Basic Biographical Details Name: | William Johnston Gray | Designation: | | Born: | 20 January 1804(?) | Died: | 1884 | Bio Notes: | William Johnston Gray was born on 20 January 1804 in Coldingham and became architect to the Homes of Paxton, the Sunlaws Estate and Sir George Boswell of Allanbank, for all of whom he designed farm houses and cottages. He was familiar with the work of the American architect A J Downing, perhaps having American relatives. He presumably had worked for John Lessels as clerk of works on Broomdykes where Lessels made alterations in the later 1840s; Gray was employed thereafter directly by Sir George Boswell. In 1852 he published 'A Treatise on Rural Architecture, comprehending plans, elevations and sections of Farm Houses, Farm Offices, Cottages, Manses, Schools, Gates, Railings with Specifications and all necessary information as to their cost'. At some point between 1851 ansd 1861 Gray moved to Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland.
William J Gray died in 1884. His practice was continued by his son William junior and later as Gray & Nephew, William having taken his nephew, George Pratt Boyd, into partnership. By 1906 the name changed to Gray & Boyd. Boyd was killed during World War I. The younger Gray died on 14 October 1933. At this point he was in partnership with James Paterson.
| Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Scott's Place, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, England | Private | | | Unclear if this is the address of William Johnston Gray or his son. | | Ivy Place, Castlegate, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, England | Business | After 1851 * | | After 1851 and before 1861 he moved to Berwick. |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Gray, William | 1852 | A treatise on rural architecture | | | | | Scotlands People Website | | Wills & Testaments | | | | | Slater | 1867 | Slater's Directory of Scotland | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Builder | 1 December 1933 | | | p875 Obituary |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Census records online | Censuses | | | | Courtesy of Elizabeth Snow | Information sent via DSA website | | Sent November 2009 | | England and Wales | Births, marriages and deaths | | Statutory Registers and Old Parish Registers | | HM New Register House | OPR (Register of births) | | | | New Register House | Wills and Testaments | | |
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