~~ Beloved 4th Great Aunt ~~
~*~ My heartfelt gratitude to Debra Graves Dawson, for sponsoring my Great Aunt Frances's memorial. Your kindness touches my heart ~*~
Frances UNDERWOOD Birth: 1824 in Green Co., Kentucky Death: 6 MAY 1851 in Murdered by Husband , Campbellsville County,Kentucky Burial: Small cemetery beside of the Hedgespeth Rd. in Taylor Co., Kentucky
Murdered By Her Husband. He struck her in the back of the head with a handspike , then tried to get rid of her body by burning her in a woodheap. He was arrested, convicted and hung in Campbellsville Kentycky OCT. 10,1851. According to S. T. Chandler,a doctor in Campbellsville at the time who made a post=mortem examination of Frances' body , there were between 5000 to 10,000 people present for the hanging. Was 7 months pregnant with their sixth child at the time of her murder. None of the children lived past infancy.
Commonwealth Case, Taylor County, Ky. 13 May 1851
Commonwealth vs. Phillip Taylor Murphy and Henry Murphy
Phillip T. Murphy of Taylor County, not having teh fear of God before his eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instignation of the Devil on May 7 1851 wounded Frances murphy with a deadly weapon of which she instantly died. Henry Murphy assisted Phillip Murphy in the murder. Phillip Murphy shot Frances through the head with a rifle valued at $5. The mortal wound was of the dept of 8 inches and the width of two inches. He choked and beat her before he killed her. Henry Murphy states tha Lydia Murphy is an importiant and material witness for him. On Tuesday ight, the same night of the murder, he was at the home of his father's house, having gone directly from Saloma there. He arrived at his father's some time during the night. He can prove by other witnesses that he was at Saloma, and can prove by Lydia Murphy what time her arrived home. He and Frances were on friencly terms. Frances had told Lydia on the Saturday before her death that she and Henry were best friends and he had always protedted her. By Sarah Johnson he can prove that he was at home at his father's and the Wednesday night aforesaid. He is informated that Lydia Murphy now lives in Bullitt County. She has certainly left this county. She is a material witness for him and he cannnot safely go to trail without her. He has not had a consultation with his counsel, A. Harding, since his
confinement in jail , unitl this week. His other counsel never advised or suggested that it was necessary to have Lydia summoned. Witnesses: Barbary Oaks, Sarah Johnston, Parthena Underwood, Isaac Oaks, James Childers, John Carlile, Susan Carlile, George P. Workman, David Workman, James W. Overstreet, Jacob R. Oaks, Matthew Headspeth, Robert Whitlock and Lewis Bell. James P. Childers gave information that suggests that Phillip T. Murphy, Phillip Murphy, Henry Murphy and William Murphy are all guilty of perpetrating the murder.
Statement of Parthena Underwood: I have been living with Murphy sine last
Saturday evening, having lived there about five years, but he got mad and
drove me off on the folowing Monday. I went back after my clothes. Mrs
Murphy was there at the time. That was the last time I've beeen tere. They
had a dispute and I saw him strike her, which he often did with his fist and
a stick rod. I have heard him say that he would kill her. It's been a month
since he made those threats. I heard on the Thursday fater I left that Mrs.
Murphy was missing. I've heard him say that he intended moving in the fall
and that he did not intend to take his wife with him. He siad he could kill
any person and keep it concealed. Less thatn two weeks ago, he struck her
with a gun and run me off, calling me a goddam bitch
Statement of Susan Carlile: She was a Old Phillip Murphy's at the time the
search was made of mrs. Phillip Taylor Murphy and that they spole of the
search being made and that Henry was not home at the time.
Statement of Lydia Murphy: If Henry Murphy was complaining of the search in
anyway, she didn't know it.
Statement of James W. Overstreet: He was in the company with Phillip and
Henry Murphy on May 6. They left him about 10:00 last night and they were
drinking when they left. It was about 1 1/4 miles from Phillip Murphy's or
those log heaps before spoken of.
William Hedgespeth states that bone were found in the log heap at Phillip
Taylor Murphy's. The log heap were not exceeding 100-150 yards form the
house in plain view of the house and neighborhood road.
R. Robinson states that the bones were the same ones found in three
different log heaps in the field of Phillip Taylor Murphy.
John C. Skaggs, Esq. states that old Ppillip Murphy informed him that on
Sunday, May 11, there was to be general search made fo Mrs. Phillip Taylor
Murphy.
Statement of George R Workman: I went to Mr. Murphy's on Tuesday morning and
worked there until the Friday evening following. Mrs. Murphy was there when
I went there, and appeared to be well. I left ther on Tuesday evening to go
to my father's. She was sweeping the yard when I left. The next morning when
I returned Mrs. Murphy was missing. I have never seen her since on Tuesday
evening. before I left, he and his wife set fire to some log heaps. I mended
them in the evening. I didn't mend them after Wednesday morning. Murphy said
he was afraid his wife had gone off somewhere in the neighborhood and that
some negro had killed her and he thought the neighbors out to hunt for her.
Mr. Murphy set fire to a big chestnut heap hext to the fence while I was
gone to the shop. On Thursday morning, there was blood on Murphy's dog. He
saw none of it on Wednesday morning.
Statement of Sarah Johnston: I was a Mr. Murphy's last Wednesday evening and
milked his cows on that evening. I saw a ple of leaves in the fence corner
that looked as if they had either been raked or blowed up. Mr. Murphy was
there while I was milking and assisted. William Murphy walded over to the
pile of leaves and moved them with his feet, then replaced them back as
though he was covering up something. Mrs. Murphy was missing when I went
there. Mr. Murphy said he didn't know what had become of her unless she was
with a neighbor or somebody had murdered her. I remained there until
Saturday about 10:00. He told me to have the neighbors come that evening
becaused he wished to have a search for his wife. He appeared to be unwell
and didn't eat except once at his father's. The pile of leaves was not big
enough to hide a human body. I stayed at William Murph's on Wednesday night
and heard a gun fire about dark. Mrs. Murphy stated that Phillip had fixed
himself.
Matthew Hedgespeth: He was passing by the house of Phillip Taylor Murphy and
heard a noise inside. Mrs. Murphy ran out of the house and appeared very
distressed and hallowing. Murphy swore that he would kill her. Hedgespeth
helped to make the log heaps spolen of. He saw no leaves at that time.
Statement of Parthena Underwood: About six months ago. Henry Murphy states
that if Phillip Taylor Murphy would consent to it. Henry would kill Frances
Murphy because he belived her running about so much was the cause of the
death of her child.
Phillip Taylor Murphy was found guilty of the murder.
Note Parthena was Frances half sister. And she had a child by Philip Taylor
Murphy. Phillip Taylor Murphy was hanged on Oct 10, 1852 in Taylor Co.
Kentucky . He and Frances are reportedly buried in a small cemetery beside
of the Hedgespeth Rd. in Taylor Co., Kentucky.
ch.
Father: Caleb UNDERWOOD b: 1779 in Delware or Maryland
Mother: Elizabeth Mary WARDRUM b: 1777 in North Carolina
Marriage 1 Phillip Taylor MURPHY b: 24 AUG 1829 in Green Co., Kentucky
Married: 20 MAY 1845 in Green Co., Kentucky
Sources:
Title: LaRue, Green, and Taylor Co.,
~*~ My heartfelt gratitude to Debra Graves Dawson, for sponsoring my Great Aunt Frances's memorial. Your kindness touches my heart ~*~
Frances UNDERWOOD Birth: 1824 in Green Co., Kentucky Death: 6 MAY 1851 in Murdered by Husband , Campbellsville County,Kentucky Burial: Small cemetery beside of the Hedgespeth Rd. in Taylor Co., Kentucky
Murdered By Her Husband. He struck her in the back of the head with a handspike , then tried to get rid of her body by burning her in a woodheap. He was arrested, convicted and hung in Campbellsville Kentycky OCT. 10,1851. According to S. T. Chandler,a doctor in Campbellsville at the time who made a post=mortem examination of Frances' body , there were between 5000 to 10,000 people present for the hanging. Was 7 months pregnant with their sixth child at the time of her murder. None of the children lived past infancy.
Commonwealth Case, Taylor County, Ky. 13 May 1851
Commonwealth vs. Phillip Taylor Murphy and Henry Murphy
Phillip T. Murphy of Taylor County, not having teh fear of God before his eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instignation of the Devil on May 7 1851 wounded Frances murphy with a deadly weapon of which she instantly died. Henry Murphy assisted Phillip Murphy in the murder. Phillip Murphy shot Frances through the head with a rifle valued at $5. The mortal wound was of the dept of 8 inches and the width of two inches. He choked and beat her before he killed her. Henry Murphy states tha Lydia Murphy is an importiant and material witness for him. On Tuesday ight, the same night of the murder, he was at the home of his father's house, having gone directly from Saloma there. He arrived at his father's some time during the night. He can prove by other witnesses that he was at Saloma, and can prove by Lydia Murphy what time her arrived home. He and Frances were on friencly terms. Frances had told Lydia on the Saturday before her death that she and Henry were best friends and he had always protedted her. By Sarah Johnson he can prove that he was at home at his father's and the Wednesday night aforesaid. He is informated that Lydia Murphy now lives in Bullitt County. She has certainly left this county. She is a material witness for him and he cannnot safely go to trail without her. He has not had a consultation with his counsel, A. Harding, since his
confinement in jail , unitl this week. His other counsel never advised or suggested that it was necessary to have Lydia summoned. Witnesses: Barbary Oaks, Sarah Johnston, Parthena Underwood, Isaac Oaks, James Childers, John Carlile, Susan Carlile, George P. Workman, David Workman, James W. Overstreet, Jacob R. Oaks, Matthew Headspeth, Robert Whitlock and Lewis Bell. James P. Childers gave information that suggests that Phillip T. Murphy, Phillip Murphy, Henry Murphy and William Murphy are all guilty of perpetrating the murder.
Statement of Parthena Underwood: I have been living with Murphy sine last
Saturday evening, having lived there about five years, but he got mad and
drove me off on the folowing Monday. I went back after my clothes. Mrs
Murphy was there at the time. That was the last time I've beeen tere. They
had a dispute and I saw him strike her, which he often did with his fist and
a stick rod. I have heard him say that he would kill her. It's been a month
since he made those threats. I heard on the Thursday fater I left that Mrs.
Murphy was missing. I've heard him say that he intended moving in the fall
and that he did not intend to take his wife with him. He siad he could kill
any person and keep it concealed. Less thatn two weeks ago, he struck her
with a gun and run me off, calling me a goddam bitch
Statement of Susan Carlile: She was a Old Phillip Murphy's at the time the
search was made of mrs. Phillip Taylor Murphy and that they spole of the
search being made and that Henry was not home at the time.
Statement of Lydia Murphy: If Henry Murphy was complaining of the search in
anyway, she didn't know it.
Statement of James W. Overstreet: He was in the company with Phillip and
Henry Murphy on May 6. They left him about 10:00 last night and they were
drinking when they left. It was about 1 1/4 miles from Phillip Murphy's or
those log heaps before spoken of.
William Hedgespeth states that bone were found in the log heap at Phillip
Taylor Murphy's. The log heap were not exceeding 100-150 yards form the
house in plain view of the house and neighborhood road.
R. Robinson states that the bones were the same ones found in three
different log heaps in the field of Phillip Taylor Murphy.
John C. Skaggs, Esq. states that old Ppillip Murphy informed him that on
Sunday, May 11, there was to be general search made fo Mrs. Phillip Taylor
Murphy.
Statement of George R Workman: I went to Mr. Murphy's on Tuesday morning and
worked there until the Friday evening following. Mrs. Murphy was there when
I went there, and appeared to be well. I left ther on Tuesday evening to go
to my father's. She was sweeping the yard when I left. The next morning when
I returned Mrs. Murphy was missing. I have never seen her since on Tuesday
evening. before I left, he and his wife set fire to some log heaps. I mended
them in the evening. I didn't mend them after Wednesday morning. Murphy said
he was afraid his wife had gone off somewhere in the neighborhood and that
some negro had killed her and he thought the neighbors out to hunt for her.
Mr. Murphy set fire to a big chestnut heap hext to the fence while I was
gone to the shop. On Thursday morning, there was blood on Murphy's dog. He
saw none of it on Wednesday morning.
Statement of Sarah Johnston: I was a Mr. Murphy's last Wednesday evening and
milked his cows on that evening. I saw a ple of leaves in the fence corner
that looked as if they had either been raked or blowed up. Mr. Murphy was
there while I was milking and assisted. William Murphy walded over to the
pile of leaves and moved them with his feet, then replaced them back as
though he was covering up something. Mrs. Murphy was missing when I went
there. Mr. Murphy said he didn't know what had become of her unless she was
with a neighbor or somebody had murdered her. I remained there until
Saturday about 10:00. He told me to have the neighbors come that evening
becaused he wished to have a search for his wife. He appeared to be unwell
and didn't eat except once at his father's. The pile of leaves was not big
enough to hide a human body. I stayed at William Murph's on Wednesday night
and heard a gun fire about dark. Mrs. Murphy stated that Phillip had fixed
himself.
Matthew Hedgespeth: He was passing by the house of Phillip Taylor Murphy and
heard a noise inside. Mrs. Murphy ran out of the house and appeared very
distressed and hallowing. Murphy swore that he would kill her. Hedgespeth
helped to make the log heaps spolen of. He saw no leaves at that time.
Statement of Parthena Underwood: About six months ago. Henry Murphy states
that if Phillip Taylor Murphy would consent to it. Henry would kill Frances
Murphy because he belived her running about so much was the cause of the
death of her child.
Phillip Taylor Murphy was found guilty of the murder.
Note Parthena was Frances half sister. And she had a child by Philip Taylor
Murphy. Phillip Taylor Murphy was hanged on Oct 10, 1852 in Taylor Co.
Kentucky . He and Frances are reportedly buried in a small cemetery beside
of the Hedgespeth Rd. in Taylor Co., Kentucky.
ch.
Father: Caleb UNDERWOOD b: 1779 in Delware or Maryland
Mother: Elizabeth Mary WARDRUM b: 1777 in North Carolina
Marriage 1 Phillip Taylor MURPHY b: 24 AUG 1829 in Green Co., Kentucky
Married: 20 MAY 1845 in Green Co., Kentucky
Sources:
Title: LaRue, Green, and Taylor Co.,
~~ Beloved 4th Great Aunt ~~
~*~ My heartfelt gratitude to Debra Graves Dawson, for sponsoring my Great Aunt Frances's memorial. Your kindness touches my heart ~*~
Frances UNDERWOOD Birth: 1824 in Green Co., Kentucky Death: 6 MAY 1851 in Murdered by Husband , Campbellsville County,Kentucky Burial: Small cemetery beside of the Hedgespeth Rd. in Taylor Co., Kentucky
Murdered By Her Husband. He struck her in the back of the head with a handspike , then tried to get rid of her body by burning her in a woodheap. He was arrested, convicted and hung in Campbellsville Kentycky OCT. 10,1851. According to S. T. Chandler,a doctor in Campbellsville at the time who made a post=mortem examination of Frances' body , there were between 5000 to 10,000 people present for the hanging. Was 7 months pregnant with their sixth child at the time of her murder. None of the children lived past infancy.
Commonwealth Case, Taylor County, Ky. 13 May 1851
Commonwealth vs. Phillip Taylor Murphy and Henry Murphy
Phillip T. Murphy of Taylor County, not having teh fear of God before his eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instignation of the Devil on May 7 1851 wounded Frances murphy with a deadly weapon of which she instantly died. Henry Murphy assisted Phillip Murphy in the murder. Phillip Murphy shot Frances through the head with a rifle valued at $5. The mortal wound was of the dept of 8 inches and the width of two inches. He choked and beat her before he killed her. Henry Murphy states tha Lydia Murphy is an importiant and material witness for him. On Tuesday ight, the same night of the murder, he was at the home of his father's house, having gone directly from Saloma there. He arrived at his father's some time during the night. He can prove by other witnesses that he was at Saloma, and can prove by Lydia Murphy what time her arrived home. He and Frances were on friencly terms. Frances had told Lydia on the Saturday before her death that she and Henry were best friends and he had always protedted her. By Sarah Johnson he can prove that he was at home at his father's and the Wednesday night aforesaid. He is informated that Lydia Murphy now lives in Bullitt County. She has certainly left this county. She is a material witness for him and he cannnot safely go to trail without her. He has not had a consultation with his counsel, A. Harding, since his
confinement in jail , unitl this week. His other counsel never advised or suggested that it was necessary to have Lydia summoned. Witnesses: Barbary Oaks, Sarah Johnston, Parthena Underwood, Isaac Oaks, James Childers, John Carlile, Susan Carlile, George P. Workman, David Workman, James W. Overstreet, Jacob R. Oaks, Matthew Headspeth, Robert Whitlock and Lewis Bell. James P. Childers gave information that suggests that Phillip T. Murphy, Phillip Murphy, Henry Murphy and William Murphy are all guilty of perpetrating the murder.
Statement of Parthena Underwood: I have been living with Murphy sine last
Saturday evening, having lived there about five years, but he got mad and
drove me off on the folowing Monday. I went back after my clothes. Mrs
Murphy was there at the time. That was the last time I've beeen tere. They
had a dispute and I saw him strike her, which he often did with his fist and
a stick rod. I have heard him say that he would kill her. It's been a month
since he made those threats. I heard on the Thursday fater I left that Mrs.
Murphy was missing. I've heard him say that he intended moving in the fall
and that he did not intend to take his wife with him. He siad he could kill
any person and keep it concealed. Less thatn two weeks ago, he struck her
with a gun and run me off, calling me a goddam bitch
Statement of Susan Carlile: She was a Old Phillip Murphy's at the time the
search was made of mrs. Phillip Taylor Murphy and that they spole of the
search being made and that Henry was not home at the time.
Statement of Lydia Murphy: If Henry Murphy was complaining of the search in
anyway, she didn't know it.
Statement of James W. Overstreet: He was in the company with Phillip and
Henry Murphy on May 6. They left him about 10:00 last night and they were
drinking when they left. It was about 1 1/4 miles from Phillip Murphy's or
those log heaps before spoken of.
William Hedgespeth states that bone were found in the log heap at Phillip
Taylor Murphy's. The log heap were not exceeding 100-150 yards form the
house in plain view of the house and neighborhood road.
R. Robinson states that the bones were the same ones found in three
different log heaps in the field of Phillip Taylor Murphy.
John C. Skaggs, Esq. states that old Ppillip Murphy informed him that on
Sunday, May 11, there was to be general search made fo Mrs. Phillip Taylor
Murphy.
Statement of George R Workman: I went to Mr. Murphy's on Tuesday morning and
worked there until the Friday evening following. Mrs. Murphy was there when
I went there, and appeared to be well. I left ther on Tuesday evening to go
to my father's. She was sweeping the yard when I left. The next morning when
I returned Mrs. Murphy was missing. I have never seen her since on Tuesday
evening. before I left, he and his wife set fire to some log heaps. I mended
them in the evening. I didn't mend them after Wednesday morning. Murphy said
he was afraid his wife had gone off somewhere in the neighborhood and that
some negro had killed her and he thought the neighbors out to hunt for her.
Mr. Murphy set fire to a big chestnut heap hext to the fence while I was
gone to the shop. On Thursday morning, there was blood on Murphy's dog. He
saw none of it on Wednesday morning.
Statement of Sarah Johnston: I was a Mr. Murphy's last Wednesday evening and
milked his cows on that evening. I saw a ple of leaves in the fence corner
that looked as if they had either been raked or blowed up. Mr. Murphy was
there while I was milking and assisted. William Murphy walded over to the
pile of leaves and moved them with his feet, then replaced them back as
though he was covering up something. Mrs. Murphy was missing when I went
there. Mr. Murphy said he didn't know what had become of her unless she was
with a neighbor or somebody had murdered her. I remained there until
Saturday about 10:00. He told me to have the neighbors come that evening
becaused he wished to have a search for his wife. He appeared to be unwell
and didn't eat except once at his father's. The pile of leaves was not big
enough to hide a human body. I stayed at William Murph's on Wednesday night
and heard a gun fire about dark. Mrs. Murphy stated that Phillip had fixed
himself.
Matthew Hedgespeth: He was passing by the house of Phillip Taylor Murphy and
heard a noise inside. Mrs. Murphy ran out of the house and appeared very
distressed and hallowing. Murphy swore that he would kill her. Hedgespeth
helped to make the log heaps spolen of. He saw no leaves at that time.
Statement of Parthena Underwood: About six months ago. Henry Murphy states
that if Phillip Taylor Murphy would consent to it. Henry would kill Frances
Murphy because he belived her running about so much was the cause of the
death of her child.
Phillip Taylor Murphy was found guilty of the murder.
Note Parthena was Frances half sister. And she had a child by Philip Taylor
Murphy. Phillip Taylor Murphy was hanged on Oct 10, 1852 in Taylor Co.
Kentucky . He and Frances are reportedly buried in a small cemetery beside
of the Hedgespeth Rd. in Taylor Co., Kentucky.
ch.
Father: Caleb UNDERWOOD b: 1779 in Delware or Maryland
Mother: Elizabeth Mary WARDRUM b: 1777 in North Carolina
Marriage 1 Phillip Taylor MURPHY b: 24 AUG 1829 in Green Co., Kentucky
Married: 20 MAY 1845 in Green Co., Kentucky
Sources:
Title: LaRue, Green, and Taylor Co.,
~*~ My heartfelt gratitude to Debra Graves Dawson, for sponsoring my Great Aunt Frances's memorial. Your kindness touches my heart ~*~
Frances UNDERWOOD Birth: 1824 in Green Co., Kentucky Death: 6 MAY 1851 in Murdered by Husband , Campbellsville County,Kentucky Burial: Small cemetery beside of the Hedgespeth Rd. in Taylor Co., Kentucky
Murdered By Her Husband. He struck her in the back of the head with a handspike , then tried to get rid of her body by burning her in a woodheap. He was arrested, convicted and hung in Campbellsville Kentycky OCT. 10,1851. According to S. T. Chandler,a doctor in Campbellsville at the time who made a post=mortem examination of Frances' body , there were between 5000 to 10,000 people present for the hanging. Was 7 months pregnant with their sixth child at the time of her murder. None of the children lived past infancy.
Commonwealth Case, Taylor County, Ky. 13 May 1851
Commonwealth vs. Phillip Taylor Murphy and Henry Murphy
Phillip T. Murphy of Taylor County, not having teh fear of God before his eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instignation of the Devil on May 7 1851 wounded Frances murphy with a deadly weapon of which she instantly died. Henry Murphy assisted Phillip Murphy in the murder. Phillip Murphy shot Frances through the head with a rifle valued at $5. The mortal wound was of the dept of 8 inches and the width of two inches. He choked and beat her before he killed her. Henry Murphy states tha Lydia Murphy is an importiant and material witness for him. On Tuesday ight, the same night of the murder, he was at the home of his father's house, having gone directly from Saloma there. He arrived at his father's some time during the night. He can prove by other witnesses that he was at Saloma, and can prove by Lydia Murphy what time her arrived home. He and Frances were on friencly terms. Frances had told Lydia on the Saturday before her death that she and Henry were best friends and he had always protedted her. By Sarah Johnson he can prove that he was at home at his father's and the Wednesday night aforesaid. He is informated that Lydia Murphy now lives in Bullitt County. She has certainly left this county. She is a material witness for him and he cannnot safely go to trail without her. He has not had a consultation with his counsel, A. Harding, since his
confinement in jail , unitl this week. His other counsel never advised or suggested that it was necessary to have Lydia summoned. Witnesses: Barbary Oaks, Sarah Johnston, Parthena Underwood, Isaac Oaks, James Childers, John Carlile, Susan Carlile, George P. Workman, David Workman, James W. Overstreet, Jacob R. Oaks, Matthew Headspeth, Robert Whitlock and Lewis Bell. James P. Childers gave information that suggests that Phillip T. Murphy, Phillip Murphy, Henry Murphy and William Murphy are all guilty of perpetrating the murder.
Statement of Parthena Underwood: I have been living with Murphy sine last
Saturday evening, having lived there about five years, but he got mad and
drove me off on the folowing Monday. I went back after my clothes. Mrs
Murphy was there at the time. That was the last time I've beeen tere. They
had a dispute and I saw him strike her, which he often did with his fist and
a stick rod. I have heard him say that he would kill her. It's been a month
since he made those threats. I heard on the Thursday fater I left that Mrs.
Murphy was missing. I've heard him say that he intended moving in the fall
and that he did not intend to take his wife with him. He siad he could kill
any person and keep it concealed. Less thatn two weeks ago, he struck her
with a gun and run me off, calling me a goddam bitch
Statement of Susan Carlile: She was a Old Phillip Murphy's at the time the
search was made of mrs. Phillip Taylor Murphy and that they spole of the
search being made and that Henry was not home at the time.
Statement of Lydia Murphy: If Henry Murphy was complaining of the search in
anyway, she didn't know it.
Statement of James W. Overstreet: He was in the company with Phillip and
Henry Murphy on May 6. They left him about 10:00 last night and they were
drinking when they left. It was about 1 1/4 miles from Phillip Murphy's or
those log heaps before spoken of.
William Hedgespeth states that bone were found in the log heap at Phillip
Taylor Murphy's. The log heap were not exceeding 100-150 yards form the
house in plain view of the house and neighborhood road.
R. Robinson states that the bones were the same ones found in three
different log heaps in the field of Phillip Taylor Murphy.
John C. Skaggs, Esq. states that old Ppillip Murphy informed him that on
Sunday, May 11, there was to be general search made fo Mrs. Phillip Taylor
Murphy.
Statement of George R Workman: I went to Mr. Murphy's on Tuesday morning and
worked there until the Friday evening following. Mrs. Murphy was there when
I went there, and appeared to be well. I left ther on Tuesday evening to go
to my father's. She was sweeping the yard when I left. The next morning when
I returned Mrs. Murphy was missing. I have never seen her since on Tuesday
evening. before I left, he and his wife set fire to some log heaps. I mended
them in the evening. I didn't mend them after Wednesday morning. Murphy said
he was afraid his wife had gone off somewhere in the neighborhood and that
some negro had killed her and he thought the neighbors out to hunt for her.
Mr. Murphy set fire to a big chestnut heap hext to the fence while I was
gone to the shop. On Thursday morning, there was blood on Murphy's dog. He
saw none of it on Wednesday morning.
Statement of Sarah Johnston: I was a Mr. Murphy's last Wednesday evening and
milked his cows on that evening. I saw a ple of leaves in the fence corner
that looked as if they had either been raked or blowed up. Mr. Murphy was
there while I was milking and assisted. William Murphy walded over to the
pile of leaves and moved them with his feet, then replaced them back as
though he was covering up something. Mrs. Murphy was missing when I went
there. Mr. Murphy said he didn't know what had become of her unless she was
with a neighbor or somebody had murdered her. I remained there until
Saturday about 10:00. He told me to have the neighbors come that evening
becaused he wished to have a search for his wife. He appeared to be unwell
and didn't eat except once at his father's. The pile of leaves was not big
enough to hide a human body. I stayed at William Murph's on Wednesday night
and heard a gun fire about dark. Mrs. Murphy stated that Phillip had fixed
himself.
Matthew Hedgespeth: He was passing by the house of Phillip Taylor Murphy and
heard a noise inside. Mrs. Murphy ran out of the house and appeared very
distressed and hallowing. Murphy swore that he would kill her. Hedgespeth
helped to make the log heaps spolen of. He saw no leaves at that time.
Statement of Parthena Underwood: About six months ago. Henry Murphy states
that if Phillip Taylor Murphy would consent to it. Henry would kill Frances
Murphy because he belived her running about so much was the cause of the
death of her child.
Phillip Taylor Murphy was found guilty of the murder.
Note Parthena was Frances half sister. And she had a child by Philip Taylor
Murphy. Phillip Taylor Murphy was hanged on Oct 10, 1852 in Taylor Co.
Kentucky . He and Frances are reportedly buried in a small cemetery beside
of the Hedgespeth Rd. in Taylor Co., Kentucky.
ch.
Father: Caleb UNDERWOOD b: 1779 in Delware or Maryland
Mother: Elizabeth Mary WARDRUM b: 1777 in North Carolina
Marriage 1 Phillip Taylor MURPHY b: 24 AUG 1829 in Green Co., Kentucky
Married: 20 MAY 1845 in Green Co., Kentucky
Sources:
Title: LaRue, Green, and Taylor Co.,
