Jeffery is the son of William Murrell (1719 Surry County, VA -9/14/1780 Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg County, VA) and Francis Prior Smith (1721-1765) and his brothers and sisters are: Elizabeth Murrell (1735–1830); Mary Murrell (1736–1766); Thomas Murrell (1737 Goochland, Virginia-26 MAY 1826 Dickson, Dickson, Tennessee); Judith Murrell (1738–1785); Rev. Richard Murrell (1739–1829); Martha Murrell (1740–1779); William Murrell (1741–1748) and Drury Murrell (1743 Goochland, VA-Death 15 JAN 1801 Union, South Carolina)
Jeffrey's grandparents were Thomas Murrell (birth 1675 Lowns Creek, Surry County, Virginia; Death 1755 Goochland, Virginia) and Elizabeth Oliver (birth 1690 Surry, Surry Co., Virginia; death 20 NOV 1758 Goochland, Goochland, Virginia)
In about 1797, Jeffrey married Zilpha Andrews in Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg County, Virginia, daughter of Mark Andrews (born 1740) and Winifred Lyell (1738-1827).
FROM VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHIES, Page 175:
Prominent among the old and highly esteemed families of Virginia is the Murrell Family, its connection with the state dating back to its early history, and during the intervening years the members in the various generations have aided in every worthy project calculated to advance the interests of the communities in which they have resided. Thomas Murrell, Jeffrey's grandfather, was one of the first settlers of Virginia, and endured bravely the hardships incident to pioneer life.
##
Jeffrey and his brother Thomas Murrell, Sr. (1737-1826) were both Revolutionary War veterans. Like Thomas, Jeffery was a minister but he was a Methodist. They migrated from Hawkins County to Dickson County, Tennessee in 1806. Thomas, Jr. (1785-1866) and his father, Thomas, Sr., were outstanding citizens. Thomas, Sr. was a Baptist preacher and Thomas, Jr. served as Dickson County Magistrate for many years.
Jeffery served as a private in the Revolutionary War and entered the Virginia Militia from Lunenburg County (Revolutionary War Pension #2908).
Jeffrey's Timeline:
1802 moved to Adair County, Kentucky.
1804 moved to Williamson County, Tennessee.
Jeffrey is buried in Methodist Church Cemetery, Bethesda, Tennessee
Jeffery moved to Middle Tennessee prior to Thomas, Sr. and purchased 146 acres in Williamson County, a short distance from where Thomas would settle (in Dickson County) about a year later. Jeffrey's land adjoined that of another brother, Drury, and was near his father-in-law, Mark Andrews.
Jeffery was an itinerant preacher and traveled throughout the countryside preaching the Gospel of Christ. His reputation was spotless. Jeffery was a tarvern owner and already fifty-six years old when he married Zilpha, closer in age to his father-in-law Mark Andrews than to his wife. He died in 1824.
The Murrells were said to be an extremely handsome family. Jeffrey and Zilpha's son John Andrews Murrell, especially, was remarkable ... John's sister, Leanna Murrell, was remarkable for her beauty, and was the most skillful dancer of her day." (Columbia Herald and Mail, June 8, 1877).
Jeffrey and Zilpha's Children
1. John Andrews MURRELL (Birth 1804 Lunenburg Co., VIrginia; Death 01 NOV 1845 Pikeville, Blount Co, Tennessee) married ELIZABETH MANGHAM (Birth 1808 Pikeville, Tennessee; Death 05 MAR 1891 Chester, Tennessee) and they had a daughter, ARTUSSY MADELINE MURRELL (Birth 1833 Pikesville, Bledso, Co., Tennessee; Death 1891 McNairy, Co. Tennessee). She married ROBERT R BLAND and they had the following children: Sarah L Bland (1839–____); Elijah M. Bland (1843–____); Rachel Ann Penelope Bland (1858–1895) married GEORGE WASHINGTON WESLEY HOWELL (Birth 1860 Wayne County, Tennessee; Death ABT 1895 McNairy Co., Tennessee); Henry Bland (1863–____); Lavanda Dulua Bland Campbell (1866–1929); Nancy C. Bland (1868–____); JULY JULIA BLAND (1870–____); VIRGINIA OPHELIA BLAND Usery (1874–1955)
2. Jeanna MURRELL b: Est 1770-1799
3. William Stich MURRELL (Birth 1798 Lunenburg, Virginia; Death MAY 1867 Tenterden, Kent, England)
4. James Henry MURRELL b: ABT 1802 Lunenburg County, VA; d. abt 1839) married Mary McBride
5. Jeffrey Gilliam MURRELL b: ABT 1812 Williamson County, TN; d. unknown)
6. Judette C. MURRELL b: ABT 1807 Williamson County, TN
7. Mary Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 18013 Williamson County, TN
8. Louisa Stanfield MURRELL b: ABT 1806 Williamson County, TN
9. Ann Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Jeffre Murrel
in the 1820 United States Federal Census
Name: Jeffre Murrel
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Franklin, Williamson, Tennessee
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 18: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over : 1
Slaves - Males - 45 and over: 2
Slaves - Females - 14 thru 25: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Manufactures: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 4
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total Slaves: 3
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 11
Jeffre Murrel
in the 1840 United States Federal Census
Name J H Marrell
Home in 1840 (City, County, State) Franklin, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9 2
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19 1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14 2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10 3
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23 3
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35 1
Slaves - Females - Under 10 5
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35 3
Slaves - Females - 55 thru 99 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture 10
Free White Persons - Under 20 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49 2
Total Free White Persons 8
Total Slaves 16
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves 24
From the notes of Ellender Boudreaux, Lafayette, Louisiana (1997):
Jeffery and his brother, Drury, purchased 146 acres of land for $500 in southern Williamson County, Tennessee. They moved from Lunenburg County in 1806. They moved next to his father-in-law who owned land there in 1800. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old.
In Williamson County, as in Lunenburg County, the Murrells and Andrews men were property owners, hard working, honest farmers. Some owned slaves. Mark had nine at his death, Jeffery three. They were tight-knit, clanish, self-sufficient, and moderately prosperous, but for the Murrells at least, the move to Tennessee began a slow process of moral decay. Certainly the record before that move was one of sturdy industriousness.
Jeffery was a good hard working man, but his sons were not. All four sons became lawbreakers. The fruits of a lifetime of labor were consumed by growing court costs and debts. They were often in and out of courts.
When Jeffery died he owned three slaves and land free from debt. He left this to his wife, Zilpah, to be divided among his children at her death. However, four years after his death the family farm was lost and the slide down the social scale once begun was inexorable.
Drury never married.
Jeffery Murrell
Will
Jany. 1825
Recorded in Book 6, Pages 75649
Tho. Hardeman, Clk
In the name of God Amen I Jeffrey Murrel of the County of Williamson and State of Tennessee being weak of body but of perfect sound mind and memory blessed be God for it and calling to mind the mortality of body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die I have thought proper to make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament and first and principally I give and remand my soul to Almighty God that gave it and my body I return to the earth to be buried in a decant and Christian manner by the administer of my estate whom I shall hereafter appoint and of touching my worldly estate which it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and dispose of in the following manner:
1. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife my land and plantation that I know live on during her natural life and at her death to be split and be equally divided among my surviving heirs namely William S. Murrell (viz.), James H. Murrell, John A. Murrell, Lousa Stanfield Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Leannia L. Murrell, Jeffrey G. Murrell, Mary E. Murell and the lawful heirs of my son William S. Murrell.
2. I give and bequeath to my son William S. Murrell one dollar to be paid to him by my Executors in money out of the proceeds of my personal property.
3. I give and bequeath to my sister Judith Murrell ten dollars yearly to be paid to her by mu Executors and if she should become more infirmed than what she is at this time and not be able to walk my will is that she shall be paid twenty dollars yearly after that during her life and to have him boarded a working share in and with my family the money allowed to my sister Judith Murrell to be made by my Executors out of my personal property and kept by them without plissas.
4. My will and wish is that after my just debts are paid the balance of my property that I now want Hannah Lucy and Beck the negro boy Nick that I have named does not belong to me til the death of my wife's mother Winifred Andrews and all of my stock of Horses Cattle Hogs Sheep and my farming tools of every description and all other of my property that I have not named together Note in John Humphrey for two hundred dollars which note will be due on the first of February mint and at this time in the hands of Willaim Fleming as surety to him for fifty dollars that I borrowed from said Fleming which is to be paid to him out of said note with interest my will is that it shall be divided at the death of my loving wife equally among my children (viz James H. Murrell, John A. Murrell, Louisa Stanfield Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Lianna L. Murrell, Mary E. Murrell and the lawful heirs of my son William S, Murrell together with all of my household and kitchen furniture.
5. The above named sums that I have left to my sister Judith Murrell is to be paid to her by my Executors on condition that she gives up a note or influence of writing which she holds on me at this time.
My will and desire is that my beloved wife Tilphy Murrell and William Fleming to be Sole Executors to this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the twentieth day of November in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four.
Jeffrey Murrell (seal)
Signed, sealed and acknowledged
For the purposes aforesaid by me
(illegible)
PROBATE OF ESTATE
Zilpah Andrews Murrell
John Thompkins
Vs
Zilpah Murrell & others
Bill
Juris 25 July 1827
Recorded
Trustee
Williamson County
To the Honorable Thomas Stuart Esq. Judge of the Circuit Court of Law and Equity for the County aforesaid.
Your orator John Thompson of the County aforesaid humbly complaining shows clerk by your honor - that Zilpha Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Murrell and Jeffrey G. Murrell of the County and State aforesaid ____ right to a fee simple of a tract of land ________ _____ containing by estimation one hundred ________acres and being also possessed _____ good title to the following chgartccles of personal property to wit one negro boy Elado ______________ eighteen years of age, girl Hannah four years of age and one gray mare, one yoke of oxen for each, cows and four yearlings, thirteen head of sheep, forty hogs, four beds & furniture, two tables, three ______ chairs, one loom, three cotton wheels, one flour wheel, chest, one looking glass, two pads, one oven, two skillets and kettle, two washing tubs, two pewter dishes and ____, kitchen dish and thirteen plates, 5 bowls, 2 latches of cream, _____ cups saucers and one crib of corn _____________.
And the said defendants being in want of the sum of one hundred and sixty five dollars seventy eight cents for the purpose of offering two _______ against them, one in favor of ______, and the other in favour of McAleyha did on or about the twentieth day of ________ 1826 apply to and ____________ upon the security a mortgage of ___ previously and your orator having agreed such did according advance & pay the said sum of one hundred twenty five dollars evenly eight cents to the said H. K. Willeth & McAlis Lay Hill __ and thereupon __________ for the said sum of money, 20 July 1826. Defendants made and duly executed their deed _____ which they bargained & sold 2 cows and oats your orator the premises aforesaid but subject ______ the condition of ______________ as ________________ said defendants unto your orator of the said sums of one hundred & thirty five dollars & seventy eight cents with lawful interest thereon, on or before the twentieth day _______ 18__.
Your orator further [remainder of paragraph illegible] frequently appealed to aforesaid defendants to pay to him the said principal money [____] or else peaceably [_____] up to your orator. [illegible sentence] and your orator request the said defendants [________] complied but now so it is ____________. Your honor the said defendants commenced __________ your orator did not advance the said sum of money, ______________ whereas you orator charges the contrary hereof to be the trust to ________ all of which action _______________ in consideration whereof and for as much as your orator _________________ of the common law and can have arrangement whereof ________ a court of equity which _________ of his said are _________ cognizable to him and therefore _______said defendants may upon their corporal oaths shall ___________ make _______________ refuse _________________________ deed above described and whether they _______ did not utterly refuse ___________at the time prescribed by said mortgaged deed for the pay thereof and becomes thereafter – and the said defendants ________ in any answer the premises attached they may be decreed to pay to your orator the said sum on one hundred seventy five dollars & 28 cents with interest thereon from this 20 July 1826 together with your orator's oath and be defaired thereof that the said defendants and all thereon claiming and them may be forever barred in that behalf most wrongfully sustained.
Richard Alexander
Atts for Dfts
State of Tennessee Williamson County
This day personally appeared before me Alexander Mcanne one of the justices of the peace of said county Zilpha Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, heirs of oWm Murrell and Jeffrey G. Murrrell and made oath that the facts herein contained which yours within there own knowledge are true and the facts which have been related to them by others are true according to the best of their knowledge and belief.
her
Zilpah X Murrell
mark
Judith C. Murrell
Louisa Murrell
Jeffrey G. Murrell
Sworn to before me
This 6th of August 1827
A. Milbane EP
John Thompson vs Zil;pha Murrell et al
Testis 6th August 1827
ANSWER
The joint and several Answers of Zelpah Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Murrell and Jeffrey G. Murrell Defendants to the Bill of Complaint of John Thompson
These Defendants now and at all times hereinafter, saving and reserving to themselves all manner of benefit and advantage of exception to the many versons and insufficiencies in the complainant's said Bill of Complaint continued for Answer thereunto, and unto so much and such parts through as those Defendants are advised is material for them to make answer unto, they answer and say they admit that John Thompson, complaintant in said Bill of Complaint did advance to them the said sum of one hundred and ninety five dollars and twenty eight cents as specified in Complaintant's said Bill of Complaint; they admit that they in consideration thereof reunted the Mortgate deed as specified and set forth in the Complaintant's Bill, thus Defendants further answering admit the the Complainant John Thompson ____, since the said bond fell due, several times spply to them the said Defendants to obtain payment of the said sum of one hundred and ninety five dollars and twenty eight cents and that they the said Defendants ought thereby lift their deed of mortgage and redeem the property therein specified and that they have not paid said sum of money and lessted sum deed of Mortgage; and these defendants deny all unlawful combination and confederacy in the said Bill charged, without that that any other matter or thing material or necessary for these Defendants to make any favor unto, and not herein, or hereby, will sufficiently answered unto, confessed, or avoided have said or denied, is true to the knowledge or belief of these Defendants. All which matters and things these Defendants are ready to aver, maintain and prove, as this honorable Court shall direct, and humbly prey to be herein dismissed with their reasonable costs and charges in that behalf most wrongfully sustained.
State of Tennessee Williamson County
Richard Alexander
Atts for Defendants
This day personally appeared before me Alexander Mehane one of the justices of the peace of said county Zilpha Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Merrill and Jeffrey G. Murrell and made oath that the facts herein contained which comes within their own knowledge are true and the facts which have been related to them by others are true according to their knowledge and belief.
her
Zilpah X Murrell
mark
Judith C. Murrell
Louisa Murrell
Jeffrey G. Murrell
Sworn to before me
This 6th of August 1827
A Mebane JP
ORDER
John Thompson
vs
Zilpah Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Murrell & Jeffrey G. Murrell – In Chancery
This cause coming on to be heard upon the file, answer, hearing, it seeming at this time suggested by Metaid J. G. Murrell that he was infant and it being so agreed between the parties and he being before this court here by his guardian pro hac vice, Joshua W. McGown insisting upon his infancy,
It is ordered, adjudged & decreed that said Zilpah Murrell, Judith C. Murrell & Louisa L. Murrell pay to the said John Thompson the Executor heirs or assigns on or before the first day of May each the sum of one hundred seventy five dollars & seventy eight cents with interest thereon at the rate of six per centum per annum from the 20th day of July 1826 to this day making the further sum of eighteen dollars & 50 cents with costs of this suit and upon such payment that the complaintant succeed to the mortgage deed to the said Zilpah – and in default of payment as aforesaid that the clerk & master proceed to sell at public auction for cash at the going and usual notice of time & place so much of the mortgaged premises (the property of the said Zilpah, Judith C. and Louisa S. Murrell) as may be sufficient to pay said debt with interest and the cost of suit – and renters fees of which for $5.25
June 16, 1828
Metan Patty
And my rep fees of $12 50/100 of w luck
Th. Mancy
Mark Andrews
1820 Last Will and Testament
Recorded in Book 6, Pages 211 and 212
In the name of God Amen, I Mark Andrews of Williamson County State of Tennessee being perfect in mind and memory do make this my Last Will and Testament and dispose of my worldly goods and chattels in the following manner – viz.,
Item 1. I give and bequeath to my son John one hundred acres of land, beginning at my North East corner thence South to the creek thence down said as to meanders till a line parallel with the first will include the same and after the death of my wife Winifred Andrews, one negro girl named Suinder.
2. I give and bequeath to my son Ephraim Andrews all the balance of my land and plantation containing one hundred and sixty acres be the same mouoz bfs and all my farming tools.
3. After the death of my loving wife Winifred, I will that a negro woman named Alies and one negro boy named Saban be sold to the best advantage by my executors and the monies arising from sale of said negros when collected to be equally divided amongst my grandchildren, viz. George Shule, Christiana Shule, Plooey Shule, Haney Shule, James Shule and Andrew Shule to be paid to said grand children each their proportional part once they arrive to the age of twenty-one years.
4. After the death of my wife Winifred I give and bequeath to my daughter Scannah Yarborugh one negro man named George and one feather bed.
5. I give and bequeath to my daughter Polly Dean one negro girl named Kizzin, and one negro woman named Armon provided said Polly Dean pay or cause to be paid the full amount of a judg. Note, and cost which was obtained against Jeffrey Murrell in favor of Hobbs. In case of failure to pay off said judgment and cost the above named negro woman Armon to be sold and said judgment and cost to be satisfied out of the monies arising from the said negros and the balance of any to be paid to said Polly Dean for her own sake.
6. After the death of my wife Winifred I give and bequeath to my daughter Suddies Matthews one feather bed. ---
7. After the death of my loving wife Winifred I give and bequeath to my daughter Tilpah Murrell one negro boy named Dick and one feather bed. –
8. I give and bequeath to my son George Andrews all my stock of every kind except my young bay horse and all my crops of every description except tobacco which crop of tobacco and said young bay horse I give to my loving wife Winifred. I likewise give to my son George Andrews the money due on from Eli Talbot and all my property not herein willed of every description and after the death of my loving wife Winifred one negro man named Jack and one negro girl named Meliloa and her increase
9. I will that there be no appraisement of property or inventory returned.
10. I constitute and appoint my sons John Andrews, George Andrews and Ephraim Andrews Executors to this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix my Seal this twenty third day of December one thousand eight hundred and twenty –
Mark Andrews (Seal)
Signed and sealed in the presence of
Brochenbrough Andrews, Jurat.
Opperess C. Andrews, Jurat
George Andrews, Jurat.
Kahard S. Yarboroough, Jurat.
Biography
"Murrell Gang" mentor "Mom Murrell"
"Ancestry Rootsweb: (Shelley Dedrickson): 'Zelphia Tipha Andrews...." [1]
"Dalton Newsletter - Dalton Gang Letter: September 1996' by Gordon Bonnet:
'Jonathan Lyell and Mary Dalton had, among other children, Winifred Lyell, b. February 18, 1738 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond, Va. Winifred married Mark Andrews of Dinwiddie Co., Va., son of William Andrews and Avis Garnett, and had, among other children, a daughter named Zilphia Andrews. Winifred Lyell Andrews died in 1827. Zilphia Andrews married Jeffrey Murrell of Lunenburg Co., Va., son of William Murrell and Frances Pryor. They had, among other children, my ancestor, James H. Murrell, and the famous outlaw John A. Murrell... James H. Murrell moved to Louisiana, allegedly to escape his brother's bad name and influence, where he married on April 7, 1827, in Opelousas, La., to Mary Margaret McBride, daughter of Thomas Walter McBride and Julienne Bogard. They had, among other children, a daughter Emily Murrell, born on May 26, 1829 in Opelousas, La. Emily Murrell married in Opelousas on May 19, 1853 to Esprit Ariez Bonnet, son of Zacharie Bonnet and Marie Rebail of Gap, France. They had, among other children, Alfred Ariez Bonnet, who married Mary Emily Brandt, daughter of Wilhelm Brandt of Germany and Isabella Rulong. They were my paternal great-grandparents.[2]
"REH Two Gun Raconteur: 'The Hellbender John A. Murrell', by Keith Taylor: 'John A. Murrell was a hellbender, in Southwest vernacular. He planned no less than an outlaw empire on the Mississippi river, with New Orleans as his capital and himself as emperor. Son of a tavern woman and an aristocratic gentleman, he seemed to have inherited the instincts of both, together with a warped mind that made him as ruthless and dangerous as a striking rattler... Zilphia, nee Andrews, had been the daughter of a prosperous Virginia planter. Again, that was both genteel and accepted. She hadn't been "a tavern woman" all her life; she inherited the inn from her parents. John A's ancestors on both sides came from the state's early landed families. Not a lawbreaker or ne'er-do-well in generations. The moral decline in the family began with Zilphia. She managed the inn (near Columbia, Tennessee), since her preacher husband was often away giving sermons.... Poor old Jeffrey didn't know the half of it. To put it bluntly, the voluptuous Zilphia was a bigger [_____] than Rahab. She was also a [____] to match any in Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar, and she taught her four sons to assist her. Male travelers with bulging purses were given the come-on by "Mom Murrell," and she would [______________] while William, her eldest, or another son, took their coin, watches, and anything else worth having. They weren't likely to complain later. It would have meant admitting in court that they'd paid the preacher's wife [___ ___], and "Mom Murrell" would surely have denied it with a scandalized face, backed by her kids, well coached to appear wild with outrage at the slur on their mother's honor. '" [3]
"Genealogy.com; Murrell: 'Re: JOHN ANDREWS MURRELL 1806-1844, by Gayla Threatt... John is my husband's 2nd Great Grandfather. My mother & I did some research on this family. LS Montoya also gave us the info below... He wasn't as bad as the press & others made him out to be, we don't think. On his death bed he said, he guessed he was guilty of most what was said, but not of murder... Jeffery was a minister but he was a Methodist. Jeffery moved to Middle Tennessee prior to Thomas, Sr. In 1805, he purchased 146 acres in Williamson County, a short distance from where Thomas would settle (in Dickson County) about a year later. His land adjoined that of another brother, Drury, and was near his father-in-law, Mark Andrews. Thomas' children all made respectable citizens, but Jeffery was not quite as fortunate. It is Jeffery's children that I call "Our Outlaw Cousins." Jeffery was an itinerant preacher and traveled throughout the countryside preaching the Gospel of Christ. His reputation was spotless, but his high moral standards were not shared by his wife, Zelphia Andrews Murrell, and their children. Before 1820, Jeffery and "Mom Murrell" (as Zelphia was sometimes called) owned an inn near Columbia, Tennessee [but this is disputed by descendant family members]. .. in his absence, she converted the inn into a [______] and a den of thieves. She taught her children to steal. After she made a traveler "so weary from the sport she had given him on his bed...that he probably would have slept through an earthquake," her son, John, or another child would pick the traveler's pockets... John A. Murrell, especially, was remarkable for his manly beauty, curling auburn hair, worn long generally, decorated a classic head, and a prepossessing face, that would, said an observer, have drawn attention and been noticed among a thousand people . . . His sister Leanna Murrell, was remarkable for her beauty, and was the most skillful dancer of her day." (Columbia Herald and Mail, June 8, 1877). Not only was John A. Murrell handsome, but he was well educated. He possessed a brilliant mind and was able to adapt to almost any environment. He used these assets to pursue a life of crime that is unparalleled in Southern History. He was our Outlaw Cousin. In his book, Life On the Mississippi, Mark Twain compared John Murrell to Jesse James: "Murel was his equal in boldness; in pluck; in rapacity; in cruelty, brutality, heartlessness, treachery, and in general and comprehensive vileness and shamelessness; and very much his superior in some larger aspects. James was a retail rascal; Murel, wholesale. James's modest genius dreamed of no loftier flight than the planning of raids upon cars, coaches, and country banks; Murel projected negro insurrections and the capture of New Orleans! And furthermore, on occasion, this Murel could go into a pulpit and edify the congregation. What are James and his half-dozen vulgar rascals compared with this stately old-time criminal, with his sermons, his meditated insurrections and city-captures, and his majestic following of ten hundred men, sworn to do his evil will!" (Mark Twain, Life On the Mississippi, pp. 205-206). John's mother taught him well. At the age of 16, he robbed the family treasury of fifty dollars and left home for Nashville. In Nashville, Murrell was recognized by one of his former victims from the Columbia inn. The man, however, was impressed by the young man's skill and asked Murrell to join him in a thieving adventure. This began his criminal career. Before he was 30, he was known as the great "Land Pirate" and was the most feared man along the Natchez Trace. Murrell was best known as a slave thief. By his own admission, he stole more than one hundred. Murrell's motto was, "Dead men tell no tales." Murrell loved fashionable clothes and beautiful horses. He was often seen in Nashville, Natchez, and New Orleans exquisitely dressed and riding fine horses. Usually, these possessions came from travelers he waylayed along the Natchez Trace...'" [sic] [4]
"The Devil's Backbone: The Story of the Natchez Trace, by Jonathan Daniels; McGraw-Hill, 1962, p. 240: 'The moral decline in the family began with Zilphia. She managed the inn (near Columbia, Tennessee), since her preacher husband was often away giving sermons. Jeffrey Murrell didn't think his wife was decorous enough for a clergyman's partner, it seems, since he commanded her (without much effect) to "quit walking the way she did, [__________________________________].'" [5]
"Madison County, Tennessee: Historical Sketches of the County and Its People, by M. Secrist; Lulu Press, 2013; 'John A. Murrell was born in 1804 in Middle Tennessee. He was the son of Jeffrey Murrell, a Methodist preacher, His mother was Zilphia Andrews, daughter of Mark Andrews of Williamson County, Tenessee. She was a woman of evil disposition, teaching him his first lesson in vice, by the time he was of age he had become a confirmed evil-doer; and formally adopted robbery as a profession... He knew no degrees in crime, and regarded murder as in no wise more heinous or repugnant than the theft of a watch. He never robbed a man, unless by stealth, without killing him, and he never robbed bu violence where the person robbed could not be killed.'" [sic] [6]
"Ancestry: Rootsweb; Perry - Webb Families in Tennessee/Kentucky
•'Source: THE ANDREWS FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSOURI, AND BEYOND, by Grace Andrews Magl ione 1990 776 Seven Hills Lane, St. Charles, MO63303 Page 9-10.
• Source for information on Murrell Family is from Ellender Murrell Boudreaux of Louisana. • Zilpha Andrews was the wife of Jeffrey Murrell. Her father was Mark Andrews who arrived in Williamson County in 1801 from Virginia. Her mother was Winifred Lyell. Among the numerous brood of Mark Andrews was a daughter named Zilpha, alady who does not always appear in family genealogies. She and Jeffrey had four daughters and four sons, among the m the legendy outlaw, John Murrell. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old when they married ,closer in age to his father-in-law than his wife. Jeffrey died in 1824, leaving Zilpha to cope with mounting family problems. She was probably not forty yet. As long as she lived, the Murrells were gathered around her, including mos t of her sons when they were out of prison. She always provided support whenever a family member fell in difficulty.'" [sic]
MORE ABOUT JEFFREY MURRELL'S WIFE ZILPDA ANDREWS:
Zilphia's wealthy and upstanding parents, Mark and Winifred (Lyell) Andrews, had bequeathed to her an inn in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, and it was there that young Murrell and his brothers learned to profit from petty crime. It was Zilphia who allegedly taught her sons (willing pupils all, if the records are accurate) to sneak silently into the rooms of the guests at the inn and pilfer valuables from any handy baggage. The early lessons seem to have sunk in, for all four sons show up at intervals in legal records of the time.
Before 1820, Jeffery and "Mom Murrell" (as Zelphia was sometimes called) owned an inn near Columbia, Tennessee. When he was at home, Jeffery chided Zelphia to quit "walking the way she did, hips swinging and breasts undulating and long thighs molding themselves against her skirt with each step." (Jonathan Daniels, The Devil's Backbone, p. 240). He pleaded with her to stay at home and prech the Gospel.
Instead, in his absence, she converted the inn into a brothel and a den of thieves. She taught her children to steal. After she made a traveler "so weary from the sport she had given him on his bed ... that he probably would have slept through an earthquake," her son, John, or another child would pick the traveler's pockets and take anything of value (Ibid., p. 240).
The Murrells were said to be an extremely handsome family. "John A. Murrell, especially, was remarkable for his manly beauty, curling auburn hair, worn long generally, decorated a classic head, and a prepossessing face, that would, said an observer, have drawn attention and been noticed among a thousand people ... His sister, Leanna Murrell, was remarkable for her beauty, and was the most skillful dancer of her day." (Columbia Herald and Mail, June 8, 1877).
Name: Zilpha ANDREWS ... Most have Tilpha
Children
John Andrews MURRELL b: 1806
Jeanna MURRELL b: WFT Est 1770-1799
William Stich MURRELL b: ABT 1800
James Henry MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Jeffrey George MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Judette C. MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Mary Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Louisa Stanfield MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Ann Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 1800
______________
IT is planed to expand this one for the Tennessee Historical Quarterly. This appeared in the Williamson County Historical Journal for 2012. Read the little book by Penick. Joohn Andrews Murrell went home with a fellow he met in prison, who was a devoted - what we would call today - Church of Christ member (called Christian Church back then). The book included the court testimony by the family. This was not written to improve the reputation of Zilpha Andrews, it started out to look at the facts. Inn's were taxed back then - no records exist of any Inn owned by or left to her - it was supposed to be in Maury Co. - even though they have the records of other Inns and Taverns. There is a house that when it was built included part of the Murrell home - logs and all. It is on the property where the other Andrews Cemetery is located.
Zelphia (Tilpha) Andrews
Source: THE ANDREWS FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSOURI, AND BEYOND,by Grace Andrews Maglione 1990 776 Seven Hills Lane, St. Charles, MO63303 Page 9-10.
Source for information on Murrell Family is from Ellender MurrellBoudreaux of Louisana.
Zilpha Andrews was the wife of Jeffrey Murrell. Her father was Mark Andrews who arrived in Williamson County in 1801 from Virginia. Her mother was Winifred Lyell.
Among the numerous brood of Mark Andrews was a daughter named Zilpha, a lady who does not always appear in family genealogies. She and Jeffrey had four daughters and four sons, among them the legendy outlaw, John Murrell. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old when they married, closer in age to his father-in-law than his wife.
Jeffrey died in 1824, leaving Zilpha to cope with mounting family problems. She was probably not forty yet. As long as she lived, the Murrells were gathered around her, including most of her sons when they were out of prison. She always provided support whenever a family member fell in difficulty.
It was probably the cost arising from the troubles of the boys that ruined the family's fortunes. When Jeffrey died he left three slaves (as well as a fourth that would have been his on the death of his mother-in-law) and a farm free of indebtedness. He had bought out Druy's interest in his farm in 1820. In his will he left the entire estate to Zilpha, with the provision that on her death, it would be divided equally among his children and the children of William S. Murrell. (Williamson County, Wills, 3;756-57, Williamson County, Miscellanceous Records, grand jury presentment, July 10, 1824 Sale of Drury's intrest in the farm is recorded in Williamson County, Deeds, Book F. PP.342-43). Much of the estate was lost within four years of his death and the family was forced to leave Williamson County.
In the summer of 1826 Zilpha and her children, Judith, Louisa and Jeffery, borrowed money from John Thompson, a large landowner and justice of the peace; using the farm with slaves, livestock, and household furnishing as security. Thompson had actually owed Jeffrey at the time of his death. Ten years later the family had to borrow money from Thompson to repay another loan. When Thompson couldn't collect the money he went to court. The agreement that was executed between Thompson and the Murrells was a trust deed. It lists 140 acres, 2 slaves,(one four years old) 1 mare, 11 yolk oxen, 1 cart, 3 cows, 3 yearlings, 13 sheep, 40 hogs, 4 beds and furniture, 2 tables, 3 trunks, 10 chairs, 1 loom, 3 cotton wheels, 1 flax wheel, 1 chest, 1 looking glass, 2 pots, 1 oxen, 2 skillets, 1 keetle, 2 wash tubs, 2 pewter dishes and 6 plates, 1 earthen dish and 13 plates, 5 bowls, 2 pitchers, 1 cream pot, 1 set of cups and saucers, 1 crib corn. John Thompson auctioned everything off and he was highest bidder.
It is clear that much of the property was lost in this action; some of the land that was not involved in the suit was sold to the Andrews men, as was most of the farm equipment at the time of her death. In 1838 she had very little left. She owned no land.
Source: James Lal Penick, Jr.
The Great Western Land Pirate, John A. Murrell in Legmd and History
(Pinwick states in his book that Zilpha's mother's name was Crenshaw and was from a family that was thought to be beneath the status of the Murrells. He also stated she was a person of ill repute and had a big influence on the welfare of Zilpha and her family. I do not find her name connected with Crenshaw. There was a friendship between a Crenshaw and John Murrell, but I do not believe they were kin.
Zelphia's son, John A. Murrel was born close to Jackson, Tennessee in the late 1700's and early 1800's. His dad was a Methodist preacher, and he was gone a lot. Legend has it that Murrel once said of his father that his father was an honest man, but John thought none the less of him for that. His mother taught him and the rest of her children to steal. His mother ran an inn, when he was a teen. He said that his mother was one of the true grit; she taught all her children to steal as soon as they could walk...and what ever they stole she would hide it for them and dared their father to touch them for stealing.
According to one source, Zilphia (Andrews) Murrell died "alone and in no circumstances of wealth."
THE ANDREWS FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSOURI, AND BEYOND,by Grace Andrews Maglione 1990 776 Seven Hills Lane, St. Charles, MO 63303 Page 9-10.
Source for information on Murrell Family is from Ellender Murrell Boudreaux of Louisana.
Zilpha Andrews was the wife of Jeffrey Murrell. Her father was Mark Andrews who arrived in Williamson County in 1801 from Virginia. Her mother was Winifred Lyell.
Among the numerous brood of Mark Andrews was a daughter named Zilpha, a lady who does not always appear in family genealogies. She and Jeffrey had four daughters and four sons, among them the legendy outlaw, John Murrell. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old when they married, closer in age to his father-in-law than his wife.
Jeffrey died in 1824, leaving Zilpha to cope with mounting family problems. She was probably not forty yet. As long as she lived, the Murrells were gathered around her, including most of her sons when they were out of prison. She always provided support whenever a family member fell in difficulty.
It was probably the cost arising from the troubles of the boys that ruined the family's fortunes. When Jeffrey died he left three slaves (as well as a fourth that would have been his on the death of his mother-in-law) and a farm free of indebtedness. He had bought out Druy's interest in his farm in 1820. In his will he left the entire estate to Zilpha, with the provision that on her death, it would be divided equally among his children and the children of William S. Murrell. (Williamson County, Wills, 3;756-57, Williamson County, Miscellanceous Records, grand jury presentment, July 10, 1824 Sale of Drury's intrest in the farm is recorded in Williamson County, Deeds, Book F. PP.342-43). Much of the estate was lost within four years of his death and the family was forced to leave Williamson County.
In the summer of 1826 Zilpha and her children, Judith, Louisa and Jeffery, borrowed money from John Thompson, a large landowner and justice of the peace; using the farm with slaves, livestock, and household furnishing as security. Thompson had actually owed Jeffrey at the time of his death. Ten years later the family had to borrow money from Thompson to repay another loan. When Thompson couldn't collect the money he went to court. The agreement that was executed between Thompson and the Murrells was a trust deed. It list 140 acres, 2 slaves,(one four years old) 1 mare, 11 yolk oxen, 1 cart, 3 cows, 3 yearlings, 13 sheep,40 hogs, 4 beds and furniture, 2 tables, 3 trunks, 10 chairs, 1 loom, 3cotton wheels, 1 flax wheel, 1 chest, 1 looking glass, 2 pots, 1 oxen, 2 skillets, 1 keetle, 2 wash tubs, 2 pewter dishes and 6 plates, 1 earthen dish and 13 plates, 5 bowls, 2 pitchers, 1 cream pot, 1 set of cups and saucers, 1 crib corn. John Thompson auctioned everything off and he washighest bidder.
It is clear that much of the property was lost in this action; some of the land that was not involved in the suit was sold to the Andrews men, as was most of the farm equipement at the time of her death. In 1838 she had very little left. She owned no land..
Source: James Lal Penick, Jr.
The Great Western Land Pirate, John A. Murrell in Legmd and History
(Pinwick states in his book that Zilpha's mother's name was Crenshaw and was from a family that was thought to be beneath the status of the Murrells. He also stated she was a person of ill repute and had a big influence on the welfare of Zilpha and her family. I do not find her name connected with Crenshaw. There was a friendship between a Crenshaw and John Murrell, but I do not believe they were kin.
__________________
"Virginia Descendants" has her name as Zelphia Tilsah Andrews and married to Jeffrey Murrell, with son (1) William S. Murrell married to Sarah Brown. Second wife of William S. Murrell was Eveline Robb and third wife of William S. Murrell was Isabelle Sidebottom; (2) James H. Murrell married to Ruth Kirkpatrick; (3) John Andrews Murrell married to Elizabeth Mangham; (4) Jeffrey S. Murrell married to Mary Staggs, etc.
Jeffrey's grandparents were Thomas Murrell (birth 1675 Lowns Creek, Surry County, Virginia; Death 1755 Goochland, Virginia) and Elizabeth Oliver (birth 1690 Surry, Surry Co., Virginia; death 20 NOV 1758 Goochland, Goochland, Virginia)
In about 1797, Jeffrey married Zilpha Andrews in Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg County, Virginia, daughter of Mark Andrews (born 1740) and Winifred Lyell (1738-1827).
FROM VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHIES, Page 175:
Prominent among the old and highly esteemed families of Virginia is the Murrell Family, its connection with the state dating back to its early history, and during the intervening years the members in the various generations have aided in every worthy project calculated to advance the interests of the communities in which they have resided. Thomas Murrell, Jeffrey's grandfather, was one of the first settlers of Virginia, and endured bravely the hardships incident to pioneer life.
##
Jeffrey and his brother Thomas Murrell, Sr. (1737-1826) were both Revolutionary War veterans. Like Thomas, Jeffery was a minister but he was a Methodist. They migrated from Hawkins County to Dickson County, Tennessee in 1806. Thomas, Jr. (1785-1866) and his father, Thomas, Sr., were outstanding citizens. Thomas, Sr. was a Baptist preacher and Thomas, Jr. served as Dickson County Magistrate for many years.
Jeffery served as a private in the Revolutionary War and entered the Virginia Militia from Lunenburg County (Revolutionary War Pension #2908).
Jeffrey's Timeline:
1802 moved to Adair County, Kentucky.
1804 moved to Williamson County, Tennessee.
Jeffrey is buried in Methodist Church Cemetery, Bethesda, Tennessee
Jeffery moved to Middle Tennessee prior to Thomas, Sr. and purchased 146 acres in Williamson County, a short distance from where Thomas would settle (in Dickson County) about a year later. Jeffrey's land adjoined that of another brother, Drury, and was near his father-in-law, Mark Andrews.
Jeffery was an itinerant preacher and traveled throughout the countryside preaching the Gospel of Christ. His reputation was spotless. Jeffery was a tarvern owner and already fifty-six years old when he married Zilpha, closer in age to his father-in-law Mark Andrews than to his wife. He died in 1824.
The Murrells were said to be an extremely handsome family. Jeffrey and Zilpha's son John Andrews Murrell, especially, was remarkable ... John's sister, Leanna Murrell, was remarkable for her beauty, and was the most skillful dancer of her day." (Columbia Herald and Mail, June 8, 1877).
Jeffrey and Zilpha's Children
1. John Andrews MURRELL (Birth 1804 Lunenburg Co., VIrginia; Death 01 NOV 1845 Pikeville, Blount Co, Tennessee) married ELIZABETH MANGHAM (Birth 1808 Pikeville, Tennessee; Death 05 MAR 1891 Chester, Tennessee) and they had a daughter, ARTUSSY MADELINE MURRELL (Birth 1833 Pikesville, Bledso, Co., Tennessee; Death 1891 McNairy, Co. Tennessee). She married ROBERT R BLAND and they had the following children: Sarah L Bland (1839–____); Elijah M. Bland (1843–____); Rachel Ann Penelope Bland (1858–1895) married GEORGE WASHINGTON WESLEY HOWELL (Birth 1860 Wayne County, Tennessee; Death ABT 1895 McNairy Co., Tennessee); Henry Bland (1863–____); Lavanda Dulua Bland Campbell (1866–1929); Nancy C. Bland (1868–____); JULY JULIA BLAND (1870–____); VIRGINIA OPHELIA BLAND Usery (1874–1955)
2. Jeanna MURRELL b: Est 1770-1799
3. William Stich MURRELL (Birth 1798 Lunenburg, Virginia; Death MAY 1867 Tenterden, Kent, England)
4. James Henry MURRELL b: ABT 1802 Lunenburg County, VA; d. abt 1839) married Mary McBride
5. Jeffrey Gilliam MURRELL b: ABT 1812 Williamson County, TN; d. unknown)
6. Judette C. MURRELL b: ABT 1807 Williamson County, TN
7. Mary Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 18013 Williamson County, TN
8. Louisa Stanfield MURRELL b: ABT 1806 Williamson County, TN
9. Ann Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Jeffre Murrel
in the 1820 United States Federal Census
Name: Jeffre Murrel
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Franklin, Williamson, Tennessee
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 18: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over : 1
Slaves - Males - 45 and over: 2
Slaves - Females - 14 thru 25: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Manufactures: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 4
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total Slaves: 3
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 11
Jeffre Murrel
in the 1840 United States Federal Census
Name J H Marrell
Home in 1840 (City, County, State) Franklin, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9 2
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19 1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14 2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10 3
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23 3
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35 1
Slaves - Females - Under 10 5
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35 3
Slaves - Females - 55 thru 99 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture 10
Free White Persons - Under 20 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49 2
Total Free White Persons 8
Total Slaves 16
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves 24
From the notes of Ellender Boudreaux, Lafayette, Louisiana (1997):
Jeffery and his brother, Drury, purchased 146 acres of land for $500 in southern Williamson County, Tennessee. They moved from Lunenburg County in 1806. They moved next to his father-in-law who owned land there in 1800. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old.
In Williamson County, as in Lunenburg County, the Murrells and Andrews men were property owners, hard working, honest farmers. Some owned slaves. Mark had nine at his death, Jeffery three. They were tight-knit, clanish, self-sufficient, and moderately prosperous, but for the Murrells at least, the move to Tennessee began a slow process of moral decay. Certainly the record before that move was one of sturdy industriousness.
Jeffery was a good hard working man, but his sons were not. All four sons became lawbreakers. The fruits of a lifetime of labor were consumed by growing court costs and debts. They were often in and out of courts.
When Jeffery died he owned three slaves and land free from debt. He left this to his wife, Zilpah, to be divided among his children at her death. However, four years after his death the family farm was lost and the slide down the social scale once begun was inexorable.
Drury never married.
Jeffery Murrell
Will
Jany. 1825
Recorded in Book 6, Pages 75649
Tho. Hardeman, Clk
In the name of God Amen I Jeffrey Murrel of the County of Williamson and State of Tennessee being weak of body but of perfect sound mind and memory blessed be God for it and calling to mind the mortality of body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die I have thought proper to make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament and first and principally I give and remand my soul to Almighty God that gave it and my body I return to the earth to be buried in a decant and Christian manner by the administer of my estate whom I shall hereafter appoint and of touching my worldly estate which it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and dispose of in the following manner:
1. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife my land and plantation that I know live on during her natural life and at her death to be split and be equally divided among my surviving heirs namely William S. Murrell (viz.), James H. Murrell, John A. Murrell, Lousa Stanfield Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Leannia L. Murrell, Jeffrey G. Murrell, Mary E. Murell and the lawful heirs of my son William S. Murrell.
2. I give and bequeath to my son William S. Murrell one dollar to be paid to him by my Executors in money out of the proceeds of my personal property.
3. I give and bequeath to my sister Judith Murrell ten dollars yearly to be paid to her by mu Executors and if she should become more infirmed than what she is at this time and not be able to walk my will is that she shall be paid twenty dollars yearly after that during her life and to have him boarded a working share in and with my family the money allowed to my sister Judith Murrell to be made by my Executors out of my personal property and kept by them without plissas.
4. My will and wish is that after my just debts are paid the balance of my property that I now want Hannah Lucy and Beck the negro boy Nick that I have named does not belong to me til the death of my wife's mother Winifred Andrews and all of my stock of Horses Cattle Hogs Sheep and my farming tools of every description and all other of my property that I have not named together Note in John Humphrey for two hundred dollars which note will be due on the first of February mint and at this time in the hands of Willaim Fleming as surety to him for fifty dollars that I borrowed from said Fleming which is to be paid to him out of said note with interest my will is that it shall be divided at the death of my loving wife equally among my children (viz James H. Murrell, John A. Murrell, Louisa Stanfield Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Lianna L. Murrell, Mary E. Murrell and the lawful heirs of my son William S, Murrell together with all of my household and kitchen furniture.
5. The above named sums that I have left to my sister Judith Murrell is to be paid to her by my Executors on condition that she gives up a note or influence of writing which she holds on me at this time.
My will and desire is that my beloved wife Tilphy Murrell and William Fleming to be Sole Executors to this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the twentieth day of November in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four.
Jeffrey Murrell (seal)
Signed, sealed and acknowledged
For the purposes aforesaid by me
(illegible)
PROBATE OF ESTATE
Zilpah Andrews Murrell
John Thompkins
Vs
Zilpah Murrell & others
Bill
Juris 25 July 1827
Recorded
Trustee
Williamson County
To the Honorable Thomas Stuart Esq. Judge of the Circuit Court of Law and Equity for the County aforesaid.
Your orator John Thompson of the County aforesaid humbly complaining shows clerk by your honor - that Zilpha Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Murrell and Jeffrey G. Murrell of the County and State aforesaid ____ right to a fee simple of a tract of land ________ _____ containing by estimation one hundred ________acres and being also possessed _____ good title to the following chgartccles of personal property to wit one negro boy Elado ______________ eighteen years of age, girl Hannah four years of age and one gray mare, one yoke of oxen for each, cows and four yearlings, thirteen head of sheep, forty hogs, four beds & furniture, two tables, three ______ chairs, one loom, three cotton wheels, one flour wheel, chest, one looking glass, two pads, one oven, two skillets and kettle, two washing tubs, two pewter dishes and ____, kitchen dish and thirteen plates, 5 bowls, 2 latches of cream, _____ cups saucers and one crib of corn _____________.
And the said defendants being in want of the sum of one hundred and sixty five dollars seventy eight cents for the purpose of offering two _______ against them, one in favor of ______, and the other in favour of McAleyha did on or about the twentieth day of ________ 1826 apply to and ____________ upon the security a mortgage of ___ previously and your orator having agreed such did according advance & pay the said sum of one hundred twenty five dollars evenly eight cents to the said H. K. Willeth & McAlis Lay Hill __ and thereupon __________ for the said sum of money, 20 July 1826. Defendants made and duly executed their deed _____ which they bargained & sold 2 cows and oats your orator the premises aforesaid but subject ______ the condition of ______________ as ________________ said defendants unto your orator of the said sums of one hundred & thirty five dollars & seventy eight cents with lawful interest thereon, on or before the twentieth day _______ 18__.
Your orator further [remainder of paragraph illegible] frequently appealed to aforesaid defendants to pay to him the said principal money [____] or else peaceably [_____] up to your orator. [illegible sentence] and your orator request the said defendants [________] complied but now so it is ____________. Your honor the said defendants commenced __________ your orator did not advance the said sum of money, ______________ whereas you orator charges the contrary hereof to be the trust to ________ all of which action _______________ in consideration whereof and for as much as your orator _________________ of the common law and can have arrangement whereof ________ a court of equity which _________ of his said are _________ cognizable to him and therefore _______said defendants may upon their corporal oaths shall ___________ make _______________ refuse _________________________ deed above described and whether they _______ did not utterly refuse ___________at the time prescribed by said mortgaged deed for the pay thereof and becomes thereafter – and the said defendants ________ in any answer the premises attached they may be decreed to pay to your orator the said sum on one hundred seventy five dollars & 28 cents with interest thereon from this 20 July 1826 together with your orator's oath and be defaired thereof that the said defendants and all thereon claiming and them may be forever barred in that behalf most wrongfully sustained.
Richard Alexander
Atts for Dfts
State of Tennessee Williamson County
This day personally appeared before me Alexander Mcanne one of the justices of the peace of said county Zilpha Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, heirs of oWm Murrell and Jeffrey G. Murrrell and made oath that the facts herein contained which yours within there own knowledge are true and the facts which have been related to them by others are true according to the best of their knowledge and belief.
her
Zilpah X Murrell
mark
Judith C. Murrell
Louisa Murrell
Jeffrey G. Murrell
Sworn to before me
This 6th of August 1827
A. Milbane EP
John Thompson vs Zil;pha Murrell et al
Testis 6th August 1827
ANSWER
The joint and several Answers of Zelpah Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Murrell and Jeffrey G. Murrell Defendants to the Bill of Complaint of John Thompson
These Defendants now and at all times hereinafter, saving and reserving to themselves all manner of benefit and advantage of exception to the many versons and insufficiencies in the complainant's said Bill of Complaint continued for Answer thereunto, and unto so much and such parts through as those Defendants are advised is material for them to make answer unto, they answer and say they admit that John Thompson, complaintant in said Bill of Complaint did advance to them the said sum of one hundred and ninety five dollars and twenty eight cents as specified in Complaintant's said Bill of Complaint; they admit that they in consideration thereof reunted the Mortgate deed as specified and set forth in the Complaintant's Bill, thus Defendants further answering admit the the Complainant John Thompson ____, since the said bond fell due, several times spply to them the said Defendants to obtain payment of the said sum of one hundred and ninety five dollars and twenty eight cents and that they the said Defendants ought thereby lift their deed of mortgage and redeem the property therein specified and that they have not paid said sum of money and lessted sum deed of Mortgage; and these defendants deny all unlawful combination and confederacy in the said Bill charged, without that that any other matter or thing material or necessary for these Defendants to make any favor unto, and not herein, or hereby, will sufficiently answered unto, confessed, or avoided have said or denied, is true to the knowledge or belief of these Defendants. All which matters and things these Defendants are ready to aver, maintain and prove, as this honorable Court shall direct, and humbly prey to be herein dismissed with their reasonable costs and charges in that behalf most wrongfully sustained.
State of Tennessee Williamson County
Richard Alexander
Atts for Defendants
This day personally appeared before me Alexander Mehane one of the justices of the peace of said county Zilpha Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Merrill and Jeffrey G. Murrell and made oath that the facts herein contained which comes within their own knowledge are true and the facts which have been related to them by others are true according to their knowledge and belief.
her
Zilpah X Murrell
mark
Judith C. Murrell
Louisa Murrell
Jeffrey G. Murrell
Sworn to before me
This 6th of August 1827
A Mebane JP
ORDER
John Thompson
vs
Zilpah Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Murrell & Jeffrey G. Murrell – In Chancery
This cause coming on to be heard upon the file, answer, hearing, it seeming at this time suggested by Metaid J. G. Murrell that he was infant and it being so agreed between the parties and he being before this court here by his guardian pro hac vice, Joshua W. McGown insisting upon his infancy,
It is ordered, adjudged & decreed that said Zilpah Murrell, Judith C. Murrell & Louisa L. Murrell pay to the said John Thompson the Executor heirs or assigns on or before the first day of May each the sum of one hundred seventy five dollars & seventy eight cents with interest thereon at the rate of six per centum per annum from the 20th day of July 1826 to this day making the further sum of eighteen dollars & 50 cents with costs of this suit and upon such payment that the complaintant succeed to the mortgage deed to the said Zilpah – and in default of payment as aforesaid that the clerk & master proceed to sell at public auction for cash at the going and usual notice of time & place so much of the mortgaged premises (the property of the said Zilpah, Judith C. and Louisa S. Murrell) as may be sufficient to pay said debt with interest and the cost of suit – and renters fees of which for $5.25
June 16, 1828
Metan Patty
And my rep fees of $12 50/100 of w luck
Th. Mancy
Mark Andrews
1820 Last Will and Testament
Recorded in Book 6, Pages 211 and 212
In the name of God Amen, I Mark Andrews of Williamson County State of Tennessee being perfect in mind and memory do make this my Last Will and Testament and dispose of my worldly goods and chattels in the following manner – viz.,
Item 1. I give and bequeath to my son John one hundred acres of land, beginning at my North East corner thence South to the creek thence down said as to meanders till a line parallel with the first will include the same and after the death of my wife Winifred Andrews, one negro girl named Suinder.
2. I give and bequeath to my son Ephraim Andrews all the balance of my land and plantation containing one hundred and sixty acres be the same mouoz bfs and all my farming tools.
3. After the death of my loving wife Winifred, I will that a negro woman named Alies and one negro boy named Saban be sold to the best advantage by my executors and the monies arising from sale of said negros when collected to be equally divided amongst my grandchildren, viz. George Shule, Christiana Shule, Plooey Shule, Haney Shule, James Shule and Andrew Shule to be paid to said grand children each their proportional part once they arrive to the age of twenty-one years.
4. After the death of my wife Winifred I give and bequeath to my daughter Scannah Yarborugh one negro man named George and one feather bed.
5. I give and bequeath to my daughter Polly Dean one negro girl named Kizzin, and one negro woman named Armon provided said Polly Dean pay or cause to be paid the full amount of a judg. Note, and cost which was obtained against Jeffrey Murrell in favor of Hobbs. In case of failure to pay off said judgment and cost the above named negro woman Armon to be sold and said judgment and cost to be satisfied out of the monies arising from the said negros and the balance of any to be paid to said Polly Dean for her own sake.
6. After the death of my wife Winifred I give and bequeath to my daughter Suddies Matthews one feather bed. ---
7. After the death of my loving wife Winifred I give and bequeath to my daughter Tilpah Murrell one negro boy named Dick and one feather bed. –
8. I give and bequeath to my son George Andrews all my stock of every kind except my young bay horse and all my crops of every description except tobacco which crop of tobacco and said young bay horse I give to my loving wife Winifred. I likewise give to my son George Andrews the money due on from Eli Talbot and all my property not herein willed of every description and after the death of my loving wife Winifred one negro man named Jack and one negro girl named Meliloa and her increase
9. I will that there be no appraisement of property or inventory returned.
10. I constitute and appoint my sons John Andrews, George Andrews and Ephraim Andrews Executors to this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix my Seal this twenty third day of December one thousand eight hundred and twenty –
Mark Andrews (Seal)
Signed and sealed in the presence of
Brochenbrough Andrews, Jurat.
Opperess C. Andrews, Jurat
George Andrews, Jurat.
Kahard S. Yarboroough, Jurat.
Biography
"Murrell Gang" mentor "Mom Murrell"
"Ancestry Rootsweb: (Shelley Dedrickson): 'Zelphia Tipha Andrews...." [1]
"Dalton Newsletter - Dalton Gang Letter: September 1996' by Gordon Bonnet:
'Jonathan Lyell and Mary Dalton had, among other children, Winifred Lyell, b. February 18, 1738 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond, Va. Winifred married Mark Andrews of Dinwiddie Co., Va., son of William Andrews and Avis Garnett, and had, among other children, a daughter named Zilphia Andrews. Winifred Lyell Andrews died in 1827. Zilphia Andrews married Jeffrey Murrell of Lunenburg Co., Va., son of William Murrell and Frances Pryor. They had, among other children, my ancestor, James H. Murrell, and the famous outlaw John A. Murrell... James H. Murrell moved to Louisiana, allegedly to escape his brother's bad name and influence, where he married on April 7, 1827, in Opelousas, La., to Mary Margaret McBride, daughter of Thomas Walter McBride and Julienne Bogard. They had, among other children, a daughter Emily Murrell, born on May 26, 1829 in Opelousas, La. Emily Murrell married in Opelousas on May 19, 1853 to Esprit Ariez Bonnet, son of Zacharie Bonnet and Marie Rebail of Gap, France. They had, among other children, Alfred Ariez Bonnet, who married Mary Emily Brandt, daughter of Wilhelm Brandt of Germany and Isabella Rulong. They were my paternal great-grandparents.[2]
"REH Two Gun Raconteur: 'The Hellbender John A. Murrell', by Keith Taylor: 'John A. Murrell was a hellbender, in Southwest vernacular. He planned no less than an outlaw empire on the Mississippi river, with New Orleans as his capital and himself as emperor. Son of a tavern woman and an aristocratic gentleman, he seemed to have inherited the instincts of both, together with a warped mind that made him as ruthless and dangerous as a striking rattler... Zilphia, nee Andrews, had been the daughter of a prosperous Virginia planter. Again, that was both genteel and accepted. She hadn't been "a tavern woman" all her life; she inherited the inn from her parents. John A's ancestors on both sides came from the state's early landed families. Not a lawbreaker or ne'er-do-well in generations. The moral decline in the family began with Zilphia. She managed the inn (near Columbia, Tennessee), since her preacher husband was often away giving sermons.... Poor old Jeffrey didn't know the half of it. To put it bluntly, the voluptuous Zilphia was a bigger [_____] than Rahab. She was also a [____] to match any in Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar, and she taught her four sons to assist her. Male travelers with bulging purses were given the come-on by "Mom Murrell," and she would [______________] while William, her eldest, or another son, took their coin, watches, and anything else worth having. They weren't likely to complain later. It would have meant admitting in court that they'd paid the preacher's wife [___ ___], and "Mom Murrell" would surely have denied it with a scandalized face, backed by her kids, well coached to appear wild with outrage at the slur on their mother's honor. '" [3]
"Genealogy.com; Murrell: 'Re: JOHN ANDREWS MURRELL 1806-1844, by Gayla Threatt... John is my husband's 2nd Great Grandfather. My mother & I did some research on this family. LS Montoya also gave us the info below... He wasn't as bad as the press & others made him out to be, we don't think. On his death bed he said, he guessed he was guilty of most what was said, but not of murder... Jeffery was a minister but he was a Methodist. Jeffery moved to Middle Tennessee prior to Thomas, Sr. In 1805, he purchased 146 acres in Williamson County, a short distance from where Thomas would settle (in Dickson County) about a year later. His land adjoined that of another brother, Drury, and was near his father-in-law, Mark Andrews. Thomas' children all made respectable citizens, but Jeffery was not quite as fortunate. It is Jeffery's children that I call "Our Outlaw Cousins." Jeffery was an itinerant preacher and traveled throughout the countryside preaching the Gospel of Christ. His reputation was spotless, but his high moral standards were not shared by his wife, Zelphia Andrews Murrell, and their children. Before 1820, Jeffery and "Mom Murrell" (as Zelphia was sometimes called) owned an inn near Columbia, Tennessee [but this is disputed by descendant family members]. .. in his absence, she converted the inn into a [______] and a den of thieves. She taught her children to steal. After she made a traveler "so weary from the sport she had given him on his bed...that he probably would have slept through an earthquake," her son, John, or another child would pick the traveler's pockets... John A. Murrell, especially, was remarkable for his manly beauty, curling auburn hair, worn long generally, decorated a classic head, and a prepossessing face, that would, said an observer, have drawn attention and been noticed among a thousand people . . . His sister Leanna Murrell, was remarkable for her beauty, and was the most skillful dancer of her day." (Columbia Herald and Mail, June 8, 1877). Not only was John A. Murrell handsome, but he was well educated. He possessed a brilliant mind and was able to adapt to almost any environment. He used these assets to pursue a life of crime that is unparalleled in Southern History. He was our Outlaw Cousin. In his book, Life On the Mississippi, Mark Twain compared John Murrell to Jesse James: "Murel was his equal in boldness; in pluck; in rapacity; in cruelty, brutality, heartlessness, treachery, and in general and comprehensive vileness and shamelessness; and very much his superior in some larger aspects. James was a retail rascal; Murel, wholesale. James's modest genius dreamed of no loftier flight than the planning of raids upon cars, coaches, and country banks; Murel projected negro insurrections and the capture of New Orleans! And furthermore, on occasion, this Murel could go into a pulpit and edify the congregation. What are James and his half-dozen vulgar rascals compared with this stately old-time criminal, with his sermons, his meditated insurrections and city-captures, and his majestic following of ten hundred men, sworn to do his evil will!" (Mark Twain, Life On the Mississippi, pp. 205-206). John's mother taught him well. At the age of 16, he robbed the family treasury of fifty dollars and left home for Nashville. In Nashville, Murrell was recognized by one of his former victims from the Columbia inn. The man, however, was impressed by the young man's skill and asked Murrell to join him in a thieving adventure. This began his criminal career. Before he was 30, he was known as the great "Land Pirate" and was the most feared man along the Natchez Trace. Murrell was best known as a slave thief. By his own admission, he stole more than one hundred. Murrell's motto was, "Dead men tell no tales." Murrell loved fashionable clothes and beautiful horses. He was often seen in Nashville, Natchez, and New Orleans exquisitely dressed and riding fine horses. Usually, these possessions came from travelers he waylayed along the Natchez Trace...'" [sic] [4]
"The Devil's Backbone: The Story of the Natchez Trace, by Jonathan Daniels; McGraw-Hill, 1962, p. 240: 'The moral decline in the family began with Zilphia. She managed the inn (near Columbia, Tennessee), since her preacher husband was often away giving sermons. Jeffrey Murrell didn't think his wife was decorous enough for a clergyman's partner, it seems, since he commanded her (without much effect) to "quit walking the way she did, [__________________________________].'" [5]
"Madison County, Tennessee: Historical Sketches of the County and Its People, by M. Secrist; Lulu Press, 2013; 'John A. Murrell was born in 1804 in Middle Tennessee. He was the son of Jeffrey Murrell, a Methodist preacher, His mother was Zilphia Andrews, daughter of Mark Andrews of Williamson County, Tenessee. She was a woman of evil disposition, teaching him his first lesson in vice, by the time he was of age he had become a confirmed evil-doer; and formally adopted robbery as a profession... He knew no degrees in crime, and regarded murder as in no wise more heinous or repugnant than the theft of a watch. He never robbed a man, unless by stealth, without killing him, and he never robbed bu violence where the person robbed could not be killed.'" [sic] [6]
"Ancestry: Rootsweb; Perry - Webb Families in Tennessee/Kentucky
•'Source: THE ANDREWS FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSOURI, AND BEYOND, by Grace Andrews Magl ione 1990 776 Seven Hills Lane, St. Charles, MO63303 Page 9-10.
• Source for information on Murrell Family is from Ellender Murrell Boudreaux of Louisana. • Zilpha Andrews was the wife of Jeffrey Murrell. Her father was Mark Andrews who arrived in Williamson County in 1801 from Virginia. Her mother was Winifred Lyell. Among the numerous brood of Mark Andrews was a daughter named Zilpha, alady who does not always appear in family genealogies. She and Jeffrey had four daughters and four sons, among the m the legendy outlaw, John Murrell. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old when they married ,closer in age to his father-in-law than his wife. Jeffrey died in 1824, leaving Zilpha to cope with mounting family problems. She was probably not forty yet. As long as she lived, the Murrells were gathered around her, including mos t of her sons when they were out of prison. She always provided support whenever a family member fell in difficulty.'" [sic]
MORE ABOUT JEFFREY MURRELL'S WIFE ZILPDA ANDREWS:
Zilphia's wealthy and upstanding parents, Mark and Winifred (Lyell) Andrews, had bequeathed to her an inn in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, and it was there that young Murrell and his brothers learned to profit from petty crime. It was Zilphia who allegedly taught her sons (willing pupils all, if the records are accurate) to sneak silently into the rooms of the guests at the inn and pilfer valuables from any handy baggage. The early lessons seem to have sunk in, for all four sons show up at intervals in legal records of the time.
Before 1820, Jeffery and "Mom Murrell" (as Zelphia was sometimes called) owned an inn near Columbia, Tennessee. When he was at home, Jeffery chided Zelphia to quit "walking the way she did, hips swinging and breasts undulating and long thighs molding themselves against her skirt with each step." (Jonathan Daniels, The Devil's Backbone, p. 240). He pleaded with her to stay at home and prech the Gospel.
Instead, in his absence, she converted the inn into a brothel and a den of thieves. She taught her children to steal. After she made a traveler "so weary from the sport she had given him on his bed ... that he probably would have slept through an earthquake," her son, John, or another child would pick the traveler's pockets and take anything of value (Ibid., p. 240).
The Murrells were said to be an extremely handsome family. "John A. Murrell, especially, was remarkable for his manly beauty, curling auburn hair, worn long generally, decorated a classic head, and a prepossessing face, that would, said an observer, have drawn attention and been noticed among a thousand people ... His sister, Leanna Murrell, was remarkable for her beauty, and was the most skillful dancer of her day." (Columbia Herald and Mail, June 8, 1877).
Name: Zilpha ANDREWS ... Most have Tilpha
Children
John Andrews MURRELL b: 1806
Jeanna MURRELL b: WFT Est 1770-1799
William Stich MURRELL b: ABT 1800
James Henry MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Jeffrey George MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Judette C. MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Mary Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Louisa Stanfield MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Ann Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 1800
______________
IT is planed to expand this one for the Tennessee Historical Quarterly. This appeared in the Williamson County Historical Journal for 2012. Read the little book by Penick. Joohn Andrews Murrell went home with a fellow he met in prison, who was a devoted - what we would call today - Church of Christ member (called Christian Church back then). The book included the court testimony by the family. This was not written to improve the reputation of Zilpha Andrews, it started out to look at the facts. Inn's were taxed back then - no records exist of any Inn owned by or left to her - it was supposed to be in Maury Co. - even though they have the records of other Inns and Taverns. There is a house that when it was built included part of the Murrell home - logs and all. It is on the property where the other Andrews Cemetery is located.
Zelphia (Tilpha) Andrews
Source: THE ANDREWS FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSOURI, AND BEYOND,by Grace Andrews Maglione 1990 776 Seven Hills Lane, St. Charles, MO63303 Page 9-10.
Source for information on Murrell Family is from Ellender MurrellBoudreaux of Louisana.
Zilpha Andrews was the wife of Jeffrey Murrell. Her father was Mark Andrews who arrived in Williamson County in 1801 from Virginia. Her mother was Winifred Lyell.
Among the numerous brood of Mark Andrews was a daughter named Zilpha, a lady who does not always appear in family genealogies. She and Jeffrey had four daughters and four sons, among them the legendy outlaw, John Murrell. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old when they married, closer in age to his father-in-law than his wife.
Jeffrey died in 1824, leaving Zilpha to cope with mounting family problems. She was probably not forty yet. As long as she lived, the Murrells were gathered around her, including most of her sons when they were out of prison. She always provided support whenever a family member fell in difficulty.
It was probably the cost arising from the troubles of the boys that ruined the family's fortunes. When Jeffrey died he left three slaves (as well as a fourth that would have been his on the death of his mother-in-law) and a farm free of indebtedness. He had bought out Druy's interest in his farm in 1820. In his will he left the entire estate to Zilpha, with the provision that on her death, it would be divided equally among his children and the children of William S. Murrell. (Williamson County, Wills, 3;756-57, Williamson County, Miscellanceous Records, grand jury presentment, July 10, 1824 Sale of Drury's intrest in the farm is recorded in Williamson County, Deeds, Book F. PP.342-43). Much of the estate was lost within four years of his death and the family was forced to leave Williamson County.
In the summer of 1826 Zilpha and her children, Judith, Louisa and Jeffery, borrowed money from John Thompson, a large landowner and justice of the peace; using the farm with slaves, livestock, and household furnishing as security. Thompson had actually owed Jeffrey at the time of his death. Ten years later the family had to borrow money from Thompson to repay another loan. When Thompson couldn't collect the money he went to court. The agreement that was executed between Thompson and the Murrells was a trust deed. It lists 140 acres, 2 slaves,(one four years old) 1 mare, 11 yolk oxen, 1 cart, 3 cows, 3 yearlings, 13 sheep, 40 hogs, 4 beds and furniture, 2 tables, 3 trunks, 10 chairs, 1 loom, 3 cotton wheels, 1 flax wheel, 1 chest, 1 looking glass, 2 pots, 1 oxen, 2 skillets, 1 keetle, 2 wash tubs, 2 pewter dishes and 6 plates, 1 earthen dish and 13 plates, 5 bowls, 2 pitchers, 1 cream pot, 1 set of cups and saucers, 1 crib corn. John Thompson auctioned everything off and he was highest bidder.
It is clear that much of the property was lost in this action; some of the land that was not involved in the suit was sold to the Andrews men, as was most of the farm equipment at the time of her death. In 1838 she had very little left. She owned no land.
Source: James Lal Penick, Jr.
The Great Western Land Pirate, John A. Murrell in Legmd and History
(Pinwick states in his book that Zilpha's mother's name was Crenshaw and was from a family that was thought to be beneath the status of the Murrells. He also stated she was a person of ill repute and had a big influence on the welfare of Zilpha and her family. I do not find her name connected with Crenshaw. There was a friendship between a Crenshaw and John Murrell, but I do not believe they were kin.
Zelphia's son, John A. Murrel was born close to Jackson, Tennessee in the late 1700's and early 1800's. His dad was a Methodist preacher, and he was gone a lot. Legend has it that Murrel once said of his father that his father was an honest man, but John thought none the less of him for that. His mother taught him and the rest of her children to steal. His mother ran an inn, when he was a teen. He said that his mother was one of the true grit; she taught all her children to steal as soon as they could walk...and what ever they stole she would hide it for them and dared their father to touch them for stealing.
According to one source, Zilphia (Andrews) Murrell died "alone and in no circumstances of wealth."
THE ANDREWS FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSOURI, AND BEYOND,by Grace Andrews Maglione 1990 776 Seven Hills Lane, St. Charles, MO 63303 Page 9-10.
Source for information on Murrell Family is from Ellender Murrell Boudreaux of Louisana.
Zilpha Andrews was the wife of Jeffrey Murrell. Her father was Mark Andrews who arrived in Williamson County in 1801 from Virginia. Her mother was Winifred Lyell.
Among the numerous brood of Mark Andrews was a daughter named Zilpha, a lady who does not always appear in family genealogies. She and Jeffrey had four daughters and four sons, among them the legendy outlaw, John Murrell. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old when they married, closer in age to his father-in-law than his wife.
Jeffrey died in 1824, leaving Zilpha to cope with mounting family problems. She was probably not forty yet. As long as she lived, the Murrells were gathered around her, including most of her sons when they were out of prison. She always provided support whenever a family member fell in difficulty.
It was probably the cost arising from the troubles of the boys that ruined the family's fortunes. When Jeffrey died he left three slaves (as well as a fourth that would have been his on the death of his mother-in-law) and a farm free of indebtedness. He had bought out Druy's interest in his farm in 1820. In his will he left the entire estate to Zilpha, with the provision that on her death, it would be divided equally among his children and the children of William S. Murrell. (Williamson County, Wills, 3;756-57, Williamson County, Miscellanceous Records, grand jury presentment, July 10, 1824 Sale of Drury's intrest in the farm is recorded in Williamson County, Deeds, Book F. PP.342-43). Much of the estate was lost within four years of his death and the family was forced to leave Williamson County.
In the summer of 1826 Zilpha and her children, Judith, Louisa and Jeffery, borrowed money from John Thompson, a large landowner and justice of the peace; using the farm with slaves, livestock, and household furnishing as security. Thompson had actually owed Jeffrey at the time of his death. Ten years later the family had to borrow money from Thompson to repay another loan. When Thompson couldn't collect the money he went to court. The agreement that was executed between Thompson and the Murrells was a trust deed. It list 140 acres, 2 slaves,(one four years old) 1 mare, 11 yolk oxen, 1 cart, 3 cows, 3 yearlings, 13 sheep,40 hogs, 4 beds and furniture, 2 tables, 3 trunks, 10 chairs, 1 loom, 3cotton wheels, 1 flax wheel, 1 chest, 1 looking glass, 2 pots, 1 oxen, 2 skillets, 1 keetle, 2 wash tubs, 2 pewter dishes and 6 plates, 1 earthen dish and 13 plates, 5 bowls, 2 pitchers, 1 cream pot, 1 set of cups and saucers, 1 crib corn. John Thompson auctioned everything off and he washighest bidder.
It is clear that much of the property was lost in this action; some of the land that was not involved in the suit was sold to the Andrews men, as was most of the farm equipement at the time of her death. In 1838 she had very little left. She owned no land..
Source: James Lal Penick, Jr.
The Great Western Land Pirate, John A. Murrell in Legmd and History
(Pinwick states in his book that Zilpha's mother's name was Crenshaw and was from a family that was thought to be beneath the status of the Murrells. He also stated she was a person of ill repute and had a big influence on the welfare of Zilpha and her family. I do not find her name connected with Crenshaw. There was a friendship between a Crenshaw and John Murrell, but I do not believe they were kin.
__________________
"Virginia Descendants" has her name as Zelphia Tilsah Andrews and married to Jeffrey Murrell, with son (1) William S. Murrell married to Sarah Brown. Second wife of William S. Murrell was Eveline Robb and third wife of William S. Murrell was Isabelle Sidebottom; (2) James H. Murrell married to Ruth Kirkpatrick; (3) John Andrews Murrell married to Elizabeth Mangham; (4) Jeffrey S. Murrell married to Mary Staggs, etc.
Jeffery is the son of William Murrell (1719 Surry County, VA -9/14/1780 Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg County, VA) and Francis Prior Smith (1721-1765) and his brothers and sisters are: Elizabeth Murrell (1735–1830); Mary Murrell (1736–1766); Thomas Murrell (1737 Goochland, Virginia-26 MAY 1826 Dickson, Dickson, Tennessee); Judith Murrell (1738–1785); Rev. Richard Murrell (1739–1829); Martha Murrell (1740–1779); William Murrell (1741–1748) and Drury Murrell (1743 Goochland, VA-Death 15 JAN 1801 Union, South Carolina)
Jeffrey's grandparents were Thomas Murrell (birth 1675 Lowns Creek, Surry County, Virginia; Death 1755 Goochland, Virginia) and Elizabeth Oliver (birth 1690 Surry, Surry Co., Virginia; death 20 NOV 1758 Goochland, Goochland, Virginia)
In about 1797, Jeffrey married Zilpha Andrews in Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg County, Virginia, daughter of Mark Andrews (born 1740) and Winifred Lyell (1738-1827).
FROM VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHIES, Page 175:
Prominent among the old and highly esteemed families of Virginia is the Murrell Family, its connection with the state dating back to its early history, and during the intervening years the members in the various generations have aided in every worthy project calculated to advance the interests of the communities in which they have resided. Thomas Murrell, Jeffrey's grandfather, was one of the first settlers of Virginia, and endured bravely the hardships incident to pioneer life.
##
Jeffrey and his brother Thomas Murrell, Sr. (1737-1826) were both Revolutionary War veterans. Like Thomas, Jeffery was a minister but he was a Methodist. They migrated from Hawkins County to Dickson County, Tennessee in 1806. Thomas, Jr. (1785-1866) and his father, Thomas, Sr., were outstanding citizens. Thomas, Sr. was a Baptist preacher and Thomas, Jr. served as Dickson County Magistrate for many years.
Jeffery served as a private in the Revolutionary War and entered the Virginia Militia from Lunenburg County (Revolutionary War Pension #2908).
Jeffrey's Timeline:
1802 moved to Adair County, Kentucky.
1804 moved to Williamson County, Tennessee.
Jeffrey is buried in Methodist Church Cemetery, Bethesda, Tennessee
Jeffery moved to Middle Tennessee prior to Thomas, Sr. and purchased 146 acres in Williamson County, a short distance from where Thomas would settle (in Dickson County) about a year later. Jeffrey's land adjoined that of another brother, Drury, and was near his father-in-law, Mark Andrews.
Jeffery was an itinerant preacher and traveled throughout the countryside preaching the Gospel of Christ. His reputation was spotless. Jeffery was a tarvern owner and already fifty-six years old when he married Zilpha, closer in age to his father-in-law Mark Andrews than to his wife. He died in 1824.
The Murrells were said to be an extremely handsome family. Jeffrey and Zilpha's son John Andrews Murrell, especially, was remarkable ... John's sister, Leanna Murrell, was remarkable for her beauty, and was the most skillful dancer of her day." (Columbia Herald and Mail, June 8, 1877).
Jeffrey and Zilpha's Children
1. John Andrews MURRELL (Birth 1804 Lunenburg Co., VIrginia; Death 01 NOV 1845 Pikeville, Blount Co, Tennessee) married ELIZABETH MANGHAM (Birth 1808 Pikeville, Tennessee; Death 05 MAR 1891 Chester, Tennessee) and they had a daughter, ARTUSSY MADELINE MURRELL (Birth 1833 Pikesville, Bledso, Co., Tennessee; Death 1891 McNairy, Co. Tennessee). She married ROBERT R BLAND and they had the following children: Sarah L Bland (1839–____); Elijah M. Bland (1843–____); Rachel Ann Penelope Bland (1858–1895) married GEORGE WASHINGTON WESLEY HOWELL (Birth 1860 Wayne County, Tennessee; Death ABT 1895 McNairy Co., Tennessee); Henry Bland (1863–____); Lavanda Dulua Bland Campbell (1866–1929); Nancy C. Bland (1868–____); JULY JULIA BLAND (1870–____); VIRGINIA OPHELIA BLAND Usery (1874–1955)
2. Jeanna MURRELL b: Est 1770-1799
3. William Stich MURRELL (Birth 1798 Lunenburg, Virginia; Death MAY 1867 Tenterden, Kent, England)
4. James Henry MURRELL b: ABT 1802 Lunenburg County, VA; d. abt 1839) married Mary McBride
5. Jeffrey Gilliam MURRELL b: ABT 1812 Williamson County, TN; d. unknown)
6. Judette C. MURRELL b: ABT 1807 Williamson County, TN
7. Mary Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 18013 Williamson County, TN
8. Louisa Stanfield MURRELL b: ABT 1806 Williamson County, TN
9. Ann Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Jeffre Murrel
in the 1820 United States Federal Census
Name: Jeffre Murrel
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Franklin, Williamson, Tennessee
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 18: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over : 1
Slaves - Males - 45 and over: 2
Slaves - Females - 14 thru 25: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Manufactures: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 4
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total Slaves: 3
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 11
Jeffre Murrel
in the 1840 United States Federal Census
Name J H Marrell
Home in 1840 (City, County, State) Franklin, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9 2
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19 1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14 2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10 3
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23 3
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35 1
Slaves - Females - Under 10 5
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35 3
Slaves - Females - 55 thru 99 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture 10
Free White Persons - Under 20 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49 2
Total Free White Persons 8
Total Slaves 16
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves 24
From the notes of Ellender Boudreaux, Lafayette, Louisiana (1997):
Jeffery and his brother, Drury, purchased 146 acres of land for $500 in southern Williamson County, Tennessee. They moved from Lunenburg County in 1806. They moved next to his father-in-law who owned land there in 1800. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old.
In Williamson County, as in Lunenburg County, the Murrells and Andrews men were property owners, hard working, honest farmers. Some owned slaves. Mark had nine at his death, Jeffery three. They were tight-knit, clanish, self-sufficient, and moderately prosperous, but for the Murrells at least, the move to Tennessee began a slow process of moral decay. Certainly the record before that move was one of sturdy industriousness.
Jeffery was a good hard working man, but his sons were not. All four sons became lawbreakers. The fruits of a lifetime of labor were consumed by growing court costs and debts. They were often in and out of courts.
When Jeffery died he owned three slaves and land free from debt. He left this to his wife, Zilpah, to be divided among his children at her death. However, four years after his death the family farm was lost and the slide down the social scale once begun was inexorable.
Drury never married.
Jeffery Murrell
Will
Jany. 1825
Recorded in Book 6, Pages 75649
Tho. Hardeman, Clk
In the name of God Amen I Jeffrey Murrel of the County of Williamson and State of Tennessee being weak of body but of perfect sound mind and memory blessed be God for it and calling to mind the mortality of body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die I have thought proper to make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament and first and principally I give and remand my soul to Almighty God that gave it and my body I return to the earth to be buried in a decant and Christian manner by the administer of my estate whom I shall hereafter appoint and of touching my worldly estate which it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and dispose of in the following manner:
1. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife my land and plantation that I know live on during her natural life and at her death to be split and be equally divided among my surviving heirs namely William S. Murrell (viz.), James H. Murrell, John A. Murrell, Lousa Stanfield Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Leannia L. Murrell, Jeffrey G. Murrell, Mary E. Murell and the lawful heirs of my son William S. Murrell.
2. I give and bequeath to my son William S. Murrell one dollar to be paid to him by my Executors in money out of the proceeds of my personal property.
3. I give and bequeath to my sister Judith Murrell ten dollars yearly to be paid to her by mu Executors and if she should become more infirmed than what she is at this time and not be able to walk my will is that she shall be paid twenty dollars yearly after that during her life and to have him boarded a working share in and with my family the money allowed to my sister Judith Murrell to be made by my Executors out of my personal property and kept by them without plissas.
4. My will and wish is that after my just debts are paid the balance of my property that I now want Hannah Lucy and Beck the negro boy Nick that I have named does not belong to me til the death of my wife's mother Winifred Andrews and all of my stock of Horses Cattle Hogs Sheep and my farming tools of every description and all other of my property that I have not named together Note in John Humphrey for two hundred dollars which note will be due on the first of February mint and at this time in the hands of Willaim Fleming as surety to him for fifty dollars that I borrowed from said Fleming which is to be paid to him out of said note with interest my will is that it shall be divided at the death of my loving wife equally among my children (viz James H. Murrell, John A. Murrell, Louisa Stanfield Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Lianna L. Murrell, Mary E. Murrell and the lawful heirs of my son William S, Murrell together with all of my household and kitchen furniture.
5. The above named sums that I have left to my sister Judith Murrell is to be paid to her by my Executors on condition that she gives up a note or influence of writing which she holds on me at this time.
My will and desire is that my beloved wife Tilphy Murrell and William Fleming to be Sole Executors to this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the twentieth day of November in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four.
Jeffrey Murrell (seal)
Signed, sealed and acknowledged
For the purposes aforesaid by me
(illegible)
PROBATE OF ESTATE
Zilpah Andrews Murrell
John Thompkins
Vs
Zilpah Murrell & others
Bill
Juris 25 July 1827
Recorded
Trustee
Williamson County
To the Honorable Thomas Stuart Esq. Judge of the Circuit Court of Law and Equity for the County aforesaid.
Your orator John Thompson of the County aforesaid humbly complaining shows clerk by your honor - that Zilpha Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Murrell and Jeffrey G. Murrell of the County and State aforesaid ____ right to a fee simple of a tract of land ________ _____ containing by estimation one hundred ________acres and being also possessed _____ good title to the following chgartccles of personal property to wit one negro boy Elado ______________ eighteen years of age, girl Hannah four years of age and one gray mare, one yoke of oxen for each, cows and four yearlings, thirteen head of sheep, forty hogs, four beds & furniture, two tables, three ______ chairs, one loom, three cotton wheels, one flour wheel, chest, one looking glass, two pads, one oven, two skillets and kettle, two washing tubs, two pewter dishes and ____, kitchen dish and thirteen plates, 5 bowls, 2 latches of cream, _____ cups saucers and one crib of corn _____________.
And the said defendants being in want of the sum of one hundred and sixty five dollars seventy eight cents for the purpose of offering two _______ against them, one in favor of ______, and the other in favour of McAleyha did on or about the twentieth day of ________ 1826 apply to and ____________ upon the security a mortgage of ___ previously and your orator having agreed such did according advance & pay the said sum of one hundred twenty five dollars evenly eight cents to the said H. K. Willeth & McAlis Lay Hill __ and thereupon __________ for the said sum of money, 20 July 1826. Defendants made and duly executed their deed _____ which they bargained & sold 2 cows and oats your orator the premises aforesaid but subject ______ the condition of ______________ as ________________ said defendants unto your orator of the said sums of one hundred & thirty five dollars & seventy eight cents with lawful interest thereon, on or before the twentieth day _______ 18__.
Your orator further [remainder of paragraph illegible] frequently appealed to aforesaid defendants to pay to him the said principal money [____] or else peaceably [_____] up to your orator. [illegible sentence] and your orator request the said defendants [________] complied but now so it is ____________. Your honor the said defendants commenced __________ your orator did not advance the said sum of money, ______________ whereas you orator charges the contrary hereof to be the trust to ________ all of which action _______________ in consideration whereof and for as much as your orator _________________ of the common law and can have arrangement whereof ________ a court of equity which _________ of his said are _________ cognizable to him and therefore _______said defendants may upon their corporal oaths shall ___________ make _______________ refuse _________________________ deed above described and whether they _______ did not utterly refuse ___________at the time prescribed by said mortgaged deed for the pay thereof and becomes thereafter – and the said defendants ________ in any answer the premises attached they may be decreed to pay to your orator the said sum on one hundred seventy five dollars & 28 cents with interest thereon from this 20 July 1826 together with your orator's oath and be defaired thereof that the said defendants and all thereon claiming and them may be forever barred in that behalf most wrongfully sustained.
Richard Alexander
Atts for Dfts
State of Tennessee Williamson County
This day personally appeared before me Alexander Mcanne one of the justices of the peace of said county Zilpha Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, heirs of oWm Murrell and Jeffrey G. Murrrell and made oath that the facts herein contained which yours within there own knowledge are true and the facts which have been related to them by others are true according to the best of their knowledge and belief.
her
Zilpah X Murrell
mark
Judith C. Murrell
Louisa Murrell
Jeffrey G. Murrell
Sworn to before me
This 6th of August 1827
A. Milbane EP
John Thompson vs Zil;pha Murrell et al
Testis 6th August 1827
ANSWER
The joint and several Answers of Zelpah Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Murrell and Jeffrey G. Murrell Defendants to the Bill of Complaint of John Thompson
These Defendants now and at all times hereinafter, saving and reserving to themselves all manner of benefit and advantage of exception to the many versons and insufficiencies in the complainant's said Bill of Complaint continued for Answer thereunto, and unto so much and such parts through as those Defendants are advised is material for them to make answer unto, they answer and say they admit that John Thompson, complaintant in said Bill of Complaint did advance to them the said sum of one hundred and ninety five dollars and twenty eight cents as specified in Complaintant's said Bill of Complaint; they admit that they in consideration thereof reunted the Mortgate deed as specified and set forth in the Complaintant's Bill, thus Defendants further answering admit the the Complainant John Thompson ____, since the said bond fell due, several times spply to them the said Defendants to obtain payment of the said sum of one hundred and ninety five dollars and twenty eight cents and that they the said Defendants ought thereby lift their deed of mortgage and redeem the property therein specified and that they have not paid said sum of money and lessted sum deed of Mortgage; and these defendants deny all unlawful combination and confederacy in the said Bill charged, without that that any other matter or thing material or necessary for these Defendants to make any favor unto, and not herein, or hereby, will sufficiently answered unto, confessed, or avoided have said or denied, is true to the knowledge or belief of these Defendants. All which matters and things these Defendants are ready to aver, maintain and prove, as this honorable Court shall direct, and humbly prey to be herein dismissed with their reasonable costs and charges in that behalf most wrongfully sustained.
State of Tennessee Williamson County
Richard Alexander
Atts for Defendants
This day personally appeared before me Alexander Mehane one of the justices of the peace of said county Zilpha Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Merrill and Jeffrey G. Murrell and made oath that the facts herein contained which comes within their own knowledge are true and the facts which have been related to them by others are true according to their knowledge and belief.
her
Zilpah X Murrell
mark
Judith C. Murrell
Louisa Murrell
Jeffrey G. Murrell
Sworn to before me
This 6th of August 1827
A Mebane JP
ORDER
John Thompson
vs
Zilpah Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Murrell & Jeffrey G. Murrell – In Chancery
This cause coming on to be heard upon the file, answer, hearing, it seeming at this time suggested by Metaid J. G. Murrell that he was infant and it being so agreed between the parties and he being before this court here by his guardian pro hac vice, Joshua W. McGown insisting upon his infancy,
It is ordered, adjudged & decreed that said Zilpah Murrell, Judith C. Murrell & Louisa L. Murrell pay to the said John Thompson the Executor heirs or assigns on or before the first day of May each the sum of one hundred seventy five dollars & seventy eight cents with interest thereon at the rate of six per centum per annum from the 20th day of July 1826 to this day making the further sum of eighteen dollars & 50 cents with costs of this suit and upon such payment that the complaintant succeed to the mortgage deed to the said Zilpah – and in default of payment as aforesaid that the clerk & master proceed to sell at public auction for cash at the going and usual notice of time & place so much of the mortgaged premises (the property of the said Zilpah, Judith C. and Louisa S. Murrell) as may be sufficient to pay said debt with interest and the cost of suit – and renters fees of which for $5.25
June 16, 1828
Metan Patty
And my rep fees of $12 50/100 of w luck
Th. Mancy
Mark Andrews
1820 Last Will and Testament
Recorded in Book 6, Pages 211 and 212
In the name of God Amen, I Mark Andrews of Williamson County State of Tennessee being perfect in mind and memory do make this my Last Will and Testament and dispose of my worldly goods and chattels in the following manner – viz.,
Item 1. I give and bequeath to my son John one hundred acres of land, beginning at my North East corner thence South to the creek thence down said as to meanders till a line parallel with the first will include the same and after the death of my wife Winifred Andrews, one negro girl named Suinder.
2. I give and bequeath to my son Ephraim Andrews all the balance of my land and plantation containing one hundred and sixty acres be the same mouoz bfs and all my farming tools.
3. After the death of my loving wife Winifred, I will that a negro woman named Alies and one negro boy named Saban be sold to the best advantage by my executors and the monies arising from sale of said negros when collected to be equally divided amongst my grandchildren, viz. George Shule, Christiana Shule, Plooey Shule, Haney Shule, James Shule and Andrew Shule to be paid to said grand children each their proportional part once they arrive to the age of twenty-one years.
4. After the death of my wife Winifred I give and bequeath to my daughter Scannah Yarborugh one negro man named George and one feather bed.
5. I give and bequeath to my daughter Polly Dean one negro girl named Kizzin, and one negro woman named Armon provided said Polly Dean pay or cause to be paid the full amount of a judg. Note, and cost which was obtained against Jeffrey Murrell in favor of Hobbs. In case of failure to pay off said judgment and cost the above named negro woman Armon to be sold and said judgment and cost to be satisfied out of the monies arising from the said negros and the balance of any to be paid to said Polly Dean for her own sake.
6. After the death of my wife Winifred I give and bequeath to my daughter Suddies Matthews one feather bed. ---
7. After the death of my loving wife Winifred I give and bequeath to my daughter Tilpah Murrell one negro boy named Dick and one feather bed. –
8. I give and bequeath to my son George Andrews all my stock of every kind except my young bay horse and all my crops of every description except tobacco which crop of tobacco and said young bay horse I give to my loving wife Winifred. I likewise give to my son George Andrews the money due on from Eli Talbot and all my property not herein willed of every description and after the death of my loving wife Winifred one negro man named Jack and one negro girl named Meliloa and her increase
9. I will that there be no appraisement of property or inventory returned.
10. I constitute and appoint my sons John Andrews, George Andrews and Ephraim Andrews Executors to this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix my Seal this twenty third day of December one thousand eight hundred and twenty –
Mark Andrews (Seal)
Signed and sealed in the presence of
Brochenbrough Andrews, Jurat.
Opperess C. Andrews, Jurat
George Andrews, Jurat.
Kahard S. Yarboroough, Jurat.
Biography
"Murrell Gang" mentor "Mom Murrell"
"Ancestry Rootsweb: (Shelley Dedrickson): 'Zelphia Tipha Andrews...." [1]
"Dalton Newsletter - Dalton Gang Letter: September 1996' by Gordon Bonnet:
'Jonathan Lyell and Mary Dalton had, among other children, Winifred Lyell, b. February 18, 1738 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond, Va. Winifred married Mark Andrews of Dinwiddie Co., Va., son of William Andrews and Avis Garnett, and had, among other children, a daughter named Zilphia Andrews. Winifred Lyell Andrews died in 1827. Zilphia Andrews married Jeffrey Murrell of Lunenburg Co., Va., son of William Murrell and Frances Pryor. They had, among other children, my ancestor, James H. Murrell, and the famous outlaw John A. Murrell... James H. Murrell moved to Louisiana, allegedly to escape his brother's bad name and influence, where he married on April 7, 1827, in Opelousas, La., to Mary Margaret McBride, daughter of Thomas Walter McBride and Julienne Bogard. They had, among other children, a daughter Emily Murrell, born on May 26, 1829 in Opelousas, La. Emily Murrell married in Opelousas on May 19, 1853 to Esprit Ariez Bonnet, son of Zacharie Bonnet and Marie Rebail of Gap, France. They had, among other children, Alfred Ariez Bonnet, who married Mary Emily Brandt, daughter of Wilhelm Brandt of Germany and Isabella Rulong. They were my paternal great-grandparents.[2]
"REH Two Gun Raconteur: 'The Hellbender John A. Murrell', by Keith Taylor: 'John A. Murrell was a hellbender, in Southwest vernacular. He planned no less than an outlaw empire on the Mississippi river, with New Orleans as his capital and himself as emperor. Son of a tavern woman and an aristocratic gentleman, he seemed to have inherited the instincts of both, together with a warped mind that made him as ruthless and dangerous as a striking rattler... Zilphia, nee Andrews, had been the daughter of a prosperous Virginia planter. Again, that was both genteel and accepted. She hadn't been "a tavern woman" all her life; she inherited the inn from her parents. John A's ancestors on both sides came from the state's early landed families. Not a lawbreaker or ne'er-do-well in generations. The moral decline in the family began with Zilphia. She managed the inn (near Columbia, Tennessee), since her preacher husband was often away giving sermons.... Poor old Jeffrey didn't know the half of it. To put it bluntly, the voluptuous Zilphia was a bigger [_____] than Rahab. She was also a [____] to match any in Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar, and she taught her four sons to assist her. Male travelers with bulging purses were given the come-on by "Mom Murrell," and she would [______________] while William, her eldest, or another son, took their coin, watches, and anything else worth having. They weren't likely to complain later. It would have meant admitting in court that they'd paid the preacher's wife [___ ___], and "Mom Murrell" would surely have denied it with a scandalized face, backed by her kids, well coached to appear wild with outrage at the slur on their mother's honor. '" [3]
"Genealogy.com; Murrell: 'Re: JOHN ANDREWS MURRELL 1806-1844, by Gayla Threatt... John is my husband's 2nd Great Grandfather. My mother & I did some research on this family. LS Montoya also gave us the info below... He wasn't as bad as the press & others made him out to be, we don't think. On his death bed he said, he guessed he was guilty of most what was said, but not of murder... Jeffery was a minister but he was a Methodist. Jeffery moved to Middle Tennessee prior to Thomas, Sr. In 1805, he purchased 146 acres in Williamson County, a short distance from where Thomas would settle (in Dickson County) about a year later. His land adjoined that of another brother, Drury, and was near his father-in-law, Mark Andrews. Thomas' children all made respectable citizens, but Jeffery was not quite as fortunate. It is Jeffery's children that I call "Our Outlaw Cousins." Jeffery was an itinerant preacher and traveled throughout the countryside preaching the Gospel of Christ. His reputation was spotless, but his high moral standards were not shared by his wife, Zelphia Andrews Murrell, and their children. Before 1820, Jeffery and "Mom Murrell" (as Zelphia was sometimes called) owned an inn near Columbia, Tennessee [but this is disputed by descendant family members]. .. in his absence, she converted the inn into a [______] and a den of thieves. She taught her children to steal. After she made a traveler "so weary from the sport she had given him on his bed...that he probably would have slept through an earthquake," her son, John, or another child would pick the traveler's pockets... John A. Murrell, especially, was remarkable for his manly beauty, curling auburn hair, worn long generally, decorated a classic head, and a prepossessing face, that would, said an observer, have drawn attention and been noticed among a thousand people . . . His sister Leanna Murrell, was remarkable for her beauty, and was the most skillful dancer of her day." (Columbia Herald and Mail, June 8, 1877). Not only was John A. Murrell handsome, but he was well educated. He possessed a brilliant mind and was able to adapt to almost any environment. He used these assets to pursue a life of crime that is unparalleled in Southern History. He was our Outlaw Cousin. In his book, Life On the Mississippi, Mark Twain compared John Murrell to Jesse James: "Murel was his equal in boldness; in pluck; in rapacity; in cruelty, brutality, heartlessness, treachery, and in general and comprehensive vileness and shamelessness; and very much his superior in some larger aspects. James was a retail rascal; Murel, wholesale. James's modest genius dreamed of no loftier flight than the planning of raids upon cars, coaches, and country banks; Murel projected negro insurrections and the capture of New Orleans! And furthermore, on occasion, this Murel could go into a pulpit and edify the congregation. What are James and his half-dozen vulgar rascals compared with this stately old-time criminal, with his sermons, his meditated insurrections and city-captures, and his majestic following of ten hundred men, sworn to do his evil will!" (Mark Twain, Life On the Mississippi, pp. 205-206). John's mother taught him well. At the age of 16, he robbed the family treasury of fifty dollars and left home for Nashville. In Nashville, Murrell was recognized by one of his former victims from the Columbia inn. The man, however, was impressed by the young man's skill and asked Murrell to join him in a thieving adventure. This began his criminal career. Before he was 30, he was known as the great "Land Pirate" and was the most feared man along the Natchez Trace. Murrell was best known as a slave thief. By his own admission, he stole more than one hundred. Murrell's motto was, "Dead men tell no tales." Murrell loved fashionable clothes and beautiful horses. He was often seen in Nashville, Natchez, and New Orleans exquisitely dressed and riding fine horses. Usually, these possessions came from travelers he waylayed along the Natchez Trace...'" [sic] [4]
"The Devil's Backbone: The Story of the Natchez Trace, by Jonathan Daniels; McGraw-Hill, 1962, p. 240: 'The moral decline in the family began with Zilphia. She managed the inn (near Columbia, Tennessee), since her preacher husband was often away giving sermons. Jeffrey Murrell didn't think his wife was decorous enough for a clergyman's partner, it seems, since he commanded her (without much effect) to "quit walking the way she did, [__________________________________].'" [5]
"Madison County, Tennessee: Historical Sketches of the County and Its People, by M. Secrist; Lulu Press, 2013; 'John A. Murrell was born in 1804 in Middle Tennessee. He was the son of Jeffrey Murrell, a Methodist preacher, His mother was Zilphia Andrews, daughter of Mark Andrews of Williamson County, Tenessee. She was a woman of evil disposition, teaching him his first lesson in vice, by the time he was of age he had become a confirmed evil-doer; and formally adopted robbery as a profession... He knew no degrees in crime, and regarded murder as in no wise more heinous or repugnant than the theft of a watch. He never robbed a man, unless by stealth, without killing him, and he never robbed bu violence where the person robbed could not be killed.'" [sic] [6]
"Ancestry: Rootsweb; Perry - Webb Families in Tennessee/Kentucky
•'Source: THE ANDREWS FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSOURI, AND BEYOND, by Grace Andrews Magl ione 1990 776 Seven Hills Lane, St. Charles, MO63303 Page 9-10.
• Source for information on Murrell Family is from Ellender Murrell Boudreaux of Louisana. • Zilpha Andrews was the wife of Jeffrey Murrell. Her father was Mark Andrews who arrived in Williamson County in 1801 from Virginia. Her mother was Winifred Lyell. Among the numerous brood of Mark Andrews was a daughter named Zilpha, alady who does not always appear in family genealogies. She and Jeffrey had four daughters and four sons, among the m the legendy outlaw, John Murrell. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old when they married ,closer in age to his father-in-law than his wife. Jeffrey died in 1824, leaving Zilpha to cope with mounting family problems. She was probably not forty yet. As long as she lived, the Murrells were gathered around her, including mos t of her sons when they were out of prison. She always provided support whenever a family member fell in difficulty.'" [sic]
MORE ABOUT JEFFREY MURRELL'S WIFE ZILPDA ANDREWS:
Zilphia's wealthy and upstanding parents, Mark and Winifred (Lyell) Andrews, had bequeathed to her an inn in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, and it was there that young Murrell and his brothers learned to profit from petty crime. It was Zilphia who allegedly taught her sons (willing pupils all, if the records are accurate) to sneak silently into the rooms of the guests at the inn and pilfer valuables from any handy baggage. The early lessons seem to have sunk in, for all four sons show up at intervals in legal records of the time.
Before 1820, Jeffery and "Mom Murrell" (as Zelphia was sometimes called) owned an inn near Columbia, Tennessee. When he was at home, Jeffery chided Zelphia to quit "walking the way she did, hips swinging and breasts undulating and long thighs molding themselves against her skirt with each step." (Jonathan Daniels, The Devil's Backbone, p. 240). He pleaded with her to stay at home and prech the Gospel.
Instead, in his absence, she converted the inn into a brothel and a den of thieves. She taught her children to steal. After she made a traveler "so weary from the sport she had given him on his bed ... that he probably would have slept through an earthquake," her son, John, or another child would pick the traveler's pockets and take anything of value (Ibid., p. 240).
The Murrells were said to be an extremely handsome family. "John A. Murrell, especially, was remarkable for his manly beauty, curling auburn hair, worn long generally, decorated a classic head, and a prepossessing face, that would, said an observer, have drawn attention and been noticed among a thousand people ... His sister, Leanna Murrell, was remarkable for her beauty, and was the most skillful dancer of her day." (Columbia Herald and Mail, June 8, 1877).
Name: Zilpha ANDREWS ... Most have Tilpha
Children
John Andrews MURRELL b: 1806
Jeanna MURRELL b: WFT Est 1770-1799
William Stich MURRELL b: ABT 1800
James Henry MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Jeffrey George MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Judette C. MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Mary Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Louisa Stanfield MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Ann Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 1800
______________
IT is planed to expand this one for the Tennessee Historical Quarterly. This appeared in the Williamson County Historical Journal for 2012. Read the little book by Penick. Joohn Andrews Murrell went home with a fellow he met in prison, who was a devoted - what we would call today - Church of Christ member (called Christian Church back then). The book included the court testimony by the family. This was not written to improve the reputation of Zilpha Andrews, it started out to look at the facts. Inn's were taxed back then - no records exist of any Inn owned by or left to her - it was supposed to be in Maury Co. - even though they have the records of other Inns and Taverns. There is a house that when it was built included part of the Murrell home - logs and all. It is on the property where the other Andrews Cemetery is located.
Zelphia (Tilpha) Andrews
Source: THE ANDREWS FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSOURI, AND BEYOND,by Grace Andrews Maglione 1990 776 Seven Hills Lane, St. Charles, MO63303 Page 9-10.
Source for information on Murrell Family is from Ellender MurrellBoudreaux of Louisana.
Zilpha Andrews was the wife of Jeffrey Murrell. Her father was Mark Andrews who arrived in Williamson County in 1801 from Virginia. Her mother was Winifred Lyell.
Among the numerous brood of Mark Andrews was a daughter named Zilpha, a lady who does not always appear in family genealogies. She and Jeffrey had four daughters and four sons, among them the legendy outlaw, John Murrell. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old when they married, closer in age to his father-in-law than his wife.
Jeffrey died in 1824, leaving Zilpha to cope with mounting family problems. She was probably not forty yet. As long as she lived, the Murrells were gathered around her, including most of her sons when they were out of prison. She always provided support whenever a family member fell in difficulty.
It was probably the cost arising from the troubles of the boys that ruined the family's fortunes. When Jeffrey died he left three slaves (as well as a fourth that would have been his on the death of his mother-in-law) and a farm free of indebtedness. He had bought out Druy's interest in his farm in 1820. In his will he left the entire estate to Zilpha, with the provision that on her death, it would be divided equally among his children and the children of William S. Murrell. (Williamson County, Wills, 3;756-57, Williamson County, Miscellanceous Records, grand jury presentment, July 10, 1824 Sale of Drury's intrest in the farm is recorded in Williamson County, Deeds, Book F. PP.342-43). Much of the estate was lost within four years of his death and the family was forced to leave Williamson County.
In the summer of 1826 Zilpha and her children, Judith, Louisa and Jeffery, borrowed money from John Thompson, a large landowner and justice of the peace; using the farm with slaves, livestock, and household furnishing as security. Thompson had actually owed Jeffrey at the time of his death. Ten years later the family had to borrow money from Thompson to repay another loan. When Thompson couldn't collect the money he went to court. The agreement that was executed between Thompson and the Murrells was a trust deed. It lists 140 acres, 2 slaves,(one four years old) 1 mare, 11 yolk oxen, 1 cart, 3 cows, 3 yearlings, 13 sheep, 40 hogs, 4 beds and furniture, 2 tables, 3 trunks, 10 chairs, 1 loom, 3 cotton wheels, 1 flax wheel, 1 chest, 1 looking glass, 2 pots, 1 oxen, 2 skillets, 1 keetle, 2 wash tubs, 2 pewter dishes and 6 plates, 1 earthen dish and 13 plates, 5 bowls, 2 pitchers, 1 cream pot, 1 set of cups and saucers, 1 crib corn. John Thompson auctioned everything off and he was highest bidder.
It is clear that much of the property was lost in this action; some of the land that was not involved in the suit was sold to the Andrews men, as was most of the farm equipment at the time of her death. In 1838 she had very little left. She owned no land.
Source: James Lal Penick, Jr.
The Great Western Land Pirate, John A. Murrell in Legmd and History
(Pinwick states in his book that Zilpha's mother's name was Crenshaw and was from a family that was thought to be beneath the status of the Murrells. He also stated she was a person of ill repute and had a big influence on the welfare of Zilpha and her family. I do not find her name connected with Crenshaw. There was a friendship between a Crenshaw and John Murrell, but I do not believe they were kin.
Zelphia's son, John A. Murrel was born close to Jackson, Tennessee in the late 1700's and early 1800's. His dad was a Methodist preacher, and he was gone a lot. Legend has it that Murrel once said of his father that his father was an honest man, but John thought none the less of him for that. His mother taught him and the rest of her children to steal. His mother ran an inn, when he was a teen. He said that his mother was one of the true grit; she taught all her children to steal as soon as they could walk...and what ever they stole she would hide it for them and dared their father to touch them for stealing.
According to one source, Zilphia (Andrews) Murrell died "alone and in no circumstances of wealth."
THE ANDREWS FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSOURI, AND BEYOND,by Grace Andrews Maglione 1990 776 Seven Hills Lane, St. Charles, MO 63303 Page 9-10.
Source for information on Murrell Family is from Ellender Murrell Boudreaux of Louisana.
Zilpha Andrews was the wife of Jeffrey Murrell. Her father was Mark Andrews who arrived in Williamson County in 1801 from Virginia. Her mother was Winifred Lyell.
Among the numerous brood of Mark Andrews was a daughter named Zilpha, a lady who does not always appear in family genealogies. She and Jeffrey had four daughters and four sons, among them the legendy outlaw, John Murrell. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old when they married, closer in age to his father-in-law than his wife.
Jeffrey died in 1824, leaving Zilpha to cope with mounting family problems. She was probably not forty yet. As long as she lived, the Murrells were gathered around her, including most of her sons when they were out of prison. She always provided support whenever a family member fell in difficulty.
It was probably the cost arising from the troubles of the boys that ruined the family's fortunes. When Jeffrey died he left three slaves (as well as a fourth that would have been his on the death of his mother-in-law) and a farm free of indebtedness. He had bought out Druy's interest in his farm in 1820. In his will he left the entire estate to Zilpha, with the provision that on her death, it would be divided equally among his children and the children of William S. Murrell. (Williamson County, Wills, 3;756-57, Williamson County, Miscellanceous Records, grand jury presentment, July 10, 1824 Sale of Drury's intrest in the farm is recorded in Williamson County, Deeds, Book F. PP.342-43). Much of the estate was lost within four years of his death and the family was forced to leave Williamson County.
In the summer of 1826 Zilpha and her children, Judith, Louisa and Jeffery, borrowed money from John Thompson, a large landowner and justice of the peace; using the farm with slaves, livestock, and household furnishing as security. Thompson had actually owed Jeffrey at the time of his death. Ten years later the family had to borrow money from Thompson to repay another loan. When Thompson couldn't collect the money he went to court. The agreement that was executed between Thompson and the Murrells was a trust deed. It list 140 acres, 2 slaves,(one four years old) 1 mare, 11 yolk oxen, 1 cart, 3 cows, 3 yearlings, 13 sheep,40 hogs, 4 beds and furniture, 2 tables, 3 trunks, 10 chairs, 1 loom, 3cotton wheels, 1 flax wheel, 1 chest, 1 looking glass, 2 pots, 1 oxen, 2 skillets, 1 keetle, 2 wash tubs, 2 pewter dishes and 6 plates, 1 earthen dish and 13 plates, 5 bowls, 2 pitchers, 1 cream pot, 1 set of cups and saucers, 1 crib corn. John Thompson auctioned everything off and he washighest bidder.
It is clear that much of the property was lost in this action; some of the land that was not involved in the suit was sold to the Andrews men, as was most of the farm equipement at the time of her death. In 1838 she had very little left. She owned no land..
Source: James Lal Penick, Jr.
The Great Western Land Pirate, John A. Murrell in Legmd and History
(Pinwick states in his book that Zilpha's mother's name was Crenshaw and was from a family that was thought to be beneath the status of the Murrells. He also stated she was a person of ill repute and had a big influence on the welfare of Zilpha and her family. I do not find her name connected with Crenshaw. There was a friendship between a Crenshaw and John Murrell, but I do not believe they were kin.
__________________
"Virginia Descendants" has her name as Zelphia Tilsah Andrews and married to Jeffrey Murrell, with son (1) William S. Murrell married to Sarah Brown. Second wife of William S. Murrell was Eveline Robb and third wife of William S. Murrell was Isabelle Sidebottom; (2) James H. Murrell married to Ruth Kirkpatrick; (3) John Andrews Murrell married to Elizabeth Mangham; (4) Jeffrey S. Murrell married to Mary Staggs, etc.
Jeffrey's grandparents were Thomas Murrell (birth 1675 Lowns Creek, Surry County, Virginia; Death 1755 Goochland, Virginia) and Elizabeth Oliver (birth 1690 Surry, Surry Co., Virginia; death 20 NOV 1758 Goochland, Goochland, Virginia)
In about 1797, Jeffrey married Zilpha Andrews in Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg County, Virginia, daughter of Mark Andrews (born 1740) and Winifred Lyell (1738-1827).
FROM VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHIES, Page 175:
Prominent among the old and highly esteemed families of Virginia is the Murrell Family, its connection with the state dating back to its early history, and during the intervening years the members in the various generations have aided in every worthy project calculated to advance the interests of the communities in which they have resided. Thomas Murrell, Jeffrey's grandfather, was one of the first settlers of Virginia, and endured bravely the hardships incident to pioneer life.
##
Jeffrey and his brother Thomas Murrell, Sr. (1737-1826) were both Revolutionary War veterans. Like Thomas, Jeffery was a minister but he was a Methodist. They migrated from Hawkins County to Dickson County, Tennessee in 1806. Thomas, Jr. (1785-1866) and his father, Thomas, Sr., were outstanding citizens. Thomas, Sr. was a Baptist preacher and Thomas, Jr. served as Dickson County Magistrate for many years.
Jeffery served as a private in the Revolutionary War and entered the Virginia Militia from Lunenburg County (Revolutionary War Pension #2908).
Jeffrey's Timeline:
1802 moved to Adair County, Kentucky.
1804 moved to Williamson County, Tennessee.
Jeffrey is buried in Methodist Church Cemetery, Bethesda, Tennessee
Jeffery moved to Middle Tennessee prior to Thomas, Sr. and purchased 146 acres in Williamson County, a short distance from where Thomas would settle (in Dickson County) about a year later. Jeffrey's land adjoined that of another brother, Drury, and was near his father-in-law, Mark Andrews.
Jeffery was an itinerant preacher and traveled throughout the countryside preaching the Gospel of Christ. His reputation was spotless. Jeffery was a tarvern owner and already fifty-six years old when he married Zilpha, closer in age to his father-in-law Mark Andrews than to his wife. He died in 1824.
The Murrells were said to be an extremely handsome family. Jeffrey and Zilpha's son John Andrews Murrell, especially, was remarkable ... John's sister, Leanna Murrell, was remarkable for her beauty, and was the most skillful dancer of her day." (Columbia Herald and Mail, June 8, 1877).
Jeffrey and Zilpha's Children
1. John Andrews MURRELL (Birth 1804 Lunenburg Co., VIrginia; Death 01 NOV 1845 Pikeville, Blount Co, Tennessee) married ELIZABETH MANGHAM (Birth 1808 Pikeville, Tennessee; Death 05 MAR 1891 Chester, Tennessee) and they had a daughter, ARTUSSY MADELINE MURRELL (Birth 1833 Pikesville, Bledso, Co., Tennessee; Death 1891 McNairy, Co. Tennessee). She married ROBERT R BLAND and they had the following children: Sarah L Bland (1839–____); Elijah M. Bland (1843–____); Rachel Ann Penelope Bland (1858–1895) married GEORGE WASHINGTON WESLEY HOWELL (Birth 1860 Wayne County, Tennessee; Death ABT 1895 McNairy Co., Tennessee); Henry Bland (1863–____); Lavanda Dulua Bland Campbell (1866–1929); Nancy C. Bland (1868–____); JULY JULIA BLAND (1870–____); VIRGINIA OPHELIA BLAND Usery (1874–1955)
2. Jeanna MURRELL b: Est 1770-1799
3. William Stich MURRELL (Birth 1798 Lunenburg, Virginia; Death MAY 1867 Tenterden, Kent, England)
4. James Henry MURRELL b: ABT 1802 Lunenburg County, VA; d. abt 1839) married Mary McBride
5. Jeffrey Gilliam MURRELL b: ABT 1812 Williamson County, TN; d. unknown)
6. Judette C. MURRELL b: ABT 1807 Williamson County, TN
7. Mary Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 18013 Williamson County, TN
8. Louisa Stanfield MURRELL b: ABT 1806 Williamson County, TN
9. Ann Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Jeffre Murrel
in the 1820 United States Federal Census
Name: Jeffre Murrel
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Franklin, Williamson, Tennessee
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 18: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over : 1
Slaves - Males - 45 and over: 2
Slaves - Females - 14 thru 25: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Manufactures: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 4
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total Slaves: 3
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 11
Jeffre Murrel
in the 1840 United States Federal Census
Name J H Marrell
Home in 1840 (City, County, State) Franklin, Tennessee
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9 2
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19 1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14 2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39 1
Slaves - Males - Under 10 3
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23 3
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35 1
Slaves - Females - Under 10 5
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35 3
Slaves - Females - 55 thru 99 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture 10
Free White Persons - Under 20 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49 2
Total Free White Persons 8
Total Slaves 16
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves 24
From the notes of Ellender Boudreaux, Lafayette, Louisiana (1997):
Jeffery and his brother, Drury, purchased 146 acres of land for $500 in southern Williamson County, Tennessee. They moved from Lunenburg County in 1806. They moved next to his father-in-law who owned land there in 1800. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old.
In Williamson County, as in Lunenburg County, the Murrells and Andrews men were property owners, hard working, honest farmers. Some owned slaves. Mark had nine at his death, Jeffery three. They were tight-knit, clanish, self-sufficient, and moderately prosperous, but for the Murrells at least, the move to Tennessee began a slow process of moral decay. Certainly the record before that move was one of sturdy industriousness.
Jeffery was a good hard working man, but his sons were not. All four sons became lawbreakers. The fruits of a lifetime of labor were consumed by growing court costs and debts. They were often in and out of courts.
When Jeffery died he owned three slaves and land free from debt. He left this to his wife, Zilpah, to be divided among his children at her death. However, four years after his death the family farm was lost and the slide down the social scale once begun was inexorable.
Drury never married.
Jeffery Murrell
Will
Jany. 1825
Recorded in Book 6, Pages 75649
Tho. Hardeman, Clk
In the name of God Amen I Jeffrey Murrel of the County of Williamson and State of Tennessee being weak of body but of perfect sound mind and memory blessed be God for it and calling to mind the mortality of body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die I have thought proper to make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament and first and principally I give and remand my soul to Almighty God that gave it and my body I return to the earth to be buried in a decant and Christian manner by the administer of my estate whom I shall hereafter appoint and of touching my worldly estate which it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and dispose of in the following manner:
1. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife my land and plantation that I know live on during her natural life and at her death to be split and be equally divided among my surviving heirs namely William S. Murrell (viz.), James H. Murrell, John A. Murrell, Lousa Stanfield Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Leannia L. Murrell, Jeffrey G. Murrell, Mary E. Murell and the lawful heirs of my son William S. Murrell.
2. I give and bequeath to my son William S. Murrell one dollar to be paid to him by my Executors in money out of the proceeds of my personal property.
3. I give and bequeath to my sister Judith Murrell ten dollars yearly to be paid to her by mu Executors and if she should become more infirmed than what she is at this time and not be able to walk my will is that she shall be paid twenty dollars yearly after that during her life and to have him boarded a working share in and with my family the money allowed to my sister Judith Murrell to be made by my Executors out of my personal property and kept by them without plissas.
4. My will and wish is that after my just debts are paid the balance of my property that I now want Hannah Lucy and Beck the negro boy Nick that I have named does not belong to me til the death of my wife's mother Winifred Andrews and all of my stock of Horses Cattle Hogs Sheep and my farming tools of every description and all other of my property that I have not named together Note in John Humphrey for two hundred dollars which note will be due on the first of February mint and at this time in the hands of Willaim Fleming as surety to him for fifty dollars that I borrowed from said Fleming which is to be paid to him out of said note with interest my will is that it shall be divided at the death of my loving wife equally among my children (viz James H. Murrell, John A. Murrell, Louisa Stanfield Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Lianna L. Murrell, Mary E. Murrell and the lawful heirs of my son William S, Murrell together with all of my household and kitchen furniture.
5. The above named sums that I have left to my sister Judith Murrell is to be paid to her by my Executors on condition that she gives up a note or influence of writing which she holds on me at this time.
My will and desire is that my beloved wife Tilphy Murrell and William Fleming to be Sole Executors to this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the twentieth day of November in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four.
Jeffrey Murrell (seal)
Signed, sealed and acknowledged
For the purposes aforesaid by me
(illegible)
PROBATE OF ESTATE
Zilpah Andrews Murrell
John Thompkins
Vs
Zilpah Murrell & others
Bill
Juris 25 July 1827
Recorded
Trustee
Williamson County
To the Honorable Thomas Stuart Esq. Judge of the Circuit Court of Law and Equity for the County aforesaid.
Your orator John Thompson of the County aforesaid humbly complaining shows clerk by your honor - that Zilpha Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Murrell and Jeffrey G. Murrell of the County and State aforesaid ____ right to a fee simple of a tract of land ________ _____ containing by estimation one hundred ________acres and being also possessed _____ good title to the following chgartccles of personal property to wit one negro boy Elado ______________ eighteen years of age, girl Hannah four years of age and one gray mare, one yoke of oxen for each, cows and four yearlings, thirteen head of sheep, forty hogs, four beds & furniture, two tables, three ______ chairs, one loom, three cotton wheels, one flour wheel, chest, one looking glass, two pads, one oven, two skillets and kettle, two washing tubs, two pewter dishes and ____, kitchen dish and thirteen plates, 5 bowls, 2 latches of cream, _____ cups saucers and one crib of corn _____________.
And the said defendants being in want of the sum of one hundred and sixty five dollars seventy eight cents for the purpose of offering two _______ against them, one in favor of ______, and the other in favour of McAleyha did on or about the twentieth day of ________ 1826 apply to and ____________ upon the security a mortgage of ___ previously and your orator having agreed such did according advance & pay the said sum of one hundred twenty five dollars evenly eight cents to the said H. K. Willeth & McAlis Lay Hill __ and thereupon __________ for the said sum of money, 20 July 1826. Defendants made and duly executed their deed _____ which they bargained & sold 2 cows and oats your orator the premises aforesaid but subject ______ the condition of ______________ as ________________ said defendants unto your orator of the said sums of one hundred & thirty five dollars & seventy eight cents with lawful interest thereon, on or before the twentieth day _______ 18__.
Your orator further [remainder of paragraph illegible] frequently appealed to aforesaid defendants to pay to him the said principal money [____] or else peaceably [_____] up to your orator. [illegible sentence] and your orator request the said defendants [________] complied but now so it is ____________. Your honor the said defendants commenced __________ your orator did not advance the said sum of money, ______________ whereas you orator charges the contrary hereof to be the trust to ________ all of which action _______________ in consideration whereof and for as much as your orator _________________ of the common law and can have arrangement whereof ________ a court of equity which _________ of his said are _________ cognizable to him and therefore _______said defendants may upon their corporal oaths shall ___________ make _______________ refuse _________________________ deed above described and whether they _______ did not utterly refuse ___________at the time prescribed by said mortgaged deed for the pay thereof and becomes thereafter – and the said defendants ________ in any answer the premises attached they may be decreed to pay to your orator the said sum on one hundred seventy five dollars & 28 cents with interest thereon from this 20 July 1826 together with your orator's oath and be defaired thereof that the said defendants and all thereon claiming and them may be forever barred in that behalf most wrongfully sustained.
Richard Alexander
Atts for Dfts
State of Tennessee Williamson County
This day personally appeared before me Alexander Mcanne one of the justices of the peace of said county Zilpha Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, heirs of oWm Murrell and Jeffrey G. Murrrell and made oath that the facts herein contained which yours within there own knowledge are true and the facts which have been related to them by others are true according to the best of their knowledge and belief.
her
Zilpah X Murrell
mark
Judith C. Murrell
Louisa Murrell
Jeffrey G. Murrell
Sworn to before me
This 6th of August 1827
A. Milbane EP
John Thompson vs Zil;pha Murrell et al
Testis 6th August 1827
ANSWER
The joint and several Answers of Zelpah Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Murrell and Jeffrey G. Murrell Defendants to the Bill of Complaint of John Thompson
These Defendants now and at all times hereinafter, saving and reserving to themselves all manner of benefit and advantage of exception to the many versons and insufficiencies in the complainant's said Bill of Complaint continued for Answer thereunto, and unto so much and such parts through as those Defendants are advised is material for them to make answer unto, they answer and say they admit that John Thompson, complaintant in said Bill of Complaint did advance to them the said sum of one hundred and ninety five dollars and twenty eight cents as specified in Complaintant's said Bill of Complaint; they admit that they in consideration thereof reunted the Mortgate deed as specified and set forth in the Complaintant's Bill, thus Defendants further answering admit the the Complainant John Thompson ____, since the said bond fell due, several times spply to them the said Defendants to obtain payment of the said sum of one hundred and ninety five dollars and twenty eight cents and that they the said Defendants ought thereby lift their deed of mortgage and redeem the property therein specified and that they have not paid said sum of money and lessted sum deed of Mortgage; and these defendants deny all unlawful combination and confederacy in the said Bill charged, without that that any other matter or thing material or necessary for these Defendants to make any favor unto, and not herein, or hereby, will sufficiently answered unto, confessed, or avoided have said or denied, is true to the knowledge or belief of these Defendants. All which matters and things these Defendants are ready to aver, maintain and prove, as this honorable Court shall direct, and humbly prey to be herein dismissed with their reasonable costs and charges in that behalf most wrongfully sustained.
State of Tennessee Williamson County
Richard Alexander
Atts for Defendants
This day personally appeared before me Alexander Mehane one of the justices of the peace of said county Zilpha Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Merrill and Jeffrey G. Murrell and made oath that the facts herein contained which comes within their own knowledge are true and the facts which have been related to them by others are true according to their knowledge and belief.
her
Zilpah X Murrell
mark
Judith C. Murrell
Louisa Murrell
Jeffrey G. Murrell
Sworn to before me
This 6th of August 1827
A Mebane JP
ORDER
John Thompson
vs
Zilpah Murrell, Judith C. Murrell, Louisa Murrell & Jeffrey G. Murrell – In Chancery
This cause coming on to be heard upon the file, answer, hearing, it seeming at this time suggested by Metaid J. G. Murrell that he was infant and it being so agreed between the parties and he being before this court here by his guardian pro hac vice, Joshua W. McGown insisting upon his infancy,
It is ordered, adjudged & decreed that said Zilpah Murrell, Judith C. Murrell & Louisa L. Murrell pay to the said John Thompson the Executor heirs or assigns on or before the first day of May each the sum of one hundred seventy five dollars & seventy eight cents with interest thereon at the rate of six per centum per annum from the 20th day of July 1826 to this day making the further sum of eighteen dollars & 50 cents with costs of this suit and upon such payment that the complaintant succeed to the mortgage deed to the said Zilpah – and in default of payment as aforesaid that the clerk & master proceed to sell at public auction for cash at the going and usual notice of time & place so much of the mortgaged premises (the property of the said Zilpah, Judith C. and Louisa S. Murrell) as may be sufficient to pay said debt with interest and the cost of suit – and renters fees of which for $5.25
June 16, 1828
Metan Patty
And my rep fees of $12 50/100 of w luck
Th. Mancy
Mark Andrews
1820 Last Will and Testament
Recorded in Book 6, Pages 211 and 212
In the name of God Amen, I Mark Andrews of Williamson County State of Tennessee being perfect in mind and memory do make this my Last Will and Testament and dispose of my worldly goods and chattels in the following manner – viz.,
Item 1. I give and bequeath to my son John one hundred acres of land, beginning at my North East corner thence South to the creek thence down said as to meanders till a line parallel with the first will include the same and after the death of my wife Winifred Andrews, one negro girl named Suinder.
2. I give and bequeath to my son Ephraim Andrews all the balance of my land and plantation containing one hundred and sixty acres be the same mouoz bfs and all my farming tools.
3. After the death of my loving wife Winifred, I will that a negro woman named Alies and one negro boy named Saban be sold to the best advantage by my executors and the monies arising from sale of said negros when collected to be equally divided amongst my grandchildren, viz. George Shule, Christiana Shule, Plooey Shule, Haney Shule, James Shule and Andrew Shule to be paid to said grand children each their proportional part once they arrive to the age of twenty-one years.
4. After the death of my wife Winifred I give and bequeath to my daughter Scannah Yarborugh one negro man named George and one feather bed.
5. I give and bequeath to my daughter Polly Dean one negro girl named Kizzin, and one negro woman named Armon provided said Polly Dean pay or cause to be paid the full amount of a judg. Note, and cost which was obtained against Jeffrey Murrell in favor of Hobbs. In case of failure to pay off said judgment and cost the above named negro woman Armon to be sold and said judgment and cost to be satisfied out of the monies arising from the said negros and the balance of any to be paid to said Polly Dean for her own sake.
6. After the death of my wife Winifred I give and bequeath to my daughter Suddies Matthews one feather bed. ---
7. After the death of my loving wife Winifred I give and bequeath to my daughter Tilpah Murrell one negro boy named Dick and one feather bed. –
8. I give and bequeath to my son George Andrews all my stock of every kind except my young bay horse and all my crops of every description except tobacco which crop of tobacco and said young bay horse I give to my loving wife Winifred. I likewise give to my son George Andrews the money due on from Eli Talbot and all my property not herein willed of every description and after the death of my loving wife Winifred one negro man named Jack and one negro girl named Meliloa and her increase
9. I will that there be no appraisement of property or inventory returned.
10. I constitute and appoint my sons John Andrews, George Andrews and Ephraim Andrews Executors to this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix my Seal this twenty third day of December one thousand eight hundred and twenty –
Mark Andrews (Seal)
Signed and sealed in the presence of
Brochenbrough Andrews, Jurat.
Opperess C. Andrews, Jurat
George Andrews, Jurat.
Kahard S. Yarboroough, Jurat.
Biography
"Murrell Gang" mentor "Mom Murrell"
"Ancestry Rootsweb: (Shelley Dedrickson): 'Zelphia Tipha Andrews...." [1]
"Dalton Newsletter - Dalton Gang Letter: September 1996' by Gordon Bonnet:
'Jonathan Lyell and Mary Dalton had, among other children, Winifred Lyell, b. February 18, 1738 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond, Va. Winifred married Mark Andrews of Dinwiddie Co., Va., son of William Andrews and Avis Garnett, and had, among other children, a daughter named Zilphia Andrews. Winifred Lyell Andrews died in 1827. Zilphia Andrews married Jeffrey Murrell of Lunenburg Co., Va., son of William Murrell and Frances Pryor. They had, among other children, my ancestor, James H. Murrell, and the famous outlaw John A. Murrell... James H. Murrell moved to Louisiana, allegedly to escape his brother's bad name and influence, where he married on April 7, 1827, in Opelousas, La., to Mary Margaret McBride, daughter of Thomas Walter McBride and Julienne Bogard. They had, among other children, a daughter Emily Murrell, born on May 26, 1829 in Opelousas, La. Emily Murrell married in Opelousas on May 19, 1853 to Esprit Ariez Bonnet, son of Zacharie Bonnet and Marie Rebail of Gap, France. They had, among other children, Alfred Ariez Bonnet, who married Mary Emily Brandt, daughter of Wilhelm Brandt of Germany and Isabella Rulong. They were my paternal great-grandparents.[2]
"REH Two Gun Raconteur: 'The Hellbender John A. Murrell', by Keith Taylor: 'John A. Murrell was a hellbender, in Southwest vernacular. He planned no less than an outlaw empire on the Mississippi river, with New Orleans as his capital and himself as emperor. Son of a tavern woman and an aristocratic gentleman, he seemed to have inherited the instincts of both, together with a warped mind that made him as ruthless and dangerous as a striking rattler... Zilphia, nee Andrews, had been the daughter of a prosperous Virginia planter. Again, that was both genteel and accepted. She hadn't been "a tavern woman" all her life; she inherited the inn from her parents. John A's ancestors on both sides came from the state's early landed families. Not a lawbreaker or ne'er-do-well in generations. The moral decline in the family began with Zilphia. She managed the inn (near Columbia, Tennessee), since her preacher husband was often away giving sermons.... Poor old Jeffrey didn't know the half of it. To put it bluntly, the voluptuous Zilphia was a bigger [_____] than Rahab. She was also a [____] to match any in Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar, and she taught her four sons to assist her. Male travelers with bulging purses were given the come-on by "Mom Murrell," and she would [______________] while William, her eldest, or another son, took their coin, watches, and anything else worth having. They weren't likely to complain later. It would have meant admitting in court that they'd paid the preacher's wife [___ ___], and "Mom Murrell" would surely have denied it with a scandalized face, backed by her kids, well coached to appear wild with outrage at the slur on their mother's honor. '" [3]
"Genealogy.com; Murrell: 'Re: JOHN ANDREWS MURRELL 1806-1844, by Gayla Threatt... John is my husband's 2nd Great Grandfather. My mother & I did some research on this family. LS Montoya also gave us the info below... He wasn't as bad as the press & others made him out to be, we don't think. On his death bed he said, he guessed he was guilty of most what was said, but not of murder... Jeffery was a minister but he was a Methodist. Jeffery moved to Middle Tennessee prior to Thomas, Sr. In 1805, he purchased 146 acres in Williamson County, a short distance from where Thomas would settle (in Dickson County) about a year later. His land adjoined that of another brother, Drury, and was near his father-in-law, Mark Andrews. Thomas' children all made respectable citizens, but Jeffery was not quite as fortunate. It is Jeffery's children that I call "Our Outlaw Cousins." Jeffery was an itinerant preacher and traveled throughout the countryside preaching the Gospel of Christ. His reputation was spotless, but his high moral standards were not shared by his wife, Zelphia Andrews Murrell, and their children. Before 1820, Jeffery and "Mom Murrell" (as Zelphia was sometimes called) owned an inn near Columbia, Tennessee [but this is disputed by descendant family members]. .. in his absence, she converted the inn into a [______] and a den of thieves. She taught her children to steal. After she made a traveler "so weary from the sport she had given him on his bed...that he probably would have slept through an earthquake," her son, John, or another child would pick the traveler's pockets... John A. Murrell, especially, was remarkable for his manly beauty, curling auburn hair, worn long generally, decorated a classic head, and a prepossessing face, that would, said an observer, have drawn attention and been noticed among a thousand people . . . His sister Leanna Murrell, was remarkable for her beauty, and was the most skillful dancer of her day." (Columbia Herald and Mail, June 8, 1877). Not only was John A. Murrell handsome, but he was well educated. He possessed a brilliant mind and was able to adapt to almost any environment. He used these assets to pursue a life of crime that is unparalleled in Southern History. He was our Outlaw Cousin. In his book, Life On the Mississippi, Mark Twain compared John Murrell to Jesse James: "Murel was his equal in boldness; in pluck; in rapacity; in cruelty, brutality, heartlessness, treachery, and in general and comprehensive vileness and shamelessness; and very much his superior in some larger aspects. James was a retail rascal; Murel, wholesale. James's modest genius dreamed of no loftier flight than the planning of raids upon cars, coaches, and country banks; Murel projected negro insurrections and the capture of New Orleans! And furthermore, on occasion, this Murel could go into a pulpit and edify the congregation. What are James and his half-dozen vulgar rascals compared with this stately old-time criminal, with his sermons, his meditated insurrections and city-captures, and his majestic following of ten hundred men, sworn to do his evil will!" (Mark Twain, Life On the Mississippi, pp. 205-206). John's mother taught him well. At the age of 16, he robbed the family treasury of fifty dollars and left home for Nashville. In Nashville, Murrell was recognized by one of his former victims from the Columbia inn. The man, however, was impressed by the young man's skill and asked Murrell to join him in a thieving adventure. This began his criminal career. Before he was 30, he was known as the great "Land Pirate" and was the most feared man along the Natchez Trace. Murrell was best known as a slave thief. By his own admission, he stole more than one hundred. Murrell's motto was, "Dead men tell no tales." Murrell loved fashionable clothes and beautiful horses. He was often seen in Nashville, Natchez, and New Orleans exquisitely dressed and riding fine horses. Usually, these possessions came from travelers he waylayed along the Natchez Trace...'" [sic] [4]
"The Devil's Backbone: The Story of the Natchez Trace, by Jonathan Daniels; McGraw-Hill, 1962, p. 240: 'The moral decline in the family began with Zilphia. She managed the inn (near Columbia, Tennessee), since her preacher husband was often away giving sermons. Jeffrey Murrell didn't think his wife was decorous enough for a clergyman's partner, it seems, since he commanded her (without much effect) to "quit walking the way she did, [__________________________________].'" [5]
"Madison County, Tennessee: Historical Sketches of the County and Its People, by M. Secrist; Lulu Press, 2013; 'John A. Murrell was born in 1804 in Middle Tennessee. He was the son of Jeffrey Murrell, a Methodist preacher, His mother was Zilphia Andrews, daughter of Mark Andrews of Williamson County, Tenessee. She was a woman of evil disposition, teaching him his first lesson in vice, by the time he was of age he had become a confirmed evil-doer; and formally adopted robbery as a profession... He knew no degrees in crime, and regarded murder as in no wise more heinous or repugnant than the theft of a watch. He never robbed a man, unless by stealth, without killing him, and he never robbed bu violence where the person robbed could not be killed.'" [sic] [6]
"Ancestry: Rootsweb; Perry - Webb Families in Tennessee/Kentucky
•'Source: THE ANDREWS FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSOURI, AND BEYOND, by Grace Andrews Magl ione 1990 776 Seven Hills Lane, St. Charles, MO63303 Page 9-10.
• Source for information on Murrell Family is from Ellender Murrell Boudreaux of Louisana. • Zilpha Andrews was the wife of Jeffrey Murrell. Her father was Mark Andrews who arrived in Williamson County in 1801 from Virginia. Her mother was Winifred Lyell. Among the numerous brood of Mark Andrews was a daughter named Zilpha, alady who does not always appear in family genealogies. She and Jeffrey had four daughters and four sons, among the m the legendy outlaw, John Murrell. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old when they married ,closer in age to his father-in-law than his wife. Jeffrey died in 1824, leaving Zilpha to cope with mounting family problems. She was probably not forty yet. As long as she lived, the Murrells were gathered around her, including mos t of her sons when they were out of prison. She always provided support whenever a family member fell in difficulty.'" [sic]
MORE ABOUT JEFFREY MURRELL'S WIFE ZILPDA ANDREWS:
Zilphia's wealthy and upstanding parents, Mark and Winifred (Lyell) Andrews, had bequeathed to her an inn in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, and it was there that young Murrell and his brothers learned to profit from petty crime. It was Zilphia who allegedly taught her sons (willing pupils all, if the records are accurate) to sneak silently into the rooms of the guests at the inn and pilfer valuables from any handy baggage. The early lessons seem to have sunk in, for all four sons show up at intervals in legal records of the time.
Before 1820, Jeffery and "Mom Murrell" (as Zelphia was sometimes called) owned an inn near Columbia, Tennessee. When he was at home, Jeffery chided Zelphia to quit "walking the way she did, hips swinging and breasts undulating and long thighs molding themselves against her skirt with each step." (Jonathan Daniels, The Devil's Backbone, p. 240). He pleaded with her to stay at home and prech the Gospel.
Instead, in his absence, she converted the inn into a brothel and a den of thieves. She taught her children to steal. After she made a traveler "so weary from the sport she had given him on his bed ... that he probably would have slept through an earthquake," her son, John, or another child would pick the traveler's pockets and take anything of value (Ibid., p. 240).
The Murrells were said to be an extremely handsome family. "John A. Murrell, especially, was remarkable for his manly beauty, curling auburn hair, worn long generally, decorated a classic head, and a prepossessing face, that would, said an observer, have drawn attention and been noticed among a thousand people ... His sister, Leanna Murrell, was remarkable for her beauty, and was the most skillful dancer of her day." (Columbia Herald and Mail, June 8, 1877).
Name: Zilpha ANDREWS ... Most have Tilpha
Children
John Andrews MURRELL b: 1806
Jeanna MURRELL b: WFT Est 1770-1799
William Stich MURRELL b: ABT 1800
James Henry MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Jeffrey George MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Judette C. MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Mary Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Louisa Stanfield MURRELL b: ABT 1800
Ann Elizabeth MURRELL b: ABT 1800
______________
IT is planed to expand this one for the Tennessee Historical Quarterly. This appeared in the Williamson County Historical Journal for 2012. Read the little book by Penick. Joohn Andrews Murrell went home with a fellow he met in prison, who was a devoted - what we would call today - Church of Christ member (called Christian Church back then). The book included the court testimony by the family. This was not written to improve the reputation of Zilpha Andrews, it started out to look at the facts. Inn's were taxed back then - no records exist of any Inn owned by or left to her - it was supposed to be in Maury Co. - even though they have the records of other Inns and Taverns. There is a house that when it was built included part of the Murrell home - logs and all. It is on the property where the other Andrews Cemetery is located.
Zelphia (Tilpha) Andrews
Source: THE ANDREWS FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSOURI, AND BEYOND,by Grace Andrews Maglione 1990 776 Seven Hills Lane, St. Charles, MO63303 Page 9-10.
Source for information on Murrell Family is from Ellender MurrellBoudreaux of Louisana.
Zilpha Andrews was the wife of Jeffrey Murrell. Her father was Mark Andrews who arrived in Williamson County in 1801 from Virginia. Her mother was Winifred Lyell.
Among the numerous brood of Mark Andrews was a daughter named Zilpha, a lady who does not always appear in family genealogies. She and Jeffrey had four daughters and four sons, among them the legendy outlaw, John Murrell. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old when they married, closer in age to his father-in-law than his wife.
Jeffrey died in 1824, leaving Zilpha to cope with mounting family problems. She was probably not forty yet. As long as she lived, the Murrells were gathered around her, including most of her sons when they were out of prison. She always provided support whenever a family member fell in difficulty.
It was probably the cost arising from the troubles of the boys that ruined the family's fortunes. When Jeffrey died he left three slaves (as well as a fourth that would have been his on the death of his mother-in-law) and a farm free of indebtedness. He had bought out Druy's interest in his farm in 1820. In his will he left the entire estate to Zilpha, with the provision that on her death, it would be divided equally among his children and the children of William S. Murrell. (Williamson County, Wills, 3;756-57, Williamson County, Miscellanceous Records, grand jury presentment, July 10, 1824 Sale of Drury's intrest in the farm is recorded in Williamson County, Deeds, Book F. PP.342-43). Much of the estate was lost within four years of his death and the family was forced to leave Williamson County.
In the summer of 1826 Zilpha and her children, Judith, Louisa and Jeffery, borrowed money from John Thompson, a large landowner and justice of the peace; using the farm with slaves, livestock, and household furnishing as security. Thompson had actually owed Jeffrey at the time of his death. Ten years later the family had to borrow money from Thompson to repay another loan. When Thompson couldn't collect the money he went to court. The agreement that was executed between Thompson and the Murrells was a trust deed. It lists 140 acres, 2 slaves,(one four years old) 1 mare, 11 yolk oxen, 1 cart, 3 cows, 3 yearlings, 13 sheep, 40 hogs, 4 beds and furniture, 2 tables, 3 trunks, 10 chairs, 1 loom, 3 cotton wheels, 1 flax wheel, 1 chest, 1 looking glass, 2 pots, 1 oxen, 2 skillets, 1 keetle, 2 wash tubs, 2 pewter dishes and 6 plates, 1 earthen dish and 13 plates, 5 bowls, 2 pitchers, 1 cream pot, 1 set of cups and saucers, 1 crib corn. John Thompson auctioned everything off and he was highest bidder.
It is clear that much of the property was lost in this action; some of the land that was not involved in the suit was sold to the Andrews men, as was most of the farm equipment at the time of her death. In 1838 she had very little left. She owned no land.
Source: James Lal Penick, Jr.
The Great Western Land Pirate, John A. Murrell in Legmd and History
(Pinwick states in his book that Zilpha's mother's name was Crenshaw and was from a family that was thought to be beneath the status of the Murrells. He also stated she was a person of ill repute and had a big influence on the welfare of Zilpha and her family. I do not find her name connected with Crenshaw. There was a friendship between a Crenshaw and John Murrell, but I do not believe they were kin.
Zelphia's son, John A. Murrel was born close to Jackson, Tennessee in the late 1700's and early 1800's. His dad was a Methodist preacher, and he was gone a lot. Legend has it that Murrel once said of his father that his father was an honest man, but John thought none the less of him for that. His mother taught him and the rest of her children to steal. His mother ran an inn, when he was a teen. He said that his mother was one of the true grit; she taught all her children to steal as soon as they could walk...and what ever they stole she would hide it for them and dared their father to touch them for stealing.
According to one source, Zilphia (Andrews) Murrell died "alone and in no circumstances of wealth."
THE ANDREWS FAMILY OF VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSOURI, AND BEYOND,by Grace Andrews Maglione 1990 776 Seven Hills Lane, St. Charles, MO 63303 Page 9-10.
Source for information on Murrell Family is from Ellender Murrell Boudreaux of Louisana.
Zilpha Andrews was the wife of Jeffrey Murrell. Her father was Mark Andrews who arrived in Williamson County in 1801 from Virginia. Her mother was Winifred Lyell.
Among the numerous brood of Mark Andrews was a daughter named Zilpha, a lady who does not always appear in family genealogies. She and Jeffrey had four daughters and four sons, among them the legendy outlaw, John Murrell. Jeffery was already fifty-six years old when they married, closer in age to his father-in-law than his wife.
Jeffrey died in 1824, leaving Zilpha to cope with mounting family problems. She was probably not forty yet. As long as she lived, the Murrells were gathered around her, including most of her sons when they were out of prison. She always provided support whenever a family member fell in difficulty.
It was probably the cost arising from the troubles of the boys that ruined the family's fortunes. When Jeffrey died he left three slaves (as well as a fourth that would have been his on the death of his mother-in-law) and a farm free of indebtedness. He had bought out Druy's interest in his farm in 1820. In his will he left the entire estate to Zilpha, with the provision that on her death, it would be divided equally among his children and the children of William S. Murrell. (Williamson County, Wills, 3;756-57, Williamson County, Miscellanceous Records, grand jury presentment, July 10, 1824 Sale of Drury's intrest in the farm is recorded in Williamson County, Deeds, Book F. PP.342-43). Much of the estate was lost within four years of his death and the family was forced to leave Williamson County.
In the summer of 1826 Zilpha and her children, Judith, Louisa and Jeffery, borrowed money from John Thompson, a large landowner and justice of the peace; using the farm with slaves, livestock, and household furnishing as security. Thompson had actually owed Jeffrey at the time of his death. Ten years later the family had to borrow money from Thompson to repay another loan. When Thompson couldn't collect the money he went to court. The agreement that was executed between Thompson and the Murrells was a trust deed. It list 140 acres, 2 slaves,(one four years old) 1 mare, 11 yolk oxen, 1 cart, 3 cows, 3 yearlings, 13 sheep,40 hogs, 4 beds and furniture, 2 tables, 3 trunks, 10 chairs, 1 loom, 3cotton wheels, 1 flax wheel, 1 chest, 1 looking glass, 2 pots, 1 oxen, 2 skillets, 1 keetle, 2 wash tubs, 2 pewter dishes and 6 plates, 1 earthen dish and 13 plates, 5 bowls, 2 pitchers, 1 cream pot, 1 set of cups and saucers, 1 crib corn. John Thompson auctioned everything off and he washighest bidder.
It is clear that much of the property was lost in this action; some of the land that was not involved in the suit was sold to the Andrews men, as was most of the farm equipement at the time of her death. In 1838 she had very little left. She owned no land..
Source: James Lal Penick, Jr.
The Great Western Land Pirate, John A. Murrell in Legmd and History
(Pinwick states in his book that Zilpha's mother's name was Crenshaw and was from a family that was thought to be beneath the status of the Murrells. He also stated she was a person of ill repute and had a big influence on the welfare of Zilpha and her family. I do not find her name connected with Crenshaw. There was a friendship between a Crenshaw and John Murrell, but I do not believe they were kin.
__________________
"Virginia Descendants" has her name as Zelphia Tilsah Andrews and married to Jeffrey Murrell, with son (1) William S. Murrell married to Sarah Brown. Second wife of William S. Murrell was Eveline Robb and third wife of William S. Murrell was Isabelle Sidebottom; (2) James H. Murrell married to Ruth Kirkpatrick; (3) John Andrews Murrell married to Elizabeth Mangham; (4) Jeffrey S. Murrell married to Mary Staggs, etc.
Family Members
Children
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William Stith Murrell
1798–1867
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Louisa Stanfield Murrell
1800 – unknown
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Ann Elizabeth Murrell
1800 – unknown
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James Henry Murrell
1802–1839
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John Andrews Murrell
1804–1844
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Judette C. Murrell
1810 – unknown
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Leanna S. Murrell Nolin
1812–1856
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Mary Elizabeth Murrell
1813–1841
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Jeffrey Gilliam Murrell Jr
1814 – unknown
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