My ancestor John Murray (1731-1790) died in Cecil County, MD having been born (the best I can tell) in the greater Belfast area to Scotch parents. He had known siblings Francis Murray and Mary Tracey. Pennsylvania history has them related to brothers John & James Murray of Dauphin County, PA who in turn are related to the Swatara River Murray families. I've been researching those families, and a Murray family in MD http://www.geocities.com/missourimule_2000/murray.html#Famil...) which has married within my lineage's lines related by blood or marriage who claim descent from James Murray 1665-1704.

I see that ThePeerage.com shows no wife for Sir John Murray, 1st Marquess of Athole more recent than Charlotte de la Trémoille who died in d. 21 March 1663/64 before the birth of James in 1665. So, there is opportunity between Charlotte's death and John's later death for John to have married and/or fathered James. As a lawyer, I note that common-law marriage -- as occurred between the Scotch bard Robert Burns and "Highland" Mary/Margaret Campbell -- occurs outside of formal marriage and may have occurred here. There should be records and I am searching.

RobertBurns@OBLaw.com