James Ray was born in Tennessee about 1843. In the early 1840s the family moved to Cohutta Springs in Murray County.

The 1850 Census listed the family as Thomas L. Ray, age 45; Sarah Ray, age 45; William A. Ray, age 18; Sarah J. Ray, age 14; Hannah Ray, age 13; James T. Ray, age 9; and Nancy Ray, age 7. The father has been born in South Carolina. The mother and all of the children were born in Tennessee.

When the 1860 Census was taken only Hannah, James, and Nancy were still living with their parents.

Ray's military service records indicate that James T. Ray enlisted as a Private, in Company D, 22nd Ga. Brigade, Wrights, which was formed in Murray County. September 3, 1861, was his enlistment date.

His unit was involved in fighting at Seven Pines, Virginia, May 31 - June 1, 1862; Malvern Hill, Virginia, July 1, 1862; Manassas (2nd Bull Run), Virginia, August 18-30, 1862; Sharpsburg (also called Antietam), Maryland, September 17, 1862; Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 11-15, 1862; Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 1-4, 1863; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1-3, 1863; Falling Waters, Maryland, July 14, 1863; and Manassas, Virginia, July 23, 1863.

In 1864 he died of disease while his unit was in Virginia. He probably was buried there.

Murray County Families