Who Did George Washington Purvis Marry?

There are many George Washington Purvis but only one is the son of James Purvis, Sr, b. 1760.
This George Washington Purvis was born about 1810 and died in 1897. An exhaustive search for birth and death dates other than the year was futile to date.  The birth and Death year that we have are from his tombstone in the Antioch Cemetery, Rufus, Rankin County, Mississippi.



George Washington Purvis was twice married. His first wife was Mary Ann Patrick (1817-1859), daughter of Luke Patrick and Gracy Heaton. George and Mary Ann were married 19 October 1838 in Rankin County, Mississippi. This twenty-one-year union produced 8 children; but Mary Ann did not survive the birth of her last child, a daughter, given the name Lucy Purvis.

The Death of Mary Ann in 1859 left George a Widow with 8 children ranging in age from infant to 20 years. The oldest child, Martha, age 19-20, was able to care for the children.

After 8 years of widowhood, George decided to marry again in 1867.

But, who did George take as his second wife?

This is a major controversy in this lineage. Did he marry:
Sarah E. Williams (18 Jun 1830 - 9 Jun 1906)
or
Sarah A. Williams (1 June 1830 - 3 June 1888)

Clearly, there is only one answer.

The correct Answer is that George Washington Purvis married Sarah the Widow Huff born 1830 died 1888. She is listed in the Census with both the middle initial “A” and Middle initial “E”.
On 31 August 1867, G. W. Purvis married the Widower Sarah Huff in Rankin County.



The Rankin County 1870 Census shows this blended Family. It also shows Sarah as Sarah E., age 37, b. 1833.


Sarah Huff was the widow of Washington G. Huff who died in the Civil War.

It was obvious that I needed to see the Tombstones in place in the Cemetery. So on 30 Dec 2014 while en-route home after spending time with my daughter in Texas my wife and I stopped and visited the Antioch Cemetery.

The Tombstone for the female (wife) buried beside George W. Purvis reads:

Sarah A. Purvis

Geo. Purvis

Born

June 1, 1830

Died

June 9, 1888

This is the Family Plot for George Washington Purvis and Sarah A. (Huff) Purvis (Maiden name unknown). Some researchers say her maiden name is Williams. 

The other Sarah wife of another’s George Purvis has a Flat stone similar to the stone of George in the above picture.

That Flat stone, located somewhere in Antioch Cemetery reads:

SARAH E.  WIFE OF

GEORGE PURVIS

JUNE 18, 1830

JUNE 9, 1906

This stone can be viewed by looking at FindAGrave memorial # 2937292. I did not find the stone when I visited on 30 Dec 2014. 

But, it doesn't say George Washington Purvis or George W. Purvis.

At present, I have no idea who the George Purvis is that married Sarah E. Williams (18 Jun 1830 - 9 Jun 1906).

Sarah A. Huff, second wife of George W. Purvis (1810-1897) died 9 June 1888 in Rankin County, Mississippi.

John W. Purvis Estate~Guardianship of His Three Children

In August 1860 the George Washington Purvis and with Martha Adeline Franklin was visited by the “Census Taker” in Smith County, Mississippi. He documented this Family as Dwelling 599, Family 599, Line 23, Smith County, Mississippi. This is a listing of the Family from the 1860 Smith County Census.



For many years until last week, I and many other researchers made the assumption that all the Children listed within the family were children of George W. and his wife Martha A. Purvis. After all, they seem to be born in a very common natural sequence within the family. This turned out to be a bad assumption as the forthcoming document will show.¹

While doing a “page by page” review of Rankin County, MS probate records I came upon a Guardianship decree for John W. Purvis, James F. Purvis and Emily M. Purvis. This document was found in Rankin County “Accounts 1872-1894” film on FamilySearch, Image 48, pages 74 and 75 of the Accounts book. This document shows that these 3 children, John, James and Emily, are heirs at law of John W. Purvis, deceased.



Transcription:

Report Sale Land

Est. of}
John W. Purvis} To the Hon. E. W. Cabinefs Chancellor &c
                  Et al} The report of the undersigned Guardian of John W
              Minors} Purvis James F. Purvis & Emily M. Purvis minors & heirs at law of John Purvis dec’d

Transcription, Page 74

Report Sale Land

Est. of}
John W. Purvis} To the Hon. E. W. Cabinefs Chancellor &c
                  Et al} The report of the undersigned Guardian of John W
              Minors} Purvis James F. Purvis & Emily M. Purvis minors & heirs at law of John Purvis dec’d would respectfully state & show that by virtue of a Decree of your Honl Court made at the January Term 1874 thereof authorizing & directing the undersigned Guardian as aforesaid  to sell at Public Outcry to the highest bidder for cash the interest of said  minors & your said Guardian being in all an undivided One Twelfth interest in and to the following described lands in Rankin County to wit: the W ½ of  NW ¼ & E ¼ of NW ¼ & N. ½ of SW ¼ & NW ¼ of SE ¼ Section 25 Township 4 of Range 5 East. She died on the 7th day of February A. D. 1874 before the Court House  door in Brandon between the hours prescribed by law after giving the notice required by the statute & the said Decree by publication & posting of which publication is herewith filed Marked Exhibit “A” & made a part of this report  proceed too sell the said interest in said lands to the highest bidder for cash when and where J. R. Strong approved and bid for same the sum of Eighty Six ($86.00) Dollars which being the highest & best bid said interest in said land was struck off to him & he became the purchaser thereof, Your said Guardian would further state that said Strong has paid the said sum of ($86.00) and that she has made execute & delivered to him a Deed to the said interest in said land and having Now fully reported she prays that the same together with said sale may be confirmed, and as Duty bound &c
Sworn to & Subscribed before me this 6th day} M. X her mark A. Purvis
of April 1874            S. T. Parker Clk}                            Guardian
                                          By S. R. Martin DC
Files April 16th 1874 and Recorded April 30th, 1874.
                                           S. T. Parker Clk
                                      By S. R. Martin DC




EXHIBIT “A”
Door Publication
The State of Mississippi} Est. of John W. Purvis et al Minors} 888
                Rankin County} M. A. Purvis Guardian
By virtue of a Decree of the Chancery Court of Rankin County made in
The above stated case at the January Term thereof 1874 the undersigned Guardian of the minor heirs of John Purvis Deceased late of said County Will on Saturday, February 7th 1874 within the hours prescribed by Law before the Court House Door in Brandon proceed to sell at Public Auction to the highest bidder for cash the undivided one
twelfth interest in and to the following Described land lying and being
in said County to wit: the West half of the North West quarter and
the South East quarter of the North West quarter and the North half
of the South West quarter and the North West quarter of the South
East quarter of Section Number twenty five Township number four
Range Number five West.            M. A. Purvis
Cole & Henry  Sols                            Guardian



This George W. Purvis is a real enigma. Many a researcher has looked for the parents of George Washington Purvis, age 25, born in Alabama without success. Many of these same researchers say he is a son of John Purvis, Jr. and  Elizabeth Lovett but this is doubtful. If you have any information about George or his wife  Martha Adeline Franklin I would like to hear from you. There is an E-mail link in the top right corner of this page.

UPDATE:
See this link:

https://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2021/09/parents-of-george-washington-purvis.html




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Note: Plus (+) mark used to replace ampersand &
[1] "Mississippi Probate Records, 1781-1930," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89Q6-Y9Q3-Q?cc=2036959&wc=M7MB-Z6D%3A344537701%2C345706101 : 21 May 2014), Rankin > Accounts 1872-1894 > image 48 of 333; county courthouses and public libraries, Mississippi.

Tombstone Tuesday~George Washington Purvis

George Washington Purvis

b. 1810

d. 1897

bu. Antioch Cemetery

Rufus, Rankin County, Mississippi

George Washington Purvis, son of James Purvis, Sr., was born in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

George was twice married. His first wife, Mary Ann Patrick was born 1817, a daughter of Luke Patrick and Gracy Heaton. They were married 19 October 1838 in Rankin County, Mississippi. To this union was born 8 children; 5 daughters and 3 sons. Mary Ann died in 1859 after the birth of her eighth child, a daughter given the name Lucy Purvis.

George then married the widow of Civil War Solder Washington G. Huff. He and Sarah A. Williams Huff were married 31 August 1867. Mrs. Huff had 4 young sons that joined this blended family.

George and Sarah would have two additional sons making a total of 14 children into this blended family.  Sarah died in June 1888 and George passed away in 1897. They are buried side by side in Antioch Cemetery, Rankin County, Mississippi.





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1. 1850 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Rankin County, Mississippi, Page 247B, Line 41, Dwelling 642, family 642, Household of George PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 13 April 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 380.
2. 1860 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Rankin County, Mississippi, Page: 989; Line 6, Dwelling 834, Family 885, Household of G. W. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 13 April 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M653 Roll 590.
3. 1870 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Township 4, Rankin County, Mississippi, Page: 62B; Line 17, Dwelling 434, Family 434, Household of George W. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 13 April 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M593 Roll 748.
4. 1880, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Cato, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) #078, Page 456A, Line 38, Dwelling 452, Family 452, Household of G. W. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 13 April 2012); citing NARA publication T9, Roll: 663.
5. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 14 January 2015); Memorial page for George W. Purvis; (1810–1897); Find a Grave memorial # 13976654, Citing Antioch Cemetery; Rufus, Rankin, Mississippi.
6. "Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : Viewed 14 January 2015), George Purvis & Mary Patrick; Dodd, Jordan R., comp; Marriage Date: 19 Oct 1838.
7. "Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935," database, Ancestry, George Purvis & Sarah Huff.
8. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Sarah A. William Purvis (1 June 1830–14 June 1888), Memorial # 12849451.

Tombstone Tuesday~William J. Purvis

William J. Purvis

b. 28 April 1851

d. 12 March 1917

bu. Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery

William J. Purvis was the son of George Washington Purvis and Mary Ann Patrick. He was borne in Rankin County, Mississippi.

William J. Purvis married Cornelia C. Bounds on 19 December 1881 in Rankin County, Mississippi. To this union was born five children; 4 sons and a daughter.

The children of William J. Purvis and Cornelia C. Bounds are:

i. Albert Guy Purvis, born Oct 1882 in Rankin County, Mississippi. 
ii. Hulon Morris Purvis, born 28 Apr 1885, Rankin County, Mississippi; married Ella M. Patrick, 9 Jan 1910, Rankin County, Mississippi; died 18 Apr 1977.
iii. Hollis Lee Purvis, born 7 Jan 1888 in Rankin County, Mississippi. 
iv. Clara E. Purvis, born 20 Mar 1890, Rankin County, Mississippi; married Walter Simpson Dear Sr.; died 15 Feb 1963.
v. William Vilas Purvis, born 30 Jun 1893, Rankin County, Mississippi; died 17 Jan 1918, Norfork, Virginia. William Vilas died while in basic training during WWI.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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1. 1860 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Rankin County, Mississippi, Page: 989; Line 6, Dwelling 834, Family 885, Household of G. W. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 13 April 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M653 Roll 590.
2. 1870 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Township 4, Rankin County, Mississippi, Page: 62B; Line 17, Dwelling 434, Family 434, Household of George W. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 13 April 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M593 Roll 748.
3. 1880, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Cato, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) #078, Page 456A, Line 38, Dwelling 452, Family 452, Household of G. W. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 13 April 2012); citing NARA publication T9, Roll: 663.
4. 1900 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Cato, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 0084, Page: 14B/259 (stamped); Line 62, Dwelling 254, Family 254, Household of William PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2 January 2014); citing NARA publication T623_826.
5. 1910 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Cato, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 0050, Page: 18B/236(stamped); Line 79, Dwelling 348, Family 348, Household of William J. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 4 February 2014); citing NARA publication T624_758.
6. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 30 December 2014); Memorial page for W. J. PURVIS; (28 April 1851–12 May 1917); Find a Grave memorial # 13998651, Citing Antioch Cemetery; Rufus, Rankin County, Mississippi, USA.
7. "Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935," digital index of Mississippi Marriages, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 January 2014), Miss C. C. Bounds & W. J. Purvis, Marriage Date: 19 Dec 1881.
8. 1930 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Beat 5, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 16, Page 182A; Line 1, Dwelling 1, Family 1, Household of Hollis PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 4 February 2014); citing NARA publication T626_1164.
9. 1940 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 61-17, Page: 5A/327(stamped); Line 33, Household #80, Household of Hollis T. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 4 February 2014); citing NARA publication T627_2062.
10. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Cornelia C. Bounds PURVIS (5 June 1856-21 July 1941), Memorial # 13998613.

Tombstone Tuesday~Caroline “Cariline” Purvis Walters

Caroline “Cariline” Purvis Walters

b. 28 December 1842

d. 6 November 1893

bu. Antioch  Baptist Church Cemetery

Rankin County, Mississippi

Parents: George Washington Purvis and Mary Ann Patrick

Siblings: Martha Ann, Harriett, Sarah, James Monroe, William J., Joseph A and Lucy Purvis

Spouse:  Milton Walters

Children: Luke Amsterdam, Mary Susan, Elmer Vaiden and Milton Amroe Walters










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[1] Find A Grave Memorial# 12846888