| Name |
Bray, Ransom Obie |
| Birth |
10 Aug 1872 |
Pikeville, Pike, Kentucky, USA  [1, 2] |
- 20250526GHLn-
Ransom Bray
Ransom Oby Bray (10 August 1872-31 May 1931) was an American lawman and "Bad" Frank Phillips' deputy during the Hatfield-McCoy feud. Born in Pike County, Kentucky, he enlisted in Phillips' posse in 1887, and he fought at the Battle of Grapevine Creek in 1888. Bray went on to marry Lucy Warrix in 1890, and, in 1898, he shot and mortally injured Phillips during a fight over a woman. Ransom later became a policeman in Wise County, Virginia, where he lived until his death in 1931.
https://historica.fandom.com/wiki/Ransom_Bray
|
| Gender |
Male |
| feud |
1887 |
Pike County, Kentucky, USA |
| "Bad" Frank Phillips' deputy during the Hatfield-McCoy feud. Born in Pike County, Kentucky, he enlisted in Phillips' posse in 1887, and he fought at the Battle of Grapevine Creek in 1888. |
- 20250526GHLn-
Ransom Bray
Ransom Oby Bray (10 August 1872-31 May 1931) was an American lawman and "Bad" Frank Phillips' deputy during the Hatfield-McCoy feud. Born in Pike County, Kentucky, he enlisted in Phillips' posse in 1887, and he fought at the Battle of Grapevine Creek in 1888. Bray went on to marry Lucy Warrix in 1890, and, in 1898, he shot and mortally injured Phillips during a fight over a woman. Ransom later became a policeman in Wise County, Virginia, where he lived until his death in 1931.
https://historica.fandom.com/wiki/Ransom_Bray
|
| feud |
Abt Jun 1898 |
| Ransom shot Bad Frank Phillips in late June or early July in a fight over a woman. This led to Bad Frank setting up infection, losing his leg, and dying six days later on July 12, 1898. |
- 20250527GHLn-
Hatfield - McCoy History's Post
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Hatfield - McCoy History
July 22, 2020
· Jilon VanOver as Ransom Bray in Hatfields & McCoys
RANSOM BRAY (1872 - 1931)
Ransom Oby Bray was born August 10, 1872 in Pike County, Kentucky. He was Bad Frank’s deputy and protégé.
Ransom married Lucy Warrix on October 18, 1890. I’ve yet to find out if they had any children and if they divorced or if he was a widower.
In 1898 (presumably late June or early July), Ransom shot Bad Frank Phillips. This led to Bad Frank setting up infection, losing his leg, and dying six days later on July 12, 1898.
Ransom married Mary Robinson and had two daughters with her - Pearl May (Bray) Boyd and Nannie Elizabeth Bray.
He moved to Wise County, Virginia where he became a policeman. He lived there until his death on May 31, 1931 at the age of 58. Ransom is buried in the Laurel Grove Cemetery in Wise County, Virginia.
(If I find more information on Ransom, this post will be updated.)
PHOTOS:
1.) Jilon VanOver as Ransom Bray in Hatfields & McCoys (2012)
2.) Ransom Bray on the 1880 Census
3.) Ransom Bray on the 1880 Census
4.) Marriage License for Ransom and Lucy
5.) Pearl’s Death Certificate
6.) Mary’s Death Certificate
7.) Nannie’s Birth Certificate
8.) Nannie’s Death Certificate (typed out)
9.) Ransom Bray on the 1920 Census
10.) Ransom Bray on the 1920 Census
11.) Ransom Bray 1920 Census
12.) Ransom Bray on the 1910 Census
13.) Ransom Bray on the 1910 Census
comments
Jessen Bray
our family been running those hollers for generations
25w
LarryandPatsy Baker
Trying to find out if my grandfather Dave Bray, from Clintwood, Va, was Ransom’s brother or his nephew.
30w
Kerry Bray Sr.
I am a Bray and always heard we were related back to W Virginia or Kentucky
A relative dod a genealogy research and Ransom Bray came out.
Would like to know if all true. Live in Texas.
1y
Ashley Rowe
I'm looking for info for my husband.. he is a Bray and from Pikeville.
3y
Gregory Davis
Ashley Nicole Rowe what kind of information were you looking for about the Bray family?
1y
John R. Bray
Gregory Davis as you know dad had done extended genealogy back to the 1700s. If you get a response and you need help. I have plenty of his information that he collected.
1y
Gregory Davis
John R. Bray he gave all the sisters copies of the work in the form of a book. It’s pretty impressive.
1y
John R. Bray
Gregory Davis great to hear! Hope you were able to have it. Take care cousin.
1y
Gregory Davis
John R. Bray I actually thought of your Dad and the information your Dad created and that’s why I even responded to persons post.
1y
Greg Fraley
Ashley Nicole Rowe he's no doubt a relative, I'm still looking for the burial site of my grandpa Abija (Bud) Vance, born 1873, died july 1962
3y
Reply
|
| Incident |
Bef 13 Jul 1898 |
Kentucky, USA |
| After his last official excursion in early July 1898, Frank returned from a law assignment in the Mountain State, riding back to Pike County with a young traveling companion, Ransom Bray. Soon after returning to Eastern Kentucky, the two men, Frank and Ransom, got into a drunken argument at a nearby saloon. A violent altercation ensued. Bad Frank, 36, was shot by Ransom in the leg (hips). Frank hobbled over to his horse and road home to recover, but inflammation soon set in. According to a 1982 feature by Williamson Daily News Journalist Charlotte Sanders, Jesse (J.J.) James Phillips had clear recollections of the day his father was shot, although he was only six years old at the time. He said his father was “shot through the hips” by Ranson Bray. Jesse further recalled that his mother, Nancy, was going to take all the children up the hollow to a neighbor’s house when the doctor finally arrived to tend to Bad Frank’s terrible wound. Jesse said he didn’t continue on with his mother once the physician arrived. Instead, he stayed behind and spied through a window as his father’s entire leg was being amputated. After his leg was removed, Bad Frank, who was terribly ill, lingered for a dozen more days. He died on July 13, 1898. |
- 20240417GHLn-
Hatfield and McCoy Feud
Favorites · April 6 2024
· SON OF A GUNMAN: This photo is of Jesse James “J.J.” Phillips (1892-1985), of Pinsonfork, Kentucky. Jesse was the son of lawman Frank “Bad Frank” Phillips and Nancy McCoy Hatfield Phillips, the daughter of Asa Harmon McCoy and former wife of Johnse Hatfield.
Nancy surprisingly married Bad Frank, once considered the nemesis of the Hatfields, after divorcing Johnse Hatfield.
According to feud lore, Jesse’s father once claimed as a teenager to have rode with Jesse James and the James Gang, the outlaw band of Missouri. Thus, in homage to the restless bandit, Bad Frank named his son Jesse James Phillips.
***
In 1888, Bad Frank, 26, became a Pike County special deputy at the height of the Hatfield-McCoy troubles.
Besides arresting a number of Hatfields and associates - after he and his men illegally crossed the Tug River from Eastern Kentucky into Southern West Virginia - Bad Frank and his posse surprised Uncle Jim Vance and Cap Hatfield, while the two were hunting along Thacker Mountain.
A firefight ensued and, during the conflict, Uncle Jim was severely wounded (Cap barely escaped the scene on foot to get help). At one point, Bad Frank got off from his horse, pulled his six-shooter from his belt and walked to Vance, who was slumped over in pain. He aimed his revolver at Uncle Jim’s head and squeezed the trigger.
A deafening shot rang out and echoed through the hill country as Uncle Jim died instantly.
***
After the Hatfield-McCoy feud period, Bad Frank served as a government agent for a period of time. Finally leaving that position, he spent his remaining years working in various law enforcement roles, as a hired gun, and occasionally riding as a posse member or bounty hunter.
After his last official excursion in early July 1898, Frank returned from a law assignment in the Mountain State, riding back to Pike County with a young traveling companion, Ransom Bray.
Soon after returning to Eastern Kentucky, the two men, Frank and Ransom, got into a drunken argument at a nearby saloon. A violent altercation ensued.
Bad Frank, 36, was shot by Ransom in the leg (hips). Frank hobbled over to his horse and road home to recover, but inflammation soon set in.
According to a 1982 feature by Williamson Daily News Journalist Charlotte Sanders, Jesse (J.J.) James Phillips had clear recollections of the day his father was shot, although he was only six years old at the time. He said his father was “shot through the hips” by Ranson Bray.
Jesse further recalled that his mother, Nancy, was going to take all the children up the hollow to a neighbor’s house when the doctor finally arrived to tend to Bad Frank’s terrible wound.
Jesse said he didn’t continue on with his mother once the physician arrived. Instead, he stayed behind and spied through a window as his father’s entire leg was being amputated. After his leg was removed, Bad Frank, who was terribly ill, lingered for a dozen more days. He died on July 13, 1898.
The body of the gunslinger was ultimately entombed at a location in Phelps, KY, in a place called Phillips Branch, now named the Frank Phillips Cemetery. A small hand-cut gravestone marker was positioned where his leg was buried separately.
|
 |
Phillips, Jesse James JJ FB240406HMcCFeud
20240417GHLn-
Hatfield and McCoy Feud
Favorites · April 6 2024
· SON OF A GUNMAN: This photo is of Jesse James “J.J.” Phillips (1892-1985), of Pinsonfork, Kentucky. Jesse was the son of lawman Frank “Bad Frank” Phillips and Nancy McCoy Hatfield Phillips, the daughter of Asa Harmon McCoy and former wife of Johnse Hatfield.
Nancy… |
| Death |
23 May 1931 |
Evarts, Harlan, Kentucky, USA [2] |
- 20250606GHLn-
Ranson Oby Bray
in the Kentucky, U.S., Death Records, 1852-1965
Name Ranson Oby Bray
Gender Male
Race White
Age 58
married
occ Department store mgr
Birth 10 Aug 1872
Pikeville, KY
Death 23 May 1931
Harlan County, KY
cause Leukemia, cirrhosis of liver, enlarged spleen 124
Father Michal Bray
Mother Cartha Casteel
Spouse Mary C Roberson
inform Mrs R. O. Bray
Evarts, KY
burial 5/26/1931
Coeburn, VA
Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives; Frankfort, Kentucky
- age 58. at his home. Leukemia, cirrhosis of liver, enlarged spleen 124
|
| Burial |
26 May 1931 |
Coeburn, Wise, Virginia, USA [2] |
- 20250606GHLn-
Ranson Oby Bray
in the Kentucky, U.S., Death Records, 1852-1965
Name Ranson Oby Bray
Gender Male
Race White
Age 58
married
occ Department store mgr
Birth 10 Aug 1872
Pikeville, KY
Death 23 May 1931
Harlan County, KY
cause Leukemia, cirrhosis of liver, enlarged spleen 124
Father Michal Bray
Mother Cartha Casteel
Spouse Mary C Roberson
inform Mrs R. O. Bray
Evarts, KY
burial 5/26/1931
Coeburn, VA
Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives; Frankfort, Kentucky
- age 58. at his home. Leukemia, cirrhosis of liver, enlarged spleen 124
|
| Death |
31 May 1931 |
Wise County, Virginia, USA |
| age 58. Ransom later became a policeman in Wise County, Virginia, where he lived until his death in 1931. |
- 20250526GHLn-
Ransom Bray
Ransom Oby Bray (10 August 1872-31 May 1931) was an American lawman and "Bad" Frank Phillips' deputy during the Hatfield-McCoy feud. Born in Pike County, Kentucky, he enlisted in Phillips' posse in 1887, and he fought at the Battle of Grapevine Creek in 1888. Bray went on to marry Lucy Warrix in 1890, and, in 1898, he shot and mortally injured Phillips during a fight over a woman. Ransom later became a policeman in Wise County, Virginia, where he lived until his death in 1931.
https://historica.fandom.com/wiki/Ransom_Bray
|
| Burial |
Aft 31 May 1931 |
Wise County, Virginia, USA |
| Laurel Grove Cemetery |
- Hatfield - McCoy History
July 22, 2020 ·
RANSOM BRAY (1872 - 1931)
Ransom Oby Bray was born August 10, 1872 in Pike County, Kentucky. He was Bad Frank’s deputy and protégé.
Ransom married Lucy Warrix on October 18, 1890. I’ve yet to find out if they had any children and if they divorced or if he was a widower.
In 1898 (presumably late June or early July), Ransom shot Bad Frank Phillips. This led to Bad Frank setting up infection, losing his leg, and dying six days later on July 12, 1898.
Ransom married Mary Robinson and had two daughters with her - Pearl May (Bray) Boyd and Nannie Elizabeth Bray.
He moved to Wise County, Virginia where he became a policeman. He lived there until his death on May 31, 1931 at the age of 58. Ransom is buried in the Laurel Grove Cemetery in Wise County, Virginia.
|
| Race |
White [2] |
| FSID |
2516658:61372:2516658 |
| Name |
Ransom Bray [1, 3] |
| Name |
Ransom Obey Bray |
- 20250527GHLn-
Hatfield - McCoy History's Post
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Hatfield - McCoy History
July 22, 2020
· 6.) Nannie Elizabeth Bray
Delayed Virginia Birth Certificate
05 Aug 1903
Coeburn, VA
father Ransom Obey Bray
b Pikeville, KY
mother Mary Celestia Roberson
b Pound, VA
Delayed 01 May 1942
Lee County, VA
Mrs Nannie Naklimon
St. Charles, VA
|
 |
VA birth cert Delayed 19030805 Nannie Elizabeth Bray
20250527GHLn-
Hatfield - McCoy History's Post
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Hatfield - McCoy History
July 22, 2020
· 6.) Nannie Elizabeth Bray
Delayed Virginia Birth Certificate
05 Aug 1903
Coeburn, VA
father Ransom Obey Bray
b Pikeville, KY
mother Mary Celestia Roberson
b Pound, VA
Delayed 01 May 1942
Lee County, VA
Mrs Nannie Naklimon
St. Charles, VA
RANSOM BRAY… |
| Name |
Ransom Orby Bray |
| Name |
Ranson Oby Bray [2] |
| Occupation |
Wise County, Virginia, USA |
| Lawman |
- 20250526GHLn-
Ransom Bray
Ransom Oby Bray (10 August 1872-31 May 1931) was an American lawman and "Bad" Frank Phillips' deputy during the Hatfield-McCoy feud. Born in Pike County, Kentucky, he enlisted in Phillips' posse in 1887, and he fought at the Battle of Grapevine Creek in 1888. Bray went on to marry Lucy Warrix in 1890, and, in 1898, he shot and mortally injured Phillips during a fight over a woman. Ransom later became a policeman in Wise County, Virginia, where he lived until his death in 1931.
https://historica.fandom.com/wiki/Ransom_Bray
|
| Person ID |
I97710 |
WETZEL-SPRING |
| Family 2 |
Roberson, Mary Celestia, b. 8 Sep 1887, Pound, Wise, Virginia, USA d. 3 Aug 1967, Bondtown, Wise, Virginia, USA (Age 79 years) |
| Marriage |
11 Feb 1902 |
Coeburn, Wise, Virginia, USA |
- 20250527GHLn-
Hatfield - McCoy History's Post
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Hatfield - McCoy History
July 22, 2020
· 6.) Mary’s Death Certificate
widowed
birth 9 -8 -1887
Wise Co, VA
death 3 Aug 1967
Bondtown, Wise, VA
cause cardiac arrest
cardiac insufficiency
broncho peumonia
father Augustus Robinson
mother Martha Maxwell
spouse Ransom O. Bray
inform Mrs Ballard Lawrence
|
 |
VA death cert 19670803 Mary C Bray
20250527GHLn-
Hatfield - McCoy History's Post
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Hatfield - McCoy History
July 22, 2020
· 6.) Mary’s Death Certificate
widowed
res Coeburn, Wise, VA
age 79
birth 9 -8 -1887
Wise Co, VA
death 3 Aug 1967
Bondtown, Wise, VA
cause cardiac arrest
cardiac insufficiency
broncho peumonia
father Augustus Robinson
mother Martha… |
| Issue, jt |
2 daughters. Ransom married Mary Robinson and had two daughters with her - Pearl May (Bray) Boyd and Nannie Elizabeth Bray. |
- Ransom married Mary Robinson and had two daughters with her - Pearl May (Bray) Boyd and Nannie Elizabeth Bray.
|
| residence jt |
7 Aug 1903 |
St Charles, Lee, Virginia, USA |
| Nannie's Delayed Birth Certificate |
- 20250527GHLn-
Hatfield - McCoy History's Post
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Hatfield - McCoy History
July 22, 2020
· 6.) Nannie Elizabeth Bray
Delayed Virginia Birth Certificate
05 Aug 1903
Coeburn, VA
father Ransom Obey Bray
b Pikeville, KY
mother Mary Celestia Roberson
b Pound, VA
Delayed 01 May 1942
Lee County, VA
Mrs Nannie Naklimon
St. Charles, VA
|
|
|
VA birth cert Delayed 19030805 Nannie Elizabeth Bray
20250527GHLn-
Hatfield - McCoy History's Post
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Hatfield - McCoy History
July 22, 2020
· 6.) Nannie Elizabeth Bray
Delayed Virginia Birth Certificate
05 Aug 1903
Coeburn, VA
father Ransom Obey Bray
b Pikeville, KY
mother Mary Celestia Roberson
b Pound, VA
Delayed 01 May 1942
Lee County, VA
Mrs Nannie Naklimon
St. Charles, VA
RANSOM BRAY… |
| Children |
| | 1. Bray, Pearl May, b. 8 Nov 1901, Virginia, USA d. 15 Jan 1978, South Boston, Halifax, Virginia, USA (Age 76 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural] |
| | 2. Bray, Nannie Elizabeth, b. 5 Aug 1903, Coeburn, Wise, Virginia, USA d. Aug 1969, Pennington Gap, Lee, Virginia, USA (Age 66 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural] |
|
| Family ID |
F59732 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
1872 - 1931 (58 years)
