Amanuensis Monday~Sale Off of Land, Alexander Purvis to Joseph Bowman

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 the Sale Off of Land, Alexander Purvis to Joseph Bowman, 1839.¹

Transcription:



Alexander Pervis}
To} Deed
Joseph Bowman} This Indenture made and entered into this the 22nd day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty nine by and between Alexander Pervis of the first part, of the County of Rankin and State of Mississippi and Joseph Bowman, of the County and State aforesaid  of the Second part, Witnefseth, that the Said party of the first part for and in consideration of the Sum of Four hundred Dollars to them in hand well and truly paid by the party of the Second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath this day granted bargained and Sold, and by these presents do grant, bargain and Sell and Convey and make over unto the said party of the Second part, all that certain tract or parcel of land, Situate, lying and being in the County of Rankin and State aforesaid and described as follows to wit, the South half of the East half of the South east quarter and the South half of the West half of the South east quarter also the South east quarter of the South West quarter, all of Section No. 33 in Township No. 5, of Range No. 5 East containing in all one hundred and twenty acres, more or lefs, to have and to hold, all and singular the above described tract of land, with the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise incident or appertaining to the Same and we the party of the first part do by these presents forever warrants and defends the title to Said land, clear of all claims whatsoever, from us our heirs an assigns forever.
Witnefs my hand and Seal this the date and years above written.
                                                                   Alexandrice X his mark Pervis {Seal}
State of Mississippi}
Rankin County} Personally appeared before the undersigned Justice of the Peace, in and for Said County Alexandria Pervis whose name is Subscribed to the foregoing indenture and acknowledged that he Signed Sealed and delivered the Same as his act and deed.
Witnefs my hand and seal this the 22nd day of October 1839---------

The foregoing deed and certificate were filed for record on the 16th and were duly recorded on the 18th day of April AD 1849---
                                                                  Lewis P. Rhode, J. P. {Seal}
                                                                  D. Fitzhugh Clk



I believe this to be Alexander Purvis, son of James Purvis, Sr. He's accounted for up to and to include the 1870 Census. Believed to have passed away after 16 July 1870.  
       




____________________________________
[1] Mississippi, Deed Book 10: pages 13 & 14, Alexander Purvis to Joseph Bowman; Chancery Clerk, (Rankin County, Mississippi; accessed 3 November 2017).
[2] https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVB-GSZN-8?i=13&cat=253106

Military Monday – W. J. F. Purvis, CSA

 
William J. Florney Purvis was born 15 September 1831 in Mississippi to William H. H. Purvis and Jemima Magee. William J. F. and Jemima were married about 1830 in Mississippi. They migrated from Rankin County Mississippi to Texas between 1845 and 1850 and settled in Polk County, Texas. They were the parents of 5 children – William J. Florney; Mary Ann Savilla; Purdy Jasper S.; Gabrianna E. and Jemima Angelina Purvis.

William J. Florney Purvis served with the 28^th Regiment Texas Cavalry (Randal’s Regiment, 1st Texas Lancers) which later became the (2^nd) Company K, 14^th (Clark’s) Texas Infantry.

His Civil War service records were accessed and reviewed at http://www.fold3.com ($$).

There were a total of 13 Musters Cards for the two units listed above.

28^th Regiment Texas Cavalry (Randal’s Regiment, 1st Texas Lancers) [1]

Muster Card #1 – W. J. F. Purvis, Private, 28^th Regiment Texas Cavalry (Randal’s Regiment, 1st Texas Lancers) Index Card

Muster Card #2 - June 25 – June 30, 1862
W. J. F. Purvis, Private
Co. M, 28^th Regiment Texas Cavalry
(Randal’s Regiment, 1st Texas Lancers)
Enlisted June 25, 1862, Polk Co., Texas, by L. B. Wood for 3 years or the war

Muster Card #3 - Card dated June 30, 1862, Marshall, Texas
Enlisted June 25, 1862

Muster Card #4 - Letter to Mrs. R. F. Pray, Beaumont, Texas[2]

VR-HHN                           W. J. F. Purvis                                     July 28, 1942
Respectfully return to
Mrs. R. F. Pray
P. O. Box 2024
Beaumont, Texas
The records showed that W. J. F. Purvis, name not found as William James Florney Purvis, a private of Company M, 28th Regiment (Randal’s Regiment, 1^st Texas Lancers), Texas Cavalry, which subsequently became (2^nd) Company K, 14th Regiment Texas Infantry, Confederate States Army, enlisted June 25, 1862 in Pope County Texas. The company muster roll for January and February 1864, last own file, shows him present. His name appears on the regimental return for the month of April 1865 which shows him "In Division Pioneer Corps, October 8, 1864.” No later record of him has been found.
This collection of Confederate States Army records on file in this department is incomplete and the failure to find the complete or any record of any person thereon is by no means conclusive proof that such person did not serve at some period not covered by records.
                                                                                                            J. A. ULID(??)
                                                                                                            Maj. Gerald
                                                                                                            Adjutant General

Muster Card #5 - Letter to Mr. J. H. Purvis, Arlington, Texas[3]

AGAW-OX/s jr
                                                                                                      13 February 1953
Mr. J. M. Purvis
113–115 Main Street
Arlington, TX
Dear Mr. Purvis:

Reference is made to your letter of 16 January 1953, and questionnaire herewith returned.
The records showed that W. J. F. Purvis, a private of Company M, 28th Regiment Texas Calvary (Randal’s Regiment, 14^th Texas Lancers) which subsequently became (2^nd) Company K, 14th Regiment Texas Infantry, Confederate States Army enlisted 25 June 1862 in Pope County Texas. The company muster roll for January and February 1864 latest on file shows him present. His name appears on a regimental return for the month of April 1865 which shows him “In Division Pioneer Corps, October 2, 1864.” No later record of him has been found.
This collection of records is by no means complete, and failure to find the entire record of Confederate military service does not indicate necessarily that an individual did not serve at some period not covered by the records.
                                                                                          Sincerely yours,

                                                                                          Wm. E. VIRGIL
                                                                                          Major General, USA
                                                                                          The Adjutant General

(2^nd ) Company K, 14^th (Clark’s) Texas Infantry.[4]

Muster Card #1 – W. J. F. Purvis, Private, Co. K, (2^nd) Company K, 14^th (Clark’s) Texas Infantry.
Index Card - This card also states to – See Pioneer Corps, CSA, 28 Texas Cav

Muster Card #2 - Nov – Dec, 1862
W. J. F. Purvis, Private
Co. K, (2^nd) Company K, 14^th (Clark’s) Texas Infantry.
Enlisted June 25, 186_, Polk Co., Texas, by L. B. Wood for 3 years
Absent – Sick at Hospital at Little Rock.

Muster Card #3 - Jan. – Feb. 1863
W. J. F. Purvis, Private
Co. K, (2^nd ) Company K, 14^th (Clark’s) Texas Infantry.
Enlisted June 25, 1862, Polk Co., Texas, by L. B. Wood for 3 years
Last paid by W. M. Seaton Oct. 31, 1862
Present

Muster Card #4 - Mar. – April 1863
W. J. F. Purvis, Private
Co. K, (2^nd) Company K, 14^th (Clark’s) Texas Infantry.
Enlisted June 25, 1862, Polk Co., Texas, by L. B. Wood for 3 years
Last paid by W. M. Seaton, Feb. 28, 1863.
Present

Muster Card #5 - May – June 1863
W. J. F. Purvis, Private
Co. K, (2^nd ) Company K, 14^th (Clark’s) Texas Infantry.
Enlisted June 25, 1862, Nacogdoches, Polk Co., Texas, by L. B. Wood for 3 years
Last paid by W. M. Seaton, Feb. 28, 1863.
Present


Muster Card #6 - July – Aug. l 1863
W. J. F. Purvis, Private
Co. K, (2^nd) Company K, 14^th (Clark’s) Texas Infantry.
Enlisted June 25, 1862, Polk Co., Texas, by L. B. Wood for 3 years
Last paid by W. M. Seaton, Apr. 30, 1863.
Present

Muster Card #7 - Jan. – Feb. 1864
W. J. F. Purvis, Private
Co. K, (2^nd ) Company K, 14^th (Clark’s) Texas Infantry.
Enlisted June 25, 1862, Nacogdoches, Polk Co., Texas, by L. B. Wood for 3 years
Last paid by W. M. Seaton, Apr. 30, 1863.
Present

Muster Card #8 - Regimental return for April 1865
W. J. F. Purvis, Private
Co. K, (2^nd) Company K, 14^th (Clark’s) Texas Infantry.
Enlisted men on extra duty or daily duty:
In Div Pioneer Corp Oct 2^nd, 64, Ord 35, Div Hq. Qtr.

“The 14th was assigned to Randal's and Maclay's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department, and was active in Louisiana and Arkansas including the fight at Jenkins’ Ferry. Later it moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, then Hempstead, Texas, where it disbanded before the surrender in June.[5]

William J. Florney Purvis served in some of the major battles of the Civil War; surviving to return home to his family.
 
 

---

[1] http://www.fold3.com/image/#10587710
[2] http://www.fold3.com/image/#20|10587716
[3] http://www.fold3.com/image/#20|10587727
[4] http://www.fold3.com/image/#13831433
[5] http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-regiments-detail.htm?regiment_id=CTX0014RI

The Mysterious Death of William H. H. Purvis

William H. H. Purvis is a very elusive mysterious person. His parents are unknown; but, I believe I have enough circumstantial evidence linking him to James P. J. Purvis to suggest that they are brothers. The fact that William H. H. Purvis can be found in two census while James P. J. Purvis were found listed as head of Household in no census is significant. We can estimate a year of birth which in the case of William H. H. was about 1813. Therefore,  we decided that James P. J. was born in 1811. Then we have the 1829 Alabama Land Deed.found in this posting where James P. J. was a witness. If James was born in 1811 then he would have been only 18 when he witness the Alabama Land Deed.

Now we need to determine if an 18 year old could be a witness in 1839 or was James P. J. Actually born earlier that 1811.

A timeline for James P. J. Purvis is contained within the posting mentioned above. Here is a timeline for William H. H. Purvis.

William H. H. Timeline

0	Abt 1813	Birth: SC
17	Abt 1830	Marriage: Jemima Magee-39029;
23	1836	Tax: 1836 Tax List; Rankin County, Mississippi, United States
25	1838	Tax: 1838 Tax List; Simpson County, Mississippi, United States[1]
26	1839	Tax: 1839 Tax List; Rankin County, Mississippi, United States
26	25 Nov 1839	Legal_Act: Guardianship
27	1840	Census: Rankin County, Mississippi, United States
28	22 Mar 1841	Legal_Act: Guardianship
28	7 Dec 1841	Legal_Act: Purvis to Gray - Sale of Slave Named Ellis; Rankin County, Mississippi, United States[2]
31	21 Dec 1844	Property: Wm. H. H. Purvis to Shadrach Sutton; Rankin County, Mississippi, United States
37	1850	Census: Polk County, Texas, USA[3]
38	18 Oct 1851	Property: Polk County, Texas, USA[4]
42	2 March 1855	Wm. H. H. Purvis transfer all his property to his wife

Wm. H. H. Purvis to Shadrach Sutton
The State of Mississippi}
Rankin County} This indenture made this twenty first day of December in the year of our Lord one thousands eight hundred and forty-four [1844] Witnesseth that we William H. H. Purvis and Jemima Purvis, for and in consideration of the sum of Six hundred dollars [$600] to us in hand paid_ the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge_ have this day granted bargained sold conveyed and delivered and by these presents do bargain Sell convey and deliver unto Shadrach Sutton a certain track of land that is, the E ½ SE ¼ of section number 23, Township No. 8 of Range No. 3E containing 80 19/100 acres, and the SW ¼ of SW ¼ & SE ¼ of NE ¼ of Section No. 23 Township No. 3 of Range No. 3E containing 80 19/100 acres. The whole containing one hundred and Sixty [160] acres more or less. To have and hold the said tract of land and all and Singular the tenements thereto belonging or in anywise appertaining unto the said Shadrach Sutton's heirs executors administrators and assigns forever and we do hereby forever warrant and defend all and singular the a fore mentioned premises against ourselves our heirs executors and administrators and against the claim or claims of all person whomsoever unto the said Shadrach Sutton, his heirs Executors administrators and assigns, In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hand and seal this first day of December one thousand eight hundred and forty four.
Test’s_Solomon Mangum}                                  William H. H. Purvis
Jesse X Crain}                                                   Jemima X Purvis her Mark

The State of Mississippi}
Rankin County} Personally appeared before me Henry Franklin a member of the Board of the Police for said County the within named William H. H. Purvis and Jemima his wife who has acknowledged that they Signed, sealed and delivered the within deed for the purposes therein witnessed. Given under my hand and Seal this twenty first day of December one thousand eight hundred and forty four.
                                                             Henry Franklin
                                                            Member of the Board of Police for Rankin Co.
The foregoing deed and certificate were filed in my office on the 9th and duly recorded on the 16th day of January A.D. 1845
                                                                                    Jos Bennett Clk., Pro. R. City

In 1844, William H. H. Purvis sold most of his land to Shadrach Sutton as shown above.  Footnote 4 suggests that he received a patent for 320 acres of Land. on 18 October 1851. By this time he had sold all his previously owned land and was living in Polk County, Texas in 1850. I haven’t determine who received the patent land but I assume it was William B.. Harden.

On 2 May 1855 William H. H. Purvis transferred ownership of all his property to his wife Jemima Magee Purvis.

I think that William did this because he knew he was dying and I think he died in 1855 in Polk County, Texas. The Land Deed reads like a Will. 

Guardianship records in Polk County suggests that ale the minor children, three younger – Purdy Jasper, Gabrianna E. and Jemima Angelina were appointed guardian.[5]

Polk County, Texas Probate Record Volume D 1853 - 1857

Purvis, Gabian & Angelina
# 155, Guardianship of
294-295-296, 389 to 391,
& 418-419
Purvis, Jasper
# 154, Guardianship of
292-293-294, & 392-393
Purvis, W. W. H.
# 139, Succession of
208 to 238, 344 to 346,
358-359 & 388
Purvis, W. W. H.
# 152, Guardianship of minor heirs
238 to 245

I’m still trying to determine what happen to William H. H. Purvis?
2. Where is he buried?
3. Who are his parents?
If you have any answers or suggestions I would love to hear from you.


Related Postings:

• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-elusive-parents-of-james-p-j-purvis.html

_________________________
[1]. Simpson County, Mississippi, 1836, 1837, 1839-1843 Tax List, unpaginated entries arranged alphabetical, all years read for William H. H. Purvis,. Mississippi State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951; Simpson County tax rolls, 1838 Tax Year, Image 133 of 276..
[2]. Rankin County, Mississippi, Rankin County Deed Books, Book 6, page 342, Purvis to Gray - Sale of negro boy named Ellis, 17 December 1841; Register of Deeds, Raymond, Rankin County, Mississippi. Transcribed from my notes taken from Book 6, Page 342:
Rankin County, Mississippi
[3]. 1850 U. S. Census, Polk County, Texas, population schedule, Polk County, Texas, Page 188B, Line 3, Dwelling 178, Family 178, Household of W. H. H. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed May 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432_914.
[4]. William H. H. Purvis, 18 October 1851; Texas Land Title Abstracts, ; Texas General Land Office, Austin, Texas. Texas Land Title Abstracts about W. H. H. PurvisGrantee: Wm. B. Hardin
Certificate: 493
Patentee: W. H. H. Purvis
Patent Date: 18 Oct 1851
Acres: 320
District: Houston; Liberty
County: Polk
File: 146
Patent #: 711
Patent Volume: 5
Class: Hou. Bty.
Source Information:Ancestry.com. Texas Land Title Abstracts [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: Texas General Land Office. Abstracts of all original Texas Land Titles comprising Grants and Locations. Austin, TX, USA.
[5]  htttp://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~polkcountytxconnections/ProbateLinkPage.html