Tombstone Tuesday~Gilbert Purvis

Gilbert Purvis

b. bef. 1754, , SC

d. betw. June 1828-1829, MS. 

Photo Courtesy of Julious Burr

Gilbert Purvis

S.C. Mil.

Rev. War

The above monument is a cenotaph; not the grave of Gilbert Purvis.

Gilbert Purvis was born about 1754, a son of John Purvis and Sarah Johnson. He married Effica Howell before 1776.

For his service in the Revolutionary War he received several land grants; two of these were received on 15 August 1793 consisting of two tracts, one for 3,215 acres and the other consisting of 1000 acres. In total, Gilbert owned 4 tracts totaling 4815 acres.¹ 

In March 1818, James Purvis died. Gilbert Purvis and two other men provided assets to back the Administrative Bond for Ten thousand dollar. The sum of the bond indicates that James Purvis had substantial holdings.² 

The condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bound John Johnston and Gilbert Purvis administrators of the goods, chattels and credits of James Purvis deceased do make a true and perfect inventory...

I believe this death was a catalyst that’s set Gilbert and his brothers on a journey westward.

Shortly after the death of James, Gilbert and his family along with brothers Joseph and James F. Purvis and their family sold all their property in South Carolina and migrated down through Georgia to Clarke County, Alabama.

The families spent some time here purchasing land with several of the children getting married in the early 1820’s.  John Purvis died here in 1825. He is believed to be a son of Gilbert and Effica Purvis.

A Land Deed in Clark County exist between William Stringer (Grantor) to Gilbert PURVIS (Grantee), dated 25 December 1821 (Deed Book "A', Page 182-183).³

The families finally settled in Hinds, Simpson, Rankin and Smith counties of Mississippi.

A 1828 Tax list for Simpson County, Mississippi clearly shows that Gilbert and his son, Gilbert Johnson Purvis were both alive in June 1828. 4

1828 Tax List Headings 

Listing for Gilbert Sr and his son

(Click images to enlarge)

Gilbert was not found in the 1829 Tax list nor the 1830 census. It’s almost certain that he died between June 1828 and 1829. ⁵

Gilbert Purvis in 1828 was an old man at least 74 years of age. Do you really believe he made his way back to South Carolina where he had no property and no families to die and be buried in the Rivers graveyard.

Related Articles:

• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/01/gilbert-purvis-south-carolina-to.html

______________________________
cenotaph = a monument to someone buried elsewhere, especially someone who died in a war.
[1] Gilbert Purvis & James Purvis, Plat for 3, 215 Acres, 15 August 1793; S213190, Volume: 0032; Page: 00255, Item 0001; Dept. of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina.
[2] Horry County South Carolina, Horry District Administration Bonds 1803-1818 (Conway, Horry County, South Carolina: Probate Office, n.d.), Administration Bond - Gilbert Purvis, page 71.
[3] Land Deed - William Stringer to Gilbert PURVIS; 25 December 1821; Deed Book #A; Page(s) 182-183; Register of Deeds; Clarke County, Alabama; 10 January 2012.
[4] Mississippi State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, *FamilySearch*, (http://www.familysearch.org: accessed 14 January 2012), Simpson, County Tax Rolls; 1828, Box 3764, Image of 36 of 276, Gilbert PERVIS.
[5] Mississippi State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, *FamilySearch*, (http://www.familysearch.org: accessed 14 January 2011), Simpson, County Tax Rolls; 1829, Box 3764, Image 46 of 276, Gilbert J. PERVIS. Gilbert Johnson Purvis was found in the 1829 Tax rolls but Gilbert Purvis, Sr. was not found.