Placing the Many Lucy/Lucy Ann Purvis’ in the Proper Family

The James, Joseph and Gilbert Purvis families of Chesterfield South Carolina had an affinity for the name Lucy and Lucy Ann making placements in the proper families tedious.

I have five known Lucy/Lucy Ann Purvis in my data base born between 1831 and 1881. There may be others I am not aware of but after 40 years of research it’s possible I have them all listed. The five are:

1. Lucy Ann Purvis, b. 29 Mar 1831, Rankin Co., MS; daughter of John P. Purvis and Mary Parks. Lucy Ann married William H. Franklin, March 29, 1849 in Rankin County, Mississippi.
2. Lucy Ann Purvis, b. abt 1835, Rankin Co., MS; daughter of Joseph Purvis and Elizabeth Cook. Lucy Ann had two children Martha Ann and Leonidas Odom so it is assumed she married an Unnamed ODUM. The two children, Twins, were born 2 Jan 1858. No marriage listing has been found for a marriage between a Lucy Ann Purvis and a Male Odum. These children may have been from a NPE liaison.
3. Lucy Purvis, b. abt 1859, Rankin Co., MS; daughter of George Washington Purvis and Mary Ann Patrick.
4. Lucy A. Purvis, b. March 1870, Smith Co., MS; daughter of James Henry Purvis and Nancy Miley.
5. Lucy Ann Purvis, b. 30 January 1881, Rankin Co., MS; daughter of James Monroe Purvis and Amanda Elizabeth Martin. Died in 1959.

The only marriage found on line is the Marriage of Lucy Ann Purvis and William Franklin.
Family Bible Pages printed in the Franklin Family Researchers United (FFRU) Newsletter, Charter Issue, 2nd Edition, {note on Page 51, FFRU shows W. N. Franklin & L. A. Purvis married Mar 28, 1849; On Page 53 FFRU shows W. N. Frankin and L. A. Purvis married March 28th, 1848; this entry taken from Pages remaining of an Old Bible}. Ancestry. com marriage database shows Lucy Pervis & Wm. Franklin married 19 March 1849 in Rankin County, Mississippi.
Name: Wm Franklin
Spouse: Lucy Pervis
Marriage Date: 19 Mar 1849
County: Rankin
Source Information:
Hunting For Bears, comp.. Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data: Mississippi marriage information taken from county courthouse records. Many of these records were extracted from copies of the original records in microfilm, microfiche, or book format, located at the Family History Library.
Marriage: Franklin Family Researchers United Newsletter, Charter Issue, October 1991, page 55 (2nd edition) William H. Franklin married Lucy Ann Purvis 28 March 1849; Record Book 2, Page 458; Surety: Thomas W. Franklin

For the past months much research has been concentrated on Lucy Ann Purvis, daughter of Joseph Purvis and his wife Elizabeth Cook. We know from census records that she moved from Simpson County, Mississippi to Trinity County, Texas between 1850 and 1860.

In 1850 and 1860 Lucy was enumerated in the household of John Oldham [Odum] who was married to her sister Nancy Purvis.

1850 CENSUS: Simpson County, Mississippi; Roll: M432_381; Page: 289A; Image: 78; Line 24, Dwelling 30, Family 30; John OLDHAM, male, age 23, born in MS; Nancy [PURVIS] OLDHAM, Female, age 25, born in MS; Isaac OLDHAM, Male, age 6, born in MS; Mary A. OLDHAM, Female, age 1, born in MS and Lucy PERVIS, female, age 18 [Sister, of Nancy Purvis Odom], born in MS.


1860 CENSUS: Western District, Trinity County, Texas; Roll: M653_1306; Image: 152; Family History Library Film: 805306; Page: 310B; Line 22, Dwelling 135, Family 135; John ODOM, male, age 35, born in MS; Nancy ODOM, female, age 30, born in MS; Isack ODOM, male, age 14, born in MS; Elizabeth ODOM, female, age 10, born in MS; Jerry ODOM, male, age 6, born in MS; Joseph ODOM, male, age 4, born in MS; Richard ODOM, male, age 2, born in MS and Lucy PURVIS, female, age 25, born in MS. [Odam]

We also see that even though Martha Ann and Leonidas Odom are listed as born in 1858 that these two children ARE NOT enumerated in the John Oldham [Odum] household.

The two families – John Odum and his wife Nancy along with Nancy sister Lucy PURVIS are now living in Trinity County Texas. Lucy is listed with the surname PURVIS suggesting that she is still single in 1860.

Then in 1870 Trinity County we find Lucy in her own household listed as a PURVIS with two PURVIS Children – Martha Ann PURVIS and Leonidas PURVIS. This census too reflects, no marriage, but a possible unwed mother situation.

1870 CENSUS: Trinity County, Texas; Roll: M593_1606; Family History Library Film: 553105; Page 354A, Line 3, Dwelling 62, Family 67; Mrs. Lucie PURVIS, Female, age 33, born in MS; Leonidas PURVIS, Male, age 12, born in TX and Martha PURVIS, Female, age 9, born in TX.

Lucy Purvis is not found after the 1870 Census but her son Leonidas started using the Odom surname. Martha Ann married Rob Andrews in 1876.

1880 CENSUS: Trinity County, Texas; Roll: 1329; Family History Film: 1255329 Enumeration District: 109; Page: 321A(stamped); Line 46, Dwelling 198, Family 220; Leonlas ODOM, male, age 21, born in TX; Emma ODOM, Wife, age 22, born in TX and Emma ODOM, Daughter, age 2, born in TX.

This is a real conundrum – Is Lucy an unwed mother with two Purvis children or are they a son and daughter of a Male Odum married to their mother Lucy Purvis.

Another possibility is – Are the children the children of Lucy Purvis or some other family member?
After much research I am still at a loss as to whether Lucy was an unwed Mother or an Odom Widow.

If you have any information about Lucy Purvis, daughter of Joseph Purvis and Elizabeth Cook I would like to hear from you.













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1. 1850, Simpson County, Mississippi, population schedule, Simpson County, Mississippi, Page: 289A; Line 24, Dwelling 30, Family 30, Household of John OLDHAM; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.Ancestry.com : viewed 3 July 2013); citing NARA publication Roll: M432_381.
2. 1860 U. S. Census, Trinity County, population schedule, Western District, Trinity County, Texas, Page: 310B; Line 22, Dwelling 135, Family 135, Household of John ODOM; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 July 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_1306.
3. 1870 U. S. Census, Trinity County, population schedule, Trinity County, Texas, Page 354A, Line 3, Dwelling 62, Family 67, Household of Mrs. Lucie PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 July 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm M593_1606.
4. NPE - Non-paternity event

Tragedy of War–A Young Man’s Life Cut Short

Shadrack Myers was the fourth child and second son of twelve children born to Carmen Myers and Martha Ann Purvis. He was born in 1843 in Rankin County, Mississippi. His parents, Carmen and Martha had migrated, with a large caravan of families, from Chesterfield County, South Carolina sometime around 1820.

Shadrack was a young lad of seventeen when the Civil War started in January 1861. I’m sure he and a lot of young male teens of this era saw only the glamour in going off to war never thinking about the tragedy of such events. Nevertheless, on 24 August 1861, at age 17, Shadrack enlisted for one year into Company ‘A’ of the 6th Mississippi Volunteers.¹

The 6th Miss Volunteers were part of the Army of the Mississippi and their first battle order was to march to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee and retrieve battle causality and provide assistance.  Though unknown at the start of the march they were headed directly into the union stronghold of the 53rd Ohio Infantry under the command of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman.

Shadrack Myers died on 10 November 1861; his civil war record does not say how he died. It’s alleged on-line that he died at the Battle of Shiloh but the Battle of Shiloh did not occur until 6-7 April 1862 almost 6 months after the death of Shadrack.

 
Transcription: ²
I James B. Enochs Capt. of Co. (A) 6^th Mifs Vols do hereby certify that Shadric Myers a private of said company born in the Co of Rankin State of Mifs aged 22 years black hair black eyes Dark complexion 6 feet high and by occupation a farmer when enlisted was enlisted at Grenada Mifs on the 24^th day of August 1861 to serve foe the period of one year, and died on the 10^th day of November A. D. 1861.
There is due him for arrears for pay from the 24^th day of August 1861 to the 1oth day of November 1861 being (2) months and 16 days:
At $11.00 per month = ………$27,00
For Commutation …………….25.00
                                                $52.00
                                          J. B. Enochs, Capt. Co (A)
                                                    6^th Mifs Vols
2^nd and Off
Oct 22, 1862

The above signature of Capt. Enochs appears to be genuine.
                                                   G.S. Jones, Clk
 


Transcription: ³

THE CONFEDERATE STATES
To Shadrach Myers, deceased
Late private of Capt.______ Co. A
6th Reg’t Mifs Vols Dr.
For pay from the 24th day of
August 1861 when he enlisted to
The 10th day of November 1861 date
of his death—2 months and 18 days.. $28.60
Commutation for Clothing……………$25.00
As per certificate of Capt.
J. B. Enochs herewith $53. 80
 
Payable to Carmen Myers, Father


Treasury Department
Second Auditor’s Office
Oct. 22 1861
G. S. Jones, Clerk


COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE
October 23 1862
Ew^d. R. Millar Clerk








______________________
[1] Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 4 October 2015), entry for Shadrack Myers, Private; Company 'A', 6th Miss. Volunteers; Confederate.
12] https://www.fold3.com/image/20/71384504
[3] https://www.fold3.com/image/20/71385594

Tombstone Tuesday~Carmen and Martha Ann Purvis Myers

Carmen Myers and Martha Ann Purvis were married about 1838 in Mississippi. Carmen was born May 2, 1816 in Lawrence County, Mississippi to Isaac Myers and Gracie Leah Butler. Martha Ann Purvis was born Aug 22, 1819 in Scotts County, Mississippi, a daughter of William  Purvis and Millie Cook. Carmen and Martha had a large family of 12 children; nine (9) of whom lived to adulthood.   

Carmen and Martha both died on January 20, 1871. Carmen died of pneumonia and the loss of her husband was too much for Martha who died within minutes of the passing of her husband. Several young children were left to be raised by the extended family.

Carmen and Martha were buried in two coffins within a single grave. The older concrete slab & marker has deteriorated over time and today a new single monument stand on the grave of Carmen and Martha Myers.




Additional information on this family can be found  at Find A Grave Memorial # 30500446.
They are buried in Dry Creek Cemetery, Thomasville, Rankin County, Mississippi.

May they rest in peace forever.

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My thanks to two wonderful Findagrave contributors who willing gave their approval for the use of their photo of Carmen & Martha tombstone. Those two contributor are Carol Williams and Rick Myers. To Carol I give my sincere appreciation for going one step further and sending several additional photos that she had of the grave-site. My sincere thanks to each of you.
Flame image in the public domain courtesy of Bing images.