William MURRAY & Elizabeth ROSS

William MURRAY

[12/3/1820-18/3/1912]

married

Elizabeth ROSS

[3/1816-13/2/1906]

William is the son of James Murray and Elspat Mackay of Rhemusaig. William and Elizabeth (Betsy) married on 28 May 1842 and soon after left Rogart for Canada. William died on 18 March 1912 aged 92 years and is buried with his beloved wife Betsy Ross in Knox Presbyterian Church, Harrington, Ontario. "There died at his home on Argyle Street, Embro, on March 18 one of the few remaining genuine pioneers of Zorra district, in the person of Mr W. Murray. Like many pioneers of the Zorras the late Mr Murray was a native of Sutherlandshire, Scotland, from which country he emigrated to Canada, seventy years ago, accompanied by his late wife. ..... The late Mr Murray was a man of many fine and admirable qualities, upright, honest and honourable. In all his dealings with his fellow man a good neighbour, kind, genial and generous, a true friend, and a good Godbearing man. Like most of the Scotch emigrants, who have made good in Western Ontario, his only asset to begin life with was a splendid physique, a clear head, and a brave heart. One of his distinguishing characteristics was a strong and indomitable will which stood him in good stead during the pioneer days. Being determined to make a success of everything he undertook and later in life he had the satisfaction of having built up and maintained a fine home, ever noted for his hosptality, from which the poor, the needy, or the weary, were never allowed to go unrefreshed. In the spring of 1845 Mr Murray settled on lot 33 con. 6 West Zorra, where he remained for more than forty-five years and where all but two of his large family of twelve children [six daughters and six sons] were born. Nine of his family still survive him, five sons and four daughters also, fifty-two grandchildren and about twenty-five great grandchildren. .... in the removal of this good old patriarch the community loses an ideal citizen, his family a kind, wise and loving father and the poor a never failing friend. The evening of life was spent in retirement and comfort in the village of Embro where he lived for the past twenty-one years. His end was peaceful and may his ashes rest in peace."

William and Elizabeth had the following children:
WILLIAM MURRAY born 1843 Canada [died 1843]
ELSIE MURRAY born 1844 Canada [died 1931]
JAMES MURRAY born 1845 Canada [died 1930]
MERRON MURRAY born 1846 Canada [died 1917]
ISABEL MURRAY born 1848 Canada [died 1934]
JOHN WILLIAM MURRAY born 1849 Canada [died 1914]
GEORGIANA MURRAY born 1851 Canada [died 1852]
ROBERT GEORGE MURRAY born 1853 Canada [died 1939]
DONALD MURRAY born 1855 Canada [died 1916]
HUGH ALEXANDER MURRAY born 1856 Canada [died 1934] [married Harriet Jane Meadows (1862-1900) in Ontario – they had a son James who married Christina Alice Macintosh – their only child, daughter Isabel married Mr Mills and their son John continues to research this family tree today
CHRISTINE MURRAY born 1860 Canada [died 1932].

A descendant of this family, Dorothy, lives in the USA and keeps in touch with me. Now, thanks to being able to view this information here a great, great, great grandson of William and Elizabeth had made contact.