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




_________________
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.

Estate of James Purvis, Sr.~Inventory and Appraisement

I have written about James Purvis, Sr. b. abt 1760 several times. About 1818 James along with other brothers, most notably Gilbert  Purvis, moved from Chesterfield County, South Carolina to the Hinds and Simpson County area of Mississippi after stopping off in Clarke County, Alabama for a short time.

James  Purvis, Sr died sometime before 28 November 1836 when an Administrator Bond was issued for the management of his estate. I wrote about the bond here:

https://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2017/05/amanuensis-mondayadministrative-bond.html

Today posting contains a listing of the personal property of the estate and those who purchased items at the estate sale.

James Purvis
A list of sales of the personal Estate of James Purvis decd April 7th 1837.

Double Click to Enlarge

Double Click to Enlarge

A List of Notes by the Administration of James Purvis Senr Dec’d for the personal property of said Dec’d. to Wit,

1 against . Rosannah Purvis + George Purvis for $40.00
1   ditto     George Purvis and John Purvis for $107.00
1   ditto     William Franklin and James Franklin for $60.00
1   ditto     James Moon and Peter R. Taylor for $26.62 ½
1   ditto     Alex Murray and Henry Crook for $52.25
1   ditto     Daniel Taylor and William Rhodes for $20.00
1   ditto     Henry Rhodes and Alexander Purvis for $57.00
1   ditto     Peter R. Taylor and William Rhodes for $13.00
1   ditto     Rebecca Purvis and John Purvis for $44.50
1   ditto     Alexander Purvis and Henry Howell for $146.12 1/2
1   ditto     Joseph Purvis and John Purvis for $22.00
1   ditto     Henry Crook and  Lewis Crook $33.12 ½
1   ditto     John Purvis and Joseph Purvis for $30.87 ½


State of Mississippi}
Rankin County} 1 John Purvis, Adm of the Estate of of <sic> James Purvis Senr Dec’d do hereby Certify the forgoing list of Notes are Correct.
May 27, 1837


I have a strong DNA match to this line but have been unsuccessful in connecting the dots with a paper trail.

___________________
[1] James Purvis, Estates, 1828-72, Chancery Clerk's Office, Raymond, Mississippi

Amanuensis Monday~Hinds County Land Deed, William Purvis + Others to Benjamin E. Phillips

Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.

His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

Today’s subject is a Hinds County Land Deed, William Purvis + Others to Benjamin E. Phillips.



Transcription:

Hinds County, Mississippi
DEED BOOK 7, pages 115-116
This indenture made and entered into this the fourth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty six between William Purvis Milly Purvis his wife George W. Purvis and Alexander Purvis of the first part all of the State of Mississippi, the sd. G. W. Purvis Alexander Purvis of Rankin County and ?? William and wife of the county of Hinds state aforesaid and Benjamin E. Phillips of the second part state and county last aforesaid Witnesseth that the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of eight thousand eight hundred Dollars to them the partied of the first part in hand paid the receipt Whereof is hereby acknowledged hath bargained granted and sold and by these present doth bargain grant and sell, unto the sd Benjamin E. Phillips the party of the second part his heirs Executors administrators all those Mefsuages to and also all trees woods underwood ways water courses ?? Commodities advantages hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to the said mefsuage or lands described known and designate (lying and situate in the County of Hinds, Mississippi) as follows to wit: The East half South East quarter section No. Twenty Seven township five of Range one west containing Eighty forty-two hundredths acres (80 42/100) also the South half East half North East, quarter section No. twenty Seven township No. Five Range No, one West containing forty twenty one hundredth (40 21/100) also the North half East half North East quarter of Section No. twenty seven township No. five of Range No. one West containing forty twenty one hundredth (40 21/100)also South half West half North West quarter of section No. twenty six Township No. five of Range No. one West containing forty twenty five one hundredth (20 25/100) also the North half West half North west quarter of section twenty six Township `five of range one West containing forty twenty two one hundredth (20 22/100) also the East half of North West quarter of section twenty six Township ,five of range one West containing Eighty forty five hundredth acres (80 45/100) also the North half East half South West quarter section twenty six Township five range one West-containing forty twenty two one hundredth (40 22/100) also the North half the East half of the North Est quarter of section thirty four Township Range one West containing forty acres more of lefs The whole of the above described land containing four hundred and forty acres more or lefs – To have and to hold the above described land or parcel of land and all and singular other? The premises above mentioned and every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances unto the said Benjamin E. Phillips his heirs and assigns to the only proper use and behoof of the said Benjamin E. Phillips his heirs and assigns forever And the said parties of the first part for themselves and their heirs the said described land or parcel of land and premises and Every part thereof against them their heirs and against all and every person and persons whatsoever to the said Benjamin E. Phillips his heirs and assigns shall & will warrant and forever defend by these presents against the claim or claims of any person or persons whatsoever
Pg 116
In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals the day and year above mentioned.                                                      
The words “Section twenty six Township five} 
Range one West between line thirty and} 
Forty were interlined before signing}
                                                     William Purvis {seal}
                                                     Milly X her mark Purvis {seal}
                                                     Alexander X his mark Purvis {seal}
                                                     George W. X his mark Purvis {seal}

Witness}

James Purvis}

John Purvis}

State of Mississippi}
Hinds County} Personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of peace of said county William Purvis and Milly Purvis his wife and severally acknowledged that they signed sealed and delivered the foregoing deed for the use and purpose therein contained and Milly Purvis being by me Examined separate and apart from her husband acknowledged that she signed the same freely as he voluntary act and deed without any fear or compulsion of he said husband.
Given under my hand and seal this 7^th day of November 1836.
                                                 William C. Thomas JP {seal}

State of Mississippi Hinds County}
Personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the peace of in an for the said county, John Purvis and after being duly sworn sayeth that he saw the above named Alexander Purvis and George W. Purvis whose names are subscribed thereto sign, seal and deliver the same to Benjamin E. Phillips, that he this deponent subscribed his name as a witness thereto in the presence of Alex Purvis and George W. Purvis and that he saw the other subscribing witness James Purvis sign the same in the presence of the said Alexander Purvis and George W. Purvis and in the presence of each other on the day and year therein named.

Given under my hand and seal this first day of December 1836.
                                                          J. P. Oldham JP {seal}
Filed Dec 26^th 1836 recorded January 25^th 1837
S. S. Scott Clerk

On 4 November 1836 William James Purvis son of James Purvis, Sr. indebted himself to Benjamin E. Phillips for the sum of $10,000+ dollars. At about the same time his father passed away.  I believe the sale of this land mentioned and described in the above deed was to clear up eight thousand dollars of this debt.





___________________
[1] Mississippi, DEED BOOK 7: pages 115-116, William Purvis + Others to Benjamin E. Phillips; Chancery Clerk, (Raymond, Hinds County, Mississippi; accessed 3 February 2018).

52 Ancestors: #48, William A. Purvis

 


Amy Johnson Crow of No Story To Small has started a challenge of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.

From her blog “The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. Not only should this get me blogging more, but also to take a deeper look at some of the people in my family tree.”

The focus of my blog post today is William A. Purvis, my 2nd Great Grandfather.

In January 2012, I started his blog with the intent to network with other researchers in our genealogical search. At that time William A. Purvis, my paternal 2nd Great Grandfather was a genealogical brick wall and had been for the past 36 years.

In my very first posting I provided a detailed timeline of William’s life from the his first appearance in 1860, Anson County, North Carolina until his death between 23 September 1899 and May 1900. That posting can be read here:

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

On 19 November 2012, I followed up with an article entitled Parents of William A. Purvis which can be accessed here:

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

Today the name of William’s parents still eludes my search; but DNA has proven that there is a connection to the James F. Purvis, Sr. family. James F. Purvis, Sr. is the brother of Gilbert Purvis and the two are sons of John Purvis and Sarah Johnson.  

If you are a direct descendant of either Gilbert, James F. or Joseph Purvis I encourage you to participate in the autosomal DNA testing at Ancestry, FTDNA Family Finder or 23andMe. I’m specifically looking for male Purvis’ from one of these lines to participate in the Y-DNA and Family Finder testing. If interested please contact me at my Gmail address which can be found on the right side of this blog posting. 

Public Member Trees~Curse or Benefit

Family trees are prolific on the internet from Rootsweb to Ancestry to public webpages. But are they a benefit to the average researcher or are they a source of bad, unsourced information that leads you on a wild goose chase?

My experience has been that they are very unreliable. Owners of these trees oftentimes take offense to any suggestion that their information is bad even when sources are provided. 

Here are several examples:   



First, let's discuss the wife of James Purvis, Sr.  The wife of James Purvis, Sr. is NOT KNOWN and if she is known her name IS NOT SARAH GARRARD JAMES. Yet there are hundreds of Public Member Trees on Ancestry propagating this falsehood.

Back in May 2011, I posted on the Purvis genforum a message detailing why James Purvis, Sr. was not the husband of Sarah Garrard.
http://genforum.genealogy.com/cgi-bin/pageload.cgi?garrard::purvis::2047.html

Sarah Garrard did in fact marry James Purvis in Kentucky in 1808.

But, James Purvis, b. about 1760 has never set foot in the state of Kentucky. In 1808, he had a house full of children and lived with his wife in Chesterfield, South Carolina.

The James Purvis that married Sarah Garrard was a son of William Purvis and Jane Burk of Virginia. He was born in Virginia, not South Carolina.


This James Purvis was also born 25 years after James Purvis was born in South Carolina.

The same goes for James Purvis, Sr.’ son William James Purvis. The owners of these trees insists that William James Purvis was named William Forbes Purvis. I have requested documents from some of these individuals with this name on it and haven’t received one yet. That's because William Forbes Purvis does not exist and never did. 



If one of these individuals would step into the Courthouse in Jackson Mississippi or the Mississippi Archives for just 10 minutes and look at the Land Deeds available showing his name as William James Purvis maybe that would convince them.

There are many other problems on the two listing posted in this article. Wrong parents, specific birth and death date where none exists and others. Gilbert Johnson Purvis was a single man, never married and Effica Howell his wife is REALLY his MOTHER. 

I have just one request – Always VERIFY anything found on one of these trees and document it with a proven source. Ancestry Family Tree is not considered a solid verified source, It’s secondary unreliable information.

If you follow the GPS – Genealogical Proof Standard you can’t go wrong.

• Reasonably exhaustive search
• Complete and accurate citation of sources
• Analysis and correlation of the collected information
• Resolution of conflicting evidence.
• Soundly reasoned, coherently written conclusion.

Amanuensis Monday~Gilbert Purvis Migration

 
Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.
His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

Today’s subject is Gilbert Purvis and documents related to his departure from South Carolina.
Between Nov 1784 and Aug 1793, Gilbert Purvis was awarded 3 land plats containing 4,315 Acres of land in the Cheraw District.

• 11/11/1784 - PURVIS, GILBERT, PLAT FOR 100 ACRES ON SOUTH WEST SIDE OF GREAT PEE DEE RIVER, CHERAWS DISTRICT, SURVEYED BY ALEXANDER CRAIG.¹
• 8/15/1793 - PURVIS, GILBERT AND JAMES PURVIS, PLAT FOR 3,215 ACRES NEAR NORTH FORK OF BEAR CREEK, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, CHERAW DISTRICT, SURVEYED BY ERASMUS POWE.²
• 8/15/1793 - PURVIS, GILBERT AND JAMES NORRIS, PLAT FOR 1,000 ACRES ON FORK OF BEAR CREEK, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, CHERAW DISTRICT, SURVEYED BY ERASMUS POWE.³

In March 1818, an Administrative Bond was recorded in Horry County, South Carolina, naming Gilbert Purvis as administrator of the goods, chattels and credits of one James Purvis, Deceased. ⁴

Recorded March 1818
State of South Carolina }
Horry District } Know all men by these presents that we John Johnston, Gilbert Purvis, Moses Harrelson and Felix Powell are holden and firmly bound unto Henry Durant Esquire Ordinary for aforesaid District in the full and just sum of Ten Thousand to be paid to the said Henry Durant or to his successors of this District or their certain attorney or officers, To which payment will and truly be made, and we bind ourselves and every of us own and every of our heirs, executors, administrators, for the whole and in the whole jointly and severally firmly by these presents sealed with our seals and dated the Seventeenth Day of July one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and in the 43rd year of America Independence.The condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bound John Johnston and Gilbert Purvis administrators of the goods, chattels and credits of James Purvis deceased do make a true and perfect inventory of all and singular, the goods, chattels, credits of the said deceased, which shall come into the hands of knowledge of the said John Johnston, Gilbert Purvis, or unto the hands of any other person or persons for them and the same so made to which unto the said aunt of ordinary when he shall be hereunto covered and such goods, chattels and credits do well and truly administer according to law and do make a just and true account of their actions and do required by the said Court and all the rest of the said  goods and credits which shall be found remaining upon the amount of the said administration, the same being first allowed by the said Court shall deliver and execute such persons respectively, as are entitled to the same by law and of it shall deliver hereafter appears that any Last Will and testament was made by the said deceased, and the same be proved in Court, and the executors obtain a certificate of the probate thereof, and the said John Johnston, Gilbert Purvis do in such case, if required, render and deliver all the said letters of administration, then this obligation to be void or else to remain full force. Signed
John Johnston {seal}
Gilbert X Purvis {seal}
Moses Harrelson {seal}
Felix Powell  {seal}

We know this is not Gilbert’s brother James Purvis, Sr.  because he went to Mississippi with Gilbert. Was it a son, an uncle or nephew. The bond does not say, and we have no way to know.

Was this the catalyst that started their migration westward and who did Gilbert Purvis sell his 4 thousand 3 hundred and fifteen (4, 315) acres to before leaving South Carolina. 

While doing some newspaper research during the past week I found this notice: ^5.

CAUTION.

I FOREWARN all persons from trading for a note of hand given by me to James Purvis, Senr., late of Chesterfield district, for one hundred dollars dated the first day of January 1818 and payable the first day of January 1819, with conditions thereto providing I get sufficient titles to a tract of land purchased by me from the said Purvis, and as I have failed getting sufficient titles, I am determined not to pay the same unless compelled by Law.
Hayward Todd
Chesterfield C. H. Dec. 29, 1818 44-Y

A portion of this land deed came into my possession this week.


Land deed between James  Purvis and Haywood Todd ⁶
28 chs to a corner, thence S. E. 8-56 Chs to …. Thence N22-50 Chs to a Pine 38 thence NW 4 - 25 Chs to a corner thence SW 76-16 Chs to a corner  thence NW 14-33 Chs to the beginning Pine containing one thousand Eighty one [1081] acres.  Reference being had to the above Plat will more plainer Shew the shape and boundary of the Same, together and with all and singular the rights members hereditaments and appurtenances to the sais premises belonging or in any wise incident or appertaining unto the Said Haywood Todd his heirs  and afsigns forever, and I do hereby bind myself my heirs executors and administrators  to warrant and forever defend against every other Person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof. Witnefs my hand and seal, this the 29th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and seventeen and in the forty seven year of the independence of the United States of America.
Assigned, Sealed  and … in presence of } 
                       
Hugh Craig
Phillip Sellers

I think that the deceased James Purvis is a son of Gilbert Purvis and named after his Uncle James Purvis, Sr.. Still searching for more defined proof.

About this time and due to some unknown reason Gilbert and his brother, James packed up the Purvis families and moved them down through Georgia, into Alabama, stopping for a while in Clarke County, Alabama.  

Two land deeds in Clarke County, Alabama proved their presence there in 1821.

• Book "A', Page 182-183; William Stringer (Grantor) to Gilbert PURVIS (Grantee); Date of Deed 25 Dec 1821 Recorded 12 Feb 1822; LDS  Film #1823018; Witness - William L. Thornton & Gilbert J. Purvis [This deed between Gilbert Purvis, Sr., known because his son Gilbert J. witnessed the deed.]
• Book "G", Pages 366-367; Gilbert J. PURVIS (Grantor) to Grass Scruggs (Grantee) Deed; Date of Deed 12 January 1829; Filed in Office 29 March 1856; Recorded 9 May 1856 Book "G" and pages 366.367; LDS Film # 1823073; Witness, James P. J. Purvis & James Purvis

Gilbert, his wife Effica and brother James Purvis, Sr.  and their extended families all eventually settled in and around Hinds and Rankin County, Mississippi.

The last entry I have found for Gilbert Purvis, Sr. is the 1828 Tax Roll, Simpson County, Mississippi. Here we find Gilbert and his son Gilbert J. Purvis listed. ⁷


It is believed that Gilbert Senior died sometime between 1828 and 1830. Gilbert J. Purvis is the head of household in the 1830 Simpson County census and his mother, Effica Howell Purvis is enumerated within the household.

No death date or tombstone has been found for Gilbert Purvis, Senior.  His wife Effica Howell died Aug 1834 in Hinds County, Mississippi.

No record of the sale of Gilbert’s 4000+ acres has been found.





___________________________
[1] Gilbert Purvis, Plat for 100 Acres, 11 November 1784; S213190; Volume: 0003; Page: 00151, Volume: 0003; Page: 00151, Item 0001; Dept. of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina.
[2] Gilbert Purvis & James Purvis, Plat for 3, 215 Acres, 15 August 1793; S213190, Volume: 0032; Page: 00255, Item 0001; Dept. of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina.
[3] Gilbert Purvis & James Norris, Plat for 1000 Acres, 15 August 1783; S213190, Volume: 0032; Page: 00055, Item 003; Dept. of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina.
[4] Horry County South Carolina, Horry District Administration Bonds 1803-1818 (Conway, Horry County, South Carolina: Probate Office, n.d.), Administration Bond - Gilbert Purvis, page 71.
[5] “The Camden Gazette”, Camden, South Carolina, 28 January 1819, page 2.
[6] Chesterfield County Library: Spencer Family Papers, 1700-1900; http://hdl.handle.net/10827/8910
[7] : Mississippi State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, *FamilySearch*, (http://www.familysearch.org: accessed 14 January 2012), Simpson,County Tax Rolls; 1828, Box 3764, Image of 36 of 276, Gilbert PERVIS.

Treasure Chest Thursday~Clues From Early Alabama Marriages

In March 1818, a Horry District Administration Bond was initiated by John Johnston, Gilbert Purvis, Moses Harrelson and Felix Powell whereby “the above bound John Johnston and Gilbert Purvis administrators of the goods, chattels and credits of James Purvis deceased do make a true and perfect inventory of all and singular, the goods, chattels, credits of the said deceased, which shall come into the hands of knowledge of the said John Johnston, Gilbert Purvis, or unto the hands of any other person or persons …” ¹

There is little doubt that the deceased James Purvis is related to Gilbert Purvis. The death of this young man seem to be the motivation for brothers Gilbert, James and Joseph to migrate westward. 
We know that by late 1819 that the Purvis families are in Clarke County, Alabama. There on 14th December 1919, John Purvis married Mary Parks. John is the son of James Purvis, Sr. and Gilbert Purvis is his Uncle. ²


Then On 9 November 1824, Rebecca Purvis and Henry Howell were married in Clarke County, Alabama. Rebecca is the sister of John Purvis and a daughter of James Purvis, Sr. ³
.








Land records also exist that shows other family members presence in Clarke County as late of 1829. ^{4 5}

Book "A', Page 182-183
William Stringer (Grantor) to Gilbert PURVIS (Grantee)
Date of Deed 25 Dec 1821 Recorded 12 Feb 1822
Film #1823018
 
Witness
William L. Thornton
Gilbert J. Purvis

Book "G", Pages 366-367
Gilbert J. PURVIS (Grantor) to Grass Scruggs (Grantee) Deed
Date of Deed 12 January 1829Filed in Office 29 March 1856
Recorded 9 May 1856 Book "G" and pages 366.367
Film # 1823073

Eventually James, Gilbert and Joseph and the other family member moved on to Rankin, Hinds and Smith County, Mississippi. Gilbert Purvis, Sr. is listed in an 1828 Simpson County Tax List. He died between the creation of this list and the enumeration of the 1830 Census. Joseph Purvis oldest son of James F. Sr. died in the early 1840 and his wife Elizabeth Cook married Richard Odom in January 1844 and moved to Louisiana.  ^{6 7 8}

Recent DNA results show that my DNA matches descendants of William Purvis and Millie Cook. William was also a son of James Purvis, Sr. Two years ago, I made a trip to the Mississippi Archives  that was very productive in the research of these families. Still much research in left to be done in Clarke County, Alabama; Simpson, Hinds, Rankin and Smith counties, Mississippi.





______________________
[1] Horry County South Carolina, Horry District Administration Bonds 1803-1818 (Conway, Horry County, South Carolina: Probate Office, n.d.), Administration Bond - Gilbert Purvis, page 71.
[2} Clarke County, Alabama, marriage (14 December 1819), John Purvis to Mary Parks; Montgomery, Alabama, USA, State of Alabama Center for Health Statistics, Record Services Division.
[3] Clarke County, Alabama, marriage (9 November 1824), Henry HOWELL to Rebecca PURVIS; Montgomery, Alabama, USA, State of Alabama Center for Health Statistics, Record Services Division.
[4] Land Deed - William Stringer to Gilbert PURVIS; 25 December 1821; Deed Book #A; Page(s) 182-183; Register of Deeds; Clarke County, Alabama; 10 January 2012.
[5] Land Deed - Gilbert J. PURVIS to Grass Scruggs; 12 January 1829; Deed Book #G; Page(s) 366-367; Register of Deeds; Clarke County, Alabama; 10 January 2012.
[6] Mississippi State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, *FamilySearch*, (http://www.familysearch.org: accessed 14 January 2012), Simpson,County Tax Rolls; 1828, Box 3764, Image of 36 of 276, Gilbert PERVIS.
[7] 1850, Simpson County, Mississippi, population schedule, Simpson County, Mississippi, Page: 289A; Line 9,, Dwelling 27, Family 27 Richard OLDHAM, Household of Richard OLDHAM; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.Ancestry.com : viewed 25 July 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: M432_381.
[8] 1860 U.S. Census, Rapides Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Rapides Parish, Louisiana, enumeration district (ED) No ED, Page: 31, Line 36, dwelling 226, family 227, Household of Elizabeth ODUM; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.Ancestry.com : viewed 2010); citing NARA publication Roll: M653_423.

Tombstone Tuesday~Gilbert Purvis

Photo Courtesy of Julious Burr

Gilbert Purvis¹

SC Mil.

Rev. War.

Census data indicates that Gilbert Purvis was born about 1854 in South Carolina. He married Efficia Howell, the exact date unknown, but before going off to serve in the Revolutionary War.

Records indicate that Gilbert served 34 days with  Capt. Thomas Ellerbee and General Marion.²



After the war, Gilbert acquired a massive amount of land and at one time own  four thousand eight hundred and fifteen (4815) acres.³


For some unknown reason, maybe it was the death of James Purvis in March 1818⁴ but Gilbert and his brother James Purvis, Sr.  packed up all or most of their extended families and started a migration to Mississippi. We know they traveled down through Georgia and stopped for some time in Clarke County, Alabama.

Land deeds there in the early 1820 prove their presence in the area. Many of the children have marriage licensees on file in Clarke County. Eventually, they migrated westward finally settling in Simpson, Hinds, Smith and Rankin Counties are of Mississippi. 

The 1828 Tax List for Simpson County⁵ proved that Gilbert Purvis made it to Mississippi and died there sometime between 5 June 1828 and 1829. he is not listed in the Tax list for 1829. His widow, Effica Howell Purvis in the the household of her son, Gilbert Johnson Purvis in 1830 Simpson County, Mississippi. [1 - Females - 70 thru 79: 1  [Effica Howell Purvis]]6



Many claim that Gilbert Purvis died in South Carolina. Folklore, indicates that the Tombstone for Gilbert Purvis in the old Rivers Burying Ground was placed there by the DAR.

The family presence in Mississippi along with a listing for Gilbert and his son Gilbert Johnson Purvis on the 1828 Simpson County Tax Lists clearly makes a positive case for his presence and death in Mississippi; not South Carolina.





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[1] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, digital image, (http://www.findagrave.com : Accessed on 7 July 2011); Headstone for Gilbert Purvis; (unknown-unknown); Records of the Rivers Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
[2] Dr. Bobby Gilmer Moss, Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution.: Volume II, K-Z (Baltimore, Maryland, 21211: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2009), Gilbert Purvis, page 782.
[3] Land Plat for 3215 Acres - Gilbert Purvis & James Purvis, 15 August 1793; S213190, Volume: 0032, Page: 00255; Dept. of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina.
[4] Horry County South Carolina, Horry District Administration Bonds 1803-1818 (Conway, Horry County, South Carolina: Probate Office, n.d.), Administration Bond - Gilbert Purvis, page 71.
[5] Mississippi State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, *FamilySearch*, (http://www.familysearch.org: accessed 14 January 2012), Simpson,County Tax Rolls; 1828, Box 3764, Image of 36 of 276, Gilbert PERVIS.
[6] 1830, Simpson County, Mississippi, population schedule, Simpson County, Mississippi, Page: 183;, Household of Gilbert [J.] PURVIS; digital images, www.ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 May 2011); citing NARA micro-film Roll: M19-71.