Some of the Woeful Sufferings of my Uncle Benjamin Murrell's poor Preacher Brother Jeffrey Murrell, father of John Andrews Murrell, the Land Pirate of the Natchez Trace

The legal difficulties incurred by John Murrell’s brothers are inconsequential when compared with those of John himself. John began his career in partnership with his brothers -- his first arrest came in 1822, after a charge of “riot” was levied against John and his brothers William and James. The charges state that the three Murrells had entered and vandalized the house of one Thomas Merritt, and threatened its occupants; as a result, the brothers were briefly jailed and fined.

Far more serious was John’s arrest the following year for the theft of a mare belonging to a neighbor, one William J. Shumate. It was during this trial that John’s criminal behavior further ensnared his brother James, who made the mistake of claiming under oath that John had slept in the same room with him on the night of February 20, 1823, when the crime had occurred, and furthermore “swore upon the Holy Evangelists that this was true.” This resulted in the aforementioned indictment for perjury. The fortunes of the family were further complicated when John was released on bond into the custody of his father and his uncle, Drury Murrell, and then failed to show up for his court date in August of 1823.

Poor Jeffrey Sr. was 74 years old by this time, and was “very infirm and deaf;” he made a statement to the court that he “had no knowledge” of any crime committed by his son, and that in any case, he was “wholly unable to pursue said John.” He further states that “by his industry he has acquired the little property he has,” and that John “has always been an expence to him and has contributed but little” to the fortunes of the family, but that Jeffrey’s “feelings as a parent alone prompted him to become security” against John’s appearing in court. The family tradition is that Jeffrey Murrell Sr. was a well-meaning and honest man, but singularly lacking in common sense, and the court records certainly bear this out.

At this point, the records state that the unfortunate Jeffrey Sr. and his family were subjected to a round of vicious, and entirely undeserving, harassment by the friends and relatives of the wronged William Shumate. Throughout the summer, the home of the elder Murrell was repeatedly descended upon and searched; during one of these episodes, according to Williamson County court records, “an assault was made upon the body of Zilphia Murrell,” Jeffrey’s wife.