I only had one, Foster Ray…
In the Civil War pension file of my 2x great uncle Thomas Allen, I learned that the slave holder of my paternal grandmother’s grandmother and and her children was Foster Ray of Marion County, Kentucky. His wife’s name was Marietta Philips Ray. He died in 1863. Unfortunately he left his affairs in order so there was no need for probate with a list of those people he enslaved.
“Were you a slave? If so, state the names of all former owners, particularly the name of your owner at the date of your enlistment. Yes, only had one Foster Ray.“
Several years later Foster Ray’s wife, Marietta remarried. Her second husband was Col Thomas Foster. She died in 1872 and according to newspaper articles, there was an outpouring of sorrow. Her funeral was crowded with standing room only. The eulogy was printed as a pamphlet because so many people wanted a copy. Unfortunately I was unable to find one.
Funeral of Mrs. Foster
The funeral of Mrs. Marietta Foster late consort of Col. T.J. Foster of this city, took place at the Baptist church at ten o’clock last Wednesday morning. The respect and affection felt for the deceased was strikingly evinced on this occasion by the uncommonly large assembly which came together to pay this last sad tribute to her memory. The house was filled to its utmost capacity, the seats being nearly all occupied by ladies, while most of the gentlemen stood in the aisles and other available standing room. Many went away because they were unable to find a place in the house.
The services were opened by the chanting of a voluntary by the choir- “Silent Land,” in D minor – a most touching and appropriate musical composition, admirably interpreted by a few fine voices. Rev. V. E. Kirtley conducted the introductory services, after which the funeral discourse was preached by Rev. T.H. Cleland, D. D., from the text, “And in the garden there was a sepulchre.” The sermon was a deeply impressive and feeling one, and held the audience spell-bound from the initial sentence to the close. We shall not mar it by attempting a synopsis, as it will be printed in full in pamphlet form in a few days.
At the conclusion of the services the remains were removed and interred in Ryder Cemetery.
Few persons have ever died more generally regretted by all their acquaintances than Mrs. Foster. The kindness of her disposition and the suavity of her manners, entirely free from any trace of pride or exclusiveness upon the hearts of all with whom she came in contact and attracted them irresistibly toward her. The loss so deeply deplored by those nearest to her is sensibly felt and sincerely lamented by the whole community.
Transcribed from The Standard and Times, Lebanon, Kentucky • Wed, Jan 17, 1872 Page 1
In her Will, Marietta Ray foster left some money to those she described as her former servants. My great great grandmother Clara Hoskins Greens and her daughter Sara Ray Primus were among those named.
From the Will of Marietta Phillips Foster
About 1871 Marion, Kentucky, USA
Will Date: 20 Nov 1871 Probate Date: 20 Nov 1871
Item: I give and bequeath to my faithful nurse Agnes Primas one thousand dollars to be invested by my executors in a house and lot in Lebanon for her and her heirs as they may consider best for her interests.
Item: I give and bequeath to Clara Greens and to Sara Jane Primas and to Virgie Ray and to Jim Ray all of color and my former servants the sum of one hundred dollars each and to Tresey Maxwell and Betsey Doneghy (also of color) the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars each.
Item: I request that my said nephew Hugh B. Ray shall out of the remainder which may accrue to him of my estate after my husband’s death, expend the sum of five hundred dollars in the education of Tim (Jim?) the son of Stephen Doueghy and Betsey his wife.
Did they receive this money? Did it change their lives? It was hard to tell with only the censuses and other records available online. More to come.
__________________
Thomas Ray Allen 1847 – 1907
Foster Ray – Slaveholder
The obituary and the will tell a story – but it but is only a partial story that sparks more questions. I’m looking forward to the “more to come.”
I was able to find much information about Marietta Ray Foster’s life – news articles about her activities during the Civil War and after, a long article about her home, etc. Much more than I was able to find about any of the families mentioned in her Will, unfortunately.
How interesting, and it’s too bad the recipients of her will don’t have any records…so I shall look forward to what you have been able to find!
We’ll see if I can draw any conclusions from the records I do have. Did anyone buy a new house? Quit their job? Move to the big city?
I will look forward to the story yet to come. Very interesting.
I thought so too. I hadn’t really looked into Foster Ray’s wife earlier but several weeks ago I decided to and found the will and much information about her both before and after her first husband’s death. I don’t know why I didn’t look at her in the first place. Enslaved people were often passed down to family members and brought to marriages by the wife.
This is an interesting and somber history. It must have been challenging to trace a woman whose records have the same name “Foster” used as both forename and surname. In my research I find that correctly identifying women always requires more care since their surnames change. Usually with men its discovering that between censuses their wife’s forename has changed. Sometimes it’s because middle names become the common name. Other times it’s because it’s a second marriage.
I was intrigued by the musical reference in the obituary. Unfortunately the title “Silent Land” could be referring to a German song by Franz Schubert or a choral arrangement of a different poem in English by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Doesn’t help that there are several later composers who wrote works with the same title.
I looked for the song also. It seems Longfellow translated the words from the German. And it was made into a hymn. I thought that might be that one. But I didn’t add it to the post. I might still do it, with a disclaimer that I’m not sure.
Marietta Phillips Ray Foster was a prominent and very wealthy woman. There were many news articles about her throughout her adult life. And many records on ancestry. It was easy to follow her into her second marriage. The names were most confusing when I was writing her up and would use the wrong Foster.
I have found second wives that have the same first name as the first wife and only by finding multiple marriage records have I been able to figure that out.