James W. Murphy

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p
27.

James — Harriet Elizabeth "Betty" Ownbey. Harriet (daughter of Madison Ownbey and Nancy Morgan) was born 5 Jun 1841, Buncombe County, North Carolina; died 6 Mar 1901, Rutherford County, North Carolina; was buried Montsford Cove Baptist Church Cemetery. [Group Sheet]

1. Walton W. Murphy was born 1 Mar 1860, Rutherford County, North Carolina; died 20 Sep 1940, Henderson County, North Carolina; was buried Hoopers Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
2. William A. B. Murphy was born 1862, Rutherford, North Carolina.
3. James Sims Murphy was born 23 Sep 1864, Rutherford, North Carolina; died 19 Mar 1952, Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto, Texas.
4. Joseph L. Murphy was born 27 Mar 1867, Rutherford, North Carolina; died 31 Aug 1936, Buncombe County, North Carolina; was buried Gashes Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
5. Hester N. Lathia R. Murphy was born 23 Mar 1869, Rutherford, North Carolina; died 17 Jun 1962, Henderson County, North Carolina; was buried Moore's Grove Cemetery.
6. Monterville L. Murphy was born 3 Jul 1871, Rutherford, North Carolina; died 27 Dec 1969, Rutherford, North Carolina; was buried Montsford Cove Baptist Church Cemetery.
7. Rossie L. Murphy was born Nov 1875, Rutherford, North Carolina.

Notes:

Before William Murphy married Zillah, she was with child. He married her
anyway and before the child was born, he came up missing. He spent a few years
in Charlotte, North Carolina, driving a stage, where he had a son, James, by
Nancy Fagin (illegitimate). He returned to his wife, they forgave one another
and each accepted the children and raised them as their own blood.

The private cemetery in which William A. B. Murphy was buried is on Highway #9
just north and west from Bat Cave. It has a narrow, faint path that winds its
way up the side with the plot - a lush thick forest and undergrowth carpet
which slants away from the approach. Here is the tall grave marker of Zillah
(Ownbey) Murphy. It is engraved as Zillah Ownby, wife of Will A. B. Murphy.
Near her is his, a square shaped soap stone engraved in fine bold printing -
telling the story of his part in politics.

"Sacred memory of William A. B. Murphy, who died 20 July 1869,
aged 67 years. A member of the State Convention for forming
the present constitution of this State (North Carolina). A
Republican in its broadest sense, the most popular man of the
party in the County of McDowell. His hospitality at home was
as unfeigned as it was unbounded. Republicans in and outside
of his county deeply regret his death."

William A. B. Murphy was sympathetic with the North, although he owned slaves.
Just before the war between the States was over, the Home Guard 'rounded' him
up and made him serve. After the war, he released his slaves, about seven in
number. One small boy, Cato, who had no parents, was kept until he was old
enough to care for himself. Cato was a banjo stummer. He evidently made good,
as many years later, William was in Asheville and heard him play. Even after
all those years they recognized each other.
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p
16, 27, 52.

William — Nancy Fagin. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Before William Murphy married Zillah, she was with child. He married her
anyway and before the child was born, he came up missing. He spent a few years
in Charlotte, North Carolina, driving a stage, where he had a son, James, by
Nancy Fagin (illegitimate). He returned to his wife, they forgave one another
and each accepted the children and raised them as their own bload.
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p
27.

Notes:

James Murphy was a brick mason. Died sometime prior to the time of the 1840
census enumeration in North Carolina.
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p
27, 52.

James married Nancy Ledbetter Abt 1810. Nancy (daughter of George Ledbetter) was born Abt 1790; died Aft 1840. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Nancy Ledbetter lived in Rutherford County, North Carolina. She was still
living, in Burke County, North Carolina, at the time of the 1840 census
enumeration.
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p
52.

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p
27, 52.

William — Katie Mahazie Dobson. Katie (daughter of Dobson) was born , Ireland. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Katie graduated from college in Dublin, Ireland.
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p
52.

Notes:

George Ledbetter was a Captain in the Revolutionary War.

The Ledbetters had a two story white house, set a little ways off the road and
a short distance from where the road turns to go to "Old Field's Cemetery."

Just to the side of the house is the Ledbetter's family cemetery, surrounded by
metal and wire posts, briars and thistles covering it. In April, 1968, the
house had been painted a pretty yellow with white trim and white shutters. It
sets along the highway and at the back of the land sets the old cabin, about to
fall down. At one time this set on the road, but it is at the base of the
mountain on which the "Old Field's Cemetery" is situated. This house at the
rear of the property is the house in which Carmia Etta Ownbey and her sisters
were born.
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p
52.