Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

cized form of McMorough, and the original
seat of the family was in the barony
of Ballaghkeen (meaning in Irish, pleas-
ant roadway), in the easterly part of the
County of Wexford at Castle Ellis and
Ouleartleagh (in Irish, "Grey Orchard").
The county of the O'Murphy family is
still called Murroes. The family belonged
to the tribe of Hy-Felimy, and Murphy,
Murrough, and Morin, are anglicized
forms of the name of the original ancestor.
MacMurcatha, written also O'Murchada
and O'Murchu, are original forms
of the name. In Irish, Murcatha means
a sea battle, and Murchu, a sea warrior.
Dermot McMorough, born in 1090, was
King of Leinster for many years, and another
famous man bearing the name was
Art McMurrough, born in 1357. The lat-
ter was particularly noted for his chivalry
and general good qualities. The records
show many celebrated men of this family,
men who were prominent in public affairs
and in the professions. There are also
many authors and writers among the
members of this family, many of whom
trace their descent to the early settlers
of Wexford county, long the seat of the
Murphy family.
Among those who bear the name of
Murphy and who have borne it in a way
which has added luster to this ancient patronymic,
Rev. Frederick Joseph Murphy,
of Greenwich, Connecticut, is well deserving
of mention. Rev. Father Murphy
was born November 6, i860, in New
Haven, Connecticut, son of John and
Catherine (McQuiggan) Murphy. His
paternal grandfather was a native of Dub-
lin, Ireland.
John Murphy, father of Rev. Father
Murphy, was born in Manchester, England.
There he grew to manhood and
learned the trade of carriage builder.
When a young man he came to America
and located in New Haven, Connecticut,
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122
the home of the Hooker Company, one
of the most widely known carriage manufactories
of that day. There Mr. Murphy
found his talent in demand, and he
was one of the most valued employees of
the Hooker Company for many years. In
his later life he was in charge of the as-
sembling of the carriages, one of the
most important branches of the work.
Mr. Murphy took his place among the
citizens of New Haven, and throughout
his life maintained an active interest in
that city's affairs. He was married twice,
and by his first marriage there was a
daughter, Agnes, who became the wife of
James McKee, of New Haven. Mr.
Murphy married (second) Catherine Mc-
Quiggan, a native of Londonderry, Ire-
land, and they were the parents of five
children, four of whom grew to maturity.
They were :
Rev.
Frederick Joseph, of
further mention ; Mary, Elizabeth, Flor-
ence.
The early education of Father Murphy
was obtained in St. Mary's Parochial
School in New Haven. Having early decided
to enter the priesthood, Father Murphy
went to Montreal and entered the
College of St. Bonaventure, and was or-
dained in June, 1885. His first priestly
duties were performed at the Immaculate
Conception Church in Waterbury, Conn-
ecticut, where he was assistant pastor
for two and one-half years. Thence he
went to St. Augustine's Church, at Bridge-
port, Connecticut, and remained a year,
returning at the end of this time to Waterbury
as assistant of the Sacred Heart
Parish, remaining seven years. The following
thirteen months were spent as
assistant at St. Rose's Parish, Meriden,
Connecticut. Thence he went to New
London, Connecticut, remaining for three
months, and his first parish was assigned
to him in Manchester, Connecticut.
There he succeeded Rev. Father Gragan