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> Richard Murphy
The author (Marty Grant) is a 5th Great Grandson of
Richard Murphy and Keziah Terry.
Richard Murphy was born ca 1730. That date is a
very rough guess, he could be younger than that. His birth place is
unknown, though he was likely born somewhere in Virginia.
His parents are unknown, but researchers generally believe
that he is a brother to Rev. Joseph Murphy and William Murphy who lived
near him in Virginia and Surry Co., NC. I've seen no definitive proof that
the three men are brothers, but it seems very likely they are closely
related.
Richard Murphy married the widow Keziah Terry Scott
sometime between 20 May 1762 and 16 Aug 1764 in Halifax Co., VA. Keziah
Terry was born ca 1730 (rough guess), probably in Caroline Co., VA.
Her parents are Benjamin Terry and Elizabeth Dickerson.
Keziah Terry was first married to James Scott who
died ca 1757 (perhaps due to the French and Indian War, as is sometimes
claimed, but not proven).
On 20 May 1762 William Byrd of Charles City Co., VA deeded
90 acres to Keziah Scott of Halifax Co., VA for £3. The land was on the
south side of the Dan River. (Halifax Co., VA Deed Book 3, page 345).
On 16 Aug 1764 Richard Murphey and wife Kezia
of Halifax Co., VA sold the above 90 acres to Thomas Robertson for £30.
They both signed the deed. There were no witnesses. (Halifax Co., VA Deed
Book 4, page 176).
* Note: there are many other records in Halifax Co., VA
that might be of interest. I do not have them ready to include here, but
perhaps someday I will add them.
In 1767 Pittsylvania County was formed from the section of
Halifax where the family lived.
Richard Murphy and Bob Scott were listed together on the
1767 tax list in Pittsylvania in Theophilus Lacy's district. I don't know
who Bob Scott was, though I'd bet the original record reads "Ben" Scott
instead. That is the name of Keziah's oldest son. He would have been of
taxable age by 1767, but probably still at home.
Keziah's father Benjamin Terry made his Will in
Pittsylvania Co., VA on 27 Sep 1770 naming his heirs. He left slaves to
his daughter Keziah Murphy. This will come up again many years later.
* Note: there are many other records in Pittsylvania Co.,
VA that might be of interest. I do not have them ready to include here,
but perhaps someday I will add them.
By 1771 the family had moved to nearby Surry Co., NC.
Richard Murphey is listed there on the tax list that year with 4
polls (that means 4 taxable males, they would be himself, and his stepsons
Benjamin Scott and John Scott. I don't know who the fourth one would be,
for his own sons weren't of age. The extra person was probably a slave.
Richard Murfee was listed on the 1772 tax list in Surry Co., NC.
This time he had 5 polls.
A list dated 28 Jun 1774 showed that Richard Murphy was a Captain in
the Militia in Surry Co., NC.
According to other researchers and various records, Capt. Richard
Murphy was a loyalist during the Revolutionary War. His loyalty remained
with Great Britain. Most men in his position were hanged by the victorious
"rebels" but he survived the war and the noose that so many other
loyalists had to face. It is said that this is because his wife Keziah was
very helpful to the Patriot cause and her actions added the rebels, and it
was for her sake that her husband was spared. I don't know if that story
can be verified, but it has been passed down.
Keziah Murphy was listed on the 1782 tax list in Surry Co., NC. Note
that the taxes were in her name, not her husbands. The property of many
loyalists was confiscated after the war, but apparently not in their case.
On 11 Dec 1785 Richard Murphey (and
Obediah Winfrey and
Henry Southard) witnessed a deed from James Fielder and wife Sarah to
Peter Murphey for 200 acres on the South Fork of Mitchell's River.
Peter was Richard's son. (Surry Co., NC Deed Book D, page 423).
Richard Murphy was listed on the 1786 North Carolina State Census in
Surry County. He had 1 male over 21 (born before 1765), one male under 21
(born between 1765 and 1786) and 2 females. He also had 2 slaves.
On 15 May 1789 Peter Murphey sold 125 acres on South Fork of
Mitchell's River to John Franklin. Richard Murphey, Daniel Wolf and Mary
Wolf were witnesses. (Surry Co., NC Deed Book D, page 429).
Richard Murphy is listed on the 1790 census in Surry Co., NC. He is
listed with one male over 16 (born before 1774), two females and 4 slaves.
Richard Murphey is mentioned in a deed dated 4 Jan 1796 as an
adjoining landowner. The deed was a State Land Grant to Peter Terry for
30,000 acres on Mitchell's River and Fisher's River. Peter is Keziah's
brother. The land was described as adjoining Braham, Fishers Peak in the
Virginia line, Mountains in the Wilkes County line, John Williams line,
Marshall's Nob and Richard Murphey. (Surry Co., NC Deed Book F, page 109).
* Note: there are many other records in Surry Co., NC that might be of
interest. I do not have them ready to include here, but perhaps someday I
will add them.
Most of the Murphys and Scotts and some of their in-laws moved from
Surry County, North Carolina to Lincoln County, Kentucky in the late
1790's.
The 1800 census is lost for Kentucky, but an 1800 tax lists for Lincoln
County shows entries for Catherine Murphey, John Murphey, Joseph Murphey,
Peter Murphey, Richard Murphey, Stephen Murphey, Thomas Murphey,
Zadock Riggs, Aaron Rite, Benjamin Scott, James Scott, Jesse Scott, John
Scott, Thomas Scott, and William Scott. Not all of those are identified,
but Benjamin and John Scott are Keziah's sons. Joseph and Peter Murphy are
her sons. Zadock Riggs and Aaron Rite (Wright) are her sons-in-laws.
Keziah Terry Scott Murphy died in 1809 in Lincoln Co., KY. A
court suit was filed almost immediately over the slaves she had inherited
from her father Benjamin Terry. Richard Murphy had them and didn't want to
give them up. He had sold some of them to John Scott already, but the
other heirs were entitled as well, or at least they thought so. This case
is extensive, dragging on for 10 years. The heirs are named repeatedly
throughout, so that is a good thing to come of it. The court case clearly
shows who all of Keziah's children were, and many of her grandchildren.
(Equity Case File accession # A1998-135 Case 725 Date 1814 Plaintiff Riggs
& Others Defendent Murphy & Others). I do not have copies of the case.
Cousin Joy Benemann kindly shared some data from the case with me. The
case (191 pages) can be ordered from the Kentucky Archives.
Richard Murphy was not listed on the 1810 census, though he was still
alive at that point. There is a Richard Murphy in Lincoln in 1810, but it
a younger man, his nephew. He is probably the "extra" male in the
household of his son Peter Murphy in neighboring Adair Co., KY that year.
Peter's house contained one male age 26-44 (born ca 1765/84) which is
Peter himself, and a male over 45 (born before 1765), which must be
Richard.
I didn't find Richard on the 1820 census either, though he was still
alive as late as 1821 (per the court records). He didn't seem to be with
his son Peter at that point.
Richard Murphy died sometime after 1821 somewhere in Kentucky.
Children of Richard Murphy and Keziah Terry
and James Scott.
The Court Case mentioned above (1810-1821) names the children of Keziah
several times, they are: Benjamin Scott, Sarah Scott who married Zadock
Riggs, John Scott, Lucy Scott who married Arthur Crutchfield (or
Scritchfield), Elizabeth Scott who married Daniel (or David) Austin;
Joseph Murphy, Peter Murphy and Mary Murphy who married
Aaron Wright.
Register Report
First Generation
1.
Keziah Terry was born about 1728 in Caroline Co, VA. She died in
1809 in Lincoln Co, KY.
Keziah married James Scott
before 1755 in Caroline Co, VA. James died about 1757 in Halifax Co,
VA.
They had the following children.
2 M
i. Benjamin Scott Ensign was born in
1726/1755 in Caroline Co, VA.
Benjamin married Eleanor
Hodge in Surry Co, NC.
+
3 F
ii. Sarah Scott was born on 24 Aug 1755. She
died on 25 Aug 1846.
+
4 M iii.
John Scott was born in 1750/1754. He died on 23 Jan 1811.
5 F
iv. Lucy Scott was born before 1755 in
Caroline Co, VA. She died in IL.
Lucy married Arthur
Crutchfield in Surry Co, NC. Arthur died in IL.
6 F
v. Elizabeth Scott was born before 1755 in
Caroline Co, VA. She died in IL.
Elizabeth married Daniel
Austin in Surry Co, NC. Daniel was born before 1755. He died in
IL.
Keziah also married Richard Murphy
Captain, son of Murphy, in 1762/1764 in Halifax Co, VA. Richard
was born about 1730 in VA. He died after 1810 in Adair Co, KY.
They had the following children.
7 M vi.
Joseph Murphy was born in VA.
8 M vii.
Peter Murphy was born in 1766/1784 in VA.
+
9 F viii.
Mary Murphy was born in 1770/1771. She died after 1850.
Second Generation
3.
Sarah Scott (Keziah) was born on 24 Aug 1755 in Halifax Co, VA.
She died on 25 Aug 1846 in Boone Co, KY.
Sarah married Zadock B Riggs,
son of Samuel Riggs and Elizabeth Tompkins, about 1775 in Surry Co,
NC. Zadock was born on 4 Jan 1754 in Morris Co, NJ. He died on 23 Oct
1846 in Boone Co, MO.
They had the following children.
10 M
i. Scott Riggs was born on 26 Mar 1779 in
Surry Co, NC. He died on 24 Feb 1872 in Scott Co, IL.
Scott married Hannah Berry,
daughter of John Berry and Hannah, on 4 Mar 1801 in Lincoln Co, KY.
Hannah was born on 29 Apr 1780 in Lincoln Co, KY. She died on 2 Jun
1864 in Scott Co, IL.
11 F
ii. Hannah Riggs was born in Surry Co, NC.
Hannah married Benjamin H
Givens on 18 Mar 1800 in Lincoln Co, KY.
12 F
iii. Mary Riggs was born on 20 Nov 1781 in
Surry Co, NC. She died on 8 Aug 1871 in Boone Co, MO.
Mary married William Warren
on 22 Oct 1802 in Lincoln Co, KY.
13 M iv.
Samuel Riggs was born on 23 Apr 1785 in Surry Co, NC. He died
on 17 Apr 1850 in Boone Co, MO.
Samuel married Deborah
Campbell, daughter of Joseph Campbell and Sarah Givens, on 29 Jan
1810 in Lincoln Co, KY. Deborah was born about 1790 in Lincoln Co, KY.
She died about Aug 1826 in Boone Co, MO.
14 M v.
Zadock Riggs was born on 25 Sep 1790 in Surry Co, NC. He died
on 23 Jul 1875 in Boone Co, MO.
Zadock married Mary Moore
on 12 Feb 1811 in Lincoln Co, KY.
15 M vi.
James Riggs was born on 14 Nov 1793 in Surry Co, NC. He died on
18 Feb 1876 in Boone Co, MO.
James married Lavinia E
Wright on 4 Sep 1853 in Boone Co, MO.
16 M vii.
Silas Riggs was born on 6 Jul 1797 in Surry Co, NC. He died on
8 Oct 1844 in Boone Co, MO.
Silas married Sarah Hicks
on 18 Mar 1819 in Howard Co, MO.
4.
John Scott (Keziah) was born in 1750/1754 in Halifax Co, VA. He
died on 23 Jan 1811 in Washington Co, KY.
John married Chloe Riggs,
daughter of Samuel Riggs and Elizabeth Tompkins, about 1778 in Surry
Co, NC. Chloe was born on 18 Apr 1752 in Morris Co, NJ. She died on 3
Dec 1852 in Tazwell Co, IL.
They had the following children.
17 M
i. James Scott was born on 9 Nov 1779 in
Surry Co, NC. He died on 18 Jul 1860 in Woodford Co, IL.
James married Frances Tucker
on 12 Feb 1806 in Lincoln Co, KY.
18 F
ii. Mourning Scott was born on 18 Sep 1783 in
Surry Co, NC. She died in 1837 in Marion Co, KY.
Mourning married Matthew
Tucker on 27 Jan 1806 in Washington Co, KY.
19 F
iii. Sarah Scott was born on 8 Oct 1786 in
Surry Co, NC. She died before 1850 in Marion Co, KY.
Sarah married John Wright,
son of William Wright, on 11 Oct 1809 in Washington Co, KY. John was
born in 1775 in VA.
20 F
iv. Elizabeth Scott was born on 15 Apr 1789
in Surry Co, NC.
Elizabeth married James
Caffey on 13 Feb 1812 in Washington Co, KY.
21 F
v. Keziah Scott was born on 15 Apr 1789 in
Surry Co, NC. She died on 17 Jul 1861 in Marion Co, KY.
Keziah married Benedict
Reighley on 2 Dec 1811 in Washington Co, KY.
22 M vi.
Benjamin Scott was born on 3 May 1792 in Surry Co, NC. He died
in Casey Co, KY.
Benjamin married Jane
Daugherty on 29 Apr 1813 in Washington Co, KY.
23 M vii.
Peter Scott was born on 16 Jan 1795 in Surry Co, NC. He died in
1849 in Yamhill Co, OR.
24 F viii.
Mary Scott was born on 30 Aug 1797 in Surry Co, NC. She died on
10 Nov 1850 in Shullsburg, WI.
Mary married Allen Daugherty
on 25 Oct 1821 in Washington Co, KY.
9.
Mary Murphy (Keziah) was born in 1770/1771 in Surry Co, NC. She
died after 1850 in Union Co, GA.
Mary married Ryan, son of
Darby Ryan and Mary, before 1792 in Surry Co, NC. Ryan died before
1792 in Surry Co, NC.
Mary also married Aaron Wright
on 16 Nov 1792 in Surry Co, NC. Aaron was born in 1765/1775 in NC. He
died in 1822/1830 in Surry Co, NC.
They had the following children.
25 M
i. Daniel S Wright was born in 1793/1794 in
Surry Co, NC. He died in 1880/1886 in Wilkes Co, NC.
Daniel married Patience
Franklin in 1810/1818 in Surry Co, NC. Patience was born in
1793/1794 in Surry Co, NC.
26 F
ii. Sarah Wright was born in 1795/1796 in
Surry Co, NC. She died in 1870 in Surry Co, NC.
Sarah married Henderson
Thompson, son of Joseph Thompson and Sarah Cates, on 11 Jan 1821
in Surry Co, NC. Henderson was born on 13 May 1794 in Surry Co, NC. He
died on 6 Sep 1881 in Surry Co, NC.
27 F
iii. Nancy Wright was born in 1797/1798 in
Surry Co, NC. She died about 1866 in Surry Co, NC.
Nancy married William
Cockerham, son of David Cockerham and Mary Ann Burch, about
1820/1830 in Surry Co, NC. William was born about 1798 in Surry Co,
NC. He died on 30 Mar 1852 in Surry Co, NC.
28 M iv.
Richard Wright was born in 1800/1801 in Lincoln Co, KY. He died
after 1850 in Union Co, GA.
Richard married Kisiah in
1840/1843 in Surry Co, NC. Kisiah was born in 1805/1806 in Surry Co,
NC. She died after 1850 in Union Co, GA.
29 F
v. Minnie Wright was born in 1801/1802 in
Lincoln Co, KY. She died after 1850 in Union Co, GA.
30 M vi.
Zadock R Wright was born in 1804/1805 in Surry Co, NC. He died
after 1880 in Hall Co, GA.
Zadock married Mary Anna
before 1828 in Monroe Co, TN. Mary was born in 1802/1803 in TN. She
died in 1870/1880 in Union Co, GA.
31 F vii.
Rebecca Wright was born in 1804/1810 in Surry Co, NC. She died
in 1842/1850 in Surry Co, NC.
Rebecca married William
Crummell on 5 Jun 1831 in Surry Co, NC. William was born in
1800/1810 in Surry Co, NC. He died in 1847/1850 in Surry Co, NC.
32 M viii.
Aaron Burr Wright was born in 1810/1811 in Surry Co, NC. He
died on 29 Apr 1862 in Civil War.
33 M ix.
James S Wright was born on 23 Nov 1813 in Surry Co, NC. He died
on 9 May 1902 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC. He was buried in Red Marble
Cem, Cherokee Co, NC.
James married Caroline C
Winfrey, daughter of Caleb Winfrey and Arabella Moody, in
1837/1838 in Surry Co, NC. Caroline was born on 13 Dec 1822 in Surry
Co, NC. She died on 5 Dec 1916 in Cherokee Co, NC. She was buried in
Red Marble Cem, Cherokee Co, NC.
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