Charles Murphey

Charles Murphey(May 9, 1799 – January 16, 1861) was anAmericanlawyerandpoliticianfrom the state ofGeorgia.He was born inAnderson, South Carolina.

Early years and education

He attended the country schools, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1825. He began his practice inDecatur, Georgia.

Political career

Murphey served as clerk of the superior court ofDeKalb County, Georgia,from 1825 to 1827, as a member of theGeorgia House of Representativesfrom 1839 through 1841, and as a member of theGeorgia Senatein 1842, 1845, 1849–1850, and 1855–56. He was elected as aUnionistto the32nd Congress(March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853).

Later years and death

Upon leaving the Congress, Murphey resumed the practice of law. He was selected to serve as a delegate to the1860 Democratic National Conventionheld inBaltimore.He was later named as one of the two delegates from DeKalb County to theGeorgia Ordinance of Secessionheld inMilledgeville.The vote on secession was scheduled to take place on January 18, 1861. DeKalb was in favor of preserving the Union and wanted a peaceful solution.Murphey intended to vote "no" on secession. In a speech delivered in 1922, Murphey's grandson said that his grandfather had prayed not to live to see the day that Georgia seceded and ironically his prayer was answered.Murphey died on January 16, 1861, just before the vote was taken. He was interred inDecatur City Cemetery.

Legacy

A company ofConfederate troopsfrom DeKalb County was named the "Murphey Guards" in his honor.The company was outfitted, in part, by the wealthy family ofMilton A. Candler,who after the war served several terms in theUnited States House of Representatives.Mrs. Candler, whose maiden name was Eliza Murphey, was the only child of Charles Murphey.The couple's first born child was named after his grandfather, as Charles Murphy Candler. Candler, like his grandfather, went on to serve in both the House and the Senate of theGeorgia General Assembly.

External links

• United States Congress."Charles Murphey (id: M001086)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

• Charles MurpheyatFind a Grave