THE RAY FAMILY

Maria Ray was born in Campbelltown, NSW. Her parents were William RAY and Sarah (nee BROOKER).
 

WILLIAM RAY ARRIVES IN NSW

William RAY was a former convict and had arrived in the colony of New South Wales in 1791 on board "The Abermarle". William had been sentenced to 7 years transportation and was free by servitude by 1828.

WILLIAM RAY AND SARAH BROOKER'S MARRIAGE

William and Sarah were married in St. John's Church, Parramatta, NSW by Captain Anthony Fenn Kemp, Magistrate.

William and Sarah lived at Windsor for five years then moved to Campbelltown, where in 1816 William received a land grant of 60 acres near the Bow-Bowing Creek on the Sydney approaches to Campbelltown, in the District of Airds.

William and Sarah had first farmed the land, then opened an inn known as "The Plough Inn" to help support their farming activities.
 

WILLIAM AND SARAH RAY'S CHILDREN

William and Sarah  had five children: Mary; Sophia; William (Jnr.); John and Maria (my husband's great, grandmother).

SARAH MARRIES NATHANIEL BOON

After the birth of Maria, the marriage of William and Sarah broke down and Sarah married Nathaniel Boon and she had nine more children (including triplets - Nicholas, Jonathon and James) who were born in 1830.

In 1826 Nathaniel Boon erected a two storey house next to "The Plough Inn" and the new complex was later renamed "The Three Brothers", after the triplets.

The old "Plough Inn" still stands beside the house and carries a National Trust listing (in 1977). The house is presently named "Holly Lea" and is in use as a private residence.
 

The Plough Inn
(the small building on the left)