Surname Saturday~Oscar Philmore "O.P." Purvis

My Grandfather, James Francis "Jim" Purvis, had 2 brothers and 4 sisters. His two brothers were John William and Oscar Philmore "O P" Purvis. 

 I never knew my Grand Uncle  O. P. or  my Grand Father Jim Purvis; they both died before I was born. I did know their brother John William Purvis. Grand Uncle John died in  August 1956. I was just short of my fourteenth birthday. 

Grand Uncle Oscar Philmore "O P" Purvis¹ was born on 10 Jul 1888 in Morven, Anson, North Carolina.^{2 3 4 5} His World War I Draft Registration Cards, shows he registered for the draft in 1917–1918.^{6 7 8} He died on 20 Apr 1931 at the age of 42 in Morven, Anson, North Carolina and was buried on 21 Apr 1931 at Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.^9–10-11-12

Oscar Philmore "O P" Purvis and Roxie Carolyn Brock were married on 2 Feb 1913 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.¹³ Roxie Carolyn Brock, daughter of Samuel Stonewall Jackson Brock and Laura Cornelius Teal, was born on 3 Sep 1895 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.^{14 15 16 17 18 19} She died on 17 Jan 1967 at the age of 71 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina and was buried on 20 Jan 1967 in Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina.^20-21-22

Oscar Philmore Purvis and Roxie Carolyn Brock had the following children:

              i. Christina Geneva "Teenie" Purvis, born 13 Jan 1914, Anson County, North Carolina; married Clayton William Jarman, abt 1933; died 29 Feb 1980, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina.

             ii. Sarah Elizabeth Purvis, born 3 June 1916, Morven, Anson, North Carolina; married Henry Lee Hanna; married John Belk Helms; married Frank Paul; died 6 Jan 1992, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina.

            iii. Oscar Philmore Purvis, born 24 June 1925, Morven, Anson, North Carolina; married Jerallene C. Patrick, abt 1969, Pasquotank County, North Carolina; married Mary Louise , 16 May 1945, Anderson, South Carolina; died 15 Jul 1979, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia.

            iv. Unnamed Purvis was born on 5 May 1928 in Morven, Anson, North Carolina. She died on 6 May 1928 at the age of  0  and was buried on 7 May 1928 in Morven, Anson, North Carolina.

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        1. Oscar Philmore Purvis, death certificate (long form) 170 (20 April 1931), Dept. Health and Human Services, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.

        2. William J. Purvis Family Family Bible Holy Bible, (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), BIRTH; Oscar P. PURVIS, born 10 July 1888,  Obtained from Tammy Gathings Swearengin, Wadesboro, North Carolina.

        3. "World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," on-line digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 25 August 2011), O P Purvis; citing Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls, FHL Roll Number: 1765559; Birth Date: 10 Jul 1889.

        4. 1900 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 8, page 149B, line 79, dwelling 15, family 15, Household of William J. Purvis; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 1181.

        5. 1910  U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven Twsp., Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #012, page 184, line 64-67, Dwelling 65, Family 65, Household of William Purvis; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T624, Roll 1096.

        6. "World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," on-line digital images, Ancestry.com, O P Purvis.

        7. 1920  U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #13, Page 188B, Line 60, Dwelling 146, Family 146, Household of Oscar PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 23 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm Series: T625, Roll: 1283.

        8. 1930 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #13-10, Page 237A, Line 8, Dwelling 92, Family 92, Household of Osker P. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 25 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T626_Roll: 2192.

        9. State of North Carolina, death certificate no. 45 (25 April 1931), O P PURVIS; https://www.ancestry.com, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.

        10. Oscar Philmore Purvis, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina death certificate 170 (20 April 1931).

        11. State of North Carolina, death certificate no. 45, (25 April 1931), O P PURVIS.

        12. Jim Tipton, Find A Grave, digital image, http://www.findagrave.com; Headstone for Oscar Philmore Purvis; (10 July 1889–20 April 1931); Memorial # 78318969; Record of the Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery; Brocks Mill, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA; Accessed on 25 August 2012.

        13. Oscar Purvis, age 21, and  Roxanna Brock, age 18,, (2 February 1913), SC Marriage Index Book: ; Probate Office, Chesterfield , South Carolina, South Carolina.

        14. James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey; Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995, page 153. Tombstone of Roxie Brock Reid; 3 September 1895–17 January 1967, Brock's Mill Baptist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

        15. 1900 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 8, Page 7B/155 (stamped); Line 87, Dwelling 114, Family 114, Household of Samuel J. S. BROCK; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 March 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 1181.

        16. 1910  U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0037, Page 138B/12B; Line 75, Dwelling 212, Family 212, Household of [Stonewall Jackson] Jack BROCK; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 20 March 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm T624, Roll 1455.

        17. 1920  U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, ED #13, Page 188B, Line 60, Dwelling 146, Family 146, Household of Oscar PURVIS.

        18. 1930 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina, ED #13-10, Page 237A, Line 8, Dwelling 92, Family 92, Household of Osker P. PURVIS.

        19. 1940 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 4-21, Page: 9A/255A(stamped), Line 37, Household #159, Household of Roxie Purvis; digital images, 1940 CENSUS (http://1940census.archives.gov : viewed 26 August 2012); citing NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 2871.

        20. State of North Carolina, death certificate no. 2271, (17 January 1967), Roxie Brock Reid.

        21. James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey, Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1995. Tombstone of Roxie Brock Reid.

        22. Find A Grave, http://www.findagrave.com, Accessed on 25 August 2012; Headstone for Roxie Brock Reid;  Memorial # 78326283.

Data Analysis - William A. Purvis, 1880 to 1926

Yesterday, we ended the review with the Anson County, NC 1880 Census [1]where we find Betsy Purvis and her daughter Mary J. Purvis, age 13, enumerated in the household of William A. and Sarah Purvis.  

Two of the three families’ shown in this 1880 census snippet are my 2nd Great Grandparents – William A. Purvis and Sarah Jane Graves Purvis and William James Purvis and his wife Mary Hulda Previtte Purvis; the relationship of  and to the 3^rd family, Betsy Purvis and Mary J. Purvis are unknown.

In the 1870, there is also an unmarried Female Purvis with children living next door to William and Sarah Purvis.

1870 CENSUS: Morven Twp, Anson County, North Carolina. Series: M593  Roll: 1122, Microfilm # 552,621, Pg. 403A, Line 1, Dwelling 179, Family 179. S.[arah] PERVIS, age 49, Elizabeth PERVIS, age 17, William PERVIS, age 15; John PERVIS, age 12 and Caswell PERVIS, age 10, all born in North Carolina.[2] [3]

Could the Elizabeth Purvis, age 17 in this Household also be the Betsy Purvis in W. A. Purvis household in 1880?

In February 1880 and March 1881, William A. and his son William J. Purvis borrowed money in order to buy the necessary supplies to plant a crop.

                Note: I’m not quite sure how a 17 year lad can sign a mortgage borrowing money to plant a crop.

Trust Deed - W. A. Purvis & W. J. Purvis to Marshall & Richardson, Anson Co., NC, Book 11, Page 529.

Trust Deed - W. A. Pervis to Marshall & Richardson, Anson Co., NC, Book 13, Pages 107.

On 3 March 1881, the same day that William A. Purvis borrows $200 from Marshall & Richardson; he also sells of 30 acres (DB 21:401) of his land for a sum of $125.80 which I suspect was to pay off past debts. This land was the 30 acres he purchased from W. P. Brantley 21 Dec 1873. [4]  

Now the Trust Deeds (mortgages) are getting more frequently with:

16 Jan 1882 - Trust Deed - W. A. Purvis & others to J. D. Harden, Anson Co., NC, Book 15, Pages 23-24. [Others are William J., Sarah J., and Mary H. Purvis]

18 April 1882 - Trust Deed - W. A. Purvis to J. D. Harden, Anson Co., NC, Book 15, Page 157

September 1882 – It was about this time that William A. and Sarah Jane learned that Sarah Jane had Cancer.

7 March 1883 - Trust Deed - W. A. Purvis to Thompson & Moore, Anson Co., NC, Book 16, Page 158.

28 September 1883 - Trust Deed - Jefferson D. Rhine to Wm. A. Purvis, Anson Co., NC, Book 16, Page 428.

Also on 28 September 1883 we have a sell-off of the 60 acres parcel purchased from James L . Edward in 1871 to Jefferson D. Rhyne. [5]

Bad times are turning to more bad times with a continuing cycle of borrowing money to purchase seed to plant the Crop, toil and labor on the farm all year to find that the crops were not enough to pay everything off and continuing the same cycle year after year after year.

15 January 1884 - Trust Deed - W. A. Purvis to Thompson & Moore, Anson Co., NC, Book 16, Pages 561-562.  ($225.00)

2 July 1884 - Trust Deed - W. A. Purvis & wife to Thompson & Moore, Anson Co., NC, Book 18, Pages 63-65.

3 Dec 1884 - Trust Deed - W. A. Purvis & wife to Thompson & Moore, Anson Co., NC, Book 18, Pages 202-203.

25 February 1885 - Trust Deed - W. A. Purvis to C. C. Moore & Co., Anson Co., NC, Book 18, Pages 546-547.

22 April 1886 - Trust Deed - W. A. Purvis to J. T. Moore, Anson Co., NC, Book 20, Page 611.

And then tragedy struck on 31 December 1893, Sarah Jane [Graves] Purvis passes away after suffering from cancer for the past fifteen months. (Sept 1882-Dec 1893)

DEATH: Messenger-Intelligencer issue of January 4, 1894, page 3, McFarlan News - The funeral of the wife of Mr. Wm. Pervis was preached by this writer in the M. E. Church of this place last Sunday [31 Dec. 1893]. She was a good old woman. She had suffered intensely for fifteen months from cancer. She was a member of the M. E. church about 20 years. [Source: Steve Bailey]

The M. E. Church referred to here is most likely Zoar United Methodist Church and though no tombstones have been found for William and  Sarah Jane; they are most likely buried at Zoar. Their only child, my Great Grandfather William James Purvis and his wife are buried in the cemetery.

Five years after burying his wife Sarah Jane we have William A. Purvis selling more of his property to Jefferson D. Rhyne. The land deed for this parcel is titled - W. A. Purvis and wife Elizabeth Purvis to J. D. Rhyne, Anson County, NC, Book 33, Page 370.[6]

This indicates to me that William A. remarried after Sarah Jane died in 1893 and his new wife is Elizabeth “Betsy” Purvis.  

“NORTH CAROLINA} This deed made this 23rd day of September, Anson County, 1899 by W.A.Purvis and wife Elizabeth Purvis of Anson County and State of North Carolina of the first part and J.D. Rhyne of said county and state of the second part witnesseth that said W.A. Purvis and wife in consideration of fifty four dollars to them paid by J.D. Rhyne. The receipt of which is hereby acknowledged has bargained and sold and by these presents do bargain, sell and convey to said J.D. Rhyne and his heirs a certain tract or parcel of land in Morven Township, Anson County, State of North Carolina. Adjoining the lands of Jms. Davis, Jms. McGugan, Dr. W.J. McLendon and J.D. Rhyne. Bounded to follows. Beginning at McGugan's corner in McLendon line and running east six chains to Rhyne's corner. Then with Rhyne's line south to a corner in his line 392 yds. Thence west to Davis line 7 1/2 chains. Thence direct to the beginning corner containing twelve acres more or less”. [7] [Book 33, Page 370]

If we go back about 15 years we see that this tract of land is part of a 30 acre tract that William A. Purvis and his wife Sarah Jane purchased. Now on 23 September 1899 it is being broken up into a 12 and 18 acres parcel. William A. and his new wife Elizabeth is selling off 12 acres to J. D. Rhyne. At this point J. D. Rhyne now owns every acres of land that William A. and Sarah Jane Purvis purchased except for 18 acres.

28 June 1900, the Census taker is checking off the houses in Anson County and is at the door of Household 337, Family 338. At home is Elizabeth Purvis, age 40, Widower, born Oct 1869 in NC and her daughter Ella Purvis, age 13, born Dec 1886 in North Carolina. Elizabeth tells the Census taker that she 2 children but only one is living.

1900 CENSUS: Morven Twp, Anson Co., NC; Series: T623, Roll: 1181, Page: 145, Line 20, Household 337/338; Elizabeth PURVIS, age 40, Wd., born Oct 1869 in NC; Ella PURVIS, daughter, age 13, born Dec 1886 in NC.

Elizabeth Purvis did have two children:

1.        Mary Jane Purvis, b. abt 1873, married Charlie Franklin Lang, abt 1888, had 4 children. Ella died during or shortly after giving birth to her 4^th child – Frances Elizabeth Purvis, b. March 1895 in Marshville, Union County, North Carolina.  
2.        Ella Frances Purvis, b. 25 September 1886, Anson County, NC; married Thomas T. Tarlton, 14 Aug 1904, Anson County, NC. They had 8 children. Ella Frances Purvis Tarlton died 27 November 1971 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC.

a.       Ella Frances Tarlton Social Security Form shows her parent as Billie Purvis and Betsy Prevett.

The obvious point here is that Elizabeth is a Widow indicating that between 23 September 1899, when William A. Purvis signed with his mark on a Land Deed (DB 33:370) and today 28 June 1900 that he, William A. Purvis has passed away and Elizabeth and Ella are carrying on with their lives.

The 1900 Census shows Elizabeth [Line 20] living next door to Jeff D. Rhyne and we see other names mentioned in the land deeds, i.e. McGugan.

The final land deed shows that William A. Purvis ensured that Elizabeth “Betsy” Purvis, his wife, had a place to live for her natural life. But, daughter Ella married Thomas T. Tarlton and so Elizabeth had a choice. Stay all along at her age out on the farm or moved in with her daughter and new son-in-law.

On 30 September 1900, Betsy sold the final acreage (18 acres) to Jefferson D. Rhyne retaining six (6) acres and a house as a life estate.[8]

BETSY PURVIS

TO

J. D. RHYNE - DEED

State of North Carolina}

Anson County} This deed made this 30th day of September 1900 by Betsy Purvis of Anson County and State

of North Carolina of the first part to J. D. Rhyne of Anson County and State of North Carolina of the second part.

Witnesseth: That said Betsy Purvis in consideration of Fifty Dollars to her paid by J. D. Rhyne the receipt of which is hereby acknowledge, has bargained and sold and by these present does bargain, sell, and convey to said J. D. Rhyne and his heirs, and assigns a certain tract or parcel of land in Morven Township, Anson County, State of North Carolina, adjoining the lands of J. D. Rhyne, and others. Bounded as follows: Beginning at a white oak in the state line running with state line and east to a comer of J. D. Rhyne land thence North course to a comer of land bought by said J. D. Rhyne from Billy Purvis then a North course to a comer on the Gardner land thence direct to the beginning comer containing 18 acres more or less. Save and except that said Betsy Purvis reserves from this land Six Acres being the lot upon which is situated her house. She to retain said Six Acres for & during the time of her natural life and at her death the said lot of six acres to go with this other land as herein described to have and to hold the aforesaid tract or parcel of land and all privileges and appurtenance thereto belonging to the said J.D. Rhyne, his heirs and assigns to their only use and behalf forever and the said Betsy Purvis covenants to and with the said J. D. Rhyne, his heirs and assigns that she seized of said premises in fee and has a right to convey the same in fee simple. That the same are free from all incumberances and that she will warrant and defend the said title to the same against the claims of all persons whatsoever. In testimony whereof the said Betsy Purvis has hereunto set her hand and seal the day and year above written.

Attest: W.E. Pennington                                                                                          Betsy X Purvis (Seal)

Jefferson D. Rhyne has finally acquired ALL of the land previously owned by my 2^nd Great Grandparents William A. Purvis and Sarah Jane Graves Purvis.  

By 1910, Elizabeth “Betsy” Purvis had abandon the “farm” and life estate and moved in with her daughter Ella and son-in-law Tom Tarlton. [9]

On 18 Oct 1926, Betsy Purvis died in Rockingham, NC while living with Ella and Tom Tarlton. She was buried at Mizpah Cemetery. No tombstone marks her grave and little was said about her in the final hours.[10]

Mrs. Betsy Purvis, aged 90, died Oct. 18th in Great Falls village. The interment was at Mizpah the same day.

[The Rockingham Post-Dispatch, Richmond County, NC, Thursday, October 21, 1926, Page 6, Column 2 - Deaths] [11]

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[1] 1880 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) # 2, Page 350B, Line 36, Dwelling 233, Family 251, Household of William A. Purvis; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 951.

[2] 1870 U S Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 403A, line 38, Dwelling 178; Family 178, Household of William A. Purvis; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archive Microfilm M593, Roll 1122.

[3] 1870 U S Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven Twp, Anson County, North Carolina, Page 403A, Line 1, Dwelling 179, Family 179, Household of S.[arah] PERVIS; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 22 November 2012); citing National Archive Microfilm M593, Roll 1122.

[4] Anson County, North Carolina, Book 21: Page 404-405, W. P. Brantley to Wm. Purvis; 21 December 1872, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.

[5] Anson County, North Carolina, Deed Book 22: pages 532-533, Wm. A. Purvis and wife [Sarah J. Purvis] to Jefferson D. Rhyne; 28 September 1883, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.

[6] Anson County, North Carolina, Deed Book 33: page 370, W. A. Purvis and wife Elizabeth Purvis to J. D. Rhyne; 23 September 1899, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.

[7] Ibid

[8] Anson County, North Carolina, Deed Book 34: pages 491-492, Betsy Purvis to J. D. Rhyne; 30 September 1900, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.

[9] 1910 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Gulledge, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #6, Page 81A, Line 21, dwelling 170, family 172, Household of Tom TARLTON; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T624, Roll 1096.

[10] State of North Carolina, death certificate no. 351, (18 October 1926), Mrs. Betsy Purvis; https://www.ancestry.com, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.

[11] Mrs. Betsy Purvis obituary, The Rockingham Post-Dispatch, Rockingham, Richmond County, NC, 21 October 1926, Page 6, Column 2. Deaths.

Data Analysis - William A. Purvis, 1860 to 1872

For 36 years I have searched for the parents of my Great Great Grandfather William A. Purvis. Not a single shred of evidence has been found for William A. Purvis prior to 1860. He is listed in the 1860 census for Anson County, NC [1] with wife Sarah Jane and another couple by the name of Joseph & Laura [Brock] White. No record of a marriage date has been found for his marriage to Sarah  In 1863 their only child - William James was born (23 Sept. 1863).

The next record is dated 6 Dec 1866 is William A. Purvis is purchasing 36 acreage of  land from Joseph P. Smith (DB 8: 284-286).[2]  William A. Purvis then sells this same acreage to William J. Purvis on this same date - 6 Dec. 1866 (DB 8: 421-423).[3]

For years I thought he was selling the land to his son William James until it hit me while writing this blog post that this William J. Purvis CANNOT be his son because his son is only 3 years old. (more research required) [4]

             Such misstep as this one is why we need to sit down and write out our thought on individual facts and sources for those we are researching. When you start to put you information in a narrative form you realize when  the data just does not add up - a light bulb comes on just as it did while writing this article.

Land Deeds indicate my My Great Great Grandfather bought and sold the land and a lawsuit brought in Anson County, Spring term 1867 [5] by the heirs of Joseph P. Smith sought damages for the non-payment of this debt. My Great Great Grandfather William A. Purvis lost in court  with the following decision:


"continued from said Term until fall Term 1867 when judgment final by default was rendered in favor of said plaintiff against said Defendant for the sum of $150, and $73 damages for the detention thereof beside the further sum of $12 for costs in that behalf expended that the record thereof was lodged in the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court of Law for the County aforesaid and that the said office containing the said record was destroyed by fire on the 2nd day of April, A.D. 1868." 

Then we have the 1870 Census for Anson County, NC [6] followed by this document in 1871:

TRUST DEED – W. A. Purvis to James L. Edwards

and then in 1872 by this document:
DB 21 Pages 404-405 [7]


In this brief document we have documented the public life of William A. and Sarah Jane, as we know it,  for the past 12 years. No document has been found to indicate where William A. Purvis resided prior to his appearance in the 1860 Anson County, NC census.

Your comments and suggestions greatly appreciated on a suggested course of action for future research on William A. Purvis.


Other related postings: 

http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/11/mystery-monday-parents-of-william-purvis.html

http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-brickwall-william-purvis.html 

http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-brickwall-william-purvis-part-2.html 

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** You can Google "trust deeds" and get a lot of definitions but here is mine: A Trust Deed is in essence a promissory note or mortgage.
[1] 1860 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 300, line 34, Dwelling 1238, Family 1188, Household of William A. Purvis; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 887.
[2] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Book 8: Page 284-286, Land Deed - Joseph P. Smith to William A. Purvis; 6 December 1866, Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
[3] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Book 8: Page 421-423, William A. Purvis to William James Purvis; 6 December 1866, Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
[4] http://www.wpclipart.com/signs_symbol/assorted/assorted_2/idea_light_bulb.png.html
[5] Wadesboro, Anson County, NC, Minute Docket, Superior Court, 1868-1884 C.005. 30003, Abram Conlin to the use of W. G. Smith & Saml. Smith Jr., Exc. of J. P. Smith Dec’d VS William A. Purvis, William A. Purvis, Spring Term 1867; NS State Archives, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.

[6] 1870 U S Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 403A, line 38, Dwelling 178; Family 178, Household of William A. Purvis; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archive Microfilm M593, Roll 1122.

[7] Anson County, North Carolina, Book 21: Page 404-405, W. P. Brantley to Wm. Purvis; 21 December 1872, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.

Land Deed Reveals 2nd Wife

TEXT OF DEED BETWEEN W. A. PURVIS,WIFE ELIZABETH PURVIS AND J. D. RHYNE. RECORDED IN BOOK 33, PAGE 370, ANSON COUNTY,N.C.AND GRANTOR INDEX TO DEEDS, Page 97. GRANTORI NDEX ON FILM # 018131 AND TEXT OF DEED FOUND ON FILM #296743, FOR ANSON COUNTY, N.C. AT LDS GENEALOGICAL LIBRARY, SLC, UTAH.

W. A. PURVIS AND WIFE ELIZABETH PURVIS
TO
J. D. RHYNE DEED

NORTH CAROLINA} This deed made this 23rd day of September, Anson County, 1899 by W. A. Purvis and wife Elizabeth Purvis of Anson County and State of North Carolina of the first part and J. D. Rhyne of said county and state of the second part witnesseth that said W. A. Purvis and wife in consideration of fifty four dollars to them paid by J. D. Rhyne. The receipt of which is hereby acknowledged has bargained and sold and by these presents do bargain, sell and convey to said J. D. Rhyne and his heirs a certain tract or parcel of land in Morven Township, Anson County, State of North Carolina. Adjoining the lands of Jms. Davis, Jms. McGugan, Dr. W.J. McLendon and J.D. Rhyne. Bounded to follows. Beginning at McGugan's corner in McLendon line and running east six chains to Rhyne's corner. Then with Rhyne's line south to a corner in his line 392 yds. Thence west to Davis line 7 1/2 chains. Thence direct to the beginning corner containing twelve acres more or less. To have and to hold the aforesaid tract of land and all privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging to the said J.D. Rhyne, his heirs and assigns to their only use and behalf forever and the said W.A. Purvis and wife covenants that they are seized of said premises in fee and has a right to convey to same in fee simple that the same are free and clear from all incumbrances and that they will warrant and defend the said title to the same against the claims of all persons whomsoever. In testimony whereof the said W. A. Purvis and wife have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above mentioned.
In presence of
W. E. Pennington
                                                                                        W. A. Purvis {Seal}
                                                                                                    her
                                                                                        Elizabeth X Purvis {Seal}
                                                                                                     mark

NORTH CAROLINA} I, W. E. Pennington, Justice of the Peace for Anson County hereby certify that W. A. Purvis and his wife Elizabeth Purvis personally appeared before me this day and acknowledged the due execution of the within deed of conveyance and the said Elizabeth Purvis being by me privately examined separate and apart from her said husband touching her voluntary execution of the same tract state that she signed the said freely and voluntarily without fear or compulsion of her said husband or any other person and that she doth still voluntarily agree here to witness my hand and private seal this 23rd day of September 1899.
                                                                                         W. E Pennington, J.P. {Seal}

State of North Carolina}
Anson County} The foregoing certificate of W. E. Pennington a Justice of the Peace of Anson County is adjudged to be in dire form and according to law. Let the deed of conveyance with the certificate be registered this October 2nd 1899.
                                                                                            John C. McLancklin
                                                                                            Clerk of Superior Court

September 2nd 1899. S PM. Then the foregoing deed of conveyance and certificate be
registered.
                                                                                            S.A. Benton
                                                                                            Register of Deeds


William A. Purvis and Sarah Jane Graves are my second great grandparents.

This land deed [1]was a real shocker when it was first found. William A. Purvis married Sarah Jane Graves about 1859 and had one son William James Purvis in 1863. All the older generation claim no knowledge of a second wife for William. Mystery still surrounds this woman. Her social security Form SS_5 shows that she was Elizabeth Privett. She had two daughters, father unknown, Ella Frances Purvis (b. 25 Sept 1881) and Mary Jane Purvis. (b. abt 1873).

Elizabeth Purvis is in same household with William A. and wife Sarah Jane in 1880.

1880 CENSUS[2]: Morven, Anson County, North Carolina; Roll: 951; Family History Film: 1254951; Enumeration District: 2; Image: 0493; Page 350B, Line 36, Dwelling 233, Family 251; William A. PURVIS, age 53, Farmer, born in SC, father born in SC, mother born in NC; Sarah J. PURVIS, Wife, age 48, born in NC, parents born in NC. Dwelling 223, Family 252, Betsy PURVIS, age 30, born in NC, parents born in NC; Mary J. PURVIS, age 7, born in NC, parents born in NC. (Spelled PURVICE on Ancestry).

Sarah Jane Graves wife of William Purvis died 30 December 1893.

Messenger-Intelligencer issue of January 4, 1894, page 3, McFarlan News - The funeral of the wife of Mr. Wm. PERVIS was preached by this writer in the M. E. Church of this place last Sunday [31 Dec. 1893]. She was a good old woman. She had suffered intensely for fifteen months from cancer. She was a member of the M. E. church about 20 years. [SOURCE: Steve Bailey][3]

Now on 30 December 1899 William A. Purvis and his wife Elizabeth are selling land that William A. Purvis and his Wife Sarah Jane Graves purchased.

This is the last known document that shows William A. Purvis name/mark. In May 1900, Elizabeth is listed as a widower. No death certificate, obituary or tombstone has been found for William A. Purvis. But, it obvious that William A. Purvis died between 30 Dec 1899 and May 1900.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Previtt Purvis died 18 Oct 1928 in Rockingham, Richmond County, North Carolina.[4] She was buried in the Mizpah Cemetery but no tombstone has been found.

Mrs. Betsy Purvis[5]
Mrs. Betsy Purvis, aged 90, died Oct. 18th in Great Falls village. The interment was at Mizpah the same day.
[The Rockingham Post-Dispatch, Richmond County, NC, Thursday, October 21, 1926, Page 6, Column 2 - Deaths]

William A. Purvis has been "My Brickwall" for 38 years. 

Your comments are welcomed.

Related articles

• MY BRICKWALL -- WILLIAM A. PURVIS(carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com)

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[1] Anson County, North Carolina, Deed Book 33: page 370, W. A. Purvis and wife Elizabeth Purvis to J. D. Rhyne; 23 September 1899, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.

[2] 1880 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) # 2, Page 350B, Line 36, Dwelling 233, Family 251, Household of William A. Purvis; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 951.

[3] Sarah Jane Graves Purvis obituary, Messenger-Intelligencer, Wadesboro, North Carolina, 4 January 1894, page 3, McFarlan News.

[4] Betsy Purvis, death certificate #351 (1926), Register of Deeds, Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina

[5] Mrs. Betsy Purvis obituary, The Rockingham Post-Dispatch, Rockingham, Richmond County, NC, 21 October 1926, Page 6, Column 2. Deaths.

Wednesday Mystery–Children of Richard Graves, Anson County, NC and Chesterfield County, SC

 

When the book “Robert Graves of Anson County, NC and Chesterfield Co., SC; Ancestors and Descendants (ca. 1580-1979)", A Branch of the Descendants of Capt. Thomas Graves, 1608 Immigrant to Jamestown, VA; by Kenneth Vance Graves, was published in 1980, the ONLY known child of Richard was a son – Lewis Graves who married Miriam Lewis and eventually moved to and settled in Henry County, Tennessee.

Not much has changed in the past 32 years since the publication of this book to further identify these children.

I have spent almost 36 years documenting the GRAVES FAMILIES in these two counties of North & South Carolina. There are some new clues to the identity of these children and I believed that you – the readership of this blog – could help in proving what I am about to suggest:
My research leads me to believe that the below listed individuals are indeed children of Richard Graves.

1. Lewis Graves married Miriam Lewis 
RICHARD and his brother LEWIS, married sisters, daughters of Thomas LEWIS. Richard married NANCY LEWIS and LEWIS, his brother, married MYRAM LEWIS.

WILL: Thomas LEWIS Will, Will Book B, Page 61, Anson County, NC. 61. THOMAS LEWIS - Oct. 27, 1817. Apr. 1836. Wife, Susanna. Seven daughters: Nancy Graves, Rebecca Melton, Rachel Adams, Elizabeth Autry, Naomi Hubbard, Susanna May and Myram Graves. Sons: Thomas J., Daniel and heirs of Jeremiah Lewis, daughter Cary and heirs of daughter Martha Mangram. Proper Thomas and Nancy Gaddy.

2. Richard Graves married Nancy Lewis
RICHARD and his brother LEWIS, married sisters, daughters of Thomas LEWIS. Richard married NANCY LEWIS and LEWIS, his brother, married MYRAM LEWIS.

WILL: Thomas LEWIS Will, Will Book B, Page 61, Anson County, NC. 61. THOMAS LEWIS - Oct. 27, 1817. Apr. 1836. Wife, Susanna. Seven daughters: Nancy Graves, Rebecca Melton, Rachel Adams, Elizabeth Autry, Naomi Hubbard, Susanna May and Myram Graves. Sons: Thomas J., Daniel and heirs of Jeremiah Lewis, daughter Cary and heirs of daughter Martha Mangram. Proper Thomas and Nancy Gaddy.

3. Rebecca Graves, possibly Rebecca Graves Adams

ORDER TO APPEAR: "Miscellaneous Abstracts from Pre-Civil War Cheraw, South Carolina Newspapers" by James C. Pigg, 1996, Page 26. Quote: James Chapman vs Rebecca Adams, Lewis Graves, Wm. Rickkits and Nancy his wife, Richard Graves, Mm. Graves, Neill McNeill and Martha his wife, and Thomas Graves defendants.

It appearing to my satisfaction that all the Defendants above named reside without this state. It is therefore ordered that they appear before me in the Court of Ordinary to be held for Chesterfield District on Monday, the 17th day of February next, to object to the sale or division of the Real Estate of Richard Graves Deceased, or their consent will be entered of Record. TURNER BRYAN, O.C.D.
16th December, 1838
Printed 1 January 1839



4. Nancy Graves married William Rikkets

ORDER TO APPEAR: "Miscellaneous Abstracts from Pre-Civil War Cheraw, South Carolina Newspapers" by James C. Pigg, 1996, Page 26. Quote: James Chapman vs Rebecca Adams, Lewis Graves, Wm. Rickkits and Nancy his wife, Richard Graves, Mm. Graves, Neill McNeill and Martha his wife, and Thomas Graves defendants.

It appearing to my satisfaction that all the Defendants above named reside without this state. It is therefore ordered that they appear before me in the Court of Ordinary to be held for Chesterfield District on Monday, the 17th day of February next, to object to the sale or division of the Real Estate of Richard Graves Deceased, or their consent will be entered of Record. TURNER BRYAN, O.C.D.
16th December, 1838
Printed 1 January 1839




5. Richard Graves (maybe a Jr.)
 
6. Mm. Graves (Gender unknown)
 
7. Martha Graves married Neill McNeill 1850 Carroll Co., Ms, pg 265)
ORDER TO APPEAR: "Miscellaneous Abstracts from Pre-Civil War Cheraw, South Carolina Newspapers" by James C. Pigg, 1996, Page 26. Quote: James Chapman vs Rebecca Adams, Lewis Graves, Wm. Rickkits and Nancy his wife, Richard Graves, Mm. Graves, Neill McNeill and Martha his wife, and Thomas Graves defendants.

It appearing to my satisfaction that all the Defendants above named reside without this state. It is therefore ordered that they appear before me in the Court of Ordinary to be held for Chesterfield District on Monday, the 17th day of February next, to object to the sale or division of the Real Estate of Richard Graves Deceased, or their consent will be entered of Record. TURNER BRYAN, O.C.D.
16th December, 1838
Printed 1 January 1839

1850 CENSUS: Northern Division, Carroll Co. MS, pg 265 (stamp 528), Family/Dwelling 163/163; Neal McNEAL, age 46<1804>, born in SC; Martha McNEAL, age 34, born in NC<1813> and Mary Ann McNEAL, age 17, born in SC.

8. Thomas Graves
This listing is based on two clippings from extant newspapers for Chesterfield County and the WILL of Thomas LEWIS recorded in Anson County, NC. Thomas Lewis died 12 January 1836.
WILL: Thomas LEWIS Will, Will Book B, Page 61, Anson County, NC. 61. THOMAS LEWIS - Oct. 27, 1817. Apr. 1836. Wife, Susanna. Seven daughters: Nancy Graves, Rebecca Melton, Rachel Adams, Elizabeth Autry, Naomi Hubbard, Susanna May and Myram Graves. Sons: Thomas J., Daniel and heirs of Jeremiah Lewis, daughter Cary and heirs of daughter Martha Mangram. Proper Thomas and Nancy Gaddy.

SHERIFF'S SALE: Quote: Will be sold on the first Monday in April next at Chesterfield C.H. within the legal hours, by order of the Court of Ordinary, all the real estate of Richard Graves, deceased, consisting of two tracts, one containing 300 acres more or less, known as the McLendon tract, the other tract containing 42 acres more or less, granted to Rebecca Graves. Dated 20 March 1839. Unquote. "Miscellaneous Abstracts from Pre-Civil War Cheraw, South Carolina Newspapers" by James C. Pigg, 1996, Page 30.

ORDER TO APPEAR: Quote: James Chapman vs Rebecca Adams, Lewis Graves, Wm. Rickkits and Nancy his wife, Richard Graves, Mm. Graves, Neill McNeill and Martha his wife, and Thomas Graves defendants.
 
It appearing to my satisfaction that all the Defendants above named resides without this state. It is therefore ordered that they appear before me in the Court of Ordinary to be held for Chesterfield District on Monday, the 17th day of February next, to object to the sale or division of the Real Estate of Richard Graves Deceased or their consent will be entered of Record. TURNER BRYAN, O.C.D.
16th December, 1838
Printed 1 January 1839
"Miscellaneous Abstracts from Pre-Civil War Cheraw, South Carolina Newspapers" by James C. Pigg, 1996, Page 26.

We know based on the newspaper dated 1 Jan 1839 that ALL the named individuals were non-residents of Chesterfield County, SC and were indeed heirs and entitled to the estate of Richard GRAVES.
 
Chances are that these individuals will be found with pockets of other GRAVES Families that migrated to Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and other western states.

In an abbreviated partial copy of Minutes of the Deep Creek Baptist Church, I found mentioned of a Richard Graves, deceased by 1817(son?), Jane Graves, Nancy Graves, Richard Graves was present at a 1826 Church meeting, Ann Graves in 1819 Thomas Lewis and Susannah Lewis.

If you have any info related to the 8 named individuals listed as possible children of Richard Grave please E-Mail  me.