The Tilley Bend Church was established in 1858 on top of a small hill on Old Dial Road in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Across from the church is a fellowship hall, and tucked behind both buildings is an old graveyard. Many believe the Witch of Blue Ridge is buried there.
It should be added that the church is not haunted, except for the Holy Ghost, who passes through the old building. The legend of The Blue Ridge Witch dates to many years ago, when two daughters of a Creek witch doctor, Elizabeth Bradley, married into feuding families, much like the Hatfields and McCoys.
The Tilley and Stanley family had a long-standing quarrel, and one day, a shootout occurred at Tilley Bend Church, where many Tilleys met their demise. It wasn’t long before the Tilleys retaliated by killing several Stanleys, which led to the second daughter of Bradley becoming a widow. Soon, she died in childbirth.
Enraged at the events, Elizabeth cast a curse on the Tilleys and Stanleys, which led to many of their family members suffering stillborn babies thereafter. It’s said that Elizabeth was hanged after a year in the church’s graveyard.
She cursed out before the noose dropped her lifeless body, that she would return for revenge against the ones who wronged her.
Reportedly, she was buried west-facing, allegedly marking her as a witch’s grave. People have claimed that Elizabeth can be seen wandering the grounds or hanging from a nearby tree. In comparison, others have seen orbs, jarring female screams, and even babies crying.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.