1819-1884
PHOTOS
Robert W. Murray, a son of David Murray and
Elizabeth Wood, was born at Bonnyrig, Edinburgh, Scotland, August 14, 1819.
He married Jessie Archibald about 1841, and lived in Bonnyrig, Scotland.
They were very happy and striving to make a home for themselves and their
children. Mining was the occupation Robert followed.
They were blessed with three sons while in Scotland.
David, the oldest child, born in 1842 died in infancy in. James,
the second child, was born February 25, 1844. As was the custom in
those days, if one child died in infancy, they named another child the
same name. As their third child was another son, he was named David.
He was born February 23, 1849.
One day the family was visited by Elders of
the Latter-Day Saints Church (the Mormons). They became interested
and began investigating. After a thorough study of the new religion they,
with their two small children, joined the Mormon Church July 14, 1848.
Immediately they began making preparations
for immigrating to Zion, as Utah (in the United States) was then called.
At this particular time, the British Government was offering some very
enticing inducements to families who would go to Australia and help colonize
that country. In July 1851, James with his wife and children, together
with the family of David Hamilton Kerr and Agnes Archibald Kerr (Jessie's
sister), bought their passage to Australia.
They were all ready to leave when it was learned
that their boat was not seaworthy and must be put in dry dock for repairs.
This was somewhat a sad disappointment to them for they had sold all their
belongings and had no place to go. So they decided to come to America instead.
The money they had paid for passage to Australia was refunded and with
it they bought passage to New Orleans on a sailing vessel, spending eleven
weeks on the water; they were very glad when land was sighted. They
had many varied experiences on the trip, some pleasant and some not so
pleasant. There was some suffering but their hearts were set upon
getting to Zion.
They landed in New Orleans on the 1st of January
1852. Soon after landing in America, a baby boy came to this wonderful
couple in 1852. He was named John. They took passage on a boat
up the Mississippi River and landed at St. Louis. There they located
and, as mining had been their occupation in Scotland, they obtained employment
in the coal mines.
Working there for some time, the family increased.
Another fine son came to this noble family on May 28, 1853. They
named him William.
While in St. Louis, they learned that a Mr.
Somerville, a cousin of David Hamilton Kerr, was superintendent of a mine
at Clinton, Pennsylvania. They decided to go there and were given
employment at his mine for both families. Things seemed to progress
very well and all were happy and very united while living in Pennsylvania.
That place being non-Mormon, and mostly miners, these good people seemed
to lose the spirit of Religion and did not make any effort to get to Utah.
After living at that place for a number or years and working at the mines
steady, they were able to save a little money. After a few years
Mr. Somerville was replaced as superintendent of the mine by a man of Irish
descent. This man then dismissed the workmen and hired men of his
own people. This was a great disappointment to them.
Mr. Somerville bought for himself a farm and
urged Robert and David to do likewise. Soon a farm was located that
seemed to be satisfactory to both families. It was owned by a widow
lady and the terms were very reasonable, but she wanted ten days to think
things over. During this time it was learned that there were very
good prospects of oil on her farm. This caused her to double the
price which she had asked for her farm, and it was then impossible for
the Murray and Kerr families to buy it.
While in Pennsylvania, other children were
born to this family. Robert Jr. born in 1855 died in infancy;
another son (named John after an earlier baby who had died) was born in
1857; and, their first daughter, Mary Agnes, was born in 1859. She
also died in infancy.
Soon after the incident with trying to buy
the farm, Robert Archibald, a brother of Jessie and Agnes, arrived
from Scotland. He was a very sincere and devout person. He
was disappointed and somewhat chagrined to find the change in the faith
of these two families. He began preaching the Gospel to them and
soon the spirit of Mormonism was revived in their hearts. Through
his encouragement and teaching, the families were soon on their way to
Salt Lake City. They sold their household articles and everything
not needed to make the trip. They left by train from Bever, Pennsylvania
to St. Louis. It took great courage and fortitude for this family
to get to Utah, known as Zion to the Mormon people, where the Saints were
gathered and where they could live and worship God as they saw fit.
In leaving Pennsylvania, they temporarily
located in Ohio. Here they made the acquaintances of some people
who were on their way to Salt Lake City and had chartered a steam boat,
to take them from St. Louis to Florence, Nebraska. The Murray and
Kerr families and Robert Archibald were granted the privilege of coming
with this company, which was a great help as they knew nothing of the requirements
for the long journey. Friends from the St. Louis branch made arrangements
for some of the men to buy the necessary oxen, wagons, and provision.
But owing to some delay, the cattle and wagons were three weeks late in
getting there.
On June 20, 1861 they left Florence, Nebraska
in the Job Pingree Company. It was a very successful
trip. Very little sickness and no deaths were experienced. At Wood
River, Nebraska, on July 12, 1861 a fine baby boy, Thomas, was born to
Robert and Jessie Murray. The baby was but a few days old when Jessie
was again walking along with the other women of the company. We must
pay her tribute for the faith, courage and endurance this brave woman showed
on that memorable journey.
They arrived at Salt Lake City on September
10, 1861 and set their camp about three miles south of the city so as to
obtain better feed for their cattle. Here they met a young man by
the name of George Woods who said he was located at Wellsville (a town
about 70 miles to the north). After conversing with him for awhile,
he asked where they were going. They did not know but they had some
relatives somewhere in Utah. After telling him their names-- James Archibald
and John Hendry--George Wood said he knew these men and they just happened
to be located at Wellsville.
He told them it required five days to get
to Wellsville. They decided that they would go to this place, so
they started forth. On the night of the fifth day, they were on the
hill overlooking Wellsville. Arriving in the settlement, they decided
to stay. It was then September 15, 1861.
Living in the fort for four years, the houses
of Robert Murray and David H. Kerr were side by side, with about twenty-four
feet of ground between for gardening purposes. In the spring of 1862
they received ten acres of land in what was called the new survey.
The houses were built of log and consisted of one large room, sixteen by
fourteen feet, a dirt floor and a roof.
On the 21st of June 1864, a baby girl was
born, Christina.
On January 8, 1867 George Henry Murray was
born.
Four hours [years?] later the ground was plotted
out in city lots. Robert Murray bought a lot and built a log house
on it. Later he built a better house.
It still stands and is the home of William M. Jones. In this home
was experienced much joy and happiness. All were busy and contented.
The family lived congenially together. They were taught the principals
of the Gospel and of right living. Love for God and their fellowmen
were instilled into their souls.
It was also in this home on January 8, 1873,
that this family experienced one of the greatest sorrows ever visited upon
a family--that of the passing away of a dear and loving wife and mother.
Robert W. Murray, a faithful Latter-Day Saint,
a true and noble pioneer, as well as a kind and loving father, passed away
November 8, 1884 at Wellsville and was buried by the side of his wife in
the Wellsville cemetery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This history was taken from a history written by Sarah Brenchley [unknown date].
PHOTOS
Robert Wood Murray's home in Wellsville
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