The Loyalists of Massachusetts and the Other Side of the American RevolutionStark, James Henry
History
The Loyalists of Massachusetts and the Other Side of the American Revolution
Stark, James Henry
American loyalists -- Massachusetts; Massachusetts -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783
In 1761 Mr. Murray married Miss Thompson, a daughter of Mrs. Mackay, who
lived on King Street. The marriage proved to be a fortunate one for Mr.
Murray's two daughters as well as for the two most concerned. Mr. Smith
was withdrawing from the sugar business and wished Mr. Murray to take it
up. He was, however, in no haste to be off from his plantation, which
he really loved, but at last the break was made and in 1765 he removed
to Boston to cast in his lot permanently. Mr. Murray had warm friends in
Boston and felt himself in congenial surroundings. He occupied Mr.
Smith's home on the corner of Queen Street, the Smiths reserving a
portion of it for themselves, though their permanent residence was now
at Brush Hill, Milton. Mr. Smith had purchased in 1734, and
subsequently, 300 acres at Brush Hill and erected the mansion house now
owned and occupied by Murray Howe.
Mr. Smith's long life came to an end on the 4th of March, 1769. He died
at Brush Hill and was buried from his home on Queen Street. Mrs. Smith
returned to Scotland and before leaving she made over to her brother the
Brush Hill Farm, in trust for his daughters, Dorothy and Elizabeth. This
was very fortunate, as it afterwards turned out, for it saved it from
confiscation. Mr. Murray, with much content, established himself there,
hoping to "run off the dregs of his days" in peace. Of the farm he had
given his brother, some years before, a graphic description; it was in
many respects as pleasantly situated as Governor Hutchinson's. It had,
he said "a good house, well furnished, good garden and orchards, meadows
and pasturage, in 300 acres. A riverlet washed it and by several
windings lost itself between two bushy hills, before it ran into the
great bay. Of this bay, often covered with sails, and of the
light-house, there is a fair prospect from the house which stands on an
eminence and overlooks also a pleasant country round. It is in short one
of the pleasantest and most convenient seats I see in the country."
Dorothy Murray, who, family traditions say, had grown to be a beautiful
and fascinating young lady, accepted the hand of Rev. John Forbes, a
clergyman then settled at St. Augustine, Florida. Their marriage
occurred in 1769. The Forbes of Milton are the descendants.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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