William Murphy

My husband Charlie’s paternal grandparents were Charles Homer Murphy (son of Martin Murphy) and Dessie Church (daughter of Lucinda Murphy Church. Lucinda’s parents were John Murphy and Joanna Ullom. John was born 1820 in Wetzel County, Virginia (now West Virginia). His father was William Murphy, the subject of this post and my husband’s 3rd great grandfather. William is the furthest back I can document in this family. You can see the DNA connection in the tree below.

You can see the blue hits showing my husband's DNA connection to William Murphy, b. 1790

(click to enlarge)

Joanna’s father was Elijah Ullom. She was born 1830 in Pennsylvania. Charles’ parents were Martin William Murphy and Sarah Elizabeth Anderson. Martin was born 1853 in Marshall County, Virginia. Sarah’s parents were Lewis Anderson and Mariah Eckelberry. She was born 1859 in Littleton, a small community in Wetzel County. Martin’s parents were Samuel C. Murphy and Nancy Daugherty. Samuel was born 1825 in Monongalia County, Virginia. Nancy’s parents were John P. Daugherty and Catherine Brannon. She was born 1826 in Marshall County, Virginia. Samuel is the furthest back I can document in this family line. I write all of this because I wanted to show the link to Monongalia County and Joanna’s birth in Pennsylvania. Both show up in William’s story, my husband’s 3rd great grandfather.

So, are the two Murphy lines connected? It’s something I’ve pondered for years. I don’t know the answer to that question but thought it was time to work on William’s line and go from there. So, the purpose of this post basically to gather research into a timeline. If you’re researching this family, take this with a grain of salt. It’s just me trying to figure out what I have.

I had already found John and Joanna (Ullom) Murphy in the 1850 census living in Monongalia County, Virginia. The head of the household was a 60-year-old male (birth year 1790) named William Murphy born in Maryland. A search of this information turned up a William Murphy born in Frederick, Frederick County, Maryland about 1790. Frederick is located approximately 164 miles from Monongalia County. That was my starting point.

1800: William and George Murphey lived in District 1 of Frederick, Maryland. William, the subject of this post, would have only been 10 years old at this point so this couldn’t be him. It does put Murphy’s in the area though. Could one be William’s father?

1810: P. Murphy, W. Murphy, and J. Murphy lived in Frederick Maryland.

1813 – 1815: The War of 1812 started on June 18, 1812. On June 8, 1813, a 21-year-old male named William Murphy, born in Frederick, Maryland, was enlisted for a period of five years by Lieutenant Johnson as a Private in the Army, 22nd U.S. Infantry, at Connellsville, Pennsylvania. The enlistment record notes that he was 5’10”, had gray eyes, and light hair and complexion. At the time, he worked as a forgeman, which Wiktionary defines as “a blacksmith on a large scale.” The following remarks were noted on the enlistment record:

Co. Book 276. Capt. Milliken’s Co. Drew Clothing Oct. Nov. Dec. 1812. Feb. July & Sept. 1813. Deserted from Oswego, Oct. 8, 1813. Transf’d to Capt. Poulk’s Co. Bk._M.R. of Capt. Saw---- Co. Dec. 31, 1813. Deserted Capt. Willis Poulk’s Co. Book 277. Joined at Queenstown. U.C. July 20, 1814 from desertion. Drew Clothing Sept. Nov. & Dec. 1814. _ D.R. Feb. 16 & I.R. Feb. 23, 1815. Present. I.R. of Capt. S. W. Kearney’s, Co. 2 Infy. June 30, 1815 present _ 22 Made 2.

The war ended on February 17, 1815. Of course, I could be all wrong and have the wrong William. There were three other William Murphy’s on the enlistment record, which unfortunately, doesn’t provide a description and birth information.

Enlistment record p. 1 (click to enlarge)

Enlistment record p. 2 (click to enlarge)

1820: William Murphey lived in Election District 1 of Frederick, Maryland. James, Patric [sic], and George Murphy were close by—perhaps two of the three Murphy men from 1810 above.

Date unknown: William marries (wife unknown) and I believe they had at least six children—Grafton Murphy, William Murphy Jr., John Murphy (born March 1820 and my husband’s 2nd great grandfather), Michael Murphy, Mary Ann Murphy, and Ezekiel Murphy. They move to Monongalia County, Virginia.

1830: William Murphey lived in the Western District of Monongalia County, Virginia. There were eight free white persons living in the home:

Males - Under 5: 1

Males - 5 thru 9: 1

Males - 10 thru 14: 2

Males - 40 thru 49: 1

Females - 5 thru 9: 1

Females - 15 thru 19: 1

Females - 40 thru 49: 1

Under 20: 6

20 thru 49: 2

Total Free White Persons: 8

The numbers match up but the sex doesn’t. 

1830 census schedule (click to enlarge)

1840: Nothing found for this decade so far.

October 10, 1850: The Murphy family lived in District 37 of Monongalia County, Virginia (now West Virginia).

William, 60, farmer, real estate $2000, born in Maryland

John, 27, farmer, born in Virginia, cannot read

Joanna, 21, born in Pennsylvania, cannot read

Ezekeal, 19, farmer, born in Virginia

Catharine Pethtel, 15, born in Ohio, attending school

The 1850 census didn’t record the marital status unless the person had married that year. There wasn’t a female living in the home that could be William’s wife. Had she already died? John is William’s son and I believe Joanna his wife, not William’s daughter. The age and birthplace match what I know for Joanna Ullom Murphy. Ezekeal was William’s son. Mary Ann married Robert Bradford Pethtel. They were enumerated with a 14-year-old daughter named Catherine, born in Pennsylvania, in the 1850 census for District 37, Monongalia, Virginia. Two other children were born in Ohio. The Catherine living with William Murphy was 15, born in Ohio. Are they the same girl?

1850 census  (click to enlarge)

August 28, 1852: The following notice was published in the American Union out of Morgantown, West Virginia:

Virginia, ss—At Rules held in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Monongalia county on the first Monday in July 1852:

Joshua M. Davis and Margaret his wife late Margaret White, Daniel M. Gapen and Ann his wife late Ann White, John W. White and Joseph G. White, children of Grafton White the younger, deceased, who was a son of Grafton White, senior, heirs of said Grafton White, senior, deceased, Complainants, vs.

William White, Michael White, -- Butters and Hannah his wife late Hannah White, John Gidley, Thomas Hannen, William Murphy, Grafton Murphy, William Murphy, junior, John Murphy, Michael Murphy, Robert Petlitel and Mary Ann his wife, late Mary Ann Murphy, an Ezekiel Murphy, Defendants,

The object of this suit is to have a division of the lands of which Grafton White died seized, divided among his legal heirs at law, or sold as in the discretion of the court may seem best.

And the said Thomas Hannen, -- Butters, husband of Hannah Butters, and John Gidley, not having entered their appearance, and it appearing from an affidavit filed in this cause that they are not inhabitants of this Commonwealth, it is ordered that they do appear within one month after due publication of this order and do what is necessary to protect their interests. It is also ordered that this order be published four successive weeks in the Monongalia Mirror, a weekly newspaper published in Morgantown, Monongalia county, Virginia, and be also posted at the front door of the court house of said county of Monongalia, on the first day of the next county court of said county.

G. S. RAY, Clerk. G. R. C. Allen, for Compl’ts. August 21, 1852. 158-5t.

This record is where I come up with the names of William’s children. I could be wrong but several of them match up with other records.

June 4, 1860: Ezekiel Murphy, now the head of the family, lived in Wadestown, District 7 of Monongalia County, Virginia. He was first married to Sarah Stiles and then to Jerusha Church. I believe Harriet and Harvey’s mother was Sarah. William lived with him. There were several White families which harks back to the 1852 announcement above. Other researchers have listed Nancy White as William’s wife. I haven’t found anything to confirm that, but if it’s correct, could these be members of her family? 

Ezekiel Murphy, 28, farmer, personal estate $650, born in Virginia, cannot read

Jerusha Murphy, 29, born in Virginia, cannot read

Harriet Murphy, 8, born in Virginia

Harvey Murphy, 6, born in Virginia

Ivana Murphy, 3, born in Virginia

Wm Henry Murphy, 2, born in Virginia

William Murphy, 75, farmer, born in Maryland

\

1860 census record (click to enlarge)

The paper trail ends with the 1860 census record. William was 70 years old at the time. I’d love to know who William married and when. Are the children I’ve listed correct? Who were his parents? When did he leave Maryland? So many questions and obviously more work to be done. If you can help, I’d love to hear from you.

References

• Forgeman; https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/forgeman.
• Public Notice, American Union, Morgantown, West Virginia, August 28, 1852
• U.S. Federal Census, District 1, Frederick, Maryland, 1800.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 37, Monongalia County, Virginia, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 7, Monongalia County, Virginia, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Election District 1, Frederick, Maryland, 1820.
• U.S. Federal Census, Frederick, Maryland, 1810.
• U.S. Federal Census, Western District, Monongalia County, Virginia, 1830.
• William Murphy, U.S. Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798–1914. 

52 Ancestors – no. 35: Lucinda Murphy – (week 19)

Robert Church holding grandson Earl Murphy,
Lucinda (Murphy) Church

Lucinda Murphy, daughter of John Murphy and Joanna Ullom, was born on March 18, 1858 in Littleton, Wetzel County, West Virginia. Lucinda had four siblings that I’m aware of—William H., Louisa, Milley, and Mary Ann. There could be others, but more work needs to be done to determine that. Both of her parents were from Pennsylvania.

On July 6, 1860, two year old Lucinda lived with her family in the Knob Fork section of Wetzel County, Virginia. There was a 74 year old male living in the home named Elijah Ulom. Could Elijah be Lucinda’s grandfather? It’s possible. There was also a 27 year old woman named Lucinda Davis and an 18 year old woman named Martha Ulom living with the Murphy family. I have no clue who Lucinda Davis was but find it interesting that she also had the name Lucinda. Perhaps that was a common name in the 1860s or the Davis family was connected to the Murphy family and little Lucinda was named for big Lucinda. Martha Ulom was most likely a relative to Joanna, as was Elijah.

On August 4, 1870, Lucinda and her family lived in the Center Township of Wetzel County; the post office was Knob Fork. There was a William Davis, age 20, living in the home. His occupation was listed as farm laborer. I’m trying to figure out who the Davis’ are. Lucinda Davis lived with them in 1860 and William Davis lived with them in 1870. There must be a connection. Census records show that Lucinda was born in Virginia, which later became West Virginia when it was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863.

On April 2, 1876, Lucinda married Robert Church, son of Henry Church and Rebecca Longwell, in Wetzel County. Lucinda was 18 years old, Robert was 25. Together they had 13 children—George, Samuel C., James Benton, Jennie F., Anna B., Dessie, Charles Cleveland, Martha, William Henry, Donald Roy, and Presley. Two children are unknown to me but enumerated in the 1910 census record. They most likely didn’t survive.

On June 5, 1880, Lucinda, Robert, and son George lived in the Church District of Wetzel County. Lucinda was keeping house and Robert was a farmer. They lived next door to Robert’s brother, Henry, and his wife Rebecca (Longwell) Church. I assume that Lucinda and Robert named their son after his uncle, or more likely, the string of Henry’s in the Church line, beginning with Henry “Old Hundred” Church. Robert’s oldest brother, William Henry Church, lived two doors down.

On June 9, 1900, Lucinda, Robert, and nine of their children lived in the Church District of Wetzel County. Lucinda has lost a child, George, as the census record shows that she was the mother of 11 children, 10 of which were living. Samuel, James, and Charles were helping work the farm.

Thomas Chapel M.E. Church and cemetery

On April 28, 1910, Lucinda, Robert, and five of their children lived in the Clay District of Wetzel County. Lucinda apparently had two children between 1900 and 1910 that did not survive. The census record shows that Lucinda was the mother of 13 children, 10 of which were living. Lucinda and Robert have been married for 32 years. Lucinda was able to read and write. Dessie, at age 21, was still at home but working as a servant for a private family. Son Henry was a farm laborer on the home farm.

On January 14, 1920, Lucinda, Robert, and Charles lived in the Clay District of Wetzel County. She was enumerated as Lucindy. Her daughter Dessie and her family lived next door. The family was still farming.

On April 2, 1930, Lucinda, Robert, Donald, Presley, and Charles lived in the Clay District of Wetzel County. The census record shows they lived on a farm.

Lucinda’s son, Samuel C. Church, died at age 50 on June 22, 1931 in the Church District of Wetzel County. Her husband Robert died on November 29, 1932 in Littleton. Both were buried at Thomas Chapel Church Cemetery in Wetzel County.

Lucinda died on January 13, 1933 in Littleton and was buried at Thomas Chapel Church Cemetery. The Wetzel Democrat of New Martinsville, West Virginia published her obituary on January 19, 1933: “Last rites for Mrs. Lucinda Church, aged 74 years, were held from the Thomas Chapel M. E. Church on Sunday afternoon with Rev. Eismon officiating. Interment was made in the Thomas Chapel Cemetery. Mrs. Church died Friday morning January 13th, following a serious illness of only three days. Mrs. Church was a lifelong resident of this county, being born near this city in 1858. Her husband, the late Robert Church, preceded her in death by only six weeks. The deceased was a daughter of John and Joanna Murphy, pioneers of Wetzel County. She was a member of the M. E. Church. Surviving are nine children: James Church of Hundred, W. Va.; Henry Church of Kodol, W. Va.; Charley Church, at home; Presley Church of Littleton, W. Va.; Donald Church of Clarksburg, W. Va.; Mrs. Dessie Murphy of Littleton; Mrs. Jennie Davis of Weston, W. Va.; Mrs. Martha McIntire and Mrs. Anna Evans, both of Clarksburg.

Lucinda was my husband’s great-grandmother.