Amanuensis Monday~Death of Wm. H. H. Purvis

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 death of William H. H. Purvis.¹
 


No. 139
        The State of Texas   Polk County in the County Court July Term 1855,
To his honor Wm. F. Gee chief justice Your petitioner Joseph McGee of Newton County of Texas shows that W. H. H. Purvis of said Polk County departed this life intestate on or about the    day of June last past, and that the nearest relative of said descendant have as yet failed and refused to administer on said estate that said Purvis had in pofefion [possession]  at the time of his death real and personal property to a large amount and is believed  to own it, that your petitioner is the owner and holder of large and bono fide claims against said estate and that he is unable to collect the same or have them litigated without and administrator  of said estate, wherefore, he prays your honor to cause the usual notice be given and at the July term 1855 of your honorable court appoint your petitioner  administrator of said estate as in duty bound & c.
                                                                           Joseph McGee
Filed July 18, 1855
W. H. Dukes, Clk.
Record April 5th, A D 1856 on page 209
L. G. McNickin, Depty Clk c c P4

Page 210 shows that Joseph McGee failed in his attempt to gain control of the Estate. William H. H. Purvis’ wife Jemima Magee Purvis and his son-in-law, Jesse R. Jones were appointed administrators of the estate. 

In his attempt to get control of the estate Joseph McGee said “that said Purvis had in pofefion [possession]  at the time of his death real and personal property to a large amount and is believed  to own it.”

Actual land records in Polk County shows that William H. H. Purvis knew his death was imminent and had divested himself of most of his “real estate” transferring them to his wife and children. Many of these land deeds can be found in Polk County Texas Land Deed Book “E”.




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[1] Polk County, Texas, Probate records, v. D-F 1853-1860, Volume "D", page 209, William H. H. Purvis; FHL microfilm #1006872. Estate #139, Page 209, FHL Film #1006872; Estate records found on pages 208-238, 344-346, 358-359 and page 388; FHL Film #1006872.