James Murphy migrated from Ireland to Australia in 1842.
James MURPHY [1]was believed to have been born in Glenbrien, Wexford, Ireland. James' DOB has not been confirmed but abt 1816 is most likely given he provided that information himself on the birth certificate of his son Charles. He gave 27 as his age when boarding the Hope in 1841/1842 = 1815/6. If he had been in Australia as suggested for 50 years when he died, that would make him about 25 when he arrived in about 1841.[2] James gives his place of birth as Glenbryan Wexford when registering the birth of his son Charles in 1856. Enniscorthy Co Wexford is indicated in the shipping record for the Hope.
In the Oylegate baptism register there is a baptism registered for a James MURPHY in Feb/Mar1810, to parents Morris MURPHY and Margaret SINNOTT, sponsors Peter WHITTY and Bridget DORAN, who also may be relations of some kind.[3] It is considered that this record is the most likely.
James Murphy arrived in Australia at age 27 in 1842 on the ship 'Hope' being a native of Enniscorthy Wexford, Ireland. Stating he was a carpenter by trade, son of 'Morris' and Margaret Murphy. Single. He was to be engaged by Robert Fitzgerald on his estate at Windsor for 18 pounds per year, with rations, destination Windsor (same place as Eizabeth Kennedy in 1841). James could read and write and was of the Roman Catholic faith.[4]
His character was certified as good by Edward HAY Ballynastgan (?) and Pat k RICKAFORD (?) Ballymacdonfin. His state of bodily health strength and probable usefulness was also described as very good and certified by Pat k O'Domker??? of Enniscorthy.
The ship left Liverpool on 10th October 1841 and arrived in Australia on 28 January 1842. The 1841 census was taken on 7th June 1841, given this he should appear as most emigrants lived in England for some time whilst waiting to gain passage on a ship, but to date I have been unable to identify him.
He married Elizabeth Jane KENNEDY on 21 April 1844, at Windsor, New South Wales. Both signed their names which was unusual for the time.[5][6] Shortly afterwards they moved to the Shoalhaven district. They had six children together.
On the same ship were Margaret and Michael Murphy (son of John and Margaret Murphy (possibly relations), Margaret and Mary Kennedy (possibly relations of Elizabeth), William, Catherine and George Ryan from County Clare (Maria Ryan witness at James' and Elizabeth marriage in 1844 at Windsor).
After leaving Windsor some time after 1844, by 1846 James was residing at Terara in the Shoalhaven District. It is understood that shipbuilding was being undertaken in the area. As he was a carpenter by trade he may have been employed there in the industry. By 1875 he was living nearby in Back Forest.
In 1875 James was arrested and charged with the murder of his neighbour Mary Boland and later his wife. At the trial , James is described as tall and thin and a decent, quiet, kind, industrious and inoffensive man. He was kind to his family and occasionally took a little grog. Whilst sober he was on good terms with his wife. He was believed to have never ill treated his wife, but they did not live well together and were known to quarrel, occasionally getting into drunken rows. They had 4 or 5 children who were married and living in the district in about 1875, they had been brought up well and were considered respectable. He was charged with the willful murder of his wife Elizabeth and also of her friend Mary Boland, but acquitted on both charges.
The admission register to goal indicates in 1875 at age 62 he has white hair and is bald, has grey eyes, was 5'10 1/4" tall and weighed 144 pounds. It also indicates that the forefinger of his right hand had been injured, the tops of the fingers of the left hand displaying wear, consistent with having the trade of a carpenter.
He died on 10 October 1891 of senile decay. At the time, he was living with his son Charles at 38 Rochford Street MacDonaldtown, NSW.[7][8] He is buried in the Catholic cemetery at Rookwood NSW. There is no headstone.[9]
James' death certificate in 1891 indicates his parents names were James Murphy, hotel keeper, and Mary Ann. Informant was son Charles. No parents names were listed on their marriage certificate. The information provided on the HOPE states his parents names were Morris and Margaret which is probably more accurate given he gave those names himself. The references to James and Mary Ann are most likely to have been confused by relatives in Australia and probably relate to his sister Mary Ann and her husband James Cosgrave, still living in Ireland.
Evening News (Sydney, NSW) 10 Oct 1894
MURPHY - In fond and loving memory of our dear father, James Murphy, who departed this life October 10 1891 aged 84. Inserted by his loving daughter and son in law, Margaret and John Foley.
↑Chromosome 1 shared between Joan Coates, John Roberts, and the the granddaughter of James Charles Foley. Segment range 190-201.2, 7.5cMs. Needs triangulation with more distant cousins.
↑Chromosome 3 shared between John Walton and the granddaughter of James Charles Foley. Segment range 153-178.7, 24cMs. Not yet triangulated.
↑Chromosome 3 shared between Michael Stevens and the granddaughter of James Charles Foley. Segment range 98.2-141, 40.5cMs. Not yet triangulated.
↑ * Chromosome 4 shared between Private Roberts and Sandra Lehn. Shared segment range 30.7-38, 7.3cMs and 59.5-76.1, 12.2. Needs triangulation with more distant cousins.
↑Chromosome 8 shared between Sandra Lehn and Joan Coates. Shared segment range 135-142.8 approx 16cMs. Not yet triangulated. NOTE:This segment includes a possible small IBP area 137-139.
↑Chromosome 9 shared between Private Roberts, John Roberts and the granddaughter of James Charles Foley. Shared segment range 1.7-5.2 approx 10.4cMs. Needs triangulation with more distant cousins.
↑Chromosome 9 shared between Sandra Lehn and Joan Coates. Shared segment range 31-76 approx 11.4cMs. Not yet triangulated. Includes large IBP area.
↑Chromosome 14 shared between Sandra Lehn and 3 Roberts family cousins Joan Coates, Private Roberts and John Walton. Shared segment range 18.3-25.4, approx 16.4cMs. Needs triangulation with more distant cousins. NOTE: This segment includes a possible small IBP area 18.3-21.
↑Chromosome 15 shared between John Roberts, Private Roberts and the granddaughter of James Charles Foley. Shared segment ranges 49.3-68.1, 21cMs and 57-86.9, 28cMs. Needs triangulation with more distant cousins.
↑Chromosome 20 shared between Sandra Lehn and 3 Roberts family cousins Joan Coates, Private Roberts and John Walton and and the granddaughter of James Charles Foley. Combined segment ranges 4.7-40 approx 47cMs, not yet triangulated. Also, 56.2-61.7, approx 18.7cMs, needs triangulation with more distant cousins. Adjacent segment of 1.9-4.9 is triangulated by only at 6.7cMs.
MURPHY MICHAEL J12196/1868 JAMES ELIZABETH @FORBES
Memorial: Find a Grave (no image) Find A Grave: Memorial #197340492 (accessed 19 April 2023) Memorial page for James Murphy (unknown-11 Oct 1891), citing Rookwood Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria, Rookwood, Cumberland Council, New South Wales, Australia (plot: M1 sect 11 grave 93); Maintained by Kaz Bee (contributor 49124188).
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