Carolina Family Roots: Will of James Purdee J. Purvis

James P. J. Purvis married Elizabeth Rose Campbell on 19 January 1832.[1] She was the daughter of John Beasley Campbell and Mary Rosa Franklin.

James and Elizabeth had 3 children:
1. Mary Ann Purvis, b. 24 October 1834, d. 5 August 1916; married Col. Alexander Campbell
2. James B. M. Purvis, b. 1835, d. young
3. William R. Purvis, b. 1836, d. Jan 1882; married Mary J. Gillespie

James P. J. Purvis died abt 1836 in Hinds County, Mississippi. James P. J. left a WILL and his estate was probated 9 February 1836.[2]

JAMES P. J. PURVIS WILL[3]
February Term 1836

I James P. J. Purvis of the county of Hinds & the State of Mississippi being dangerously ill in body but of sound mind do make this my last Will and Testament in presence of the undersigned witness-
1. After paying all my just debts, I give, bequeath unto my wife Elizabeth R Purvis one half of my estate to have and to hold during her natural life then to descend unto my two children, James B. M. Pervis & Mary Ann Pervis
2. I give and bequeath unto my two children, James B. M. Pervis & Mary Ann Pervis the remaining one half of my estate whatsoever it may be.
It is my will and desire that my wife shall have the charge, management of the Estate of my children& that she shall act as their guardian & attend to their rearing & education until they arrive at the age of majority. I do hereby constitute and appoint my wife Elizabeth R Pervis & her father Beselia Campbell my Executors to carry this my Last Will and Testament into effect. Signed & sealed the 9th day of February A. D. 1836 in presence of-
Attest: F. E. Plummer James P. J. Pervis {seal}
Attest:
Filed Feby Term 1836

[SOURCE: LDS Family History Library Film # 878728, Page 66 also Hinds County WILL BOOK 1, Page 66. Transcribed by Charles L. Purvis, 1 Dec 2010]

What this Will does not revealed is the at the time of James Purdee J. Purvis’ death in 1836, his wife Elizabeth Rose was pregnant with their son, William R. Purvis, who was born that same year.

Elizabeth Rose sold the land that she and James owned (80 acres) on 24 March 1836 to James Simpson. (DB 6, pages 220-221, Hinds County, MS) [4]

Elizabeth Rose remarried on 7 March 1839 to Joseph Edward Miller in Rankin County, Mississippi.[5] He died sometime before 1850 and Elizabeth Rose remained unmarried until her death on 19 September 1906 in Brooke County, West Virginia.

Elizabeth Rose and Joseph had two sons. In total Elizabeth had 5 children (4 sons and a daughter) by two husbands. This is borne out in the 1900 Brooke County West Virginia Census.

“R. MILLER, Mother-in-law, age 85, born Nov 1814 in LA; Father born in South Carolina, Mother born in LA; Widowed; 5 children, 2 living; Eight other individuals in household listed as SERVANTS and BOARDERS.”[6]

The parents of James Purdee J. Purvis are unknown; but there are some conflicting clues. DAR application 115797 shows his father as Johnson Purvis.[7] His uncle Gilbert Johnson Purvis states in his WILL that “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…”. This suggests that the father of James Purdee is James Purvis and then there is the 1831 &1832 Tax List for Simpson County, Mississippi that lists a Johnson J. Purvis along with James P. J. Purvis. Is this father and son?

If you have any info on individuals listed within the posting please send me an e-mail or post your comments here on this blog. Thanks.

[1] Mississippi, Rankin County, Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935, , James Purvis & Elizabeth B. Campbell, 19 January 1832; www.ancestry.com, Jackson, Mississippi.

[2] Hinds County, MS, Probate Court Estates, Old Series, Raymond, MS, MDAH Microfilm #10392, Family History Library Film #1064400, Estate #321, James P. J. Purvis, Feb 1836.

[3] Hinds County, Mississippi, FHL microfilm 878728: Book 1, page 66 WILL of James P. J. Purvis; Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

[4] Hinds County, Mississippi, Deed Book "6": pages 220 & 221, Elizabeth R. Purvis to James Simpson; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, http://www.familysearch.org. Film #876974.

[5] Mississippi, Rankin County, Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935, , Jo E. Miller & Elizabeth Purvis, 7 March 1839; www.ancestry.com, Jackson.

[6] 1900, Buffalo, Brooke County, West Virginia, population schedule, Buffalo, Brooke County, West Virginia, enumeration district (ED) #12, Page: 287B; Line 95, dwelling 72, family 74, Household of Alex CAMPBELL; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed December 2010); citing National Archives T623_1756.

[7] DAR Application 115797 - Mary Virginia Watson.