Generation No. 1

1. SAMUEL MURPHY (most likely the son of John Murphy) was born August 24, 1779, probably in Albany County, New York, and died November 23, 1825, also probably in Albany County, New York. He married HARRIET MARTIN September 09, 1815, in New Scotland, New York. She was born March 24, 1797, probably in Albany County, New York, and died January 27, 1844, again probably in Albany County, New York.

On the 1820 Census, Samuel Murphy's family was listed in Bethlehem, New York. Included with the expected people (i.e., Sam, Harriet, and John) was an entry for a female "45 and over." This could have been Samuel's or Harriet's mother; is it possible that William knew one of his grandmother's? It is more likely that this is Samuel's mother than Harriet's (Harriet's mother would have been more likely to live with a son than a daughter). If this woman is indeed Samuel's mother, it is another suggestion that Samuel was born in the United States.

On the 1820 Census there were three choices for profession: agriculture, commerce, or manufactures. Samuel Murphy is listed as "manufactures" which ties in with my theory that William became a blacksmith because that was his father's profession (and possibly Samuel's father before him). There is no entry for Harriet Murphy in Bethlehem on the 1830 Census (I read through every line and did not find her there anywhere; next I need to broaden the search to a wider area). Did she remarry after her husband's death?

It is my working theory that Samuel Murphy was the son of John Murphy and his wife, Margaret McAughtrie (McCoughtry/McCoughtrie), of Albany. John is described as a blacksmith for the baptism of his son, Alexander, on December 19, 1785 at First Presbyterian Church of Albany, Albany County, New York (see Early Settlers of New York, Vol. 1, page 568). I suspect that John and Margaret Murphy are the family in the 1790 U.S. census living in the 1st ward of Albany. That census reports 3 males 16+ years of age, 3 males less than 16 years of age, and 3 females. I suspect that John Murphy, born July 6, 1776, was Sam's older brother. The 3 males under 16 could be John (b 1776), Sam (b 1779), and Alexander (b 1785). Interestingly, both Samuel and John Murphy seem to have named their first son's John and their first daughter's Margaret, perhaps in honor of their parents.

There are numerous (more than a dozen) entries for John Murphy's arriving in the United States between the 1740's and the 1770's, most of them men from Ireland who were shipped to the United States as prisoners/convicts. If Samuel was the son of John Murphy, then John was likely born about 1755 and may or may not have been the immigrant Murphy.

It is possible that Margaret McAughtie was the daughter of John Coughtry (1732 - 1813) and Margaret Deninstone (1731 - 1804), who arrived in New York in 1774 from Scotland. There is a baptismal entry for John Coughtry for August 13, 1732 in Tamafed, Scotland. It is my theory that John and Margaret/Mary Coughtry were the parents of Margaret/Mary (born about 1759; who married John Murphy), William (who married Arianna Moak), John (who married Elizabeth), James (who married Dolly Ramsey), and Alexander (who married Mary Kie). There are numerous entries in the church records of the New Scotland Presbyterian Church for this family.

The younger John Murphy married Elizabeth Kie and was apparently a Presbyterian like the John Murphy of Albany and Samuel Murphy. This John Murphy is buried in the New Scotland Presbyterian Church cemetery, where his headstone reports he died September 23, 1818 at the age of 42 years, 2 months and 17 days (meaning he was born July 6, 1776). His wife, Elizabeth, is buried beside him. Her headstone reports that she died May 10, 1840 at the age of 65 years (meaning she was born about 1775). Records of several baptisms for this couple appear in the New Scotland Presbyterian Church records. Elizabeth Murphy appears on the 1820 U.S. Census as a resident of Bethlehem, Albany County, New York, where she appears near the entry for Samuel Murphy. The 1820 listing for Elizabeth Murphy reports 1 male 10-16, 1 male 16-18, 1 male 16-26 (could be the same child, especially considering that the column on number of people engaged in agriculture only reports "2"), 1 female under 10, 2 females 16-26, and 1 female 45 and over. The records of the New Scotland Presbyterian Church report the following baptisms for John Murphy and Elizabeth Kie: Margaret (born September 2, 1799), John (born May 7, 1809), Phoebe Holliday (born December 22, 1811), and Elizabeth (born December 15, 1814). The church records are clearly not complete, so there were likely other children born to this couple, although the children may have died young or been stillborn. In addition to Samuel Murphy and Elizabeth Murphy, the 1820 Census also reports a Thomas Murphy (26-45 years of age). This person is not likely connected since there are 2 people in this household described as "foreigners not naturalized".

Even though there are no church records to prove this, I suspect that Harriet Murphy was pregnant once between William and Margaret. Women typically gave birth about every 18 months at this time in American history, so Harriet probably miscarried or had a stillborn child sometime around 1822. A thorough search of church and other records has failed to turn up any likely families for Harriet Martin. Harriet is identified as "Ariann" Martin in the New Scotland Presbyterian Church record that reports the baptism of her daughter, Margaret Jane. Given the naming pattern of their children, it is possible that Harriet's father was named "William."

Harriet completely vanishes from census records following Samuel's death in 1825. It is possible, even likely, that she re-married following 1825 to provide support for herself and her two young children. I have been unable to find any marriage record to confirm a second marriage (or subsequent children).

Children of SAMUEL MURPHY and HARRIET MARTIN are:

2. WILLIAM SAMUEL MURPHY (SAMUEL, JOHN) was born December 8, 1820 in New Scotland, New York, and died August 23, 1864 in Andersonville, Georgia^10,11,12. He married CATHARINE MIDDLEMIST October 18, 1849 in Franklin, New York^13,14,15, daughter of ROBERT MIDDLEMIST and ANNA MITCHELL. She was born October 18, 1825 in Franklin, New York, and died August 21, 1912 in Delhi, New York^17,18.

According to the Murphy Family Bible, William S (Samuel?) Murphy was born December 8th, 1820. The 1900 Census shows that his daughter reported that he was born in New York. His Civil War enrollment card shows his place of birth as Delaware County, New York. Lelah Murphy reported that William was born in West Delhi. His son, Frank's, death certificate lists his place of birth as New Scotland, NY. William's enlistment papers obtained from the New York State Archives list his birthplace as Albany.

Out of all of these options, the correct one appears to be that William was born in New Scotland, New York. The records of the New Scotland Presbyterian Church report that William, son of Samuel Murphy and Harriet Martin, was born December 8, 1820 and baptized (apparently by Rev. Thomas Holiday) on January 14th, 1821. The same register also reports the baptism of William's sister, Jane, but doesn't mention his older brother, John. If Samuel was indeed the son of John Murphy and Margaret McCoughtry, William is a common name in that family (Margaret McCoughtry probably had a brother William born about 10 years after her)

According to the Murphy Family Bible and Catharine's Civil War pension file, on October 18, 1849, William married Catharine Middlemist at the home of her father, Robert Middlemist, in Franklin, New York. The couple were married by the Rev. J.M. Cleland, pastor of the West Delhi Presbyterian Church.

The 1850 U.S. Census shows William living with his father-in-law's family (Robert Middlemist). On that survey he's listed after the Middlemist children as a Blacksmith. His wife, Catharine, is listed as a Middlemist, but both Catharine and William have marks in the column "Married Within the Year."

The 1855 N.Y. Census, enumerated June 25, 1855, shows William and Catherine Murphy living in the Second Election District of the Town of Franklin (page 17, family 155, dwelling 153). William was listed as a blacksmith, 33 years old, a U.S. native born in Albany County, and a resident in the current town for 5 years. Catherine was listed as 28 years old, William's wife, born in Delaware County, and a resident for 28 years. Anna is listed as 4 years old. This census reported that William had 1/4 acre of improved land, had $300 worth of real estate, $75 in tools and machinery, and did custom blacksmith work, for which he earned an average of $28 per month.

The 1860 U.S. Census shows Wm. S. Murphy (age 39) as a farmer living in Delhi (Roll 743). His real estate was valued at $800 and his personal estate was valued at $150. It also shows that he was born in New York. This census survey also lists Catharine (age 32) born in New York, Anna M. Murphy (age 8) born in New York, and Frank Murphy (age 4) born in New York. His Civil War pension file indicates that his two children, Anna and Frank, were born in Franklin, NY.

William enlisted in Company G, 101st NY Infantry on November 14, 1861, in Hancock, New York. His occupation was listed as blacksmith and farmer. His company was transferred to Company A, 37th NY Infantry, and then later transferred to Company K of the 40th NY Infantry. He was missing from his unit and captured by the enemy around May 28, 1864. He was first confined at Richmond before being transferred to Andersonville Prison, GA on June 8, 1864.

According to statements in the pension file from a witness to his death, William died about August 1st, 1864 from exposure and diarrhea. The records at Andersonville Prison, however, record his death as August 23rd, 1864. He is buried in grave 6550 at Andersonville National Cemetery.

Lelah Murphy reported that Catharine Middlemist was born in Bovina (Delaware County), New York. The birth date listed for Catharine Middlemist is derived from her age at death: 82 years, 10 months and 3 days. This agrees with the date of October 1825 reported on one U.S. census report.

The 1880 Census shows Catharine and her son, Frank, living in the same household. She is listed as "Farmer" and he is listed as "Works on Farm." It is possible (probable) that Catharine lived with Frank (and later his family) until his death in 1898 (or shortly before). The lack of an 1890 federal census makes this impossible to prove (unless New York had separate state census records for those years). Her newspaper obituary in 1912 reports that she had lived in town with her daughter for 15 years, meaning she would have moved into town around 1897-98, most likely right after Frank died in 1898.

Catherine Murphy left a brief will which was found at the Delaware County Court House: "I Catharine Murphy of Delhi Delaware Co. New York of the age of seventy six years and being of sound mind and memory make this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say: First, I direct that all my just debts be paid. Second, I give devise and bequeath to my daughter Anna M. Glendening of Delhi, N.Y. all my property both real and personal of every name and nature for her own use and benefit. Third, I hereby nominate and appoint my said daughter to be the executrix of this my last will and testament hereby revolking all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 10th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and one. Catharine Murphy."

It is surprising that Catharine's will left nothing to, nor made any mention of, her grandchildren, children of her son, Frank. There must have been intense bad feelings between Mary and Catharine and Anna. This will appears to have been made shortly after Catherine moved from the farm house into town to live with her daughter, Anna.

Children of WILLIAM MURPHY and CATHARINE MIDDLEMIST are:

Anna A. Murphy

3. FRANK A. MURPHY (WILLIAM SAMUEL, SAMUEL, JOHN) was born October 05, 1855 in Delhi, New York, and died June 2, 1898, in Delhi, New York. He married MARY DAVIS BROWN January 02, 1882 in Colchester, New York, daughter of ROBERT BROWN and SARAH DAVIS. She was born September 3, 1859, in Colchester, New York, and died September 24, 1941 in Delhi, New York.

Frank A. Murphy probably was born and died in the same house on Platner Brook Road outside of Delhi. There is no indication that Frank ever went far from where he was born. While his father covered a great deal of the eastern seaboard in his Civil War service, there appears to be nothing similar in Frank's life that ever took him far from home. Frank apparently kept a journal at about the time he began dating Mary Brown which would probably be wonderful reading now. The journal was left in the Platner Brook house and came into the possession of Woodrow Tiffany; its location is not now known.

The Murphy house on Platner Brook Road is described by those who have seen it as a large house with 8 rooms, 4 upstairs and 4 downstairs. The 4 rooms upstairs were bedrooms; downstairs was the kitchen, the living room, dining room, and one other room (no one knows what it was used for). The house did not have a bathroom, but did have water in the kitchen. The house had a large wrap-around porch. Lillian Tiffany described a large attic with a regular staircase leading to it.

There is no indication of what the "A" stands for in his name. His mother, Catherine, had a brother named Andrew, which might be a possibility. Given the time when Frank was born, it is possible the "A" stood for Abraham. There are no records that report what Frank or Anna's middle initial's stand for. When Frank's son, Robert, applied for a Social Security number, he reported his father's name as Frank A. Murphy and hand wrote the following note:  "Initial only - no name known".

Frank probably grew up with little or no memory of his father. William Murphy went off to fight with the Union Army in 1861 when Frank was only 6 years old. William may have returned home briefly on leave once during his service; if so, Frank would probably have been old enough to remember his father on those visits.

Following his father's death, Frank, his mother and his sister stayed on the family farm on Platner Brook Road. His mother took in sewing and his sister worked as a housekeeper to supplement his mother's meager federal pension. On the 1860 U.S. Census Frank was listed as attending school. On the 1870 U.S. Census Frank was listed as "At Home". The 1880 U.S. Census lists Frank and Catharine Murphy in the same household. She is listed as age 50 (incorrect), a Farmer, while he is listed as age 24 (correct), and "Works on Farm" as his occupation. Catharine probably lived with her son until his death in 1898; after that, Catharine apparently moved into town to live with her daughter, Anna.

Wedding Picture

Mary Brown and Frank Murphy

January 2, 1882

In the mid-1890's Frank became ill. According to his death certificate, Frank had suffered from Phthisis Pulmonalis (an old term for tuberculosis and other wasting diseases) for several years. Pictures taken around 1882 and 1896 show Frank having lost significant weight in those years, which indicates he suffered from some sort of wasting disease. His cause of death was listed as Pulmonary Hemorrhage (duration of disease: 3 days). He reportedly died at 3 AM on the morning of June 2nd, 1898. The certificate verifies family tradition that Frank had been originally buried in the West Delhi cemetery (on June 4th, 1898), but was later moved to the Woodland Cemetery in downtown Delhi when his wife moved to Delhi in May of 1917.

The Delaware Gazette (Wed., June 8, 1898 issue, Vol. 79., No. 41, page 3, column 2) reported:

Frank's occupation was listed at various times as farmer and machinist. Frank manufactured and marketed the Victor Dog Power machine, a device "operated by dogs or other animals weighing twenty-five pounds or more." The machines were apparently used to mechanize regular farm chores, such as churning butter and grinding corn. A testimonial by William Tweedie printed on the back of one flyer states: "I have churned from forty to fifty pounds of butter per day during the summer for some ten or twelve years with your dog power." Advertising brochures for the "Celebrated Victor Dog-Powers" report that "These machines were first built about thirty years ago, but have been greatly improved since then." Is it possible that Frank was building upon work of his father from 30 years earlier? It is more likely that dog powered machines were common devices in that era.  For more on Frank Murphy's Victor Dog Power, click here:  Victor Dog Power.

Frank did not leave a will. His wife was left to pay his accumulated medical bills and settle his estate. His file at the Delaware County Court House reports that his estate was settled on July 11, 1900 (see Box 160 at the Delaware County Court House). The file reported that Mary paid Jackson and Mason $45 for Frank's casket and the use of their hearse, she paid $12.70 for "fixing burial lot at West Delhi", and $125 for the "monument erected at grave". Surprisingly, Mary's brother-in-law, John Glendening, billed Frank's estate $1.50 "for the use of his horse and wagon to take M.M. Palmer to dwelling house to make inventory".

On the 1880 Census, I found a Mary D. Brown, age 20, listed as "Servant" in the household of George A. Fisher, a Delhi lawyer. This Mary was born in New York while her parents were born in Ireland. This is probably our Mary Brown; she wasn't enumerated with her family in 1880. The booklet prepared for Mary Murphy's funeral reported: "At the age of 10 yrs, went to the home of Andrew Cowan, Fall Clove, to tend baby (Mrs. Hattie Stott Little of Delancy) also in home of Geo. Stott." and "Admitted into church membership in the United Presbyterian Church of Cabin Hill, N.Y. Jan. 6, 1878 Rev. Arney S. Biddle, pastor"

Mary Brown was reportedly a hard worker. While her husband worked on labor saving machines and devices, Mary worked. During maple season Mary would wear a yoke and carry full buckets of maple sap down the hill to the house for processing, while Frank tried to engineer a piping system to allow nature to carry the sap down the hill. When Frank died in 1898, Mary, like Murphy women of the last two generations, was left alone to raise her children.

As she neared 60, and after a couple of years of difficulty living in the same house as her new daughter-in-law, Mary decided to leave the farm, so on May 17, 1917, she, Lelah and Robert moved to a house on Main Street in Delhi. Her daughter was a school teacher. Her son, William, stayed on the farm. Robert worked in a machine shop and on the family farm until he left to serve in the Army during World War I.

When Mary moved to Platner Brook she transferred her church membership to the West Delhi Presbyterian Church. When she moved to Delhi in 1917 she became active with the First Baptist Church in Delhi. While only a few miles away, the trip to her old church was too much of an undertaking given the transportation options in the 1920's. Even though there are numerous pictures of Robert Murphy and his beloved car in the early 1920's, there are just as many pictures of Lelah and Mary in a horse and wagon.

In spite of her advanced age, Mary was well and active. She was well-liked by many in town and was regarded as "grandma" by many. On Tuesday evening, September 23, 1941, at the age of 82, Mary was struck with an attack of angina; she died the following evening. The funeral was held at the McCall Funeral Home at 2:00 pm on September 27th, 1941 with the Rev. C. Raymond Friedley, pastor of the Delhi Baptist Church, officiating. The text for the service was the 4th verse of the 23rd Psalm: "Yea thought I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me" ("Pilgrim Journey"). Internment was in the Woodland Cemetery in "Lot North 1/2 1097 near the soldier's monument, between cemetery road & Meredith St."

One of the several obituaries published for Mary reports: "The funeral of Mrs. Mary Davis Murphy, held last Saturday, was one of the largest ever to be held from the McCall Funeral Home in Delhi." The Certificate of Death issued for Mary Davis Murphy reports that she died at 7:30 pm, but had only been ill for 2 days. The certificate confirms her birth date of September 3, 1859, and again reports that both her mother and father were born in Ireland.

Children of FRANK MURPHY and MARY BROWN are: