William James Purvis is my great grandfather. He is the only child of William A. Purvis and Sarah Jane Graves Purvis. William James was born on 25 September 1863 in Morven, Anson County, North Carolina. He married Mary Hulda Previtte, daughter of John Washington Previtte and Elizabeth “Bette” Davis about 1879. They are enumerated in the Census as husband and wife; he is 16, she is 19.
William James died on 8 June 1941 and his obituary was printed in the 12 June 1941 edition of the Messenger and Intelligencer.
“Mr. W. J. Purvis - A useful citizen, substantial farmer and highly esteemed resident of Morven Township, William James Purvis, died at his home Sunday morning at 10:30 o’clock. He was about 65 years of age and was a son of the late William Purvis and Mrs. Sarah Graves Purvis.”
Do the math, he was actually 77 years 8 months and 14 days. His wife , Mary Hulda, had passed away on 29 July 1938 and he was bedridden (invalid) at the time of his death.
“Surviving Mr. Purvis are one son, J. W. Purvis, of Morven, and three daughters, Mrs. Earl [Ervin] Brock, of Chesterfield, S. C. and Mrs. Lucian Deese and Mrs. John Lang, both of Morven.”
He had two other sons that had passed away before him; my Grandfather, James Frederick Purvis and my Grand Uncle Oscar Philmore Purvis. William & Mary also had a daughter that was stillborn in 1899.
“The funeral was held at the home near Morven at 3 o’clock Monday afternoon. Rev. J. P. H. McNatt, Presbyterian pastor, was assisted by the Methodist and Baptist ministers, Rev. P. T. Dixon and Rev. C. E. Stevens, in the service which was attended by a large congregation. Floral tributes were profuse and beautifully arranged. Interment was in Zoar Cemetery a short distance over the line in Chesterfield County, S. C.”
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[1] Mr. W. J. PURVIS obituary, The Messenger and Intelligencer, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina, United States, 11 June 1941, page 3, col 3.
[2] Image courtesy of Google images.
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