I am looking for information on my great-great Grandfather William Stitt Murray and his family. William arrived on a ship flying both Scottish and Irish flags, in approximately 1853/1854. With his wife Caroline I. (Kelly) he had sons James H., John A, William, Joseph A., David, Cornelius and one daughter (a Mrs. John Howard Payne). William Stitt Murray was employed in the varnish manufacturing business in New York (City) and Dunellen, New Jersey.

According to the Plainfield Courier News he was a member of the Cornerstone Lodge 367, F. and A. M., Brooklyn and the First Methodist Episcopal Church at the time of his death. William Stitt Murray died around August 22, 1933 and was buried at Hillside Cemetery in NJ. Rev. Parker B. Holloway was the pastor of the church and officiated at the funeral.

William Stitt Murray's son David was a councilman in Dunellen, New Jersey, according to the Plainfield Courier News. There is also a mention of a David Murray who was a Dunellen councilman at http://www.dunellen.org/borough/history.html. I have a copy of a letter from David where he references his home in Dunellen and a home on 212th Street in Rockaway Point, NY.

William Stitt's son Cornelius, had a son Cornelius David Murray, who was my grandfather. If anyone has information on any of these people I would LOVE to hear from you.

I would also like to know the current name, and contact information for, the First First Methodist Episcopal Church.

Thanks! John