My step children's ancestor's Bray. What I have been told: Everett Bray . Was found in a ditch in a plowed field somwhere in Texarkana, off a highway. The baby was abondened by a fancy coach which had two women and the driver in it. Family believe it was in about 1850, he was about 4 months old. The farmer who was plowing on the other side of the field saw the coach stop. By the time he got over by the shade of the old oak tree the coach was gone. When the mule got under the tree it would not move. So the farmer went to the head of the animal and that is when he found the baby. When he reached down to pick up the baby the mule brayed. And that is how the family got the name of Bray.??? My step son said his mom thought his first name was Everett. Everett was said to have married a full blood Cherokee lady whom he meet on the reservation in Oklahoma near Stillwater. Was also said Everett was a scout and guide for the settlers moving West.
The step kids Mom's father's name was T.J. Valentine, guess family was from Ireland.
Hope this answers a few of your questions. How true the story is is anyone guess. Jean