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There is a picture of the sandstone slab covering the Murray vault in the History of the Australian Murrays, the inscription reads: Here lies John Murray late Gardener in Tour, who died July 15th, 1749 aged 80 years.  Also Isobel Turnbull his Spouse who died August 17th, 1746 aged 67 years.  Here lies John Murray lately Farmer of Spittal son of aforesaid John Murray, Gardener in Tour who died March 16th 1772 aged 63 years.  Also Jean Henderson, his Spouse who died November 18th, 1786 aged 72 years.  Also John Murray their son, late Gardener at Spittal who died January 5th 1808 aged 75 years, and also Archibald and Margaret their children who died in the prime of life.  Also Andrew Murray, late tennant in Tour who died 1777 aged 63 years.  John Murray, Gardener in Spittal, who died January 5th, 1808 aged 75 years.  Also Mary Cleugh his Spouse who died in Denholm October 21, 1816 aged 65 years.  John Murray, Farmer in Denholm, son of John Murray, Gardener in Spittal who died January 22nd 1845 aged 60 years.

Last year I went to the UK and while I was there I visited Hawick and went into the Live Borders Libraries & Archives to check if there was and records of a connection between my Murray family to the Forbes family, they could not find one, so I have deleted the Forbes off my ancestry line.  I originally put them on through another person on ancestry.  At the time it looked ok but I always had questions, so I am glad that I checked it out while in Scotland.

Hi Alexandrina

Yes I do know that my Murrays were from the Scottish Borders.  I have gone back as far as Andrew Murray born 1640 to Bathia or Bethia Forbes.  He married Janet Andison about 1669. His son John was born 1 May 1670 in Bedrule he married Isobel Turnbull on the 15 Aug 1701.  There were 3 more John Murrays before we get to Veitch Murray born 1841.

I am actually trying to find out if Bathia or Bethia Forbes is the daughter of John Forbes born about 1568 in Corse Aberdeenshire, died 28 Mar 1635 in Delf, Netherlands, he married Christian Barclay in 1595.  I don't suppose you have any info on this?

I do have some male Murray cousins who I am in contact with.  In fact we are having a gathering of cousins in December I will ask them if they are interested in your project.

Regards
Anne Vicary

I have recently received a copy of Lucy Mary Ann Marriott nee Bidmead's will and in it she lists as beneficiaries all her living children and one of those children I had not come across before.  Her name is Madeline De Vere Johnson.  I have found the death certificate of Madeline De Vere Johnson otherwise known as Lizzy De Vere Johnson dated 22 Mar 1931 and she is listed as a spinster and domestic help 59 Clarence Rd, New Windsor.  I have also found Madeline Johnson living with Lucy's Aunt Louisa Hawes nee Bidmead as her adopted daughter in 1881 and 1891 and as Lizzie Johnson her niece in 1901 (obviously by that time she had been told who her birth mother was).  She is listed as being born about 1872 in Woodstock in 1881 and 1891 and Banbury in 1901. I have been trying to find her birth certificate but have had no luck so far.  I sent away for a certificate of a Lizzy Johnson born 1972 in Woodstock but it was the wrong person.  I would like some help with finding the birth certificate it might shed some light on why she keeps changing her name.

It was Amelia Marriott b: 1878 d: 1881 who died in a fire. She was playing with matches and died in University College Hospital.  There was an inquest ruling accidental death.  I still have not found Lucy Mary Ann's other 2 children.