Archibald Murphey
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Archibald DeBow Murphey (1777-1832) was a North Carolina politician known as the "Father of Education" in his state for his proposals that benefited public works and public education. The town of Murphy, North Carolina (despite its spelling) was named after him.
Murphey was born near Red House Presbyterian Church in Orange County, North Carolina (in an area that would later become Caswell County). His father Archibald Murphey was a Pennsylvania revolutionary officer, while his mother, Jane DeBow was from New Jersey. Archibald was one of seven children. He entered the University of North Carolina in 1796 and graduated in 1799 with honors.
Murphey served as a professor at his college for a few years before he married Jane Armistead Scott, and bought the Hermitage plantation from Jane Armistead Scott's father, John Scott. Murphey was very active in business and political affairs and represented Orange County in the North Carolina State Senate from 1812 to 1818.
Murphey was well-known for his proposals regarding internal improvements and public schools. In 1817, Murphey submitted a legislative report recommending that North Carolina create a publicly financed system of education. In 1819, he drafted a document proposing a program to build roads and canals throughout the state. This proposal was ignored by Murphey's fellow legislators. In 1818, he was elected a superior court judge by the legislature, but gave up the position after two years to concentrate on his worsening financial situation and to research and publish a history of the State of North Carolina.
Murphey did not have much luck in accomplishing either of his goals. His state history was never written, lacking the funding that it needed. He did however collect papers that were helpful for later historians. Meanwhile, Murphey's financial problems were getting worse and worse. Being unable to pay his debts, Murphey was even put in jail for twenty days in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1829.
Archibald Murphey died on February 1, 1832. He is buried at the Presbyterian Church in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Even after his death, his legacy lives on. Murphy, North Carolina was named after him as well as Murphey Hall at the University of North Carolina, and several schools in Orange and Caswell County.
