The settlement of the Arthurs Creek district during the nineteenth century was significantly shaped by the arrival of two distinct Murphy families, whose prevalence in the region led locals to frequently refer to the area as Murphy’s Creek. Through the reminiscences of Chester Draper (1905–1998) and records compiled by James T. Murphy, this account details the land use, orcharding practices, and complex genealogical naming conventions of the pioneering families who established homes near Brennan’s Road and the Streamville district.
…altogether five Murphy boys settled in Arthurs Creek when they were married, so that it was often referred to as Murphy’s Creek…
James T. (Jim) Murphy in ‘Early Settlers of Arthurs Creek’ records that ‘In 1864 Thomas Murphy arrived in Arthurs Creek with his wife and seven children. Two more were born later.’…‘Altogether five Murphy boys settled in Arthurs Creek when they were married, so that it was often referred to as Murphy’s Creek.’
‘The Running Creek Road went into Streamville over the Deep Creek log crossing. Here another family of Murphy’s settled in 1881.’…‘A daughter died very young, but three sons married, built homes and reared families in the area.’
Chester Draper (1905-1998) in his reminiscences recalls that ‘In my school days many of the people in Arthurs Creek were Murphys and those at school and growing up were third generation. In the early 1860s Thomas Murphy from Northern Ireland took up land and built his house just south of the corner of Brennan’s Road and Deep Creek Road. He had a large family, some of whom were, Bill who lived on the east side of the Creek where Frank Nankervis now lives. Joe was on the south side of Brennan’s Road and Dave on the north side. George had the Store and Post office where Dick Allen now lives.
About the same time, another Thomas Murphy from Southern Ireland lived at Streamville on the Running Creek on the west bank. He had three sons Pat, Jim and Dennis. Jim was upstream from Pat (in the old home) and Dennis (Dinny) was on the east side of the Creek. Each had a family.
In this third generation things began to get confusing. Joe and Bill Murphy each had a Jim. These were distinguished by names – ‘Joe’s Jim’ – ‘Wild Jim’ and with Streamville Jim – ‘Long Jim’. Jim and Pat at Streamville each had a Tom known as ‘Jim’s Tom’ and ‘Pat’s Tom’. Then there was ‘Dave’s Tom’. Dave Murphy had a son named Dave. These were ‘Old Dave’ and ‘Young Dave’. Dave also had a Bill as well as a brother Bill. George had a son George ‘Old George’ and ‘Young George’. There were ‘Jim’s Jack’ and ‘Dave’s Jack’. However the three families at Streamville moved away fairly soon after the 1914-18 War and most of the other Murphys have moved on or died out. All the families above were fruit growers and no doubt did not have a good income’.
