Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 08.djvu/41

 MURRAY

JilURRAY

William and Ann (Smith) Murray, and grand- son of James and Sally (Thomas) Murray, natives of England, who settled in Barbadoes, W.I. Dr. William Murray came to Maryland from Bar- bardoes and practised medicine in Chestertown. Alexander left home at an early age as a cabin boy on a coasting vessel and was rapidly pro- moted, commanding a vessel in the European trade in 1773. At the outbreak of hostilities be- tween England and the colonies in 1775 he was commissioned lieutenant in the Maryland navy, but being unable to obtain command of a ship he accepted a lieutenanc}' in the 1st Maryland regi- ment under Colonel Smallwood, and served with Washington's army at Flatbush, White Plains and in other engagements around New York and in the retreat through New Jersey. While in command of the battery at the lower end of Manhattan island engaged in opposing the pro- gress of the British fleet up the Hudson river, the bursting of a gun impaired his hearing, which he never fully recovered. He was promoted captain and was retired on account of ill health. He later resumed his rank as lieutenant in the Mary- land nav}', and was assigned to the command of different letters of marque and had various en- gagements with incoming Bi-itish vessels while in search of plunder. His rank gave him the chief command of all privateering vessels sailing out of the port of Baltimore. While in command of the letter of marque Revenge, he sailed for Hol- land with a fleet of forty vessels, but on gaining the high sea encountered a superior force and was obliged to put back and seek refuge in the Patuxent river. His force was increased to fifty sail, and the commanders agreed to fight their way through the British squadron blockading the port. After putting to sea a fleet of British privateers hove in sight. Commodore Murray's fleet captains did not respond to his signals for assistance and he was left with only a brig and a schooner as support. A severe engagement of an hour resulted in the two British vessels with- drawing from the contest, and Commodore Murray returned to Hampton Roads with his three vessels to refit. He then sailed for the Newfoundland banks, but was overtaken by a fleet of 150 British vessels under escort of a man- of-war, and was easily captured and carried into port. He was exchanged and returned to Phila- delphia, where he found the frigate Trumbull, Capt. James Nicholson (q.v.), ready for service, and was made lieutenant. He was severely wounded in the engagement with the British frigate Iris and the General Monk, and was captured. Wlien he recovered from his wounds he was exchanged and congress furnished him with a brig fitted out as a letter-of -marque. He sailed for St. Thomas and on his return captured a

British packet. He retained his commission longer than any other oflicer who served in the U.S. navy during the Revolution. He was 1st lieutenant under Commodore Barry on the frigate Alliance and was appointed commodore of the corvette Montezuma during the difficulty with France in 1798 and later commanded the frigates Insurgent a.n([ Constellation. During the trouble with the Barbary pirates in 1820 he was given command of a squadron in the Mediterranean and on his return was appointed to the com- mand of the Philadelphia navy yard, ranking as senior officer of the U.S. navy. He died near Philadelphia, Pa.. Oct. 6. 1821.

MURRAY, Alexander, naval officer, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Jan. 2, 1816 ; son of Magnus M. and Mary (Wilkins) Murray, and grandson of Commodore Alexander Murray, U.S.N, (q.v.). He entered the U.S. naval .service in 1835 and served on the east coast of Mexico, 1846-47. He was severely wounded at the capture of Alvar- ado, and took part in the capture of Tampico, Tabasco, Tuspan and Vera Cruz. He was pro- moted lieutenant in 1847, and at the outbreak of the civil war was commissioned commander and given charge of the steamer Louisiana of the North Atlantic squadron. After defeating the Confederate steamer Yorktoum off Newport News, he took part in the capture of Roanoke Is- land and New Berne, N.C., and was left in pos- session of Edenton, Feb. 12, 1862. He commanded the five vessels left by Commander William Smith on the Pamunkey river to protect Mc- Clellan's base of supplies, IVFay, 17, 1862, and was on duty in the North Carolina sounds in 1863. He was promoted captain in 1866 ; was detailed on special service, 1865-66 ; was made commodore in 1871 '; served as light-house inspector, 1873-76, when he was retired with the rank of rear-ad- miral. He afterward served on the naval board and died in AVashington, D.C., Nov. 10, 1884.

MURRAY, David, educator and author, was born in Bovina, N. Y.. Oct. 15, 1830 ; son of William and Jean (Black) Murray. His parents immi- grated to America from Scotland in 1818. He was graduated at Union college, Schenectady, N.Y., 1852; was a tutor in Albany academy and professor of mathematics there in 1852-57, and principal, 1857-63. He was professor of mathe- matics and astromony in Rutgers college, 1863-73, and was married, Dec. 23, 1867, to Martlia Neilson of New York city. In 1873 he went to Japan as adviser to the impei'ial minister of education. He was superintendent of education in Tokyo, 1873- 79, and aided in the establishment of the public school system of Japan. He laid the facts in regard to the Japanese indemnity before the 44th congress in 1875-76, which resulted in its return. He visited the Centennial exposition of 1876 in