James was born in the house, "Point Evergreen," that his paternal grandfather, Judge David Murphree (1811-1866) had built (completed in 1848). It was located on Prices Creek, near its intersection with the bend of the Guadalupe River between Cuero and Victoria. That area later became part of the Thomaston community which was established in 1872 upon the arrival of the Gulf, Western Texas and Pacific Railway's new extension from Victoria.
After Judge Murphree's death in 1866, James' father, James Owen "Jim" Murphree (1847-1923) assumed responsibility for management of the family's ranch. After his marriage to Lulu Smith (1853-1939) on 27 Mar 1972, Jim and Lulu continued to live on that ranch and in that house where all 12 of their children were born.
James Smith Murphree was named for his maternal grandfather, James Brown Smith who died, probably in Tennessee, in 1865. While he never lived in Texas, his wife, Virginia Featherstone Murphree and their children, relocated to Texas in 1866 and lived in Victoria and later in Thomaston at Point Evergreen. One of those children was Lulu Smith (1853-1939) who was James Smith Murphree's mother.
Bio furnished by Bob Webb, Find a Grave contributor, #47235753. Two of the sources of the information in the bio are: (1) the 1962 book "A History of DeWitt County," written by James' sister, the noted DeWitt County historian, Nell Lulu "Nellie" Murphree (1882-1982), and (2) the 1986 book "Cemetery Records of DeWitt County Vol. I," by Patsy Goebel and Karen McWhorter.
James was born in the house, "Point Evergreen," that his paternal grandfather, Judge David Murphree (1811-1866) had built (completed in 1848). It was located on Prices Creek, near its intersection with the bend of the Guadalupe River between Cuero and Victoria. That area later became part of the Thomaston community which was established in 1872 upon the arrival of the Gulf, Western Texas and Pacific Railway's new extension from Victoria.
After Judge Murphree's death in 1866, James' father, James Owen "Jim" Murphree (1847-1923) assumed responsibility for management of the family's ranch. After his marriage to Lulu Smith (1853-1939) on 27 Mar 1972, Jim and Lulu continued to live on that ranch and in that house where all 12 of their children were born.
James Smith Murphree was named for his maternal grandfather, James Brown Smith who died, probably in Tennessee, in 1865. While he never lived in Texas, his wife, Virginia Featherstone Murphree and their children, relocated to Texas in 1866 and lived in Victoria and later in Thomaston at Point Evergreen. One of those children was Lulu Smith (1853-1939) who was James Smith Murphree's mother.
Bio furnished by Bob Webb, Find a Grave contributor, #47235753. Two of the sources of the information in the bio are: (1) the 1962 book "A History of DeWitt County," written by James' sister, the noted DeWitt County historian, Nell Lulu "Nellie" Murphree (1882-1982), and (2) the 1986 book "Cemetery Records of DeWitt County Vol. I," by Patsy Goebel and Karen McWhorter.
Family Members
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David Murphree
1874–1901
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Alex Murphree
1876–1876
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Margaretta Murphree
1877–1879
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William Thomas "Tom" Murphree
1880–1959
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Nell Lulu "Nellie" Murphree
1882–1982
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John Owen Murphree
1885–1986
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Virginia Murphree
1887–1889
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Benjamin Farnsworth "Ben" Murphree
1889–1960
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Robert Lee "Bob" Murphree
1891–1975
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Patton Murphree
1894–1894
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Ann Elizabeth Murphree
1896–1971
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