Census Sunday~William [James] Purvis Household

In 1860, Smith County, Mississippi we find the following family enumerated in that Census:¹






This is the family of William James Purvis, his wife Millie and their son William J. Purvis. The other two individuals in the household are not family members but may be related. 

Lets look at what we know about each individual:

William [James] Purvis, male, age 64, was born about 1796 in Chesterfield District, SC to James Purvis, Sr., b. 1760 and his wife whose name is unknown. Between 1818 and 1820, his father and other brothers and kin migrated from Chesterfield  County, SC to Clarke County, Alabama and ultimately to Hinds-Simpson-Rankin and Smith Counties, Mississippi. 
William James married Millie Cook about 1812/13 in Chesterfield County, SC. They had 9 children; five sons and four daughters.
William James lived his life as a farmer and the entry above in the 1860 Census is the last document on which I have found him listed. It is not known when or where William James Purvis died.  He was not listed in the 1870 Census.

Millie Cook, female, age 59, b. abt 1795 in Chesterfield District, SC was the daughter of John Cook. Millie Cook Purvis is enumerated with her son, James M. Purvis and his wife Martha Caroline Russell. She is also listed on the 1871 Tax List for Smith County, Mississippi. ² 

This is the last known document on which I have found Millie listed. It is not known when or where Millie Cook Purvis died.  She was not listed in the 1880 Census.

William J. Purvis, male, age 41, b.  abt 1819, son of William James and Millie Cook Purvis. William J. Purvis is listed in the 1850 and 1860 Census for Smith County, Mississippi. No other information has been found for William J. Purvis. ^{3 4}

Frances McTiger, female, age 11,  b. 1849 in Mississippi. Nothing is known about this individual. The 1860 Census doesn't even come up when you search on her name. ⁵ 

Isaac Bush, male, age 26, b. 1834, was a neighbor and son of John Alexander Bush and his wife Mary Winnie Idella Reed. Isaac‘s oldest sister Marina Catherine Bush, married James Purvis, b. about 1837. James Purvis was the son of Joseph Purvis and Elizabeth Cook. Elizabeth Cook and Millie Cook were sisters. Joseph Purvis and William James Purvis were brothers. ⁶ 

If you have any information on the life of Frances McTiger  and others in this household please contact me through this blog.




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[1] 1860 U. S. Census, Smith County, Mississippi, population schedule, Smith County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) no ED, Page: 316, Line 34, dwelling 534, family 534, Household of William PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2010); citing NARA publication Roll: M653_591.
[2] "Mississippi, State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-21942-47840-27?cc=1919687&wc=M6J3-W27:211988401,212043501 : accessed 6 September 2015), Smith > County tax rolls 1867-1889, Box 3766 > image 66 of 413; Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Jackson.
[3]1850, Smith County, Mississippi, population schedule, Smith County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) No ED, Page 334, dwelling 112, family 112, Household of William PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 February 2010); citing NARA publication Roll: M432_381.
[4] 1860 U. S. Census, Smith County, Mississippi, population schedule, Smith County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) no ED, Page: 316, Line 34, dwelling 534, family 534, Household of William PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2010); citing NARA publication Roll: M653_591.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.

Dower Relinquishment~Milly Cook Purvis

July 1837
Page 195
State of Mississippi}
Hinds County} Know all men by these presents that I Milly Purvis wife of William Purvis of the county and State aforesaid for a valuable consideration well and fully paid I do hereby relinquish my rights of Dower in and to the following described lands lying and being in Hinds County, unto B. E. Philips of the same county 7 state to Wit: The North West quarter of section No. 25 Township 5 of Range No.1 West Containing one hundred and sixty acres more or less . In witness whereof have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 10th day of July 1837 and I will further more warrant and defend the title of the aforesaid lands unto the said Philips his heirs & assigns against the claim or claims of all persons whatever.
                                                                             Milly X (her mark) Purvis {seal}
State of Mississippi}
Hinds County} personally appeared before me S. S. Scott Clerk of the Probate Office aforesaid County the above named Milly Purvis wife of William Purvis who being Examined Separate and apart from her said husband acknowledged that she signed Sealed and delivered the above relinquishment as her act & Seal without any fear threats or compulsion of her husband. Witness my hand and Seal of Office at Raymond this 10 July 1837.
                                                                              J. J. Scott, Clk
Filed & Recorded 14th July 1837
                                   J. J. Scott, Clk.
 
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[1] Land Deed  Copied and provided by J. Miley. Copy obtained from Chancery Court Office,  Raymond, Hinds County, Mississippi, Deed Book Volume 8, Page 195

Surname Saturday~William James and Millie Cook Purvis

 
William James Purvis was born about 1796 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. He was listed on the 1825 Tax Roll for Simpson County, Mississippi.¹

William appeared on the 1840 census for Scott County, Mississippi, the 1841 Mississippi State and Territorial Census for Scott County, Mississippi. Between 1841 and 1850, William James moved to Smith County, Mississippi where he appears on the 1850 and 1860 for Smith County, Mississippi.^{2 3} William James died between 1860 and 1870, date unknown, in Smith County, Mississippi.

Note: Many on-line trees has William James listed as William Forbes Purvis. This is an error. No one, as of today, has produced proof that his middle name is Forbes. There are land deeds in Mississippi that continually list him as William James Purvis.

William James Purvis and Millie Cook were married about 1812 or 1813. Millie Cook, daughter of John Cook, was born about 1795 in SC.^{4 5 6} Millie Purvis is listed on the 1871 Tax list for Smith County, Mississippi. She died sometime after her appearance on the 1871 Taxes, date unknown. No tombstone or death notice has been found.






William James Purvis and Millie Cook had the following children:

i. Rebecca Purvis, born abt 1814, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. Rebecca had one son named Eugene Lafayette Dickson.
ii. William J. Purvis was born about 1819 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.^{7 8} 
iii. Martha Ann Purvis, born 22 Aug 1819, Scott County, Mississippi; married Carmen Myers, 7 Mar 1838; died 20 Jan 1871, Rankin County, Mississippi.
iv. Precilla Ann Purvis, born 1824, Mississippi; married Alexander Myers, 1 Sep 1840; died Aug 1859, Nacogdoches, Texas.
v. Thomas Jefferson Purvis, born abt 1826, Mississippi; married Emily Winstead, abt 1846; died 21 Jun 1863, Vicksburg, Warren, Mississippi.
vi. John Mitchel Purvis, born 20 Feb 1828, Smith County, Mississippi; married Celia Ann Myers, 29 Jan 1850, Rankin County, Mississippi; married Rebecca J. Means, abt 1892, Smith County, Mississippi; died 12 Aug 1912, Daniel, Smith County, Mississippi, USA.
vii. James M. Purvis, born 1 Apr 1830, Rankin County, Mississippi; married Martha Caroline Russell, 17 Dec 1855, Rankin County, Mississippi; married Sarah A. Russell, 17 Jan 1870; married Sarah Elizabeth Mize, abt 1895, Rankin County, Mississippi; died 18 Jan 1909, Smith County, Mississippi.
viii. Marsha Purvis was born about 1837 in Smith County, Mississippi.⁹
ix. Alonzo Purvis was born about 1845 in Smith County, Mississippi. ¹⁰


I have found no information on marriage for Rebecca, William, Marsha or Alonzo; nor do I have death dates for these 3 children.

There are a number of trees on line that have Lucy Ann Purvis who married William H. Franklin listed as a child of William James and Millie Cook Purvis. This is an error, Lucy Ann, b. abt 1831 is the daughter of John P. Purvis and Mary Parks.
 
I have used the 1840 and 1850 census to reconstruct this family. The above family members accounts for every child of William and Mille except one son, b. 1835-1840, most likely died young and 2 daughters born between 1831 and 1835. The two girls most likely had married and left home by 1850. I have a candidate for one of these two girls. 

1840 United States Federal Census - William Purvis
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Scott, Mississippi

1 - Males - Under 5; most likely died before 1850
3 - Males - 10 thru 14; James, age 10; Thomas Jefferson , age 14; John Mitchell, age 12
1 - Males - 20 thru 29; William J., age 21
1 male Males - 40 thru 49; [William James], age 50
1 - Females - Under 5; Manura/Marsha, age 3
2 - Females - 5 thru 9: b.[1831-1835]??
1 - Females - 15 thru 19; Precilla Ann
2 - Females - 20 thru 29; Martha Ann, age 21; Rebecca, age 26;
1 - Females - 40 thru 49; [Millie Cook Purvis], age 45

Persons Employed in Agriculture: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 9
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 5
Total Free White Persons: 14

1850 CENSUS: Smith County, Mississippi, Dwelling 112, Family 112; Roll: M432_381; Page 334; William PURVIS, age 60, Farmer, born in SC; Millie PURVIS, wife, age 55, born in SC; William PURVIS, son, age 36, born in SC; James PURVIS, son, age 20, born in MS; Manura [Marsha] PURVIS, daughter, age 13, born in MS; Alonzo PURVIS, son, age 5, born in MS.






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1. James Purvis, Sr. Estates, 1828-72, Chancery Clerk's Office, Raymond, Mississippi.
2. 1850, Smith County, Mississippi, population schedule, Smith County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) No ED, Page 334, dwelling 112, family 112, Household of William PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 February 2010); citing NARA publication Roll: M432_381.
3. 1860 U. S. Census, Smith County, Mississippi, population schedule, Smith County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) no ED, Page: 316, Line 34, dwelling 534, family 534, Household of William PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2010); citing NARA publication Roll: M653_591.
4. 1850, Smith County, Mississippi, population schedule, Smith County, Mississippi, ED No ED, Page 334, dwelling 112, family 112, Household of William PURVIS.
5. 1860 U. S. Census, Smith County, Mississippi, population schedule, Smith County, Mississippi, ED no ED, Page: 316, Line 34, dwelling 534, family 534, Household of William PURVIS.
6. 1870 U. S. Census, Smith County, Mississippi, population schedule, Smith County, TWp 3, Range 6E, Mississippi, Page: 359B(Stamped), Line 33, Dwelling 44, Family 44, Household of James PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 February 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm M593 Roll 749.
7. 1850, Smith County, Mississippi, population schedule, Smith County, Mississippi, ED No ED, Page 334, dwelling 112, family 112, Household of William PURVIS.
8. 1860 U. S. Census, Smith County, Mississippi, population schedule, Smith County, Mississippi, ED no ED, Page: 316, Line 34, dwelling 534, family 534, Household of William PURVIS.
9. 1850, Smith County, Mississippi, population schedule, Smith County, Mississippi, ED No ED, Page 334, dwelling 112, family 112, Household of William PURVIS.
10. Ibid.

Military Monday – Corp. Thomas Jefferson Purvis

Thomas Jefferson Purvis was born about 1826 in Mississippi to William James Purvis and Millie Cook. He was one of nine children born to William and Millie.

Thomas Jefferson married Emily Winstead about 1846. In the 1850 Census for Scott County[1] Mississippi they had two children – Mary Ann, age 3 and Dorson, male, age 1.

By the start of the Civil War in January 1861, Thomas and Emily family had grown to seven children - 4 daughters and 3 sons.

It looks as if Thomas Jefferson avoided the War until August of 1862 at which time he was DRAFTED.  

The Civil War Military file for T. J. Purvis consists of 7 images.

Image 1 – Index Card – Pvt. T. J. Purvis, age 37, Capt. D. J. Ward’s Co. 5^th Regiment, Mississippi State Troops

Image 2 – Muster Card – Pvt. T. J. Purvis, DRAFTED 12 Aug 1862, Smith County Mississippi by W. T. Ward, Indefinite period - Number of miles traveled to place of rendezvous ­­ 80

Image 3 - Muster Card –  Pvt. T. J. Purvis, Co. G. 5^th Reg’t Militia Minute Men, Army of the State of Mississippi - Dated Aug. 23 – Oct 1, 1862  Enlisted Aug. 23, 1862, Raleigh, Mississippi, by Capt. Ward until discharged – Last paid  never, Present

Image 4 - Muster Card – Pvt. T. J. Purvis, Co. G. 5^th Reg’t Mississippi State Troops - Dated Jan.  26, 1863 for period of Oct. 1, - Oct. 31, 1862 -- Enlisted Aug. 23, 1862, Raleigh, Mississippi, by Capt. Ward until discharged – Last paid by Maj. Love Oct.1, 1862- absent with leave.

Image 5 - Muster Card – Corp.  T. J. Purvis, Co. G. 5^th Reg’t  Mississippi State Troops  - Dated Nov. 1, 1861 – Feb. 28, 1863  -- Enlisted Aug. 23, 1862, Raleigh, Mississippi, by Capt. D. J. Ward until discharged – Last paid by Maj. Love Oct.1, 1862- Present

Image 6 - Muster Card – Corp. T. J. Purvis, Co. G. 5^th Reg’t Mississippi State Troops - Dated May – Apr. 1863  -- Enlisted Aug. 23, 1862, Raleigh, Mississippi, by Capt. D. J. Ward until discharged – Last paid by Capt. Decker, Dec. 31, 1862 - Present

Image 7 - Muster Card –  Corp. T. J. Purvis, Co. G. 5^th Reg’t  Mississippi State Troops  - Dated  Apr. 30, - July 17 1863  -- Enlisted Aug. 23, 1862, Raleigh, Mississippi, by Capt. D. J. Ward until discharged – Last paid by Capt. Decker, Feb. 28, 1863 -  Died June 21, 1863 at Vicksburg, Mississippi[2]

http://www.fold3.com/image/#20|69802220

Thomas Jefferson Purvis death on 21 June 1863 left a young widow with seven (7) children to rear, his Father and Mother who were still living and seven siblings to grieve him..

There is a CONFLICT between the Civil War Document  posted and the Tombstone. The Civil War document shows that Thomas Jefferson Purvis died on 21 June 1863; the tombstone shows his death date as 22 June 1863. 

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[1] 1850, Scott County, Mississippi, population schedule, Scott County, Mississippi, Page 277B, Line 36, Dwelling 318, Family 318,  Household of Thomas J. Purvis; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 5 January 2012); citing NARA publication Roll: M432_381.

[2] Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/: accessed 12 January 2012), entry for Thomas Jefferson (T J) Purvis, Corpl.; Co. G, 5th Reg't - Mississippi State Troops; Confederate. Image with death date  - Direct link - http://www.fold3.com/image/#20|69802220