James Boyles Murray

James Boyles Murray (November 6, 1789 – February 14, 1866) was an American businessman and leading member of New York society in the early-to-mid-19th century.

Early life Murray was born to a wealthy immigrant family in Alexandria, Virginia on November 6, 1789. He was the son of Martha (née McClenahan) Murray and Dr. John Boyles Murray, who moved to Virginia in 1760.

Murray's paternal grandfather was Sir James Murray, Lord Philiphaugh. His Presbyterian lineage was descended from the royal Stewarts through the ubiquitous clan of Murray. His mother's family, that of Martha McClenahan, had been associated with the history of the Siege of Derry. Rev. McClenahan had been one of the Apprentice Boys supporters, when they marched out to meet King James army.

In 1800, Murray went to Norfolk, England, and caught a glimpse of the hero Admiral Nelson touring through his home city of Norwich. As a small boy, he had been warned of his Scots ancestry. He toured Philiphaugh, Scotland. He never forgot the supremacy of the seas of the Royal Navy, and vowed to help the President build a strong US Navy.

Career Murray was an early entrant in the New York Militia, replacing his gun-shy uncle in the War of 1812. Through his revolutionary connections he rose quickly to become a Colonel. In 1828, Bronson was the richest man in New York. Murray was at the height of New York society and purchased a house at the fashionable Manhattan address of Washington Square Park. Together, they were the parents of eight children, including: John Boyles Murray (1818–1889), who married Sarah Elizabeth Craft (1823–1869) in 1843. Caroline Murray (1820–1889), who died unmarried. Anna Bronson Murray (1831–1915), who married William Parsons Winchester Dana (1833–1927) in 1855. His family was later related to William Cutting (of Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River, NY). Some of Murray's correspondence is held by the New-York Historical Society.