Long Street Presbyterian Church (NC)
Martin Luther Ray and his siblings were raised in Cumberland County, NC (Father – William Ray, Mother – Margaret McLauchin Ray). They were members of the Long Street Presbyterian Church and lived very near to it on a farm. Martin Luther Ray and family came to Florala in 1907. His brother Neill Ray stayed in NC and lived in Fayetteville. His brothers Alex and Lauchlin were killed in the Civil War. This church is located on the Fort Bragg Military Reservation northwest of Fayetteville, NC. It’s just north of Long Street Road slightly east of the intersection with Preacher’s road. Appointments are needed with Ft. Bragg Cultural Affairs office to visit the church. Although not active, this church has a reunion/picnic every June. The house that the Ray’s lived in became Ranger Station Number 1 and housed rangers who cared for the forests. It was eventually torn down by the army and a more modern Ranger Station was built elsewhere. The area in which the Rays and other church members lived and the area around Longstreet Church is now pine forest and used by the army for training.
Ranger Station Number 1, Home of Will Ray and later the McFaydens (believed to be in picture). Its exact location is not known, but it was close to the Long Street Presbyterian Church.
An historic marker of the Longstreet Presbyterian Church. The church is protected by and cared for by the US Army.
Ray Family plot at Longstreet Presbyterian church
Ray family plot in the cemetery next to the Longstreet Presbyterian Church. The obelisk is a memorial to Lauch and Alex Ray who were both killed in the Civil War. Their bodies not returned from where they died.
Longstreet Cemetery listing
Fayetteville Presbyterian church where Martin Luther Ray’s brother, Neill, was a member in downtown Fayetteville, about 15 mi from the Longstreet Church.
We believe that Neill and Laura Pearson Ray (and Neill’s sister Annie and son Donald Fairfax Ray) lived very near this statue (226 Green St, Fayetteville, NC). The rear of his house faced a creek (Cross Creek, not seen behind the statue) which in turn had a view of the church. Laura Ray purchased the original bells in the steeple. The Hay Market is very close to this location to the right.
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By Nancy Ray Smith, March 8, 2012 @ 11:18 pm
Hello,
I have been trying to find out where my great grandfather was in cumberland county. According to the websites I found it stated in cumberland county in 1910 census. His name was Bernice M. Ray, his wife was Mamie J. Ray.
Their kids were: Leon Bernice Ray (My Grandfather)
Otis F. Ray
Geddie Ray
Nora Ray
Roberta Ray
Carrie Ray
I have found this bit of information. If you have any info on this I would appreciate it.
Thank you so much.
Nancy Ray Smith
By Max Baker, March 10, 2012 @ 4:44 pm
Hi,
I am aware that were several families of Rays near Longstreet church in Cumberland county. I am not familiar with the names you mentioned, but I recall seeing a plaque inside Longstreet Church that had the names of some Rays that were unrelated to my family. There were also a number of other churches in the area, Barbeque and Sandy Grove they could have been associated with. Sorry I can’t help more.
By Nancy Ray Smith, March 13, 2012 @ 8:17 pm
Thanks for your feedback. My great great great great grandfather was John Ray, who was married to Sarah Autry in the Cumberland county, North CArolina Area. I am still trying to locate his full name, where he is buried and his kids if still living. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
By Nancy Ray Smith, March 31, 2012 @ 12:12 pm
I believe the name was Ashford John Ray, Sr. Married to Sarah Autry. His Children were: Male Child Ray born: between 1820-1825, Catharine Ray married Robert Brock 1850, Nancy Ray Born: 1830, Giles Ashford Ray Born: 1834(My Great Great Grandfather)
Mary C. Ray Born: 1839, Sarah Ray Born: 1841, James Mitchell Ray Married 1838 to Alice Cain.
I am still looking so if anyone can help I would appreciate it. I have this all the way down to my Father.
Thanks
Nancy Ray Smith
By Max Baker, March 31, 2012 @ 12:36 pm
Another thought I have is to contact Myrtle Bridges. She is an historian/genealogist in that area of NC. Her website is below.
http://www.myrtlebridges.us/myrtle.htm
By Nancy Ray Smith, March 31, 2012 @ 6:05 pm
My Great Grandfather was Bernice Mitchell Ray and my Great
Grandmother was Mamie J. Cain Ray they are suppose to be in the cemetary at the church. Do these names ring a bell?
Nancy R. Smith
910-865-5967