[Murphys in "Century Review of Maury Co., Tennessee 1807-1907" 
by D. P. Dobbins, excerpted by Virginia Murphy, 3/19/02]
 
Page 119
Christian Churches.---Subsequent to the sale of the Bigbyville Christian
Church to the Methodists, the members largely united with Bethel
congregration, 12 m. S.W. of Bigbyville, was organized by J. T. Spencer,
Thos. Brooks, A. A. and J. L. Morrow, Elder Murphy, and others.  Thos.
Brooks was first pastor; C. Holt came, 96; W. R. Spivey, 98; A. S.
Derryberry, 99; Sam'l Sewell, 1901;  Willis Morton, 04, continuing in
charge.  Stiversville Church, 12 m. S. of Columbia, has about 60
members, and is prosperous.
 
Bethel Christian Church was organized about 1835 by Wm. S. Gooch.  He,
with L. A. Nichols, Wm. McConnell, R. F. Matthews, M. P. Murphy, Sr.,
were among the early preachers of this faith in this section of Maury
Co.  Later came A. A. Morrow and Wm. N. Murphy, who commenced preaching
at Bethel, 1866, and still gives each 4th Sabbath there.  A new church,
32x50 ft., was erected, 1885, at a cost of $1,000.  Since the death of
Mr. Morrow, M. L. Seagrave is resident elder.
 
Wm. N. Murphy, born, Dec. 12, 1835, near McCain's, son of Miles P. and
Eleanor J. C. (Mack) Murphy, was brought to Broadview neighborhood in
infancy, and has spent all his life in this vicinity.  He married
Catharine, dau. of Thos. and Mary (McConnell) Dugger, from which union
came four boys and four girls.  His second wife was the widow of Jas. N.
Farris, who brought two daughters to the home.
 
Ephesus Church.----A few years since Mr. Murphy purchased the first farm
north of the Poor Farm, formerly belonging to LaFayette Wilkes, and his
ministrations here resulted in the organization of Ephesus Church, June,
1904, 5 miles south of Columbia, where 25 members are enrolled and a
church house has been erected.
 

pp. 246, 247
Page heading reads:  Supplement to Maury County.
 
Miles P. Murphy, b. near Southport, July, 46 is son of M. P. and 
Eleanor (Mack) Murphy.  M. P., Sr., was son of Nathaniel, from Va.  
He mar. Lucy Ann, dau. of John and Lucy W. (Estes) Gilbreath.  Their 
children ---I. C., A. E., E. J., Laura E., at home, excepting I. C. 
and A. E., noted below.  John M., died at age of 24; N. F., died at 
age of 23; Mary Victoria married Wm. Green, and died at age 26.  Mr. 
Murphy's homestead is 324 a.. and well improved.  He and all his family 
are members of the Christian Church, and have been large contributors 
to the building of Ephesus.  (See page 119.)
Isaiah C. Murphy, son of above, was born near Broadview, Sept., 77.  He
mar. Mary, dau. of J. T. and Clementine (Hardison) Redding.  They have
one child, Louise.  Mr. Murphy has 124 a. adjoining the homestead, 5 m.
S. of Columbia, where he has a young apple orchard of about 30 a.,
which, with early cherries, he believes will make a remunerative crop
for the future.  His handsome cottage is on a mound ascending from the
pike.
A. E. Murphy, brother of I. C., b.,  Jan. 5, 81, near Broadview, took a
short course in agriculture at the University of Tenn., mar. Amis
Elizabeth, dau. of J. E. and Lona (Carter) Wells, of Giles Co., and
settled on 164 a. farm 5-1/4 m. from Columbia, on the Mooresville Pike,
where he has a good home with handsome grove in front, and the present
summer has built a good bank barn.