Notes from Elizabeth Wilson, received 6 Sep 2007, follow:
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John Murray was born in c1825 in Baldwin's Town, Dublin, Ireland. Nothing is known of his life in Ireland, except in c1856 he married Anne Dungan at Ballycowgill, Dublin. It is assumed he worked on a farm in the Dublin area, and the financial troubles of Ireland in the 1850's and 1860's, forced him to make the decision to move to Australia with his wife and young family. He arrived in Brisbane on the "Prince Consort" on 2nd November 1862 with his wife Anne and his two children, Christopher and Anne. The Immigration details only tell us that he was 34 years old - his wife was 38 (I believe this to be a mistake - 28 years seems more likely) - Christopher was 5 and Anne 3.

After landing at Moreton Bay, the family moved to the Warwick district, and settled at Mt. Thabor on a Doctor Cani's property. In 1863 another daughter, Catherine was born, and in 1865 John Patrick entered this world. On his birth certificate, it states that John was a carrier.

On the 28th December 1872, he applied to select agricultural land. The portion numbers were 695, 706 and 70, in the Parish of Wildash, in the county of Marivale, in the district of Warwick. The deed of grant for this land was prepared on the 26 February 1879. The paper work for this transaction on 28 December 1872, shows the breakdown of this was 120 acres of agricultural land and 200 acres of pastoral land. The rent was 9 pounds for the agricultural land and 7 pound 10 shillings for the pastoral land. He was also required to pay 7 pounds for a survey fee. On 9 May 1873, a letter from the Public Lands Office in Toowoomba, shows that John Murray asked for this selection to be reduced to just portion 695 of 160 acres, as some of the land was unable to be surveyed as he required. A letter written by John Murray on 9 April 1873 shows that flooding appeared to be the problem.

John obviously abided by the requirements of selection, as on 28 March 1878, the deed of grant paperwork shows that the selection was enclosed by a two rail fence and had a weatherboard cottage, with shingle roof, boarded floor and four furnished rooms. John and his wife had been living in it for five years. There were stockyards and outbuildings, and a well 25 feet deep. The land at the time had 10 acres under cultivation for lucern and maize, while the rest of the land was used for grazing cattle.

On 9th February 1899 he made his will, leaving his estate to his four children with the proviso that his wife Anne could use, occupy and enjoy it, until her death. He died on 8 November 1899 of malaria, dyspepsia and asthenia. He was buried at the Warwick Cemetery.

The inventory made at the time of his death for Probate reasons, shows that the property was then worth 240 pounds. The breakdown was as follows:-
1 mile and half fencing - 90 pounds
1 4 room cottage with detached kitchen - 100 pounds
1 outbuilding, hardwood - 30 pounds
1 stockyard - 20 pounds
About 10 tons of hay - 10 pounds
Old mowing machine - 10 pounds
Buggy and harness (old) - 6 pounds
Old dray - 4 pounds
Single furrow plough & swings - 1 pound
3 pigs - 1 pound
6 horses - 18 pounds
Household furniture - 8 pounds
Water cask - 1 pound
125 mixed cattle - 126 pounds
100 shares in Warwick Farmers Milling Company Limited @ 16/6 - 82 pounds 10 shillings
Dividends thereon - 10 pounds
Money in Bank of NSW Warwick - 3 pounds 4/4
Proceeds of cattle sold since time of death - 130 pounds

Obituary from Tenterfield papers:
MR JOHN MURRAY: The numerous friends and acquaintances of Mr. John Murray, of Lord John Swamp, will be sorry to hear of his death, which took place in Warwick on Wednesday last. Deceased was in his 74th year, and for half of his lifetime was a resident of the Warwick district.
Unassuming and generous in disposition, and straightforward and reliable in his daily duties, he enjoyed to the utmost the esteem and respect not only of his neighbours and immediate friends, but of all those with whom he was acquainted. During the past twelve months the fact became apparent to his friends that the deceased was rapidly drifting to what Tennyson so beautifully symbolized as the harbor bar; a month ago he grew worse, and, in order that in the last moments he might have the best medical attendance, he was brought into town last week, and passed peacefully away in the forenoon of the afternoon of Wednesday. Mr Murray was one of the most prosperous of the local farmers, having profitably combined grazing and agriculture. He leaves a widow and a family of two sons and two daughters, all of whom are married and are well provided for.
The funeral on Thursday was largely attended, the service at the grave being conducted by the Rev. J.J. Horan.

We regret having to record the death of Mr John Murray, of Emu Hill Farm. Lord John Swamp, which event took place on Wednesday. The late Mr. Murray was a very old resident of the district, and bore the respect of all who knew him. For some time past he has been in failing health, heart disease, we understand being the cause of the break-up of the system. The funeral took place on Thursday, and was attended by a large circle of his late friends and acquaintances.

HEADSTONE READS: Grave site beside wife, Anne.
In Loving Memory of
John Murray
Beloved husband of
Ann Murray
Born Coy. Dublin, Ireland
Died Nov 8th 1899
Age 71 years
R.I.P.

More About JOHN MURRAY:
Burial: 09 Nov 1899, Warwick Cemetery
Emigration: 1862, on Prince Consort
Occupation: Farmer
Property: 1872, Portion 695 at Wildmarsh, Marivale, Warwick
Religion: Roman Catholic