For many years George Washington Purvis, his wife and family have lingered within my genealogical database waiting for me to identify his parents and connect these together as a family. Many have tried and failed but if you really want to see some amazing fiction take a look at the 80+ individuals that has his parent as John Purvis and Elizabeth Lovett.
Based on the evidence below it is my conclusion that John Purvis and Mary Parks are the parents of George Washington Purvis.
First, A Probate Decree concerning the Estate of John W. Purvis. Said decree shows that John W. Purvis is the father of George Washington Purvis and the grandfather of his children. It also shows that Martha A. [Franklin] Purvis is the mother of the Children and thus wife of George Washington Purvis.
Petition for the Sale of Land
Estate of
John W. Purvis} The State of Mississippi}
et al} Rankin County} In Chancery Court
Minors} } of Said County
To the Hon. E. W. Cabinefs Chancellor of the 16th District of the State of Mississippi.
The petition of Martha A. Purvis Guardian of the Estate of John W. Purvis, James F. Purvis & Emily M Purvis minors heirs at law of John Purvis late of Said Rankin County dec's would respectfully represent unto your Honor that there descended to Said Minors from the Estate their Grandfather the said John Purvis decd jointly I with your petitioner an individual one twelfth interest in and to the following described lands lying and being Situated in Said Rankin County to wit: the West half of the North West Quarter & the South East Quarter of the North West Quarter & the North half of the South West quarter & the North West quarter of the South East Quarter & the North west quarter of the South east quarter of Section [section] Twenty five (25) in Township four (4) of Range five (5) containing in all two hundred & fifty acres more or lefs that your petitioner is advised & believes that an equal division of Said Lands cannot conveniently be made that the co-heirs or other heirs of said John Purvis dec'd ( all of whom are of full age) have sold & conveyed by Deed their interests in the lands herein before described to one John R. Strong a citizen of this county who is now the legal owner of said interest of said co-heirs.
Your petitioner would further state the lands herein before described are chiefly in a wild & unproductive State, and yielding little or no income to said minors, and that the interest of Said minors would be promoted by the sale of the Said interest in Said lands that your petitioner is the Mother of Said Minors & the widow of Geo. W. Purvis dec'd who was the son & heir at law of Said John Purvis dec'd and as she is advised and believes she is entitled to an equal interest with said minors in Said lands.
The promises considered, your petitioner [page 57] prays your Honor to cause Summons issue for the Said John R. Strong & for William Purvis & T. J. Franklin two of the nearest relatives of Said minors to appear at the Next Term of your Honl Court & answer this petition and show cause if any they can why the prayer thereof should not be granted; and that, upon a final hearing herself your Honor will decree a Sale of the Said interest in said lands on such Notice terms & conditions as to your Honor may Seem just & proper.
And your petitioner is ready & willing to execute bond with Security as required by the Statute.
And as in duty Bound &c
Sworn to & Subscribed before}
me the 25th day of October AD 1873} M. A. her mark X Purvis
W. P. Franklin }
J.P.}
Filed October 31st 1873 Recorded 12th November 1873
S. J. Parker
Clerk
"Mississippi Probate Records, 1781-1930," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89QD-HSKB?cc=2036959&wc=M7MY-VW5%3A344537701%2C345648501 : 21 May 2014), Rankin > Petitions 1872-1900 vol E > image 36 of 301; county courthouses and public libraries, Mississippi.
Second, the 1840 census for John Purvis in Rankin County, MS shows a 14 year old male in John's household.
Name: John Purvis
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Rankin, Mississippi
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1 -- unidentified
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1 -- George Washington Purvis
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1 -- Clemmons Purvis
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1-- John Purvis
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 2 -- Lucy Ann Purvis, 1 unidentified
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 2 - Martha Purvis
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1 - Mary [Parks] Purvis
Slaves - Males - Under 10: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 3
Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 9
I believe that I have identified 7 of the 9 individuals in this household in 1840.
Third, The 1866 Mississippi State Census shows Mrs. Martha A. Purvis as a close neighbor of John Purvis and his boys. I believe Martha's presence and close proximity, after her husband's death in 1861, is indicative of the close family relationship of the Purvis family and suggest a familial relationship between Martha A. Purvis, John Purvis, Alexander Purvis and Clemmons Purvis.
If John W. Purvis had twelve heirs-at-law as suggested in the probate docket, then I am missing some children.
Fourth, Rankin County Deed Book 24, Page 299 & 300 lists the heirs-at-law- of John W. Purvis. This Deed was for the sale of John P/W Purvis and Mary Park Purvis land and settlement of the estate. The Deed reference John Purvis’ Land and also names his children and Grandchildren plus daughter-in-law Martha Adaline Franklin Purvis as heirs-at-law.
Heirs -at-Law John Purvis Lands
Nathaniel Walters & Wife, Mary Elizabeth Purvis daughter of George Washington Purvis
W. H. Franklin & Wife, Lucy Ann Purvis daughter of John Purvis & Mary Parks.
T. J. Franklin & wife, Caroline Purvis, daughter of John W. Purvis and Mary Parks
Adaline Purvis, Widow of George Washington Purvis
William R. Purvis, Son of George Washington Purvis
J. A. [Jasper Anse]. Puckett & wife & Samantha Jane "Sarah" Purvis daughter of George Washington Purvis
W. P. Franklin -- Connection unknown at this time
Rankin County Land Deed Book 24, page 299-300
DEED BOOK 24, pages 299-300
T. J. Franklin et al}
to } Deed }
John R. Strong} This Indenture made & entered into this the 20th day of September A. D. 1873 by & between L. A. Franklin & wife, W. H. Franklin & wife, Adaline Purvis, William Purvis, N. Walters & wife, Jasper Puckett & wife, & N. P. Franklin all of the first part & John R. Strong of the second part all of the County of Rankin & Smith & State of Mississippi. Witnefs that the parties of the first part for & in consideration of the Sum of Twelve hundred Dollars in hand paid by the party of the Second part the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have bargained Sold transferred & conveyed & by these presents do bargain, Sell, transfer & convey unto the said J. R. Strong all our rite [rights], title & interest in following described land formerly belonging to John Purvis Deceast in the County of Rankin & State of Miss: to wit the S 1/2 of NW 1/4 & SW 1/2 of SW 1/4 & NW 1/4 NW/14 & NW 1/4 of SE 1/4 all of Section No 25 T4 R5 East containing in all two hundred & forty acres more or lefs to have & to hold the same land to him & his heirs executors administrators & assigns forever & we do hereby covenant to warrant & forever defend (p. 300) the title to the above land to him the Said J. R. Strong & his heirs executors administrators & assigns against the claims of any & all persons whomsoever in Testimony of the Same we all hereto Set our hands & affix our Seals.
This the 29th day of September A.D. 1873.
W. P. Franklin {Seal}
M. E. Walters {Seal}
Nathaniel Walters {Seal}
W. H. Franklin {Seal}
L. A. Franklin {Seal}
L. J. Franklin {Seal}
C. Franklin {Seal}
W. R. Purvis {Seal}
Adaline x her mark Purvis {Seal}
J. A. Puckett {Seal}
S. J. Puckett {Seal}
The State of Mississippi}
Rankin County} This day personally appeared before the undersigned Justice of the peace in & for said County & State N. Walters & Wife, W. H. Franklin & Wife, L. J. Franklin & wife, Adaline Purvis, William R. Purvis, J. A. Puckett & wife & W. P. Franklin who acknowledged that they Signed Sealed & delivered the foregoing Deed as their own voluntary act & deed on the day & year wherein mentioned & for the purposes therein contained.
Given under my hand & Seal of Office this the 20th day of September A. D. 1873.
W. P. Franklin {Seal}
Justice Peace
Filed for Record 1st October 1873 at 9 o'clock A. M.
Recorded 3rd October 1873.
S. J. Parker, Clerk
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QM-XYTR?i=160&cat=253106
Image 161 of 337
The evidence above proves John Purvis and Mary Parks are the parents of George Washington Purvis.
____________________________
1. Probate record="Mississippi Probate Records, 1781-1930," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89QD-HSKB?cc=2036959&wc=M7MY-VW5%3A344537701%2C345648501 : 21 May 2014), Rankin > Petitions 1872-1900 vol E > image 36 of 301; county courthouses and public libraries, Mississippi.
2. 1840 US Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Rankin County, Mississippi, Page 183, Household of John Purvis, Joseph Purvis male, age 40-49; digital images, www.ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 June 2020); citing NARA micro-film Roll: M704_217.
3. 1866 Mississippi State Census
4. Rankin County Land Deed Book 24, page 299-300 >>
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QM-XYTR?i=160&cat=253106
Image 161 of 337
