Background
Murfree was born on June 5, 1752 Murfree"s Landing, North Carolina, later renamed Murfreesboro.
Murfree was born on June 5, 1752 Murfree"s Landing, North Carolina, later renamed Murfreesboro.
Murfree, a lieutenant in the Hertford County militia when the Revolutionary War began, was commissioned on September 1, 1775, as a captain in the 2nd North Carolina Regiment of the Continental Army. The regiment was commanded by Colonel Robert Howe, who was later a major general. He was then a major serving under General Anthony Wayne, and was soon thereafter promoted to lieutenant colonel.
On July 17, 1781, British forces led by Banastre Tarleton and Tarleton"s Raiders attacked Maney"s Neck on the Meherrin River near Murfree"s Landing.
Murfree led the militia that repulsed the attack at Skinner"s Bridge. Around 1807, Murfree migrated to Williamson County, Tennessee, living on land granted to him after the American Revolution, and remained there until his death in 1809.
He was a Freemason for all of his adult life, active in both North Carolina and Tennessee. Murfree died on April 6, 1809.
In 1811 the Tennessee State Legislature renamed the town of Cannonsburgh to Murfreesboro in his honor.
Murfree was a member of the North Carolina chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati.
