The Elusive Parents of James P. J. Purvis

I have written about James P. J. Purvis once before but I think it’s time to take another look and I would like to solicit your help - my followers and readers.

There is power in the assembling of a group to tackle a problem and seek resolution. Today this would be called crowd sourcing.

Crowdsourcing = Crowd + Outsourcing = a process of problem solving involving a large body of interested individuals. (my definition)

In my days of work and occupation it was called – Synergy

Regardless, there is power in a group working together to solve a common problem. I know there are individuals much smarter that I and  very capable of looking at a problem with a different mind set to solve it. So here's the problem -

Who are the parents of James P. J. Purvis?

Timeline for James Purdee J. Purvis

14 December 2012

Age	Date	Event
0	Abt 1811	Birth:
18	12 Jan 1829	Property: Clarke County, Alabama, United States[1] Land Deed between Gilbert J. Purvis to Grass Scruggs
20	1831	Property: Tax Roll; Simpson County, Mississippi, United States[2]
21	1832	Property: Tax Roll; Simpson County, Mississippi, United States[3]
21	19 Jan 1832	Marriage: Elizabeth Rose Campbell-2578; Rankin County, Mississippi, United States[4]
24	27 Apr 1835	Residence: Hinds County, Mississippi, United States
25	Feb 1836	Probate: Hinds County, Mississippi, United States[5]
25	9 Feb 1836	Residence: James P. J. Purvis wrote his WILL and stated that he was dangerously ill.; Hinds County, Mississippi, United States
25	9 Feb 1836	Will: Hinds County, Mississippi, United States[6]
25	Aft Feb 1836	Death: Hinds County, Mississippi, United States

I have several clues to the parents of James P. J. Purvis. On the land deed in 1829 between Gilbert Johnson Purvis to Grass Scruggs there were two witness and their signatures are shown above.
James P. J. Purvis and
James X Purvis

Gilbert Johnson Purvis is a son of Gilbert Purvis and his wife Effica Howell Purvis.

James P. J. Purvis is the Grandson of Gilbert Sr & Effica Howell Purvis.

Gilbert Johnson Purvis in his LAST WILL & TESTAMENT made this statement:
”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, …”

The uncle of James P. J. Purvis, his Uncle Gilbert J. Purvis states that  the FATHER of James P. J. Purvis is James Purvis.

Comments: I think it’s highly likely that the two signatures on the land deed between Gilbert J. Purvis to Grass Scruggs is Father and Son. 

If James Purvis is the father of James Purdee J. Purvis what happen to him?

There are other clues to James P. J. Purvis. My interpretation of records indicate he had a brother William H. H. Purvis. William H. H. Purvis married Jemima Magee. He also migrated from Rankin County, MS around 1850 and can be found in the 1850 Census for Polk County, Texas . He died there sometime around 1855.
Gilbert Purvis, Sr. died sometime between June 1828 and December 1829. Then in august 1834, Effica Howell Purvis passed away leaving a considerable estate mostly consisting of eight slaves.

The division of the slaves from Effica estate provides another clue to identity.

The division of the personal estate of Effica Purvis, made 8 Dec 1835, lists the names of
7 enslaved ancestors in Rankin County, Mississippi.

Enslaved ancestors were listed in groups in the estate inventory. It is unclear whether or
not these were family groups. We have maintained that grouping here.
Listed in the estate were:
· Nancy and her two children
· Delilah
· Sandy
· Margaret & her Child
Nancy and her children, Delilah, Sandy, Margaret & her child to William Purvis and John Purvis which said negroes we valued to the sum of $3400.
· Milly & her two children
· John
· Frances and her child
Milly & her children, John, Frances and her child to J.P.J. Purvis & William Purvis, Jr.which said negroes we valued to the sum of $3100, upon the said William Purvis, John
Purvis paying to the said JPJ Purvis & William Purvis, Jr. each the sum of $150
Efficia Howell Purvis Estate, Pages 7 & 8 (2)
Nancy and her two children, valued @ $1150.
Milly and her two children, valued @ $1350.
Frances and her child $1000,
Delilah $800,
John $750,
Sandy $700,
Margaret and her child $750

The two grouping for division of the slaves is important!

Named in the first group are William Purvis and John Purvis. These two men are thought to be sons of James F. Purvis who was a brother to Gilbert Purvis, Sr.

The next group lists JPJ Purvis & William Purvis, Jr. . These  two men are believed too be Brothers and Grandsons of Gilbert Purvis, Sr. JPJ Purvis is James Purdee J. Purvis and William Purvis, Jr. is the younger William H. H. Purvis and referred to as Jr. to differentiate between the older & younger William so named. 
A review of the 1850 Polk County, TX Census shows that there is an older female named Sarah, age 60, born in SC in the household. Is this the Mother of James Purdee J. Purvis and William H. H. Purvis.

Together these few clues adds up to a possibility that James Purvis and Sarah Purvis are the parents of James P. J. Purvis and William H. H. Purvis.

Another reference source is DAR 115797 the only application submitted  and approved on this ancestral line. 

Summary:

1. Clarke County, AL Land Deed (DB6:366-367) Gilbert J. Purvis to Grass Scruggs lists two witnesses: James P. J. Purvis and James Purvis
2. Gilbert Johnson Purvis WILL named James Purvis as the Father of James P. J. Purvis
3. Efficia Howell Purvis Estate partition points to relationships between James P. J. Purvis and William Purvis, Jr.  believed to be William H. H. Purvis.
4. The 1850 census, Polk Co., TX; Lists Sarah Purvis, age 60, born in SC who may be the Mother of the head of household – William H. H. Purvis

It’s obvious that further research is needed. Thus the purpose of this posting. While my knowledge is far greater than what is presented here; I would like your comments and suggestions.

Here's another question I would like answered. We see that James Purvis used a “Slanted E” as his mark. Are these marks/signatures recorded in the county/state?

Related Articles:

• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/08/will-of-james-purdee-j-purvis.html
• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/01/gilbert-purvis-south-carolina-to.html
• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-happen-to-sally-purvis.html
• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/07/gilbert-johnson-purvis.html
• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/01/james-f-purvis-sr-and-his-children.html

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[1]. Clarke County, Alabama, Book "G": page 366 & 367, Gilbert J. PURVIS to Grass Scruggs Deed; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (http://www.familysearch.org; accessed 10 January 2011). Film# 1823073.
[2]. Mississippi State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FamilySearch, (http://www.familysearch.org: accessed 13 January 2012), Simpson,County Tax Rolls; 1831, Box 3764, Image 57 of 276, entry for James P. J. Purvis. 1831 Tax List, Simpson County, Mississippi; James P. J. PURVIS and Johnson J. PURVIS, are listed on the Tax roll. www.Familysearch.org; Mississippi State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951, Simpson County tax rolls, 1824-1845, Box 3764, Image of 57 of 276.
[https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-21381-30463-20?cc=1919687&wc=13646518]
Mississippi State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951
Simpson
County tax rolls, 1824-1845, Box 3764
Image 57 of 276.
[3]. Entry for Pender J. Purvis, Various Records, 1820-1951, Simpson, Mississippi. 1832 Tax List, Simpson County, Mississippi; [James] Pender J. PURVIS and Johnson J. PURVIS, are listed on the Tax roll. www.Familysearch.org; Mississippi State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951, Simpson County tax rolls, 1824-1845, Box 3764, Image of 70 of 276.
[https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-21381-30463-20?cc=1919687&wc=13646518]
Mississippi State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951
Simpson
County tax rolls, 1824-1845, Box 3764
Image 70 of 276.
[4]. Mississippi, Rankin County, Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935, , James Purvis & Elizabeth B. Campbell, 19 January 1832; www.ancestry.com, Jackson, Mississippi.
Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935 about James PurvisName: James Purvis
Spouse: Elizabeth B. Campbell
Marriage Date: 19 Jan 1832
County: Rankin
Source Information:Hunting For Bears, comp.. Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data: Mississippi marriage information taken from county courthouse records. Many of these records were extracted from copies of the original records in microfilm, microfiche, or book format, located at the Family History Library.
.
[5]. 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. 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.
[6]. Hinds County, Mississippi, FHL microfilm 878728: page 66 WILL of James P. J. Purvis; Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. JAMES P. J. PURVIS WILL
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].