Joseph Murphy(Often referred to as Hon. Joseph Murphy) was born on his father's farm, along Frederick Cove, Lot 11, on April 11, 1827. Endowed with considerable intellectual ability and a burning ambition he was destined to assume a leadership role, not only during the early development of his native Lot 11, but Prince County in general. Even though he was living on and working his father's farm, he had taken on many public responsibilities. He began his public service as the Commissioner of Highways for Road District # 4. From Chairman of a Board of Appraisers to Justice of the Peace, the variety and scope of the many responsibilities bestowed upon him were indicative of the trust and respect in which he was held in the community.
In the 1870's he became involved in local politics and eventually was elected to the Legislative Council. After which, in 1894 he was appointed Assistant to the Registrar of Deeds for Prince County which required him to move to Summerside. He was later promoted to Registrar and remained in that capacity until ill health forced him to retire in March 1904. He died at the home of his son, James A., in Alberton, on Sept. 22 1904.
Throughout his political and public service career he had shown considerable debating ability and had come to be respected by all who had the good fortune of making his acquaintance. He was a prominent figure in the public life of Prince County, and the Island in general, and his death was regarded by many as a personal bereavement.
Mary Bulger was born at Lot 11 PEI on March 20th, 1825, the eldest daughter of John and Margaret (Pickett) Bulger. She had been Joseph's constant companion throughout life and with much self-sacrifice had cared for their large family of thirteen children and maintained their home during his many absences in connection with his political career. Mary died at Lot 11 on January 10 1897. The respect in which she was held by her friends, in addition to her own personal merits, were beautifully depicted in The Pioneer, for Jan. 18 1897:
". . . In the death of Mrs. Murphy there is lost in this community a woman of the highest moral character, a wife of the truest devotion and love, a mother of the sweetest maternal affection and a friend of the firmest kind. . . . her genuine sympathy and charity for the poor and afflicted have rendered her a model of womanly perfection; and her deep piety and fortitude have made her life an example for all, and most assuredly have won for her in heaven an eternity of happiness."
Edited excerpts from "Along the North Shore" by J. Clinton Morrison
To learn more about Joseph's Polictal Career, read "Along the North Shore" |
