Sevierville in Sevier County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
James Crawford Murphy
1807-1894
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, November 21, 2010
1. James Crawford Murphy Marker
Inscription.
James Crawford Murphy. Benefactor of Murphy College 1890-1936, for whom it was named, this prominent farmer and merchant first come to Sevierville as a tanner in 1833. He returned again to Sevier county 1847 with his wife, Mary “Polly” Smith (1811-1894), settling along the middle prong of the Little Pigeon River near Harrisburg. Acquiring the title “Colonel” from his service in the Tennessee Militia, Murphy donated the land for the building of a house of worship for the congregations of Methodist Episcopal North and Methodist South in 1885, today known as Murphy's Chapel United Methodist Church. The Murphy's had many descendants still living as farmers on the original homeplace and many sons, grandsons, and great grandsons who had businesses on this square.
Benefactor of Murphy College 1890-1936, for whom it was named, this prominent farmer and merchant first come to Sevierville as a tanner in 1833. He returned again to Sevier county 1847 with his wife, Mary “Polly” Smith (1811-1894), settling along the middle prong of the Little Pigeon River near Harrisburg. Acquiring the title “Colonel” from his service in the Tennessee Militia, Murphy donated the land for the building of a house of worship for the congregations of Methodist Episcopal North and Methodist South in 1885, today known as Murphy's Chapel United Methodist Church. The Murphy's had many descendants still living as farmers on the original homeplace and many sons, grandsons, and great grandsons who had businesses on this square.
Erected 1986 by Sevier Museum of History and Art.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.
Location. 35° 52.142′ N, 83° 33.921′ W. Marker is in Sevierville, Tennessee, in Sevier County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street (U.S. 411) and Court Avenue, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street. Marker is in front of the Carl Ownby & Company Warehouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 152 W Main St, Sevierville TN 37862, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers.
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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Mayors of the City of Sevierville (within shouting distance of this marker); Sevierville (within shouting distance of this marker); Isaac Thomas (within shouting distance of this marker); Timothy Reagan (within shouting distance of this marker); William M. Whaley (within shouting distance of this marker); James McMahan (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Sevierville (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Atchley (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sevierville.
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, November 21, 2010
2. James Crawford Murphy Marker
This historical marker and the renovation of the Public Square are made possible by the following memorials:
W.S. Murphy 1869-1945
Banker, Merchant
Mayor of Sevierville
1909-1913
by
Reba Murphy Hicks
Descendants of James Crawford Murphy
by
Ralph M. and Willie Kate Brown Murphy
J. Reed and Hattie Murphy Wade Family and others
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 849 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 30, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
