Sir Edmund BRAY of Barrington Park [23531]

  Research Notes:

It is uncertain that this is correctly placed - 2015

Monument Inscription in St Marys Church, Great Barrington, Gloucestershire, England.
"This monument was errected by Edmund Bray Esq. & Frances his wife in memory of thier dear children Jane & Edward".They died of the small pox at their Aunt Catchmay's in Glouchester on Monday the one and twentieth of May 1711 in the eighth year on her age much lamented; Her extreme good qualities having engaged the affections of all that knew her.
He died upon Christmas Day 1720 of the small pox at the Royal Academy at Angiers in France in the Fiftenth year of his age. So much esteemed for his good sense and fine temper that every gentleman of the Academy (foreigner as well as Briton) seemed to rival each other in praying such honours to his memory and the beauties of his person were equal to that of his mind.
The free stone effigies is for Captain Edmund Bray, whoe father Reginald Bray was buried at Taynton but most of the underwritten (descendants from him) lye here interred viz. Reginald his son, Sr. Giles his Grandfather, Reginald his son and Reginald his Grandson, who dying before Sr. Giles, the estate came to Sr. Edund Bray, the youngest son of Sr. Giles. He married Frances one of the daughters and co-heiresses of Sr. William Ashcomb of Alvescot in Oxfordshire and by her had five sons, viz. Reginald, Giles, Edmund, John and Ashcomb and two daughters Ann and Mary.
Reginald dyed of the small pox Dec 23rd 1688, Edmund was bred to arms and dyed Major to Sr. Harry Jone's Regiment of House at the siege of Mastrict, of the small pox. Giles, John, Ashcomb and Mary all dyed also of the same fatal distemper to this family. Ann dyed an infant the last named Reginald married Jane, daughter and heiress of William Rainton Esq. of Shilton in Berkshire and by her had 6 sons viz. Giles, Reginald, William, the present Edmund, Reginald and William and nine daughters Frances, Barbara, Jane, Ann, Mary, Catherine, Frances, Margaret and Elizabeth. Giles died of a consumption at Oxford, Reginald died young, William died of the same small pox, the second Reginald was bred at St. Johns College at Oxford and dyed greatly lamented Oct 4th 1712, the second William dyed upon the ninth of April 1720. He was many years a Lieutenant Colonel of Horse here and in Flanders and was universally esteemed in the army. In the first parliment of King George he was chosen for Monmouth, he was a true patriot, a good soldier, a faithful freind and a kind brother. Francis died of the small pox 1674, Margaret died 1705, Catherine died 1706, Elizabeth died 1723, Barbara, Jane, Ann and Mary and the second Frances yet living.
At the top of this monument it says "may unto you that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my father which is in heaven"
Ref: http://trees.ancestry.co.uk/tree/33899384/story/ceaa67eb-eb28-4f87-9608-a488b8f961af

Edmund married Frances ASHCOMBE [23525] [MRIN: 8435], daughter of Sir William ASHCOMBE of Alvescot Oxford. [3076] and Katherine TEMPLE [23516].