Tombstone Tuesday~Lt. Robert H. Miller

In Memory of

1^stLt. Robert Henry Miller

b. 1841

d. 29 August 1862 

Second Battle of Manassas

Robert H. Miller was the first born son of Elizabeth Rose Campbell Purvis and Joseph Edward Miller. He had a younger brother, Joseph D. Miller.

Elizabeth Rose Purvis was the widow of James Purdee J. Purvis. James had died in 1836 leaving Elizabeth pregnant and with two small children. Before her re-marriage in March 1839, her oldest son would pass away and a new son born. These two children were Mary Ann Purvis and William R. Purvis.  

Robert Henry studied at Bethany College in West Virginia  and graduated there in 1859. When War broke out he returned to his ancestral homestead known as the “Flowery Mound" plantation. His parents remained in West Virginia.

In Concordia Pariah, he aided Captain Zebulon York in organizing the 14th Louisiana Infantry also know as the Concordia Rifles. On 19 June 1861, Robert Henry enlisted into the 14th Louisiana Infantry as a 2nd Lieutenant. 

Forrest P. Conner in an article published in “The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 70, No. 1, Part One (Jan.,1962), pp. 62-91”; Published by: Virginia Historical Society made these comments in his introduction to the publication of thirteen letters sent home to family and friends.

... He was killed on August 29 at Second Manassas when his regiment, part of General Harry T. Hays's First Louisiana Brigade, advanced support General Ambrose P. Hill whose center was being threatened by Union assault. It was noted in an obituary found among the letters Miller's father had arrived for a visit before the battle and was still there perform the last rites after his son's body was recovered.

There is no indication that Robert Henry Miller was returned home for burial. The small snippet above seem to suggest he was buried in place. There is a possibility his body may be entombed, in an unmarked grave, at the Groveton Confederate Cemetery, Groveton, Virginia.

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[1] Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4246813

Treasure Chest Thursday~Land Deed, Simpson to James P. J. Purvis

State of Mississippi}
Hinds County}           This indenture made and entered in to this the 15th day of July in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred thirty thre between Thomas G. Simpson and James Simpson of the county and State are foresaid of the one part and James P. J. Purvis of the other part of the County and state are foresaid. Witnesseth that the said Thomas G. Simpson and James Simpson does here by sell release set over and convey to the said James P. J. Purvis  for and in consideration of the some<sic> of two hundred dollars paid in hand for all that tract or part of land lying and being in the county of Hinds known and designated and known as the East half of the North West quarter of Section No. Eight Township  Six in Range Two East containing eighty acres and 3/100 of an acre we the said Thomas S. Simpson and James Simpson do warrant and will ever defend the same from any other person or person whatsoever to the said James P. J. Purvis his heirs and assigns forever in witnefs whereof we have hereunto set out hands and seals this the day and year written written<sic>
Test                                        Thomas G. Simpson {seal}
Hiram Coffer                           JaP. Simpson {seal}
Jas. L. Rutherford                    Mary (X her mark) Simpson {seal}

The State of Mississippi}
Hinds County} Personally appeared before me J. Isbell Justice of the Peace in and for said county Thomas G. Simpson and James Simpson who acknowledged that they signed, sealed and delivered the above deed as their act and deed for the purposes and contents theare <sic>  in contained the day and year above written.
                                               J. C. Isbell, J. P. {seal}

The State of Mississippi}
Hinds County } Personally appeared before me J. C. Isabell a justice of the peace in and for said county Mary Simpson who being duly examined separate and apart from her said husband acknowledge that she signed the within deed as her own voluntary act and deed freely without fear or compulsion of her said husband for the purpose and contents therein contained on the day and date theare<sic> in written. Given under my hand seal this 12th day of December A. D. 1833
                                               J. C. Isabell, J. P. {seal}
Filed 19th June recorded 29th July 1834.         C. H. Bankston, Clk.

 James P. J. Purvis was the grandson of Gilbert and Effica Howell Purvis. He married Elizabeth Rose Campbell in January 1832 and they had three children, a daughter and two sons, before his unexpected death in 1836.







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[1] Mississippi, "Mississippi Deed Books," land deeds, Family Search.org, family Search (http://www.FamilySearch.Org : Viewed 6 August 2015), Hinds County, Deed Book 4, pages 8 & 9; FHL Film #878973.

Many clues, but still no conclusion

I’m continuing to collect circumstantial evidence that indicates Johnson J. Purvis is a son of Gilbert Purvis and the father of James Purdee Purvis. 

James Purdee J. Purvis married Elizabeth Rose Campbell on January 19, 1832.



She was twice married, first to James Purdee Purvis, on the 19th of January 1832. By this marriage, she had three children, James, who died at ten years of age; Mary Anna, widow of the late Alexander Campbell, who survives her,and William R. Purvis, who died at Roseland, La. in January, 1882. [1]

First, there is DAR application 115797, submitted by Mary Virginia Hagerman Watson. Mary Virginia is a 3rd great granddaughter of Gilbert Purvis. This is the only known application submitted for Gilbert Purvis service in the Revolutionary War. It was submitted in 1915.[2]



When Mary Virginia submitted her application she said that James P. J. Purvis was a son of Johnson Purvis,  a son of Gilbert Purvis

In 1831 and 1832 we find Johnson J. Purvis located in the tax list for Simpson County, Mississippi.  Gilbert Gilbert, Sr. and his wife Effica Howell had migrated from Chesterfield County, SC about 1818, down through Georgia into Clarke County, Alabama and finally settling in and around Rankin, Hinds, Smith and Simpson Counties.

1831 Simpson County, Ms Tax List [3]


1832 Simpson County, Ms Tax List [4]


Another clue is the Will of Gilbert Johnson Purvis. Gilbert Johnson Purvis, son of Gilbert Purvis, stated in his will[1] that “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,".[5]



In the DAR Application we have James P. J. Purvis father named as   Johnson Purvis.
But, in Gilbert Johnson Will the same man is named as James Purvis.

Now we have the Father of James P. J. Purvis  listed as Johnson Purvis and James Purvis. We also have the 1831 and 1832 Simpson County Tax list where James P. J. Purvis is listed along with Johnson/Johnston J. Purvis.

Is this Father and Son; I think so and I think Johnson/Johnston  J. Purvis is Johnson Purvis and also James Purvis.

There are other clues but so far I have not accumulated enough data to say without doubt that James P. J. Purvis is the son of Johnson J. Purvis. Just circumstantial evidence connecting these two men.

I welcome your comments and suggestions on how to proceed with proving or disproving that James P. J. Purvis is the son of Johnson J. Purvis.

 Previous Related Articles: 

• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2013/03/sunday-obituary-mrs-e-r-miller.html
• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/04/clues-to-parents-of-william-h-h-purvis.html

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[1] Obituary found in a Bethany College Scrapbook by Janice Garrison Shepherd. This is a KEY Document in the research of the Campbell-Purvis-Miller line; credit for it’s  find is attributed to Janice Garrison Shepherd. Printed here with their approval; not to be used without approval. ©2012.
[2] "DAR Ancestor Search," Application Files, DAR Genealogical Research System (GRS) (http://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search/?Tab_ID=1 : accessed on-line 9 May 2013), DAR Application: 115797; Mary Virginia Hagerman Watson.
[3] 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. <http://bit.ly/HjD1pp>
[4] 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; 1832, Box 3764, Image 70 of 276, entry for Johnson J. Purvis. <http://bit.ly/IMCs66>
[5] Hinds County, Mississippi, Will Book 1: page 48, Gilbert Johnson Purvis; Family History Library, Film #878728, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sunday's Obituary ~ Mrs. E. R. Miller

                                                            MILLER
Mrs. Elizabeth Rose Miller was born in St. Tammany’s Parish, La., July 16, 1814, and went peacefully to sleep, in the home of her beloved daughter, Mrs. Anna Campbell,at Bethany, W. Va., on Sept. 19, 1906, at the ripe old age of ninety-two years.She was twice married, first to James Purdee Purvis, on the 19th of January 1832. By this marriage, she had three children, James, who died at ten years of age; Mary Anna, widow of the late Alexander Campbell, who survives her,and William R. Purvis, who died at Roseland, La. in January, 1882.  On the 10th of March 1839, she was married a second time, to Joseph Ewing Miller, at Jackson, Miss., whom she has outlived for many long years, and to this union were born two sons—Robert H. Miller, who, just after graduating with honor at Bethany College, enlisted in the Civil War. He was killed at the first battle of “Bull Run”; his body was found on the field, and identified by a Bible in his breast pocket, in which was written his full name. The second son, Joseph E. Miller, still lives, at Fairview, La., and has a large family of children. She was truly great because she was truly good, with a deeply religious nature, and kind heart, coupled with a strong intellect, and mind richly endowed and cultivated, and stored with wisdom and knowledge. She was one of the most wonderful women of her day and generation, and upon any them one could suggest or converse, she was fluent, interesting and instructive. Her maiden name was Campbell, and her Scotch ancestors were celebrated for bravery at the battle of “Culloden Moor,”in 1746. In 1848 she sent her brother, T. F. Campbell, to be educated at Bethany College, and he afterwards became an educator himself, founding a college at Monmouth, Ore., and his youngest son is “Prince Campbell, “ now president of the University of Oregon, at Eugene. Later on, she sent another brother, “Fountain Campbell,” to be educated at Bethany; and in 1849 came herself, bringing her only daughter, Mary Anna, whom she placed in school in Pleasant Hill Seminary, then presided over by Mrs. Jane C. McKeever, a sister of Alexander Campbell.  After three years of study at this institution, Mary Anna was married to Alexander Campbell, Jr., whose faithful and devoted wife she has been for fifty-four years, their “golden wedding”having been celebrated in 1902, in Lexington, Ky., at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Mary C. Hagerman.  At this wedding anniversary, “Grandma Miller” was present, and four generations helped to celebrate the happy occasion. It is wonderful to think of a life just closed that has extended back to the time of the Indians, when they owned and occupied many of the Southern States.  And now the long life that was filled with generous impulses and conscientious work for her master, with a grand and noble ambition to accomplish the greatest possible good, has forever closed upon earth, and she has gone from us deeply lamented by all who had the good fortune to know her in the prime and vigor of her beautiful and useful life.  Her fragrant memory is one to be long cherished by those who knew and loved her, and is a blessed heritage to the children and grandchildren down to the latest generation of those who survive her.
Bethany, W. Va.                                                                                  D.C.B.

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[1] Obituary discovered in a Bethany College Scrapbook by Karen D. of Oklahoma and her friend Janice (Janmariewv). This is a KEY Document in research of the Campbell-Purvis-Miller line all credit for it’s  find is attributed to Karen D. and Janice. Printed here with their approval. ©2012.