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Collection Reference Number GLC01450.600.01
From Archive Folder Items related to the Murphy family of Missouri 
Title Certifying loyalty to the Union
Date 1 September 1863
Author Cobb, John (fl. 1843-1863)  
Document Type Legal document
Content Description Written in Saint Francois County. Signed by Cobb, John A. Weber, Reinhart Laney, Elisha J. White, and Thomas Lang as citizens of Saint Francois County Missouri. The signees swear that they are personally acquainted with Catherine E. Murphy, a widow living in Farmington accused of spying for the Confederacy, and will vouch for her loyalty to the Union.
Subjects Women's History  Westward Expansion  Children and Family  Finance  Estate  Election  Politics  Taxes or Taxation  Law  Health and Medical  Militia  American Indian History  Frontiers and Exploration  Military History  Soldier's Diary  Petition  Office Seeker  Agriculture and Animal Husbandry  Wildlife  Religion  Children and Family  Bleeding Kansas  Slavery  African American History  Death  Atrocity  Government and Civics  State Constitution  Democratic Party  Republican Party  War of 1812  
People Murphy, David (ca. 1769-1844)  
Theme Law; Women in American History; Westward Expansion
Sub-collection The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information The family lived in the Territory of the United States of America, South of the River Ohio, a territory created by Congress after the American Revolution. William Blount, governor of the Territory South of the River Ohio, appointed David an ensign of the Jefferson County, Tennessee, militia in 1793. In 1798, David along with his father and two brothers made a claim for settlement in the French territory of Upper Louisiana. They were granted land in present-day St. Francois County, Missouri. In 1800, David and his brothers returned to settle the land. They established the Murphy Settlement in what was then Ste. Genevieve County. David established and operated a tavern. James Wilkinson, governor of the Territory of Louisiana, promoted David to captain of the militia of the district of Ste. Genevieve in 1806. David later served in the War of 1812. Murphy was elected to the Missouri General Assembly in 1820 as a representative of Ste. Genevieve County. In 1822, David donated 52 acres of his land for the establishment of a town to serve as the county seat of newly organized St. Francois County, thus creating the town of Farmington, Missouri. In 1826, Murphy ran for a seat representing St. Francois County in the Missouri General Assembly but was defeated by Henry Poston. Murphy challenged the election claiming irregularities in the voting process. Poston was eventually declared the winner. Murphy regained the seat in 1828 and served another two-year term. David Murphy died in 1844.
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859