• Born: 16 Dec 1838, Tallow, Co Waterford, Ireland
• Baptised: 16 Dec 1838, Tallow, Co Waterford, Ireland ²
• Marriage (1): DENNIS, Harriet Marianne on 18 Nov 1860 in RC Church Of St John, West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia ¹
• Died: 2 Feb 1926, Lewisham Private Hospital, Petersham, New South Wales, Australia at age 87 ³
• Buried: 4 Feb 1926, Roman Catholic Cemetery, Campbell's Hill, Maitland West, New South Wales, Australia

  Noted events in his life were:

• Baptism, 16 Dec 1838, Tallow, Co Waterford, Ireland. Sponsors John & Catherine MURRAY

• Immigration, 1858, New South Wales, Australia. ⁴

• Miscellaneous: Immigration deposit paid for John MURRAY (brother), 25 Feb 1864, New South Wales, Australia. ⁵

• Occupation: butcher, 215 High Street: Maitland, New South Wales, Australia.

• Land: Rutherford, New South Wales, Australia. ⁴ When he left school, Michael's son John joined his father's business, doing work in the shop, and mustering on the family property out of town at Rutherford.

• Miscellaneous, 1906, Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ⁴ Michael had come to Australia from Tallow, Waterford, Ireland, in 1858. He had had hopes of being a school-teacher in Australia. However, he commenced work in a butcher's shop in Maitland, a town about 120 miles north of Sydney, New South Wales. He must have learned the butchering business well, for he soon opened his own shop, which is still to be seen, at 215 High Street. [ ... ] Michael MURRAY grew to be one of the most respected men in this rich, rural township. Local citizens gave him a dinner and presentation on the eve of his departure for a trip home to Ireland in 1906.

• Travel, 1906, Tallow, Co Waterford, Ireland. ⁴

• Will, 2 Feb 1926, West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ⁶ 137366

MURRAY Michael late of Burwood. Retired butcher.

This is the last Will and Testament of me Michael MURRAY of West Maitland in the state of New South Wales, butcher.

I direct the payment of all my first debts funeral and testamentary expenses including stamp duty out of my residuary estate. I appoint my wife Harriett Teresa MURRAY to be the sole executrix of this my Will. I give devise and bequeath to my son Michael MURRAY the sum of one hundred pounds out of the proceeds of my policy in the Australian Mutual Provident Society for his sole absolute use and benefit.

I also give devise and bequeath unto the said Michael MURRAY for his sole absolute use and benefit the house in High Street West Maitland wherein he lives and the land whereon it is erected as now enclosed I give devise and bequeath my residence in High Street West Maitland aforesaid with the land whereon it is erected as now enclosed to my aforesaid Wife during her life and from and after the death of my aforesaid Wife I give devise and bequeath the aforesaid residence and land to my son Joseph Charles MURRAY for his sole absolute use and benefit. I give devise and bequeath all the rest and residence of my real estate in High Street West Maitland aforesaid or adjoining same together with my land at Rutherford whereon is erected my Slaughter House together with my Butchering business and plant and the book debts due to same to my sons Michael and Joseph Charles in equal shares as tenants in common. And I declare that my aforesaid Wife shall so long as she lives be employed in the management of the aforesaid business at a Salary of one pound per week payable weekly.

I give devise and bequeath my allotment of land in Cohen Street West Maitland whereon is erected a house formerly occupied by my late son Stephen MURRAY to my daughter-in-law Ellen MURRAY until my grand daughter Ellen Mary MURRAY shall attain the age of twenty one years and thereafter I give devise and bequeath the same to my aforesaid grand daughter Ellen Mary MURRAY for her sole absolute use and benefit.

I give devise and bequeath the other allotment in Cohen Street West Maitland to my grand son John Thomas MURRAY together with the sum of fifty pounds out of the proceeds of my life policy which shall be placed on deposit in the Savings Bank of New South Wales until he shall attain the age of twenty one years and I declare that in the event of either my aforesaid grand daughter or grandson dying before attaining the age of twenty one years the bequest herein before made to the one so dying shall pass to the survivor.

I give devise and bequeath the sum of twenty five pounds to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Maitland at the time of my death for his sole absolute use and benefit. The sum of twenty five pounds to the Mother Prioress in charge of the Convent of Mercy at Singleton at the time of my death for her sole absolute use and benefit. I give devise and bequeath the sum of forty pounds to the Superior in charge of St Josephs College at Hunters Hill at the time of my death for his sole absolute use and benefit. I give devise and bequeath the sum of forty pounds to the Mother Prioress in charge of the Convent of Mercy Westport New Zealand at the time of my death for her sole absolute use and benefit.

I give devise and bequeath the sum of fifty pounds to my sister Bridget MURRAY of Tallow County of Waterford Ireland for her sole absolute use and benefit. I give devise and bequeath the sum of fifty pounds to my sister Mary MURRAY of the same place for her sole absolute use and benefit and I declare that all the specific pecuniary legacies lastly herein before made shall be paid out of the proceeds of my Life Policy.

I give devise and bequeath my household furniture to my aforesaid wife for her sole absolute use and benefit.

I give devise and bequeath all the rest and residue of any real and personal property of whatsoever kind wheresoever situate unto my sons Michael and Joseph Charles in equal shares as tenants in common and I hereby revoke all Wills and testamentary dispositions by me at any time heretofore made and declare this to be my last Will and Testament as witness my hand this ninth day of January in the year one thousand nine hundred and six.

Michael MURRAY signed by the said Michael MURRAY as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us both present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses W J ENRIGHT solicitor West Maitland, Chas BUCKLEY clerk West Maitland.

This is a codicil to the Will of me Michael MURRAY of West Maitland in the State of New South Wales butcher which said Will is dated the ninth day of January one thousand nine hundred and six. Whereas by my said Will I have appointed Harriett Teresa MURRAY trustee and executor thereof and whereas the said Harriett Teresa MURRAY has lately died now I hereby appoint Michael MURRAY of Hamilton in the State of New South Wales groom to be trustee and executor of this my said Will in the place of the said Harriett Teresa MURRAY deceased and I declare that my said Will shall be constrained and take effect as if the name of the said Michael MURRAY of Hamilton groom were inserted in my said Will throughout instead of the name of the said Harriett Teresa MURRAY and in all other respects I confirm my said will as witness my hand this second day of February one thousand nine hundred and eleven

Michael MURRAY. Signed by the said Michael MURRAY as and for a codicil to his last Will and Testament in the presence of us both present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses W J ENRIGHT solicitor West Maitland, C J ENRIGHT articled clerk West Maitland.

This is a second codicil to the last Will and testament of me Michael MURRAY the elder of West Maitland in the State of New South Wales butcher dated the ninth day of January in the year one thousand nine hundred and six. Whereas by my said Will I bequeathed the sum of fifty pounds to my sister Bridget MURRAY and also bequeathed the said Will the sum of fifty pounds to my sister Mary MURRAY and also bequeathed by my said will the sum of fifty pounds to my grand son John Thomas MURRAY now I hereby revoke the said bequests and in all other respects I confirm my said Will as witness my hand this sixth day of November in the year one thousand nine hundred and eighteen.

Michael MURRAY Signed by the said Michael MURRAY as a second codicil to his last Will and Testament in the presence of us both present at the same time who of his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses W J ENRIGHT solicitor West Maitland, Geo E COOKE W Maitland.

This is a third Codicil to the Will of me Michael MURRAY of West Maitland in the State of New South Wales, Butcher, dated the ninth day of January one thousand nine hundred and six. Whereas by my said Will I gave devised and bequeathed all the rest and residue of my real estate in High Street West Maitland aforesaid or adjoining the same together with my land at Rutherford whereon is erected my slaughter house together with my Butchering Business and plant and the book debts due to same to my sons Michael MURRAY and Joseph Charles MURRAY in equal shares as tenants in common.

Now I hereby revoke the said bequest and I direct that the aforesaid rest and residue of my real estate in High Street West Maitland aforesaid or adjoining same together with my land at Rutherford whereon is erected by Slaughter house and which comprised all the residue of my real estate shall be valued by a valuator to be jointly selected by the said Michael MURRAY and Joseph Charles MURRAY or if they cannot agree upon a valuator then by two valuators one selected by each of them respectively and I declare that if the two valuators cannot agree they shall have power to appoint an umpire whose decision shall be final and the said Michael MURRAY shall have the right to acquire the absolute ownership of the aforesaid rest and residue of my real estate in High Street West Maitland aforesaid or adjoining same together with all my land at Rutherford whereon is erected by Slaughter house and slaughter mans cottage upon paying the said Joseph Charles MURRAY one half of the amount of such valuation within twenty eight days of having notified thereof and I declare that in the event of the said Michael MURRAY not paying the said Joseph Charles MURRAY the said one half of the amount of such valuation within the aforesaid period the said Joseph Charles MURRAY shall be at liberty to acquire the absolute ownership of the aforesaid rest and residue of my real estate in High Street West Maitland aforesaid or adjoining the same together with all my land at Rutherford whereon is erected my slaughter house and slaughterman's cottage together with my plant on paying the aforesaid Michael MURRAY one half of the aforesaid valuation within twenty eight days of the neglect or refusal of the said Michael MURRAY to pay the aforesaid sum and in the event of both of them the said Michael MURRAY and Joseph Charles MURRAY neglecting or refusing to acquire the ownership of the said property upon the aforesaid terms and conditions aforesaid I direct the executor and trustee hereinafter named to dispose of the same either by public auction or private contract and either for cash or on terms for the best price available and to divide the net proceeds of such sale equally amongst my said sons Joseph Charles MURRAY and Michael MURRAY.

I revoke the appointment of all executors and trustees by my aforesaid Will or any Codicil thereto and hereby appoint the Perpetual Trustee Company Limited executors and trustees of my said Will and Codicils and in all other respects I confirm my said Will and Codicils as witness I have hereunto set my hand to this Codicil for my said Will this twenty first day of October in the year one thousand nine hundred and nineteen.

Michael MURRAY Signed by the said testator as and for a third Codicil to the said Will in the presence of us both present at the same time who at his request in his sight and presence and in the sight and presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses W J ENRIGHT, solicitor, West Maitland E F BANFIELD articled clerk West Maitland.

28 May 1926 On this date probate of the last Will and testament (with three Codicils thereto) of the said deceased was granted to the Perpetual Trustee Company Ltd the sole executor named therein.

Testator died 2 February 1926. Estate sworn at £2946.16.7 net.

• Death notice, 3 Feb 1926, Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ⁷ Maitland Daily Mercury: Wednesday 3 February 1926
Death of Mr. Michael Murray.
News has been received from Sydney of the death yesterday of Mr Michael Murray, senior, of West Maitland. The deceased was a resident of the town for nearly 70 years, but about three or four years ago went to reside in Sydney. A fortnight ago he was operated on in the Lewisham Hospital, where he died. A native of Tallow, Waterford, Ireland, the late Mr. Murray came to Maitland when a young man, and commenced a butchering business on the site of the present shop in High street, now carried on by his son. He was prominent in all walks of life. Politically he was an ardent supporter of the late John Gillies, and played a big part in election campaigns. In all public matters he was represented, but it was in connection with his church that perhaps he took the keenest interest. In all its social functions, departures or welcome to prelates and laymen he was an outstanding figure, and the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration found in him an ardent worker. His wife, one daughter and two sons predeceased him. The surviving members of the family are Messrs. Michael Murray (West Maitland), and Joseph Murray (Burwood), Brothers Clements and Eusebius of the Marist Brothers' Order, Sister Mary Cecilia, (Convent of Mercy, Singleton), and Sister Gonzaga (New Zealand). The funeral will leave St. John's Cathedral, West Maitland, to-morrow morning at ten o'clock, for the Campbell's Hill cemetery.

• Funeral, 5 Feb 1926, Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ⁸ Maitland Daily Mercury: Friday 5 February 1926
The late Mr. Murray
The funeral of the late Mr. Michael Murray, senr., took place yesterday, and was largely attended. The body was taken to St. John's Cathedral, and thence to the Campbell's Hill cemetery. Fathers Coady, Peters, and O'Moore officiated at both services. The chief mourners were Messrs. Michael and Joseph Murray, and Brother Clement (sons), Clem Murray (grandson), and Brother Placid, of the Marist Brothers' High School (West Maitland). Several floral tributes were received from friends.

• Funeral, 6 Feb 1926, Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ⁹ Maitland Daily Mercury: Friday 5 February 1926
Mr. Michael Murray's Funeral.
Among those, who sent wreaths in connection with the funeral of the late Mr. Michael Murray were Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Walsh and family, the office staff of the Maitland Gaslight Company and the Gasworks Employees.

• Probate, 23 Dec 1926, Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ¹⁰ Maitland Daily Mercury: Thursday 23 December 1926
LAW NOTICES
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES.- Probate Jurisdiction. - In the WILL and CODICILS of MICHAEL MURRAY, late of Burwood, but formerly of West Maitland, in the State of New South Wales, retired butcher, deceased. - APPLICATION is hereby given that the ACCOUNTS in the above ESTATE HAVE THIS DAY BEEN FILED IN MY OFFICE, SUPREME COURT, SYDNEY, and that all persons having any claim on the said Estate or being otherwise interested therein are hereby required to come in before me at my said Office on or before the fourth day of MARCH, 1927, at ten-thirty o'clock in the forenoon, and inspect the same, and if they shall think fit object thereto; otherwise if the said Accounts be not objected to the same will be examined by me and passed according to law; and notice is hereby given that, on the allowance of the said Accounts by the Court commission will be applied for on behalf of the Executors. - Dated at Sydney this fourteenth day of December, 1926. - L. M. ADDISON (L.S.), Registrar - W. J. ENRIGHT & SKILTON, Proctors for Executor, West Maitland. - By their Agents: TAYLOR & KEARNEY, 77 Castlereagh-street, Sydney. 9851

Michael married Harriet Marianne DENNIS, daughter of William DENNIS and Winifred BEANEY, on 18 Nov 1860 in RC Church Of St John, West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia.¹ (Harriet Marianne DENNIS was born on 25 May 1839 in Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia, baptised on 2 Jun 1839 in Church Of England, Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia,¹¹ died on 21 Oct 1910 in High St, West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia ¹² and was buried on 23 Oct 1910 in Roman Catholic Cemetery, Campbell's Hill, Maitland West, New South Wales, Australia.)