James Murray

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James Murray, postmaster in Leith, and his family occupied No. 6 for almost four decades, from 1860 to 1897.1 James Murray was born in Edinburgh on 23 October 1820, son of Alexander Murray and Janet Moffat.2 He spent his whole career in the Post Office, joining as a clerk in 18363 and retiring as acting postmaster of Leith in 1890.4 His pension application stated “Throughout his long service Mr James Murray has discharged his duties with uniform diligence and fidelity to the entire satisfaction of his superior officers.”5 After his marriage he lived first at 30 Hamilton Place6 and then at No. 6 Malta Terrace where he died on 26 October 1892.7

James Murray married Agnes Ritchie on 13 January 1846, at 86 George Street.8 She was baptised on 20 July 1821 at Ramsey, Isle of Mann, daughter of Captain Colin Ritchie, 10th West India Regiment, and his wife Janet Irving.9 Agnes Ritchie or Murray lived on at No. 6 Malta Terrace after James Murray’s death,10 and died on 03 March 1897 at the home of her son, Dr James Murray.11

Agnes Ritchie’s brother, David Ritchie, was recorded at No. 6 in the 1891 census, aged 73, and living on private means.12 He was baptised at Ramsey, Isle of Man, on 16 March 1818.13 In the 1881 census, he was described as a silk mercer.14 He lived in London before moving to Lancashire.15

James Murray and Agnes Ritchie had eleven children. The youngest, Edith Barnes Murray, was born at No. 6 Malta Terrace on 23 October 1861,16 and died there on 06 September 1871.17 With the exceptions of their eldest son, James Murray, who died aged 02 in 1853,18,19 and their eldest daughter, Jessie Ann Murray (born in 1847),20 the other children were all recorded living at No. 6. They were:

  • Agnes Barbara Murray, baptised at St Cuthbert’s on 08 September 1848,21 was at No. 6 at the time of the 1861 census.22 She married William Edward Jackson on 15 May 1875, at Bradford,23 and died a widow on 20 March 1928, in Liverpool.24
  • Mary Jane Murray was born in Edinburgh on 15 November 1849.25 She was a telegraphist in 1871.26 In 1874, she married John Harcus, a shipping agent,27 and died on 03 February 1922, three months after admission to the Fife Asylum.28
  • Alexander Murray was born in Edinburgh on 25 October 185229 and was recorded at No. 6 in the 1861 census, aged 8 years.30 He died at Adelaide, Australia in 1923.31
  • Margaret Douglas Murray was born in Edinburgh on 25 April 1854.32 She was a telegraphist in 1881.33 In the 1891 census, still at No. 6 Malta Terrace, she was an annuitant.34 She died unmarried on 28 May 1905.35
  • Elizabeth Murray was born in Edinburgh on 16 May 1855.36 She also worked as a telegraphist in Leith.37,38 She never married and died on 29 May 1943 at 51 Great King Street in Edinburgh.39
  • Violet Dalton Murray was born in Edinburgh on 20 March 1857.40 She married Thomas Salter Holloway in Edinburgh on 03 March 1879.41 They were divorced on 17 February 189142 and she died in Surrey on 19 February 1919.43
  • James Murray was listed at No. 6 Malta Terrace in the censuses of 1861 and 1871, aged 2 and 12.44 He was born on 20 July 1858 at Hamilton Place, Edinburgh,45 and graduated M.B., Mast. Surg. from the University of Edinburgh in 1879.46 He practiced medicine first at Biggar, Lanarkshire,47 but was listed as an MD at No. 6 in the Directory of 1883-84. By 1891 he was at 1 Brandon Street48 and later moved to 51 Great King Street, where he died on 21 July 1923.49 He married Eleanor Mortimer, who survived him, on 24 December 1896 at the Station Hotel, Forres.50
  • Emma Ritchie Murray was born on 25 September 1859.51 In 1896, she married George Munro Stocks, a doctor,52 who was charged with murder in March 1896 after performing an illegal operation on a woman.53 Emma Murray or Stocks died a widow on 25 September 1938 at 51 Great King Street in Edinburgh.54

The 1881 census recorded a grandson, Samuel Marsh, aged 10, born at North Shields, Northumberland, staying with the Murray family at No. 6 Malta Terrace.55 He was the son of Jessie Ann Murray, the eldest child of James Murray and Agnes Ritchie, who married Samuel Marsh in 1869.56 Samuel senior was described as a draper’s manager in the 1871 census, when this family was living at 10 Albert Terrace, Tynemouth, Northumberland.57 They emigrated to Victoria, Australia in 188658 and the Murray’s grandson Samuel James Marsh died on 26 July 1959 at Brunswick, Victoria, Australia.59

References

  1. PO Directories 1860-61 to 1896-97.
  2. Baptisms index (OPR) Scotland. Edinburgh. 23 October 1820. MURRAY, James. 685/1 550/ 235. https://scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 09 October 2024.
  3. Post Office. Nominations and Appointments. 03 August 1836. MURRAY, James. POST 58/ 68, p. 252. UK, Postal Service Appointment Books, 1737-1969. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  4. Post Office. Pension and Gratuity Records. December 1890. MURRAY, James. POST 1/225. Ancestry collection ‘UK, Royal Mail Pension and Gratuity Records, 1860-1970. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 09 October 2024.
  5. Op. cit.
  6. Census records. Scotland. Edinburgh. 30 March 1851. MURRAY, James (Head). 685/2 7A/ 19. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  7. Death announcements. Scotland. The Scotsman. 29 October 1892. MURRAY, James. p. 16, col. 07. https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk: accessed 16 September 2021.
  8. Marriage announcements. Scotland. Edinburgh Evening Post and Scottish Standard. 17 January 1846. MURRAY, James and RITCHIE, Agnes. p. 03, col. 06. https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  9. Baptisms. Isle of Man. Ramsey. 20 July 1821. RITCHIE, Agnes. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  10. PO Directories 1893-94, 1894-95, 1895-96, and 1896-97.
  11. Deaths announcements. Scotland. The Scotsman. 04 March 1897. MURRAY, Agnes. p. 10, col. 08. https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  12. Census records. Scotland. Edinburgh. 05 April 1891. MURRAY, James (Head). 685A/2 13/ 08. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  13. Baptisms (PR). Isle of Man. Ramsey. 16 March 1818. RITCHIE, David. Isle of Man, Select Parish Registers, 1598-1936. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  14. Census records. England. West Derby, Lancashire. 03 April 1881. RITCHIE, David (Visitor). RG11/3709/86/06. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  15. Census records. England. Marylebone, London. 30 March 1851. RITCHIE, David (Head). HO107/1491/784/10. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  16. Births (SR) Scotland. Edinburgh. 23 October 1861. MURRAY, Edith Barnes. 685/1 1120. https://scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  17. Deaths (SR) Scotland. Edinburgh. 06 September 1871. MURRAY, Edith Barnes. 685/1 915. https://scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  18. Burials (OPR) Scotland. St Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh. 02 May 1853. MURRAY, James (aged 02). 685/2 520 127. https://scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  19. Monumental inscriptions. Scotland. St Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh. 02 May 1853. MURRAY, James. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/190962951/james-murray: accessed 29 September 2021.
  20. Baptisms (OPR) Scotland. St Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh. 09 July 1847. MURRAY, Jessie Ann. 685/2 380 190. https://scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  21. Baptisms (OPR) Scotland. St Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh. 08 September 1848. MURRAY, Agnes Barbara. 685/2 380 191. https://scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  22. Census records. Scotland. Edinburgh. 07 April 1861. MURRAY, James (Head). 685/1 85/ 09. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  23. Marriages (PR). England. Bradford. 15 May 1875. JACKSON, William Edward and MURRAY, Agnes Barbara. Yorkshire Parish Records. West Yorkshire Archive Service, Leeds. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  24. Testamentary records. Scotland. 28 June 1928. JACKSON, Agnes Barbara Murray or. Inventory. National Probate Index. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  25. Baptisms (OPR) Scotland. St Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh. 15 November 1849. MURRAY, Mary Jane. 685/2 380 191. https://scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  26. Census records. Scotland. Edinburgh. 02 April 1871. MURRAY, James (Head). 685/1 88/ 10. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  27. Marriages index (SR) Scotland. Edinburgh. 1874. HARCUS, John and MURRAY, Mary Jane. 685/1 124. https://scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  28. Fife and Kinross District Asylum General Registers. 05 December 1921. MURRAY, Mary Jane. H\Str\3\2\3. Fife Collections Centre. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  29. Baptisms (OPR) Scotland. St Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh. 25 October 1852. MURRAY, Alexander. 685/2 380 191. https://scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  30. Census records. Scotland. Edinburgh. 07 April 1861. MURRAY, James (Head). 685/1 85/ 09. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  31. Deaths index (CR). Australia. Adelaide, Victoria. 1923. MURRAY, Alexander (aged 71). Reg. No. 13243. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  32. Baptisms index (OPR) Scotland. St Cuthbert’s Edinburgh. 25 April 1854. MURRAY, Margaret Douglas. 685/2 380/ 191. https://scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 09 October 2024.
  33. Census records. Scotland. Edinburgh. 03 April 1881. MURRAY, James (Head). 685/1 117/ 10. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  34. Census records. Scotland. Edinburgh. 05 April 1891. MURRAY, James (Head). 685A/2 13/ 08. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  35. Monumental inscriptions. Scotland. St Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh. 28 May 1905. MURRAY, Margaret Douglas. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/190962953/margaret-douglas-murray: accessed 29 September 2021.
  36. Births index (SR) Scotland. Edinburgh. 16 May 1855. MURRAY, Elizabeth. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  37. Census records. Scotland. Edinburgh. 03 April 1881. MURRAY, James (Head). 685/1 117/ 10. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  38. Census records. Scotland. Edinburgh. 05 April 1891. MURRAY, James (Head). 685A/2 13/ 08. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  39. Death announcements. Scotland. The Scotsman. 31 May 1943. MURRAY, Elizabeth. p. 06, col. 07. https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  40. Births index (SR) Scotland. Edinburgh. 20 March 1857. MURRAY, Violet Dalton. 685/7 154. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  41. Marriages (SR) Scotland. Edinburgh. 03 March 1879. HOLLOWAY, Thomas Salter and MURRAY, Violet Dalton. 685/1 74. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  42. Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes. Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Files. 06 June 1890. HOLLOWAY, Violet Dalton and HOLLOWAY, Thomas Salter. J 77/449/3699. National Archives. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  43. Testamentary records. England. 25 April 1919. MURRAY, Violet Dalton. Probate. National Probate Calendar. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  44. Census records. Scotland. Edinburgh. 07 April 1861. MURRAY, James (Head). 685/1 85/ 09. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021; Census records. Scotland. Edinburgh. 02 April 1871. MURRAY, James (Head). 685/1 88/ 10. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  45. Births index (SR) Scotland. Edinburgh. 20 July 1858. MURRAY, James. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  46. Medical Register 1895. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  47. Census records. Scotland. Biggar, Lanarkshire. 03 April 1881. MURRAY, James (Lodger). 623/ 01/ 10. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 27 September 2021; Medical Register 1883. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 27 September 2021.
  48. Census records. Scotland. Edinburgh. 05 April 1881. MURRAY, James (Head). 685/2 62/ 03. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 27 September 2021.
  49. Testamentary records. England. 09 October 1923. MURRAY, James. Probate. National Probate Calendar. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  50. Fashionable Wedding. Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express. 26 December 1896. MORTIMER, Eleanor and MURRAY, James. p. 05, col. 06. https://britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk: accessed 30 September 2021.
  51. Births (SR) Scotland. Edinburgh. 25 September 1859. MURRAY, Emma. 685/1 895. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  52. Marriages index (SR) Scotland. Edinburgh. 1896. MURRAY, Emma Ritchie and STOCKS, George Munro. 685/2 300. https://scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  53. Edinburgh Evening News. 18 March 1896. p. 02, col. 01.
  54. Testamentary records. England. 17 December 1938. STOCKS, Emma Ritchie. Confirmation. London. National Probate Calendar. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 29 September 2021.
  55. Census records. Scotland. Edinburgh. 05 April 1881. MURRAY, James (Head). 685/2 62/ 03. https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 27 September 2021.
  56. Marriages index (CR) England. Preston, Lancashire. Q4, 1869. MARSH, Samuel and MURRAY, Jessie Ann. vol. 8e, p. 857. Ancestry collection ‘England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915.’ https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 05 November 2023.
  57. Census records. England. Tynemouth, Northumberland. 02 April 1871. MARSH, Samuel (Head). RG10/5121/07. Ancestry collection ‘1871 England Census.’ https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 05 November 2023.
  58. Passenger lists. Australia. Melbourne, Victoria. Inward. 16 September 1886. SS Potosi. MARSH. VPRS 947. Ancestry collection ‘Victoria, Australia, Assisted and Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839-1923.’ https://ancestry.co.uk: accessed 05 November 2023.
  59. Monumental inscriptions. Australia. Merri-bek City, Victoria. 26 July 1959. MARSH, Samuel James. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/201653104/samuel-james-marsh: accessed 05 November 2023.

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