Person:John Gray (191)

John was John GRAY of Kilmardinny, New Kilpatrick, Dunbartonshire who married Jane FARQUHAR of Gilmilnscroft (in the parish of Sorn, Ayrshire) in 1777; Jane died 1809 (family letters). On the birth record of James Gray (a son, born 1778 at Balfron, Stirliingshire) the parents were John Farquhar Gray and Jean Farquar. From a History of Robert Burns: John Gray, later Farquhar Gray, (1751-c.1801) was son of the Reverend James Gray, minister at Strathblane. He owned the estate of Kilmerdinny. In 1777, he married Jane Farquhar, heiress of Gilmilnscroft, only child of Alexander Farquhar of Gilmilnscroft, who died in 1779. Gray changed his name Farquhar-Gray on his marriage. He was a Justice of the Peace and, as such, according to one tradition quoted by Train, married Burns and Jean Armour in the writing office of Gavin Hamilton, Mauchline. This seems the most likely of the various traditions concerning Burns's marriage.

1.   International Genealogical Index. ( The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint, 1999-2008).