| Copyright 2007 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |
The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge
ExploreSouthernHistory.com
The story of the ghost of Bellamy Bridge is one of Florida's most
intriguing tales. The legend holds that the restless spirit of a young
woman named Elizabeth Jane Bellamy roams the picturesque
swamps bordering the Chipola River near Marianna on particularly
dark and foggy nights. The wife of one of Florida's early economic
and political leaders, Elizabeth is buried in an overgrown family
cemetery near the skeletal remains of one of a century old iron
frame bridge known locally as Bellamy Bridge.
The bridge is located on private property and cannot be accessed by
road, but the Chipola River is a state canoe trail and boaters pass
beneath the historic structure daily.
As the story goes, Elizabeth was the beautiful young bride of Dr.
Samuel C. Bellamy, a prominent Jackson County planter, politician
and an examiner with Florida's Union Bank. The two were
scheduled to be married in the back yard of a beautiful mansion built
by the doctor in Marianna, but in the hours following the wedding,
tragedy struck. Elizabeth, the story tellers say, was either dancing
with her new husband or reclining to rest in a comfortable chair
(stories vary), when her long gown suddenly came in contact with
either a candle or an open fireplace. The rich material burst into
flames and, before her husband or any of their guests could react,
Elizabeth ran screaming from the house.
Overcome by the flames, she was horribly injured. After lingering
near death for several days, she finally died and was buried in the
Bellamy family cemetery near the future Bellamy Bridge site. But,
according to the legend, the grave was unable to contain her
interrupted love for Samuel. A spectral figure dressed in white soon
began to appear at night along the banks of the river, prompting
local belief that it was the ghost of Elizabeth Bellamy.
So what is the truth behind this unique and tragic Florida legend?
The answer may surprise you! To find out more, please follow the
links below:
intriguing tales. The legend holds that the restless spirit of a young
woman named Elizabeth Jane Bellamy roams the picturesque
swamps bordering the Chipola River near Marianna on particularly
dark and foggy nights. The wife of one of Florida's early economic
and political leaders, Elizabeth is buried in an overgrown family
cemetery near the skeletal remains of one of a century old iron
frame bridge known locally as Bellamy Bridge.
The bridge is located on private property and cannot be accessed by
road, but the Chipola River is a state canoe trail and boaters pass
beneath the historic structure daily.
As the story goes, Elizabeth was the beautiful young bride of Dr.
Samuel C. Bellamy, a prominent Jackson County planter, politician
and an examiner with Florida's Union Bank. The two were
scheduled to be married in the back yard of a beautiful mansion built
by the doctor in Marianna, but in the hours following the wedding,
tragedy struck. Elizabeth, the story tellers say, was either dancing
with her new husband or reclining to rest in a comfortable chair
(stories vary), when her long gown suddenly came in contact with
either a candle or an open fireplace. The rich material burst into
flames and, before her husband or any of their guests could react,
Elizabeth ran screaming from the house.
Overcome by the flames, she was horribly injured. After lingering
near death for several days, she finally died and was buried in the
Bellamy family cemetery near the future Bellamy Bridge site. But,
according to the legend, the grave was unable to contain her
interrupted love for Samuel. A spectral figure dressed in white soon
began to appear at night along the banks of the river, prompting
local belief that it was the ghost of Elizabeth Bellamy.
So what is the truth behind this unique and tragic Florida legend?
The answer may surprise you! To find out more, please follow the
links below:
| Florida's Historic Bellamy Bridge Spanning the Chipola River north of Marianna, Jackson County's historic Bellamy Bridge is noted as the scene of a popular ghost legend. |
Bellamy Bridge: A Ghost Story Revealed
 | |  | |  | |  |
| The Bellamy Mansion Supposedly the site of the wedding between Elizabeth and Samuel Bellamy, the Marianna mansion no longer stands. |
| Jackson County's Chipola River The swamps of the Chipola River are a state treasure to Floridians. The ghost of Elizabeth Bellamy is said to haunt this area near Marianna. |
| Now Available! |
| Two Egg, Florida A Collection of Ghost Stories, Legends and Unusual Facts |
| by Dale Cox Including the full story of the "ghost of Bellamy Bridge" and other popular Northwest Florida legends. |
| To order, please click the link above, visit your favorite online bookstore, or send $16.95 (plus $4.60 shipping and handling) to: Dale Cox P.O. Box 180814 Fort Smith, AR 72908 |