Military Monday~Ervin Brock

Ervin Samuel Brock, Jr. is my second cousin twice removed. He is also my Grand Uncle having married my Grand Aunt Martha Eliza Purvis.

As indicated on the below WWI draft card, Ervin was born March 6, 1880, the only child of Ervin Samuel Brock, Sr. and Harriett “Hennie” Boatwright.



The left card shows that Ervin was 38 years of age when he registered and at the bottom he signed his name with a mark indicating he was unable to write.

The other side shows that he was tall, slender built, gray eyes and dark hair and the card was dated 12 September 1918.

Ervin Samuel married Martha Eliza Purvis, daughter of William James Purvis and Mary Hulda Previtte  about 1903. Their firstborn child – Mary Eliza Brock – was born on 12 June 1904 in Morven, Anson County, North Carolina. Great Uncle Ervin died in May 1954 and Great Aunt Martha died  in December 1966.

To my knowledge Ervin Samuel, though registered for the draft, never served during the WW I conflict.








_________________
[1] "World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," on-line digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 27 August 2012), Ervin Brock; citing Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls, FHL Roll Number: 1852503; Birth Date: 6 Mar 1880.as

Sunday’s Obituary~Martha A. Gathings

Martha Ann Chambers was born 29 March 1823 to Wilson Chambers and Jemima Powell, She married Sampson Gathings on April 21, 1840 in Anson County, North Carolina. Martha and Sampson had two children, a daughter named Jemima Victoria and a son, Sampson before moving from Anson County, NC to Monroe County, Mississippi where they are enumerated in the 1850 census. 

Martha Ann died at the age of 34 on April 17th, 1859.



Obituary: Mrs. Martha A. Gathings
Mrs. Martha A. Gathings, wife of Sampson Gathings, and daughter if A. Wilson Chambers, of Anson co., N.C., died near Aberdeen, Miss., on 17th inst. in her 34th years.
Sister G. has long been a consistent member of the M. E. Church, and though she has left husband, children and friends to mourn their loss, yet they have the consolation that she departed life joyous and full of the Christian's, hope.                                                                             H. A. C.


After the loss of his wife at such an early age and with two children to raise, Sampson remarried on June 9, 1861 to Susan Natalia Williamson. Sampson and Susan raise a family of five additional children.

Martha’s childhood home in Anson County is still standing today. A few years back, the wife and I attended a Christmas party at the home.







________________________
[1] Obituary: Mrs. Martha A. [Chambers] Gathings obituary, Southern Christian Advocate, Wofford College Archives, Spartanburg, South Carolina, 29303-3663, 5 May 1859.
[2] 1850 Census, Monroe County, Mississippi, population schedule, Western Division, Monroe County, Mississippi, Page: 80B, Line 4, Dwelling 240, Family 240, Household of Sampson GATHINGS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2 May 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 378.

Surname Saturday~Isaac, Son, Thomas Davis Family

This is an ongoing series on the children of Thomas Davis and his wife Nancy Rivers. Thomas Davis and Nancy Rivers are my 4th great grandparents. They had 11 known children that lived to adulthood.

This is a summary of the articles on Thomas, Nancy, Samuel, William and Susannah:

• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/01/thomas-davis-revolutionary-soldier.html
• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/06/surname-saturday-thomas-davis-4th-great.html
• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2013/04/surname-saturdaythomas-davis-family.html
• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2013/05/surname-saturdaywilliam-son-of-thomas.html
• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2013/05/surname-saturdaysusannah-daughter.html

Thus far we have taken a look at 3 of the 11 children of Thomas and Nancy Rivers Davis. Those three are Samuel, William and Susannah.

Today posting on is child number 4 – Isaac Jacob Davis. 

Isaac Jacob Davis was born on 18 Aug 1795 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.¹ He appeared in the census in 1840-1870 Census for Union County, North Carolina.^2 3 4 He died on 13 Jun 1877 at the age of 81 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.⁵ Isaac was buried at Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.⁶

Isaac Jacob Davis and Sarah (LNU) were married about 1820.⁷ Sarah (LNU) was born on 17 Aug 1796 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.⁸ She is enumerated with Isaac Davis in the Census. ^{9 10 11} She died on 24 May 1875 at the age of 78 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.¹² Sarah was buried at Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.¹³

Isaac Jacob Davis and Sarah (LNU) had the following children:

i. Simpson Davis, born 11 Feb 1821, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, United States; married Reckamiah Beaver; married Elva Threatt; died 28 Aug 1889, Union County, North Carolina, United States.
ii. Josiah Davis, born Aug 1829, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, United States; married Cassia (LNU); died 8 May 1904. Josiah and cassia are buried at Smyrna United Methodist Church Cemetery, Monroe, Union County, North Carolina.
iii. William J. Davis was born about 1833 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. ¹⁴
iv. Mary C. Davis was born about 1837 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. ^{15 16}
v. M. L. Davis was born about 1840. ¹⁷
vi. William C. Davis was born about 1846 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. ^{18 19
 
 
 
 
 
 
_______________________________}
1. James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey; Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995, page 857. Tombstone of Isaac [Jacob] Davis; 18 August 1795–13 June 1877, Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
2. 1850 Census, Union County, North Carolina, population schedule, Union County, North Carolina, Page 20A; Line 8, Dwelling 281, Family 281, Household of Isaac DAVIS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 7 May 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 647.
3. 1860 Census, Union County, North Carolina, population schedule, Union County, North Carolina, Page: 349(stamped); Line 32, Dwelling 70, Family 70, Household of Isaac DAVIS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 7May 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 915.
4. 1870 Census, Union County, North Carolina, population schedule, Buford, Union County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) Page: 499A; Line 29, Dwelling 23, Family 23, Household of Isaac DAVIS, viewed; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : 7 May 2011 ); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M593, Roll 1161.
5. James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey, Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995. Tombstone of Isaac [Jacob] Davis.
6. Ibid.
7. James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey, Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995. Tombstone of Sarah [LNU] Davis.
8. Ibid.
9. 1850 Census, Union County, North Carolina, Population Schedule, Union County, North Carolina, Page 20A; Line 8, Dwelling 281, Family 281, Household of Isaac DAVIS.
10. 1860 Census, Union County, North Carolina, Population Schedule, Union County, North Carolina, Page: 349(stamped); Line 32, Dwelling 70, Family 70, Household of Isaac DAVIS.
11. 1870 Census, Union County, North Carolina, Population Schedule, Buford, Union County, North Carolina, ED Page: 499A; Line 29, Dwelling 23, Family 23, Household of Isaac DAVIS, viewed.
12. James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey, Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995. Tombstone of Sarah [LNU] Davis.
13. Ibid.
14. 1850 Census, Union County, North Carolina, Population Schedule, Union County, North Carolina, Page 20A; Line 8, Dwelling 281, Family 281, Household of Isaac DAVIS.
15. Ibid.
16. 1860 Census, Union County, North Carolina, Population Schedule, Union County, North Carolina, Page: 349(stamped); Line 32, Dwelling 70, Family 70, Household of Isaac DAVIS.
17. 1850 Census, Union County, North Carolina, Population Schedule, Union County, North Carolina, Page 20A; Line 8, Dwelling 281, Family 281, Household of Isaac DAVIS.
18. Ibid.
19. 1860 Census, Union County, North Carolina, Population Schedule, Union County, North Carolina, Page: 349(stamped); Line 32, Dwelling 70, Family 70, Household of Isaac DAVIS.

Amanuensis Monday~Did He Know?

Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.

His definition of Amanuensis is:

Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

Today’s posting is a Land Deed between W. H. H. Purvis and Jemima Magee Purvis.
William H. H. Purvis died about January 1855. I have narrowed the time period for his death to after Mar 2, 1855 and before Jan 28, 1856. He most likely died in the county of his resident in Polk County Texas. 

William H. H. Purvis was alive on 2 March 1885 and signed a DEED (DB E, Page 558-559) on this date. The structure of the Deed and the transfer of all his assets to his wife indicates a forewarned knowledge that his life on  earth was about to end.

The State of Texas}
Polk County} Know all whom it may concern that I William H. H. Purvis of the County and state above written for and in consideration of the love and affection I bear to my wife Jemima Purvis have this day given granted confirmed and confirmed and do by these presents give grant convey confirmed and set over & deliver to my said wife in fee simple forever the following property to wit:
First the following named Negroes slaves for life and now owned and held by me as my separate property to wit: Ann about seventeen years old. Camile about sixteen years old. Green about twelve years old. Suange about twenty-eight years old. Peter thirty-eight years old. Sam about ten years old. George about ten years old. Nathan about eight years old. Alfred about nineteen years old. Linza about fifteen years old. Erma about seven years old. Sanfin about nine years old. Dorcas about six years old. Ewing about eight years old. Maneruse about three years old. Carolin about two years old.
Second the following tract or parcel of land situated and being in said Polk County containing One Hundred acres more or less a part of the headright league of R. W. Russell and which 100 acres tract was conveyed to me by deed executed by Marshal Holcomb and Alfred Holcomb dated on the 8^th day of December A.D. 1851 & …. which deed reference is here made for a more perfect description of the land here conveyed by its metes and bounds and which deed was recorded in the Office of the County Clerk of said County in Book C, Pages 105 & 6 on the 12^th day of April 1852.
Third also the following promissory notes to wit: two notes executed by Nancy Williams payable to W. H. H. Purvis or bearer on the 7th day of February 1855. One note for the sum of five hundred dollars payable on or before the first day of January 1856; the other made for the sum of two thousand $2000.00 payable on or before the first day of January 1858 also a third promissory note executed by R. T. Walker on the 19^th December 1854 payable on or before the first of January 1856 to W. H. H. Purvis or order for the sum of Sixty-eight and 19/100 dollars also a promissory note executed by W. J. F. Purvis and J. R. Jones on the 14^th Dec. 1854 payable to W. H. H. Purvis on or before the 1^st day of June 1856 for one hundred and sixty dollars.
Fourth also five head of horses and one Jack now in my possession and my entire stock of horned cattle branded with the letters W P thus marked with a crop and two splits in the right ear and a hole in the left ear split out.
To have and to hold the above and foregoing described property consisting of Slaves, Land, Promissory notes, Horses and Jack and Cattle together with all rights and privilege’s as belonging or pertaining to the same with full right forever and dominion over the same to my said wife Jemima as her separate property in fee simple her heirs and assigns forever.
In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and scroll for seal this 2^nd day of March A. D. 1855.
W. H. H. Purvis {seal}
illegible
illegible
illegible
W. R. Moore
The State of Texas}
Polk County} Personally appeared before me W. J. Knight County Clerk of Polk County W. R. Moore one of the subscribing witness to the foregoing deed and on oath says he saw W. H. H. Purvis sign seal and deliver the same and acknowledged the same to be his act and deed for the consideration therein stated and expressed and that he requested him to witness the same.
Given under my hand and seal of office this the 5^th day of March A. D. 1855.
{seal} W. J. Knight
Clk. P.C.C.
The State of Texas}
Polk County} I certify that the foregoing deed of gift & certificate thereto was this day by me recorded in Record Book of Deeds &c “E” pages 558 & 9 at 10 O’clock Am. Witness my hand and seal of office this the 27^th day of Jn A. D. 1855.
{Seal} W. H. Dukes Clk @ PCC


Then in Probate Minutes Book D; 1853-1857 we find court action related to guardianship of the minor heirs of William H. H. Purvis.

Purvis, Gabian & Angelina
# 155, Guardianship of
294-295-296, 389 to 391,
& 418-419
Purvis, Jasper
# 154, Guardianship of
292-293-294, & 392-393
Purvis, W. W. H.
# 139, Succession of
208 to 238, 344 to 346,
358-359 & 388
Purvis, W. W. H.
# 152, Guardianship of minor heirs
238 to 245

And then there appears some other guardianship records in Probate Minutes Book F; 1858-1860.
Purvis, Angelina
# ___, Guardianship of
212
Purvis, Gabrianna
# ___, Guardianship of
212
Purvis, W. H. H.
# 139, Succession of
105 to 111

Jasper is reported as dying sometime around Jan 1858. Not confirmed by this author.

The three children remained with their Mother, Jemima Magee until her death in Oct 1870 at which time all but the youngest child had reached the age of majority. Back in 1856, Jesse R. Riggs and and William J. Florney Purvis were appointed, by the courts, as legal guardian of the minor children. William was their older Brother and Jesse, their Uncle, having married Mary Ann Savilla Purvis, the oldest daughter of William H. H. Purvis and Jemima Magee Purvis.   

To date, I have been unable to find a specific death date for William H. H. Purvis. However, an exhaustive search has not been conducted and it may be found with additional research. If you have any information related to William H. H. Purvis of Polk County, Texas, please contact me through this blog.
 
 





 
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[1] Polk County, Texas, Polk County Deed Records, BOOK E, Page 558 & 559, William H. H. Purvis to Jemima Purvis, 2 March 1855; Register of Deeds, Livingston, Polk County, Texas. My thanks to B. Harris for providing a copy of the above Land Deed.
[2] http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~polkcountytxconnections/ProbateD1853-57.htm

Sunday’s Obituary~Cynthia Sellers Graves

 
Mrs. Cynthia [Sellers] Graves, widow of the late Bennett F. Graves, died at the home of her son, Mr. E. J. Graves, near Mt. Croghan, last Wednesday. She had been in an almost helpless condition for about two years, and suffered much with rheumatism. She was about 82 years old and [had] been a member of Cross Roads Church for a long time and was a good woman. She is survived by the following children: J. W., E. J. and B. V. Graves of this County; W. S. Graves of Wadesboro, and Mrs. J. W. Stegall of Union County. The body was buried at Providence Thursday about noon. Rev's J. D. Purvis and J. M. Sullivan conducted the service.[1]

Cynthia was born about 1832. Her husband died on April 10, 1862 at a hospital in Richmond, Virginia.[2] They were married in 1851 and to this union were born 6 children; five named in the obituary above.

Benjamin Bennett Graves and Cynthia Sellers had the following children:

i. John Wilson Graves, born 22 Dec 1852, Montgomery Co., NC; married Ellen Emeline Horton, abt 1871, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; married Mary E. Nicholson; died 19 Sep 1928, Pageland, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
ii. Zilpha Della Graves, born 6 May 1854, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Alex Taylor; married Wilson J. Stegall; died 3 Jan 1934, Union County, North Carolina.
iii. Rose Anna Graves, born 25 Dec 1855, North Carolina; married William Matthew Jordan, abt 1874; died 18 Jan 1914, Anson County, North Carolina.
iv. William Smiley Graves, born 26 Dec 1858, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Mary Emaline Gaskins; died 5 Feb 1917, Wadesboro, Anson, North Carolina.
v. Edward Jackson Graves, born 9 Jul 1861, North Carolina; married Mattie W. Welsh, abt 1882, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; married Lillian Gregory, 17 Jan 1912, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; died 26 Feb 1929.
vi. Benjamin Franklin Graves, born 20 Jul 1862, Montgomery Co.,NC; married Mary Jane Stegall, abt 1883; died 13 Jun 1947, Wadesboro, Anson, North Carolina.

Cynthia Sellers Graves died 26 May 1915. Just a year previously, she had lost here youngest daughter, Rose Anna Graves Jordan who died on 18 January 1914 in Anson County, North Carolina.









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[1] James C. Pigg, Death Notices from The Pageland Journal: Chesterfield County, South Carolina (1910-1935) (Tega Cay, SC 29715: Self-published, 1996), page 31.
[2] http://www.fold3.com/image/20/87055675/