52 Ancestors: #52, Betsy Purvis

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story To Small has started a challenge of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.
From her blog “The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. Not only should this get me blogging more, but also to take a deeper look at some of the people in my family tree.”

The focus of my blog post today is Elizabeth “Betsy” Previtt Purvis.

William A. Purvis married Sarah Jane Graves on 10 June 1852. They had one known child, a son, William James Purvis born 23 September 1863. [1]

William A. and Sarah Jane signed various land and trust deed between the date of their marriage and her death on 31 December 1893. William moved from being a shoemaker in 1860 to the life of a small farmer. The year 1885 was very unkind to William and Sarah and they defaulted on a Trust Deed to N. D. Thompson and C. C. Moore. Part of their farm (50 acres) was sold to satisfy the debt.
We know from Sarah “death notice” that she died after suffering from Cancer for the past fifteen months; but, could the loss of this land also be a contributing factor in death? [2] [3]



DEED BOOK 31; PAGE 158-159 [4]
Lunard Streater & Manda Streater to J. D. Rhyne DEED

In Anson County on Reedy Branch  a certain tract or parcel of land known as the William Purvis place and conveyed 10th of Nov. 1891, by N. J. Thompson & wife, C. C. Moore & wife, Aaron Marsh & wife to J. N. Hardison. Reference to which DEED is hereby made that is it adjoins the land of W. J. McLendon on the North, J. D. Rhyne on the East & W. J. Purvis on the South and West said tract contains 50 acres.

William A. Purvis died between September 1899 and May 1900. This pretty much summarizes the life of William and Sarah until the discovery of a Land Deed in Deed Book 33, Page 370, W. A. Purvis and wife Elizabeth Purvis to J. D. Rhyne, Anson Co., NC. [5] [6]

Yes, you did catch that; this Land Deed says that W. A. Purvis’ wife is Elizabeth Purvis. Elizabeth Purvis!!! Who is Elizabeth Purvis? Where did that come from?

Was William A. Purvis married twice? I’m still not certain today how to answer that question but I will preface if with:

A Land Deed in DB 33, page 370 Register of Deeds, Anson County, NC says that the deed is between W. A. Purvis and wife Elizabeth Purvis to J. D. Rhyne. That pretty plain, so I went looking for Elizabeth Purvis. [7]

Elizabeth Purvis appears in the 1900 census as a widow with a daughter Ella. The Census shows she has two children but only one living.[8]


· Purvis, Elizabeth – head, W/F, Oct 1860- 39- Wd – 2 children, 1 living, b. NC
· “ “ , Ella – daughter, W/F, Dec 1886, 13, b. NC

OK, she has two children, one deceased; but Ella is 13 and has the surname Purvis , William couldn’t be her father because Sarah Jane is still alive in 1886 and he couldn’t have married her Elizabeth any earlier than 1894.

Then I remember the 1880 Census for Anson County. In 1880, in William A. Purvis household we find the following individuals.[9]



We see that in William A. Purvis household in 1880 Anson County are:
· Purvice, William, W/M. age 53, farmer, b. in SC
· “ “ , Sarah J., W/F, age 48, Wife, keeping House
· Purvis, Betsy, W/F, age 30, laborer
· Purvis, Mary J., W/F, Daughter, At home

Then we have a deed where Besty/Elizabeth is selling land to J. D. Rhyne. Back in September 1899, the parcel of land that William and Elizabeth were selling was purchased by William and Sarah and consisted of 30 acres. The September Land Deed was for 12 acres. William split up the land to provide for Betsy and daughter Ella.[10]

At this point we know the second daughter is Mary J. Purvis, age 7 in 1880 or born in 1873. Betsy and Mary both have the surname Purvis ; but, it doesn’t seem likely that William is the Father of the two girls though there is a possibility with Ella Frances Purvis, b. 1886. If he’s not the father of the two girls then who are their Father? With Sarah still alive from 1880 to 31 December 1893 it just doesn’t seem likely that William is the father. Betsy and Mary J. are living in/near William and Sarah; what is the connection? Are they related? How?

A request sent to the Social Security department for the SS-5 for Ella France Purvis Tarlton resulted in the following document.[11]

 

This document shows that the parents of Ella P. Tarlton is Billie Purvis and Betsy Prevett. A search for Betsy/Elizabeth Prevett found no trace of anyone by that name.

As stated previously William A. Purvis sometime after 23 September 1899 (Land Deed) and may 1900 (Census enumerated). The 18 acres that he saved of the 30 acres plot was sold by Betsy in September 1900 to J. D. Rhyne (DB 34, Page 491-492). However in that deed she reserved the
the home place (House) and six acres as a life estate to support her.[12]

Containing 18 acres more or less. Save and except that said Betsy Purvis reserves from this land Six Acres being the lot upon which is situated her house. She to retain said Six Acres for & during the time of her natural life and at her death the said lot of six acres to go with this other land as herein described to have and to hold the aforesaid tract or parcel of land and all privileges and appurtenance thereto belonging to the said J.D. Rhyne, his heirs and assigns to their only use and behalf forever and the said Betsy Purvis covenants to and with the said J. D. Rhyne


Then daughter Ella Frances married Thomas T. Tarlton on 14 August 1904. By 1910, Betsy had abandoned the home place to live with her daughter and son-in-law. The remaining 6 acre life estate automatically reverted to J. D. Rhyne per stipulation in the September 1900 deed (DB 34, page 491 & 492).[13]

Elizabeth/Betsy died 18 October 1928 in Rockingham, Richmond County, North Carolina. She has varied her birth in every census and the obit confused her age even more. [14]

Mrs. Betsy Purvis
Mrs. Betsy Purvis, aged 90, died Oct. 18th in Great Falls village. The interment was at Mizpah the same day.
[The Rockingham Post-Dispatch, Richmond County, NC, Thursday, October 21, 1926, Page 6, Column 2 - Deaths]


Elizabeth/Betsy had two children:
· Mary J. Purvis, b. abt 1873, d. unknown before 1900; married Charles Franklin Lang abt 1888; 4 children, 2 sons and 2 daughters
· Ella Frances Purvis, b. 25 Sept 1881, d. 27 Nov 1971; md. Thomas T. Tarlton, 8 children, 2 daughters, 6 sons.

Betsy is buried in an unmarked grave in the Mizpah Cemetery.



_________________________________

[1] Fayetteville Observer, Fayetteville, NC, 22 June 1852; Viz RAOGK Contributor
[2] Anson County, North Carolina, Trust Deed Book 18: Pages 546-547, W. A. Purvis to C. C. Moore & Co.; 24 February 1885, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.
[3]  Sarah Jane Graves Purvis obituary, Messenger-Intelligencer, Wadesboro, North Carolina, 4 January 1894, page 3, McFarlan News.
[4] Anson County, North Carolina, Deed Book 31: page 158, Lunard Streater & Manda Streater to J. D. Rhyne DEED, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.

[5] Anson County, North Carolina, Deed Book 33: page 370, W. A. Purvis and wife Elizabeth Purvis to J. D. Rhyne; 23 September 1899, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.  

[6] 1900 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #7, page 145, line 20, dwelling 337, family 338, Household of Elizabeth Purvis; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 1181.

[7] Anson County, North Carolina, Deed Book 33: page 370, W. A. Purvis and wife Elizabeth Purvis to J. D. Rhyne; 23 September 1899, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.

[8]  1900 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #7, page 145, line 20, dwelling 337, family 338, Household of Elizabeth Purvis; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 1181.

[9] 1880 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) # 2, Page 350B, Line 36, Dwelling 233, Family 251, Household of William A. Purvis; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 951.

[10] Anson County, North Carolina, Deed Book 34: pages 491-492, Betsy Purvis to J. D. Rhyne; 30 September 1900, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.

[11] Ella P. Tarlton, SS No. 251-86-7071, 1965, Form SS-5, Social Security Administration, Baltimore, Maryland.

[12] Anson County, North Carolina, Deed Book 34: pages 491-492, Betsy Purvis to J. D. Rhyne; 30 September 1900, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.

[13] 1910 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Gulledge, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #6, Page 81A, Line 21, dwelling 170, family 172, Household of Tom TARLTON; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T624, Roll 1096.

[14] Mrs. Betsy Purvis obituary, The Rockingham Post-Dispatch, Rockingham, Richmond County, NC, 21 October 1926, Page 6, Column 2. Deaths.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2014

MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND

HAPPY NEW YEARS

TO ALL

Wishing each and everyone the best in 2015.

_______________________
[1] http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christmas_collage.PNG

Amanuensis Monday~Sale of Real Estate

Amanuensis Monday is a Web Blog theme started by blogger John Newmark. You can access his blog here http://blog.transylvaniandutch.com/

A full explanation of the Amanuensis Monday blog theme can be found here
http://www.geneabloggers.com/daily-blogging-prompts/amanuensis-monday/

Today our subject is the Sale of Real Estate of W. A. Purvis.


SALE OF REAL ESTATE
By virtue of powers contained in a Deed of Trust executed by W. A. Purvis and Sarah J. Purvis on the 23^rd day of December 1884 to N. J. Thompson and C. C. Moore, partners under the style of Thompson & Moore, and registered in trust book No. 18, page 202 of the registers office of Anson County, Dec. 27^th, 1884, and by consent and request of said W. A. Purvis and Sarah J. Purvis, we will sell for cash to the highest bidder at the Court House door in the town of Wadesboro, on Monday the 7^th day of December, 1885, the land described in said Deed of trust, containing 50 acres more or less, adjoining the lands of W. J. McLendon and others. Sale of above lands made to satisfy a note secured by mortgage on said reality.         N. J. THOMPSON
                                                                                         C. C. MOORE
                                                                                       Partners and Mortgagees
Nov 25 1885, 1t.
 

This land was sold and then resold to J. D Rhyne. At one  time William A. Purvis and his son, William James Purvis, own approximately 120 acres of land just south and west of McFarland, NC along the North and South Carolina State Line. J. D. Rhyne purchased most of this land and some of the land today is owned by Dave Kelley.







 
 
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Source: Provided by RAOGK Contributor  Debra Cooper, 12:56am Dec 18; document source: The Anson Times, 3 Dec 1885, Thu, Page 3

Sunday's Obituary~Bro. Christopher Wesley Teal

Bro. C. W. Teal¹
On the 27th day of December 1922 after a brief illness with influenza, though preceded by several years of feebleness on account of Bright's disease, Mr. C.W. Teal one of the most highly respected men of his community fell on sleep. He suffered much but bore his sickness with Christian fortitude, always greeting his friends in a friendly manner. He was born on May 23, 1857 and on November 25, 1878 was married to Miss Clara Graves. His good wife and eight survive. Mrs. W.W. Davis, Mrs. Sidney D. Hursey, William and M. Luther Teal of Chesterfield, Louis P. Teal of Atlanta, GA, and John W. Teal of Omaha, Neb. In early life he gave his heart to God and became a member of Zoar Methodist Church and for about thirty years has held some office in the church. His going away leaves two vacancies, that of the Sunday school or Church only when he was altogether too feeble to ride. Many are the precious truths he tried to impart to the members of the Wesley Adult Bible Class. In seems that the last few years of his life were his brightest, spiritually. Few were the times the writer talked with him, that the Church and its interest were not the topic of his conversation. On Sunday PM Dec. 31st, the funeral services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. L.E. Peeler and his body gently laid to rest in Zoar Church Cemetery where the services were concluded with Masonic honors. The large concourse of sorrowing friends and relatives, the beautiful floral offerings, testifying to the high esteem in which he was held by his friends and loved ones and were a beautiful tribute to the departed spirit of one who had "finished the course" and "had kept the Faith." We sympathize with the bereaved in this dark hour but realize as we do they weep, but not as those who have no hope. For he has only gone before to await the homecoming of his companion, and children and friends. A Friend.

Christopher Wesley Teal was born 23 May 1851, a son of  Benjamin Franklin Teal and Eliza A. Davis. He was the 5th born of 10 children; 3 sisters and 6 brothers. ²

Christopher Wesley married Clarinda G.Graves on 25 November 1878.³ Christopher and Clarinda would have eight children; 6 sons and 2 daughters. Christopher W. died in 1922 and his wife Clarinda died 11 years later in 1933. They are both buried at Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield, South Carolina. ⁴

Christopher Wesley Teal is my 2nd Cousin 3 times removed.









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[1] Obituary - Bro. C. W. Teal, The Chesterfield Advertiser,  January 25, 1923, page 1, col. 4, and February 1, 1923, page 1, col 5. SOURCE: James C. Pigg, "Obituaries from the Chesterfield Advertiser 1892-1926, Chesterfield County, SC" (Tega Cay, SC, Self-published, 2001).  Buried at Zoar Church Cemetery. Bright's disease.
[2] C. W. TEAL, death certificate 018744 (27 December 1922), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.
[3] James C. Pigg, Obituaries from the Chesterfield Advertiser 1892-1926; Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 2001. Obituary of Brother. C. W. TEAL;The Chesterfield Advertiser,25 January 1923, page 1, col. 4, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
[4] Ibid.

Serendipity While Internet Browsing

Yesterday was a very exhausting day. The wife and I had left home early for a day trip to Richmond County, NC and Chesterfield County, SC.The purpose of our visit was to visit with my 91 year old aunt, a visit with her elderly sister and finally a short visit with my sister. On the return trip home was two additional stops to visit another sister of the Wife and to have dinner with our two grandchildren. By the time of our arrival back home it was dark and we both were exhausted. 

The wife sat down with a glass of tea to watch TV and I turned on the computer and started randomly browsing. After about a half hour of browsing I noticed on the Google screen several web pages about marriages and death notices from NC newspapers. Among the list with this link:

ABSTRACTS FROM FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER   1851 - 1854
http://www.ncgenweb.us/cumberland/1851-4abstracts.html.

Now to be honest with you I had no significant event that occurred between 1851 and 1854 but when I find one of these pages I have two key words that I search for – Anson & Chesterfield.

The first is for Anson County and the second is for Chesterfield County, SC. If an event happens with one of my ancestors it most likely happen either in Anson County or Chesterfield County. Fayetteville is a NC newspaper so my fist choice key word was – Anson.

The Anson search term return a total of 105 instances that Anson occurred in the document.

The best way to move forward in a document like this is with the F3 key; so with my finger on the F3 key I started moving forward in the document. After a couple of minutes browsing I came to this entry
22 Jun 1852

M On the 10th inst., by the Rev. Mr. DuPREE, Mr. Wm. A. PERVIS, of Cheraw, and Miss Sarah Jane 
 GRAVES of Chesterfield District.

And almost fell off my chair.

For 38 years I have searched for documents on William A. Purvis and Sarah Jane Graves and here while piddling around on the computer with nothing on my agenda, their marriage just falls into my lap.That’s a serendipity moment.   

I immediately went looking for the  actual newspaper article and with the help of two awesome contributors over on Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness - RAOGK USA (RAOGK) Facebook page I now have a copy of their documented marriage.



On the 10th inst., by the Rev. Mr. DuPREE, Mr. Wm. A. PERVIS, of Cheraw, and Miss Sarah Jane GRAVES of Chesterfield District. [Marriage date: 10 Jun 1852] ²

My thanks to RAOGK Facebook page contributors’ Joy Kersteter and Debra Cooper, 17 December 2014.





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[1] http://www.ncgenweb.us/cumberland/1851-4abstracts.html

[2] MARRIAGE, The Fayetteville Observer, Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States, 22 June 1852, Page 3, Last Column, top right corner. Wm. A. PERVIS & Sarah Jane GRAVES.

[3] https://www.facebook.com/groups/raogkUSA/permalink/589522781149614/

52 Ancestors: #51, Frederick F. Rivers

 

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story To Small has started a challenge of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.

From her blog “The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. Not only should this get me blogging more, but also to take a deeper look at some of the people in my family tree.”

The focus of my blog post today is Frederick F. Rivers.

Frederick F. Rivers is my 5th Great Grandfather. His birth date is unknown but Census data tells us that he was born before 1754 and died after 1820. Frederick is enumerated in the 1790-1800-1810 and 1820 Censuses for Chesterfield County, South Carolina. ^{1 2 3 4}

His wife is totally unknown. If the oldest female in the above four mentioned censuses are accurate and the oldest female is his wife then we know she was was born between 1755 & 1765 and that she died aft 1820.

Census	Age	Predicted Birth Yr.
1800	21-45	1755-1779
1810	26-45	1765-1784
1820	45+	1775

Frederick and his wife had 4 children; 2 sons and 2 daughters. Three of these 4 children are known, William Rivers, Frederick F. Rivers, Jr, and Sarah Rivers.

Page 412 of ”The History of The Old Cheraw's” along with Audited Account AA-6452 proves his participation in the Revolutionary War. He was in Charleston, SC during the Sieze of Charleston, captured and imprisoned for a short while.⁵

After the war he received 3 grants for land for his active participation  consisting of 1000 acres, 227 acres and 200 acres for a total of 1427 acres of land in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. I have found no evidence that Frederick owned slaves during his lifetime. ^{6 7 8}

Equity Records for Alex Melton and Edith Lundy alias Edith Wages, J. J. Evans, Defts Solc, dated 11 December 1814 shows Frederick Rivers and Lewis Boatwright as the two witnesses to this document. This is the latest document I have other than the 1820 census for Frederick Rivers. ⁹

I have a Will dated 9 Jan 1769 that shows a Frederick Rivers as the Witness for the Will of Jacob Waldburger, St. Peter's Parish, Granville County. This is the earliest document I have that names a Frederick Rivers. I have no proof that this Frederick Rivers is in fact our ancestor.¹⁰
Exors: wife during her widowhood; Rev. J. Joachin Zubly; Dr. Heny Bourquin; Capt. Cornelious Dupont.
Wit: Lachn. McGillivary, Jean Jaque Goante, Temoin., Frederick Rivers.
D: 9 Jan. 1769.  P. 22 Mar. 1770    R:nd.    Page 436

Frederick's Wife.
In 1927, in an un-sourced history of the David/Davis Family by Harry Alexander Davis made the following comments. ¹¹


*Frederick Rivers b ca 1739 died 1810, married 1762 Mary Boatwright, b. 1745 died1814. Chesterfield Dist. S. C. He served as a Private in the Revolution. (Stub Entries to Indents, Lib. N, No. 650.) Left children; Frederick Jr. Isaac, James and Nancy.

On Page 54, Mr. Davis is detailing the facts for my Great Grandfather Thomas Davis states:
“He [Thomas Davis] married July 1786 Nancy, daughter of Frederick Rivers,* and Mary Boatwright, born 15 Dec 1767.” ¹²

I stated earlier that Frederick had two daughters as indicated by the 1800 Census:



You can see by this Census that Frederick had two sons and two daughters.
1 Female, Daughter?, age 10-15, birth year – 1785-1790
1 Female, Daughter?, 16-25, birth year – 1775-1884 – Daughter Sarah was born 1 January 1782. So we have a perfect match.  She married John H. Brown and died after 1870 in Arkansas.
1  Female, Wife?, 26-44

But, it quite obvious that the second presumed daughter in the household wasn’t even old enough to play when Thomas and Nancy were married in July 1786. She may not have even been born when Thomas & Nancy married.

The second part of this is that there is no known Mary Boatwright that was the wife of Frederick Rivers. The Boatwright Family has been well documented and no evidence has been found that Mary Boatwright even existed.

http://www.boatwrightgenealogy.com/

But this was not going to stop those intent on creating a family history so Frederick Rivers wife Mary Boatwright morphed into a  female named Sarah Purvis, daughter of Gilbert Purvis.  

Well, Gilbert did have a daughter called Sally that most likely was named Sarah Purvis. The problem here is that she went to Mississippi with her family and when her older brother (Gilbert Johnston Purvis) died he left a stipend for her care. She died there some time after 1836 having never married.¹³



So on iteration #3, Sarah Purvis is now Gilbert Purvis’s sister thus her parents are John Purvis and Sarah Johnston who were married 2 April 1746 in Parish Prince Frederick Winyaw, South Carolina. No proof of this has been found as of today but that doesn't stop the tree copiers on-line from continuing to propagate this myth. ¹⁴

To summarize:
Frederick Rivers was born before 1754. His first son was born 25 February 1776 so he probably married about 1774 or 1775.  His wife is also unknown. She was was born between 1755 & 1765 and died after 1820. The Census shows they had 4 children; 2 sons and 2 daughters. One daughter is unknown. Frederick and his wife died after 1820. 

Frederick F. Rivers and his wife are my 5th Great Grandparents. The search continues to identify my 5th Great Grandmother.







________________________________
[1] 1790 U S Census, St Thomas, Cheraws District, South Carolina, population schedule, St Thomas, Cheraws District, South Carolina, page 373, Household of Fredk. Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed January 2009); citing National Archives Microfilm M637, Roll 11.
[2] 1800, Second Census of the United States, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, page 109, Household of Frederick Rivers; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed January 2000); citing National Archives Microfilm M 32, Roll 47.
[3] 1810 U S Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, page 555, Household of Frederick Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed February 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm M637, Roll 60.
[4] 1820 Census of the United States, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, page 128, Line 21, about mid-page, Frederic Rivers; digital image, Ancestry.com
[5] Right Rev. Alexander Gregg D.D., History of the Old Cheraws (Columbia, South Carolina: The State Company, 1925), page 412.
[6] "Plats for State Land Grants, 1784 - 1868, S108092," SC Department of Archive & History (SCDAH), SCDAH Database Search (http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/search.aspx : viewed 11 October 2011), transcription, Frederick Rivers, "Plat for 200 acres," Volume: 0003, Page: 00151.
[7] "Plats for State Land Grants, 1784 - 1868, S108092," SC Department of Archive & History (SCDAH), SCDAH Database Search (http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/search.aspx : viewed 11 October 2011), transcription, Frederick Rivers, "Rev War Accounts Audited," Reel: 0125, Frame: 00255.
[8] "Plats for State Land Grants, 1784 - 1868, S108092," SC Department of Archive & History (SCDAH), SCDAH Database Search (http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/search.aspx : viewed 11 October 2011), transcription, Frederick Rivers, "Plat for 1000 acres," Volume: 0014, Page: 00112.
[9] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Cheraw Equity Records, SC Archives, Equity Film, Second Section, Pages 0000-0014, Alex Melton ads Edith Lundy alias Edith Wages, 11 December 1814; SC Archives & History, Columbia, SC.
[10] Caroline Moore, ABSTRACTS OF WILLS OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA 1760-1784 (Columbia SC: R. L. Bryan Company, 1964), page 129.
[11] Harry Alexander Davis, The Davis Family (Davies and David) in Wales and America: genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania (Washington, D.C.: H. A. Davis, 1927), 54.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Hinds County, Mississippi, Will Book 1: page 48, Gilbert Johnson Purvis; Family History Library, Film #878728, Salt Lake City, Utah.
[14] National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, The Register Book of Parish Prince Frederick Winyaw (Baltimore, Maryland: William & Wilkins Company, 1916), page 55.

Tombstone Tuesday~Samuel Arnold Brock

Samuel Arnold Brock

b. 19 May 1876

d. 6 Feb. 1944

bu. Brock Cemetery

Photo Courtesy of Julious Burr

Samuel Arnold Brock was the the 4th born child of Samuel Washington Brock and Sarah Jane Lee. He had nine siblings; five sisters and four brothers.^{1 2}

About 1910, Samuel Arnold married Henrietta Elizabeth “Hennie” Smith daughter of Charlie Smith and Annie Atkinson. They would live to raise a family of eight children; four sons and four daughters. ³

Samuel Arnold died on 6 February 1944. His South Carolina Death certificate (#07703) shows he suffered a “stroke apoplexy”. He was 67 years of age.⁴


Samuel Arnold Brock is my 2nd cousin 3 times removed.









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[1] 1880 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 002, Page 287A, Line 30, Dwelling 522, Family 526, Household of Sam'l BROCK; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 27 March 2013); citing National Archive Microfilm T9, Roll 1225.
[2] 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0017, Page 7A/26 (stamped); Line 34, Dwelling 115, Family 115, Household of Samuel W. BROCK; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 20 January 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_1523.
[3] 1920 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 40, Page: 23A/179(stamped); Line 89, Dwelling 413, Family 435, Household of Samuel A. BROCK; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 20 January 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm T625_1690.
[4] Samuel A. Brock, death certificate #007703 (6 February 1944), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

Amanuensis Monday~1840 Deed of Trust between Father and Son

 
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 subject is a 1840 Deed of Trust between Nehemiah Eddins and his son, William S. Eddins.<sup>1

[Click images for best view]</sup>


Nehemiah Eddings to Wm. S. Eddings



Know all men by these presents that whereas Nehemiah Eddings is indebted to his son William S. Eddings in the sum of ten dollars & being desirous to secure the payment of the Same he the Sd. Nehemiah Eddins doth herby bargain sell and convey in trust to the said William S. Eddins the following personal property to wit six head of hogs all the corn and fodder now in the pofefion [possession] of the said Nehemiah Eddins upon the following condition that is if the said Nehemiah shall pay unto the Sd William S. Eddins the said sum of ten dollars with interest on or before the first day of May next or in case of his failure to do so he the said William S. Eddins is hereby authorized to proceed to a sale of the said property on the premises of said Nehemiah Eddings on a credit of six months he having first given public notice of said sale for ten days in three public places. In witnefs whereof the said Nehemiah Eddins have hereunto set his hand and Seal this 9^th day of Dec.^r 1840.
Witnefs John A. McRae                                               Nehemiah Eddins {seal}

Anson County Dec^r 9^th 1840 Then this deed of trust was duly acknowledged before me and ordered to be registered. N. D. Boggan C.C.C.



The top land deed was copied many years ago by my dear deceased friend, Marie G. Wiggins. The one immediately above is what is now on filed at the Anson County Courthouse. By the way, the typed Deed, on file today, was not transcribed verbatim and contains minor errors.²


Remember the old genealogy adage – Get a copy of the original record. 


William S. Eddins is believed to be the oldest son of Nehemiah Eddins and his wife, Obedience LNU.

Three sons and one daughter have been identified as children of Nehemiah and Obedience. On 27 July 1866, they (Nehemiah and Obedience) indicated that only two sons were living at that time.

Julv 27,1866
188. Nehemiah Eddins, white, is 71 years old. Wife's name Obedience@ 67 years. Has two sons married living near. Lives in Chesterfield District 4 miles from Court House on Wadeborough road. Mr. (Archie[?]) McQuade has allowed him to occupy about one acre of land on her place. Has a garden and potato patch. Has two hogs. Certificate of merit signed by John H. Perkins, Magistrate for Chesterfield. Has a free ticket on R R from MacFarland, President. Issued for ten days.³







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[1] Anson County, North Carolina, Deed Book 10: page 150, Nehemiah Eddings to Wm. S. Eddings; 9 December 1840, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.
[2] http://www.ansonncrod.org/ – Deed Book 10, page 150
[3] Freedmen's Bureau Ration Book, May - September 1866 Darlington, South Carolina Transcribed by Scott Wilds of Philadelphia, PA, an Old Darlington District Chapter, SCGS member. [The Carolina Herald, Summer Issue 2003,  and http://www.scottwilds.com/darlingtonaa_rev_8_17_2013_050.htm

Surname Saturday~Gilly Eddins

Eddins Name Meaning
English: variant of Eddings. This is a common name in TX, NC, and FL.
Eddings Name Meaning
English: patronymic from the Old English personal name Eadda.
Eadda's origin is English. Eadda's meaning is successful, wealthy.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press and http://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Eadda

Gilly Eddins was born between 1781 & 1790 based on the 1830 & 1840 census for Chesterfield County, South Carolina.¹ She appeared in the census in 1830 and 1840.² She died before 1850 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

Gilly Eddins and William "Old Frozen Bill" Sellers were married about 1818. This date is based on the birth of their oldest known child. William Sellers, son of Philip Sellers and Mary, was born in 1790 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. He appeared in the 1830  & 1840 census for Chesterfield County, South Carolina.^3 4 Bill died in Jul 1844 at the age of 54 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.^{5 6}

William Sellers and Gilly Eddins had the following children:

i. Noah Sellers, born 2 Sep 1819, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Timney Ellen Parsons, aft May 1840; died abt 1894, Madison County, Tennessee.
ii. William Eddins Sellers, born abt 1820, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Elizabeth Parsons, abt 1840; died abt 1854, Madison County, Tennessee.
iii. Sarah Sellers, born abt 1838, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married John H. Eddins; died 1880, Cason Old Field, Anson, North Carolina.

Gilly and William had other children that have not been identified; both sons and daughters.

Gilly Eddins Sellers is my 3rd Great Grandmother.
 
 
 
 
 
_________________________
1. 1830 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 262; Line 15, Household of William Sellers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 10 January 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M19_172.
2. 1840 U S Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 368, Line 26, Household of William Sellers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 10 January 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M740_Roll 510.
3. 1830 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Population Schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 262; Line 15, , Household of William Sellers.
4. 1840 U S Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Population Schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 368, Line 26,  Household of William Sellers.
5. James C. Pigg, Cheraw/Chesterfield District Wills, 1750-1865: Abstracts from the Court of Common Pleas 1823-1869 (Tega Cay, South Carolina: Self-published, 1995), page 130.
6. Ibid.

Friend of Friends Friday~Granny Sela, Slave

Died.

In Union county, on the 12th of March, GRANNY SELA, (a slave, the property of Mrs. Jane Gathings,) 110 years of age.
Granny Sela said she was a grown woman in the Revolutionary war, and had three children when in Independence was declared. She enjoyed remarkable good health and retained the faculties of her mind up to the time of her death. Her conversation was interesting and instructive. She was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and died in the triumphs of the christian faith.                                          D. A. C.















______________________
[1] Unknown newspaper, 1 April 1861, Union County, NC. Among some loose Gathings Family papers.

Treasure Chest Thursday~Sellers-Baxter Marriage

State of So. Carolina}Set.
County of Chesterfield} I, William Moore a Minister of the Gospel, do hereby certify that on the 28^th day of December A D, 1842 in the County of Chesterfield, State of So. Carolina I joined in Marriage Rolen Sellers (now deceased) and Jane B. Sellers.
                          according to the forces of decree,
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 9^th day of May A.D. 1879.-
Wm. Moore
Thomas F. Malloy
Clk


Rolen Sellers was born in 1794, a son of Philip and Mary Sellers. Roland first married Margaret Eddins. She died in 1841. Rolen then married Jane Baxter on 28 December 1842. This document came from her pension application for Rolen’s service in the War of 1812.







______________________________
[1] Jane Baxter Sellers Pension Application #35987 submitted 4 April 1879.

52 Ancestors: #50, Nancy Rivers

 


Amy Johnson Crow of No Story To Small has started a challenge of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.

From her blog “The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. Not only should this get me blogging more, but also to take a deeper look at some of the people in my family tree.”

The focus of my blog post today is Nancy Rivers.







Nancy Rivers was born 15 December 1767 in the Cheraw District, now Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Her parents are unknown. In 1787/1788 she married Thomas Davis, born 22 March 1760, son of David Davis and Jane Miles.

I have been researching Chesterfield County families for 38 years. I only know of two documents that actually mentions the name Nancy Rivers, Nancy Rivers Davis or Nancy Davis. They are:

• Thomas Davis Revolutionary Pension File – W-8655 ¹

William Davis Affidavit

Thomas Davis was married to his deponents Mother Nancy Davis in Chesterfield District South Carolina in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven or eight (1787 or 1788) and as husband and wife

William Rivers Affidavit

Since his first recollection that he was raised within one fourth of a mile from the said Nancy Davis, then Nancy Rivers deponents Aunt and well recollects the time they were married but was not present at the marriage and to the best of his knowledge and belief would say they were married about the year Seventeen hundred and eighty seven or eight (1787-88) that the said Thomas Davis lived the year before he was married with his deponents father and has known them as husband and wife ever since in which relation they were respectable members of the Methodist Church up to the time of his said Thomas Davis death

• John Calvin Davis Family Bible ²

Nancy Davis died December
The 15 1853 Age 86 years Exact

Thomas Davis died 20 March 1845 and Nancy Rivers Davis died 15 December 1853.Thomas and Nancy were married (1787-1845) 58 years. During that time they raised eleven children; 6 sons and 5 daughters. Their son Michael (child 9) is my 3rd great Grandfather.   
Nancy & Thomas had the following children:

i. Samuel Davis, born Jan 1789, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; moved out West.
ii. William Davis, born 1790, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, United States; married Julia Thurman, abt 1814, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; died aft 1860, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
iii. Susannah Davis, born abt 1794, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married John H. Wadsworth, 1819–20, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; died bet 1870 and 1880, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
iv. Isaac Jacob Davis, born 18 Aug 1795, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; married Sarah (LNU), abt 1820; died 13 Jun 1877, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
v. Hulda Davis was born in 1797 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. It is not known when she passed away.
vi. Jonathan Daniel Davis, born abt 1800, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Sarah STB RIVERS, 1818, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; died abt 1839–1840, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
vii. Elizabeth Rebecca Davis, born 1798–1802, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; married Lewis Boatwright, abt 1818, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; died aft 1870, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
viii. Sarah Jane Davis, born 1804, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Jesse Freeman, abt 1826, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; died aft 1870, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
ix. Michael Davis, born 13 Mar 1806, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Hulda Rivers, 1832, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; died 26 Apr 1888, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
x. Mary "Polly" Davis was born on 25 Jun 1808 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina She died on 20 May 1890 at the age of 81 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.38
xi. John Calvin Davis, born 14 Dec 1812, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Charlotte Hurst, 31 Jan 1836, Darlington, Darlington, South Carolina; died 12 Jul 1865, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

Nancy Rivers Davis is my 4th Great Grandmother.








____________________________
[1] Thomas DAVIS and W-8655, compiled military record (1779-1783), Rev. War Pension and Land-Bounty Application Files, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration), NARA microfilm publication M804, Roll 766 and http://www.fold3.com/image/1/15484583/
[2] 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].

Tombstone Tuesday~James F. Purvis

James Francis “Jim” Purvis

b. 12 November 1886

d. 21 February 1936

bu. Morven Cemetery

James Francis “Jim” Purvis is my Grandfather. He passed away before I was born.but I have many relatives that knew him before he passed away. The last years of his life were not good ones and he was bed ridden during  that time.  He suffered from Hemiplegia from January 15, 1933 till his demise on 21 February 1946 according to his South Carolina Death certificate #1983.¹

Mr. Purvis was 50 years of age, a life long farmer of Anson county and was a good husband and father; and was kind to his fellow-man. He will be greatly missed in his family and community. He is survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. W. J.  Purvis, who are both invalids, his wife…²

Grandpa Jim and Grandma Pearly had seven children of which their last born, a daughter, was stillborn; three sons and three daughters survived.

James Frances Purvis was buried on 22 February 1936 in the Morven Cemetery, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina.





______________________________
[1] JAMES F. PURVIS, death certificate #1983 (21 February 1936), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.
[2] Mr. James Purvis obituary, The Messenger and Intelligencer, Wadesboro, North Carolina, 27 February 1936, Front Page.

Amanuensis Monday~Evan David Will, 1748

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 subject is the WILL of Evan David, written in August 1748.¹
In 1927, Harry Alexander Davis wrote a book entitled “The Davis family (Davies and David) in Wales and America : genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania. Morgan David’s  descendants migrated from Pennsylvania to New Castle County, Delaware and eventually the Father and Grandfather of our known ancestors migrated and settled in the Welsh Neck area of South Carolina.²
Our ancestor, Thomas Davis married Nancy Rivers. He was born in the Cheraw District, South Carolina, on 22 March 1760. The DAVID surname was changed to DAVIS the generation after Evan David or the parents of Thomas Davis, David Davis and Jane Miles.³    
Evan David was the Grandfather of Thomas Davis husband of Nancy Rivers Davis. He was twice married. His first wife was Jane Rees whom he married  12 January 1711 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Our Davis line is through their son, David Davis. Jane Rees David died 1 December 1723 in New Castle County, Delaware.⁴ 
Evan Davis next married Jane Morgan in 1724, It is Jane Morgan and their 4 children that is referenced in this Will. The Thomas mention in this will is not Thomas Davis born 1760. There’s another generation between Thomas and Evan David. The parents of Thomas Davis born 22 March 1760 is David Davis and Jane Miles.⁵   


In the Name of God Amen. I Evan David Sen^r of Pencader Hundred in New Castle County being very sick & weak of body but of perfect & sound mind & memory (blefsed be God for the same} do make appoint & constitute this my last will & testament In manner & form following that is to say. IMPR^S. I order all my just debts and funeral Expenses to be paid by my Executor hereafter named.
Item. I give & bequeath to my Eldest Son John David one hundred & fivety <sic> acres of Land adjoining of land of Reas Rees to him his heirs & Afsigns forever. As also I give & Bequeath to him Sd John two Cows & four sheep to be delivered him by my Executors.
Item, I give & bequeath to my Son Joshua David fivety acres of Land that I bought of Thomas John to be pofessed by him when he comes of age of one & twenty years & by his heirs or afsigns afterwards forever, likewise I give him one cow & six sheep to be delivered him by my Executors when he come to of age aforeSd.
Item, I give to my Daughter Margaret three Cows & six sheep to be delivered her by my Executors as above Sd.
Item. I give Bequeath & devise to my Beloved wife Jane David and son Thomas all the remainder of my lands tenements Rights titles Estate goods Chattles & effects whatsoever to be professed by them jointly during the natural life of my said Wife & then to belong unto & be professed by my Sd. son Thomas his heirs & afsigns for ever Appointing & Constituting them & none other to be Executors of this my last will & Testament, ordaining likewise & willing that if my Sd Son Thomas die without issue that all his part belong unto & be professed by my son Joshua above named & his heirs & afsigns forever, AND I do hereby revoke disanull & make void every other & former will by me made constituting this only to be my last will & Testament . In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 21^st day Aug^st 1748.
Sealed signed & declared by Sd Evan Davis Sen.
Simon James} Timothy Griffeth
William Evan}

Evan David is my 6^th Great Grandfather. 

________________________________
[1] New Castle County, Delaware, LDS FHL microfilm #006539: Will Book "G", page 207-208, EVAN DAVID; Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
[2] Harry Alexander Davis, The Davis Family (Davies and David) in Wales and America: genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania (Washington, D.C.: H. A. Davis, 1927), page 9.
[3] Thomas DAVIS and W-8655, compiled military record (1779-1783), Rev. War Pension and Land-Bounty Application Files, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration), NARA microfilm publication M804, Roll 766.
[4] Harry Alexander Davis, The Davis Family (Davies and David) in Wales and America: genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania (Washington, D.C.: H. A. Davis, 1927), page 9.
[5] Ibid.