Algernon Sidney Gray

Algernon Sidney Gray
Algernon Sidney Gray
Born	January 8, 1814; Harrisonburg, Virginia
Died	September 29, 1878; Harrisonburg, Virginia
Resting place	Woodbine Cemetery, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Alma mater	Washington and Lee University
Spouse	Annie Henderson (1796–1871)
Children	Annie Douglas Gray (1842–1917), Rebecca J. Gray (1847–1914), Isabella Waterman Gray
Parent(s)	Robert Gray (1781–1859) and Isabella L. Waterman (1793–1857)

Algernon Sidney Gray (8 January 1814 – 29 September 1878)

philanthropist.^[2]

Early life

Born at the family home of "Collicello" in Harrisonburg, Algernon Sidney Gray was the eldest son of Robert Gray and Isabella L. Waterman. Gray attended Washington College (now Washington and Lee University), Lexington, Virginia and opened his practice as an attorney in his hometown.^[2] His brother in law was Rev. William Henry Ruffner, son of the former president of Washington College who had resigned after controversy concerning his view that slavery was hurting development of Virginia's economy, and who would become Virginia's first superintendent of public instruction.^[3]

American Civil War

As one of Rockingham County's delegates to the Virginia secession convention (

John Francis Lewis and Samuel Augustus Coffman being the other delegates from Rockingham County), Gray opposed secession and was particularly remembered for a rather emotionally charged speech that brought the delegation to tears.^[2] Nonetheless, Virginia opted for secession and Gray reluctantly accepted the majority's decision. Though he took little part in advancing the cause of the Confederacy, Gray became known for supporting those who suffered and were in distress, no matter their particular sentiments. He was a member of the Board of Visitors for Washington College from 1861–1862.^[2]

Post-war years

After the war, Gray, as a member of the

U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Virginia.^[2]

Death

Gray died on 29 September 1878, at the age of 63, and was interred in Woodbine Cemetery in Harrisonburg.^[citation needed]

References

^ The Political Graveyard (November 12, 2009). "Index to Politicians: Gray". Lawrence Kestenbaum. Archived from the original on 3 December 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Wayland, John (1996). A History of Rockingham County, Virginia (4th ed.). C.J. Carrier & Co. p. 353.
^ "Ruffner, William Henry (1824–1908) – Encyclopedia Virginia".

[PG-1] The Political Graveyard (November 12, 2009). "Index to Politicians: Gray". Lawrence Kestenbaum. Archived from the original on 3 December 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-12.

[JW-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Wayland, John (1996). A History of Rockingham County, Virginia (4th ed.). C.J. Carrier & Co. p. 353.

[3] "Ruffner, William Henry (1824–1908) – Encyclopedia Virginia".

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