The Town of Brays and Its Mill by Kelly Warman-Stallings   

​(Printed to 'WINDOW TO THE PAST' website, Apr. 26, 2020)

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I was recently in touch with Ronnie Schepp, a descendant of the Smith-Arendall family. Mr. Schepp, whose ancestral grandparents were Albert and Helen (Goforth) Arendall, gave some interesting information to shed more light on the small settlement of Brays (aka: Brays Mill).

 

According to the abstract of the mill [which dates back about 200 years] there were three different mills erected on or near the site of the present mill. By matter of deduction, I believe the first mill, which was a grist mill, was built and operated by John Rowden during the early 1850s to the mid 1860s. According to Peggy Smith Hake, Thomas A. Bray became owner of the mill in 1864. It is uncertain what happened to the first mill in this small hamlet or how long it was in operation before the second mill, which was a woolen mill, was built. It is possible the first mill was destroyed during the Civil War and Mr. Bray had a second mill built, but this is just speculation. Regardless of the time frame, by 1877 Brays Mill was being operated by Albert Arendall.

 

Sometime after 1890, the second mill caught fire and burned down. The third and current mill, which was a roller mill, was built in 1889 while the woolen mill was still in operation. 

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The small community also housed a few other businesses during its heyday: a grocery/mercantile store, a blacksmith shop, a post office, an ice plant, a hotel, a school and a church. While it is not known when these businesses actually came into existence, an estimated guess would put it around the late 1880s-early 1890s.

 

The post office, most likely housed at the store, was established in 1894. The mail was delivered from Hancock (Pulaski County) on the old Hancock mail route road. The post office was discontinued in 1923.

 

According to Ronnie Schepp, he was told the current Bob Wilson residence at one time was used as a hotel. Mr. Schepp was not sure how long the hotel was in operation before being converted into a private residence.

 

A blacksmith shop, which was situated across from the store, was in operation for many decades. In 1929, Guy Smith (grandson of Albert Arendall) constructed an ice plant which was operated by his son, Isaac Smith, until 1942.

 

Brays School was built around the late 1800s and was located near the [old] Brays Cemetery. Willard Humphrey from Hancock was the schoolteacher during the 1930-1931 school year. The school no longer remains standing.

 

The Brays Church got its start in the 1870s when members of the community conducted services in their homes. It is uncertain when the church was built but most likely around the turn of the 20th century. During the 1930s the church was called Brays Advent Christian Church and Rev. George Warman was installed as its preacher. Today, Brays Church, known as Brays Union Christian Church, continues to hold regular services, with Brian Duncan as the current pastor.

 

All that remains of this fascinating little settlement is the church, the old grocery store and blacksmith shop [which has been long abandoned to nature and its elements]. However, the original roller mill still stands and has been converted into a private residence.

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