Two Reported Death Dates for Peter Hagler

The second wife of Peter Hagler was Sarah ‘Sallie’ Dry my first cousin 5 times removed. No documented death date has been found for Sarah ‘Sallie” Dry but, she is believed to have passed away shortly after the birth of her second child in 1816.

I have found two reported death dates for her husband, Peter Hagler.  The first reported death date is recorded in the Barbour County Alabama Probate Records. This record can be found in Alabama, Wills and Probate Records, 1753-1999, Image 577 of 1751.

This record states that the heirs and legatees of Peter Hagler “sheweth unto your Honor that the said Peter Hagler dec'd on the 14th day of Feby 1852 made his last Will and Testament which was filed in office on the 14th day of April 1852 & admitted to Probate on the 10th May 1852...”

Peter Hagler wrote and dated his Will 12 February 1852. I’m reading the above statements to say that he died on 14 February 1852.

The State of Alabama
To the Honorable William R. Cowen Judge of Probate for Barbour County.
     The petition of the undersigned Jacob Hagler Thomas Hagler & Charles Long heirs and legatees of Peter Hagler deceased, sheweth unto your Honor that the said Peter Hagler dec'd on the 14th day of Feby 1852 made his last Will and Testament which was filed in office on the 14th day of April 1852 & admitted to Probate on the 10th May 1852, that according to the provision of said Will Sarah his last wife was to receive 120 acres of land, Slave Bill, Two Horses, two cows & calves Two Sows & pigs Two head of Sheep, Household furniture plantation tools. John his son the sum of five dollars, Charles his son Seven dollars, Martin Thomas his son-in-law the sum of Five dollars, Joel Thomas his son-in-law the sum of Five dollars, Margaret his first wife the sum of twenty dollars. Jacob & Thomas his sons and Betsey wife of Charles Long, his daughter (these being the petitioners this care) all the balance of his property consisting of lands, Bonds, Notes of hand, Beady, money, account &c Cattle, horses, Hogs & Sheep not before enumerated to be equally divided among them.
Your petitioner sheweth unto your Honor that Thos. S. Locke is the administrator of the said Peter Hagler with the will annexed of the Said Peter Hagler deceased, that the space of eighteen months and over have elapsed Since the granted of letters as aforesaid, that there is a Sufficiency of assets in the hand of the said administrator to pay the claims of your petitioner, after discharging the debts of the testator, Charges an and other legacies entitled to priority from such estate.
     Your petitioner therefore asks your Honor to issue a citation to the said Thos. S. Locke Administrator as aforesaid to be and appear before your Honor and make final Settlement of the Estate of Peter Hagler deceased & to take such other proceedings in the premises as may seem fit and your petitioners will ever pray &c.
                                                          M. B. Wellborn
                                                                for petitioners

The second recorded Death date is 21 May 1852 recorded on his FindAGrave memorial.

Again, I refer you to the statement in the above probate record.

This record states that the heirs and legatees of Peter Hagler “sheweth unto your Honor that the said Peter Hagler dec'd on the 14th day of Feby 1852 made his last Will and Testament which was filed in office on the 14th day of April 1852 & admitted to Probate on the 10th May 1852...”

If his Will was admitted to Probate on the 10 May 1852 then he was definitely deceased prior to 10 May 1852 and there is no way that the date of 21 May 1852 found on the FindAGrave memorial could be accurate.

There is no known tombstone available for Peter Hagler.  

______________________________________

[1] https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8799/images/007651763_00577?usePUB=true&_phsrc=YNf1826&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&pId=4894558

[2] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 3 July 2019); Memorial page for Peter Hagler; (1777–21 May 1852); Find a Grave memorial # 169465254, Citing Unknown; Barbour County, Alabama, USA.

Anna J. Douglass Sellers Final Resting Place

Phillip Albert Sellers, son of Elijah Sellers and Sarah Purvis died 6 April 1896 leaving his wife Anna J. Douglass and  seven of his eight children surviving him.¹

In the 1900 Census for Chesterfield County, Anna J. Sellers can be found in the Courthouse Township with three of her surviving children; Hardy, age 24, Daniel C., age 20 and Mary, age 15.²

In 1910, she was living in Green Bay, Covington County, Alabama with her daughter Sarah Jane “Sallie” and son-in-law, Benjamin J. Hilton.³ 

I had reports that Anna Jane Douglass Sellers passed away in 1914 in Elba, Coffee County, Alabama but no confirmation of these facts. Her death date as reported on her FindAGrave Memorial is 7 February 1914. She is buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Elba, Alabama. I could not find her in the Alabama 1881-1974 Death and Burial Index.⁴

The FindAGrave Memorial for Anna J. Douglass Sellers may be viewed by clicking on this link - Find A Grave Memorial# 91661381

______________________________
[1] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Death date, Phillip Albert Sellers; SC Archives & History, Columbia, South Carolina.
[2] 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0020, Page: 9A/81 (stamped); Line 38, Dwelling 164, Family 164, Household of Annie J. SELLERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 16 April 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_1523.
[3] 1910 U. S. Census, Covington County, Alabama, population schedule, Green Bay, Covington County, Alabama, enumeration district (ED) 0056, Page: 17A/90 (stamped); Line 14, Dwelling 196, Family 196, Household of Benjamin J. HILTON; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 16 April 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm T624_9.
[4] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 16 April 2015); Memorial page for Anna Jane Douglass Sellers; (19 September 1845–7 February 1914); Find a Grave memorial # 91661381, Citing Evergreen Cemetery; Elba, Coffee County, Alabama, USA.

A Death Bed Wish

 
Sampson Gathings was born about 1782, a son of Philip Gathings and his wife Haney. He was never married. He died in Baldwin County, Alabama on 16 October 1830 leaving his entire estate to his nephew and namesake Sampson Gathings of Monroe County, Mississippi; a son of James and Jane (Jackson) Gathings of Union County, North Carolina.  
 

 
The State of Alabama}
Baldwin County} Orphan Court Special
Term Novbr 27th, 1844.
Personally appeared before me Peter C. Byrne Presiding Judge of the Orphans Court for the County of Baldwin and the State of Alabama Jobez Stapleton, who after being duly sworn deposes and says that he was present in the last and dying moments of Sampson Gathings deceased late of Baldwin County and State of Alabama who departed this natural life sometime about the 16th day of October A. D. 1830 and that he said Stapleton was called on to take notice and bear testimony that he the said Sampson Gathings did will and bequeath to his nephew Sampson Gathings the a minor the son of James Gathings of North Carolina his the said Sampson Gathings entire property consisting of ten or eleven negroes, one horse, one gun, one wagon and one pair of Pistols which said property he the said Sampson Gathings was then possessed of in fee simple and which he did will and bequeath to his nephew the said Sampson Gathings son of James Gathings to have and to hold forever in fee simple__ Witness further states that the names of said negros were as follows as well as he can recollect to wit: Harry, a negro man age about (27) twenty seven years Stephen, a negro man age about 27 and George a negro boy age about 17, Lucy, a negro woman age about twenty, Jinny, negro woman age about twenty three and Julia, a negro woman age about twenty__witness further states the said negro woman Lucy had three children the said negro woman Jinny one child and the said negro woman Julia one child, the names of which said negro children witness does not recollect, but which said negro children together with the negroes Harry, George, and Stephen, Lucy, Jinny and Julia above mentioned were the property of the said Sampson Gathings deceased being slaves for life and which slaves for life above mentioned Together with one Horse, one wagon, one gun and one pair of pistols he the said Sampson Gathings deceased late of the State of Alabama and Baldwin County did call in his last dying moments he the said Gathings being of sound mind and memory upon said witness to take notice and bear testimony that he did will and bequeath all of his property consisting as above stated of ten or eleven negroes to wit: Harry, George and Stephen, Lucy, Jinny and Julia together with three negro children of said negro woman Lucy and one negro child the child of Jinny and one the child of Julia all the property of the said Sampson Gathings deceased of Baldwin County and state of Alabama, and all the said negroes being slaves for life.__
Also one horse, One wagon, one gun and on pair of Pistols_Witness further States that in accordance with the dying Will and request of the said Sampson Gathings deceased as aforesaid he did within the time limited by law call on Patrick Byrne then presiding Judge of the Orphans Court of Baldwin County and state aforesaid and made oath to the above facts in substances and which were by said Patrick Byrne presiding Judge as aforesaid reduced to writing at that time __Witness further states that all of the above property consisting as aforesaid of ten or eleven negroes; to wit: Harry, George and Stephen, Lucy and her three children, Julia and her one child, and Jinny and her one child and also one horse, one wagon, one gun and one pair Pistols was by said Witness delivered over to James Gathings Father of said Sampson Gathings, minor as aforesaid and was by said James Gathings as aforesaid removed beyond witnesses knowledge.
Sworn to and Subscribed}
Before me in Open Court }
This 27^th day of Novbr 1844}                                   Signed Jobez Stapleton
P. C. Byrne
J.C.C.B.C.
Ordered to be recorded on the 28^th day of Novbr 1844.
P. C. Byrne, J.C.C,B.C.
Recorded same day.
Jas. D. Blue, Clk.
By W. Walker
 

 Sampson Gathings is my wife's 3rd Great Grand Uncle.



______________________________

"Alabama, Probate Records, 1809-1985," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-25319-23986-39?cc=1925446&wc=M6DK-WNL:220032901,220305801 : accessed 12 Sep 2014), Baldwin > Wills 1809-1934 vol A-C > image 57 of 718.
[Will Book A pages 91 & 92, Image 57 and 58]

Sunday Obituary–Bro. Valentine Brock

Bro. Brock was born in Alabama about A. D. 1825, and moved with his parents to Pike County, Miss, in A. D. 1828, in which county he lived until his death. Bro. Brock was married to Miss Barthana Ginn in 1845. He united with the Silver Creek Church in August 1869. He withdrew his membership in 1873 to go into the constitution of Bogue Chitto Church, of which he remained an honored member until his death, Feb. 22, A.D. 1881. Bro. Brock was a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief, having had two sons killed; and but a little while before he was called the Lord very suddenly called his companion, which added greatly to the old man's sorrow. But the Lord did not leave him long in loneliness. Although his trials were so great and his sorrow so deep, his faith was firm and unwavering. It may truly be said of him, that he has come through great tribulation and has washed his robe and made it white in the blood of the lamb. Bro. Brock has gone where no sorrow can come; his troubles are all over; his soul at rest with that Saviour he loved.

Dearest brother, thou hast left us,
Here thy loss we deeply feel,
But 'tis God that has bereft us,
He can all our sorrows heal.
Yet again we hope to meet thee
When the day of life is fled,
Then in heaven with joy to greet the,
Where no farewell tear is shed.

Valentine Brock  was born about 1825 in Alabama. He was the first born son and the second child of James L. Brock and Elizabeth Purvis. He died on 22 Feb 1881 at the age of 60 in Washington Parish, Louisiana. Valentine was buried on 24 Feb 1881 in the Brock Cemetery, Walthall County, Mississippi.

Valentine Brock and Bethany Thaney Ginn were married about 1845 in Pike County, Mississippi. Bethany Thaney Ginn, daughter of Jeptha Ginn and Penina Magee, was born in 1820 in Pike County, Mississippi. She died on 10 Oct 1880 at the age of 60 in Washington Parish, Louisiana. Bethany was buried in the Brock Cemetery, Walthall County, Mississippi.

Valentine Brock and Bethany Thaney Ginn had 10 children; 6 sons and 4 daughters.

In a quote from Bro. Valentine Brock obituary we see that Bro. Brock only serve the Lord a very short time. 
“Bro. Brock was a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief, having had two sons killed; and but a little while before he was called the Lord very suddenly called his companion”
His companion, his wife, died 10 Oct 1880. He was called to serve a short time before her death. Bro. Valentine Brock died 24 Feb 1881. That’s 4 months and 12 days after the death of his wife. 
"But the Lord did not leave him long in loneliness".





_____________________________
[1] OBITUARY OF BRO. VALENTINE BROCK. Taken from Magee Creek Baptist Association Meetings held Nov. 12, 13, 14, 1881 [SOURCE: Ancestry.com Board, Louisiana.Parishes - Washington -  http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.louisiana.parishes.washington/241/mb.ashx [posted by CHenderson0925 on  2 Nov 1999].






[2] http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/washington/churches/magee.txt

Military Monday – My 2nd Great Grandfather –Shadrach Johns

Shadrach Johns was born about 1800 in South Carolina, probably in Marlboro County. When the Civil War started Shadrach, his wife Mary and their four Children – Alice Catherine, Thomas H., Joseph Henry and Anna W. – were living in Seals Station, Russell County, Alabama. [1] They had moved from Chesterfield County, South Carolina sometime after the 1850 Census were enumerated and 1860 when the Census was taken in Alabama.

At the start of the Civil War, Shadrack John, who was sixty (60) years old was mustered into the Company “H”, 24^th Regiment, Alabama Infantry. He enlisted on 12 August 1861 at Nolasulga, Alabama.

By early 1864, Shadrack and his family had moved to Washington County, Florida. Here he was assigned to the Florida Home Guard[2], Capt. W. B. Jones Company of men in the local Home Guard. Most of the members of this unit was as old if not older than my 2^nd Great Grandfather who now has reached the grand old age of 64.

On September 27, 1864 one of the least known battles of the Civil War took place in Florida; it was called The Battle of Marianna. Union troops under the leadership of Brigadier General Alexander Asboth struck the small Northwest Florida city of Marianna.

On September 28, 1864, after the attack on Marianna, the Union troops, while passing through Washington County, Florida ran into a small contingent of Home Guards responding to a call to help fellow citizens in neighboring Jackson County. They met at a place called Hard Labor Creek near today’s Washington. Captain W.B. Jones and the men of the Vernon Home Guard were severely outnumbered.

The Union soldiers demanded that the men surrender. They refused. After a short skirmish, Captain Jones and 10 of his men were captured, 1 man was dead and one was wounded. The 11 captured men were shipped to Ship Island Prison. Among the eleven men captured was my 2^nd Great grandfather Shadrack John.

Shadrack was later transferred to Elmira, New York to a prison there where he signed an Oath of Allegiance to the United States on 16 December 1864.

http://www.fold3.com/image/#20|127927670

J Confederate Fla.

Shadrack John

Pvt. Capt. Jones Co. Fla. Mil

Appears on a

Roll of Prisoners of War

At Elmira, New York desirous to take the Oath of

Allegiance to the United States

Roll dated Headquarters Prison Camp, Elmira

N. Y. Dec. 16, 1864

Join Station ............ Nov. 20, 186x.

Where Captured.........near Vernon, Fla

When Captured........ Sept 28, 1864

Remarks...... was ordered out by the

Governor to resist an Union

raiding party. Is a Union

man and is over 60 years of

age, and was captured same day

that he was ordered out

Desires to go to Pensacola

Fla. 

Note: the last two hyperlink will take you to details on these two battles.

---

[1] 1860 U. S. Census, Russell County, Alabama, population schedule, Seals Station, Russell County, Alabama, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 893, Line 7, dwelling 238, family 227, Household of Shadrick Johns; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_22.
[2] Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/image/#20|127927670 : accessed 20 August 2011), entry for Shadrack JOHNS, Private; Captain W. B. Jones Florida Home Guard; Confederate. 

John Purvis, Deceased, Clarke Co., AL

For the past year, I had in my possession a single document suggesting that John Purvis, born in Chesterfield County, South Carolina died about 1824-1825 in Clarke County, Alabama.

But, who is this John Purvis? Not much is known even after finding his estate folder. The one thing that I do know is that he is part of the extended family of brothers - James Purvis, Sr. and Gilbert Purvis.

During this past week I was able to locate a probate file for John Purvis, Clarke County, Alabama.[1]

Named within the 39 pages of his estate files are Rebecca Howell, daughter of James Purvis, Sr.; Gilbert J. Purvis, son of Gilbert Purvis and many other family names.







State of Alabama}
Clarke County } Know all men by these presents that we William L. Thornton, James Thornton and Jabage York all the County and Sate aforesaid are held and firmly bound unto Edward Kennedey Judge of the Orphans Court of the County aforesaid in the sum of Six hundred dollars to be paid to the said Judge or his successors in office to which payments will and timely made we bind ourselves our heirs executors or administrators jointly severely firmly by these presents Sealed with our Seals and dated this 7^th day of February 1825--------- ----------------------- ---------------------------

The condition of the above Obligation is such that whereas the above bound William Thornton has been duly appointed administrators of all and singular the goods and chattels rights and credits of John Purvis deceased________ Now if the said William L. Thornton shall will and truly perform all the duties that are or may be by law required of him as Such Administrator Then the above Obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force


For the next few days I will  mine the data from the documents I copied this past week while in Salt Lake City and  see what significant data can be extracted from each document.

If you have any information on this John Purvis please contact me by e-mail or post a comment here on this blog. Thanks.


______________________
[1] Clarke County, AL,Clarke County, Alabama, estate case files, 1810-1915; Probate Court, Grove Hill, Alabama, LDS Family History Library Film # 2229240, Frame 1365, John Purvis, 1825, Estate, Box 22, Folder 68.

Surname Saturday – Hancock-Rivers

Irena Catherine Hancock was born in Jan 1822 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. ^{1 2 3 4 5} She died between 1900 And 1903 in Robertson County, Texas.

Catherine was twice married; first to Mark S. Rivers and second to George S. Fagan. 


Irena Catherine Hancock and Mark S. Rivers were married in Feb 1840 in either Anson County, North Carolina or Chesterfield County, South Carolina.⁶ They were divorced on 1 Jan 1859 in Jones County, Mississippi.⁷

Mark and Catherine had no children.

Mark S. Rivers, son of Mark Rivers and Annie Parker, was born about 1808 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. He appeared in the census in 1850 -1860 Census in Jones County, Mississippi.^{8 9 10} He moved to Choctaw County, Alabama and is enumerated Township 10, Choctaw, Alabama in the 1870 Census.¹¹ He died between 1871 and Sep 1879 in Choctaw County, Alabama.

Between 1868 and 1871, Mark and Catherine took in 3 of the children of James Holifield. The children named in the apprenticeship case were Milley, Ransom and Miles Holifield. Mark was James Holifield uncle; the brother of James's Mother Emily.¹²

James Holifield parents were Moses Holifield & Emily RIVERS; Emily was the sister of Mark and Luke Rivers. Moses, Emily, Mark and Catherine moved to Mississippi between 1830 and 1840, Luke remained in Chesterfield until after the 1850 census were enumerated. Then he moved to Mississippi with his brother and sister. 


Irena Catherine Hancock and George S. Fagan were married on 8 Sep 1879 in Choctaw Co., AL.¹³ George S. Fagan, son of Patsy Fagan, was born about 1807 in SC. He appeared in the census in 1860-1880 in Beat 7, Choctaw, Alabama.¹⁴ He died before 1900 at the age of 93.

George S. Fagan had the following child:

                 i.  Amanda J. Fagan was born about 1860. ¹⁵

__________________________________
        1. 1850 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, population schedule, Jones County, Mississippi, Page 129B, Line 13, Dwelling 3194, Family #194, Household of Mark RIVERS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 374.
        2. 1853, Jones County, Mississippi, Mississippi state and territorial census collection, 1792-1866, Jones County, Mississippi, Mark Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.om : viewed 11 June 2011); Microfilm V229. 3 rolls. Heritage Quest .Roll : v229_2. 1853 STATE CENSUS: Jones County, Mississippi. 2 Males, 1 Female.
Ancestry.com. Mississippi State and Territorial Census Collection, 1792-1866 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.
Original data: Mississippi State and Territorial Censuses, 1792-1866. Microfilm V229. 3 rolls. Heritage Quest.
        3. 1860 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, population schedule, Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi, Page 705, Line 11, Dwelling 304, Family 304, Household of Mark RIVERS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2009); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 584. 1860 CENSUS: Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi; Roll: M653_584; Image: 127;  Family History Library Film: 803584, 17 Oct 1860, Page 705, Line 11; Dwelling 304, Family 304; Mark RIVERS, age 52, Farmer, born in SC (1808); Arena C. RIVERS, age 46, born in SC (1814); J. H. DRIMAN, age 17, born in MS (1843). .
        4. 1880 U. S. Census, Choctaw County, Alabama, population schedule, Beat 7, Choctaw County, Alabama, enumeration district (ED) 014, Page 154A, Line 14, Dwelling 225, Family 125, Household of George S. FAGAN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 June 2011); citing NARA publication T9, Roll: 006. 1880 CENSUS: Beat 7, Choctaw County, Alabama; FHL Film 1254006, National Archives Film T9-0006, Enumeration District: 014; Page 154A, Line 14, Dwelling 225, Family 125; George S. FAGAN, age 76, born in SC; Catherine FAGAN,  Wife, age 59, born in SC; Millie FAGAN, Dau., age 30, born in AL; Amanda J. FAGAN, Dau., age 20, born in AL; Hettie B. FAGAN, GDau., age 10, born in AL; James F. FAGAN,  GSon, age 7M, born in AL; Florence E. SMITH, GDau., age 3, born in AL, plus two Black Males age 18, Moses LYON  and Isaac YOUNG.
        5. 1900  U. S. Census, Robertson County, Texas, Justice Precinct #6, population schedule, Robertson County, Texas, Justice Precinct #6, enumeration district (ED) 121, Page 247B/6B, Line 85, Dwelling 116, Family 116, Household of Jasper N. DRYMAN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 June 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 166. 1900 CENSUS: Robertson County, Texas, Justice Precinct #6, Series: T623  Roll: 166, Enumeration District: 121; FHL microfilm: 1241666; Page 247B/6B, Line 85, Dwelling 116, Family 116. Jasper N. DRYMAN, age 58, Farmer, born  February 1842, in Mississippi, Parents born in Mississippi, Married 40 years, 13 Children, 12 living. Louisa DRYMAN, Wife, age 53, born Jan 1847 in MS, Father born in NC, Mother in GA; Amanda DRYMAN, Daughter, age 26, born Dec 1873 in AL; Robert DRYMAN, Son. age 24, born Oct 1874 in AL; Jerry M. DRYMAN, Son, age 20, born Mar 1879 in AL; Jasper DRYMAN, Son, age 17, born Feb 1883 in AL;  Mallie DRYMAN, Son. age 15, born May 1885 in AL; Annie  DRYMAN, Daughter, age 12, born Sept. 1887 in TX; Thomas DRYMAN, Son, age 09, born Mar 1891 in TX and Catherine FAGAN, Aunt, age 78, Widowed, born Jan 1822 in SC, parents born in SC.
        6. Jones County, Mississippi, Volume 1  page 31-35 , Mark Rivers vs. Catherine Rivers, Divorce Case, April Term, 1858; Circuit Court Chancery, Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi. Mississippi  Jones County Chancery Court  Volume 1  page 31-35
(Provided by Jean Larson) - { Mf#  12358}[FHL 903686].
        7. Ibid.
        8. 1850 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, Population Schedule, Jones County, Mississippi, Page 129B, Line 13, Dwelling 3194, Family #194, Household of Mark RIVERS.
        9. 1853, Jones County, Mississippi, Mississippi State and Territorial Census Collection, 1792-1866, Jones County, Mississippi, , Mark Rivers. 1853 STATE CENSUS: Jones County, Mississippi. 2 Males, 1 Female.
Ancestry.com. Mississippi State and Territorial Census Collection, 1792-1866 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.
Original data: Mississippi State and Territorial Censuses, 1792-1866. Microfilm V229. 3 rolls. Heritage Quest.
        10. 1860 Census, Jones County, Mississippi, Population Schedule, Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi, Page 705, Line 11, Dwelling 304, Family 304, Household of Mark RIVERS. 1860 CENSUS: Ellisville, Jones County, Mississippi; Roll: M653_584; Image: 127;  Family History Library Film: 803584, 17 Oct 1860, Page 705, Line 11; Dwelling 304, Family 304; Mark RIVERS, age 52, Farmer, born in SC (1808); Arena C. RIVERS, age 46, born in SC (1814); J. H. DRIMAN, age 17, born in MS (1843). .
        11. 1870 U. S. Census, Choctaw County, Alabama, population schedule, Township 10, Choctaw, Alabama, Page: 412B; Line 27, Dwelling 162, Family 163, usehold of  Martin RIVERS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 June 2011); citing NARA publication M593_7. 1870 CENSUS: Township 10, Choctaw, Alabama; Roll: M593_7;  Image: 363;  Family History Library Film: 545506; Page: 412B; Line 27, Dwelling 162, Family 163; Martin RIVERS, age 60, born in NC; Amanda RIVERS, age 47, born in NC; S. HOLIFIELD, Female, age 19, born in Mississippi; M. [Mary C.] HOLIFIELD, Female, age 13, born in Mississippi; Robt. HOLIFIELD, Male, age 10, born in Mississippi and Monroe HOLIFIELD, Male, age 08, born in Mississippi; three houses away Page: 413A; Line 1, Dwelling 165, Family 166; we find Jno. [Jasper] DRYMAN, age 25, born in Mississippi; Laura DRYMAN, age 22, born in Mississippi; John DRYMAN, age 4, born in Alabama; Eliza DRYMAN, age 4, born in Alabama and James DRYMAN, age 5/12, born in Alabama.
        12. Choctaw County, Alabama, Volume 1  page 31-35 Roll# S2005-0347, "Apprenticeship Records (1823-1924), Index - Adams, Judge - Young, Mattie, Minors for Apprenticeship-Milley, Ransom, Miles Holifield, 5 January 1868; Clerk of Probate, Butler, Choctaw County, Alabama.
        13. Choctaw County, Alabama, Marriage Licensee, Book 1, Page 263, FHL Film #1788198., George S Fagan & Catherine Rivers, 8 September 1879; Probate Court, Butler, Choctaw County, Alabama. MARRIAGE: Choctaw County Alabama Marriage Licensee, Book 1, Page 263, FHL Film #1788198.
        14. 1880 U. S. Census, Choctaw County, Alabama, population schedule, Beat 7, Choctaw County, Alabama, ED 014, Page 154A, Line 14, Dwelling 225, Family 125, Household of George S. FAGAN. 1880 CENSUS: Beat 7, Choctaw County, Alabama; FHL Film 1254006, National Archives Film T9-0006, Enumeration District: 014; Page 154A, Line 14, Dwelling 225, Family 125; George S. FAGAN, age 76, born in SC; Catherine FAGAN,  Wife, age 59, born in SC; Millie FAGAN, Dau., age 30, born in AL; Amanda J. FAGAN, Dau., age 20, born in AL; Hettie B. FAGAN, GDau., age 10, born in AL; James F. FAGAN,  GSon, age 7M, born in AL; Florence E. SMITH, GDau., age 3, born in AL, plus two Black Males age 18, Moses LYON  and Isaac YOUNG.
        15. Ibid.

Strife in the Family

James L. Brock was born about 1793 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. He and his family are enumerated in the 1850, 1860 and 1870 Census, Pike County, Mississippi. He died on 19 Mar 1871 at the age of 78 in Pike County, Mississippi. 

James L. Brock and Elizabeth Purvis were married about 1819 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. Elizabeth Purvis, daughter of James Purvis, Sr. and wife unknown, was born in 1806 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. She died on 1 Apr 1873 at the age of 67 in Lexie, Walthall County, Mississippi.

James L. Brock and Elizabeth Purvis had the following children:

      i. Mary Jane Brock, born abt 1820; married Isham Bracken Hinson, abt 1837; died bef 1841.

      ii. Valentine Brock, born abt 1821, Alabama; married Bethany Thaney Ginn, abt 1845, Pike Co. MS; died 22 Feb 1881, Washington Pr.,LA. 

     iii. Catherine Brock was born in 1825 in Mississippi.

     iv. Eli P. Brock, born 2 Dec 1827, Marion Co., MS; married Winney E. Stallings, 20 Nov 1850, Pike Co., MS; died abt 1878, Pike Co., MS.

     v. Elizabeth Brock, born abt 1828; married James Tom Dillon; died 4 Jul 1900, Centerville, Walthall Co., MS.

     vi. Alexander B. Brock, born 1829, Pike County, MS; married Sarah Elizabeth Williams, abt 1859; died 30 Jan 1892, Walthall County, MS.

    vii. Nancy Brock, born abt 1830, Pike Co., Mississippi; married Elkanah L. Morris; married Thomas James Miller, abt 1863, Washington Parish, Louisiana; died 22 Aug 1896.

   viii. Angeline Brock, born abt 1835, MS; married Raiford L. Miller.

     ix. James L. Brock, born abt 1837, Pike Co., MS; married Mary Gabriella Bankston, 1858; died 29 Dec 1886, Pike Co., MS.

      x. William Brock, born 5 Apr 1840, Pike Co., MS; married Clara Ann Smith, 15 Dec 1858; died 14 Jan 1896, Pike Co., MS.

     xi. Martha Jane Brock, born 6 Aug 1843, Pike Co., MS; married Willis Richard Simmons, aft 12 May 1860; died 24 Jun 1906, Pike Co.,MS.

James L Brock and family moved from Chesterfield County, South Carolina about 1818 when his Father-in-law, James Purvis, Sr. and brother Gilbert Purvis moved their family down through Georgia to Clarke County, Alabama and finally settling in Hinds and Rankin County, Mississippi.

Somewhere along the way, some family strife developed. When Gilbert Purvis' son, Gilbert Johnson Purvis died in November 1835 he left a WILL that he had written in April of 1835.

The following paragraph is quoted from Gilbert Johnson Purvis WILL[1]

"In the first place as all of my property is now in dispute between myself & James P. J. Purvis and William Purvis and in consequence thereof I can make no specific bequests or legacies, it is my direction, will and desire that my executors herein after named shall forthwith and without delay proceed to ascertain & procure the portion of my father's estate the late Gilbert Purvis to which I am of right entitled. I claim all of the estate of which my mother was possessed at the time of her death---upon which property the said James P. J. Purvis has administered---For the negroes I have brought an action of replevin in the circuit court of Hinds County. I wish my executors herein after mentioned to prosecute or abandon that suit as they may be advised by the counsel whom I have employed in this suit, Messrs. Marsh & Mayson---Should the said suit be abandoned or should my executors herein after named be cast therein there and in that case I hereby direct my Executors to file a bill in chancery or commence such other suit as may be necessary & proper to procure from the aforesaid James P. J. Purvis, administrator as aforesaid, the full distribution & share of the estate of my deceased parents to which I am entitled insisting upon the advance made by my deceased father the said Gilbert Purvis to James Purvis the father of the said James P. J. Purvis in the lifetime of them both, and after my Executors shall have become possessed of the property to which I am entitled it is my will and desire that they divide the same after the payment of all my just debts equally share and share alike between all the children of James Purvis Senr. of Rankin except to Wright Barnes and Nancy his wife & James Brock & Betsey his wife formerly Nancy & Betsey Purvis to them I give and bequeath nothing---Provided however & it is my express will and direction that before any final distribution of my estate is made that my executors secure & secure effectually for my sister Sally Purvis, out of said estate the annual sum of one hundred & fifty dollars to be paid to her the said Sally for and during the term of her natural life, & to be paid at the end of each and every year."

In the early part of the WILL paragraph, Gilbert Johnson Purvis says that:

" all of my property is now in dispute between myself & James P. J. Purvis and William Purvis:"

In this sentence Gilbert Johnson Purvis is talking about two brothers James P. J. Purvis and William H. H. Purvis These two men are his nephews, sons of a deceased brother named James Purvis.

The deceased brother is also referred to as Johnson J. Purvis thus making it very confusing. Below is the elusive Johnson J.  Pervis  and James P. J. Pervis on the 1831 Simpson County, MS tax list.[2] This is believed to be Father – Son.  

  

" I hereby direct my Executors to file a bill in chancery or commence such other suit as may be necessary & proper to procure from the aforesaid James P. J. Purvis, administrator as aforesaid, the full distribution & share of the estate of my deceased parents to which I am entitled insisting upon the advance made by my deceased father the said Gilbert Purvis to James Purvis the father of the said James P. J. Purvis in the lifetime of them both, and after my Executors shall have become possessed of the property to which I am entitled"

In the above section we have Gilbert Johnson Purvis clearly stating that "my deceased father is Gilbert Purvis and that he made an advance to James Purvis and that James Purvis is the Father of James P. J. Purvis."

"the full distribution & share of the estate of my deceased parents to which I am entitled insisting upon the advance made by my deceased father the said Gilbert Purvis to James Purvis the father of the said James P. J. Purvis in the lifetime of them both"

The final strife in this family is with two sisters – Nancy and Betsy. Ironically, these two sisters are Gilbert Johnson Purvis 1^st Cousin, daughters of James Purvis , Sr.  

"after the payment of all my just debts equally share and share alike between all the children of James Purvis Senr. of Rankin except to Wright Barnes and Nancy his wife & James Brock & Betsey his wife formerly Nancy & Betsey Purvis to them I give and bequeath nothing"

One thing is certain from the information presented; James & Elizabeth can forget any inheritance from her 1st Cousin Gilbert Johnson Purvis. 

 

I have found no evidence of a lawsuit in this case but will continue looking for answers. I have film on back order from the LDS Library related to these individual and hopefully that back order will be filled soon. 

If you have information about these individuals please contact me by e-mail or comment on this blog. 

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[1] Gilbert Johnson Purvis, Last Will and Testament: page 48; Probate Office, Raymond, Mississippi, Mississippi.

Copied from GS Film #878728, page 48, LDS GENEALOGICAL LIBRARY, Salt Lake City, Utah. And Hinds County , Mississippi Will Book 1, Page 48.

[2] Mississippi State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, *FamilySearch*, (http://www.familysearch.org: accessed 13 January 2012), Simpson,County Tax Rolls; 1831, Box 3764, Image 57 of 276, entry for Johnson J. Purvis.

Thursday’s Spotlight – Life of Richard Malachi Rivers

In his own words Richard Malachi Rivers talks about his life and his parents.

I was born in Jefferson County near Warrior, Alabama, February 15, 1866. My father and mother came from South Carolina in 1852.

My father taken up 820 acres of land near Birmingham, old Hawkins field where the fairground is now and swapped it for land (near) Robins Cross Road in 1856 and exchanged it for land near Warrior in 1858 and exchanged that land for land near Houston in 1872.

I grew up a rural boy on a farm one-mile south of Houston to the age of 18 as I was the younger of 12 children, 8 boys and 4 girls.

My father willed me the estate, 320 acres of land and some personal property. When I got 19 at this age I promptly gave it all back to my father and mother and went away for about six months.

My sisters wrote me to come home which I did, and stayed with my parents. I bought an improvement for $80.00 and Homesteaded 160 acres of land, which cost me less than $100, and proceeded to hire a small yoke of steers for $5 and make a crop. The parents got me to teach a literary school at Pleasant Hill two months for $12.50 per month and board. Before this school was out they ask me to teach three next public school which I agreed to do, and I taught school at that place for six years.
 
In 1892 I moved to Houston, bought M. C. Curtis stock of goods, taken over Post Office at Houston and served 12 years as Postmaster. During that time I taught school at Houston four years and made the race for Legislative on the Republican ticket and was elected.

I served in 1898, during that and after time I served two terms as a member of the Education Board of Winston County. In 1904 I resigned as Postmaster and went back to farming and mail contracting.

In 1926 I made another race for the Legislature and was elected and served from that date till 1930.

My father was born May 14, 1817. Died January 7, 1890. [Frederick W. Rivers]

My mother was born October 3, 1824. Died September 27, 1902. [Synthia Matilda Knight]

I have 10 children, 5 boys and 5 girls, and this date 37 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
                                                                                                R. M. Rivers

Editor's note: The Alabamian thanks the Owen Alford family of Houston Star Route for the accompanying photo and story about the life of R. M. Rivers, once a Representative from Winston County.

This newspaper article came from an unknown Alabama newspaper. Richard Malachi Rivers and his parents lived in Winston County, Alabama. If you, my readers, can provide a source for this article it  would be greatly appreciated. Toward the end of the article Richard states that he served in the Legislature until 1930. He died 30 March 1944.

This article was published between 1930 and March 1944.

Richard Malachi Rivers was born 15 February 1866; a son of Frederick W. Rivers and Synthia Matilda Knight. His parents migrated from Chesterfield County, South Carolina about 1852.  
He married Sarah Lou Wilson, 16 January 1889 and they had 10 children.

Richard Malachi Rivers died 30 March 1944 at the age of 78 years. 
Lou Rivers, wife of R. M. Rivers, born April 28, 1874. Died September 10, 1950.





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[1] Richard Malachi Rivers, The Alabamian, date unknown, Winston County,  Alabama, 1930-1944