Craven County, NC - Murphrey Letters, 1770 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ New Berne NC 10 December 1770 Dear Billy: [William Murphrey] We arrived here all safe and sound of body. The weather has been pleasant and warm. The gods must surely smile on our festivities. We are not at Mr. Blackledge's [Richard] as was planned because of fever amongst his people but are instead with Mr. Coor. I have rooms at the top of the house with Sally [Sarah Murphrey] and can see from river to river [Neuse to Trent] and well up the neck from his high point. This is such a bustling, busy place after the solitude of our forest clearing. We have done much shopping and visiting abouts. There are so many old friends and aquantenses here and a great number of Dobbs folks are down. Saw many of them at Church a Sunday. We shared a pew with old Hannah Hill [widow of Robert Hill Sr, d. 1767] and Spyrs [sic] Singleton and family. On Celebration day the town was so decked out as to appear a fair. Everyone in their finery & entertainments at every corner. We went with Mr. Green [John] and brother Caswell [Martin Caswell, 1731-1789, m. Nancy Murphrey] to the setting of the Govournment [sic] in their new Chambers but could naught but stand below windows such was the press. Papa [John Murphrey Sr, 1700-1776, m. Elizabeth Harrison] was made door keeper for the Assemblage in that the regular keeper was a bed with the ague. The Government closed business for the day when the point guns saluted and everyone repaired to prepare for the ball. The Govournment House [Tryon Palace] is indeed grand. Mama [Elizabeth Harrison, c1706-1788, wife of John Murphrey Sr] says that it is even grander than the Governor's House in Virginia. I heard it said by a gentleman, who is much traveled, that it is an English House in the finest London taste. Oh, I wish you could have seen the ball. It dazled the eyes & mind of the beholder. Such finery & jewels. Mother never looked younger or in more health. She wore the Blue Spittlefields gown Papa bought for her and Grandmother B's [Elizabeth 'Betty' Burwell Harrison, 1677-1734, wife of Benjamin Harrison, 1673-1710] diamonds set her off to perfection. And you should have seen our little Polly [Mary 'Polly' Aldridge, wife of John Murphrey Jr, c1747-1817] all in green & yellow satin with plumes and turban. She has become quite the city lady. When presented to the Governour & Lady [Gov. Wm Tryon, 1729-1788 and Margaret Wake, 1733-1819] he spoke at some length with Mother his having met her cousins while in Virginia. We danced and danced the long part of the evening and ate a great number of delicasys [sic] which we have only for weddings & funerals. The lawn before the House was set to form a large feast for the general public who were not at the Ball and the whole night ended with a great fire show. Parson Reed [James, d. 7 May 1777] danced with me [Gale Murphrey, c1745-1776] three times & the dear old gentleman would make to have great liberties of speech with Mother who laughed like a girl at such flirtations. Papa played the part of the jealous husband to the merriment of all. On the day after the Ball we walked over to Reed's [James] & sat on the porch for awhile until he took Papa & Jethro [brother] to view the school and talk of tuition with Tomlinson [Thomas]. We drank tea with Mrs. Reed and later came Mrs. Frank, Mrs. Roads [sic], and young Mrs. King, a relation of Mrs. Roads from down the country. We supped at Cornell's to a large company and afterwards I played the harpsichord for all and Mother lost 4£ to Mrs. Cornell at quardrille which caused Papa's blood to rise. The town is still in a festive mood. We have seen two horse races and a concert by the young men of the town. We are to be home in less than a weeks time to prepare for the Holidays. We have all or most of the items you wished, Papa at present, still heggling with Old Hard Money over credit & goods. Tell [missing - paper crumbled] [our interpretation] 'Lucy' 'we have the' bolts of cloth she wanted and the set of chinia. Tell her the ladies are wearing the most charming knots and over shifts and ribbons this season. Mama has found the most charming little Irish seamstress and you must really bring [crumbled] 'Lucy to' town that she may make up dresses for her also. I really must close now [more crumbled] 'they are' having a dance tonight & I have to begin [more crumbled] 'to dress for it'. Love to all, Your sister, Gale [Gale Murphrey] Mr. William Murphrey - Esquire The Newfields Dobbs County NC From The Martha Sugg Dixon Papers 1827-1904 in possession of Wm L. Murphy, Raleigh, NC Re: Spitalfield Gown: "Queen Elizabeth, in 1584, chartered a group of Dutch to establish an industry in Norwich, soon famous for its damask and flowered silks. Forty five years later James I, of England assisted Hugenots from France to establish silk industry; and fifty six years later in 1685, 50,000 left France to settle in Spitalfields near London, which became a leading center for silk damask and brocades." Page 1109 - American Weavers - Their Problems and Their Growth - by Margaret Holmes Aaron Guild, Norwich, Massachusetts The Daughters of The American Revolution Magazine - Dec. 1979 Ima Eula Mewborn Farmville, NC Note: Information in [...] by I.E.M. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Muskettoe Quarter 9 September 1770 Dear Son: [John Murphrey Jr] You will receive this of Dick [Richard] Caswell [1729-1789, later Governor of NC] who is accompanying 6 hhds of Tobacco to Newberne. All are properly marked. You are to see Mr. Oliver as to the disposal of the same. Have him hold the note for I will settle debts & orders, when I arrive, which will be about the 2nd. Your Mother [Elizabeth Harrison Murphrey] will be accompanying me, as will your sister Gale & Little Jethro [brother]. Mr. Blackledge [Richard, will of 26 Feb 1776, Craven Co, NC] has offered us the hospitality of his home, so you need not to worry to engage us rooms. Send the enclosed list to Mr. Caswell to be filled & the goods loaded on 'The Betsy', after Mr. Olliver has removed the hhds. Cousin Murphrey [Murphrey Dixon, c1730-1812, m. Mourning Garner, a nephew] will have other instructions for you also. We will take the 'perangue' down after the conopy and rigging is refitted & return at the end of the Festivities. You will perhaps keep the 'perangue' for your return trip at Christmas tide. Remember me to all at that place. Your loving father [John Murphrey] N.B. You may take the price of your picture out of the Tobacco notes. If your picture be good, I may have my picture drawn for your mother's Christmas. Mr. John Murphrey [Jr] At Wm Cox's Near Newberne Care of Mr. [Richard] Caswell Note: From same collection - mentioned above. [I.E.M.] ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Sloan Spence Mason ___________________________________________________________________