Murray, James

  • From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: See full biography at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Murray_(loyalist)
  • Wiki Biography:
    • James Murray (August 9, 1713 – November 8, 1781) was a British loyalist who lived in North Carolina and Boston prior to the American Revolution, eventually escaping from Boston to settle in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was one of the few loyalists who lived in both the South and the North prior to the Revolution, making the letters he wrote particularly valuable.
    • In 1735, Murray emigrated from Scotland to the Province of North Carolina. When in North Carolina, he became a member of the North Carolina General Assembly and president of the Governor’s Council. He established the Point Repose Plantation at Wilmington, North Carolina. Four of his six children with his first wife died on the plantation. 
    • After being thwarted in his efforts to become governor, Murray moved to Boston in 1765 and established various businesses. Prior to moving, however, Murray sent his oldest daughter Dorothy (who was also painted by Copley) to Boston to live with his sister Elizabeth.
    • He turned the operation of the plantation over to his nephew, Thomas Clark, who became a Brigadier general in the Continental Army. 
    • In 1778, Murray, who remained loyal to the British Crown, evacuated Boston and moved north to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
  • United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=9968
  • Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/162269018/james-murray