Murphy, James

  General Notes:

From: Philip Murphy
Sent: 07 June 2011 11:52
To: danie@farr.co.za
Subject: Your family tree

Hi

I just came across your great family tree site today and have discovered that a great uncle is mentioned. However there is a mistake with his first name and place of birth.
His name is Laurence (not Lawrence) Joseph Murphy and he was born 8.08.1881 in Wexford Ireland. His father was also Laurence Murphy. A sea captain. He drowned when his schooner the Express of Wexford sank off the Wicklow coast, Ireland on 27.03.1897.

Laurence went to South Africa with his good friend James Walsh also from Wexford around 1900. Laurence married Octavia Drake and James Walsh married her sister.

Laurence's brother James was my grandfather. We believe he also went to Sth Africa but finally settled in New Zealand. 3 other brothers and a sister also came to NZ. 2 sisters remained in Ireland. One (Nellie) married Frank Poyntz, the other, Alice, remained single. Sarah Poyntz (Frank & Nellie's daughter) is still alive and has written many articles and books. One book -"Memory Emancipated" tells some stories of the family life in Wexford and mentions Laurence moving to Sth Africa.

I have also heard from a Kevin Whyte from Sth Africa - a relative of James Walsh. This is what he wrote:

Hi Philip

Thanks for your message.

You have no idea at the excitement you have caused here by your reply. Lar (my grandfather's name for him) Murphy was my grandfather's friend who also worked on SA Railways and married one of my grandmother's sisters viz. Octavia Drake. They had a daughter Mary who never married and died some years ago. Lar was slightly deaf and was knocked down and killed by a train which he had not heard coming. This occurred at a small fishing village called Kalk Bay about 20 miles from Cape Town where I live on 26/01/1934.

We do not know when exactly our grandfather, James Walsh, came to this country. Our best guess is 1900/1901. Also, we have spent many hours researching why he came here because there are various stories none of which offer any proof. It seems that Lar Murphy came here about 2 years after my grandfather but this is in dispute in our family as some people say they came together. Below is an excerpt from the Wexford Historical Society Journal which Nicky Rossiter, a Wexford historian, placed on www.rootschat.com during the course of correspondence. Bren and Bressie must have been the same person. It is an extract from the diary of John Herron, a mutual friend of Lar and Bressie, who also lived in William St Wexford. These events took place in 1915.

Here is an excerpt from my article on John Herron in the Wexford Historical Society Journal. Could Bren and Bressie be the same person?
""Splendid weather, a change from first of week - sea like oil - some sharks hovering around."
The 26th brought - " the sunset this evening was splendid, the whole ocean was turned golden." The following day they sighted land for the first time in 39 days.
When they eventually docked at Mossel Bay he spent the day "fishing mackerel".
On Saturday October 9th he arrived in East London and "had a ramble around the town on Saturday night - this place is very quiet."
Next day - " A splendid day, had a stroll along the beach in the morning, went upriver afternoon. The town is a deserted place on Sunday night."
From East London they sailed to Durban where he, "had a royal night ashore."
When they left Durban they "sailed along the Coast of Zululand only half a mile off shore. Saw a lot of natives on beach, saw two whales."
Back at Durban after a trip to Delago Bay they were taking on cargo again but on Wednesday 17th - "Still raining, not taking any cargo on account of the rain."
They coasted around the area taking on cargo at East London, Port Elizabeth and Mossel Bay before proceeding toward Cape Town again where they anchored in Table Bay before docking.

The entry for November 17th reads, "Had a letter from Lar Murphy to meet him at 7.30 pm. Met him - first time for 13 years, had a good night."
The following day he met Bren(?) Walsh - first time in 15 years, "had day off with him and Lar."
The ship sailed for New York on Saturday November 20th."

I was able to trace you because the Irish Census for 1901 came on line last week. I found a number of Murphys (including Laurence) living at 7 William St Wexford. The Walshs lived, at various times, at 1 and 3 William St. My grandfather was born at 3 William St. However, there were no parents named for the Murphy family which you have answered by your recounting the fact that the father had died at sea. Their mother must already have been dead. What was strange was that in the 1911 census most of them were not present. But that is explained because Laurence was here and several of the others were in NZ.

I have attached a photograph of Laurence Murphy's tombstone in the Plumstead Cemetery. It was erected by his workmates of the Federation of Labour Unions. We have also been told that Lar came here after my grandfather because he had spent some time in a seminary but then gave up the idea of the priesthood. But I do not know for sure if this story is true.

I am corresponding with many of the Walsh family in Ireland and England. I am also sending you an article which features my great grandfather, Thomas (Lanigan) Walsh a legend in Wexford Town. It is well worth reading as it gives an insight into life around Wexford about 80 years ago.

Does your family know anything of the circumstances leading to Lar and Bressie coming to this country? We would love to know any anecdotes you might have.

I'm sure that I have, in the past, corresponded with someone in Lower Hutt but the name escapes me for the moment. I'll let you know when I remember.

I'll be in touch.

Regards

Kevin


This is too much writing I know but I hope this helps prove the connection.
Keep up the good work.

Philip Murphy

James married.