Historical information

Hugh Gray was the son of Charles Gray and Robina Tait. Hugh was born on 7 January 1810 at Alloa Clackmananshire, Scotland, and married Elizabeth Paterson on 8 July 1831 at Glascow, Scotland.

Hugh, Elizabeth and their eight children boarded the 'Borneuf' and set sail for Australia from Glasgow on 20 May 1852.

In October 1853 Hugh Gray set up a blacksmiths forge on Main Road Ballarat. He was a member of the Ballarat Reform League. In July 1857 he donated 5 pounds to the Humffray Testimonial on behalf of the Blacksmith Association. In 1858 and 1877 he was the President of the Caledonian Society, and a committee member at other times. Gray was also one of the first promoters of the Mechanics' Institute. On 14 March 1869 Hugh Gray started the Philosophical Association of Ballarat.

Hugh Gray died on 02 June 1880. His obituary notes '... all the patrons of the long since dead Caledonian sports will remember his shepherd's plaid costume and his untiring energy at the annual gathering whether as president or committee member to even a private member of the society. his end was peaceful and he will be buried as he wished in good old Scottish fashion ...'

Physical description

Photograph of Hugh Gray.