I've perused the index of "Surry County, Virginia Court Records" by Weynette Parks Haun, 1652-1663 Book I; Book II (Deed Book I) 1664-1671; Book IV (Part II: Order Book) 1682-1691; Book V 1691-1700 Court Records; & Book VI 1700-1711 Court Records. I can find no Murphy, Merfree, or any other variation. However, Book III (Part I: Order Book) 1672-1682, had listed a "Mr. Merfee" for p. 33. I've seen a lot of contention about Richard Murfee(+var) in Surry Co. VA in the late 1600s, who supposedly married a Mary Elizabeth Byrd. At least one son married into the Byrd family (again, supposedly). One thing for sure, several of the later 1700s and early 1800 descendants have given names of Bird and Byrd. We know from Will Books & Albermarle Parish records that Simon I (d. abt 1754), Richard II and others were in early 1700s Surry. Son of Simon I, Arthur, settled in Franklin Co. NC., others in SC. Richard I supposedly ran a river crossing boat to William Byrd's land (awaiting documents on this). Other stories abound for Richard (b. abt 1670?), but has anyone seen any original documents (or copies) relating to him? One lady told me she has seen a microfiche from St. John's Parish in Dublin, Ireland that has Richard Murphy being kidnapped around the late 1600s. Anyone seen this? I've also seen this: from Complete Book of Emigrants 03 Aug 1683 . . . apprenticed in Middlesex to go for four years to Maryland, by the (ship) Content, Mr. William Johnson: . . . Richard MURPHY of London, Merchant. 04- 06 Sept 1699 The following were apprenticed in Liverpool to Richard MURPHY to go to VA by the Lamb of Dublin, said Richard Murphy master . . . (thanks Beverly) It is possible that Richard I was too poor to own land and stayed out of trouble, quite anonymous in Surry Co. If he later married into William Byrd's family, then he would have been quite well off indeed. Any thoughts or leads would be appreciated. -- Mark A. Murphy murphy@tarleton.edu http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~freshnup/markmurph