Seth J Murray - b abt 1822 NY or MA - d aft 1880
Hello-
I am looking for information on my great(x3)-grandfather Seth J Murray and his family.He was born about 1822 and listed on US censuses as either being born in NY or MA (the latter being listed the majority of the time).I do not know anything about his parents.
Regardless, I find him in New Market, Highland Co, Ohio in the 1850 US Census with his wife Margaret A (McClintick) Murray, and daughters Luella Murray (b 1847) and Anna Columbia Murray (1849).In later censuses, there are three more children listed James A Murray (1852), Clara Bell Murray (1857) and George W Murray (1859).I would assume that the couple were married about 1846-47 based on the birth of their first child.
Seth J Murray was an attorney in Highland and Brown Counties, Ohio prior to and after the Civil War.During the Civil War, he was involved in organizing a company in the Ohio Volunteer Infantry (12th), although I have never found his name listed on any Civil War Rolls for Ohio.We do have copies of letters written to the Gov and Adjuvant General of Ohio with his signature, his wife's, as well as other local officials confirming his actions.One of these letters in late 1861 states that he left the week prior with his company for service.
After the war, he continued to practice law in Georgetown, Brown Co, Ohio, and there is evidence that his son James a Murray also practiced law.I never did find that the son had his own family and I know nothing more about any of Seth and Margaret's children other than my great(x2)-grandmother Anna Columbia Murray who married Oliver Barr Phillips and eventually moved to California.
Seth's wife Margaret later moved to Los Angeles about 1890-91 to spend her last few years with my great(x2)-grandmother's family.She died of disseminated TB infection in 1893.Since Seth did not come to Los Angeles, I assume that he must have died sometime about 1888-1890, just prior to his wife going to California.
I wrote to the Brown Co, OH probate court but they said they have no records.I was really surprised that nothing was found on a guy who was a lawyer in Brown Co for over 30 years by the court, but may be I need to look the records myself.I have also contacted the Brown Co Genealogical Society but so far I have not heard back.
I did find a Seth Murray, born in 1822 in Saratoga Springs NY in a possible lineage from Jeheil Murray and Mary Way through Calvin Murray.This was from The Descendents of Jonathan Murray of East Guilford, Connecticut by William B Murray.
Other searches in the 1820-1840 censuses in Highland Co show other Murray (aka Murry), but I cannot put them together with Seth J Murray, other than their possible proximity.These other given names include Robert Murry, Richard Murry and John Murry.Only one (Robert) has a son in the correct age as Seth J Murray.
I know this is a lot of information, but I would appreciate any help in this line.
Best,
Matthew McDonald
[email protected]