John Murray

John Murray (died 2 July 1753), of Philiphaugh, Selkirk, was a Scottish politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1725 to 1753. Early life Murray was the eldest son, of three sons and five daughters, born to the former Margaret Don and Sir James Murray, of Philiphaugh, Selkirk. His sister, Ann Murray, married John Pringle, Lord Haining. His maternal grandfather was Sir Alexander Don, 1st Baronet, of Newton, Berwick. His paternal grandparents were Sir John Murray of Philiphaugh, MP for Selkirkshire and the former Anne Douglas (daughter of Archibald Douglas, 13th of Cavers). Career In 1708, he succeeded his father, becoming the hereditary Sheriff of Selkirk from 1708 until 1734. As head of a celebrated Border family, they owned great estates in Ettrick and Yarrow and acquired their Philiphaugh estates in the fifteenth century. Murray was returned in a contest as Member of Parliament for Linlithgow Burghs at a by-election on 6 April 1725. He was returned unopposed at the 1727 British general election. At the 1734 British general election he was returned unopposed as MP for Selkirkshire. He was returned unopposed again in 1741. At the 1747 British general election he was opposed, but his opponent died before the poll whereupon an unknown candidate came forward who was defeated.