Almost Wordless Wednesday~Frederick Rivers-Revolutionary War

Frederick Rivers-Revolutionary War

1897 Yearbook

REVOLUTIONARY WAR:  SOURCE- "American Revolution Roster, Fort Sullivan (Later Fort Moultrie) 1776-1780, Battle of Fort Sullivan, Events Leading to First Decisive Victory" Published by Fort Sullivan Chapter Daughter of the American Revolution, Book # US/CAN 975.7915, M2d, Page 270. RIVERS, FREDERICK -- YB; AA-6452; PI (1740-20 Feb 1820) SC Mil (Cheraw District); at fall of Charleston in 1780. 

The YB above is a source reference. Page 74 shows Key to Sources. YB says "Charleston, S.C., YEARBOOK OF THE CITY OF CHARLESTON (Charleston, 1897), pp. 401-408, Gen. Benjamin Lincoln Papers in Thomas Addis Emmet Collection, New York Public Library, including petitions from the country militia at Charleston in May 1780 urging the surrender of the city." PI is the Daughters of American Revolution, PATRIOT INDEX, and AA-6452 is South Carolina Archives; Revolutionary War Audited Accounts.

The death date (20 Feb 1820) is in error. No proof has been found that supports this date. 

















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[1] "American Revolution Roster, Fort Sullivan (Later Fort Moultrie) 1776-1780, Battle of Fort Sullivan, Events Leading to First Decisive Victory" Published by Fort Sullivan Chapter Daughter of the American Revolution, Book # US/CAN 975.7915, M2d, Page 270.
[2] DAR Patriot Index, Daughter of the American Revolution
[3] 1897 Charleston Yearbook

Follow Friday~Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pensions

If you have an ancestor that lived in the South and fought in the Revolutionary War, I would recommend you take a look at:

Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pension Statements


The website is an alphabetical listing of Revolutionary War Pension Statements for southern soldiers that served in the Revolutionary War.

If you don’t have access to Fold3.com (paid site) I recommend you take a look on this website to see if your Revolutionary War ancestor is listed. The alphabetical listings makes it so simple.

In addition to a listing of the pension file, the site owner, Will Graves, has numerous hyperlink relevant to the Revolutionary War.

There are sections on:
Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Unit Rosters
SUBMISSIONS AND USEFUL RESOURCES
LEGISLATION
ORIGINAL APPLICATIONS
DUPLICATE FILE NUMBERS

A detailed table can be found that will explain the meaning of the letter designation and preceding annotation of these pension and land warrant. Those annotations consists of  by "S," "R,"   "W,   "BLWt." or "Dis. No Papers".

My Revolutionary War ancestors are Thomas Davis and Hardy Sellers. Their pension files are labeled:

Thomas Davis - W8655

Hardy Sellers - R9377

For Thomas Davis the “W” indicates a successful applications filed by the widow (or her heirs).
For Hardy Sellers the “R’ indicates that his application was ”rejected”  

How to Obtain Copies of War Record.
Information is provided listing 4 ways to obtain copies of your ancestors applications.  Just Click here:        
 
I highly recommend this website as a starting point in your search for your Revolutionary War ancestor.  





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[1] http://revwarapps.org/

Treasure Chest Thursday: Accounts 3289A, John Joseph Hancock

John Joseph Hancock, Revolution Pension, Audited Accounts 3289A

Note: Jo Church Dickerson found the following in her mother's (Marie Gulledge Wiggins) materials. As stated above, it was found in the Audited Accounts and not with the Pension Applications. The document was not signed by John Joseph Hancock and appeared to be written in whole by Chesterfield District South Carolina Sheriff, Alfred M. Lowry. Thanks to Jo for allowing us to use it here and for following in her mother's footsteps.

To the Honorable the Senate of the State of South Carolina, the Humble petition of Joseph J. Hancock sheweth to your Honorable body that your petitioner is now in his seventy second year of age and is unusually infirm of his age, never being a very stout or large man; that he has a wife nearly as old as himself and besides the infirmity of age is a cripple in his right Loin. In the Revolutionary War your
petitioner commenced his military course and that too at the age of sixteen. Your petitioner was frequently with General Marion in the low country and was with him at the taking of a parcel of Tories on a scout on the Santee, the name of the place your petitioner don’t now recollect, was under a Captain (blank) at a skirmish with the Tories near the Waxhaw church which officers name your petitioner don’t now recollect, was in frequent companies (______ ? _____) and skirmishes on the
Peedee, Black River and on the Santee, besides those inumerated (sic) under Captain Culp and Colonel Hicks. Your petitioner during the whole of the Revolutionary War, was ingaged (sic) as a soldier, several times drafted and when not drafted would turn out as a volunteer. He providentially was not wounded during the whole period but his life and liberty was often in imminent danger. He
never asked pay nor did he ever get any except Eight dollars and besides your petitioner then only owned one Horse and he was stolen by the Tories whilst the British where at Camden. Your petitioner has been unfortunate during his life in amasing property having met with several reverses of fortune. He is now poor as you may tell from his schedule and is too (old?) to work and Labor to support
himself and his wife and she too is now rather a charge than a helpmate. Your petitioner prayes (sic) that now he is old poor and helpless, that he sparied (sic) neither the prime of life nor labour (sic), for pain and exposure his life and his liberty for his country’s greatest good that his country now will not be a spectator of his poverty and helplessness, but will extend to him some assistance in his old age
and grant him a Pension.
Chesterfield C. H. S. C.
18 July 1836
( ) Walker Esqr.
Treasr. of the Upper Division

Sir: Enclosed is an affidavit and a certificate which Elizabeth Hancock, the wife of Jos. J. Hancock decsd. who was a pensioner on the State of South Carolina at the time of his death in 1834. Mrs. Hancock has been informed that she is entitled to $30 per annum half the sum which her husband was intitled (sic) to - Hancock drew his pension in 1834 and died in the (summer?) of that year - pleas to inform Mrs. Hancock whether or not she can draw anything, when you write to me - If this (_____ ? _____) and the papers are not sufficient or informal say how and what will be necessary for her to do - Inform her whether she can draw, and from what time. I will let her know the result, which will possibly satisfy her some if she is not intitled (sic).
Yours respectfully,
Alfred M. Lowry

Thomas Davis, Revolutionary Soldier

Thomas Davis and Nancy Rivers are my 4^th Great Grandparents. They were born, reared and died in what is now known as Chesterfield County, South Carolina. They were founding families of South Carolina at a time when this country was struggling for its independence. My lineage is through their son Michael Davis, who is my 3^rd Great Grandfather.

Thomas Davis[1] was born on 22 Mar 1760[2] in Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina. He served in the military in 1779 at Revolutionary War. He died on 20 Mar 1845[3] at the age of 84 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Thomas was buried[4] in a family Graveyard in Chesterfield, South Carolina.

Thomas Davis and Nancy Rivers were married in 1787 or 1788[5] in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Nancy Rivers, parents are unknown but some say she was a daughter of William Rivers and Temple Dempsey (unproven). Nancy Rivers was born on 15 Dec 1767 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina. She died on 15 Dec 1853[6] at the age of 86 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

Thomas Davis and Nancy Rivers had eleven children:

Samuel Davis (Jan 1789 - 29 Oct 1857); William Davis (1790 1867); Susannah Davis (1792 – abt 1875); Isaac Jacob Davis (18 Aug 1795 - 13 Jun 1877); Hulda Davis (1797-1830); Jonathan Daniel Davis (abt 1800-1839); Elizabeth Rebecca Davis (1801-1873); Sarah Jane Davis (1804 – aft 1870); Michael Davis, (13 Mar 1806 - 26 Apr 1883); Mary "Polly" Davis (25 Jun 1808 - 20 May 1890) and John Calvin Davis ( 14 Dec 1812 - 12 Jul 1865).

THOMAS DAVIS

Pension Application[7]

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Declaration of Thomas Davis in order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.

The State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield District } On this seventeenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, personally appeared in open court, before the court of Common Pleas and General sessions, now sitting, Thomas Davis a resident of the State and district aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.

That he was born on the 22nd March 1760, in the district and State aforesaid, that his age was set down first in a Prayer Book & afterwards in a Bible both of which were his Fathers that his eldest brother took possession of them after his Father's death, and this deponent does not know what has become of them.

That he entered the Service of the United States under the officers named & served as stated in the following account that he was drafted a short time before Christmas in the year [blank space] and serves as a Private under Capt. Morris Murphy & Maj. Robert Lloyd, that he does not recollect the regiment to which he belonged; that he was marched to a place called the "Long Bluff" on Pee Dee River in the State aforesaid, from there to Sea ............... from there to Had.... Point - and from there to James Island near Charleston from which place he returned home having served in this tour nine weeks. That he was again drafted and marched as a Private under Capt. John Dewitt and Col. George Hicks to Cheraw in the District and State aforesaid where he remained one month & returned home. That he was again drafted as a Private & that on the 8th day of Feb'y (year not recollected) he marched under Capt. Ellerbe & Col. George Hicks cross Black River at ... & crossed Santee at Larrusi Ferry & proceeded to Charleston - That he was in Charleston at the time it was taken by the British under Chiston where he was taken prisoner on the 11th day of May after his march & was discharged and paid on the 19 of same month having served this tour up to the time he was taken prisoner three months & four days.*

That he served two tours, of two weeks each, as one of a scouting party. That he was again drafted and marched as a Private under Captain William Presswood to McCord's Ferry on the Congaree River in the State aforesaid, when Col. Washington took Command - that he returned home from McCord's Ferry having served this tour one month and remained at home two months.

That he was drafted again and served as a Private under Capt' Benton & Maj. Tristam Thomas for one month. That he never received a discharge. He hereby relinquishes any claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any other State.

Thomas X Davis

Sworn to in open Court
the day &
Year above written
Richard Gantt
Presiding Judge
[17 Mar 1836]

We Lewis Ganny [Ganey], a Clergyman residing in the district & State aforesaid and Alfred M. Lowry residing in the same district & State do [blank space] hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Davis, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be of the age he states, that he is respected and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, and is generally believed, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion & that he is entitled to credit.
Sworn to & subscribed in open Lewis Ganny
Court the day & year above written Alfred M. Lowry
John Craig CCP

And the said do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after ...........the interrogations prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them, that the said Lewis Ganny {Ganey] who has signed the prescribing certificate is a Clergyman and resident in the said District and State & that Alfred M. Lowry who has also signed the same is a resident in the same district & State & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.

Richard Gantt
presiding Judge

I, John Craig Esquire Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions for Chesterfield District in the State of South Carolina, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Davis, for a pension.
In testimony, whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this seventeenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six.

John Craig, CCP

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[1] Harry Alexander Davis, The Davis Family (Davies and David) in Wales and America: genealogy of Morgan David of Pennsylvania (Washington, D.C.: n.p., 1927), Pages 54, 55, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126 and 127.

[2] Thomas Davis, compiled military record (5th Co. Capt. Thomas Hall, Marion's Regt. 1779), Rev. War Pension and Land-Bounty Application Files, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration), Call #766, W-8655. Served as Private in the Revolutionary War; 5th Co. Capt. Thomas Hall, Marion's Regt. 1779
(Saffell's Register, pg.292; Stub entries to Indents, Lib. N. No.172; SAR #40464.) Pension application dated 17 March 1836 (W-8655, Rev. War Pension and Land-Bounty application Files, Call #766, NARA). Thomas states that he was born 22 March 1760 in the district and State aforesaid (Chesterfield District, South Carolina).

[3] Family data, John C. Davis Family Bible, Holy Bible, (New York: n.p., 1844); original owned in 2004 by Old Darlington District Genealogy Archives, [address for private use]. DEATH: Recorded in John C. Davis Family Bible obtained by Sherry Welter and Mary Eddins from the Old Darlington District Genealogy Archives, Hartsville, SC. Bible dated New York, 1844. Death recorded as" Thomas Davis died March the 20th 1845, Aged 85 years (exact)." Copies of pages in my possession.

[4] Jim Tipton, Find A Grave, digital image, http://www.findagrave.com; Headstone for Thomas Davis; (1788–1844); Memorial # 45431028; Record of the Davis Cemetery; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA; Accessed on 2011.

[5] Thomas Davis, compiled military record (5th Co. Capt. Thomas Hall, Marion's Regt. 1779), Rev. War Pension and Land-Bounty Application Files, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration), Call #766, W-8655. Served as Private in the Revolutionary War; 5th Co. Capt. Thomas Hall, Marion's Regt. 1779

[6] Family data, John C. Davis Family Bible, Holy Bible, (New York: n.p., 1844); original owned in 2004 by Old Darlington District Genealogy Archives, [address for private use].

[7] Thomas Davis, compiled military record (5th Co. Capt. Thomas Hall, Marion's Regt. 1779), Rev. War Pension and Land-Bounty Application Files, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration), Call #766, W-8655. Served as Private in the Revolutionary War; 5th Co. Capt. Thomas Hall, Marion's Regt. 1779

Gilbert Purvis, South Carolina to Mississippi

Gilbert Purvis was born before 1754 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. He married Effica Howell. Effica Howell was born between 1755 and 1764 and died Aug 1834, in Hinds County, Mississippi. Gilbert Purvis died after June 1828 and before 1830 in Hinds County, Mississippi.

Gilbert Purvis, Sr. was a Revolutionary War Veteran[1]. The Daughters of the American Revolution has only one approved application on file for this line. There is no doubt that James Purvis, Son of Gilbert & Efficia is the only source for an approved application yet he is not mentioned in the application on file. Before leaving South Carolina Gilbert and his brother James owned 4,315 acres of land[2].

Gilbert Purvis, Sr. and his son Gilbert J. Purvis are listed on the 1828 tax Roll for Simpson County, Mississippi.

Gilbert Purvis and Effica Howell had the following children:

1. Sally Purvis was born about 1784 in Chesterfield District, South Carolina.

2. James Purvis, born 1784 - 1790; married Sarah, abt 1810, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, United States; died abt Mar 1818, Horry Co., SC.

3. Gilbert Johnson Purvis was born about 1792 in SC. Gilbert Johnson Purvis was never married. He died intestate in November 1835. His will is on file in Hinds County, Mississippi. (WB1:48)

Gilbert Johnson Purvis is listed on the Simpson County, Mississippi, Tax Roll in years 1827; 1828 and 1829. Gilbert J. Purvis sold land to Grass Scruggs on 12 Jan 1829 in Clarke County, Alabama. He is listed on the 1830 Census for Simpson County, Mississippi. Gilbert Johnson signed his will in Apr 1835. He died in Nov 1835 in Hinds County, Mississippi.

If we look at the 1790-1810[3][4]Census we see the composition of Gilbert Purvis' family was; his Wife Effica Howell Purvis, 3 sons and 3 daughters. One young male passed away between 1790 and 1810 leaving sons, James & Gilbert Johnson in the household. Gilbert also had 3 young daughters. Only one daughter (Sally) is known to live to adulthood.

1790 Chesterfield, SC Gilbert Purvis 1 male 16+ 3 males < 16 2 Females	1800 Chesterfield, SC Gilbert Purvis 2 male, 0-10; 1 male, 46+; 3 female, 0-10; 1 female, 16-20 1 female, 21-45;	1810 Chesterfield, SC[5] Gilbert Purvis 1 male, 16-26; 1 male, 46+; 3 female, 16-26 1 female, 46+; 2 Slave
		1810 Chesterfield,SC: James Purvis, Jr. 1 male, 16-26; 1 female, 16-26;

There is an Administrative Bond[6] on file in the Probate Office of Horry County, South Carolina. This bond was issued in July 1818 to 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…

I believe this Administrative Bond along with comments from James P. J. Purvis request to administer the estate of his Grand Mother, Efficia Howell Purvis and Gilbert Johnson Purvis' Last Will proves that James Purvis was Gilbert Purvis oldest son.

James P. J. Purvis Letter requesting letters of administrations on his Grand Mother - Effica Howell Purvis Estate.

Efficia Howell Purvis Estate, Page 3[7]

To the Honorable A. G. Moore, Judge of the Probate Court of Hinds County, the petition of James P. J. Purvis of said County, respectively represents:

That Effica Purvis late of Hinds County, departed this life intestate in July or August last [1834] leaving a considerable estate, consisting of negroes, stock, …, but, no land. That no person has administered on the said estate_ and that it is to the interest of all parties concerned…. That the estate should be administered without, further delay.

That your petitioner is the grandson of the said deceased being the oldest son of her oldest son [James]. That no other person has applied for letters of administrations on said estate and your petitioner is also one of the distributees under the laws of this state, his father having died before the said Effica Purvis. In consideration whereof your petitioner_ prays that letters of administrations on said estate be granted him.

Excerpt from Gilbert Johnson Will[8]

I hereby direct my Executors to file a bill in chancery or commence such other suit as may be necessary & proper to procure from the aforesaid James P. J. Purvis, administrator as aforesaid, the full distribution & share of the estate of my deceased parents to which I am entitled insisting upon the advance made by my deceased father the said Gilbert Purvis to James Purvis the father of the said James P. J. Purvis in the lifetime of them both, and after my Executors shall have become possessed of the property to which I am entitled it is my will and desire that they divide the same after the payment of all my just debts equally share and share alike between all the children of James Purvis Senr. of Rankin except to Wright Barnes and Nancy his wife & James Brock & Betsey his wife formerly Nancy & Betsey Purvis to them I give and bequeath nothing---Provided…

Not much is known about James Purvis, the oldest son of Gilbert & Effica Purvis. We know from the 1810 Census that he was newly married and at that time had no children. The July 1818 Administrative Bond suggests that James died in South Carolina. We also know that James P. J. Purvis states that he is the grandson of Efficia H. Purvis and the son of their (Gilbert & Efficia) oldest son James. James P. J. Purvis also died young. He married Elizabeth Rose Campbell and they had two children – Mary Anna Purvis and James B. M. Purvis. Documents within the various estate papers in Mississippi suggest that William H. H. Purvis is a brother to James P. J. Purvis. William H. H. Purvis moved to Polk County, Texas with his family about 1850[9].The elderly Female, named Sarah Purvis, (widow), age 60 [1790], born in SC is most likely the Mother of William H. H. Purvis, James P. J. Purvis and wife of the deceased James Purvis, son of Gilbert & Effica Purvis.

Additional research is need to properly document the relationship among these families.

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[1] Murtie June Clark, Loyalist in the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War (Baltimore, MD,: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1981), Page 241.

[2] 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.

[3] 1790 U. S. Census, St Thomas, Cheraws District, South Carolina, population schedule, St Thomas, Cheraws District, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 373, Household of Gilbert Purvis; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed May 2011); citing Family History Library Film: 0568151.

[4] 1800 U S Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, page 105, Household of Gilbert Purvis; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication M32_Roll 47..

[5] 1810 U S Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, page 553, Household of Gilbert Purvis; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M252_60.

[6] Horry County, South Carolina, Horry County Administrator's Bond 1803-1818, Administrative Bond for John Johnston, Gilbert Purvis, admrs. of James Purvis; Bond $10,000; Moses Harrelson, Felix Powell, sec. Richard Singleton, Levi Moore, wit. , 17 July 1818, Probate Office, Conway.

[7] Letter to Appraise Estate of Effica H. Purvis 24 Dec 1834, , Probate Office, Raymond, Mississippi.

[8] Hinds County, Mississippi, Will Book 1: page 48, Gilbert Johnson Purvis; Family History Library, Film #878728, Salt Lake City, Utah.

[9] 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.