Veterans of the Mexican War
from Hyde Co., NC


"Landing of the American Forces Under Genl. Scott At Vera Cruz." N. Currier, 1847.

Oliver N. Gray (Mexican War and Civil War Veteran)
B: Nov. 1823 - Kennekeet, Hyde Co., NC
D: Feb. 1903 - Engelhard, Hyde Co., NC
Father: John Gray
Mother: Mary (___?___)
Married 1st: Rhoda Flowers Scarborough
Married 2nd: Eliza A. (___?___)
Married 3rd: Velina?/Zurlina? (Gibbs) "Lina" Williams
Married 4th: Elizabeth Ann Jones "Eliza" Midyett

NC Troops: Oliver N. Gray - Co. H; Enlisted: Jan. 21, 1863 at Hatteras Banks in the Union Army; Age: 40; Height: 6'1"; Complexion: dark; Eyes: hazel; Hair: black; Born: Hatteras Banks; Occupation: Laborer.

1850 - Hyde Co., NC Census, Kennekeet Banks Dist.: age 28 - seaman.
1860 - Can not find.
1870 - Dare Co., NC Census, Kennekeet Twp.: age 47 - sailor.
1880 - Dare Co., NC Census, Kennekeet Twp.: age 57 - boatman.
1900 - Dare Co., NC Census, Kennekeet Twp.: age 76 - born Nov. 1823, living with grandson, Wm. Meekins.

1890 NC Civil War Veterans Census: Dare Co., NC; Kinnakut Twp. - Oliver N. Gray; Private; Co. H, 1st NC Infantry; Jan. 21, 1863 to June 27, 1865; PO: Avon; Remarks: "Re-enlisted veteran".

US Pension Record: (partial info) Oct. 14, 1901 - Dept. of Interior: Oliver N. Gray borne on the rolls of the USS Cumberland from 1843 to 1844. Oct. 16, 1901 - War Dept. Record & Pension Office: Oliver H. Gray, name also borne as Oliver N. Gray, Co. A, 1st NC Artillery was enrolled Jan. 21, 1863 and mustered out June 27, 1865 as of Co. H, 1st Reg. NC Infantry, to which designation changed May or June 1863. He held the rank of private and the medical records show him treated Feb. 5-10, 1863 with ulcers and Feb. 21-Mar. 7, 1863 for influenza. Oct. 29, 1901 - Letter to Commissioner of Pensions from the Navy Dept.: Oliver Gray enlisted July 29, 1843 and served as Landsman on the USS Ohio to Nov. 13, 1843 and as Landsman; As and Ordinary Seaman on the USS Cumberland to Nov. 24, 1845, when discharged.
Claim of Widow for US Pension: Mar. 26, 1903 - (Mexican War): Elizabeth J. Gray, age 65 & resident of Engelhard, states that she is the widow of Oliver N. Gray who was a Seaman on the USS Independence, commanded by Capt. Breece in the Mexican War; that he enlisted at Norfolk, Va. on July 12, 1846 and was discharged at Norfolk on May 31, 1849; that he also served in the Civil War; that after leaving the service he resided at Kennekeet for 53 years and at Engelhard for 3 years. (This gives further info about all his marriages and the deaths of his wives.) Note says: "See Mexican War WO #17.070".

Civil War Military Record:
Oliver H. Gray
Co. A - 1st NC Heavy Art.
Co. H - 1st NC Inf. Vols.
Rank: Private
Enlisted: Jan. 21, 1863
Where: Hatteras, NC
Age: 40
Born: Hatteras, Hyde Co., NC
Remarks: Mustered out with regiment on June 27, 1865 at New Bern, NC.

Ezekiel Hooper (Mexican War and Civil War Veteran)
B: June 15, 1821 - Chicamacomico, Hyde Co., NC
D: May 3, 1898 - Salvo, Dare Co., NC
Father: William Rowan Hooper
Mother: ???
Married 1st: Sarah O'Neal "Sallie" Midgett (or Paine?) on March 23, 1853 - Rodanthe, Hyde Co., NC
Married 2nd: Rebecca Ann Quidley on Nov. 13, 1897 - Rodanthe, Dare Co., NC

NC Troops: Ezekiel Hooper - Co. H; Enlisted: June 21, 1863 at Hatteras Banks; Age: 38; Height: 5'6"; Complexion: dark; Eyes: hazel; Hair: brown; Born: Hatteras Banks; Occupation: Laborer.

1850 - Serving in the US Navy at this time.
1860 - Hyde Co., NC Census, Hatteras Banks: age 37 - mariner, living with wife, Sarah.
1870 - Dare Co., NC Census, Kennekeet Twp.: age 50 - fisherman, living with Sarah.
1880 - Dare Co., NC Census, Chicamacomico Twp.: age 56 - fisherman, living with Sarah.

1890 NC Civil War Veterans Census: Dare Co., NC; Kinnakeet Twp. - Ezekiel Hooper; Private; Co. H, 1st NC Infantry; Enlisted: June 21 1863 to June 27, 1865; PO: Rodanthe; Remarks: "Injury of testicles. Re-enlisted veteran."

US Pension Record: Invalid Pension Filed: Sept. 6, 1878 (#210.492); Sept. 17, 1879 - Ezekiel Hooper, age 55 & resident of Chicamacomico, gave his affidavit wherein he stated "I served 11 years in the Naval service successively in the frigate "Columbia", the brig "Porpoise" and the frigate "Raritan". I was discharged for about 2 years before I enlisted in Co. H. I served in the Navy as John Hooper, although my right name is Ezekiel Hooper...".
On Dec 15, 1879, Charles Beardsley, auditor, states "...John Hooper enlisted Nov. 3, 1847 in Norfolk, Virginia for 3 years as an ordinary seaman and served on the "Pennsylvania" from that date to Dec. 31, 1847; he was on the "Porpoise" from Jan 1, 1848 to April 13, 1850, when he was discharged. He re-enlisted June 19, 1850 for 3 years as an ordinary seaman and served on the "Pennsylvania" from that date to July 6, 1850; on the "Raritan" from July 7, 1850 to Feb. 11, 1853, when he was discharged...".
On Nov. 2, 1918, Edward O. Hooper, age 79 & resident of Elizabeth City, NC gave his affidavit wherein he stated "...the soldier, Ezekiel Hooper, was my half-brother. He was older than I and was a child by my father's first wife. We were raised in Dare Co. and when young we all lived at home and continued to do so until Ezekiel left home and went in the Navy. As well as I can recollect matters, it was about 1847 or 1848 when he left home for the navy and I was then a child, but recollect that the Mexican War had about commenced when he left. I should say he was about 20 years old and at the time he was gone for several years as I was about grown when he came home. He remained at home then until he went in the army of the Civil War. I recall he married his cousin whose name was Sally Hooper. They lived together until her death. His second and last wife was Rebecca Quidley...". Widow's Pension Filed: May 25, 1898 (#856.194).

Civil War Military Record:
Ezekiel Hooper (alias John Hooper)
Co. A - 1st NC Heavy Art.
Co. H - 1st NC Inf. Vols.
Rank: Private
Enlisted: Jan. 21, 1863
Where: Hatteras, NC
Age: 21
Born: Hatteras, Hyde Co., NC
Remarks: Mustered out with regiment on June 27, 1865 at New Bern, NC.

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