Meet the Ancestors: Dr. James Murray (1741-1819)

Dr. James Murray (1741-1819)

James Murray was born in Kent County on January 1, 1741 to Dr. William Murray of Chestertown, Maryland and Ann Smith Murray. He married Sarah Ennalls Maynadier Nevitt on October 6, 1773 and had four children by her. One of his children was Sally Scott Murray Lloyd, who married Edward Lloyd, the 13th governor of Maryland and owner of Fredrick Douglass at his Wye River plantation.

Dr. Murray was a well-respected physician in Annapolis for nearly 60 years and served in Maryland’s medical service throughout the Revolutionary War. He was a founding member of what became the Maryland State Medical Society. Strong evidence indicates that Dr. Murray served as Thomas Jefferson’s physician while he was in Annapolis from 1783 to1784, during the time that Annapolis was serving as the nation’s temporary capital. According to records, Jefferson became quite ill while serving as a delegate to the Confederation Congress and called upon Dr. Murray to treat him throughout his stay.

The Murrays lived at 142-144 Prince George Street, now known as the Annapolis Inn and located at the corner of Prince George St. and Randall St. During his time, though, the main floor was probably Dr. Murray’s surgery, where he would have had his practice.

Dr. Murray died on December 19, 1819 at the age of 78.