Thomas Davis, Revolutionary Soldier

Thomas Davis and Nancy Rivers are my 4^th Great Grandparents. They were born, reared and died in what is now known as Chesterfield County, South Carolina. They were founding families of South Carolina at a time when this country was struggling for its independence. My lineage is through their son Michael Davis, who is my 3^rd Great Grandfather.

Thomas Davis[1] was born on 22 Mar 1760[2] in Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina. He served in the military in 1779 at Revolutionary War. He died on 20 Mar 1845[3] at the age of 84 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Thomas was buried[4] in a family Graveyard in Chesterfield, South Carolina.

Thomas Davis and Nancy Rivers were married in 1787 or 1788[5] in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Nancy Rivers, parents are unknown but some say she was a daughter of William Rivers and Temple Dempsey (unproven). Nancy Rivers was born on 15 Dec 1767 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina. She died on 15 Dec 1853[6] at the age of 86 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

Thomas Davis and Nancy Rivers had eleven children:

Samuel Davis (Jan 1789 - 29 Oct 1857); William Davis (1790 1867); Susannah Davis (1792 – abt 1875); Isaac Jacob Davis (18 Aug 1795 - 13 Jun 1877); Hulda Davis (1797-1830); Jonathan Daniel Davis (abt 1800-1839); Elizabeth Rebecca Davis (1801-1873); Sarah Jane Davis (1804 – aft 1870); Michael Davis, (13 Mar 1806 - 26 Apr 1883); Mary "Polly" Davis (25 Jun 1808 - 20 May 1890) and John Calvin Davis ( 14 Dec 1812 - 12 Jul 1865).

THOMAS DAVIS

Pension Application[7]

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Declaration of Thomas Davis in order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.

The State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield District } On this seventeenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, personally appeared in open court, before the court of Common Pleas and General sessions, now sitting, Thomas Davis a resident of the State and district aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.

That he was born on the 22nd March 1760, in the district and State aforesaid, that his age was set down first in a Prayer Book & afterwards in a Bible both of which were his Fathers that his eldest brother took possession of them after his Father's death, and this deponent does not know what has become of them.

That he entered the Service of the United States under the officers named & served as stated in the following account that he was drafted a short time before Christmas in the year [blank space] and serves as a Private under Capt. Morris Murphy & Maj. Robert Lloyd, that he does not recollect the regiment to which he belonged; that he was marched to a place called the "Long Bluff" on Pee Dee River in the State aforesaid, from there to Sea ............... from there to Had.... Point - and from there to James Island near Charleston from which place he returned home having served in this tour nine weeks. That he was again drafted and marched as a Private under Capt. John Dewitt and Col. George Hicks to Cheraw in the District and State aforesaid where he remained one month & returned home. That he was again drafted as a Private & that on the 8th day of Feb'y (year not recollected) he marched under Capt. Ellerbe & Col. George Hicks cross Black River at ... & crossed Santee at Larrusi Ferry & proceeded to Charleston - That he was in Charleston at the time it was taken by the British under Chiston where he was taken prisoner on the 11th day of May after his march & was discharged and paid on the 19 of same month having served this tour up to the time he was taken prisoner three months & four days.*

That he served two tours, of two weeks each, as one of a scouting party. That he was again drafted and marched as a Private under Captain William Presswood to McCord's Ferry on the Congaree River in the State aforesaid, when Col. Washington took Command - that he returned home from McCord's Ferry having served this tour one month and remained at home two months.

That he was drafted again and served as a Private under Capt' Benton & Maj. Tristam Thomas for one month. That he never received a discharge. He hereby relinquishes any claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any other State.

Thomas X Davis

Sworn to in open Court
the day &
Year above written
Richard Gantt
Presiding Judge
[17 Mar 1836]

We Lewis Ganny [Ganey], a Clergyman residing in the district & State aforesaid and Alfred M. Lowry residing in the same district & State do [blank space] hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Davis, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be of the age he states, that he is respected and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, and is generally believed, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion & that he is entitled to credit.
Sworn to & subscribed in open Lewis Ganny
Court the day & year above written Alfred M. Lowry
John Craig CCP

And the said do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after ...........the interrogations prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them, that the said Lewis Ganny {Ganey] who has signed the prescribing certificate is a Clergyman and resident in the said District and State & that Alfred M. Lowry who has also signed the same is a resident in the same district & State & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.

Richard Gantt
presiding Judge

I, John Craig Esquire Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions for Chesterfield District in the State of South Carolina, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Davis, for a pension.
In testimony, whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this seventeenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six.

John Craig, CCP

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[1] Harry Alexander Davis, The Davis Family (Davies and David) in Wales and America: genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania (Washington, D.C.: n.p., 1927), Pages 54, 55, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126 and 127.

[2] Thomas Davis, compiled military record (5th Co. Capt. Thomas Hall, Marion's Regt. 1779), Rev. War Pension and Land-Bounty Application Files, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration), Call #766, W-8655. Served as Private in the Revolutionary War; 5th Co. Capt. Thomas Hall, Marion's Regt. 1779
(Saffell's Register, pg.292; Stub entries to Indents, Lib. N. No.172; SAR #40464.) Pension application dated 17 March 1836 (W-8655, Rev. War Pension and Land-Bounty application Files, Call #766, NARA). Thomas states that he was born 22 March 1760 in the district and State aforesaid (Chesterfield District, South Carolina).

[3] Family data, John C. Davis Family Bible, Holy Bible, (New York: n.p., 1844); original owned in 2004 by Old Darlington District Genealogy Archives, [address for private use]. DEATH: Recorded in John C. Davis Family Bible obtained by Sherry Welter and Mary Eddins from the Old Darlington District Genealogy Archives, Hartsville, SC. Bible dated New York, 1844. Death recorded as" Thomas Davis died March the 20th 1845, Aged 85 years (exact)." Copies of pages in my possession.

[4] Jim Tipton, Find A Grave, digital image, http://www.findagrave.com; Headstone for Thomas Davis; (1788–1844); Memorial # 45431028; Record of the Davis Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA; Accessed on 2011.

[5] Thomas Davis, compiled military record (5th Co. Capt. Thomas Hall, Marion's Regt. 1779), Rev. War Pension and Land-Bounty Application Files, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration), Call #766, W-8655. Served as Private in the Revolutionary War; 5th Co. Capt. Thomas Hall, Marion's Regt. 1779

[6] Family data, John C. Davis Family Bible, Holy Bible, (New York: n.p., 1844); original owned in 2004 by Old Darlington District Genealogy Archives, [address for private use].

[7] Thomas Davis, compiled military record (5th Co. Capt. Thomas Hall, Marion's Regt. 1779), Rev. War Pension and Land-Bounty Application Files, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration), Call #766, W-8655. Served as Private in the Revolutionary War; 5th Co. Capt. Thomas Hall, Marion's Regt. 1779

Gilbert Purvis, South Carolina to Mississippi

Gilbert Purvis was born before 1754 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. He married Effica Howell. Effica Howell was born between 1755 and 1764 and died Aug 1834, in Hinds County, Mississippi. Gilbert Purvis died after June 1828 and before 1830 in Hinds County, Mississippi.

Gilbert Purvis, Sr. was a Revolutionary War Veteran[1]. The Daughters of the American Revolution has only one approved application on file for this line. There is no doubt that James Purvis, Son of Gilbert & Efficia is the only source for an approved application yet he is not mentioned in the application on file. Before leaving South Carolina Gilbert and his brother James owned 4,315 acres of land[2].

Gilbert Purvis, Sr. and his son Gilbert J. Purvis are listed on the 1828 tax Roll for Simpson County, Mississippi.

Gilbert Purvis and Effica Howell had the following children:

1. Sally Purvis was born about 1784 in Chesterfield District, South Carolina.

2. James Purvis, born 1784 - 1790; married Sarah, abt 1810, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; died abt Mar 1818, Horry Co., SC.

3. Gilbert Johnson Purvis was born about 1792 in SC. Gilbert Johnson Purvis was never married. He died intestate in November 1835. His will is on file in Hinds County, Mississippi. (WB1:48)

Gilbert Johnson Purvis is listed on the Simpson County, Mississippi, Tax Roll in years 1827; 1828 and 1829. Gilbert J. Purvis sold land to Grass Scruggs on 12 Jan 1829 in Clarke County, Alabama. He is listed on the 1830 Census for Simpson County, Mississippi. Gilbert Johnson signed his will in Apr 1835. He died in Nov 1835 in Hinds County, Mississippi.

If we look at the 1790-1810[3][4]Census we see the composition of Gilbert Purvis' family was; his Wife Effica Howell Purvis, 3 sons and 3 daughters. One young male passed away between 1790 and 1810 leaving sons, James & Gilbert Johnson in the household. Gilbert also had 3 young daughters. Only one daughter (Sally) is known to live to adulthood.

1790 Chesterfield, SC Gilbert Purvis 1 male 16+ 3 males < 16 2 Females	1800 Chesterfield, SC Gilbert Purvis 2 male, 0-10; 1 male, 46+; 3 female, 0-10; 1 female, 16-20 1 female, 21-45;	1810 Chesterfield, SC[5] Gilbert Purvis 1 male, 16-26; 1 male, 46+; 3 female, 16-26 1 female, 46+; 2 Slave
		1810 Chesterfield,SC: James Purvis, Jr. 1 male, 16-26; 1 female, 16-26;

There is an Administrative Bond[6] on file in the Probate Office of Horry County, South Carolina. This bond was issued in July 1818 to John Johnston, Gilbert Purvis, Moses Harrelson and Felix Powell are holden and firmly bound unto Henry Durant Esquire Ordinary for aforesaid District in the full and just sum of Ten Thousand to be paid to the said Henry Durant or to his successors of this District or their certain attorney or officers, To which payment will and truly be made, and we bind ourselves and every of us own and every of our heirs, executors, administrators, for the whole and in the whole jointly and severally firmly by these presents sealed with our seals and dated the Seventeenth Day of July one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and in the 43rd year of America Independence.

The condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bound John Johnston and Gilbert Purvis administrators of the goods, chattels and credits of James Purvis deceased do make a true and perfect inventory of all and singular, the goods, chattels, credits of the said deceased…

I believe this Administrative Bond along with comments from James P. J. Purvis request to administer the estate of his Grand Mother, Efficia Howell Purvis and Gilbert Johnson Purvis' Last Will proves that James Purvis was Gilbert Purvis oldest son.

James P. J. Purvis Letter requesting letters of administrations on his Grand Mother - Effica Howell Purvis Estate.

Efficia Howell Purvis Estate, Page 3[7]

To the Honorable A. G. Moore, Judge of the Probate Court of Hinds County, the petition of James P. J. Purvis of said County, respectively represents:

That Effica Purvis late of Hinds County, departed this life intestate in July or August last [1834] leaving a considerable estate, consisting of negroes, stock, …, but, no land. That no person has administered on the said estate_ and that it is to the interest of all parties concerned…. That the estate should be administered without, further delay.

That your petitioner is the grandson of the said deceased being the oldest son of her oldest son [James]. That no other person has applied for letters of administrations on said estate and your petitioner is also one of the distributees under the laws of this state, his father having died before the said Effica Purvis. In consideration whereof your petitioner_ prays that letters of administrations on said estate be granted him.

Excerpt from Gilbert Johnson Will[8]

I hereby direct my Executors to file a bill in chancery or commence such other suit as may be necessary & proper to procure from the aforesaid James P. J. Purvis, administrator as aforesaid, the full distribution & share of the estate of my deceased parents to which I am entitled insisting upon the advance made by my deceased father the said Gilbert Purvis to James Purvis the father of the said James P. J. Purvis in the lifetime of them both, and after my Executors shall have become possessed of the property to which I am entitled it is my will and desire that they divide the same after the payment of all my just debts equally share and share alike between all the children of James Purvis Senr. of Rankin except to Wright Barnes and Nancy his wife & James Brock & Betsey his wife formerly Nancy & Betsey Purvis to them I give and bequeath nothing---Provided…

Not much is known about James Purvis, the oldest son of Gilbert & Effica Purvis. We know from the 1810 Census that he was newly married and at that time had no children. The July 1818 Administrative Bond suggests that James died in South Carolina. We also know that James P. J. Purvis states that he is the grandson of Efficia H. Purvis and the son of their (Gilbert & Efficia) oldest son James. James P. J. Purvis also died young. He married Elizabeth Rose Campbell and they had two children – Mary Anna Purvis and James B. M. Purvis. Documents within the various estate papers in Mississippi suggest that William H. H. Purvis is a brother to James P. J. Purvis. William H. H. Purvis moved to Polk County, Texas with his family about 1850[9].The elderly Female, named Sarah Purvis, (widow), age 60 [1790], born in SC is most likely the Mother of William H. H. Purvis, James P. J. Purvis and wife of the deceased James Purvis, son of Gilbert & Effica Purvis.

Additional research is need to properly document the relationship among these families.

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[1] Murtie June Clark, Loyalist in the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War (Baltimore, MD,: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1981), Page 241.

[2] Land Plat for 3215 Acres - Gilbert Purvis & James Purvis, 15 August 1793; S213190, Volume: 0032, Page: 00255; Dept. of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina.

[3] 1790 U. S. Census, St Thomas, Cheraws District, South Carolina, population schedule, St Thomas, Cheraws District, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 373, Household of Gilbert Purvis; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed May 2011); citing Family History Library Film: 0568151.

[4] 1800 U S Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, page 105, Household of Gilbert Purvis; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication M32_Roll 47..

[5] 1810 U S Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, page 553, Household of Gilbert Purvis; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M252_60.

[6] Horry County, South Carolina, Horry County Administrator's Bond 1803-1818, Administrative Bond for John Johnston, Gilbert Purvis, admrs. of James Purvis; Bond $10,000; Moses Harrelson, Felix Powell, sec. Richard Singleton, Levi Moore, wit. , 17 July 1818, Probate Office, Conway.

[7] Letter to Appraise Estate of Effica H. Purvis 24 Dec 1834, , Probate Office, Raymond, Mississippi.

[8] Hinds County, Mississippi, Will Book 1: page 48, Gilbert Johnson Purvis; Family History Library, Film #878728, Salt Lake City, Utah.

[9] 1850 U. S. Census, Polk County, Texas, population schedule, Polk County, Texas, Page 188B, Line 3, Dwelling 178, Family 178, Household of W. H. H. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed May 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432_914.

James Purvis Sr. and His Children

James F. Purvis Sr. was born about 1760 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, a son of John Purvis and Sarah Johnson.

In July 1818, James Purvis[1], son of Gilbert Purvis died leaving his widow and I believe two small children, both boys. Sometime after this event, most of the Purvis families in Chesterfield County started their Westward migration.

We know they stopped in Clarke County, Alabama before finally settling around what is today Jackson, Mississippi. I have found two Land Deeds in Clarke County, Alabama[2], One dated 25 December 1821 signed by Gilbert Purvis, Sr. and another dated 12 January 1829 signed by Gilbert Johnson Purvis.

It was here that a son and daughter of James F. Purvis were married; John Purvis to Mary Parks on 14 December 1819[3] and Henry Howell to Rebecca Purvis on 9 November 1824[4].

There is a reference to a John Purvis having died here in the early 1820. This John Purvis is most likely a brother to James F. Purvis, Gilbert Purvis and Joseph Purvis. This information was provided by a family researcher in Georgia.

James and his family left South Carolina about 1819 and traveled to Clarke County AL with a band of settlers that included Gilbert Purvis. Both men appear on Clarke County records, along with John Purvis, who had come to Alabama from Chesterfield County SC a few years previously. John Purvis died in Clarke County. After his death, Gilbert and James moved on to Mississippi. (It is not clear to me what happened to the family of John Purvis—or who that family might be. Estate papers exist but are not revealing, except for establishing that John and James are brothers.)[D. Purvis]

We find James F Purvis brother Gilbert Purvis listed in the 1827 Simpson County Tax List[5]. So we know they are in Mississippi by 1827. James F. Purvis appears in the 1830 Census for Rankin County[6], Mississippi, United States.

The wife of James F. Purvis Sr. is unknown at this time.

James F. Purvis and his wife had the following children:

1. Joseph Purvis, born abt 1791 or 1800, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; married Elizabeth Cook, abt 1823; died bef May 1842. Elizabeth Cook Purvis then married Richard Odom.

2. Nancy Purvis, born 1791 or 1800, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; married Wright Barnes; died bef 1850.

3. John Purvis, born 20 Jan 1795, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; married Mary Parks, 14 Dec 1819, Clarke County, Alabama, USA; died 23 Sep 1872, Rankin County, Mississippi, United States.

4. William James Purvis, born abt 1796, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; married Millie Cook, abt 1812 or 1813; died bef 1870, Smith County, Mississippi, United States.

5. Rebecca Purvis, born abt 1803, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; married Henry Howell, 9 Nov 1824, Clarke County, Alabama, USA.

6. Elizabeth Purvis, born 1806, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; married James L. Brock, abt 1819, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; died 1 Apr 1873, Lexie, Walthall Co.,MS.

7. Alexander Purvis was born about 1808 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States. He appeared in the census in 1845 in Rankin County, Mississippi, United States.

8. James F. Purvis Jr., born 21 Feb 1809, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; married Elizabeth Magee, 12 Nov 1829, Rankin County, Mississippi, United States; died 14 May 1900, Verda, Grant Parish,LA..

9. George Washington Purvis, born abt 1809, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; married Mary Ann Patrick, 19 Oct 1838, Rankin County, Mississippi, United States; married Sarah A. Williams, 31 Aug 1867, Rankin County, Mississippi, United States; died 1897, Rankin County, Mississippi, United States.

10. Rosannah Purvis, born abt 1811, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; married James Jackson Patrick, 23 Sep 1837, Rankin County, Mississippi, United States; died 1862, Rankin County, Mississippi, United States.

James F. Purvis died in November 1836[7]. His estate is on file in Hinds County, Mississippi

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[1] Horry County, South Carolina, Horry County Administrator's Bond 1803-1818, Administrative Bond for John Johnston, Gilbert Purvis, admrs. of James Purvis; Bond $10,000; Moses Harrelson, Felix Powell, sec. Richard Singleton, Levi Moore, wit. , 17 July 1818, Probate Office, Conway.

[2] Land Deed - William Stringer to Gilbert PURVIS; 25 December 1821; Deed Book #A; Page(s) 182-183; Register of Deeds; Clarke County, Alabama; 10 January 2012 (and) Land Deed - Gilbert J. PURVIS to Grass Scruggs; 12 January 1829; Deed Book #G; Page(s) 366-367; Register of Deeds; Clarke County, Alabama; 10 January 2012.

[3] Clarke County, Alabama, marriage (14 December 1819), John Purvis to Mary Parks; Montgomery, Alabama, USA, State of Alabama Center for Health Statistics, Record Services Division.

[4] Clarke County, Alabama, marriage (9 November 1824), Henry HOWELL to Rebecca PURVIS; Montgomery, Alabama, USA, State of Alabama Center for Health Statistics, Record Services Division.

[5] Mississippi State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, *FamilySearch*, (http://www.familysearch.org: accessed 14 January 2012), Simpson,County Tax Rolls; 1827, Box 3764, Image of 27 of 276, Gilbert PERVIS.

[6] 1830, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 168, Household of James Purvis Sr.; digital images, www.ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed May 2010); citing NARA micro-film Roll: M19-71.

[7] James F. Purvis, Estates, 1821-72, Chancery Clerk's Office, Raymond, Mississippi. (Hinds County, MS, Estates, 1821-72, Case 2, No. 264).

Did James M. Purvis, b. 1841 marry Martha PATRICK or Martha KELLY?

A few months back I was working with a researcher from Oklahoma on the James P. J. Purvis family that evolved into looking at multiple families related to brothers Gilbert & James F. Purvis. Gilbert, James F., Joseph and several other families migrated from Chesterfield, South Carolina. They travelled to Clarke County, Alabama and then into the Rankin County are of Mississippi. While looking into the James M. Purvis family we found a lot of conflicting information on the name of his wife.

Working together we set out determined who James M. Purvis married.

James M. Purvis was born 1 February 1841 in Rankin Co., MS to James F. Purvis, Jr. and Elizabeth Magee. On 18 March 1863 at the age of 22 years, 10 months and 7 days James M. Purvis, Jr. was married. During our research of this couple we found some who said he married Martha Kelly while others said he married Martha Patrick.

James lived a very short life and in those short years between 1863 and 1880, he fathered 8 children, the first in 1864 and the last in June 1880. James M. Purvis died 14 Feb 1880 and his last child was born after his death. It's illogical to believe that he was married twice.

Their children are:

1. W. P. Purvis was born about 1864 in Rankin Co., MS.

2. Mary Elizabeth Purvis was born on 4 Feb 1866 in Rankin Co., MS. She died on 6 Jan 1902 in Rankin Co. MS.

3. Ella Evan Purvis was born on 5 Feb 1867. She died on 16 Feb 1955.

4. Emma J. Purvis was born about 1869 in Rankin Co., MS.

5. James Lee Purvis was born in Jan 1871 in Rankin Co., MS. He died on 24 Jan 1933. James married Ola {Last name unknown}

6. Nancy Anna Purvis was born on 26 Sep 1873. She died in 1963.

7. Laura V. Purvis was born in Mar 1876 in Rankin Co., MS.

8. John Marion Purvis was born on 4 Jun 1880. He died on 27 Apr 1947.

All the data seems to support that James M. Purvis born 1 February 1841 was only married ONCE.

So the question now is:

Did James M. Purvis, b. 1841 marry Martha PATRICK or Martha KELLY?

We found two records of James Purvis marriage to Martha Patrick. They are Ancestry.com[1] and the Franklin Family Researchers United Newsletter[2], Charter Issue, October 1991. These two sources conflict on the marriage date; but, not the fact that a marriage took place.

No record of a marriage between James Purvis and Martha Kelly has been found.

The Ancestry.com entry for the marriage between James Purvis & Martha Patrick on 18 Dec 1863 in Rankin County, Mississippi can be found at - http://tinyurl.com/4rre82u

How can this happen? While I don't profess to know what started this "trail of misinformation" I have one analysis of how it may have happen.

In the 1880 Census[3] for Beat 4, Rankin County MS; we find Martha without her husband (James died 14 Mar 1880) and in the household with her and the children is her Mother Mary Kelley, age 67, born in South Carolina.

The Census says that Martha KELLY is the Mother of Martha PURVIS; so, it's very logical to assume that Martha maiden name is KELLY. But, it's also possible that Martha Mother was married to her father and then re-married. Looking for a record that would point to this conclusion we found this in a search of Ancestry:

· Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935

· about Mary Patrick

· Name: Michael Kelley

· Spouse: Mary Patrick

· Marriage Date: 21 Sep 1846

· County: Rankin

· Source: Mississippi Marriages

But, is this Mary Patrick the Mary Kelly in the Martha Purvis household in 1880? Census records do not prove that these two women are the same people.

If this is the Mary Patrick that married Michael Kelley[4]; where is Michael and why aren't the children born prior to 1847 listed with the surname Patrick?

James and Martha along with many of their children are buried in the Concord Cemetery[5], Rankin County, Mississippi.

The key to proving the actual wife of James M. Purvis are contained within the Estate papers of Luke Patrick, born 2 November 1781 died either April or May 1850 in Rankin County, Mississippi.

CONTROVERSY RESOLVED

My Thanks to Karen D. of Oklahoma for solving the Martha Patrick/Kelly Controversy!

On 11 August 1834 John PATRICK married[6] Mary RHODES in Rankin County, Mississippi.

To this union 5 children were born:

· Evan Margaritte Patrick, b. abt 1835;

· Catherine Patrick, b. abt 1839;

· Elizabeth Jane Patrick, b. abt 1841;

· Martha Patrick, b. 3 May 1843;

· Nancy Patrick, b. abt 1844;

Sometime prior to 1846, John Patrick died. On 24 September 1846 Mary Rhodes PATRICK married[7] Michael KELLY in Rankin County, Mississippi. By 29 November 1850 when the Rankin County census was taken; Michael Kelly had passed away and Mary Rhodes Patrick Kelly was again a widower.

In February 1851, Chancery Court convenes to establish the Guardianship of the infant children of John PATRICK.

Guardianship was granted to their Mother - Mary [Rhodes Patrick] KELLY. RANKIN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI WILL BOOK AND BOND BOOK I Office of the Chancery Clerk, Rankin County Courthouse, Brandon, Mississippi Page 583:

Guardianship Bond. MARY KELLY and LEWIS P. RHODE bound to Judge James Finlay in sum of $250.24 February 1851.

Condition: MARY KELLY, guardian to EVAN MARGARITTE CATHARINE ELIZABETH JANE MARTHA AND NANCY PATRICK

[Note: No punctuation between any names] of Rankin County, infant children of JOHN PATRICK, deceased. The said MARY PATRICK KELLY [Note: PATRICK smeared as if an effort made to erase] to account as guardian. Granted by Judge James Finlay. Recorded by D. Fitzhugh, Clerk.

RANKIN COUNTY, MS BOND AND WILL BOOK I

Page 283, 284:

Administrator's Bond. LEWIS P. RHODE, CHARLES G. SMITH, and JOHN F. SEYMORE bound to Judge James Finlay of the Probate Court of Rankin County, Mississippi for the sum of $600. 23 November 1846. Condition: LEWIS P. RHODE, administrator of the goods and chattels of JOHN PATRICK, deceased, shall make an inventory. Letter of administration granted.

Page 284:

Letters of Administration. JOHN PATRICK died intestate. LEWIS P. RHODE to render full account within three months. Recorded by Jo. Bennett, Clerk. 27 November 1846.

FACTS and CONCLUSIONS:

John PATRICK married Mary RHODES in Rankin County, Mississippi on 11 August 1834.

Mary RHODES PATRICK married 2nd Michael KELLY on 21 September 1846 in Rankin County, MS. There never was a Martha Kelly. This assumption was made by someone after viewing the 1880 Census. Mary Kelly is listed as Mother in the Household of Martha Purvis and someone assumed that Martha maiden name was Kelly thus Martha Kelley was created as the Husband of James M. Purvis.

James M. Purvis, born 1 February 1841 married Martha PATRICK on 18 December 1863, in Rankin County, MS and was only married once.

Again My THANKS to: Karen D. of Oklahoma.

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[1] James Purvis to Martha Patrick, (18 December 1863), Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935: www.ancestry.com, Jackson, Mississippi.

[2] Franklin Family Researchers United, "Marriage Records, Rankin County, Mississippi," Franklin Family Researchers United Newsletter, Charter Issue (October 1991): page 56.

[3] 1880, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, 4-BT, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 077, Page: 418, Line 20,, Dwelling 296, Family 298;, Martha [PATRICK] PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 November 2011); citing NARA publication T9, Roll: 663.

[4] Mississippi, Rankin County, Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935, , Michael Kelly to Mary Patrick, 24 September 1846; www.ancestry.com, Jackson.

[5] Find A Grave, Inc., http://www.findagrave.com/; Gravestone, James M Purvis; Feb. 1, 1841- Feb. 14, 1880, ; Memorial # 40617362; Record of the Concord Cemetery; Created by Betty Traxler Eppes; Assessed on 14 November 2011.

[6] Mississippi, Rankin County, Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935, , John PATRICK to Mary RHODE, 11 August 1834; www.ancestry.com, Jackson.

[7] Mississippi, Rankin County, Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935, , Michael Kelly to Mary Patrick, 21 September 1846; www.ancestry.com, Jackson.