Charles Murphey facts for kids
Charles Murphey was an important American lawyer and politician from Georgia. He was born in Anderson, South Carolina, on May 9, 1799, and passed away on January 16, 1861.
Early Life and Learning
Charles Murphey went to local country schools when he was young. Later, he studied law and became a lawyer in 1825. He started his law practice in Decatur, Georgia.
A Life in Politics
Charles Murphey had a long career in public service.
- From 1825 to 1827, he worked as a clerk for the superior court in DeKalb County, Georgia.
- He was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1839 to 1841.
- He also served in the Georgia Senate in 1842, 1845, 1849–1850, and 1855–56.
- In 1851, he was elected to the U.S. Congress as a Unionist. He served in Congress from March 4, 1851, to March 3, 1853.
Later Years and Passing
After leaving Congress, Murphey went back to being a lawyer. In 1860, he was chosen to be a delegate for the Democratic National Convention in Baltimore.
Later, he was one of two delegates from DeKalb County chosen for the Georgia Ordinance of Secession meeting in Milledgeville. This meeting was to decide if Georgia would leave the United States. DeKalb County wanted to stay in the Union and find a peaceful solution. Charles Murphey planned to vote "no" on leaving the Union.
His grandson later shared a story that Charles Murphey had prayed not to live to see Georgia leave the Union. Interestingly, he passed away on January 16, 1861, just two days before the vote on secession. He was buried in Decatur City Cemetery.
His Legacy
A group of soldiers from DeKalb County, who fought for the Confederacy, were named the "Murphey Guards" in his honor. A wealthy family, the Candlers, helped equip this company. Mrs. Candler, whose name was Eliza Murphey, was Charles Murphey's only child. Her first son was named Charles Murphy Candler, after his grandfather. Like his grandfather, Charles Murphy Candler also served in both the House and Senate of the Georgia General Assembly.
