Laurence GRAY

                   SOURCE
   The Isle of Foula as the birth place of Laurence Gray has been handed down.
                              from Mary Grace (Cromarty) Johnson
   CENSUS: 1841-1861 (FHL- 10931, 103765, 103913); 1851 and 61 shows from Foula
   DEATH: Death records of Scotland ( document on hand) Shows parents
                           (FHL 363235)
NOTE
   Barbara Hancock of England found in an old note book of her father's showing
   that Lawrence Gray, who married Robina Sinclair, was a son of Walter Gray
   and Barbara Johnson. (Received letter from Barb 6 Jun 1990)
      .  A pedigree sheet from the Isle of
       Foula sent in September 1990 shows the Parents of Laurence Gray who married
       Robina Sinclair as Laurence Gray and Barbara Johnsdotter.
       (from Sheila Gear by way of Barb Hancock, Oct 1990)

ORAL TRADITION: from Mary Grace (Cromarty) Johnson of Lerwick 1971
       Laurence had a brother, Walter both born at Foula.
                Laurence had a son named Henry and lived at Liverpool
                   There was another brother who was drowned along with 2 sons when fishing
       Sillocks at the craigs (rocks) in Foula (about 1849)

   DEATH: day and month came from Frank Scot of Lerwick (1990)
          residence time of death - Breck, Twatt
   PARENTS: Frank Scot has them as Laurence Gray and Barbara Johnsdotter.

NOTE from Frank Scot. Laurence born about 1787 (I cannot find it recorded) in Foula must have come to Walls fairly early in life.  At this time the fishing boat, Sixareens, very often stayed in Foula and landed their catches there. Somehow he must have got involved in this fishing because he is recorded in various places as being a fihserman/ crofter.  Anyhow he married Robina Sinclair though I cannot find the marriage recorded and all his family were born at Voe, Walls the youngest taking place in 1836.  Soon after this he and most of the family moved to Breck, Twatt, Bexter as in 1841 the census shows him there age 53 farmer, Robina 50, Scott 20, Laurence 15, Usla 12, Grizel 8, and James 4.
In 1851 the same seven persons are recorded and he is shown as born in Foula.
Next in 1861 we find there are changes.  He, Robina, Scott, Grace and Laurence are there but we find also Jane Scott 38, John Scott 9, Peter Scott 6, and Catherine Gray (Scott's Wife).  There is no entry for 1871 for Breck, Twatt. His death is recorded as 28-3-1868 age 81.  It would seem, from some letters to my father from a granddaughter of his that he was a dour man who paid little attention to his children but was always busy making kishies or working with fishing lines or the like.