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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| 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 |