Archibald Murphey

Who was Archibald Murphey?

Archibald DeBow Murphey was a North Carolina politician known as the "Father of Education" in his state for his proposals that benefited public works and public education.

Murphey was born near Red House Presbyterian Church in Orange County, North Carolina. His father Archibald Murphey was a Pennsylvania revolutionary officer, while his mother, Jane DeBow was from New Jersey. Archibald was one of seven children. He entered the University of North Carolina in 1796 and graduated in 1799 with honors.

Murphey served as a professor at his college for a few years, then moved to Hillsborough to study law with William Duffy from July to November 1801 at the home now known as Twin Chimneys. He married Jane Armistead Scott and bought the Hermitage plantation from Jane Armistead Scott's father, John Scott. Murphey was very active in business and political affairs and represented Orange County in the North Carolina State Senate from 1812 to 1818.

Murphey was well known for his proposals regarding internal improvements, public schools, and constitutional reform. In 1817, Murphey submitted a legislative report recommending that North Carolina create a publicly financed system of education. In 1819, he drafted a document proposing a program to build roads and canals throughout the state. This proposal was ignored by Murphey's fellow legislators. In 1818, he was elected a superior court judge by the legislature, but gave up the position after two years to concentrate on his worsening financial situation and to research and publish a history of the State of North Carolina. Unsuccessful in securing a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court, he nevertheless sat on the court in its early years to fill in when any of the three judges on the court had to disqualify themselves because of their previous law practices.