Joseph Murray

A small paragraph about Murray. ^[1]

Jill Lepore states that Joseph Murray was English, but after countless hours of trying to find an English Joseph Murray I realized the Lepore had made a big mistake. Murray was an Irish immigrant. I found many sources that state he was Irish, not English like Lepore says. Murray was the son of Thomas Murray. He was born about 1694 in Queens County, Leinster. ^[2]

Murray was a very successful lawyer. I assume that Murray studied law in his native Ireland because shortly after his arrival to New York City around 1716, ". . . he was admitted to the bar and made his first appearance before the Mayor's Court in 1718." ^[3] Murray quickly achieved the reputation of a skilled lawyer and was admitted to Middle Temple on May 12, 1725. He was one of the most sought after lawyers during his time. Other lawyers even feared facing him as opposing counsel! ^[4]

In 1725, Murray signed an anti-competitive agreement with other prominent City Lawyers: William Smith, James Alexander, John Chambers, Chichard Pvicohs and Abraham Lodge. ^[5]Murray went a step further when he drafted a new charter for New York City. He granted himself and his closest friends: Alexander, Chambers, Smith, Nicol, Lodge, Jamison and George Lurtings a monoploy. This meant that they had an exclusive right to practice in the Mayor's Court. ^[6]

Murray lived in the West Ward and was a member of the Court Party. His estimated wealth was 50 pounds. Murray married Grace Cosby Freeman, the widow of Thomas Freeman, on November 9th 1738. Murray was forty-four years old. Grace Cosby was the daughter of Governor Cosby. They had no children.

Murray owned several slaves: Adam, Caesar, Congo, Fido and Jack. His wife Grace brought two of their slaves into the marriage, Jack and Adam. All of his slaves were mentioned during the trails but only Adam and Jack were transported out of New York. Murray was one of the lawyers in New York City that was qualified to practice for the Supreme Court. He prosecuted the "Spanish Negros". On June 25th, his slave Jack was accused. His Jack then accused his their slave Adam of being a part of the conspiracy.^[7]

Murray loved to read. During his lifetime he created a very extensive library. "Joseph Murray bought volume ater volume if play and poetry and fiction." ^[8] He died April 27th 1757 at the age of 63. Upon his death he did something that was very rare. He freed one of his slaves and ensured him and his mother annual support. ^[9]

An obituary for Murray read "a Gentleman of the strictest Integrity, Fidelity and Honour."^[10]Apparently almost eveyone who knew Murray thought he was an honorable man. Unfortunately for Grace Murray, not all of Murray's debtors were so honorable. After Murray's death many ads were placed in newspapers asking that all his debtors pay his wife the money that was owed to Murray as soon as possible. The latest ad I found was printed nearly four years after Murray's death (These ads were found through the New York Public Library's Archival Newspapers).

An interesting fact I found is that Murray St. in New York City was indeed named after Joseph Murray. ^[11]

References

1. ↑ A Historical Sketch of Trinity Church, New-York, 356
2. ↑ Patriot Improvers: Biographical Sketches of the members of the American Philosophical Society, Vol. I, 135
3. ↑ Patriot Improvers: Biographical Sketches of the members of the American Philosophical Society, Vol. I, 135
4. ↑
5. ↑ Jill Lepore, New York Burning, 79.
6. ↑ Jill Lepore, New York Burning, 79.
7. ↑ Jill Lepore, New York Burning, 169.
8. ↑ Jill Lepore, New York Burning, 27.
9. ↑ Jill Lepore, New York Burning, 226.
10. ↑ Jill Lepore, New York Burning, 232.
11. ↑ Collections of the New York Historical Society for the Year 1895, 454