Sources
Capt. William McGray I, is believed to have come to America by ship, after
1728, to Scituate, Ma., with his friend and partner Edward Quingham, from
Province of Ulster, Northern Ireland. They made their way Harpswell, Maine,
where records show of his residency and he signed a 1740 petition as William
MaGray, asking for Harpswell to break from North Yarmouth and to join
Brunswick. He was the third signature of 32 petitioners, meaning he was at least
21 years of age or older, and a land owner. He lived on Merriconage Neck,
Harpswell, Maine, as did his friend Edward Quingham. Upon Williams death,
between 1749-1751, his widow Mirium, married Edward Quingham.
Stories were told of William and Edward leaving Ireland, their roles as Roman
Catholic Friars, and of renouncing Catholicism, all so they could come to settle in America
as young men.
