Mr. Bray was born at Shere, on the 15th of November, 1736. He was the youngest of the three sons who survived their father Edward Bray, Esq. George the eldest, who was in the Church, and the second son Edward, who was in the Army, both died unmarried; and, on the death of George the survivor, in 1803, Mr. Bray succeeded to the possession of the Manors of Shere and Gumshall, which had belonged to his ancestors from the reign of Henry the Eighth. When ten years old he was placed at Rugby, where he remained until he was articled to Mr. Martyr, an Attorney of Guildford. In 1761, he was appointed a Clerk of the Board of Green Cloth, at St. James’s, through the patronage of Sir John Evelyn. His attendance at the Board did not prevent his practising as an Attorney, and it introduced him to many clients. In 1777, he published a ‘Tour in Derbyshire and Yorkshire,’ and a second edition of it in 1783. In 1797, he was chosen one of the Council, and a few years afterwards Treasurer, of the Society of Antiquaries, many of his communications to which are printed in the ‘Archæologia.’ In 1801, on the death of the Revd. Mr. Manning, who had been engaged for some years in compiling the ‘History of Surrey,’ Mr. Bray undertook to complete the work. The first volume was published in 1804, the second in 1809, and the third in 1814. His next and last literary undertaking was the editing of the ‘Evelyn Memoirs,’ which he completed in 1817. [6] Although in his 80th year, he transcribed in his own handwriting nearly the whole of Mr. Evelyn’s Journal.
He died from weakness, and without any disorder, on the 21st of December, 1832, having entered his 97th year on the 15th of the preceding month.
His habits before marriage did not promise either an industrious or a very long life. He spent almost every night at cards, and many of his mornings in other amusements. After his marriage he became more attentive to his professional business; but he continued for many years to live more like a bachelor than a married man, spending most of his evenings in the society of his numerous friends, or at a coffee-house. He was very hospitable both in bed and board, but in the plainest way. His surplus income was laid out in purchases at Shere and in planting, and he left no personal property except his life insurances. The family estate devolved on his death to his grandson Edward, who lived at Shere, and died in 1866, at the age of 72.
1756, Jan. 1st.—Called on Miss Stevens [7a] this morning. With Mr. Boughton and Shotter to Mr. Shrubb’s at Shalford, to spend the evening. We played at loo, came home a little after 11.
7th.—Drank tea at Mrs. Westbrook’s. Mr. and Mrs. Fortery there: they played at quadrille. I went home for an hour, and went again, played and supped there. Home a little before 12.
9th.—Carried Mr. Haydon his appointment as a Trustee of the Turnpike; he gave me 5s. After the meeting the trustees went to Mr. P. Flutter’s; [7b] they sent for me about 8, to play at cards. [7c] I played at whisk with Mr. Flutter, Mr. J. Martyr, and Mrs. Flutter: won every game. Home about one; won 3s. 6d.
10th.—Mr. Duncumb [7d] dined here. He and I went to Mrs. Wilpley’s, [8a] but she not being at home, we went to the ‘White Hart’ and spent the evening, and supped there.
12th.—With Mr. Martyr in his postchaise to London, to Clare, and drank tea with him. To Drury Lane playhouse, but could not get in, so we went to the Robin Hood Society, and stayed till after 10. The question was, whether the increase of unmarried people was owing to the men’s greater bashfulness, or women’s greater coyness, than formerly.
13th.—Went to Drury Lane house: ‘Tancred and Sigismunda.’ Garrick, Tancred; Mrs. Cibber, Sigismunda.
14th.—To Covent Garden, ‘Orpheus and Euridice.’
15th.—Drank tea at Mrs. Emily’s [8b]; played at cards. Home at 11.
16th.—Came home with Mr. Martyr in his new chaise by 6.
18th.—Dined at Mr. P. Flutter’s; walked up Berry Field with Miss Flutter’s, Miss Nancy Steere, and Miss Parson.
22nd.—To Mr. Bullen’s to dinner, played at quadrille. Came home about 1.
24th.—Between 6 and 7 with Mr. Duncumb and Mr. Wakeford, to the ‘Tuns’ to drink a glass of wine. Mr. Punter, came in afterwards, Mr. Hallamby, Mr. Stovold and Harry Stovold. Home at 10.
29th.—To the Assembly, but there not being enough to dance, Miss Sally Flutter, Miss Parson, Mr. Ford and I sat down to loo, till between 11 and 12.
31st.—A man having taken a shop in Stoke, sometime ago, and selling goods vastly under the usual price, Mr. Haydon set up a shop against him, of whom I bought this morning four pair of gloves, at 7d. a pair; riding gloves, 9d.; and a pair of other gloves, 8d.
Feb. 2nd.—An hour after dinner, Miss Stevens came in.
6th.—This day being appointed for a public Fast on account of the great earthquake at Lisbon, to Middle Church.
9th.—I was bled this morning for the first time. Mrs. Martyr being about to inoculate Master Jacky, [9a] and I intended to be inoculated at the same time. Drank tea with Mrs. Wilpley, and read the new farce of ‘The Apprentice’ to her. Gave Mr. Haydon for three pair of white silk stockings, 7s. 6d. a pair, being 4s. a pair cheaper than common.
12th.—Turnpike meeting. We all dined and spent the evening at Mr. Flutter’s. Played at Pope Joan till 12.
27th.—This is evening, I, Master Jacky, and the maid were inoculated. [9b]
March 5th.—Master Jacky was taken with the symptoms, and did not come out of his chamber for a week.
7th.—I was quite easy this morning, when the smallpox began appearing; a restless night, a slight fever.
12th.—I was blind to-day, and continued so till the 16th.
April 2nd.—Master Jacky and I went for an airing round the course, in the chaise, to-day.
17th.—To Bramley, breakfasted at the ‘Jolly Farmer,’ paid for breakfast, 6d.
21st.—Walked with Miss Molly Flutter and Miss Parson, beyond Cross Lanes.
29th.—Drank tea at Mrs. Leeves’, with Miss Lavant and Miss More. Walked with them and Miss Leeves up Warwick’s Bench and part of Velvet Walk; then played at quadrille. Home 11.
May 1st.—Drank tea there again. Quadrille.
20th.—Richard the man went for a week to the Peasemarch to be aired; he catched the smallpox coming to us. Paid for a cheesecake for Jacky, 1d.
22nd.—War with France proclaimed at Guildford; the soldiers drawn up in arms, and with music went before the Mayor, &c. Went to see the wire-dancer; he tossed the straw very well, he laid a board on the wire and sat on it himself with three children and a dog in full swing; on the whole quite silly.
23rd, Sunday