Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/275

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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the ancestors of Dr. Alfred L. Gray, of Richmond. Virginia, is found in the muster roll of James City and Island, 1624, "Thomas Graye, Margaret, his wife, Wil- liam, their son, aged three years, Jane, their daughter, aged six years." This "Thomas Grave" is believed to have been the direct ancestor of John Gray, father of Colonel William Gray, who located in Goochland county, Virginia, and was the great-grand- father of Dr. Alfred L. Gray. On the maternal side. Dr. Gray's great-great-grand- father was Captain John Leftwich, of Bed- ford, Virginia, father of Rev. William Left- wich, of Bedford county, father of Rev. James Leftwich, of Bedford, father of Bettie Ann Leftwich, wife of Alphonso A. Gray and mother of Dr. Gray. Colonel William Gray gained his military title in the war of 181 2. He was for a time engaged in mer- cantile business in Richmond, later moved to Goochland county, where he died, pos- sessed of a considerable estate. He mar- ried Jane, daughter of General John Guer- vant.

Dr. A\'illiam Alfred Gray (from whom Dr. Alfred L. Gray derives his given name), son of Colonel ^^'illiam Gray, was born in Goochland county, Virginia, and became a prominent physician. He was a Whig in politics, later a Democrat, and a communi- cant of the Baptist church. He married, in 183 1, Mary Ann Brooks, of Fluvanna county, Mrginia.

Alphonso Alexander Gray, son of Dr. William Alfred (^ray, was born Mav 22, 1835, and became one of the leading lawyers of the state of Virginia, continuing in active practice until his death, November 12, 1908. He was physically unfit for service in the field during the war between the stc.*"f-S, but served in the "Home Guard," rendering the cause such assistance as his health per- mitted. He represented Fluvanna county in the Virginia house of delegates during the reconstruction period following the war ; was commonwealth's attorney of the county for several years, and active in local and state politics. He v.-as a member and vice- president of the Virginia State Bar Asso- ciation, and was held in highest esteem by his profess'onal brethren. He was a mem- ber of the Baptist church, a Democrat in politics, and in al' things the upright, high- minded gentleman. He married (first) Sallie Terrill Shepherd, who bore him, ^lay

4, 1865. a daughter, Willie Blanche, who married F. T. Shepherd, of Texas. He mar- ried (second) April 28, 1870, Bettie Ann Leftwich, born January 23, 1842, daughter of Rev. James Leftwich, a minister of the Baptist church, son of Rev. William Left- vv'ich, son of Captain John Leftwich, an officer of the Continental army, son of Colo- nel William Leftwich, member of the revo- lutionary committee of Bedford county, Vir- ginia, a direct descendant of Robert de Left- wich, of "Leftwich Hall," Cheshire. Eng- land. "Leftwich Hall" was an estate granted by William the Conqueror to Richard de Vernon. Baron of Shipbrook, who came with the Conqueror to England. After three generations the estate passed to Robevt.de Croxton, who married a third generation descendant of Richard de Vernon. This Robert de Croxton assumed the name Rob- ert de Leftwich from the Leftwich Hall es- tate. Children of Alphonso A. Gray and his second wife, Bettie Ann (Leftwich) Gray: A.1fied Leftwich. of whom further; Ernest Alphonso. born February 14. 1878.

Dr. Alfred Leftwich Gray was born at Palmyra, Fluvanna county, Virginia, Octo- ber 2, 1873. His early education was ob- tained under his mother's careful instruction at home, the first school he ever attended being Fluvanna Central High School at Palmyra, where but four sessions were necessary to prepare him for college, so well had he been taught at home. In 1890 he entered the University of Virginia, where he pursued academic study for two and one- half sessions. In 1894 he entered the medi- cal department of the University of Vir- ginia, whence he was graduated ]\I. D. in

1897. He was interne at Pennsylvania Hos- pital, Philadelphia, locating in Richmond in

1898. and there beginning active practice, the years since spent there bringing him recognition as a learned, skillful and honor- able physician. His learning and experience have not been absorbed by private patients only, but as instructor, professor and dean of the University College of Medicine, the entire state has profitted. Dr. Gray became connected officially with this institution in 1899 as i'lstructor in anatomy. In 1901 he was elected professor of physiology, which chair he yet fills. In 1902 he was also placed in charge of the Roentgen Ray department of Virginia Hospital, and is now (1914) serving- as treasurer of the American Roent-