In the spring of 1775, Benjamin enlisted as a private soldier in Capt. John Baptist Nash's company of the 6th North Carolina Regiment of the Line, which was commanded by Col. Thomas Clarke, for a period of 2 1/2 years. He joined the regiment at Wilmington, N. C. and shortly thereafter reenlisted for the duration of the war. He fought at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth, and was later taken prisoner at the siege of Charleston, S. C., and was held as a prisoner of war for 14 months and somedays. He was discharged in 1783 in Stafford County, Va.

After the war, Benjamin married and lived in Surry Co. N. C. It is unknown who his first wife was, but to this union, was born his son, John Ray (1788-abt1865). About 1795, Benjamin moved his family to Russell Co., Va. where he lived for the remainder of his life. On May 5, 1818, he made application for, and was granted a pension for his service in the Revolutionary War. On January 31, 1830, he married his second wife, Nancy Sutherland, also known as Nancy Wilson.

Benjamin Ray died on January 28, 1841 and was buried in the Whitt Cemetery located near Big A Mtn. in Russell Co. His tombstone reads "BENJAMIN RAY, PVT 6 NC REGT, REV WAR, 1756-1841. "There are several of Benjamin's decendants also buried in the Whitt Cem.,including his grandson, James Ray (1820 - 18 Jun 1904), who along with his brothers John, Ira and Henry, also served their country as confederate soldiers in the War Between the States.

To view Benjamin Ray's Revolutionary pension application click here