Josiah Putnam Murdaugh Sr. was born in Islandton, Colleton County, South Carolina, United States. He and his first wife Mary Ursula Varn Murdaugh have five children.

Josiah and his second wife Margaret Rentz Murdaugh have three children together. Here are 13 more things about him:

1. In 1814, Mary gave birth to their son Lazarus Brown Murdaugh in Islandton. In 1836, Lazarus married Mary Folk Murdaugh.
2. In 1821, Mary gave birth to their daughter Mary Ursula Murdaugh, who became John S. Basil Jones‘ wife.
3. In 1830, Mary gave birth to their son Josiah Putnam Murdaugh Jr.
4. In 1832, Mary gave birth to their daughter Cynthia Murdaugh.
5. In 1837, Mary gave birth to their son Frederick Newton Murdaugh.
6. In 1855, his daughter Mary died in Colleton County at age 33. On May 16, 1855, his first wife Mary died at age 61.
7. In 1856, he married Margaret Rentz Murdaugh. In 1857, she gave birth to their son Julius Alonzo Murdaugh.
8. In 1859, Margaret gave birth to their son Nelson Pembrook Murdaugh.
9. In 1861, Margaret gave birth to their son Wesley Capers Murdaugh. On December 25, 1863, Wesley died in Ehrhardt, Bamberg County, South Carolina.
10. On March 6, 1863, his second wife Margaret died in Ehrhardt at age 50.
11. In 1864, his son Lazarus died in Colleton County at age 49.
12. In 1880, his daughter Cynthia died in Colleton County at age 47.
13. On June 29, 1882, he died in South Carolina at age 88.