Meldora Murphy

Robert married Sarah Jane CHAMBERS. Sarah (daughter of Thomas CHAMBERS and Nancy CHRISTIAN) was born Jun 1841, Russell Co. VA; died , Buchanan Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: BE894FD891A442A29BF38946751C3BF7A7F5

Notes:

1850 Census, Russell Co, VA, household 1250. Listed as Sarah Jane Chambers, age 9, born in Russell Co, VA, in household of mother, Nancy Chambers.

"Tazewell County (VA) Marriages", Register #3, Year 1862, transcribed by Pauline Haga.

William (sic, Witten) Elswick, age 19, born in Tazewell Co, VA, son of William and Lucinda Elswick, married on 11 Feb 1862 Sarah Jane Robbins, age 20 yr, 8 mon, born in Russell Co, VA, widow, daughter of Thomas and Nancy Chambers. Married by Patton J. Lockhart.

Notes:

Robert was the son of Polly Shortridge (daughter of Robert Shortridge and Rebecca Brown) and Edmond Murphy. In 1859, Edmond was murdered by Joseph Staton. The murderer escaped from jail and was a fugitive. In order to protect herself and her children, Polly began to use Shortridge as their surname. Later on, some of the children returned to using Murphy, some did not.

Note: Some of his siblings used Shortridge and Murphy as their surnames at different times, which can be confusing, while others kept the name Shortidge and others used Murphy.

Robert is the brother of Clarissa Shortridge who married Sarah's brother, John T. Chambers.

He was a deputy sheriff in Grundy and was murdered transporting a prisoner in 1905.

Other Events:

• _UID: 9F738053F8B2406992D90607550D1C46741A

Notes:

1830 Census, Russell Co. VA Thomas had one male age 20 thru 29 [himself], one female under age 5 [Lydia] one females age 15 thru 19 [Nancy] and one male slave under the age of 10.

1840 Census, Russell Co. VA Thomas had two males under 5 [John and Hugh], one male 5-10 [Reese], one female under 5 [Joanna], one female 5-10 [Emeline], and one female 10-15 [Lydia].

DOD given as 1849 in Russell Co. VA

Tazewell County Marriages
Feb. 27, 1855
CHAMBERS, REES (21) Single. Born in Tazewell Co. Farmer. Son of Thomas & Nancy Christian

Thomas married Nancy CHRISTIAN Abt 1827. Nancy was born Abt 1811, Tazewell Co. VA; died Aft 1880, Buchanan Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: B2B2D7B8AEE64E918B3C1BCFF541BF6D7902

Notes:

1830 Census, Russell Co. VA Thomas had one male age 20 thru 29 [himself], one female under age 5 [Lydia] one females age 15 thru 19 [Nancy his wife] and one male slave under the age of 10.

1840 Census Russell Co. VA, Thomas had two males under 5 [John and Hugh], one male 5-10 [Reese], one female under 5 [Joanna], one female 5-10 [Emeline], and one female 10-15 [Lydia].

1850 Census Russell Co. page 310A, Family #1250. Listed as Nancy Chambers, age 38, born in Tazewell Co, VA, head of household.

1860 Census Tazewell Co. VA, Cedar Bluff, page 837 has the following info:

Chambers, Nancy, age 60, district: Cedar Bluff, page 837. Nancy was living with Joanna, John, Douglas Chambers, age 3 [John's son Douglas Rees Chambers], and Caladina Chambers [Clarissa Shortridge, John's wife], age 15.

1870 Census Buchanan Co. VA, Garden District, Nancy Chambers, age 55, unable to read and write, is living next door to her son John Chambers. Living with her is her daughter, Joannah, age 33, occupation weaver, and her son William F. Chambers, age 5.

1880 Census, Buchanan Co. VA, Garden District, Nancy Chambers, age 73, mother is living in the household of John Chambers. She is unable to read or write.

Nancy died in Buchanan Co. was with son, John. This info came from Lori (ddoerr@houston.rr.com)

Birth:
1850 Census, Russell Co. VA, District 54, household 1250, information indicates she was born in Tazewell Co.

Died:
1880 Census, Buchanan Co. VA, Garden District, Nancy, age 73, was living with her son John Chambers.