James Bray (ca.1630-1691) was a British merchant who also became an attorney, planter and politician in the

Colony of Virginia The Colony of Virginia, chartered in 1606 and settled in 1607, was the first enduring English colonial empire, English colony in North America, following failed attempts at settlement on Newfoundland (island), Newfoundland by Sir Humphrey GilbertG ...

, serving nearly a decade on the Virginia Governor's Council through Bacon's Rebellion (1670-1679), and later representing

James City County James City County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 78,254. Although politically separate from the county, the county seat is the adjacent independent city of Williamsburg. Located ...

in the

House of Burgesses The House of Burgesses was the elected representative element of the Virginia General Assembly, the legislative body of the Colony of Virginia. With the creation of the House of Burgesses in 1642, the General Assembly, which had been established ...

, although unseated when he refused to make a loyalty oath.

Early life

Born in England probably in the 1630s, he may have studied law before working for a London mercantile house. He married the widow Angelica Fisher by August 24, 1658, who bore at least three sons ( James Jr., Thomas and David) and daughter Ann during their marriage.

Career

By November, 1657, Bray was in the Virginia colony, and practicing law in the courts of

New Kent County New Kent County is a county in the eastern part the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 United States Census, its population was 22,945. Its county seat is New Kent. New Kent County is included in the Greater Richmond Region. History Ne ...

and York County. By 1674 he was performing many tasks for Jamestown merchant George Lee. Bray patented 1,250 acres in New Kent County by 1657, and 100 acres the next year using his wife for the headright. By 1671 Bray acquired 290 acres at Middle Plantation (the future

Williamsburg Williamsburg may refer to: Places *Colonial Williamsburg, a living-history museum and private foundation in Virginia *Williamsburg, Brooklyn, neighborhood in New York City *Williamsburg, former name of Kernville (former town), California *Williams ...

) at the head of Archer's Hope (later College) Creek on the boundary between York and James City Counties. By his death, Bray owned land in Middle Plantation, as well as in

Charles City Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English and French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*karilaz'' (in Latin alphabet), whose meaning was "f ...

and New Kent counties. Bray became an undersheriff in York County in 1658, and despite being arrested for uncivil wrangling and rude deportment in the York County Court in 1662, by 1672 he was a justice of the peace for James City County (the justices jointly administering the county in that era). Bray,

Thomas Ballard Colonel Thomas Ballard (1630/31 – March 24, 1689/90) was a prominent colonial Virginia landowner and politician who played a role in Bacon's Rebellion. He served on the Governor's Council 1670–79 and was Speaker of the Virginia House ...

and

Joseph Bridger General Joseph Bridger (before 28 Apr 1631 – before 8 May 1686) was a military and political figure in the Colony of Virginia. Some sources relate him as "Colonel" (Col.) Bridger. Born in Gloucester, England, in 1631, he was the son of S ...

received appointments to the Virginia Governor's Council on March 3, 1675, and sworn into office the following day. All three became important allies of Governor William Berkeley during Bacon's Rebellion the following year. Although some claim Bray signed one of Nathaniel Bacon's declarations in August 1676, neither extant copy contains his signature. When Bacon began fortifying the colony's capital at Jamestown in September, he forced Angelica Bray and the wives of other Berkeley supporters to stand on the ramparts to shield his workmen. After the rebellion was crushed, Governor Berkeley held a court martial of one of Bacon's key supporters, William Drummond, at Bray's home on January 20, 1677, before ordering Drummond hanged the next day. Berkeley's successor Herbert Jeffreys recommended that Bray, Philip Ludwell and Thomas Ballard be removed from the Governor's Council in March 1679, so Bray resumed his legal practice. Clients included Daniel Parke and William Byrd (1652-1704). James City County voters elected Bray as one of their representatives in the House of Burgesses in 1688 and he immediately became chairman of the important Committee for Public Claims. He also was elected to the assembly that met in April 1691, but he and burgess-elect

Arthur Allen II Arthur Allen II, also known as Major Allen (born ca. 1652, died June 15, 1710) was a Virginia colonial planter, merchant, military officer and controversial politician who twice served as Speaker Speaker may refer to: Society and politics * Spea ...

refused to take the oath of allegiance to William and Mary (presumably because of a previous loyalty oath to King James II).Leonard p. 50 Bray feigned sickness until formally refusing to take the oath on May 18 (three days before the assembly adjourned) and was declared ineligible.

Death and legacy

Bray died on October 24, 1691, and was probably buried in the Bruton churchyard, since he had served as a vestryman since at least 1674. Although his last will and testament was lost, sections were preserved in various litigation transcripts. His son James Bray Jr. served in the House of Burgesses as well as engaged in the slave trade, and was likewise known for his quarrelsome demeanor. His brother David Bray sold part of the Middle Plantation property he had inherited to the colony, in order to establish the colony's capitol away from Jamestown, notorious for its unhealthy climate, particularly in summers. His grandson, also David Bray, would be named to the Governor's Council on June 12, 1731, but died sixteen days before the council reconvened in October, and so never served.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bray, James Sr. People from colonial Virginia Virginia lawyers 1691 deaths House of Burgesses members People from James City County, Virginia