Murphy – Daughters of the American Revolution, Archibald D. Murphey Chapter Society had a special plaque dedication ceremony on May 10 at the Cherokee County Courthouse to honor the late Murphey.
Murphey was born in 1777 in Caswell County. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1799. He was an educator and lawyer as well as an agriculturalist, jurist, politician and legislator.
The Town of Murphy and the Murphey Chapter of DAR were named after him.
The plaque dedication to honor Murphey was part of their America 250 Project for the upcoming 250th birthday of the United States. There were more than 20 people in attendance, including Cherokee County Commissioner Jan Griggs.
“It’s absolutely fantastic that they are doing this dedication for Cherokee County,” she said. “We also have people from Clay County coming over here to be a part of this.”
Stephen Weaver is president of the Blue Ridge Mountain Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution.
“Generally our color guard from the SAR is considered the signature of color guard for our society,” he said. “It’s the most recognizable appreciation that we have for our patriot ancestors.”
The color guard marched out to present and post the colors, then marched away before returning a short time later to retrieve the colors nearing the end of the ceremony.
The National Society of DAR was founded in 1890 and incorporated in 1896. Their motto is “God, Home and Country.” They are about 190,000 members strong with an objective of historic preservation, education and patriotism.
“DAR does a good job. One of the most notable things they do every year is the Good Citizen Award,” Cherokee County Commissioner Cal Stiles said. “They pick out an outstanding high school student and present them with the award.
“When my wife, Janet, was the regent years ago, (Murphy Mayor) Tim Radford got it when he was in high school. I think it’s a good thing they do.”
Nancy Cody is regent for the DAR Archibald D. Murphey Chapter.
“To be a member, one must be able to prove lineage to someone who has fought in the American Revolution and we can help them with the genealogy,” she said.
Cody has lineal decent that ties her to a few patriots who fought in the war – including her five-times great-grandfather, Absolam Hooper, who fought in Georgia and South Carolina. For details, visit ncdar.org and look for the Archibald D. Murphey Chapter.