In the early days of Ray City, GA, the economic engine of the community was sustained by farming and agriculture. Large stands of original growth yellow pine supported the development of turpentine and lumber industries in the area.
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- WWI Boom for Clements Lumber Company at Ray City, GA
- Georgia Normal College and Business Institute
- Turpentine in Wiregrass Georgia
- The Vanceville Affair
The Growth of Timber
“…in Southern Georgia there are millions of acres of magnificent yellow-pine forests suitable for general building purposes, shipbuilding, etc. Within the last few years, Turpentine Plantations have been opened in these forests, for the purpose of manufacturing naval stores. Large quantities of timber and lumber are being annually shipped from Brunswick and Darien, to Northern, European, and South American ports. In the south-eastern portion of the State, the Live Oak—a valuable wood for shipbuilding—abounds.” -1876 Handbook of the State of Georgia
Lumber and naval stores came to be among the most important historic businesses of Ray City. The opening of the Georgia & Florida Railway in 1908 spurred the growth of a sawmill that quickly became the major employer of the town.
The sawmill was the first large mechanized industrial operation in the Ray City area.
Atlanta Georgian and News, Aug. 23, 1911 — page 13 Want Ad. FIRST-CLASS circular saw filer wants a position; can give any reference concerning smooth lumber. No booze fighter. C.A. Reed, Rays Mill, Ga. 26 |
In the traditional agricultural occupations issues like child labor or safety were personal matters. But as employment grew in the emerging industrial workplace the risks and concerns of the community also grew.
“A study of the sources of industrial hazards undertaken in the 1930s by the U.S. Children’s Bureau found “the first three industries in frequency of disabling injuries were logging, coal mining, and sawmilling.” Logging, coal mining, and fertilizer manufacturing were the only industries that exceeded sawmilling in the severity of injuries and the number of fatalities.” The Journal of Southern History , Vol. 56, No. 4 (Nov., 1990), pp. 695-724
In 1923, the Nashville Herald reported an industrial accident at the Clements sawmill. In early February of that year a young boy, son of Math Phillips, had his eye put out at the sawmill, leaving some to wonder if it was time for stricter enforcement of compulsory school attendance. Sawmills were dangerous workplaces and newspaper reports of more horrific accidents were not entirely uncommon. With the stockpiling of combustible materials, there was a constant ever present danger of fire – a threat that was magnified in steam-powered sawmills where boilers were typically fired with scrap material.
Clements Lumber Company
Over the years this sawmill was operated under three different owners. The big sawmill at Ray City first operated under the name Luckie Lumber Company, owned by William F. Luckie. It was a huge operation located about one mile north of Ray City on the rail line of Georgia & Florida Railway . About 1911, W. F. Luckie sold out to Levi J. Clements and his sons. The Clements Family had experience in the sawmill trade, and the Clements boys were college-educated businessmen.

Lucius Jordan Clements, with Helen Elizabeth “Betty” Clements and Daisy Pearle Clements. Image courtesy of Ron Yates http://www.yatesville.net
The Clements Brothers ran the company, Lucius J. Clements served as General Manager of the Clements Lumber Company, Irwin Clements was a manager at the mill, and Joe Clements was treasurer.
The superintendent of the mill was Melvin W. Rivenbark. Clarence Jones Gray was stenographer and bookkeeper for the firm. James Edmond Hall and John William Sims were Shipping Clerks and Chester Artemis Hall was an Assistant Shipping Clerk. George B. Norton was foreman of the planing mill. William Andrew Hendrix was an engineer and Samuel Arthur Ganas was employed at the mill as a stationary engineer. Morris C. Sumner was the assistant lumber inspector and Timothy Allen Washington was a lumber grader. Willis Gordon Hill was a stave miller. William Haines Joiner was a locomotive engineer and J. D. Melvin was a fireman. Jacob Ed Akridge was woods superintendent. Tom Lott and Elmore Medley were teamsters and Bee Mannin was a log chopper. Robert Christopher Powell was a skidder operator and Ples Phillips worked on the tram road. Will Thomas was a sawyer. R.D. Ward was a machinist. Bashey Wells was a contractor. Freddie Andrew Wheless was a carpenter. Many men and sometimes boys were employed as “sawmill laborers”, others worked as sawyers, teamsters, firemen, foremen, wheelwrights, commissary clerks, or marketmen. Many of the women worked out of their homes, in the occupation of “laundress.” By 1920, the sawmill had grown to a large industrial operation. A ‘sawmill town’ had grown up to house the sawmill workers and their families. The enumerator for 1920 US Census annotated the census forms to indicate the sawmill residents, showing that there were 78 households with 313 residents living in rented homes at the sawmill. More workers lived in the surrounding area and in Ray City.
While residents of the ‘sawmill town’ had access to all of the goods and services in Ray City just a mile south on the tracks of the Georgia and Florida, the sawmill company also operated a commissary where workers could shop. In the 1920’s the Clements sawmill provided a cold storage facility for curing meats as a part of the company operations. The cold storage was also available to the people of Ray City and the surrounding area.
NEWS ITEMS FROM RAY CITY
Nashville Herald, February 16, 1923
The few cold days we had last week were fine for people to hang up their meat. The Clements Lumber Company cold storage cured about 76,000 pounds, all of which was removed last week.
Before the widespread availability of electricity and electric refrigerators, cold storage of meat was an important service to the community. Poisoning could result from consumption of meat which was improperly cured or stored.
By 1923, the Clements were operating ten miles of tram road track to bring timber to the sawmill. The operation also included a lathe mill, and a planer. The mill had a inventory of sawn lumber on the ground with an estimated value of about $30,000. In 2013 dollar’s that would have been more than half a million dollars worth of lumber.
In 1923 the Jackson Brothers, owners of the Jackson Lumber Company purchased the entire mill operation from Clements Lumber Company for $75,000 in cash in what was described as “one of the biggest business deals pulled of in this section in some time.”
If the Spring of 1923 brought the town’s biggest economic boom, the fall of ’23 brought its biggest bust. For on November 6, 1923 fire struck the big sawmill at Ray City, GA devastating the operation and the local economy.

Clements Sawmill Site in 2008, Ray City, GA.
This view of the site of the Clements Sawmill, taken from the tracks of the Georgia & Florida Railroad, shows the location of the remaining foundations. In the distance a residential structure that was later moved to the sawmill site. The “company town” which grew up around the sawmill once boasted a population of more than 300 people and 78 households.
~

Clements Sawmill Foundations, 2008, Ray City, GA.
Eighty-five years later, all that remains of the Clements Sawmill are a few concrete foundations in a cow pasture located about one mile north of Ray City, GA, on the tracks of the Georgia and Florida Railway. Protruding from these foundations are heavy steel anchoring bolts, perhaps used to secure cutting or planing equipment, or to support boilers used to generate steam power for the mill.
THE SAWMILL AT RAY CITY, GA1920 CensusThe enumerator for 1920 US Census annotated six pages of the census sheets indicate the sawmill residents, showing that there were 78 households with 313 residents living in rented homes at the sawmill. |
||||||
Name |
Relation |
Est.Birth |
Birthplace |
Race |
Occupation |
|
1 |
Walter Ferrey |
head of household |
abt 1885 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
Lucia Ferrey |
Wife |
abt 1897 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Clifford Ferrey |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
2 |
Will Goodman |
Head of household |
abt 1887 |
District of Columbia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
Ola Green Goodman |
Wife |
abt 1879 |
Georgia |
Black |
laundress |
|
Charlie Smith |
Grandson |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Henry Matchett |
Head of household |
abt 1876 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Rebecca Matchett |
Wife |
abt 1884 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Lenard Matchett |
Son |
abt 1901 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Elmo Medley |
Head of household |
abt 1892 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Josephine Medley |
Wife |
abt 1880 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Edmond Wilson |
Head of household |
abt 1857 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Emma Wilson |
Wife |
abt 1875 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Harry Wilson |
Son |
abt 1901 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Burney Wilson |
Son |
abt 1902 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer-crossties |
|
Goldie Wilson |
Son |
abt 1904 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Pearlie Wilson |
Daughter |
abt 1906 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Rollie Wilson |
Son |
abt 1908 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Rossie Wilson |
Son |
abt 1910 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Edna May Wilson |
Daughter |
abt 1912 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Talley Wilson |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
White |
||
John Browning |
Head of household |
abt 1895 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Willie Browning |
Wife |
abt 1897 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Moselle Browning |
Son |
abt 1914 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Odell Browning |
Daughter |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Avanell Browning |
Daughter |
abt 1918 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Eulis P Wallace |
Head of household |
abt 1889 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Louella Wallace |
Wife |
abt 1899 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Eunice Wallace |
Daughter |
abt 1916 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Willis G Hill |
Head of household |
abt 1890 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Leila Hill |
Wife |
abt 1899 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Otis Hill |
Son |
abt 1918 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Lon S Westbrook |
Head of household |
abt 1893 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Blonnie Westbrook |
Wife |
abt 1895 |
Georgia |
White |
||
J Lester Westbrook |
Son |
abt 1914 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Eanos H Westbrook |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Randall M Westbrook |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Myrtle J Westbrook |
Daughter |
abt 1918 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Timothy A Washington |
Head of household |
abt 1886 |
Florida |
White |
Sawmill grader |
|
Viola E Washington |
Wife |
abt 1887 |
Florida |
White |
||
Eulalie Washington |
Daughter |
abt 1911 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Eunice A Washington |
Daughter |
abt 1912 |
Georgia |
White |
||
M Grace Washington |
Daughter |
abt 1918 |
Georgia |
White |
||
William A Hendricks |
Head of household |
abt 1879 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill engineer |
|
Loula Hendricks |
Wife |
abt 1882 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Willie F Hendricks |
Son |
abt 1902 |
Florida |
White |
||
Minnie M Hendricks |
Daughter |
abt 1904 |
Florida |
White |
||
Jennie Vaughn |
Head of household |
abt 1878 |
South Carolina |
White |
||
Horace Vaughn |
Son |
abt 1903 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Henry Vaughn |
Son |
abt 1906 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Edna P Vaughn |
Daughter |
abt 1909 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Maudell Vaughn |
Daughter |
abt 1912 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Leon Vaughn |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Leila Vaughn |
Daughter |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Annie L Snowden |
Head of household |
abt 1901 |
Georgia |
Black |
laundress |
|
Ed Miller |
Head of household |
abt 1859 |
Georgia |
Black |
Farmer -oa |
|
Jennie Miller |
Wife |
abt 1870 |
Georgia |
Black |
laundress |
|
Charity Adams |
Daughter |
abt 1879 |
Georgia |
Black |
laundress |
|
Lilla Adams |
Granddaughter |
abt 1907 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Marvin Adams |
Grandson |
abt 1909 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Deothia Graham |
Granddaughter |
abt 1906 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Howard Graham |
Grandson |
abt 1902 |
Georgia |
Black |
Farm laborer |
|
Frank Teacher |
Head of household |
abt 1871 |
United States of America |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Loue Ella Teacher |
Wife |
abt 1891 |
South Carolina |
Black |
||
Arnie Mathis |
Brother-in-law |
abt 1900 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Warren P Wright |
Head of household |
abt 1863 |
South Carolina |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
C Elizabeth Wright |
Wife |
abt 1856 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Henry C Smith |
Brother |
abt 1865 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Jim L Dorman |
Head of household |
abt 1893 |
Florida |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Abbie W Dorman |
Wife |
abt 1899 |
Florida |
White |
||
J B Dorman |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Florida |
White |
||
Arlie M Dorman |
Son |
abt 1917 |
Florida |
White |
||
James P Dorman |
Son |
abt 1920 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Early A Walker |
Head of household |
abt 1899 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Ruby M Walker |
Wife |
abt 1899 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Helma C Walker |
Daughter |
abt 1917 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Emma C Walker |
Daughter |
abt 1919 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Isaac B Sirmans |
Head of household |
abt 1889 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Lucretia Sirmans |
Wife |
abt 1891 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Jimmie L Sirmans |
Daughter |
abt 1913 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Ida L Curry |
Sister-in-law |
abt 1907 |
Georgia |
White |
||
George H Dorman |
Head of household |
abt 1887 |
Florida |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Emma Dorman |
Wife |
abt 1897 |
Florida |
White |
||
J Cullin Dorman |
Son |
abt 1913 |
Florida |
White |
||
Ernest E Dorman |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Florida |
White |
||
M Kathleen Dorman |
Daughter |
abt 1918 |
Florida |
White |
||
I S Vaughn |
Head of household |
abt 1887 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Annie R Vaughn |
Wife |
abt 1894 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Corley Luke |
Boarder |
abt 1886 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
I Lee Strickland |
Head of household |
abt 1898 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Ada Strickland |
Wife |
abt 1902 |
Georgia |
White |
||
D Bash Wells |
Head of household |
abt 1878 |
Florida |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Martha Wells |
Wife |
abt 1888 |
Florida |
White |
||
Susie May Wells |
Daughter |
abt 1910 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Ophelia Wells |
Daughter |
abt 1913 |
Georgia |
White |
||
J B Wells |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Mack G Wells |
Head of household |
abt 1890 |
Florida |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Emma Wells |
Wife |
abt 1895 |
Florida |
White |
||
Carey W Wells |
Son |
abt 1914 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Russell Wells |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Florida |
White |
||
Jervel L Wells |
Daughter |
abt 1917 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Frank M Hill |
BrotherInLaw |
abt 1860 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
James J Wells |
Head of household |
abt 1876 |
Florida |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Annie Wells |
Wife |
abt 1887 |
South Carolina |
White |
||
James C Wells |
Son |
abt 1913 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Woodrow O Wells |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Thomas Harnage |
Head of household |
abt 1896 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Ostella Harnage |
Wife |
abt 1896 |
Georgia |
White |
||
James Harnage |
Son |
abt 1914 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Elwood Harnage |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Ruby Harnage |
Daughter |
abt 1918 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Robert James |
Head of household |
abt 1870
|
South Carolina |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Loula James |
Wife |
abt 1878 |
South Carolina |
Black |
||
Lewis Gordon |
Head of household |
abt 1888 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Mamie Gordon |
Wife |
Abt 1895 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Will Jordan |
Head of household |
abt 1869 |
North Carolina |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Mary Jordan |
Wife |
abt 1875 |
Georgia |
Black |
laundress |
|
Bennie Jordan |
Son |
abt 1901 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Rufus Jordan |
Son |
abt 1903 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Willie Jordan |
Son |
abt 1905 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Alice Jordan |
Daughter |
abt 1906 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Johnnie Jordan |
Son |
abt 1911 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Amos Jordan |
Son |
abt 1913 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Aaron Jordan |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Daisy Jordan |
Daughter |
abt 1919 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Will Searcy |
Boarder |
abt 1876 |
United States of America |
Black |
Sawmill teamster |
|
George Emmett |
Head of household |
abt 1862 |
United States of America |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Anna Emmett |
Wife |
abt 1866 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Steve Brown |
Head of household |
abt 1885 |
United States of America |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Effie Brown |
Wife |
abt 1887 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
S C Brown |
Head of household |
abt 1893 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Willie May Brown |
Wife |
abt 1903 |
Georgia |
Black |
laundress |
|
Abraham Brown |
Son |
abt 1917 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
John H Green |
Head of household |
abt 1891 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Mattie Green |
Wife |
abt 1894 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Claudie Green |
Son |
abt 1911 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Lonie Green |
Daughter |
abt 1914 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Harry Bright |
Head of household |
abt 1880 |
South Carolina |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Josephine Bright |
Wife |
abt 1875 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Jim Grier |
Head of household |
abt 1900 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Mamie Grier |
Wife |
abt 1904 |
Florida |
Black |
||
Rainey Medley |
Head of household |
abt 1885 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Florence Medley |
Wife |
abt 1881 |
Georgia |
Mulatto |
||
Pearlie Medley |
Brother |
abt 1891 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer -crossties |
|
Lillie Medley |
Sister-in-law |
abt 1897 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Douglas Smith |
Brother-in-law |
abt 1880 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Frank Rines |
Head of household |
abt 1867 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Harriet Rines |
Wife |
abt 1870 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
George Merritt |
Boarder |
abt 1920 |
United States of America |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
George Davis |
Boarder |
abt 1856 |
South Carolina |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Riley Bryant |
Head of household |
abt 1892 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Hannah Bryant |
Wife |
abt 1898 |
Florida |
Black |
laundress |
|
Eddie Young |
Head of household |
abt 1886 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Mary Young |
Wife |
abt 1900 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Henry Lofton |
Head of household |
abt 1875 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill sawyer |
|
Bessie Lofton |
Wife |
abt 1883 |
North Carolina |
Mulatto |
||
Henry Lofton |
Son |
abt 1903 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
John Lofton |
Son |
abt 1905 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Cinthia Lofton |
Daughter |
abt 1910 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Willie W Wood |
Head of household |
abt 1890 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Viola Wood |
Wife |
abt 1895 |
Georgia |
White |
||
G Willene Wood |
Daughter |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Mary N Wood |
Daughter |
abt 1917 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Willie Bolar |
Nephew |
abt 1902 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Aurelia Goodman |
Head of household |
abt 1875 |
Georgia |
Black |
Innkeeper boarding house |
|
Joseph Jackson |
Boarder |
abt 1889 |
United States of America |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Handy Blue |
Head of household |
abt 1870 |
South Carolina |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Julia Blue |
Wife |
abt 1872 |
Georgia |
Black |
Laundress |
|
Lewis Banks |
Head of household |
abt 1864 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Easter Banks |
Wife |
abt 1857 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Elmer Ratliff |
Granddaughter |
abt 1912 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Abraham L Thomas |
Head of household |
abt 1872 |
Tennessee |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Angie Thomas |
Wife |
abt 1885 |
South Carolina |
Black |
Laundress |
|
Ruther Thomas |
Son |
abt 1912 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Malachia Thomas |
Son |
abt 1913 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Willie Thomas |
Daughter |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Lillie Thomas |
Daughter |
abt 1916 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Abraham L Thomas |
Son |
abt 1918 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Robert Thomas |
Son |
abt 1918 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
George Stokes |
Boarder |
abt 1888 |
United States of America |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Sam Brown |
Boarder |
abt 1876 |
United States of America |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
John McQueen |
Boarder |
abt 1896 |
United States of America |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Ike Wilder |
Head of household |
abt 1870 |
South Carolina |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Emma Wilder |
Wife |
abt 1892 |
Georgia |
Black |
laundress |
|
Jesse Freelour |
Head of household |
abt 1868 |
Virginia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Ella Freelour |
Wife |
abt 1867 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
B Manning |
Head of household |
abt 1890 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Wiley Brown |
Roomer |
abt 1901 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Arie Brown |
Roomer |
abt 1897 |
Florida |
Black |
laundress |
|
Mint Manning |
Head of household |
abt 1874 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Carrie Manning |
Wife |
abt 1870 |
Florida |
Black |
laundress |
|
Robert Blanks |
Head of household |
abt 1894 |
United States of America |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Ella Blanks |
Wife |
abt 1892 |
Georgia |
Black |
Laundress |
|
Carrie B Allen |
Stepdaughter |
abt 1910 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
N G Goings |
Head of household |
abt 1866 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Mariah Goings |
Wife |
abt 1888 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Arthur Goings |
Son |
abt 1904 |
Florida |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Willie Goings |
Son |
abt 1906 |
Florida |
Black |
||
Mamie Goings |
Daughter |
abt 1909 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Merritt Rouse |
Head of household |
abt 1863 |
Virginia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Estill Aaron |
Head of household |
abt 1876 |
Florida |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Ida Aaron |
Wife |
abt 1886 |
Georgia |
Mulatto |
laundress |
|
Inman Aaron |
Son |
abt 1909 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Sess Aaron |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Henry Polite |
Head of household |
abt 1880 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Otella Polite |
Wife |
abt 1898 |
Georgia |
Black |
laundress |
|
Stella Polite |
Daughter |
abt 1918 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Bertha Carter |
Head of household |
abt 1898 |
Georgia |
Black |
laundress |
|
Willie Melvin |
Roomer |
abt 1902 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Sylvester Williams |
Roomer |
abt 1900 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Bud Lamb |
Head of household |
abt 1886 |
United States of America |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Tom Brown |
Roomer |
abt 1884 |
United States of America |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Mary Brown |
Roomer |
abt 1902 |
United States of America |
Black |
||
Chester A. Hall |
Head of household |
|||||
Kansas Hall |
Wife |
abt 1898 |
Georgia |
White |
||
James A Hall |
Son |
abt 1918 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Van J Pool |
Head of household |
abt 1883 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill –shingle mill |
|
Dora Pool |
Wife |
abt 1883 |
Georgia |
White |
Inn Keeprt – Boarding House |
|
Olya M Pool |
Daughter |
abt 1906 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Erwin W Pool |
Son |
abt 1907 |
Georgia |
White |
Newspaper Boy |
|
Verdie K Pool |
Daughter |
abt 1911 |
Georgia |
White |
||
R Edna Pool |
Daughter |
abt 1913 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Charlie J Pool |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
White |
||
H M Dorsey Pool |
Son |
abt 1918 |
Georgia |
White |
||
F K Hall |
Head of household |
abt 1856 |
Georgia |
White |
||
J Hollis Ritch |
Son |
abt 1887 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Noah H Sumler |
Boarder |
abt 1895 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Thomas A Sheffield |
Head of household |
abt 1883 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Ida B Sheffield |
Wife |
abt 1892 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Emma R Sheffield |
Daughter |
abt 1908 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Thomas J Sheffield |
Son |
abt 1910 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Laura A Sheffield |
Daughter |
abt 1913 |
Florida |
White |
||
Harvey Sheffield |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Florida |
White |
||
Annie Bell Sheffield |
Daughter |
abt 1917 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Emory A Sheffield |
Son |
abt 1919 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Gilfred Snowden |
Head of household |
abt 1890 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Maude Snowden |
Wife |
abt 1884 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Augusta Snowden |
Daughter |
abt 1907 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Sarah Snowden |
Daughter |
abt 1908 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Georgia A Snowden |
Daughter |
abt 1912 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Alice Snowden |
Daughter |
abt 1914 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Viola Snowden |
Daughter |
abt 1916 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Gilford Snowden |
Son |
abt 1919 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Willie Morgan |
Brother |
abt 1886 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Isaac Snowden |
Head of household |
abt 1887 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Clyde Spencer |
Head of household |
abt 1900 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Leetta Spencer |
Wife |
abt 1900 |
Georgia |
Black |
Cook-private family |
|
John Hardy |
Head of household |
abt 1891 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Ruth Hardy |
Wife |
abt 1888 |
Georgia |
Black |
Laundress |
|
Jeroel Hardy |
Daughter |
abt 1908 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Will Jones |
Head of household |
abt 1886 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Rosa Jones |
Wife |
abt 1895 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Handy Simpson |
Head of household |
abt 1898 |
United States of America |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Fannie Simpson |
Wife |
abt 1900 |
Georgia |
Black |
||
Henry Wright |
Roomer |
abt 1903 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Charlie Melvin |
Head of household |
abt 1870 |
North Carolina |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Lissie Melvin |
Wife |
abt 1874 |
Georgia |
Black |
Laundress |
|
Ben Melvin |
Son |
abt 1898 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Joe Melvin |
Son |
abt 1902 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Annie Melvin |
Daughter-in-law |
abt 1900 |
Georgia |
Black |
Laundress |
|
Lonzo Williams |
Roomer |
abt 1870 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Bennie Bolar |
Head of household |
abt 1892 |
Virginia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Emma Bolar |
Wife |
abt 1897 |
Georgia |
Black |
Cook –private family |
|
John H Reed |
Nephew |
abt 1908 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
J Quinton Clements |
Head of household |
abt 1894 |
Georgia |
White |
Commissary Salesman |
|
Eva M Clements |
Wife |
abt 1892 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Jerald C Clements |
Son |
abt 1914 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Randall R Clements |
Son |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Connie C Devane |
Roomer |
abt 1885 |
Georgia |
White |
Commissary Salesman |
|
Willie Johnson |
Head of household |
abt 1895 |
Georgia |
Black |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Callie Johnson |
Wife |
abt 1897 |
Georgia |
Black |
Cook –private family |
|
Robert L McDonald |
Head of household |
abt 1873 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawyer |
|
Lilla M McDonald |
Wife |
abt 1876 |
Georgia |
White |
||
W Lillian McDonald |
Daughter |
abt 1901 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Eunice J McDonald |
Daughter |
abt 1907 |
Georgia |
White |
||
W Talmage McDonald |
Son |
abt 1908 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Lemuel C McDonald |
Son |
abt 1910 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Isaac B McDonald |
Son |
abt 1912 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Lois A McDonald |
Daughter |
abt 1914 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Fred H Lemke |
Grandson |
abt 1916 |
Georgia |
White |
||
James P Devane |
Boarder |
abt 1865 |
Georgia |
White |
Commissary Salesman |
|
Thomas N Crowe |
Boarder |
abt 1884 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Marion E Shaw |
Head of household |
abt 1893 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill Marketman |
|
Marion R Shaw |
Wife |
abt 1898 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Kermitt A Shaw |
Son |
abt 1918 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Perry Cook |
Boarder |
abt 1897 |
Georgia |
White |
Farm laborer |
|
Charles E Hughes |
Head of household |
abt 1871 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill Section Foreman |
|
Nettie Hughes |
Wife |
abt 1883 |
South Carolina |
White |
||
Elmer L Hughes |
Son |
abt 1902 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Fred L Hughes |
Son |
abt 1904 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Mattie B Hughes |
Daughter |
abt 1906 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Clyde R Hughes |
Son |
abt 1908 |
Florida |
White |
||
Glenn C Hughes |
Son |
abt 1913 |
Florida |
White |
||
Talmage R Hughes |
Son |
abt 1917 |
Florida |
White |
||
Dave H Cowart |
Head of household |
abt 1893 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Laura Cowart |
Wife |
abt 1893 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Donnald Cowart |
Son |
abt 1919 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Russell Browning |
Boarder |
abt 1901 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Luke Browning |
Boarder |
abt 1899 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Manning A Cersey |
Head of household |
abt 1889 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill Fireman |
|
Lula Cersey |
Wife |
abt 1896 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Vera J Cersey |
Daughter |
abt 1911 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Clinton A Cersey |
Son |
abt 1913 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Son |
abt 1916 |
Georgia |
White |
|||
Robert C.C. Powell |
Head of household |
abt 1892 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill laborer |
|
Lovdie Powell |
Wife |
abt 1893 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Corrie Powell |
Daughter |
abt 1915 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Madge Powell |
Daughter |
abt 1918 |
Georgia |
White |
||
R D Ward |
Head of household |
abt 1886 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill Machinist |
|
Mamie Ward |
Wife |
abt 1895 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Arthur S Ganas |
Head of household |
abt 1892 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill Engineer |
|
Ruby H Ganas |
Wife |
abt 1900 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Jaunita L Ganas |
Daughter |
abt 1919 |
Georgia |
White |
||
Chester A Hall |
Head of household |
abt 1899 |
Georgia |
White |
Sawmill Foreman |
Larry Richardson said,
August 24, 2013 at 6:37 pm
The old log house that is shown in this article was moved to the old mill area around 1975-78 by John David Luke. John David bought the property that this house was originally located from my father J.T. Richardson in 1971-72. Willard Green bought the property that included the old mill area at the same time. Later Mr. Green sold the most of the property, including the old mill area, to the Luke family. They then moved that old log house from its location on the west side of 129 that was in front of our home. The left part of the house was the 2 bedrooms with a fireplace and was constructed of logs. The wing to the right was originally used for a living area as the kitchen was a seperate building was a seperate building that was also made of logs. The kitchen building was later converted to a log barn for mules with a shelter on both sides and on the back. The outhouse was directly behind the mule barn. After the kitchen was converted to a mule barn, the right wing was converted to a kitchen and dining area and there was a porch thatran the front of the house and around the left side of the main part of the house. The porch on the left side was closed in and made into 2 bedrooms. We rented this house for many years to share cropers or other familys. Along about 1955 we quit renting and used it for storage for hay, corn
and tobacco….Many memorable memories in this old house
Larry Richardson
Larry Richardson said,
August 24, 2013 at 6:47 pm
As you look at the picture of the house, this was the back of the house facing west. The house as 1 mile north of Raycity on 129. There is a large openiing on the main part of the house that was where the chimeny was located with a window on either side. The converted
kitchen dining section has a window on the left and a door at the right corner. There is a door visible on the left side of the main part that originally opened to the porch but was used to seperate the additional 2 bedrooms. The original log kitchen had wooden hinges on its doors and I still have a set of the wooden hinges.
raycityhistory said,
August 24, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Larry,
thank you so much for providing the information about this old house and the history of the mill property.
Larry Richardson said,
August 24, 2013 at 9:42 pm
One other unproven fact is that around the late 1950’s My family was told that the log part of the house and the part that originally was the seperate kitchen was around 100 years old so the logs in the structure in the picture would be approx 150-160 years old
Aubrey Bullard said,
August 25, 2013 at 2:27 pm
My grandfather on my father’s side, Henry Needham Bullard, was in the lumber business in the late 1800’s and lived in Ray City.
Although I know of no connection with the business mentioned here, I am surprised at the small amount of information re, his involment in the business around Ray City and later in several cities in North Florida.
There is a surprising lack of anything on the Bullard’s in any of these historical articles.
The Knight family was from my mother’s side and there is a great deal on that family. Levi knight was a direct line ancestor.
Thank you for what you do. I am most interested in seeing each one I receive.