Who was Catherine Murphy?

The Murphy Family

About 1779 Catherine Murphy married William Leonard in North Carolina. William was the son of John Leonard and his wife Mary. John is the Leonard that our Leonard family line descends from. My mama was a Leonard. However, it is through his son Frederick, not William. It is through my grandmother, Iva West, that I descend from William through the Gupton line. Does that make John Leonard my double 5 times great grandfather??

Catherine was the daughter of Arthur Murphy. Arthur moved his family to North Carolina around 1760, we think. He was born in Albemarle Parish, Surry County, Virginia around 1730. When Arthur died in 1803 Catherine had already passed away. She is not mentioned in her father's will but her son was, Vandeo Van Leonard. When her brother James passed away in 1794 Catherine was living. In James' probate records Catherine is called Caty. Arthur had a sister, Catherine Murphy, that was also called Caty. William and Catherine had 5 children. 

• John
• Van
• Cherry
• Sarah 
• William

Arthur Murphy married Charity Parker in Virginia. In the Register of Albermarle Parish, Surry Virginia there is a record of their daughter Sarah's birth. She was born 9 Mar 1753. This one record gives us the following information. 

• Arthur was married to Charity
• Sarah Murphy was born 9 Mar 1753.
• The family was still living in Surry Virginia in 1753.

Arthur Murphy arrived in present day Franklin County, NC around 1760. In the Bute County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions the following records are found:

• ·         15 Nov 1770 Arthur served as a petit juror
• ·         13 Nov 1772 A deed from Stephen Hamlin to Arthur was recorded and James Murphy’s oath of proof was given
• ·         12 Nov 1777 Arthur proved the deed from Ephraim Gilliam and wife, Celia, to William Steward/Stuart
• ·         12 Nov 1777 Arthur acknowledges deed to James Murphy

Arthur Murphy passed away 16 Mar 1803 in Franklin County, NC. From his will we find the names of seven of his children. From the probate records of his son James we find out the names of the other two children

• ·         James
• ·         Sarah
• ·         Mary
• ·         Maria
• ·         Milly
• ·         William Byrd
• ·         Arthur
• ·         Parker
• ·         Catherine

Who were the parents of Arthur Murphy? 

More on the Murphy Family coming soon!

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie