William Bray

William Bray (1736–1832) was an English antiquary, best known as co-author of a county history of Surrey.

Life

Bray was the fourth and youngest son of Edward Bray of Shere in Surrey, who married Ann, daughter of Rev. George Duncomb. When ten years old he entered Rugby School. On leaving school he was placed with an attorney, Mr. Martyr, at Guildford, but not long afterwards obtained a position in the Board of Green Cloth, which he held for nearly fifty years and was then superannuated.

On the death of his elder brother, the Rev. George Bray, on 1 March 1803, he inherited the family estates in Shere and Gomshall. His position in the county and his legal training caused him to be associated in many charitable and civil trusts in Surrey. He died at Shere 21 December 1832, aged 96, and a mural monument was erected to his memory in its church.

Family

In 1758 he married Mary, daughter of Henry Stephens of Wipley, in Worplesdon, who died 14 December 1796, aged 62, having had numerous children. Only three, one son and two daughters, lived to maturity, and the son predeceased his father.