“THE GHOST OF BELLAMY BRIDGE”

JACKSON CO. STORY BRINGS OCTOBER CHILLS!

Written by: Dale Cox

The story of the ghost of Bellamy Bridge is perhaps Florida’s best known spooky tale. Residents of Jackson County have long held that a restless and earthbound spirit haunts the deep swamps of the Chipola River.

The ghost always appears in the vicinity of Bellamy Bridge, a rusting steel-frame structure in Marianna—northwest of Tallahassee. Not far from it is the overgrown and neglected grave of a young woman who died more than 175 years ago.

Her name in life was Elizabeth Jane Bellamy. She was the bride of Dr. Samuel C. Bellamy, and the story of their courtship could have been ripped from the pages of a romance novel.

All their dreams and adventures collapsed in unspeakable tragedy. In fact, the misery that enveloped them was so intense that even today it reaches through nearly two centuries of time to touch the cultural fabric of Jackson County.

The legend as commonly told revolves around a horrible wedding night accident. Married on the grounds of a magnificent mansion that he supposedly built for her in Marianna, Elizabeth and Samuel danced into the evening, surrounded by their friends and guests. It was an exciting, magical and exhausting affair.

Worn down by the long day, the young bride excused herself to a suite on the second floor. With a blazing fireplace and flickering candelabra, Elizabeth drifted off into a deep and happy sleep in a comfortable chair.

Downstairs the reception continued in full swing until suddenly a piercing scream interrupted the music and revelry. All eyes turned to the elegant staircase as Elizabeth Jane Bellamy—engulfed in flame from head to foot—burst from the second floor and ran shrieking down the stairs. Screams of terror erupted from the guests as she escaped through the front doors of the mansion, flame and smoke and the smell of burning flesh trailing behind her.

Samuel and other men rushed to help, but Elizabeth’s pain was so excruciating and her panic so complete that the young woman could not be saved. The shocked young husband descended into a haze of alcoholism and opium addiction. Overcome with depression, he took his own life while waiting for a ferry at Chattahoochee, Florida.

The storytellers say that Elizabeth loved Samuel so deeply that the grave could not contain her when she sensed his passing into the afterlife. Rising from the damp earth of her sister’s Terre Bonne plantation, she started to roam the swamps around a nearby bridge in the hope that Samuel would cross it on his way back to her.

He never came.

To this day visitors to Bellamy Bridge claim to see strange white and blue lights or a mysterious shadowy figure. They say that they experience otherworldly chills and inexplicable feelings of dread and sorrow.

It is a fascinating story, but is it true? As is the case with many such tales, we can say… in part!

Elizabeth Bellamy did not actually die in a tragic wedding night fire. If that part of the story sounds like a Gothic romance novel, there is a reason. It was lifted almost entirely from Caroline Lee Hentz’s popular 19th-century book “Marcus Warland.” Mrs. Hentz lived the final days of her life in nearby Marianna and included the tale of a wedding night tragedy in her book.

She mentioned in the introduction that the story was true, and residents of Jackson County applied it to the already wellknown ghost story of Elizabeth Bellamy and Bellamy Bridge. They failed to notice Mrs. Hentz’s mention that the story from the novel took place near Columbus, Georgia, and involved the marriage of an enslaved African American couple.

The real Elizabeth Bellamy died of fever on May 11, 1837, nearly three years after her wedding night. Her

18-month-old son, Alexander, died one week later. The rest of the story is largely true. Samuel did prosper for a time. He was a delegate to Florida’s first Constitutional Convention and later served as Jackson County’s Clerk of Courts, but never recovered from the loss of his wife and child. He suffered from addiction and ultimately committed suicide at the ferry landing at Chattahoochee on December 28, 1853.

Bellamy Bridge is accessible today via the Bellamy Bridge Heritage Trail, a one-half mile walking path that begins from a parking area at 4057 Highway 162, Marianna.

Note: Dale Cox is the author of the book “The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge.” It is available for order on Amazon or through your favorite bookstore. Learn more by visiting twoeggtv.com. FCM

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Sheena Carach of Bratt, Florida

Best Friend’s Name: Buddy

Best Friend’s Breed: Collie mix

When I thought my plate was too full to add anything else to it, you entered our lives. You slowly un-piled that plate. You became a nanny, a therapist, a doctor, a best friend. You loved us unconditionally and we loved you back fiercely. There will never be another quite like you. We were blessed with 14 amazing years with you but would give anything to have just one more day. Facebook @buddysborrowedtime.

Amy Howard of LaBelle, Florida

Best Friend’s Name: Mindy

Best Friend’s Breed: Long-haired dachshund

Mindy is a sporty and fun little girl who has captured her dad’s heart. She’s a great little pal who loves to ride in the van or on the dirt bike. She guards her dad from all those pesky squirrels who drop acorns while he’s working. She travels all over Florida to different motocross tracks and makes friends everywhere she goes. She’s so photogenic, she’s even got her own Instagram page.

Erin Lee Brush of Crestview, Florida

Florida Country Magazine runs a “My Best Friend” contest on Facebook every other month, for each issue of the magazine. 2 3

Best Friend’s Name: Eddie (aka Feisty Ed)

Best Friend’s Breed: Black Labrador Retriever

Eddie was a foster puppy that needed bottle feeding and didn’t have good odds, but he fought his fight and has never left my side since. He’s my happy shadow, my sweet dude and best friend to all of my kids. I could never ask for a better dog.

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Justin Culf of Mulberry, Florida

Best Friend’s Name: Smokin Hot Weedo (aka Fergie)

Best Friend’s Breed: Appaloosa/Thoroughbred

Smokin Hot Weedo, aka Fergie, means so much to me. I pray each ride we take is not gonna be our last one. She has been a true meaning of a fighter, and I was the one to make that bond with her. We have fought through life-and-death issues together with her. Do not ever give up on a dream or your best friend. They need us as much as we need them.

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Morgan Gustafson of Middleburg, Florida

Best Friend’s Name: Blizzard

Best Friend’s Breed: Pony

Blizzard is not a “puppy dog” type pony, but when I go to catch him from the pasture, he comes right up ready to play and ride! He seems like such a grouchy boy, but when I’m running around with him on the leadline, he trots right behind me and lets me love and kiss all over him without moving a muscle.

Lauren Terrell of Deland, Florida

Best Friend’s Name: Mya

Best Friend’s Breed: German shepherd

My best friend is my dog Mya. She is a purebred German shepherd, and she turns 12 this year. I got her when she was eight weeks old. A few months ago, I thought I was going to lose her, and through the help of a homeopathic doctor, we were able to help her get better, and I cherish every day I get to have her in my life. She has been there through my best times and worst times. She never judges, she sometimes complains, as dogs do, but she loves no matter what. She knows all my secrets and knows when I don’t feel good. She truly is the definition of a best friend.

Ada Evans of Frostproof, Florida

Best Friend’s Name: Sorrels Baby Doll (aka Mary)

Best Friend’s Breed: Quarter Horse

I have owned Mary for nine months and we have this amazing bond. In this short time, she has helped me to gain my self-confidence as a better rider. We compete all over the state and out-of-state barrel racing. We have won a buckle, making us the 3D champion at a barrel race in Zolfo Springs. We qualified for NBHA (National Barrel Horse Association) Youth World in Perry, Georgia, and made some amazing runs. We are on our way and working hard every day to qualify again next year for NBHA Youth World. I am an active member in NMBA, IBHA and AYRA.