Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State - Charles Bray

3^rd CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: Spring to Fall, 1861 Stockton, CA & Benicia Barracks, CA
Mustered In: 10/31/1861 to 12/3/1861
Mustered Out:  July, 1866

REGIMENTAL HISTORY:  

The 3^rd was a three year, truly “western” infantry regiment. In 11/1861 four companies were sent to Humboldt County, CA. After that, in 7/1862, regimental headquarters was established near Salt Lake City, UT. From there the unit was to protect the U.S. overland mail route.

In Utah, the 3^rd’s headquarters was at Camp Douglas, some two miles from the City of Salt Lake. The closeness of the fort’s cannon raised the ire of Brigham Young and other Mormon leaders. Still, unit members were able to maintain themselves amid the fanatical population who were reportedly “constantly” incited to deeds of violence by the hostile and traitorous heads of the Latter Day Saints church.

Amongst other, ungrateful assignments handed the 3^rd was dealing with Native American Indian tribes. In this vein, on 1/29/1863, the 3^rd participated in the battle of Bear River, Yuba County, CA.  In this engagement, the Shoshones, under chief Pocatello, who had killed many emigrants on the road to California, Idaho and Montana “were severely punished and a great slaughter was made.”
 

During its period of its enlistment the 3^rd served- by detachments - not only at Camp Douglas, UT - but at Denver, CO., Ft. Ruby, NE, Ft. Churchill, NV and Camp Connor Indian Territory.

In 10/1864, upon the expiration of its enlistment term, original members of the 3^rd - except re-enlisted veterans - were mustered out. Remaining veterans and recruits were then consolidated into what was known as the 3^rd battalion of infantry. In 12/1865 the battalion was further consolidated with that organization finally being mustered out in late 7/1866.

REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Loss numbers not available.

SOLDIER:
Residence: San Francisco, CA (est.) Age: 16.2 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 10/8/1861 San Francisco, CA   Rank:  Musician/Bandsman
Mustered In: 10/8/1861 San Francisco, CA
Mustered Out: 9/23/1862 Ft. Ruby, NE
Highest Rank:  Musician /Bandsman
Rank At Discharge: Musician/Bandsman

PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:

Charles Edward Bray was born 20 July, 1845. His birthplace was Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA.

Parents of Charles were William Bray (b. 1803 England - d. unk.) and Elizabeth (nee Partridge b. 1804 England - d. 1853 PA) Bray.

The Brays and their children emigrated from England to the U.S. around 1840. Settling in Philadelphia, PA., William plied his trade as a shoemaker.

William and Elizabeth produced at least seven children. Of the seven, Charles was the youngest and the only Bray to be born outside England.  Older than he were John  (b. 1827 England), Elizabeth (b. 1828 England), William C. (b. 1830 England), Emily (b. 1833 England), Mary Ann (b. 1835 England) and Henry (b. 1838 England).   

In Philadelphia, Charles’ sister Mary died. (10 October, 1852). She was seventeen years of age. His brother, John, passed away a few days later. William's wife, Charles’ mother - Elizabeth,   died the following year. 

By the time the American Civil War (ACW) broke out in 1861 Charles had left home and moved to California. It is unknown if he made the cross-country trek with anyone. Other unknowns are how he travelled to the west coast and exactly when he arrived in The Golden State. 

On 8 October 1861 in San Francisco, CA Charles answered his country's call and enlisted in the U.S. Army as a musician. He initially mustered into Co."D" of the 3^rd California Infantry, but the following month transferred to the "Band." His musical instrument of choice is not known, but post-war he would support himself and his family as a professional musician. 

Without accessing his military service records, about all we can say about Private Bray's term of enlistment is that he survived the trials and privations of war and returned to civilian life.  Separating from the military in Nebraska, it is not known if he settled there or returned to California before moving north to the Idaho Territory (IT). 

*On 6 January 1865 in Boise, Idaho, Charles married. His bride was Rebecca Thomas White. “Although several U.S. Census tally indicate she had been born in Missouri, Rebecca had, actually, been birthed during December, 1846.” She was a descendant of American Revolutionary War soldier William white (1751 - 1812). 

Not long after their marriage, Charles and Rebecca relocated from Boise, IT to Portland, Multnomah County, OR. In Oregon, at least four daughters were born to them. They were Lillian (b. 1866), Mary May "Mamie" (b. 1870), Harriet "Hattie" (b. 1872) and Ruby (b. 1874). 

Sometime in 1887, the Brays moved northward from Oregon to Seattle, King County, WA. What prompted the move and exactly when in ‘87 it occurred are unknowns. However, with the occupation of musician, it is possible job opportunities were better in the rapidly growing, prosperous Puget Sound area.  Also, several of their adult children were already residing in the Seattle and Everett areas.  

In Seattle, from 1887 through 1903, Charles was listed as a music teacher and leader of the orchestra at Cordray’s Theater. During the same period he was also orchestra leader at the Seattle Theatre. 

At the dawn of the twentieth century, Charles and Rebecca were living in Seattle's Ward 7 with married daughter Mary, her husband Horatio Bean and family.  Horatio listed his occupation as Mining Operator.

On 18 February, 1903 Charles’ filed an application for a U.S. Government disability pension based on his Civil War service in the California 3^rd (Application no. 1.296.600).  Although a stipend was granted, (certificate no. 1066, 776) without accessing his pension files, the details of his monthly paycheck remain unknown. 

Rebecca, aged sixty two (62) years, died in Seattle on 5 January, 1909. She was/ is buried in the Seattle Lake View Cemetery located near the north end of Capitol Hill. 

 In March, 1909, the oldest daughter of Charles and Rebecca, Lillian, who married Joseph Eugene Hedges in 1894, filed in Clackamas County, Oregon State, Wills and Probate Records for her late mother’s estate.  Lillian wanted to receive the Letters of Administration of Rebecca’s estate.  She waived the right to be Administrator but wanted her husband Joseph E. Hedges, a lawyer, to become Administrator. 

The heirs for Rebecca’s estate were:  Charles E. Bray, aged 66 years, widower, residence in Seattle, Washington; Mrs. H. V. V. Bean, daughter, aged 38 years, residence Seattle, Washington; Mrs. Franklin Pierce, daughter, aged 36 years, residence Harper, Washington; Mrs. J. C. Lewis, daughter, aged 34 years of Los Angeles, California; and Lillian B. Hedges, daughter, aged 45 years, of Oregon City, Oregon.

Finally,  It was ordered that letters of Administration of the estate of Rebecca T. Bray, deceased, issue to the said Joseph E. Hedges upon his taking the oath of filing a bond, according to law, in the sum of six Hundred twenty-five and no/100 Dollars ($625).  The order was dated 27th day of March A. D. 1909. 

After Rebecca's death Charles remained in Washington for the next ten years. In 1910 he was still with married daughter Mary and her family, but by that time the Beans were residing near the community of Harper located west of Seattle, across Puget Sound in Kitsap County. 

By 1920 the Beans, and Charles, had relocated to Berkley, Alameda County, CA. Charles died near there in Oakland, on 9 September 1924 at the age of 79. The remains of the old soldier were taken back to Washington State and buried with Rebecca in Seattle's Lake View Cemetery. 

In review, the four daughters of Charles and Rebecca Bray all married and had families of their own:

The oldest, Lillian, (1866-1946), had married Joseph Hedges in 1894.  Children born to them were:  Dorothy, Janice, Dwight, and Joseph. 

Second daughter, Mary May "Mamie" (1870-1929) married Horatio Bean in 1890.  Their children were Harold L., Helen, and Margaret. The Bean family were residents of Seattle, and then moved to Harper, Kitsap County, Washington. Mary died in 1929 and was buried in Oregon.  

Third daughter Harriet E. "Hattie" (1872 - ) was a school teacher. She married Franklin Pierce on 17 Feb 1907 in Kitsap County, Washington.  As earlier noted, they were residing in Harper, Kitsap County, Washington by the time Rebecca died in 1909. Harriet and Frank had at least three children:  Frank Jr., Brayton, and Martha Elizabeth.  Frank Pierce was a lawyer.  By 1930, the family residence was in Morningside, King County, WA. 

Finally, there was fourth daughter, Ruby Lucille (1874-1951).  She married Joseph Claude Lewis (1872-1956) and they resided in Los Angeles, California.  Ruby’s lineage is listed in the DAR lineage books, Volume 110, page 301, filed in 1914.  Her ID number of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution is 109948 from William White (1751-1812) who enlisted in 1777 as a sergeant, then lieutenant.  Ruby is buried in Angelus Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.  There were at least two sons born to Ruby and Joseph: Edward Seaton Lewis (1906-1983) and Robert Conklin Lewis (1908-1999).

AUTHOR: Tami Sherrill
 

POSTED: 5/4/23
UPDATED:

Buried at Lake View Cemetery Seattle