Daughter of Dr. Miles Jones Murphy & Maria Cohen & wife of Roselle C. Cooley. She was a real daughter of the confederacy. Originated plan of free public library and reading room with May Moore in Jacksonville, Florida.
Florence was the 3rd President of the Florida Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy 1902-1904 and Corresponding Secretary General, 1908-1910, at a time when it was an elective office.
She served on several fund raising committees for the UDC General Organization.
(special thanks to Megan Hall for the following article)
Florida Times-Union Article on Murphy Family:
In the 1800s, a man was necessary to build women's power and efficacy, and in such instance, Miles Jones Murphy was that man. The doctor's personal stature, combined with the disenfranchised but equally capable stature of his family women, enabled splendid family accomplishments.
Murphy, born in Spartanburg, S.C., practiced medicine in Cartersville, Ga., before marrying Maria Celia Coene and moving to Jacksonville in 1856. His medical practice at Bay Street near Ocean was where he operated his drugstore. As a member of numerous social and religious groups, in addition to serving in the state legislature and Confederate army, his idea of disciplining his seven children was to tell them, "Do right, my child; that is the only way."
Regarding his patients, deadbeat and otherwise, to whom he sent no bills, he said: "Our people are all poor. If they have the money, they will pay me. Why bother them?"
Maria Coene Murphy, his wife, who died in 1920 at 86, outlived her husband by almost 40 years, and was also dedicated to charitable and community affairs. She assisted Murphy in a two-room hospital he established, and worked with the women's Relief Association to found St. Luke's Hospital, the city's first full-service medical facility. She was an ardent member and worker of St. Johns Episcopal Church and was intensely involved in all things Confederate.
Maria Coene Murphy and her sister, Eliza Coene Hudnall, were orphaned in Mandarin as children, in approximately 1835, and lived several years with their guardians, Judge John Locke and Maria Doggett. Doggett was credited, among other things, with owning the first franchised ferry in the city and building the first courthouse. Eliza Coene, the older of his wards, married Francis Hudnall at age 15, and lived at Locarno, his family's plantation on the south side of the St. Johns River.
During the war, Francis Hudnall retired to the interior of the state, while Eliza Hudnall remained at Locarno with their children. She watched as Union warships sailed into the Jacksonville harbor, and she then launched, so to speak, a new life for herself. She piled fried chicken, fresh doughnuts and eggs into her dinghy and rowed out to meet the invaders. The Northerners promptly purchased her culinary wares and, pleased with her capabilities, rewarded her with a steady business.
Soon, the officers persuaded her to open a boarding house at Laura and Forsyth streets, across from their barracks, and before the end of the war, three of her daughters had married Union officers. The Hudnall hostelry was so successful that after the war, she developed the St. Johns Hotel farther east on Forsyth Street.
When she died in 1891, she was a nationally recognized pioneer in hotel management, but apparently, unlike her sister and nieces, never an enthusiastic Daughter of the Confederacy.
The Murphys had two daughters of particular note: Florence Murphy Cooley (1863-1924) and Marie Murphy Mott (1864-1969). When Florence Murphy Cooley died, no mention was made of her husband, but the Times-Union wrote of her: "Mrs. Cooley was a woman of aristocratic manner and bearing and always abreast of the times, lending her voice and giving of her power and talent ... to any cause which interested her."
Among other endeavors, she was the founder of the Woman's Duval County Democratic League, where she championed women's suffrage and, after attaining the vote, was the first woman to run for office -- and to lose an election -- in Jacksonville.
She was also an authoritative historian, and it was reported that the erection of the Ribault Monument in Mayport, for which she was largely responsible, was the outstanding ambition of her life. In addition, she was a proven parliamentary expert who wrote a canonic book in the field, no doubt filled with mirth and good will.
Marie Murphy Mott, Cooley's sister, born a year later, outlived her sister by 45 years, dying at age 95. The Murphys are buried as a group at Old City Cemetery, surrounded by huge rectangular monuments reminiscent of Stonehenge, but Mott's gravestone is by far the most spectacular, similar to a resume. The tablet lists her many accomplishments as a student, teacher, journalist, club woman and, of course, Daughter of the Confederacy.
The Coene-Murphy women were widely known, esteemed and popular. Anything but weak.
Florence was the 3rd President of the Florida Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy 1902-1904 and Corresponding Secretary General, 1908-1910, at a time when it was an elective office.
She served on several fund raising committees for the UDC General Organization.
(special thanks to Megan Hall for the following article)
Florida Times-Union Article on Murphy Family:
In the 1800s, a man was necessary to build women's power and efficacy, and in such instance, Miles Jones Murphy was that man. The doctor's personal stature, combined with the disenfranchised but equally capable stature of his family women, enabled splendid family accomplishments.
Murphy, born in Spartanburg, S.C., practiced medicine in Cartersville, Ga., before marrying Maria Celia Coene and moving to Jacksonville in 1856. His medical practice at Bay Street near Ocean was where he operated his drugstore. As a member of numerous social and religious groups, in addition to serving in the state legislature and Confederate army, his idea of disciplining his seven children was to tell them, "Do right, my child; that is the only way."
Regarding his patients, deadbeat and otherwise, to whom he sent no bills, he said: "Our people are all poor. If they have the money, they will pay me. Why bother them?"
Maria Coene Murphy, his wife, who died in 1920 at 86, outlived her husband by almost 40 years, and was also dedicated to charitable and community affairs. She assisted Murphy in a two-room hospital he established, and worked with the women's Relief Association to found St. Luke's Hospital, the city's first full-service medical facility. She was an ardent member and worker of St. Johns Episcopal Church and was intensely involved in all things Confederate.
Maria Coene Murphy and her sister, Eliza Coene Hudnall, were orphaned in Mandarin as children, in approximately 1835, and lived several years with their guardians, Judge John Locke and Maria Doggett. Doggett was credited, among other things, with owning the first franchised ferry in the city and building the first courthouse. Eliza Coene, the older of his wards, married Francis Hudnall at age 15, and lived at Locarno, his family's plantation on the south side of the St. Johns River.
During the war, Francis Hudnall retired to the interior of the state, while Eliza Hudnall remained at Locarno with their children. She watched as Union warships sailed into the Jacksonville harbor, and she then launched, so to speak, a new life for herself. She piled fried chicken, fresh doughnuts and eggs into her dinghy and rowed out to meet the invaders. The Northerners promptly purchased her culinary wares and, pleased with her capabilities, rewarded her with a steady business.
Soon, the officers persuaded her to open a boarding house at Laura and Forsyth streets, across from their barracks, and before the end of the war, three of her daughters had married Union officers. The Hudnall hostelry was so successful that after the war, she developed the St. Johns Hotel farther east on Forsyth Street.
When she died in 1891, she was a nationally recognized pioneer in hotel management, but apparently, unlike her sister and nieces, never an enthusiastic Daughter of the Confederacy.
The Murphys had two daughters of particular note: Florence Murphy Cooley (1863-1924) and Marie Murphy Mott (1864-1969). When Florence Murphy Cooley died, no mention was made of her husband, but the Times-Union wrote of her: "Mrs. Cooley was a woman of aristocratic manner and bearing and always abreast of the times, lending her voice and giving of her power and talent ... to any cause which interested her."
Among other endeavors, she was the founder of the Woman's Duval County Democratic League, where she championed women's suffrage and, after attaining the vote, was the first woman to run for office -- and to lose an election -- in Jacksonville.
She was also an authoritative historian, and it was reported that the erection of the Ribault Monument in Mayport, for which she was largely responsible, was the outstanding ambition of her life. In addition, she was a proven parliamentary expert who wrote a canonic book in the field, no doubt filled with mirth and good will.
Marie Murphy Mott, Cooley's sister, born a year later, outlived her sister by 45 years, dying at age 95. The Murphys are buried as a group at Old City Cemetery, surrounded by huge rectangular monuments reminiscent of Stonehenge, but Mott's gravestone is by far the most spectacular, similar to a resume. The tablet lists her many accomplishments as a student, teacher, journalist, club woman and, of course, Daughter of the Confederacy.
The Coene-Murphy women were widely known, esteemed and popular. Anything but weak.
Daughter of Dr. Miles Jones Murphy & Maria Cohen & wife of Roselle C. Cooley. She was a real daughter of the confederacy. Originated plan of free public library and reading room with May Moore in Jacksonville, Florida.
Florence was the 3rd President of the Florida Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy 1902-1904 and Corresponding Secretary General, 1908-1910, at a time when it was an elective office.
She served on several fund raising committees for the UDC General Organization.
(special thanks to Megan Hall for the following article)
Florida Times-Union Article on Murphy Family:
In the 1800s, a man was necessary to build women's power and efficacy, and in such instance, Miles Jones Murphy was that man. The doctor's personal stature, combined with the disenfranchised but equally capable stature of his family women, enabled splendid family accomplishments.
Murphy, born in Spartanburg, S.C., practiced medicine in Cartersville, Ga., before marrying Maria Celia Coene and moving to Jacksonville in 1856. His medical practice at Bay Street near Ocean was where he operated his drugstore. As a member of numerous social and religious groups, in addition to serving in the state legislature and Confederate army, his idea of disciplining his seven children was to tell them, "Do right, my child; that is the only way."
Regarding his patients, deadbeat and otherwise, to whom he sent no bills, he said: "Our people are all poor. If they have the money, they will pay me. Why bother them?"
Maria Coene Murphy, his wife, who died in 1920 at 86, outlived her husband by almost 40 years, and was also dedicated to charitable and community affairs. She assisted Murphy in a two-room hospital he established, and worked with the women's Relief Association to found St. Luke's Hospital, the city's first full-service medical facility. She was an ardent member and worker of St. Johns Episcopal Church and was intensely involved in all things Confederate.
Maria Coene Murphy and her sister, Eliza Coene Hudnall, were orphaned in Mandarin as children, in approximately 1835, and lived several years with their guardians, Judge John Locke and Maria Doggett. Doggett was credited, among other things, with owning the first franchised ferry in the city and building the first courthouse. Eliza Coene, the older of his wards, married Francis Hudnall at age 15, and lived at Locarno, his family's plantation on the south side of the St. Johns River.
During the war, Francis Hudnall retired to the interior of the state, while Eliza Hudnall remained at Locarno with their children. She watched as Union warships sailed into the Jacksonville harbor, and she then launched, so to speak, a new life for herself. She piled fried chicken, fresh doughnuts and eggs into her dinghy and rowed out to meet the invaders. The Northerners promptly purchased her culinary wares and, pleased with her capabilities, rewarded her with a steady business.
Soon, the officers persuaded her to open a boarding house at Laura and Forsyth streets, across from their barracks, and before the end of the war, three of her daughters had married Union officers. The Hudnall hostelry was so successful that after the war, she developed the St. Johns Hotel farther east on Forsyth Street.
When she died in 1891, she was a nationally recognized pioneer in hotel management, but apparently, unlike her sister and nieces, never an enthusiastic Daughter of the Confederacy.
The Murphys had two daughters of particular note: Florence Murphy Cooley (1863-1924) and Marie Murphy Mott (1864-1969). When Florence Murphy Cooley died, no mention was made of her husband, but the Times-Union wrote of her: "Mrs. Cooley was a woman of aristocratic manner and bearing and always abreast of the times, lending her voice and giving of her power and talent ... to any cause which interested her."
Among other endeavors, she was the founder of the Woman's Duval County Democratic League, where she championed women's suffrage and, after attaining the vote, was the first woman to run for office -- and to lose an election -- in Jacksonville.
She was also an authoritative historian, and it was reported that the erection of the Ribault Monument in Mayport, for which she was largely responsible, was the outstanding ambition of her life. In addition, she was a proven parliamentary expert who wrote a canonic book in the field, no doubt filled with mirth and good will.
Marie Murphy Mott, Cooley's sister, born a year later, outlived her sister by 45 years, dying at age 95. The Murphys are buried as a group at Old City Cemetery, surrounded by huge rectangular monuments reminiscent of Stonehenge, but Mott's gravestone is by far the most spectacular, similar to a resume. The tablet lists her many accomplishments as a student, teacher, journalist, club woman and, of course, Daughter of the Confederacy.
The Coene-Murphy women were widely known, esteemed and popular. Anything but weak.
Florence was the 3rd President of the Florida Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy 1902-1904 and Corresponding Secretary General, 1908-1910, at a time when it was an elective office.
She served on several fund raising committees for the UDC General Organization.
(special thanks to Megan Hall for the following article)
Florida Times-Union Article on Murphy Family:
In the 1800s, a man was necessary to build women's power and efficacy, and in such instance, Miles Jones Murphy was that man. The doctor's personal stature, combined with the disenfranchised but equally capable stature of his family women, enabled splendid family accomplishments.
Murphy, born in Spartanburg, S.C., practiced medicine in Cartersville, Ga., before marrying Maria Celia Coene and moving to Jacksonville in 1856. His medical practice at Bay Street near Ocean was where he operated his drugstore. As a member of numerous social and religious groups, in addition to serving in the state legislature and Confederate army, his idea of disciplining his seven children was to tell them, "Do right, my child; that is the only way."
Regarding his patients, deadbeat and otherwise, to whom he sent no bills, he said: "Our people are all poor. If they have the money, they will pay me. Why bother them?"
Maria Coene Murphy, his wife, who died in 1920 at 86, outlived her husband by almost 40 years, and was also dedicated to charitable and community affairs. She assisted Murphy in a two-room hospital he established, and worked with the women's Relief Association to found St. Luke's Hospital, the city's first full-service medical facility. She was an ardent member and worker of St. Johns Episcopal Church and was intensely involved in all things Confederate.
Maria Coene Murphy and her sister, Eliza Coene Hudnall, were orphaned in Mandarin as children, in approximately 1835, and lived several years with their guardians, Judge John Locke and Maria Doggett. Doggett was credited, among other things, with owning the first franchised ferry in the city and building the first courthouse. Eliza Coene, the older of his wards, married Francis Hudnall at age 15, and lived at Locarno, his family's plantation on the south side of the St. Johns River.
During the war, Francis Hudnall retired to the interior of the state, while Eliza Hudnall remained at Locarno with their children. She watched as Union warships sailed into the Jacksonville harbor, and she then launched, so to speak, a new life for herself. She piled fried chicken, fresh doughnuts and eggs into her dinghy and rowed out to meet the invaders. The Northerners promptly purchased her culinary wares and, pleased with her capabilities, rewarded her with a steady business.
Soon, the officers persuaded her to open a boarding house at Laura and Forsyth streets, across from their barracks, and before the end of the war, three of her daughters had married Union officers. The Hudnall hostelry was so successful that after the war, she developed the St. Johns Hotel farther east on Forsyth Street.
When she died in 1891, she was a nationally recognized pioneer in hotel management, but apparently, unlike her sister and nieces, never an enthusiastic Daughter of the Confederacy.
The Murphys had two daughters of particular note: Florence Murphy Cooley (1863-1924) and Marie Murphy Mott (1864-1969). When Florence Murphy Cooley died, no mention was made of her husband, but the Times-Union wrote of her: "Mrs. Cooley was a woman of aristocratic manner and bearing and always abreast of the times, lending her voice and giving of her power and talent ... to any cause which interested her."
Among other endeavors, she was the founder of the Woman's Duval County Democratic League, where she championed women's suffrage and, after attaining the vote, was the first woman to run for office -- and to lose an election -- in Jacksonville.
She was also an authoritative historian, and it was reported that the erection of the Ribault Monument in Mayport, for which she was largely responsible, was the outstanding ambition of her life. In addition, she was a proven parliamentary expert who wrote a canonic book in the field, no doubt filled with mirth and good will.
Marie Murphy Mott, Cooley's sister, born a year later, outlived her sister by 45 years, dying at age 95. The Murphys are buried as a group at Old City Cemetery, surrounded by huge rectangular monuments reminiscent of Stonehenge, but Mott's gravestone is by far the most spectacular, similar to a resume. The tablet lists her many accomplishments as a student, teacher, journalist, club woman and, of course, Daughter of the Confederacy.
The Coene-Murphy women were widely known, esteemed and popular. Anything but weak.
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