In Berrien County, GA in the summer of 1873 there arose a dispute between Burrell Hamilton Bailey and Bradford Ray over what has been described as “some family matters.” On 23 of June, 1873, while the two men were in the community of Alapaha, GA the argument turned violent. The exact nature of the dispute between Bradford Ray and B.H. Bailey has not been known these many years, but the research of Phil Ray may now shed some additional light on the matter.
B. H. Bailey was the second husband of Rachel Sirmans Mattox. She was the widow of Samuel Mattox who was hanged at Troupville in 1843. She was a daughter of Jonathan Sirmans and Martha “Patsey” Rouse, and sister of Hardeman Sirmans.
Bradford Ray, son of Hiram Ray and Rachel Jeffcoat (1817-1865), was the husband of Martha J. Swan. She was a daughter of Sarah King and Benjamin Swan.
Marriage Certificate of Bradford Ray and Martha Swann, January 5, 1865, Berrien County, GA
Up until 1873, everything seemed cozy between the Rays and the Baileys. In 1872, Bradford’s father made a land swap with Burrell Hamilton Bailey, trading the Ray place near Cat Creek for another farm in the 1307 Georgia Militia District, Lowndes County, GA. Bradford Ray remained behind to work for Bailey as a tenant farmer. That same year Bradford’s brother, Josiah Ray, married Martha M. Bailey, a daughter of Rachel and B.H. Bailey.
In addition to these family connections Bradford and Martha Ray and Rachel Bailey were connected in faith, as well, all being members of the Primitive Baptist church at Flat Creek, then known as Emmaus Church.
Flat Creek Primitive Baptist Church, Berrien County, GA. Bradford Ray, Martha J Ray, and Rachel Sirmans Bailey were among the members of the church. Flat Creek was the site at which Berrien County was organized, February 25, 1856 following the creation of the county by the state legislature. Image courtesy of http://berriencountyga.com/
It was in the church minutes that Phil Ray found indications that trouble was brewing between the Rays and the Baileys: “I believe Bradford’s murder by Burrell Bailey was a result of this church incident regarding Bradford’s wife and the accusations by Rachel Bailey against Martha Swan Ray at Emmaus Primitive Baptist, May 3rd 1873. It festered and led to the murder. This is all speculation of course but it does seem to have played a part in it.”
The church minutes have been transcribed by W. Henry Griffin, and entries of May 3, 1873 and July 5, 1873 are of particular note:
Emmaus Church (Flat Creek), A review of her history
The Griffin Papers, Vol III, Pgs 78 – 79May 3d, 1873
Martha Ray is reported in disorder and committee is appointed as follows Daniel N. McMillian, W. M. Avera and William Luke. Committee relies on statement of Mrs. Rachel Bailey and on her statement Mrs. Martha Ray is expelled.
Bradford Ray, her husband demands dismission. D. N. McMillian, Solomon Griffin and D. P. Luke are appointed as a committee to labor with him.
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July 5, 1873
Bradford Ray having died the case on the church books against him was dismissed.
While the contention among the women played out in the church, the men fought in the streets. The cause of Bradford Ray’s death was a confrontation with Burrell H. Bailey which occurred in the early morning hours of June 23, 1873, while the two men were in Alapaha, GA. When the standoff turned violent, Ray pulled a knife; Bailey pulled a gun. Bailey shot Ray in the stomach, inflicting a wound which proved fatal two weeks later.
“Ray lived until Sunday morning, 1 o’clock, 29th ult. [June 29, 1873], when the spirit of the unfortunate man passed away. Thus were the hearts of two families made to mourn over an irreparable loss.”
Burrell H. Bailey was indicted for murder. For Rachel Sirmans Bailey, it was a sort of double jeopardy. Her first husband, Samuel Mattox, had stood trial for the September 7, 1843 murder of William Slaughter and was hanged for the crime. Her second husband, Burrell Hamilton Bailey, tried for the 1873 murder of Bradford Ray, was acquitted. Later, the Baileys relocated to Florida.
Epilogue:
- Rachel Sirmans Bailey died Apr. 14, 1876 and is buried at Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Sirmans, Madison County, FL.
- Burrell Hamilton Bailey, after the death of Rachel Sirmans, married Mahala M. Taylor Boatwright. He died March 22, 1885 in Lafayette County, FL. His grave is at Salem Cemetery, Taylor County, FL.
- Martha Swan Ray’s whereabouts after the death of Bradford Ray are unknown.
- Bradford Ray died June 29, 1863. His final resting place is not known.
Special thanks to Phil Ray for research and contributions to this post.
Related Posts:
- An Antebellum Trial at Troupville
- The State vs Burrell Hamilton Bailey
- Burrell Hamilton Bailey Sells Out in 10th
- Showdown in Allapaha
- Memorial of Judge Hansell
