Biographical Sketch (1917):30, v. 2, p. 721. "Robert McMurray came from Scotland and was one of the very early settlers in Dayton, Ohio, where for a number of years he was well known as a hotel proprietor. He afterwards moved to Auglaize County, bought a farm, and his place being on one of the toll roads through the county he was keeper of a toll gate. Outside of his business activities he was a man of no little prominence in the different communities where he lived. He was made a Mason before coming to this country."

Biographical Sketch (1923):34, p. 666. "The elder Robert McMurray, upon landing in New York City, had placed his eldest son Robert in school and sought employment for himself, securing a position as superintendent of a cotton factory. The family later moved to Philadelphia, where they resided a number of years, and then located in Newport, Ky. Here they lived until their removal to Dayton, Ohio, where the elder McMurray became proprietor of the popular hotel in those days, known as the Mansion House. He was financially successful in this venture, but after some years he sold his holdings in Dayton and bought a farm in Auglaize County on the line between this county and Shelby County, where he was successful as a stockman. He sold this farm in 1852, and, together with his wife, made a trip to New York City to visit Crystal Palace Fair, and upon their return located in Wapakoneta, where they spent the remainder of their days."

1839 Land Purchase:586 Robert McMurray, Montgomery County, purchased land from James and Ellen Elliott, Allen County, on 14 August 1839 for $650.

1850 U.S. Census:1773
Auglaize County, Ohio (Washington Township)
Enumerated 3 September 1850
Robert McMurray •• 55, male, farmer, real property value $3,000, born in England
Sophia •• 55, female, born in England
Joseph •• 20, male, farmer, born in New York
Sophia •• 18, female, born in Ohio
Mary •• 31, female, born in England << daughter-in-law; widow of deceased son Robert
Robert •• 8, male, born in Ohio << grandson; child of deceased son Robert and wife Mary Hurst
Sophia •• 5, female, born in Ohio << granddaughter; child of deceased son Robert and wife Mary Hurst
William •• 1, male, born in Ohio << grandson; child of deceased son Robert and wife Mary Hurst

1850 Land Purchase:567 Robert Burke purchased land from Robert and Sophia McMurray on Nov. 5, 1850 for $500. Robert signed with his mark.

1860 U.S. Census:1659
Auglaize County, Ohio (Duchouquet Township, Wapakoneta Post Office)
Enumeratred 12 June 1860
Robert McMurray •• 65, male, toll booth keeper, real estate value $2,800, personal property value $5,000, born in England
Sophia •• 65, female, born in England
Susan Elwood •• 21, female, born in Ohio
Wm. J. McMurray •• 11, male, born in Kentucky, attended school within the year << grandson; child of deceased son Robert and wife Mary Hurst
Thomas Cordell •• 6, male, born in Ohio, attended school within the year << grandson; child of daughter Sophia and husband William Cordell

1870 U.S. Census:568
Auglaize County, Ohio (Wapakoneta Village)
Enumerated 6 July 1870
Robert McMurray Sr. •• 74, male, white, gardener (?), real property value $18,000, personal property value $2,000, born in England, father foreign born, eligible to vote
Sophia •• 74, female, white, keeping house, born in England, mother foreign born
Joseph Sr. •• 40, male, white, at home, born in New York, eligible to vote
William •• 10, male, white, at home, born in Ohio << son of Joseph Sr., grandson of Robert Sr.
Joseph Jr. •• 8, male, white, at home, born in Ohio << son of Joseph Sr., grandson of Robert Sr.
Rachel Armintrout •• 17, female, white, housekeeper, born in Ohio

1871 Death Mention:290, v. 2, p. 303 (Auglaize County Democrat, 30 March 1871) Robert McMurray Sr. died March 25, 1871 in Wapakoneta, Ohio. 76y.

1871 Death Mention:290, v. 2, p. 7 of Wapakoneta Courant section (Wapakoneta Courant, 30 March 1871) Robert McMurray Sr. died March 25, 1871 in Wapakoneta, O. 76y. Member of Ev. Lutheran church.

1871 Death Record:638, p. 109 (Probate Court Death Records, v. 1, p. 20) Rob't McMurry, born in England, age 76 years, 7 months, 15 days, died 25 March 1871 in Wapakoneta of asthma.

1871 Will:1960 Robert McMurray, in his will written 24 June 1870 and recorded 31 March 1871, left one half of his estate to his wife Sophia; $800 to his daughter Margaret Barnard; $200 each to the children of his deceased son Robert (Robert McMurray, Sophia Morey, William J. McMurray); and the remainder of his estate to be equally divided between his son Joseph and his daughter Sophia Cordell. Robert appointed his son Joseph McMurray and son-in-law James W. Cordell as executors of his estate.