Monday Mystery~Who are the Parents of Mary J. and Ella Frances Purvis?

A real mystery lies within my family lineage and in the many genealogical records in filing cabinets and hard drives throughout my house. That mystery!

Who are the Parents of Mary Jane and Ella Frances Purvis?

The first time I ran across these two women were in the late 1970’s and I was a new and budding family Historian. I was stationed with the Air Force in Utah and the LDS Family History Library (at that time in the Joseph Smith Building) was my playground. I of course was researching my Purvis lineage and the man I was dwelling on was William A. Purvis (1823?-1899) my 2nd Great Grandfather; now I’m no closer to discovering who his parents are than I was in 1976.

The day that I looked at the 1880 Census for Anson County, NC searching for my great grandfather and 2nd Great Grandfather was the day that the first part of this mystery revealed itself. Here take a look for yourself:

1st Household:- 2nd Great Grandparents, William A. Purvis and wife Sarah Jane Graves Purvis

2nd Household:- Betsy Purvis, Single, and daughter Mary J. Purvis

3rd Household: – Great Grandparents, William James Purvis and wife Mary Hulda Previtte

Who is Betsy Purvis and what is her relationship to William A. Purvis and Sarah Jane Graves Purvis?

• Who is the father of Mary J. Purvis?
• If previously married (she states that she is single) who was Betsy’s husband?

For many years I thought that William A. Purvis and Sarah Jane Graves had married about 1859. They first show up as a married couple in the 1860 Anson County, NC Census. Then in December 2014 a young lady found a marriage notice for them in a Fayetteville, NC Newspaper.

ABSTRACTS FROM FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER   1851 - 1854 Transcribed and shared by Carolyn Gibbons, Posted July 05, 2007 by Myrtle Bridges
 
22 Jun 1852
                 M[arried] - On the 10th inst., by the Rev. Mr.DuPREE, Mr. Wm. A. PERVIS, of Cheraw, and Miss Sarah Jane GRAVES of Chesterfield District.

[http://www.ncgenweb.us/cumberland/1851-4abstracts.html] 
Found while searching on-line 17 December 2014.

William A. Purvis and Sarah Jane Graves were married 10 June 1852 but their first and only child was not born until 25 September 1863.

• With the Purvs surname, could Betsy Purvis be related to William A. Purvis?

My next surprise came when I attempted to find William A. Purvis and Sarah Jane in the 1900 Census. I didn’t find William A. Purvis and I didn’t find Sarah Jane Purvis but I did find Betsy Purvis.

Line 20--337/337 Elizabeth Purvis, Female, age 39, born Oct 1860, Widow, 2 children, 1 living.  (remember 20 years ago in 1880 she was 30 years old)

Line 21 – 337/337 Ella Purvis, Daughter, age 13, born Dec 1886

Betsy/Elizabeth was single in 1880 and had daughter Mary J. now she is Widowed with daughter Ella Frances Purvis, born Dec. 1886.

Mary Jane absence from the 1900 Census was disturbing. Research showed that Mary Jane Purvis and Charles Franklin Lang were married about 1888. Mary Jane Purvis died about Mar 1895 with the birth of her 4th child, France Elizabeth “Effie” Lang. She was just 22 years old at her death. No tombstone or grave has been found for Mary Jane Purvis Lang.

In 1900, Betsy said she was a widow whereas in 1880 she reported that she was a single lady; so, who did Betsy/Elizabeth married between 1880 and 1900?  

The answer was found in a Land Deed. I just love Land Deed research. That land deed can be found in Book 33, page 370, Register of Deeds, Anson County, North Carolina.

W. A. PURVIS AND WIFE ELIZABETH PURVIS              
TO
J. D. RHYNE DEED

NORTH CAROLINA} This deed made this 23rd day of September, Anson County, 1899 by W. A. Purvis and wife Elizabeth Purvis of Anson County and State of North Carolina of the first part and J. D. Rhyne of said county and state of the second part witnesseth that said W. A. Purvis and wife inconsideration of fifty four dollars to them paid by J. D. Rhyne.

Now the question becomes - When did Elizabeth/Betsy and William A. Purvis get married? The last record we had of William A. Purvis he was married and living with his wife, Sarah Jane Graves.

This small death notice appeared in the Messenger-Intelligencer, a local Anson County newspaper on 4 January 1894.

DEATH: Messenger-Intelligencer issue of January 4, 1894,  page 3, McFarlan News - The funeral of the wife of Mr. Wm. PERVIS was preached by this writer in the M. E. Church of this place last Sunday [31 Dec. 1893]. She was a good old woman. She had suffered intensely for fifteen months from cancer. She was a member of the M. E. church about 20 years. [SOURCE: Steve Bailey]

Sarah Jane Graves Purvis died of cancer on 31 December 1893.

If William A. Purvis married Elizabeth/Betsy Purvis he did so between 1 Jan 1894 and 23 September 1899. and Since William A. Purvis and Betsy were present when the above land deed (33:370) dated  23 Sep 1899 was executed William A. Purvis died between this date (23 Sept. 1899) and the date of the 1900 census (28 June 1900).

Ella Frances Purvis Tarleton died 27 November 1971. Her death certificate show her parents to be Billie Purvis and Elizabeth Previtte.

While living in Utah and before the fees were raised to an exorbitant levels I requested the  the SS-5 for Ella Frances Lang. It also shows her parents to be Billie Pervis and Betsy Prevett.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Purvis died 18 October 1926 without leaving any clues to her identity. She was living with her daughter Ella and Son-in-law Tom Tarleton in Richmond County, North Carolina.

Mrs. Betsy Purvis
Mrs. Betsy Purvis, aged 90, died Oct. 18th in Great Falls village. The interment was at Mizpah the same day.
[The Rockingham Post-Dispatch, Richmond County, NC, Thursday, October 21, 1926, Page 6, Column 2 - Deaths]

If she was in fact 90 years old; her birth year would have been in 1836. She showed up in two censuses, 1880 age 30, born 1850 and 1900 census, age 39, born Oct 1860. The Mizpah cemetery is an old cemetery but no gravestone has been found for Betsy Purvis.   

________________________

1. 1880 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) # 2, Page 350B, Line 36, Dwelling 233, Family 251, Household of William A. Purvis; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 951.

2. 1900 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, ED #7, page 145, line 20, dwelling 337, family 338, Household of Elizabeth Purvis.
3. Anson County, North Carolina, Deed Book 34: pages 491-492, Betsy Purvis to J. D. Rhyne; 30 September 1900, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.
4. 1910 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Gulledge, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #6, Page 81A, Line 21, dwelling 170, family 172, Household of Tom TARLTON; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 July 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T624, Roll 1096.
5. 1920  U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Gulledge, Anson, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 6, Page: 1A/73 (stamped); Line 4, Dwelling 2, Family 2, Household of Tom TARLTON; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 10 June 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm Series: T625, Roll: 1283.
6. State of North Carolina, death certificate no. 351, (18 October 1926), Mrs. Betsy Purvis; https://www.ancestry.com, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.
7. Betsy Purvis, death certificate #351 (1926), Register of Deeds, Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina.
8. Ella P. Tarlton, SS No. xxx-xx-xxxx, Form SS-5, Social Security Administration, Baltimore, Maryland.
9. Mrs. Betsy Purvis obituary, The Rockingham Post-Dispatch, Rockingham, Richmond County, NC, 21 October 1926, Page 6, Column 2. Deaths.

It’s Family Time~Mary Jane Purvis and Charles Franklin Lang Family

Mary Jane Purvis was born between 1868-1873. Her age is reported as 21 on the delayed Birth certificate (12-373) for her first-born child, a daughter Ella Jane Purvis, born 4 August 1889 in Chesterfield, South Carolina. The 1880 Census shows her age as 7 making her birth year to be 1873. She was the daughter of Elizabeth “Betsy” Purvis; her Father is currently unknown.

Mary Jane Purvis and Charles Franklin Lang were married about 1888.

Charles Franklin Lang, son of John Henry Lang and Frances A. Teal, was born on 3 Apr 1868 in Anson County, North Carolina. He was a day laborer.

Mary Jane and Charlie had 4 known children. With the birth of their 4^th child, Frances Elisabeth “Effie” Lang in March 1895; Mary Jane Purvis Lang passed away most likely due to complications after childbirth. An exact date of death has not been found for Mary Jane Purvis Lang but I have it recorded as about March 1895.

Charles Franklin Lang and Mary Jane Purvis had the following children:

i. Ella Jane Lang, born 4 Aug 1889, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Jack E. Dillard; died 18 May 1960, Spartanburg, Spartanburg, South Carolina.
ii. John Henry Lang, born 14 Jan 1893, Anson County, North Carolina; married Edith Melvine Stowe; married Blonnie Irene Gunter; married Edna Eveline Ashley; died 29 Apr 1968, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina.
iii. Lang was buried in Jan 1893. He was born on 14 Jan 1893 in SC. He died on 14 Jan 1893 at the age of 0. SOURCE: Gordon E. Lutz, Lincolnton, NC.
iv. Frances Elizabeth "Effie" Lang, born Mar 1895, Marshville, Union, North Carolina; married Jacob Brown, 26 Nov 1910, Union County North Carolina; married Will L. Threate, 1916, Union County North Carolina; married Floyd Pinkney Reinhardt; died 13 Mar 1949.


After the Death of his first wife, Charles Franklin Lang remarried in 1898 Dora Watkins in Union County, North Carolina.

Charles Franklin Lang and Dora Watkins had the following children:

i. Annie Allie Lang, born 6 Nov 1901, Marshville, Union, North Carolina; married James Lucas Purvis, 16 Aug 1919, Morven, Anson, North Carolina; died 4 May 1923, Gastonia, Gaston, North Carolina.
ii. Lonnie Lawrence Lang, born 26 Jul 1901, Marshville, Union, North Carolina; married Zettie ; married Ruth; died 14 May 1978, Bessemer City, Gaston, North Carolina.
iii. Charlie Calvin Lang, born 4 Jun 1904, Marshville, Union, North Carolina; married Reba Rebecca Fore; died 4 Oct 1966, Gastonia, Gaston, North Carolina.
iv. Willie Morris Lang, born 10 Dec 1908, Marshville, Union, North Carolina; married Ida Lawson, abt 1928; married Nora Lois Lanier; died 24 Oct 1979, Gastonia, Gaston, North Carolina.
v. Alma Lang was born in May 1919 in Anson County, North Carolina.


Mary Jane Purvis Lang died about March 1895. Her place of burial is unknown.

Charles Franklin Lang died 28 August 1948.

Dora Watkins Lang died 18 October 1962.

Charles and Dora are buried in Gaston Memorial Park. 










_________________
1. 1880 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) # 2, Page 350B, Line 36, Dwelling 233, Family 251, Household of William A. Purvis; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 951.
2. State of North Carolina, death certificate (28 August 1948), Charlie Franklin Lang; https://www.ancestry.com, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.
3. 1880 US Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #2, page 340A, Line 46, dwelling 39, family 41, Household of John Lang; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 951.
4. 1900 US Census, Union County, North Carolina, population schedule, Marshville Township, Union County, NC, enumeration district (ED) #136, page 117B, Line 76, dwelling 57, family 60, Charles F. Lang; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 1220.
5. 1910 US Census, Union County, North Carolina, population schedule, Marshville, Union County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #0126, Page 26A, Line 5, dwelling 58, family 58, Charlie F. LANG; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T624, Roll 1134.
6. 1920 US Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #15, Page 216, Line 33, dwelling 101, family 101, Charlie Lang; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T625, Roll 1283.
7. 1930 US Census, Gaston County, North Carolina, population schedule, Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 23, Page 13B/87B (stamped); Line 76, Dwelling 241, Family 270, Lonnie LANG; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 March 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm T626, Roll 1692.
8. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 February 2014); Memorial page for Charlie Franklin Lang; (3 April 1868–28 August 1948); Find a Grave memorial # 92910671, Citing Gaston Memorial Park; Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina, USA.
9. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 February 2014); Memorial page for Dora Watkins Lang; (15 March 1873–18 October 1962); Find a Grave memorial # 136748571, Citing Gaston Memorial Park; Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina, USA.
10. Death: C. F. Lang obituary, The Gastonia (NC) Gazette, Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina, 30 August 1948, page 9.

Who Is The Father of Mary Jane Purvis Lang and Ella Frances Purvis Tarlton

For years I have continued to return to the two children of Elizabeth “Betsy” Purvis; her daughters, Mary Jane Purvis and Ella Frances Purvis struggling to find clues to their heritage. There is no doubt that we are related.  It has been proven with the below partial DNA results.

These results show that Ella Frances Purvis's descendants share a total of 107.5 cM over 5 shared segments the largest segment being 69.6 cM on Chr 12.

Largest segment = 69.6 cM
Total Half-Match segments (HIR) = 107.5 cM (2.998 Pct)
Estimated number of generations to MRCA = 3.5
5 shared segments found for this comparison.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Purvis first appeared in my lineage very early in my Purvis research which I began in October 1976. While researching my Great Grandfather William James Purvis. In the 1880 Census Soundex not only was William James Purvis listed but also a William A. Purvis Sarah J. Purvis, Betsy Purvis, and others.

In my 2nd Great-grandfather household was a young lady named Betsy Purvis, age 30, born in SC with a daughter Mary J. age 7.

But who was this Betsy Purvis?

Next I found that in the 1900 census that Betsy was a Widow with a  daughter named Ella Purvis, age 13, born Dec. 1886.

I learned that Mary Jane Purvis, b. 1973 married  Charles Franklin Lang about 1888 and by 1900 had remarried to a Dora Watkins abt 1898. Mary J,. had obviously died at and after the birth of her 4th child, Frances Elizabeth Lang in March 1895.   

In the 1900 Census, we find Charles Lang and Dora {Watkins} who have been married 2 years and have one child; but Charles had 4 children's listed the first three by his deceased wife Mary Jane Purvis.

Time has continued to pass and the research goes. Still, I have learned nothing about who Elizabeth “Betsy” Purvis? Who is her husband, who is the Father of Mary Jane, born 1873 and is that same person the father of Ella Frances Purvis borne December 1886?

In an attempt to break through this morass I sent off for the SS-5 of Ella Frances Purvis Tarlton. That SS-5 is shown here:

The above SS-5 shows that the parents of Ella P. Tarlton are Billie Pervis and Betty Prevett.

A September 1899 Deed also shows that W. A. Purvis and wife Elizabeth Purvis sold Land to Jefferson D. Rhine in September 1899 (DB 33, pg 370). 

Until this deed, the only known wife of William A. Purvis was Sarah Jane Graves whom he married 10 June 1852 and remained married to her until her death in December 1893. When did William A. marry Elizabeth and is Elizabeth the same Elizabeth found in the William A. Purvis household in 1880 Anson County Census?

  

The SS-5 says that Ella Frances's father is Billie Purvis. Is he also the father of Mary Jane Purvis. Are William A. Purvis and Billie Purvis the same individual?

There are still so many unanswered questions about how individuals named within this blog are related. If you have any information please contact me through this blog.

These two children, Mary Jane and Ella Frances, are most likely my 2nd or 3rd Cousin. 








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[1] MARRIAGE obituary, The Fayetteville Observer, Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States, 22 June 1852, Page 3, Last Column, top right corner. Wm. A. PERVIS & Sarah Jane GRAVES.
[2] Sarah Jane Graves Purvis obituary, Messenger-Intelligencer, Wadesboro, North Carolina, 4 January 1894, page 3, McFarlan News.
[3] 1880 CENSUS: Morven, Anson County, North Carolina; Roll: 951; Family History Film: 1254951; Enumeration District: 2; Image: 0493; Page 350B, Line 36, Dwelling 233, Family 251; William A. PURVIS, age 53, Farmer, born in SC, father born in SC, mother born in NC; Sarah J. PURVIS, Wife, age 48, born in NC, parents born in NC. Dwelling 223, Family 252, Betsy PURVIS, age 30, born in NC, parents born in NC; Mary J. PURVIS, age 7, born in NC, parents born in NC. (Spelled PURVICE on Ancestry).
[4] 1900 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #7, page 145, line 20, dwelling 337, family 338, Household of Elizabeth Purvis; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 1181.
[5] 1900 US Census, Union County, North Carolina, population schedule, Marshville Township, Union County, NC, enumeration district (ED) #136, page 117B, Line 76, dwelling 57, family 60, Charles F. Lang; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 1220.
[6] Ella P. Tarlton, SS No. XXX-XX-XXXX, Form SS-5, Social Security Administration, Baltimore, Maryland.
[7] Anson County, North Carolina, Deed Book 33: page 370, W. A. Purvis and wife Elizabeth Purvis to J. D. Rhyne; 23 September 1899, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.

It’s Family Time~Mary Jane Purvis Lang

In the 1880 Census Mary Jane Purvis and her mother, Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Purvis are enumerated in the household of William A. Purvis and His Wife Sarah Jane (Graves) Purvis.

Mary Jane’s age is reported to be 7 years of age.


Sarah Jane Graves Purvis died in December 1893 and a Land Deed dated 23 September 1899 shows Betsy Purvis as the wife of William A. Purvis. DNA test results also shows that William A. Purvis and these children are related which suggests that the 1st husband of Betsy was also related to William A. Purvis hence the Purvis surname in 1880 census.

In 1888, Mary Jane Purvis and Charlie Franklin Lang were married. Charlie was the son of John H. Lang and Frances A. Teel. By 1893, Charlie and Mary Jane had three children of which one passed away during birth or shortly thereafter.

Then in March 1895, Mary Jane had her 4th child, a daughter named Frances Elizabeth ‘Effy’ Lang. While this birth was a treasure it also turned out to be a tragedy for the family. All indications are that Mary Jane did not survive the birth of this child. This left Charlie in a very troublesome situation with 3 small children.

In 1898, Charlie Franklin Lang married Dora Watkins, daughter of Calvin Watkins and Sarah Kelly.

Charles Franklin Lang and Mary Jane Purvis had the following children:

i. Ella Jane Lang, born 4 Aug 1889, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Jack E. Dillard; died 18 May 1960, Spartanburg, South Carolina.
ii. John Henry Lang, born 14 Jan 1893, Anson County, North Carolina; married Edith Melvine Stowe; married Blonnie Irene Gunter; married Edna Eveline Ashley; died 29 Apr 1968, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina.
iii. Unnamed Male Lang was buried in Jan 1893. He was born on 14 Jan 1893 in SC. He died on 14 Jan 1893 at the age of 0. SOURCE: Gordon E. Lutz, Lincolnton, NC.
iv. Frances Elizabeth "Effie" Lang, born Mar 1895, Marshville, Union, North Carolina; married Jacob Brown, 26 Nov 1910, Union County, North Carolina; married Will L. Threate, 1916, Union County, North Carolina; married Floyd Pinkney Reinhardt; died 13 Mar 1949.

Mary Jane Purvis Lang is my Great Grand Aunt. 



_________________________
1. 1880 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) # 2, Page 350B, Line 36, Dwelling 233, Family 251, Household of William A. Purvis; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 951.
2. State of North Carolina, death certificate (28 August 1948), Charlie Franklin Lang; https://www.ancestry.com, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.
3. 1880 US Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #2, page 340A, Line 46, dwelling 39, family 41, Household of John Lang; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 951.
4. 1900 US Census, Union County, North Carolina, population schedule, Marshville Township, Union County, NC, enumeration district (ED) #136, page 117B, Line 76, dwelling 57, family 60, Charles F. Lang; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 1220.
5. 1910 US Census, Union County, North Carolina, population schedule, Marshville, Union County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #0126, Page 26A, Line 5, dwelling 58, family 58, Charlie F. LANG; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T624, Roll 1134.
6. 1920 US Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #15, Page 216, Line 33, dwelling 101, family 101, Charlie Lang; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T625, Roll 1283.
7. 1930 US Census, Gaston County, North Carolina, population schedule, Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 23, Page 13B/87B (stamped); Line 76, Dwelling 241, Family 270, Lonnie LANG; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 March 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm T626, Roll 1692.
8. State of North Carolina, death certificate, (28 August 1948), Charlie Franklin Lang.
9. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 February 2014); Memorial page for Charlie Franklin Lang; (3 April 1868–28 August 1948); Find a Grave memorial # 92910671, Citing Gaston Memorial Park; Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina, USA.
10. Death: C. F. Lang obituary, The Gastonia (NC) Gazette, Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina, 30 August 1948, page 9.

It’s Family Time~Mary Jane Purvis

While very little proof exists, circumstantial evidence shows that after my 2nd Great Grandmother Sarah Jane Graves died in December 1893 that her husband William A. Purvis remarried.
 
DEATH: Messenger-Intelligencer issue of January 4, 1894,  page 3, McFarlan News - The funeral of the wife of Mr. Wm. PERVIS was preached by this writer in the M. E. Church of this place last Sunday [31 Dec. 1893]. She was a good old woman. She had suffered intensely for fifteen months from cancer. She was a member of the M. E. church about 20 years. [SOURCE: Steve Bailey]

Anson County, NC Deed Book 33, page 370 is a land deed from William A. Purvis and  Elizabeth Purvis to J. D. Rhyne for 12 acres of land. This 12 acres is part of a 30 acre parcel that was purchased by William A. Purvis and Sarah Jane Graves Purvis back in the 1880’s. The remaining 18 acres was left  with a life estate for Elizabeth Betsy Purvis (DB 34, page 491-492). 

DB 33, pg 370

This second marriage has been and still is a “real” puzzle for me. The 23 September 1899 land deed (DB 33, page 370) clearly refers to Elizabeth as his wife. Yet, back in 1880 Betsy and Mary Jane are in the household of William and Sarah and at that time she was also known as Betsy Purvis.   

1880 Anson Co. NC Census

As you can see Betsy and her daughter Mary J. (Lines 38 & 39) are listed in the William A. Purvis household. William J. Purvis (Line 490) is the son of William A. and Sarah and their only child. 

About 1888, Mary Jane Purvis and Charlie Franklin Lang were married in Anson County, North Carolina. Charlie was 20 years old and Mary Jane was 15. 

Mary Jane Purvis and Charlie Franklin Lang had the following children:
i. Ella Jane Lang, born 4 Aug 1889, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Jack E. Dillard; died 18 May 1960, Spartanburg, South Carolina.
ii. John Henry Lang, born 14 Jan 1893, Anson County, North Carolina; married Edith Melvine Stowe; married Blonnie Irene Ledford; married Edna Eveline Ashley; died 29 Apr 1968, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina.
iii. Unnamed Lang was buried in Jan 1893. He was born on 14 Jan 1893 in SC. He died on 14 Jan 1893 at the age of 0. SOURCE: Gordon E. Lutz, Lincolnton, NC.
iv. Frances Elizabeth "Effie" Lang, born Mar 1895, Marshville, Union, North Carolina; married Jacob Brown, 26 Nov 1910, Union County, North Carolina; married Will L. Threate, 1916, Union County, North Carolina; married Floyd Pinkney Reinhardt; died 13 Mar 1949.
 
Mary Jane Purvis Lang died with the birth of her last daughter Frances Elizabeth “Effie” Lang in March 1895. Charlie Franklin Lang married Dora Watkins in 1898 and would have 5 additional children; 2 daughter and 3 sons. No obituary or tombstone has been found for Mary Jane Purvis Lang. It’s as if she has been totally forgotten. 

In Memory

of

Mary Jane Purvis Lang

“Rest In Peace”

 
______________________________
Sources:
1. 1880 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) # 2, Page 350B, Line 36, Dwelling 233, Family 251, Household of William A. Purvis; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 951.
2. State of North Carolina, death certificate (28 August 1948), Charlie Franklin Lang; https://www.ancestry.com, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.
3. 1880 US Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #2, page 340A, Line 46, dwelling 39, family 41, Household of John Lang; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 951.
4. 1900 US Census, Union County, North Carolina, population schedule, Marshville Township, Union County, NC, enumeration district (ED) #136, page 117B, Line 76, dwelling 57, family 60, Charles F. Lang; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 1220.
5. 1910 US Census, Union County, North Carolina, population schedule, Marshville, Union County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #0126, Page 26A, Line 5, dwelling 58, family 58, Charlie F. LANG; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T624, Roll 1134.
6. 1920 US Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #15, Page 216, Line 33, dwelling 101, family 101, Charlie Lang; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T625, Roll 1283.
7. 1930 US Census, Gaston County, North Carolina, population schedule, Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 23, Page 13B/87B (stamped); Line 76, Dwelling 241, Family 270, Lonnie LANG; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 March 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm T626, Roll 1692.
8. State of North Carolina, death certificate, (28 August 1948), Charlie Franklin Lang.
9. Anson County, North Carolina, Deed Book 33: page 370, W. A. Purvis and wife Elizabeth Purvis to J. D. Rhyne; 23 September 1899, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.
10. Anson County, North Carolina, Deed Book 34: pages 491-492, Betsy Purvis to J. D. Rhyne; 30 September 1900, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.

Treasure Chest Thursday~Delayed Birth Certificate~Ella Jane Lang

Ella Jane Lang was born 4 August 1889, the first born child of Charles Franklin Lang and Mary Jane Purvis. The family continued to grow with twins boys born 14 January 1893 of which one did not survive. Then in March 1895, another daughter, Frances Elizabeth “Effy” Lang was born. ^{1 2}
This last birth was  tragic for the family as shown on this delayed birth certificate for Ella Jane Lang.  ³


Ella Jane's mother Mary Jane Purvis Lang died at age 21. Mary Jane was born about 1873 based on the 1880 Census; a daughter of William Purvis and Betsy Previtte. ⁴

It’s evident that this was a complicated childbirth and something suddenly  caused the death of Mary Jane at age 21.  This left Charlie with 2 young girls and a son to raise without a spouse.

It is no surprise that Charley soon found a new bride, Dora Watkins, whom he married in 1898. ⁵
Though there is no oral tradition there is sufficient evidence to show that these individuals are the second family of my 3rd Great Grandfather William A. Purvis and his wife Elizabeth “Betsy” Previtte. ⁶

^{Ella Jane Lang is my first cousin twice removed.}

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[1] Ella Jane LANG, birth certificate [1900 and City of Charleston, South Carolina Births, 1877-1901] (4 August 1889), South Carolina South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina.
[2] 1900 US Census, Union County, North Carolina, population schedule, Marshville Township, Union County, NC, enumeration district (ED) #136, page 117B, Line 76, dwelling 57, family 60, Charles F. Lang; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 1220.
[3] South Carolina Delayed Births, 1766-1900 and City of Charleston, South Carolina Births, 1877-1901 for Ella Jane Lang
[4] 1880 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) # 2, Page 350B, Line 36, Dwelling 233, Family 251, Household of William A. Purvis; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 951.
[5] 1900 US Census, Union County, North Carolina, population schedule, Marshville Township, Union County, NC, enumeration district (ED) #136, page 117B, Line 76, dwelling 57, family 60, Charles F. Lang; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed July 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 1220.
[6] Ella P. Tarlton, SS No. 251-86-7071, , Form SS-5, Social Security Administration, Baltimore, Maryland.

Children of Elizabeth “Betsy” Purvis

On June 1st, 2014, I wrote about Betsy Purvis.

• http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2014/06/census-sundaymystery-woman-betsy-purvis.html

Circumstantial evidence points to either a “martial affair” or a “marriage” between Elizabeth “Betsy” Previtte Purvis and my 2nd Great Grandfather William A. Purvis.
Betsy Previtte Purvis has two Children:

• Mary Jane Purvis, b. abt 1873; married Charles Franklin “Charlie” Lang
• Ella Frances Purvis, b. 25 September 1881; married Thomas “Tom” T. Tarlton

At the time of birth of these two children, William A. Purvis is married to Sarah Jane Graves. Yet, Ella Frances Purvis Tarlton, Social Security Form 5, show her parents as Billie Purvis and Elizabeth Previtte. Betsy Purvis died 18 October 1926 in Richmond County, NC. After the death of Sarah in 1893 and William A. Purvis around 1900; Betsy sold off land (DB 33:370) that belonged to William A. Purvis and in one land dead she is referred to as his wife Betsy.

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During the past week while probing around Ancestry.com I came across a database of Delayed Birth certificate for South Carolina

• South Carolina Delayed Births, 1766-1900 and City of Charleston, South Carolina Births, 1877-1901

While searching this database for the surname PURVIS; I found the following delayed birth certificate for Ella Jane Lang.

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Ella Jane Lang was the first born child of Mary Jane Purvis and Charles Franklin Lang. Ella Jane was born 4 August 1889 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. her mother died during childbirth or shortly after the birth of Frances Elizabeth “Effie” Lang in March 1895.

Appearing on behalf of Ella Jane Lang was her Uncle, Tom T. Tarlton and his wife Ella Frances Purvis Tarlton.

Ella Jane married Jack Allison Dillard about 1917 and at the time of this application (20 Sept 1955) she was living in Laurens County, South Carolina.



If you have any information about individuals mentioned within this article I would love to hear from you.