1654Her parents did not approve of her relationship with James and moved away to Palestine (Lamar Co), Tx. (Palestine existed as a small community near Arthur City, Texas. This community is now part of Paris, Texas.) James went there and took her away and married her. Story has come down through the family that she was kidnapped. Cannot find proof that the family ever moved, and Willis was dead by this time. Another family story blown apart? We do know that James was her school teacher and the family lived two parcels away from them (1850 census).

1850 Sabine Co., Texas - Priscilla Murphy, no husband, a child Elizabeth was now listed, a son Jared Scott and a daughter Sarah Priscilla. Also listed a 67 year old white woman named Sophia Renfro. There is an indication in the 1820 Amite Co., MS census that there was an older woman living with Priscilla & Willis.

Elizabeth died in Hope, Arkansas, but the body was shipped back to Paris,TX to be buried.

Elizabeth was buried at Mt. Olive Cem (approx 10 mi east of Paris).
Headstone reads:
Mrs Elizabeth Dewese

7-1995: Received copy of final partition of Willis' Murphys estate from Nancy Andrews (descendant of John L. Dewese, James' brother). Elizabeth Dewese wife of James S. Dewese shown as one of the daughters. Now 100% proof that our Elizabeth Murphy is their daughter. Discovered that Nancy's grandmother was a Hargrove, and a Hargrove married an Eddings. Is Nancy also related to the Murphy's and is that why they had a copy of his probated will?

As Elizabeth aged, she had very strong indian features. Also photos of her sons and two of her daughters show the same features. According to Margie Baker, Indian features carried on very strongly through the Bevill family. Picture of her brother Willis Jr., indicates that he took after his father. Willis Murphy was supposedly a flaming red-headed Irishman.