Photos Provided to Us By Nancy Graf

The photos below have been brought to us by Miss Nancy Graf. Miss Nancy lived in the Brays Mill for a time and is the daughter of Isaac Smith and grandaughter of Charles and Mar Mar Smith. Below are photos that she brought to us this past Saturday (May 26th, 2018) when she so kindly visited us. We were so happy to hear her stories and be able to get information on how the Mill was set up inside when she was there. Thank you so very much Miss Nancy.

 

 

Brays Ice Plant Ticket Book

 

When we moved to the Brays Mill, we were given a shoe box full of these Brays Ice Co. ticket books. When people needed ice, they were able to buy these tickets and have proof of purchase for their ice to be delivered to them.

- Becca

About Richwoods Township Via DNR

"Richwoods once had several blacksmith shops, stores, a wagon shop, and a schoolhouse as well as a post office. Later a mill was built on the banks of the tiny stream which flows through the town. The mill, once three stories in height, was cut down to two stories and used as a house. 15 Many of the people who now live in Richwoods commute to and from employment in St. Louis. "

Source: https://dnr.mo.gov/shpo/survey/WAAS001-R.pdf

Regional Ancestrial Names for Brays/Iberia, MO

These are names that I have come across during my research on the Brays Community. Below, you can see the names of people whom I have record of being at the mill or in Brays. They are marked with a star (*) and show approximate dates of them being there.

Regional Ancestral Names of Iberia, MO & Miller County

• Arendall *Name noted to be located in Brays Community approximately during 1877-1942
• Bolien 
• Bray *Name noted to be located in Brays Community approximately during 1862-1906
• Helton *Name noted to be located in Brays Community approximately during 1912-1919?
• Humphrey
• Jones
• Lair 
• Lankeman
• Morrow
• Osbourn/Osborne *Name noted to be located in Brays Community approximately during 1845-?
• Pendleton
• Renfrow
• Rowden *Name noted to be located in Brays Community approximately during 1848-1862
• Skaggs
• Slawson
• Smith *Name noted to be located in Brays Community approximately during 
• Stephens *Name noted to be located in Brays Community approximately during 1862-1877
• Warman
• Whitaker
• Winningham
• Woody
• Airhart/Ahart
• Goforth
• Kirkwood
• Sherrell
• Wilson

I have also seen that Guy Smith was to appear in probate court in 1942, however I have not found out why yet. I am curious because in 1969, Isaac Smith was to appear in probate court for estate issues. I know that Guy and Isaac Smith ran the mill for some years. I also see that John Rowden, another owner of the mill, had been in probate court in 1938 but there is no explaination as to why.  I would like to know if anyone has information pertaining to this! Thanks. - Becca

Brays Community Timeline by Becca Berg: May 2018

Here is what I can gather from all of the history I have fouond so far. I would absolutly love more information if anyone has any. Below you can see the photo of the timeline that I have created. I hope that you enjoy and, as always, be bless.
- Becca

Meeting at the Miller County Historical Society Museum

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Miller-County-Historical-Society-Museum-1512921572256568/?ref=br_rs

Miller County Historical Society Museum

May 19 at 1:44pm · 

"Becca Berg and her family are renovating the Bray's Mill site. They visited with Karen Wyrick Smith, Museum Director, to review photos of the site donated by Nancy Martin. By 1854 a water-powered mill was constructed at Bray's. This industry was the first permanent installation marking the beginning of Bray's hamlet.

Nearby in 1889 Tom Bray constructed a roller mill near the original water-powered grist mill. During harvest there was always a back-log of work for the mills. Overnight camping at the mill site was common as people slept under wagons and large bushes for protection from the falling dew and mosquitoes. About this time Will Morrow rebuilt the wooden water wheel, and helped in overhauling the older mill."

Photos from Miller County Historical Society

These photos were given to us on May 19, 2018 by the Miller County Historical Society. They are of the Brays Mill during the 60's and 70's. We are truly grateful for all of the information that we have recieved from the Historical Society in Miller County!

#1   #2

#1 {Above} Diesel Engine & Wheel House 1970 

#2 {Above} Compressor 07/26/1970

#3  #4 

#3 {Above} Exterior wheel 07/26/01970 

#4 {Above} Steps and water outlet 07/26/1970

#5  #6 

#5 {Above} Stucture Joint on West Side 1970 

#6 {Above} "Work by Boerhoff" July 11, 1971

#7  #8 

#7 {Above} Brays Mill 1971 

#8 {Above} Brays Mill 1969

#9  #10 

#9 {Above} Fritz Wheel 07/26/1970 

#10  {Above} East Side of Brays Mill July 11, 1971

#11  #12 

#11{Above} Diesel Engine 1970 

#12 {Above} Brays Mill 1967 Photo: J. Martin

#13  #14 

#13 {Above} Brays by J. Martin 1967 

#14 {Above} Stone Mill 077/26/1970

#15  #16 

#15 {Above} SW corner of the Mill Framing 1970 

#16 {Above} The Wheel 07/26/1970

New Information Found!

Research Finding!!!

May 20, 2018
From Becca
Photo Below {Certificate of Land Purchase}

So, late the other night I was doing research....again....and I came upon this certificate for 40 acres of land purchased by Thomas A. Bray and John Rowden . They purchased the land for the sum of $50.00 on June 11, 1870. The land was purchased to build the Brays School. It makes me so happy to see how this liitle community of Brays began. I truly look forward to more research and findings. 

Certificate Details

People Involved: 

Bray, Thomas A. - Purchaser  & Rowder, John - Purchaser

Certificate Number : 247

Land District :No Information

Type Of Land: Township School Land

County: Miller

Purchase Date: 1870

Township: 39  Range: 12  Land Section: 16

Parts Of Section : the South West quarter of the North East quarter

Acres: 40   Price Per Acre: $1.25

Cost: $50.00

Certificate Date : Jun. 11, 1870

Note Thomas A. Bray Assignee of John Rowder

**Source: https://s1.sos.mo.gov/records/archives/archivesdb/land/Detail.aspx?id=98360

Thomas A Bray

Thomas Albert Bray

BIRTH 23 Jan 1845

Bradford, Metropolitan Borough of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England

DEATH 6 Nov 1906 (aged 61)

Paydown, Maries County, Missouri, USA

BURIAL

Bowles Cemetery

Maries County, Missouri, USA

MEMORIAL ID 12149030

Vienna Home Advisor, Thursday, November 8, 1906

Thomas A. Bray

Died at his home in Pay Down Tuesday night, of heart trouble. Deceased was born in England in 1845, his parents coming to this county when he was but a small child. They lived in Vienna until he was about 12 years of age when his father moved to Pay Down and established a carding and a grist mill which Mr. Bray continued to run until his death. He was twice married, the first time to a Miss Wheeler. Four children were the result of this union all of whom survive him. His second wife (nee Branson), and five children are still living. Mr. Bray during his life time was a very successful business man, and he was well and favorably known in this and adjoining counties. He will be buried to-day in the Bowles graveyard. We extend sympathies to the bereaved family.

Headstone Inscription

BORN AT BRADFORD, ENG.

HUSBAND OF

EMMA & MAHALA BRAY.

A PRECIOUS ONE FROM US

HAS GONE.

A VOICE WE LOVE IS STILLED.

A PLACE IS VACANT IN OUR HOME.

WHICH NEVER CAN BE FILLED.

GOD IN HIS WISDOM HAS

RECALLED

THE BOON, HIS LOVE HAS GIVEN

AND THOUGH THE BODY

MOULDERS HERE

THE SOUL IS SAFE IN HEAVEN.

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12149030/thomas-albert-bray

Full Name Thomas A Bray

Age 35

Birth Year 1845

Birth Place Eng

Gender Male

Marital Status Widow

State Missouri

County Maries

Father's Birth Place Eng

Mother's Birth Place Eng

Ethnicity American

Family Number 0

Occupation Miller

Race W

Household Members

Name Age Birth Yr Role

Mary Clark 48 1832 Aunt

Edward Bray 14 1866 Son

Erie Goforth 22 1858 Other

Source: https://www.familytreenow.com/search/census/results?first=Thomas&middle=albert&last=bray&dobyyyy=1845&rid=0s0&smck=n5icDpkmRkClktD7Kvpuig

Welcome to the Brays Mill Page

My name is Becca Berg. I have created this site and our Facebook page in order to restore the history of the Brays Mill, the Brays Community and the City of Iberia. I do very in depth research and provide all of the information that I come across on this site and on the Historic Brays Mill Facebook page.

My husband (Bradley Berg) and I with our children, purchased the Mill in August of 2017. We began restoration of the Mill in the fall of 2018. We have found out quite a bit of history on the Mill and the community that we absolutely love. We look forward to the restoration completion and opening the Mill to the public. That, of course, is in due time. 

You can scroll through regular posts here on the home page, or you can view any of the pages added on the right hand side of the site. If you have any stories, memories, information or photos that you would like to share, please feel free to contact us and we can add them to the wonderful collection we have.

I hope that you enjoy the site. Be blessed.

- Becca Berg of Brays {2017-Current}

 

{Left to Right} Becca Berg and Bradley Berg

 {Left to Right} Adrian, Xavier and Dennis Jr. - our sons

  

{Left to Right} Ashley and Shelby - our daughters

Old Houses Review

Bray's Mill

The construction of Bray`s Mill took place between 1862 & 1864. Original purpose was to grind grain, a Post Office, ice plant with Hydro electricity the only electricity around in those days, which ended in 1942 when rural electric came to Miller county. The Mill is located 2/10 off Hwy 42 East of Iberia which is a main route to Lake of the Ozarks. An early history of the Bray Mill community notes that two U.S. Presidents - James Buchannan and Ulysses S. Grant- once claimed ownership of the land. So much more history to mention. Remodeled in 80's,a Residential Bed/Breakfast This Historical Mill has 62 acres, springs, spring fed pond & creek, and abundant wild life.

Source: http://www.oldhouses.com/6563