It’s Family Time~The John Purvis-Sarah McMillan Family

 

John Purvis was born about 1782 in South Carolina. His calculated birth year of 1782 is verified by his Sworn Statement dated 20 Oct 1851 found within the Pension file of James McMillan, W9559. John stated that he is Sixty-nine (69) years old and is well acquainted with James and Rachel McMillan. (1851-69=1782). If is further confirmed by the 1850 Chesterfield County Federal population census where John Purvis is listed as being  68 years of age (1850-68=1782). His parents are unknown but his Father is believed to have been a John Purvis, son of John Purvis and Sarah Johnson.

John Purvis married Sarah McMillan daughter of James & Rachel McMillan. (See REV WAR W-9559 - James McMillan). This marriage took place about 1810 based on the birth of their 1st born child, Charles G. Purvis in 1811. The Revolutionary War Pension File of Rachel McMillan's father, James McMillan (https://www.fold3.com/image/24228107), identifies all his children and who they married.

Sarah McMillan, born abt 1785, was the daughter of James & Rachel (Chisholm) McMillan. She had 7 siblings; 3 sisters and 4 brothers. James McMillan served in the Revolutionary War and passed away 18 August 1837. Rachel (Chisholm) McMillan died on 25 October 1844.

In 1850, we find John Purvis and his wife Sarah living in the Chesterfield district with 4 of their children and 4 grandchildren.

The grandchildren are children of their daughter, Mary Ann Purvis who married William B. Dickson about 1836. Shortly after their marriage in 1836, Gordon B. Dickson took his young Bride to Hinds County, Mississippi. There he died before 28 Oct 1844 and Mary returned home to Chesterfield to be with her parents.

Shortly, after returning home her Father, John Purvis, passed away in March 1854. Sarah (McMillan) Purvis would pass away in April of 1863. See SC Equity Record.

[#108] Craig, J.C. & wife vs. Charles G. Pervis & others - Bill for injunction & general relief 1866
John Purvis died intestate in March 1854, leaving his widow, Sarah Purvis and children: Mary A., widow of William B. Dickson; Charles G. Purvis; John C. Purvis; and Laura S. intermarried with James C. Craig. Additional information: The children of James C. and Laura Purvis Craig: Sallie P. Craig; John J. Craig; Alexander W. Craig; Laura E. Craig; Mollie A. Craig; Edgar Craig; Irene Craig; Leola Craig and James Craig who died at age 11. Alexander J. Purvis died 3 July 1860, leaving as his heir his mother and brothers & sisters; Sarah Purvis died intestate in April 1863; John C. Purvis died intestate 13 October 1864, leaving as his heirs Laura S. Craig, Mary A. Dickson and Charles G. Purvis.

This is a snapshot of the John & Sarah Purvis household in the 1850 CENSUS.

John Purvis and Sarah McMillan had the following children:

i. Charles G. Purvis, born abt 1811, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Mary E. Douglass; died 13 Jul 1887, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

ii. Mary Ann Purvis, born abt 1813, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married William B. Dickson, abt 1836; died bet 14 Oct 1893 and Jun 1900.

iii. John C. Purvis was born about 1819 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. He died on 13 Oct 1864 at the age of 45 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina

iv. Laura Sarah Purvis, born 6 Nov 1824, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Dr. James Chapman Craig, 18 Jan 1848; died 1 Mar 1914, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

v. Alexander J. Purvis was born about 1828 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. He died on 3 Jul 1860 at the age of 32 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

In 1860 only Sarah and her son John C. are remaining in the household.

It’s quick to see that a lot of tragedy has transpired with this family

William B. Dickson, husband of daughter Mary Ann, died before 28 October 1844

John Purvis, Father, died  March 1854

Alexander J. Purvis, son, died 3 July 1860

Sarah McMillan Purvis, Mother, died April 1863

John C. Purvis, son, died 13 October 1864

Mary Ann (Purvis) Dickson died between 14 Oct 1893 and June 1900 (Between the execution of a Land Deed contained in Chesterfield County Deed Book 17, page 197-200 and the 1900 Census in June 1900).  

Laura Sarah (Purvis) Craig, age 89, lived until 1 March 1914

The parents of John Purvis, b. 1782 are unknown. I believe him to be related to James and Gilbert Purvis and quite possible a grandson of John Purvis and Sarah Johnson/Johnston. 

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        1. John Purvis, 17 January 1814; South Carolina Land Grants, S213192, Volume: 0043, Page: 00493, Item: 001; Dept. of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina.

        2. John Purvis, 28 January 1817; South Carolina Land Grants, S213192, Volume - 0044 Page - 00339 Item - 01; Dept. of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina.

        3. 1820 Census of the United States, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, Household of John PERVIS; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 15 January 2019); citing  National Archives Microfilm M 33_119.

        4. 1830 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 258; Line 1, Household of John Purvis; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 15 January 2019); citing  National Archives Microfilm M19_172.

        5. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 104B (stamped), Line 7, Dwelling 82, Family 82, Household of John PERVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 9 May 2014); citing  National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.

        6. Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, microfilm publication M804 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 1974), James McMillan, W-8559.

        7. 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 132.

         8. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 176 (stamped); Line 24, Dwelling 1161, Family 1060, Household of Sarah PERVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 9 May 2014); citing  National Archives Microfilm M653_1217.

         9. 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), pages 132 & 133.

        10. Land Deed - J. C. Purvis to J. P. Smith; 10 March 1854; Deed Book #15; Page(s) 132; Register of Deeds; Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina; 3 January 2010.

        11. SOURCE: #108 Index and Genealogical Abstracts of the Chesterfield District Court of Common Pleas, Equity Side, 1823-1869, page 132-133 as recorded in "Cheraw/Chesterfield District Wills, 1750-1865 & Abstracts from the Court of Common Pleas 1823-1869, Published by James C. Pigg, Copyright 1995.