I grew up with stories of how my great-grandfather, Alonzo Bascom Gray was orphaned at a very young age and his family was split up to live and work with relatives. When he was old enough, he went to work for the railroad and travelled North to Missouri where he met his wife. In later life, he returned to his birthplace around DeQueen Arkansas to find one of his brothers (Aquillah). He also found another in Texas, but we are unsure of which brother was actually found.
Although, Alonzo died well before I was born, I always found the story compelling. I hope that you will too. The hardships of pioneer life. The constant struggle and migration for better and better land. The Civil War. The growth of a nation. The legacy that each of us leaves on this earth. They are all told by this remarkable family.
I must give a tremendous thanks to Art Burkett. It is Art and his wife that provided most of the documents and photographs depicted on this site. I gladly solicit more information and hope to be able to further document and rejoin this unique family history.
