While Weaver (1906) claimed, "As a writer of strictly religious poetry, Mrs. Gray is, in our estimation, almost unrivalled,",[1] Hart (1873) remarked that, "She is one of the sweetest singers among our second-class lyrists.
James Lewers, was for many years (circa 1839–1855) pastor of the Musconetcong Valley Church, near New Hampton, New Jersey and afterwards at Catasauqua, Pennsylvania until his death, about 1867.
[3] In 1820, she embarked with her husband for the U.S. After a stormy passage for more than six months, they landed on the island of Bermuda from which she subsequently sailed for the British Province of New Brunswick.
In September, 1822, her husband was called to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church of Easton, Pennsylvania, which important position he continued to occupy for 45 years.
Her "Sabbath Reminiscences" are descriptive of real scenes and events connected with the church of which her father was an elder.
[1] "Morn", in imitation of "Night", by James Montgomery, of Sheffield,[6] was published without the writer's knowledge in England, where it was so highly appreciated as to be translated into other languages.
Gray, remarked, "The critics who have mistaken the beautiful stanzas, 'Morn', for mine, have done me honor; but I willingly forego the claim, and am happy to recognize a sister-poet in the writer.
[1] After her decease, a volume of her poems, entitled, Selections from the Poetical Writings of Jane Lewers Gray, was printed for private distribution, New York, 1872.