James and Paron Murrah – 1845 Yalobusha, Mississippi Census

James & Paron Murrah were enumerated in 1845 in the Mississippi State Census.

Here is the record:

Head of Family: J. M. Murrah

5 Males:

1. James Madison
2. William Wells
3. James Madison (Son)
4. Reuben
5. Daniel

3 Females:

1. Paron
2. Melvina
3. Darthula

This record fits this family dynamic perfectly.

James & Malinda Murrah – 1870 US Federal Census

James & Malinda and their 4 children were enumerated in Aiken, Bell, Texas on 21 Jun 1870 on the 1870 US Federal Census.

Here is the record:

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com

1870 Jun 21: 1870 US Federal Census, Texas, Bell County, Aiken; sheet 17A p5; Household 32, Family 37
1. J. N. Murrah, 37, male, white, farmer, personal property valued at $500, born in Alabama, male citizen over age of 21.
2. Malinda Murrah, 37, female, white, keeping house, real estate valued at $800, born in Tennessee.
3. James Murrah, 12, male, white, born in Texas, attended school for 5 months.
4. Jacob Murrah, 9, male, white, born in Texas.
5. Easter Murrah, 2, male, white, born in Texas.
6. Daniel Murrah, 1, male, white, born in Texas.

Things To Note:

• James Murrah was 37 years old in 1870, making him born about 1833 in Alabama.
• James Murrah owns personal property worth $500
• Malinda Murrah is also 37 years old in 1870, making her born about 1833 in Tennessee. (Place does not match what I currently have.) 
• Malinda Murrah owns real estate with a value of $800. (Where did she get this and why does she own it and not her husband?)
• James Murrah (son) was 12 years old in 1870, making him born about 1858 in Texas.
• Jacob Murrah was 9 years old in 1870, making him born about 1861 in Texas.
• Easter Murrah was 2 years old in 1870, making her born about 1868 in Texas.
• Easter Murrah was enumerated as a “male”
• Daniel Murrah was 1 year old in 1870, making him born about 1869 in Texas.

NEXT TO DO: Locate James & Malinda Murrah and family in 1880 US Federal Census

James & Paron Murrah – 1840 US Census

I have located an 1840 US Federal Census that I believe to be James & Paron and their family…

Let’s break it down just a little bit!

1840 US Census; Mississippi, Yalobusha County; p306

1. Free White Males:

• Under 5: 2 (FITS) – Daniel and Reuben
• 5-9: 1 (FITS) – James Jr.
• 10-14: 1 (FITS) – William
  30-39: 1 (FITS) –James

 

2. Free White Females:

• Under 5: 1 (FITS) – Melvina
  5-10: 1 (DOESN’T FIT)
• 20-29: 1 (FITS) – Paron
  Note for one that doesn’t fit: I do have a large gap between William and James Jr. Possible this girl filled that gap and married or died before 1850 census?

Some things have begun to make me ask some questions here…

• Information I have says Paron was born about 1811. William was born Dec 1825. Did Paron really get married and have a baby at the age of 14?
• Was James married once before Paron and maybe William is not her biological child?
• If that is the case, who else was he married to?

Love how finding one record and looking over all the information SHOULD answer questions, but more often than not it ends up leading to more questions!

 

To Do Next:

1. Add this new information to the timeline
2. Enter above questions on research notes to remember to look for this information.
3. Record information concerning William Wells Murrah in the 1850 census to see if any new information or questions.

James Murrah Family – 1850 US Federal Census

I located James, Paron and their children in the 1850 census in Yalobusha County, Mississippi.

Extraction of Information from this census record:

1850 US Census; Mississippi; Yallabusha; North of Yalobusha River; p422 (Stamped); Lines 1-9; 18 Oct 1850.

1. James Murry, 50 years old, male, planter, $2000 real estate owned, born in Virginia.
2. Paron Murry, 39 years old, female, born in South Carolina.
3. James Murry, 17 years old, male, born in Alabama, attended school within the year.
4. Melvina Murry, 15 years old, female, born in Mississippi, attended school within the year.
5. Reuben Murry, 13 years old, male, born in Mississippi, attended school within the year.
6. Daniel Murry, 11 years old, male, born in Mississippi, attended school within the year.
7.Dorthula Murry, 9 years old, female, born in Mississippi, attended school within the year.
8. Richard Murry, 4 years old, male, born in Mississippi.
9. Rebecca Murry, 1 year old, female, born in Mississippi.

Other surnames listed on this same page:

• Tatum
• Doherty
• Brown
• Gardner
• Wilkes
• Hollady

As a side note, William Murry (Murrah) is listed as living in the house next door with Jno & Dumetta Tatum. I have no clue who these people are, but they were born in Alabama and are about 7 years older than William. Not sure if they are connected or not, but will keep an eye out for these people.

Next Step: Put together a timeline based on this census as a starting timeline to be added to as we find more documents.