Nancy Ann Davis - Murphy
1847 - 1938
Written by Ruth A. Hoggatt ©
Nancy Ann Davis was born on the 17th of March 1847, in Xenia, Green County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Joseph Davis and Eliza Jane McDowell. Her parents were both born in Ohio and were of Irish descent. Joseph and Eliza Jane's children were Nancy Ann, Jefferson "Jeff" and Anna Davis (and an unknown son to me - possibly named Joseph Davis).
When Nancy was five years old, she and her family moved from Ohio to west of Swayzee, Grant County, Indiana (ca. 1852). The image of the tin type below is of Nancy and her two brothers.
 M. Chester Hoggatt, used to smile when he fondly described his Grandmother Murphy as having had red hair and short enough to stand under his arm when he raised his arm level.
On January 7, 1868, at the age of twenty, Nancy Ann Davis wed the thirty year old widower, and Civil War Veteran - Moses James Murphy, commonly called "Jimmy." Jimmy brought with him his four year old son William L. Murphy from his first marriage. Chester Hoggatt used to tell the story of why Jimmy always wore a beard. He explained that it was because Jimmy wanted to cover the scar on his face caused by being kicked by a mule.
In 1870, Nancy and Jimmy had a daughter named Eliza J. Murphy. Most likely she was named after Nancy's mother. The next child born was Miles Nathan Murphy on January 24th (or 29th), 1872. Nancy and Jimmy's third child was David I. Murphy (AKA Uncle Davie), born on June 15, 1874. He lived a long life, having died just nine months short of his 100th birthday.
From notes jotted down on a piece of paper most likely by Martha Murphy-Hoggatt, there were two sons named Stevie and Joey, born June, 1876 and 1878, respectively. Nothing more is known of them, and it is most likely that they died in childhood. Next born was Catherine Murphy (September 3, 1881-Feb 21,1945). Henry M. Murphy was the next child, born on February 24th, 1886. Martha Ann Murphy was born on February 24, 1890. The last child born was Elmer Murphy, on September 12, 1892.
 Jimmy Murphy died Thursday, February 16, 1910, at his home north of the "Striped" school house in Green Township, Grant County, Indiana. He was 72 years old.
Birthday Dinner for
Mrs Nancy A. Murphy
Those present were
Mr & Mrs Elmer Murphy and
daughter Edna of Coles Indiana
Mr & Mrs David Murphy of Marion
Mr & Mrs Nate Murphy and
daughter Nancy Ann of Marion
Mr & Mrs Henry Murphy of Swayzee
Mr & Mrs Bennie Grim and
son Wayne of Point Isabell.
Mrs Catherine Harness of Marion
Mr & Mrs Roy Zink and family
of Marion
Mr & Mrs Oscar Bond and
son Wendell of Marion
Mr & Mrs Buryl Renbarger
of Sweetser
Mr Charles Murphy of Marion
Mr Chester Hoggatt of Marion
Miss Pauline Hoggatt of Marion
Mr Bennie Hoggatt of Marion
Mrs Mattie Hoggatt of Marion
all that were present brought
well filled baskets and enjoyed
a very pleasant day with
Mrs Nancy A Murphy on
her 86th Birthday. All those
present wishing her many
more happy birthdays
Nancy Ann Davis - Murphy died in 1938 at Swayzee, Indiana. She and her husband Jimmy were buried at the Thrailkill Cemetery, near Swayzee.
Nancy Ann Davis Murphy's sister, Anna Davis married Thomas Tyler who had sons Earl & Ira Tyler. Nancy's brother, Jefferson Davis and his wife Sarah Emma had two sons named Joseph and Francis Davis. They lived in Tennessee for a period of time, and then moved to California. Several letters from Francis, and a few from Emma Davis were saved by Martha Murphy-Hoggatt.
[Murphy-Hoggatt Family]
[Grant County, Indiana Photos]
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