Carol DeHaven, left, stands with descendant Gray Silver IV who unveiled the grave marker for Revolutionary War Patriot John Gray on Saturday. (Photo by Toni Milbourne, special to the News and Sentinel)

GERRARDSTOWN — A grave marking designating John Gray, buried in Mill Creek Cemetery in Gerrardstown, as a patriot was held Saturday after several years of seeking approval through the state Daughters of the American Revolution

DAR Shenandoah Valley Chapter member Carol DeHaven explained that she started the process of securing recognition of Gray more than three years ago under a project initiated by former State Regent Cheryl Brown to have all chapters visit cemeteries and record patriots found there. DeHaven made it her mission to secure official patriot status for Gray, who lived in Berkeley County and served in the Revolutionary War.

“I decided to take on the research which brings us here today,” DeHavensaid.

The area was still part of Virginia when Gray died and there were 12 John Grays in the state then. The DAR Headquarters in Washington, D.C., initially declined DeHaven’s submission, telling her she had to prove which of the 12 was her John Gray.

DeHaven continued her research, finding that Gray was born in Scotland. In 1760, she said, he was a student at Saint Andrews College at the University in Endiburgh. He learned 11 languages, several after he left college.

Members of the West Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard, commanded by Stephen Englebright, Gen. Adam Stephen Chapter, led the processional for the grave marking ceremony Saturday at Mill Creek Baptist Cemetery. (Photo by Toni Milbourne, special to the News and Sentinel)

Gray, along with his brother David, joined their uncle in the American colonies in 1765 in Alexandria and then the Shenandoah Valley.

“John settled in Gerrardstown and David in Jefferson County,” DeHaven said.

John had studied civil engineering and worked in that field before and after the Revolution. He surveyed in Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. He was attributed with surveying the 100 lots where the town of Gerrardstown was laid out and was one of the town’s first trustees appointed by the Virginia Legislature in 1787.

John Gray was a private in the Virginia Rifle Regiment (Abraham Shepherd Company) and part of the Beeline March where he was erroneously listed as killed during the Revolutionary War. He was actually taken prisoner, later escaping with another prisoner and making their way back to his home. The fact that records indicate he paid property tax in 1783 qualified him as a Revolutionary patriot.

John married his first wife, Mary, who died before the couple had any children. With his second wife, Jane, he sired three sons and a daughter.

John Gray died July 1, 1816, and is buried in Mill Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

John’s brother, David fathered a daughter who married Gray Silver. Gray Silver IV was on hand Saturday to unveil the marker at John Gray’s grave.