MurphyAncestry.Net

James Knox Polk Murphy (Polk)
Born: September 21st 1840 in Rutherford County, TN
Died: August 15, 1913 in Rutherford Count, TN
Father: John Murphy
Mother: Elizabeth R. Parrish

His Civil War prisoner of war discharge papers describe him as being 5' 4" tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. No pictures of Polk are known to exist.

1850 Census – Polk is enumerated in the 1850 Rutherford County, District 20 (Fosterville) Census records, on his father’s farm, close to his mother’s family farm (Mary Parrish).

1860 Census -Polk was not captured in the Census in Rutherford County. Polk does not appear in the census anywhere else.

1860 - Civil War
Enlisted in "The Franklin Blues" Franklin AL
2nd Alabama Infantry Company E on April 1st 1861
1st Confederate Infantry Battalion, Company B, April 1862

Polk was stationed at Fort Morgan for the first year with the 2nd Al Inf Regt. The regiment was sent to Fort Pillow TN in March of 1862, where the regiment was dissolved (because enlistments were expiring), with most members reenlisting in the 1st Confederate Infantry Battalion. The Battalion was engaged at Big Black River Bridge near Vicksburg, May 17th, 1863. Elements of the Battalion were captured during retreat to Vicksburg. Polk is listed as captured at Vicksburg July 4th, 1863. He was released on July 8th 1863. Reported to Parole Camp at Demopolis AL in March of 1864. The First Confederate Infantry Battalion receives parole as a result of executed prisoner exchange and is transferred to Virginia and placed in Davis’ Brigade, Heth’s Division. Polk states in his Pension Application, that he was engaged at The Wilderness, 2nd Cold Harbor, Spotsylvania and Petersburg. During the Petersburg siege, the 23rd TN Infantry was consolidated into the Battalion, reuniting Polk with his cousin George D. Flemming. On April 2,1865 the severely depleted Battalion was overrun and captured at Hatcher’s Run on April 2 1865. Polk and George were subsequently sent to the POW Camp at Point Lookout, Maryland. Lee surrendered April 9th. Polk and George were released on June 19th 1865. They returned to Rutherford County together. Their journey took them to Washington DC, Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville and finally home.

1865-1868 – Polk acquires 35 acre farm south of Florence station on what is now highway 41 (New Nashville Highway) north of Stones River Battlefield in District 9. Polk notably takes an ad in the Murfreesboro Monitor on Nov 28, 1868, looking for someone to claim the body of a GA soldier buried on the farm.

1869 – Married Sarah Frances Jane Edwards (Fannie) Dec 16, 1869

1870 – Polk does not appear in District 9 Census. Oddly, a James (b. 1844) and Fannie Murphy (b. 1946) appear in Dist 21 sharing a home with Ross and Alice Brown. Age for James is 4 years younger than Polk. Fannie’s age matches our Fannie. Marriage month is listed as Nov. Polk and Fannie were married Dec 16, 1869. It should be noted there is a JKP Murphy from the Rutherford/Wilson county area. He is related to John Greene and Archibald Murphy (no relation to our line).

1880 Census – Polk is enumerated in District 9 census on the 35 acre farm acquired prior to 1870 possibly from Howse. His household includes wife Fannie, sons John and James, brother William W and sister Sallie V.

1890 Census was destroyed by fire

1900 Census – Polk is enumerated in Dist 9 on the family farm along with wife Fannie and sons James (AJ) and Emmett (Robert Emmett)

1909 – June or July 15, applies for Civil War Soldiers Pension

1910 Census – Polk is enumerated in District 9 on the family farm along with wife Fannie and son Emmett (Robert Emmett).

1913 Aug, 15 - Polk passes away at the age of 72 and is buried in a family plot at Evergreen Cemetery in Murfreesboro, TN.