Guide to the Murphy Family Papers and Photographs 1890-1928
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Murphy Family Papers and Photographs
- Creator
- Murphy family
- Collection Number
- MSS 911
- Extent
- 1 linear feet (1 box)
- Date
- 1890-1928
- Abstract
- John Murphy, a Civil War veteran and Pittsburgh businessman, owned a company that specialized in the manufacture and sale of undertakers' supplies. Upon Murphy's death in 1919, his estate was distributed to his heirs, and Eleanor Kelly, John's granddaughter, became the main trustee for his estate as well as the estates of her father and brother. The collection includes family photographs and documents relating to the Murphy and Kelly family estates such as correspondence and ledger books.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
John Murphy was born on December 13, 1833 in Allegheny County to parents John and Eleanor (Donaldson) Murphy. Shortly after his birth, the Murphy family moved to Canonsburg where he grew up and attended school. In 1856, he married Sarah Lamb Price and had a son, James. The married couple settled in Canonsburg, where Murphy opened a dry goods business, which he would continue to run until the outbreak of the Civil War. Once the Civil War began, Murphy, along with General R. P. Hughes, raised Company B of the 85th Pennsylvania Volunteers Infantry. Murphy was elected lieutenant and later served as quartermaster of his regiment until he was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel of the 168th Pennsylvania Infantry in 1862. After the war, Murphy moved his wife and two children to Pittsburgh. In 1875, he created the John Murphy and Co., which manufactured and sold undertakers' supplies. He also became involved in the coal industry in Washington County as well as agriculture on Meadow Lands Farm for a number of years. On February 27, 1919, Murphy died, leaving his estate, including the family home in the East End to his heirs. However, Murphy's will was contested in court because of an edit he made toward the end of his life. Mrs. Eleanor "Nellie" Kelly, granddaughter of John Murphy and wife of John Kelly, became the main trustee of the estates of her grandfather, father, and brother.
Scope and Content Notes
The Murphy Family Papers and Photographs contain family photographs and financial papers belonging to members of the Murphy family of Shadyside. Materials include account statements, correspondence, and ledger books. Also included is the obituary of Colonel John Murphy who was a Civil War veteran and Pittsburgh businessman. There are a number of photographs of unidentified individuals within in this collection including one oversized photograph.
Conditions Governing Access
None
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift from Victor Gallik in 1996.
Archives accession # 1996.0185
Preferred Citation
Murphy Family Papers and Photographs, 1890-1928, MSS 911, Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
Preliminary processing by Meghan Hall on January 21, 2013..
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Separated Materials
One oversized family photograph is separated from collection but is located on shelf with box.
Subjects
- John Murphy and Company--Pittsburgh--Pennsylvania
- Murphy, John--1833-1919
- Murphy, James P.--1856-1916
- Kelly, Eleanor "Nellie"
- Shadyside (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- East End (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Decendents' estates--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
- Business--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh