Bray of Madison County

John S. Bray was born 4 February 1812 in Georgia, died 29 May 1896 in Madison County. He married Synthia L. Patton(born 1824) in 16 April 1839 near Danielsville in Madison County. Synthia was born 15 November 1824, died 6 February 1883 in Madison County, buried in Danielsville. They were residents of Madison County. The 1880 Madison County Census shows that they resided at Pocataligo. Issue:

Sarah J. Bray, born 1840 in Madison County. She married ca 1879 Henry C. Nash, the son of Gabriel Nash of Madison County born 1835. Their children were listed in the famiy of John S. Bray, 1880 Madison County. Known issue:

a. R. L. Nash (son), born 1870 in Madison County.
b. J. R. Nash, born 1872 in Madison County.

Susan Isabella Bray, born 1844 Madison County. Susan was buried in the Providence Baptist Church Cemetery, G. M. D. 5, in Danielsville, Madison County, born 6 June 1844, died 5 June 1918, tombstone said that she was the "wife of Jim T. Bray, however, I think that there is some sort of a mistake here. because this person was a "sister of Jim T. Bray." She was mentioned in the LWT of Jacob P. Patton in Madison County, page 321, dated 16 February 1882, probated 4 September 1882, bears out this fact. "To the children of my brother Matthew R. Patton, deceased, the sum of $500 out of my estate, provided said children should call for said sum within five years from my death, and if not called for by said children within five years from my death, then I will and bequeath said sum to my sister N. G. Benton. To my sister Narcissa G. Benton, 150 acres of land off of the place I now live on according to platt made by W. J. Pittman and dated 9th December 1854, and 15 acres that I bought from the Millican girls. $200 in money to my sister Narcissa G. Benton, and the further sum of $75 in money in lieu of twelve months support after my death. The balance of my estate to Susan L. Bray, Dolly Bray, Ann Bray, Gussie Bray, and Alice Aaron and W. E. Nash, share and share alike, free from the control of any other person. Executor: my friend J. H. Goss. Signed: J. P. Patton. Witness: A. C. Campbell, W. R. Benton, L. E. Daniel, G. W. Daniel.
John Daniel Bray, born 26 March 1847 Madison County, died 26 April 1927 in Danielsville.
James Thomas Bray, born 1850 Madison County. He married Mary Brown. Known Issue:
a. William Harrison Bray was born 3 March 1873 in Madison County, died 25 February 1935 in Augusta, buried in the Westover Cemetery. He was married in 1890 to Ida Hansford (born July 1875 in Jackson County, died 18 May 1955 in Charleston, South Carolina, buried in the Riverview Memorial Park Ceemetery. She was listed as a daughter of James Alexander Hansford (born 1810) and his wife, Edna (Scoggins) Hansford on the 1880 Athens, Clarke County Census. Apparently the family removed to Clarke County where they were found on the 1920 and 1930 Census. Issue:

i. Luther T. Bray, born June 1891 in Madison County.
ii. Dessa B. Bray, born November 1893 in Madison County.
iii. William Bray, born May 1897 in Madison County.
iv. Rilla M. Bray, born October 1899 in Madison County.
v. Mary Bray.
vi. Beulah Bray, born 1905, married John Stephens (born 1903). Issue: Edith Stephens, born 1926.
vii. Lois Bray, born 1912, married Mr. Lilliard.
viii. Tinny Rucker Bray, born 1921 Clarke County.
ix. Hattie Bray, born 1915.

b. Alvin Green Bray, 1875-1955.
c. George Edward Bray 1884-1957.
d. Jesse G. Bray 1893-1911.
Ellen Augustus Bray, born February 1855 in Madison County, died February 1934 in Danielsville.
Annie C. Bray, born February 1858 Madison County, died 22 November 1933 in Danielsville.
Mary A. Bray, born 26 March 1861 Madison County, died 2 December 1930 in Danielsville.
Samuel W. Bray, born May 1864 Madison County, died 1921 Danielsville.
Solomon B. Bray, born 1869 Madison County.

Comments: I do not know if the Harrison Bray, age 9, listed on the 1880 Jackson County Census as a "son" of Thomas Brooks and Rosanna Brooks is the above William Harrison Bray. A "son" would indicate that Rosanna was his mother and that she had remarried. The Death Certificate of William Harrison Bray indicates that his mother was Mary Brown. However, in order to fully clarify this situation, a marriage record of the supposed widow of Jim T. Bray needs to be found. In other words, from all inferences, it appears that Jim T. Bray died before 1880. We need to know if, in fact, his wife was Mary or Rosanna, whether it was Mary or Rosanna who remarried, or if this was the same person. The mystery continues with the fact that there was a Mary T. Bray listed in Milledgeville on the 1920 census. The Clarke County Court records for this period need to be researched to see if it can be learned who the court sent to Milledgeville. Another reference, that Mary Frances Bray, born 21 July 1851, died 7 February 1931, was buried in the Winterville Cemetery in Clarke County, shared a stone with Joseph N. Bray. There were 3 Bray sisters, daughters of Haynen Bray of Madison County, who worked in a cotton mill in Clarke County in 1880. They were: Melvina, age 28, Mary C. N., age 29 and N. F. (Narcissa), age 23. These relatives fit with Harrison Bray working in the cotton mills.