The daughter of Matthew Maler Mealer (or Mealor) and Arletta Lettie “Bug” Smith-Mealer, Rebecca J. Mealer was born during 1856 in Banks County, Georgia.

According to Cora Iola Brady-Ledbetter (who was James Franklin Mealer-Brady's daughter - and an avid genealogy researcher), Rachel J. Mealer and her sister had been working on James Elias Brady's farm.

The illegitimate son of James Elias Brady and Rebecca Mealer (daughter of Matthew Mealer and Arletta Smith-Mealer), James Franklin Brady was born on October 19, 1879, in the Currahee district of Habersham County, Georgia.

at the time of James Franklin Mealer Brady's birth, James Elias Brady was married to his second wife, Mary L. Brewer (they married on April 30, 1876). However, in the U.S. “Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007”, James Franklin Brady lists his mother as “Mary L. Brewer”. The U.S. Census records appear to corroborate Cora Iola Brady-Ledbetter's version of the events.

Rachel J. Mealer (born during 1856 in Georgia) and her sister had been working on James Elias Brady's farm.

The 1880 U.S. Census indicates that Rebecca J. Mealer, and her infant son “Franklin Mealer”, were boarders living with James Elias Brady & Mary L. Brewer-Brady. 18 months after James Franklin Mealer Brady was born, Rachel Mealer became sick with dysentery. She died 3 days later (died on January 8, 1931 in Banks County, Georgia). Prior to her death, she asked Mary to raise him. This led to James Elias Brady & Mary L. Brewer-Brady adopting James Franklin Mealer Brady.

Rebecca Mealer is buried at the foot of Soapstone Mt. beside Willis Simmons (on Government land).

James Franklin Brady married Emma Cordelia Simmons.

Emma Cordelia Simmons (March 31, 1882 - July 15, 1966) was the daughter of John Simmons and Hester Anne Whiten (daughter of Oliver Whiten & Rachel).

And they initially lived in a one-room log cabin situated on a knoll at the foot of the “Rushy Branch” in the Leatherwood Community. At that time, the Leatherwood Community was located in Habersham County, Georgia. On August 18, 1905, the state legislature established the 179-square-mile Stephens County, Georgia's 143rd, from parts of Franklin and Habersham counties. The Leatherwood Community is now located in Stephens County.

They had the following children:

1. Unnamed Infant (1901-1901). Buried at Tates Creek Baptist Church.²⁾
2. Cora Iola Brady (Feb. 18, 1902 – August 1996)
3. Nora Bell Brady(June 21, 1904 - July 21, 1938). Buried at Liberty Hill Baptist Church