Maria was born in Plymouth, Devon sometime within a year or so of 1831 the daughter of
Samuel and Ann nee Martin
and the granddaughter of
Samuel and Mary nee Souther.
She appears to have remained living with her parents
for approximately the first two decades of her life. During 1854 when she was about 23 years old she was married in Plymouth, as
Maria Treays, to James Yeo Bray.
He was a fisherman, was about 8 years older than Maria and also appears to have been born in Plymouth.
After their marriage they lived in the Vintry area of Plymouth St Andrews.
They had at least 5 children, 4 sons and a daughter, who was the youngest child. These were:-
- James A Bray was born sometime 1858/9 in Plymouth. In the 1871 Census, although only 12 years old he was recorded as ‘Working at Factory’. He appears to have left home by the time he was 22 years old during 1881 as he is then not recorded living with parents.
- Samuel F Bray was born sometime 1859/60 in Plymouth. In the 1871 Census, although only 11 years old he was recorded as ‘Working at Factory’. He appears to have left home by 1881, when he would have been 21 years old, as he is then not recorded living with parents.
- John Bray was born sometime 1861/2 in Plymouth. He appears to have left home by 1881, when he would have been 19 years old, as he is then not recorded living with parents.
- William Bray was born sometime 1865/6 in Plymouth. In the 1881 Census he is recorded as ‘Apprentice Sailmaking’ living with parents.
- Harriet Bray was born sometime 1867/8 in Plymouth. In the 1881 Census she is recorded as ‘Scholar’ living with parents.