The Murrill Era, 1858-1891
22 February 1858
John T. Murrill purchased from James V. Knight for $1500
Book V, pp 169

Four years earlier (13 January 1854, Book T Page 411), Murrill purchased a small strip of land, fronting 8 feet on 7th Street (3rd Alley) and running 147 1/2' into the block from William T. Yancey. Why would Murrill have purchased such an odd sized piece of land? Was he renting the Elliott House from Knight, and purchased the tract from Yancey in anticipation of buying the house from Knight at a later time?

Advertisement for John Murrill's business from the 1873 Lynchburg City Directory

John Thomas Murrill
Born 29 December 1815 in Amherst County
Died 23 May 1887 in Lynchburg

Candace E. Warwick Murrill
Born 27 July 1812 in Nelson County
Died 16 Deptember 1880 in Lynchburg

Maria D. Murrill Stout
Born 27 June 1844 in Lynchburg
Died 29 May 1924 place unknown

1850 Census of Virginia

Slave Schedule- John T. Murrill is listed as owning 1 Female Black Slave, aged 14

1860 Census of Virginia

1880 Census of Virginia

Name	Age	Gender	Race	Occupation	Disabilities
John T. Murrill	63	Male	White	Dealer in Leather Goods
Candace Murrill	66	Female	White		Paralysis

1887-88 Lynchburg City Directory Indicates a Henry Martin (Laborer, colored) residing at 622 Harrison as well.

The 1888-1889 City Directory shows Montgomery B. Morris, Charles M. Watts, and Jesse A. Watts living at 622 Harrison Street. It appears that the house was rented out between Murrill's death and its sale by his daughter.

Lynchburg Land Tax Records, 1855-1887

Year	Lot	Description	Building Value	Value of Lot & Bldg.	Tax Due
1855	175	8	60	60	12
1860	175	132.5'	900	1300	5.20
1861	175	132.5'	900	1300	5.20
1863	175	132.5'	900	1300	7.80
1865	175	132.5'	400	1300	2.60
1867	175	132.5'	400	1300	3.90
1868	175	132.5'	400	1300	3.90
1870	175	132.5'	400	1300	6.50
1871	175	121 N. Cor. 7th & Harrison.	1000	1800	9.00
1872	175		1000	1800	9.00
1873	175		1000	1800	9.00
1874	175		1000	1800	9.00
1875	175	132.5'	1000	1800	9.00
1876	175	130 Feet	1200	1850	9.25
1877	175	132.5' x 67	1200	1850	9.25
1878	175	66.25' Harrison & 7th Street	1100	1425	7.13
	175	66.50' Harrison Bet. 6th & 7th	1100	1425	7.13
1879	175	66.25' Harrison & 7th Street	1100	1425
	175	66.50' Harrison Bet. 6th & 7th	1100	1425
1881	175	66.25' Harrison & 7th Street	1100	1425
	175	66.50' Harrison Bet. 6th & 7th	1100	1425
1885	175	66.25' Harrison & 7th Street	1100	1600
	175	66.50' Harrison Bet. 6th & 7th	1200	1600
1886	175	66.25' Harrison & 7th Street	1100	1600	6.40
	175	66.50' Harrison Bet. 6th & 7th	1200	1600
1887	175	66.25' Harrison & 7th Street	1100	1600
	175	66.50' Harrison Bet. 6th & 7th	1200	1600

In 1878, Murrill divided his lot into two pieces, building an Italinate Style frame house on the
lot measuring 66 1/2 feet. A Mrs. Martha E. "Bettie" Leckie (widow of William Leckie) and
her two daughters, Miss Fannie E. Leckie (a teacher) and Ida B. Leckie. Mrs. Leckie resided
at 612 Harrison Street until sometime before 1894 (she is mentioned in the 1887-88 City Directory).

It is thought that Murrill may have had renovations done on his house near this 1878 time period,
as there was (until 1999) an Italinate Style bay window on the front of the house, identical
to the one on the front of 612 Harrison. Perhaps the beaded wainscoting was also installed
in the Parlor at the same time.
 

John Murrill's Funeral Announcement, 24 May 1887, page 3, col. 2

    Death of Mr. John T. Murrill---The death of this estimable gentleman, which occurred at his residence in this city at 10 o’clock yesterday morning, while not altogether unexpected, was productive of a feeling of profound grief among his many friends in the community. Born in the county of Amherst, about one mile from the city, in 1815, he had already passed by two years the period allotted by the Psalmist as the span of earthly existence, but up to three weeks ago was in the enjoyment of excellent health of body and vigor of mind. He removed to Bedford when seven years old, where he was reared by a paternal uncle. He afterwards removed to Nelson county where he married a Miss Warwick in 1838, to whom he was most tenderly attached, and whose death a few years ago, left him only a precious memory which he fondly cherished up to the hour of his death. Mr. Murrill removed to this city in 1839, where he has since continuously resided. Our first acquaintance with him was about 1852 when he engaged with the law firm of Garland, Slaughter, & Co., as book-keeper. The attachment there formed for him by the head of the firm, Samuel Garland Sr., resulted in his being retained ever since the death of his employer, as business manager for Mr. Garland’s widow. About the time the war ended, he entered into mercantile pursuits in connection with his son-in-law, the late H. H. Sherman, which was relinquished a few years ago, since which time he has been living in retirement on a well earned competency.
    Mr. Murrill leaves but two children, Mrs. H. H. Sherman of this city and Mrs. W. D. Stout, of Tennessee, both of whom have a number of offsprings, among whom, is Mr. John W. Sherman of this paper, who, together with the entire family, will receive the sympathies of the community, especially in view of the additional fact, that Mrs. Stout has been detained from the bed-side of her father in his last moments by reason of extreme illness.

Report from John Murrill's Funeral, 25 May 1887

    Funeral of Mr. John T. Murrill---Pursuant to announcement the funeral services of this old and well know citizen took place from Court Street M. E. Church yesterday afternoon, and notwithstanding a heavy thunder storm, which came up just at the appointed hour, were well attended. The services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. P. A. Peterson, assisted by Rev. H. C. Cheatham of Centenary Church, and were of an exceedingly impressive character. The pastor in an informal address urging upon his hearers the necessity of preparation for the great change that awaits all mankind, during health and vigor of mind and body, and illustrating his point by the fact that of the four members of the church who had last died, neither was in mental condition to consider the subject in their last hours, happily for them, they had fitted themselves ere the time had come for them to depart. After tender and pertinent references to the deceased and to his long membership in the church of Christ and his consistent life. The service came to and end and the funeral cortege wended its solemn way to Spring Hill, where all that was mortal of our late fellow-citizen was deposited by the side of the wife whose memory has been to him a precious legacy.

John T. Murrill's  Last Will & Testament

has been found in the Lynchburg Clerk's Office. An extract of the will is below:

First, I give my beloved daughter Maria D. Stout of Washington County, Tennessee, my two houses and lots, on the Corner of Harrison and Seventh Streets in the City of Lynchburg. One of them is occupied by myself and the other by Mrs. Bettie Lockie, and I also give her the lot lying between the two houses and lots known as the Flower Garden. The said real estate fronts 132 1/2 feet on Harrison Street...

John T. Murrill's Inventory dated June 9, 1887