Stone Gardens: Polk County doctor wore numerous hats as a physician, politician, and antebellum landowner

In Polk County, the past feels close, with old tombstones and faded records telling stories of the 19th century.

One of those stories belongs to Dr. Archibald Ray, a man who doesn’t appear in most history books but played a big role in shaping his community. Born on June 7, 1807, Ray was a doctor, a slaveholder, and a local leader who lived through the Civil War and its aftermath.

His life ended on December 2, 1876, when he was 69 years old, and his burial at Old Dallas Cemetery in Polk County marks the close of a complex and influential life.

Dr. Ray was more than just a small-town doctor. By 1860, he was a well-known figure in Polk County, owning seven enslaved people.

This was common for wealthy men of that time, but it shows how deeply tied he was to the harsh realities of slavery, which defined the South’s economy and society.

Owning slaves made Ray part of Polk County’s elite at the time, giving him power and influence.

Ray’s role in politics also set him apart. In 1861, he was chosen to represent Polk County at the Arkansas Secession Convention in Little Rock, held from March 4 to June 3. This was a critical moment when Arkansas decided to leave the United States and join the Confederacy, a choice that changed the state forever.

Ray’s presence at the convention shows he was a trusted leader, speaking for his community during a time of national crisis.

When the Civil War began, Polk County supported the Confederacy. Local men formed a group called “The Polk County Invincibles,” a unit of 64 volunteers who fought for the South.

While there’s little record of Ray fighting in the war himself, his work as a doctor likely kept him busy at home. With medicines and supplies scarce, he probably cared for sick and wounded soldiers and civilians, helping his community through tough times.

Outside his public life, Ray was a family man. He married twice, first to Milanda Alexander and later to Linna Amanda Smith Ray, who was born in 1827 and lived until 1905. He had four children: Julia Ann Ray Hughes (1835–1902), Edwin Ray (1837–1898), Frances Jane “Fannie” Ray Waren (1847–1940), and Robert Bruce Ray (1848–1929).

His children grew up and stayed connected to Polk County, raising their own families and contributing to the area’s history. These family ties, found in old records, show how rooted Ray was in his community.

Dr. Ray’s life came to an end on December 2, 1876, at the age of 69. His death marked the close of a long career as a doctor and leader in Polk County. He was laid to rest at Old Dallas Cemetery, a small but historic graveyard in what used to be a busy part of the county.

His gravestone is simple, reading: “Archibald Ray, Born June 7, 1807, Died Dec 2, 1876, Aged 69 Y 6 M 25 Dy.” Unlike many old cemeteries in Arkansas, which have been lost to time or neglect, Old Dallas Cemetery has been maintained and preserved over the years

Ray’s life was full of contradictions. He was a doctor who helped his neighbors, but he also owned enslaved people, profiting from a system that caused immense suffering. He was a leader who guided his community, but he supported the Confederacy, which fought to preserve slavery.

His story reflects the challenges and moral questions of his time. Today, his grave at Old Dallas Cemetery offers a way to connect with Polk County’s past, encouraging people to think about the complicated history of the area.