Phillip Murray and Agnes McKnight

    Phillip Murray lived in the Paisley Scotland circa 1799, as can be judged from the baptisimal records of their children there during that period in time. Although it is not documented for certain, I believe Philip to be the son of Philip Murray and Elizabeth Martin, who lived in Edinburgh. Philip married Agnes McKnight sometime before 1795. Phillip Murray and Agnes Mcknight had children;

1.John Murray christened Feb 5, 1795 Middle Church Parish Paisley Scotland. He probably died young, since there is another son named John born a few years later. Was he first born son? If so, he should have been named for his paternal grandfather, father of Philip Murray. However, in this case, it is not likely, since their next son was named Philip, and Philip is clearly a Murray name. I would guess that their first son John was probably named for Agnes McKnight's father, rather than Philip Murray's father. If this is the case, then Philip Murray's father was also named Philip Murray.


2.Phillip Murray christened July 21 1797 Middle Church Parish Paisley Scotland. He probably died young as well, since there are more sons named Philip born a few years later.

3.John Murray born January 26, 1799 in Paisley, married Jane McRoberts b. 1796 in
    Kircudbrightshire Scotland, and emigrated to Ontario in 1834

4.William Murray christened June 13 1802 Middle Church Parish Paisley Scotland. Probably died young.

5.Phillip Murray christened June 24 1804 Middle Church Parish Paisley Scotland, probably died young.

6.Phillip Murray christened Aug 30 1806 Middle Church Parish Paisley Scotland.

2.Possibly George Murray, partner with John in Flamboro Blacksmith business.  In the 1871 Seaforth Census, there is listed a John Murray Blacksmith, born circa 1831 in Scotland, who is possibly a son of this George Murray. He is married to Ellen Unknown born c1845 in Scotland, and their religion is Presbyterian. They have children;
    a.George Murray born c1860 Ontario
    b.Jane Murray born c1863 Ontario
    c.John Murray born c1866 Ontario
    d.Margaret Murray born c1870 Ontario

    Although it is yet to be documented, I believe our Phillip Murray's family is descended from the 2nd Earl of Tullibardine and his son John, who became the first of the Murray Earls of Atholl. I suspect this, because of the naming patterns within our own Murray family, particularly since the split in family ranks in 1745 - Hanoverians versus Jacobites. In 1745, the aged Marquis of Tullibardine raised the standard for Bonnie Prince Charles at Glen Finnan, and his brother Lord George Murray was the general in charge of the Jacobite forces. When the Jacobites lost the battles, the Dukedom of Atholl was given to a younger brother, who had been loyal to the Hanoverian forces. The elder brothers,  who had been supporting the Jacobite forces of Bonnie Prince Charles had no choice but to flee their homelands.
    Our Phillip Murray named one of his sons John, and I am almost certain he had another son called George. His son John Murray named his daughter Dorothia, whose name likely came down from the Lady Dorothia Stewart, who had married the 2nd Earl of Tullibardine.

Source: Business Directory for Flamborough Twp, Wentworth Co, Ontario.
Source: Murray family archives, catalina@intergate.bc.ca
Source: A Dictionary of Scottish Settlers to Canada before Confederation page 350
Source: Morman Church Records, R/IGI, Renfrewshire, Scotland.

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