured near Petersburg, 18 Jun 1864; transferred to Elmira, NY, 25 Jul 1864. On 21 June 1864, he was on a list of prisoners confined at Bermuda Hundred, VA. G. W. Ray was released on 29 May 1865 at Elmira, NY. Register of Prisoners of war received at Fort Monroe, VA on 22 Jun 1864. George W. Ray was captured near Petersburg, VA on 18 Jun 1864 and confined in Military Prison, forwarded on 23 Jun 1864 to Point Lookout, MD. Oath of Allegiance signed Elmira, NY, 29 May 1865 - G. W. Ray was from Montgomery, Ala. He had fair complexion, auburn hair, blue eyes, and was six feet tall. He was released 29 May 1865.
Another card in the same file, lists Geo. W. Ray, Co E, 59th AL Regt, Infantry - on a roll of Prisoners of War desirous to take the Oath of Allegiance to the U.S., dated 30 Sep 1864. (This card has the identical note that appeared in Mary Ray's pension application file regarding the service of George Ray. It appears to be the only card in the file that gives his company as E, rather than B.)

1880 Census. Cooper, Chilton, AL, Hh 565
Mary Ray, 48, Widow, b. AL, father b. SC, mother b. GA
Joseph L. 18, son. William 13, son
Nobles, George W., 25, son-in-law
Sarah A. 26, dau

1900 Census. Cooper, Chilton, AL, Hh 43
William Ray, b. Jul 1866, age 33, married 13 years
Sarah, wife, b. May 1870, age 30, 7 children
Lonnie, son, b. Oct 1888, age 11
Lizzie, dau, b. Jan 1890, 10
Mary, dau, b. Oct 1892, 7
Julia, dau, b. Dec 1893, 6
Elbert, son, b. Feb 1895, 5
Joseph, son, b. Apr 1896, 4
Martha, dau, b. Apr 1898, 2
Mary, mother, b. May 1832, age 68, Widow, 6 children, 1 living


Buried Oak Hill Cemetery, Prattville, Autauga, AL Find A Grave Memorial# 13517173

Birth	18 Sep 1832	Alabama
Death	17 Jul 1913	Autauga County, Alabama

Father	Reuben Popwell (1811 - 1873)
Mother	Sarah "Sally" Moore (1815 - 1894)
Sibling	Martha Popwell (1834 - )
Sibling	William Popwell (1836 - )
Sibling	Sarah Jane Popwell (1838 - 1929)
Sibling	Catharine Popwell (1840 - 1888)
Sibling	Madison Popwell (1842 - 1933)
Sibling	Alfred Popwell (1844 - 1931)
Sibling	Sarah "Sallie" Popwell (1846 - 1912)
Sibling	John Popwell (1847 - 1982)
Sibling	James Popwell (1849 - 1917)
Sibling	Elizabeth Popwell (1851 - 1925)
Sibling	Moses Popwell (1852 - 1928)
Sibling	Amanda Popwell (1854 - 1924)
Sibling	Joseph Popwell (1856 - 1924)
Sibling	Loney Popwell (1858 - )
Sibling	Benjamin Popwell (1860 - 1884)