Murphy in Collin County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Comfort Allen and Lydia McMillen Farm
Photographed by James Hulse, September 2, 2026
1. Comfort Allen and Lydia McMillen Farm Marker
Comfort Allen and Lydia McMillen were born and married in Arkansas. They arrived at Buckner, Collin County with oxen pulling the wagons and driving herds of sheep on November 18, 1845. Camping on Wilson Creek, they heard of Indian raids in the area. In the same wagon train were Lydia’s brothers James and Henry Maxwell, their wives and children, Lewis Williford and wife, and Bill Williford.
On January 1, 1846, they camped on Muddy Creek in Decatur. McMillen had a map issued by the Peter’s Colony showing where his land was located. As all their headrights joined, the McMillen and Maxwell families quickly raised log cabins along Maxwell Creek where they lived for the next several years.
When Collin County was organized there were no schools or churches in the area. McMillen organized the Corinth Presbyterian Church, becoming the first elder on August 2, 1846. The congregation met first in his yard and then his home. He developed a successful farm and the first business raising sheep in the area now called Murphy. The homeplace was built on what is known today as Betsy Lane and North Murphy Road. A pen was built west of his home for the sheep he drove from Arkansas.
Comfort and Lydia were married sixty-six years and had six children. They became the pillars of the Murphy community. In 1980, the last 10 acres of their land became Southfork Animal Clinic, owned by Lorraine Chalkley, the first woman to practice and own a veterinary clinic in the county.
Erected 2020 by Collin County Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Settlements & Settlers
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Location. 33° 2.034′ N, 96° 36.743′ W. Marker is in Murphy, Texas, in Collin County. It is at the intersection of North Murphy Road and Betsy Ln, on the right when traveling south on North Murphy Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1101 N Murphy Rd, Plano TX 75094, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Baptist Church of Murphy (approx. 0.3 miles away); McMillen Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); Maxwell Cemetery (approx. 0.9 miles away); Murphy Family Cemetery (approx. one mile away); William Murphy (approx. 1.1 miles away); Murphy Community (approx. 1.1 miles away); Murphy School (approx. 1.2 miles away); Parker Cotton Gin (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murphy.
Photographed by James Hulse, September 2, 2026
2. Comfort Allen and Lydia McMillen Farm Marker
The animal clinic can be seen in the background on the right side.
Photographed by James Hulse, September 2, 2026
3. Comfort Allen and Lydia McMillen Farm Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 4, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
