Patrick W. Murphy

Patrick Washington Murphy (September 17, 1837 – November 1, 1901), also known as P. W. Murphy, was a Canadian-born American politician and rancher. He was the founder of Santa Margarita, California. Murphy was a Democrat representing Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties; and served in the California State Senate; and was a member of the California State Assembly. He is from the Murphy family who were on the first wagon train to cross the Sierra Nevada, they were early settlers in California, and the founders of early Santa Clara Valley. Murphy was nicknamed the "Black Prince" due to his complexion.

Early life Patrick Washington Murphy was born on September 17, 1837, in Quebec, Lower Canada (now Canada), to parents Mary Bulger and Martin Murphy Jr. His father was born in County Wexford, Ireland; their family migrated seeking religious freedom as Catholics. He was one of eleven children, and his brother Bernard D. Murphy was also a politician who served in the same legislative house concurrently.

Migration In 1840, the Murphy family moved to Atchison County, Missouri to a settlement called Irish Grove.

On May 6, 1844, the family started a wagon train from Missouri to California; it was made up of the Stephenson family, Townsend family and the Murphy family, called the Stephens–Townsend–Murphy Party. It was the first wagon train to cross the Sierra Nevada in 1844, and the journey took nine months to California. This grew to a ranch of (part of Santa Margarita de Cortona Asistencia, Rancho Atascadero and Rancho Asuncion), with Rancho Santa Margarita serving as headquarters. In 1876, Murphy bought an additional (formerly Rancho Punta de la Concepcion).

Murphy gave the Southern Pacific Railroad the allowance to run their track through his Santa Margarita Ranch land. This decision has defined the current route of the train.

Murphy was known for his rancho hospitality, he hosted many gatherings and kept many of the traditions of the Californios.