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From: "Percival Murray" <>
Subject: [ZA] MURRAY Question
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 2003 21:04:38 +0200


Hello Russell and interested listers.

All is well with me, thank you. I don't post to the list very often, but am always around.

Yes, it seems that there was a connection between the FYNNs and MURRAYs. My g-g-grandfather John Murray, ship chandler of Strand Street, applied for a coasting license for his ship "Musselburgh" (10 tons), skippered by Francis Fynn, on 19-6-1827. Francis Fynn was the owner of an hotel in Long Street, Cape Town and was the father of Henry Francis Fynn, the pioneer settler of Port Natal.

As you say, there were quite many Murrays in Cape Town at the beginning of the 19th century. Even guite a few John Murrays, which confused me no end and even confused Peter Philip, author of "British Residents at the Cape 1795 - 1819." Peter Philip lists the followig 4 John Murrays: (1) John Murray the Commissary General, (2) John Murray, Surgeon to the Forces, (3) John Murray Senior the whale fishery owner and (4) JM Junior the whale fishery owner, son of JM Senior. By Philip's reckoning John Murray Junior and John Murray the Ship Chandler were one and the same person, but I have found that they are not. I can send you the evidence if you are interested.

Unfortunately none of the documents that you have listed are known to me. My John Murray did have a daughter named Margaret, born 1816 and died 1833. There also was a daughter Mary Isabella who was born in 1822. Of course James Murray from Cork, Ireland (Parker's Party) also had a Margaret Anne, born 1812 and a Mary Jane born 1810. Among the (Rev.) Andrew Murrays and the Alfred Murrays (Thurtells) of Graaff-Reinet there also were several Margarets and Marys.

Regarding William Fynn being employed by John Murray, do you have further details? What is the source?

Sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

Best regards.

Percy Murray
Brackenfell
Western Cape.



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