Amanuensis Monday~Lease of 30 Acres, Wm. J. Purvis to Elijah Wallace

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 a Chesterfield County Land Deed, Lease of 30 Acres, Wm. J. Purvis to Elijah Wallace.¹

W. J. Purvis}
To                   }    Lease
Elijah Wallace}
This agreement made this 3rd day of July in the year 1886 between W. J. Purvis and Elijah Wallace  both of the County of Anson and State of North Carolina Witnesseth That W. J. Purvis agrees to lease devise and let to the said Elijah Wallace one Tract of Land containing Thirty acres more or less during the Term of Ten years said Terms is to commence January the 1st 1887 + to Expire January 1st 1897 for the first year of said term the said Elijah Wallace is to have said Land free of rent + for the remaining nine years he the said Elijah Wallace agree to pay to the said W. J. Purvis Eight Dollars per annum as rent for said Land, Now said Land is known as a Tract of Land lying and being in the County of Chesterfield State of South Carolina and the said W. J. Purvis agrees to furnish material to repair a House on said Land free of charge to said Elijah Wallace in repairing said House and it is agreed muterally [mutually] that the cost of this agreement and of making and recording said lease shall be borne by the said parties equally. As witness our hands and seals the day and year first above written.
Witness}
C. E. Braswell}                         Wm. J. Purvis {Seal}
J. W. Odom}                            Elijah X his mark Wallace {Seal}
State of South Carolina}
County of Chesterfield}
             Personally appeared before me C. E. Braswell and made oath that he saw the within named Wm. T. Hurst and Elijah Wallace sign seal and as their act and deed deliver the within written deed and that he with J. W. Odom Witnessed the execution there thereof
Sworn to before me this}
23 day of Oct A.D. 1888}                did not sign
W. J. Pegues {seal}}                             Probate
Notary Pub}

Recorded 7th Nov 1888

I suspect that the Witness to the execution of this Lease was not signed because it contains an error.  Wm. J. Purvis is leasing 30 acres of land and the statement reads that “Personally appeared before me C. E. Braswell and made oath that he saw the within named Wm. T. Hurst and Elijah Wallace”

Wm T. Hurst has nothing to do with this lease.

William James Purvis is my Great Grandfather.

______________________________

[1] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Deed Book 9: page 592, Wm. J. Purvis to Elijah Wallace, 30 Acre Lease; 3 July 1886, Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina. 

Amanuensis Monday~William A. Purvis to William James Purvis, Land Deed.

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 a Chesterfield County Land Deed, William A. Purvis to William James Purvis.  


William A. Purvis purchased 30 acres of land from Joseph P. Smith on 6 December 1866 (DB 8, page 284-286). On that same day William James Purvis purchased these 30 acres from his father, William A. Purvis (DB 8, Page 421-423). William J. Purvis then sold the land on 7 January 1888 to T. F. Mulholland (DB 9, Page 284-286). (Chesterfield County, SC).

Further Explanation:
The two land deeds in question are valid and are between Father and Son. After reading the two deeds it's obvious that the original land deeds were lost, misplaced or destroyed and the two were being recorded in 1885 and 1887 at which time William James Purvis would have been (1885-1863 =22) 22 years of age.

In Land Deed (DB 8: 421-423) the Court Clerk is citing the original date (6 Dec 1866) that William A. Purvis purchased these 30 acres land from Joseph P. Smith.  This deed DB 8:421-423 was recorded 19th December 1885.

Then William James Purvis sells the 30 acre land parcel on the 7th day of January 1888 to T. F. Meisenheimer for ninety ($90.00) dollars. (DB 9:284-285)

William A. Purvis}
To
William J. Purvis}   Deed
 
The State of South Carolina
                                   Know all men by these presents that I William A. Purvis of the County of Anson in the State of South Carolina in consideration of the sum of Two hundred dollars [$200.00] tome paid by William James Purvis of the said County of Anson in the State aforesaid          have granted bargained sold and released unto the said and by these presents do grant bargain sell and release unto the said William James Purvis all that piece parcel and tract of land situate lying and being in the District of Chesterfield and State of South Carolina on the North Side of Big Westfield Creek and bounded on the North by the North and South Carolina State line on the East by Isham Wallace and James Lewis lands on the West by lands belonging to the Estate of George Gardner and lands belonging to John Mulholland and on the South by Big Westfield Creek. Containing thirty [30] acres more or less which said track of land was purchased by me from Joseph P. Smith Reference being had to a plat hereunto attached will fully show the corners distance and &c. of said tract of land. Together with all and singular the rights members hereditaments and appurtenances to the said Premise belonging or in anywise incident or appertaining To Have and to Hold all and singular the Premises before mentioned unto the said William James Purvis his Heirs and Assigns forever. And I do hereby bind myself his Heirs Executors and Administrators to warrant and forever defend all and singular the said Premises unto the said William James Purvis his Heirs and assigns against myself and my heirs and all other persons lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof. Witness my hand and seal this Sixth day of December in year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and Sixty Six [1866] and in the Ninety first [91st] year of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America.
Signed Sealed and Delivered}
in the presence of}                       William A. X Purvis seal (his mark)
W. E. Craig}
H. Craig Jr.|
 
State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
I W. J. Hannah Clark Court do hereby certify unto all who it may concern that Mrs. Sarah J. Purvis the wife of the within named W. A. Purvis did this day appear before me and upon being privately and separately examined by me did declare that she does fully voluntarily and without any compulsion dread or fear of any person or persons whatsoever renounce release and forever rerouting relinquish unto the within named Wm. J. Purvis his Heirs and Assigns all her interests and estate and also all her rights and claim of dower of it or to all and singular the Premises within mentioned and released.
Given under my hand and seal this}
Sixteenth [16th]day of Dec. Anno Domini 1885}
(official seal) W. J. Hannah}                                S. J. Purvis {seal}
(seal) Clerk Court}
 
State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
Before the subscribing officer personally appeared T. P. Craig and Thomas Chapman both of the County and State aforesaid who on oath says that they are well acquainted with the handwriting of W. E. Craig and Hugh Craig Jr. the subscribing witnesses to the annexed deed and that both of said witnesses are dead and they believe that the said W. E. Craig and Hugh Craig Jr. signed the same as the signatures to said deed are as respondents believe in the hand writing of said Hugh Craig Jr. and W.E. Craig
Sworn to before me}
16 December 1885}                              T. P. Craig
W. J.  Hanna}                                          Thos. Chapman
Clerk Court}
South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
Personally appeared Wm. A. Purvis who on oath says that he signed the annexed deed at the date thereof and that Wm. E. Craig and Hugh Craig Jr. witnessed the same and that both of said witnesses are dead.
Sworn to before me}
16 Dec 1885}
W. J. Hanna                                     W. X A. Purvis (his mark)
 
                               Recorded 19th Dec 1885
 
Land Deed, dated 6 Dec 1866– William A. Purvis to William James Purvis, Chesterfield County Court House, Register of Deeds, Deed Book 8, Pages 421-423. Certified Copy of Deed on file

William A. Purvis and William James Purvis are my 2nd Great Grandfather and Great Grandfather.

Treasure Chest Thursday~Land Deed, William A. Purvis to William J. Purvis

William A. Purvis and William J. Purvis are my 2nd Great Grandfather and my Great Grandfather. They lived all their life in Anson County, North Carolina. This is the only Deed I have found that shows they owned land outside of Anson County.

The Land in this Deed is just across the North and South Carolina State line with Anson County in NC and Chesterfield County sharing the same border, located in South Carolina.

William A. Purvis}
To
William J. Purvis} Deed

The State of South Carolina
Know all men by these presents that I William A. Purvis of the County of Anson in the State of South Carolina in consideration of the sum of Two hundred dollars [$200.00] to me paid by William James Purvis of the said County of Anson in the State aforesaid have granted bargained sold and released unto the said and by these presents do grant bargain sell and release unto the said William James Purvis all that piece parcel and tract of land situate lying and being in the District of Chesterfield and State of South Carolina on the North Side of Big Westfield Creek and bounded on the North by the North and South Carolina State line on the East by Isham Wallace and James Lewis lands on the West by lands belonging to the Estate of George Gardner and lands belonging to John Mulholland and on the South by Big Westfield Creek. Containing thirty [30] acres more or less which said track of land was purchased by me from Joseph P. Smith Reference being had to a plat hereunto attached will fully show the corners distance and &c. of said tract of land. Together with all and singular the rights members hereditaments and appurtenances to the said Premise belonging or in anywise incident or appertaining To Have and to Hold all and singular the Premises before mentioned unto the said William James Purvis his Heirs and Assigns forever. And I do hereby bind myself his Heirs Executors and Administrators to warrant and forever defend all and singular the said Premises unto the said William James Purvis his Heirs and assigns against myself and my heirs and all other persons lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof. Witness my hand and seal this Sixth day of December in year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and Sixty Six [1866] and in the Ninety first [91^st] year of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America.
Signed Sealed and Delivered}
in the presence of}                                                  William A. X Purvis seal (his mark)
W. E. Craig}
H. Craig Jr.|

State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
I W. J. Hannah Clark Court do hereby certify unto all who it may concern that Mrs. Sarah J. Purvis the wife of the within named W. A. Purvis did this day appear before me and upon being privately and separately examined by me did declare that she does fully voluntarily and without any compulsion dread or fear of any person or persons whatsoever renounce release and forever rerouting relinquish unto the within named Wm. J. Purvis his Heirs and Assigns all her interests and estate and also all her rights and claim of dower of it or to all and singular the Premises within mentioned and released.
Given under my hand and seal this}
Sixteenth [16^th] day of Dec. Anno Domini 1885}
(official seal) W. J. Hannah}                                                 S. J. Purvis {seal}
Clerk Court}

State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
Before the subscribing officer personally appeared T. P. Craig and Thomas Chapman both of the County and State aforesaid who on oath says that they are well acquainted with the handwriting of W. E. Craig and Hugh Craig Jr. the subscribing witnesses to the annexed deed and that both of said witnesses are dead and they believe that the said W. E. Craig and Hugh Craig Jr. signed the same as the signatures to said deed are as respondents believe in the hand writing of said Hugh Craig Jr. and W.E. Craig
Sworn to before me}
16 December 1885}                                                          T. P. Craig
W. J. Hanna}                                                                      Thos Chapman
Clerk Court}

South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
Personally appeared Wm. A. Purvis who on oath says that he signed the annexed deed at the date thereof and that Wm. E. Craig and Hugh Craig Jr. witnessed the same and that both of said witnesses are dead.
Sworn to before me}
16 Dec 1885}
W. J. Hanna                                                             W. X A. Purvis {his mark}
Recorded 19^th Dec 1885




















___________________
[1] Land Deed - William A. Purvis to William J. Purvis Deed; 6 December 1866; Deed Book #8; Page(s) 421-423; Register of Deeds; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, SC; 3 June 2015

Tombstone Tuesday~William J. Purvis

William J. Purvis

b. 28 April 1851

d. 12 March 1917

bu. Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery

William J. Purvis was the son of George Washington Purvis and Mary Ann Patrick. He was borne in Rankin County, Mississippi.

William J. Purvis married Cornelia C. Bounds on 19 December 1881 in Rankin County, Mississippi. To this union was born five children; 4 sons and a daughter.

The children of William J. Purvis and Cornelia C. Bounds are:

i. Albert Guy Purvis, born Oct 1882 in Rankin County, Mississippi. 
ii. Hulon Morris Purvis, born 28 Apr 1885, Rankin County, Mississippi; married Ella M. Patrick, 9 Jan 1910, Rankin County, Mississippi; died 18 Apr 1977.
iii. Hollis Lee Purvis, born 7 Jan 1888 in Rankin County, Mississippi. 
iv. Clara E. Purvis, born 20 Mar 1890, Rankin County, Mississippi; married Walter Simpson Dear Sr.; died 15 Feb 1963.
v. William Vilas Purvis, born 30 Jun 1893, Rankin County, Mississippi; died 17 Jan 1918, Norfork, Virginia. William Vilas died while in basic training during WWI.
 
 
 
 
 
 
_______________________
1. 1860 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Rankin County, Mississippi, Page: 989; Line 6, Dwelling 834, Family 885, Household of G. W. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 13 April 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M653 Roll 590.
2. 1870 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Township 4, Rankin County, Mississippi, Page: 62B; Line 17, Dwelling 434, Family 434, Household of George W. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 13 April 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M593 Roll 748.
3. 1880, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Cato, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) #078, Page 456A, Line 38, Dwelling 452, Family 452, Household of G. W. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 13 April 2012); citing NARA publication T9, Roll: 663.
4. 1900 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Cato, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 0084, Page: 14B/259 (stamped); Line 62, Dwelling 254, Family 254, Household of William PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2 January 2014); citing NARA publication T623_826.
5. 1910 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Cato, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 0050, Page: 18B/236(stamped); Line 79, Dwelling 348, Family 348, Household of William J. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 4 February 2014); citing NARA publication T624_758.
6. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 30 December 2014); Memorial page for W. J. PURVIS; (28 April 1851–12 May 1917); Find a Grave memorial # 13998651, Citing Antioch Cemetery; Rufus, Rankin County, Mississippi, USA.
7. "Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935," digital index of Mississippi Marriages, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 January 2014), Miss C. C. Bounds & W. J. Purvis, Marriage Date: 19 Dec 1881.
8. 1930 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Beat 5, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 16, Page 182A; Line 1, Dwelling 1, Family 1, Household of Hollis PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 4 February 2014); citing NARA publication T626_1164.
9. 1940 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 61-17, Page: 5A/327(stamped); Line 33, Household #80, Household of Hollis T. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 4 February 2014); citing NARA publication T627_2062.
10. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Cornelia C. Bounds PURVIS (5 June 1856-21 July 1941), Memorial # 13998613.

Amanuensis Monday~James L. Edwards to W. A. Purvis, Land Deed, 60 Acres.

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 a Land Deed from James L. Edwards to W. A. Purvis, Land Deed, 60 Acres.¹

In the 1860 census for Anson County, North Carolina we find William A. Purvis and his wife Sarah Jane [Graves] Purvis with no children and his occupation listed as a Shoemaker. In 1870, same county, he is listed as a farmer. 

The first piece of land that I have found purchased by William A. Purvis was a 30 acre tract sold to him by  Joseph P. Smith on 6 December 1866. Description of that parcel is as follows:
“that piece parcel and tract of land situate lying and being in the District of Chesterfield and State of South Carolina on the North Side of Big Westfield Creek and bounded on the North by the North and South Carolina State line on the East by Isham Wallace and James Lewis lands on the West by lands belonging to the Estate of George Gardner and lands belonging to John Mulholland and on the South by Big Westfield Creek. Containing thirty [30] acres more or less which said track of land was purchased by me from Joseph P. Smith Reference being had to a plat hereunto attached will fully show the corners distance and &c. of said tract of land….
 
The second tract of land purchased by William A. Purvis was this 60 acres tract from James L. Edwards on 21 December 1871.  William A. Purvis owned land located on the state line. In the plat below the bottom wide line is the state line. The land was located west of Westfield Church Road as you cross the state line going into North Carolina toward McFarland. (see Blue Square, NC Side, west of 1837 Road)








Transcription:

James L. Edwards to W. A. Purvis
State of North Carolina}
Anson County} This indenture made this the 21st day of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy-one between James L. Edwards of the first part and W. A. Purvis of the second part, both of the county of Anson and State of North Carolina. Witnesseth:
The said James L. Edwards in and for the consideration of the sum of two hundred and forty seven and 80/100 dollars ($247.80) to him in hand paid the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged hath bargained and sold and by these present do bargain, sell and convey to W. A. Purvis a certain tract
of land lying being and situate in the county of Anson and State of North Carolina and bounded as follows, to wit: Beginning at a stake in the state line 4th corner of  R. Gaddy's tract and runs No. 15 W. 38.35 chains to a stake in McGugan's line 3rd comer of the Gaddy tract then No. 88 W. 11.40 chs. (chains) to a stake one pine pointer then south 37.50 chains to a stake in the State line. Then with State line East 21 chains to the beginning containing Sixty (60) acres. And the said James L. Edwards doth hereby warrant and defend unto the said W. A. Purvis his heirs Executor and assigns forever, the right and title to the said land together with all the rights and appurtenances thereunto belonging, against myself, my heirs Executors or assigns, and against the lawful claims of all persons whatsoever. In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and date above mentioned.
Signed, Sealed and Delivered
in presence of
Jesse Edwards                                              James L. Edwards {Seal}
                                                                     By S.J. Edwards Agent

State of North Carolina}
Anson County} I, Jack C. McLancklin Clerk of Superior Court for said county
of Anson, hereby certify that the due execution of the foregoing deed of Conveyance to W. A. Purvis by James L. Edwards through S. J. Edwards his agent was proven before me this day by the oath and examination of Jesse Edwards the subscribing witness. Let it with this certificate be registered. This September 28th A.D. 1883.
                                                                    John C. McLancklin
                                                                    Clerk of Superior Court

October 1st 1883 then the foregoing Deed and certificate came into my hands and were duly registered.
                                                                C. J. Coppedge

Land Plat for above 60 Acres

William A. Purvis purchased 4 tracts of land totaling 145 acres between 1866 and 1879.
Three (3) parcels in Anson County, NC and one in Chesterfield, County, SC. 

• 1st - Land Deed (30) - Joseph P. Smith to William A. Purvis,  (This land in Chesterfield, SC and immediately sold to William James Purvis) 
• 2nd - Land Deed  (60 acres)- James L. Edwards to W. A. Purvis, Deed Book 22, Page 531-532.
• 3rd - Land Deed  (30 Acres) - W. P. Brantley to Wm. Purvis, Deed Book 21, Page 404-405.
• 4th - Land Deed (25 Acres) - Mary, Sarah & Martha Gardner to W. A. Purvis (DB 20, Pages 584-585)

He farmed the land above until he died sometime between Sept 1899 and May 1900 in Anson County, North Carolina.

_______________________________
[1] Anson County, North Carolina, Land Deed Book 22: Page 531-532, James L. Edwards to W. A. Purvis; 21 December 1871, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.

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.




________________________
[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.

Hard Times in Anson County, 1887-1888

My Great Grandfather William James Purvis was married by the age of sixteen. In the 1880 Census for Morven Township, Arson County, NC both he and Mary are enumerated as husband and wife living next door to his father, William A. Purvis. ¹




Father and son worked hand in hand to eek out a living on approximately 120 acres of land Southwest of McFarlan, North Carolina with the state line being the south side of their property.

Times were hard and to survive from one year to the next put many farmers in a vicious cycle of borrowing, lending and repaying a debt from year to year.


The instrument used by the “money lenders” to carry out this deed was called a “Deed of Trust”.


A typical “Deed of Trust” would read:

State of North Carolina} ²
Anson County } Whereas, Marshall & Richardson of Anson County in the State of North Carolina, have signed to make advances to W. A. & W. J. Pervis of the county of Anson and State aforesaid for purpose of agriculture during the year A.D. 1880 to the value of one hundred dollars and such further sums as the said Marshall & Richardson may deem necessary to be made not to exceed in all the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars and whereas the said W. A. & W. J. Pervis desires to secure to the said Marshall & Richardson prompt payment for the advances made in accordance with the provisions of the Acts of the General assembly in such cases made and provided, ratified on the 1st day of March 1867 and the Act to re-enact and amend the same ratified March 1st 1873, doth by these presents sell, transfer and agree to deliver to the said Marshall & Richardson on the 15th day of October so much cotton, corn and other products raised by him during the present year as shall be sufficient to pay for the supplies to be furnished as aforesaid which conveyance and transfers shall create a lien in favor of the advances made or to be made upon all the crop the said W. A. & W. J. Pervis may raise during the present year, and for further security the said W. A. & W. J. Pervis bargains and sells to the said Marshall & Richardson the following articles of personal property, to wit: one cow & calf - lone sow & six pigs - farming tools - household & kitchen furniture - the property of W.J. Pervis. lone mule - three cows - one ox and one yearling - six head hogs one wagon - farming tools - the property of W. A. Pervis with the understanding that if the said W. A. & W. J. Pervis shall, will and truly pay the said Marshall & Richardson for the advances as aforesaid on or before the 1st day of October the said lien shall be discharged, and the said property shall revert to the said W. A. & W. J. Pervis, otherwise the said Marshall & Richardson shall have power to take into their possessions all of said property and crop on the farm or elsewhere, if removed, and sell the same or as much thereof for cash, as may be necessary to pay for the advances aforesaid, attorney's fees, registration, and any other expenses incurred in executing this provision, first advertising said sale for ten days at three public places in the County. We the said W. A. & W. J. Pervis do hereby certify that no other lien or mortgage has been' given upon said crop or property. If this claim is not paid at maturity to bear interest at the rate of 8 per cent annum from maturity thereof to the payment. In witness whereof the said W. A. & W. J. Pervis have hereunto set their hands and seal this 13th day of February, A.D. 1880.
Signed, sealed & delivered in                              W. A. X Pervis {seal}
The presence of H. C. Hardison                        W. J. X Pervis {seal}

One bad crop year and you are in deep troubles with these predatory money lending practices.

SALE of REAL ESTATE³By virtue of power contained in a Deed of Trust executed by W. A. Purvis and Sarah J. Purvis on the 23rd day of December 1884 to N. J. Thompson and C. C. Moore, partners under the style of Thompson & Moore, and registered in trust book no. 18, page 202 of the registers office of Anson County, Dec. 27th, 1884, and by consent and request of said W. A. Purvis and Sarah J. Purvis, we will sell for cash to the highest bidder at the Court House door in the town of Wadesboro, on Monday the 7th day of December 1885, the land described in said Deed of Trust, containing 50 acres more or less, adjoining the lands of W. J. McLendon and others. Sale of above lands made to satisfy a note secured by mortgage on said reality. N. J. THOMPSON
C. C. MOORE.
Partners and MortgageesNov 25 1885, lt.
[The Anson Times, 3 Dec 1885, Thu,Page 3]
RAOGK Contributor Debra Cooper, 17 December 2014
https://www.facebook.com/groups/raogkUSA/permalink/589522781149614

In December 1885 William J. Purvis was able to purchase a 30 acre tract from his father. William A. Purvis had purchased the 30 acreage tract from Joseph P. Smith on 6 December 1866 (DB 8, page 284-286). On that same day William James Purvis purchased the 30 acres from his father, William A. Purvis (DB 8, Page 421-423). ⁴

It’s evident that the 1887-1888 crop year was not a good year as evidence by this newspaper clipping.





William J. Purvis owed .59 cents tax on his 30 acre tract and it was being put on the Auction block unless he paid the taxes.  To avoid losing it for failure to pay the taxes, William J. Purvis sold the land on 7 January 1888 to T. F. Mulholland (DB 9, Page 284-286). (Chesterfield County, SC).⁵

This was the beginning of the sell-off of all lands owned by William A. and his son, William J. and they then became “Sharecroppers”. The wife of William A. suffered from cancer for some time and died on the last day of December 1893. Between  December 1899 and May 1900; William A. Purvis had passed away. The last 18 acres, reserved for William’s 2nd wife Betsey, was sold on 30 Sept. 1900 to J. D. Rhyne, the purchaser of earlier acreages. The deed is recorded in Anson County Deed Book 34, Page 491-492. Betsy died in October 1926. ^{6 7 8}














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[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] Anson County, North Carolina, Trust Deed Book 11: page 529, W. A. Purvis & W. J. Purvis to Marshall & Richardson; 13 February 1880, Register of Deeds, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina.
[3] SALE of REAL Estate, 50 ACRES obituary, The Anson Times, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina, United States, 3 December 1885, Page 3. Default on Deed of Trust.
[4] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Deed Book 8: pages 421-423, William A. Purvis to William James Purvis; 6 December 1866, Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
[5] Sale of Land for Taxes - William J. Purvis, The Messenger and Intelligencer, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina, United States, 10 January 1888, Page 3, Right two columns of page. Sale of Land for Taxes, 30 acres, .59 cents Taxes due.
[6] Sarah Jane Graves Purvis obituary, Messenger-Intelligencer, Wadesboro, North Carolina, 4 January 1894, page 3, McFarlan News.
[7] 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.
[8] State of North Carolina, death certificate no. 351, (18 October 1926), Mrs. Betsy Purvis; https://www.ancestry.com, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.

Tombstone Tuesday~Cornelia Bounds Purvis

Cornelia Bounds Purvis

b. 5 June 1856

d. 21 July 1941

bu. Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery

Cornelia C. Bounds, was the daughter of William Bounds and his wife Eliza. At the age of 25, she married William J. Purvis, age 30, son of George Washington Purvis and Mary Ann Patrick.¹  Cornelia and William would have five children; four sons and a daughter.

William J. Purvis passed away in March 1917 and 10 months later their youngest son William Vilas Purvis died while in basic training at Norfolk, Virginia. After the death of her husband and son; Cornelia went to lived with her son, Hollis. In 1930 and 1940 censuses she can be found living with her son, Hollis Lee Purvis. ²
On 21 July 1941, Cornelia C. Bounds Purvis passed away and was buried beside her husband at the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery. ³


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[1] "Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935," digital index of Mississippi marriages, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 January 2014), Miss C. C. Bounds & W. J. Purvis, Marriage Date: 19 Dec 1881.
[2] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 30 December 2014); Memorial page for W. J. PURVIS; (28 April 1851–12 May 1917); Find a Grave memorial # 13998651, Citing Antioch Cemetery; Rufus, Rankin County, Mississippi, USA.
[3] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 30 December 2014); Memorial page for Cornelia C. Bounds PURVIS; (5 June 1856-21 July 1941); Find a Grave memorial # 13998613, Citing Antioch Cemetery; Rufus, Rankin County, Mississippi, USA.
Other Sources:
1. 1860 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Rankin County, Mississippi, Page: 989; Line 6, Dwelling 834, Family 885, Household of G. W. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 13 April 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M653 Roll 590.
2. 1870 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Township 4, Rankin County, Mississippi, Page: 62B; Line 17, Dwelling 434, Family 434, Household of George W. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 13 April 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M593 Roll 748.
3. 1880, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Cato, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) #078, Page 456A, Line 38, Dwelling 452, Family 452, Household of G. W. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 13 April 2012); citing NARA publication T9, Roll: 663.
4. 1900 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Cato, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 0084, Page: 14B/259 (stamped); Line 62, Dwelling 254, Family 254, Household of William PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2 January 2014); citing NARA publication T623_826.
5. 1910 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Cato, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 0050, Page: 18B/236(stamped); Line 79, Dwelling 348, Family 348, Household of William J. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 4 February 2014); citing NARA publication T624_758.
6. 1930 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Beat 5, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 16, Page 182A; Line 1, Dwelling 1, Family 1, Household of Hollis PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 4 February 2014); citing NARA publication T626_1164.
7. 1940 U. S. Census, Rankin County, Mississippi, population schedule, Rankin County, Mississippi, enumeration district (ED) 61-17, Page: 5A/327(stamped); Line 33, Household #80, Household of Hollis T. PURVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 4 February 2014); citing NARA publication T627_2062.

Oh Brother! Can You Spare me a Dime

The reconstruction era, after the Civil War, were rough times for our ancestors. Money was a scarce commodity and what you did have; you used for survival. Case in point is the minuscule amount of land taxes due during the reconstruction era and how hard it was to come up with just a few cents or dollars to pay these  taxes.

This delinquent tax list[¹] is only a partial list; shorten to save space.


 

Just look at how small some of these taxes are; yet, their land is up for grabs to the highest bidder.

The last entry on this page is my Great Grand Father William J. Purvis. The chart shows that in the year 1887 William J. Purvis owed .59 cents in taxes, on 30 acres of land, that had not been paid.
The top of the Notice: Sale of Land for Taxes that the land would be sold for cash to the highest bidder on Monday, the 4th of February 1889. 

Sadly, Grandpa Jim sold this 30 acres on 7 January 1888 divesting himself of the last parcel of land he was ever to own in his lifetime. He died on 8 June 1941 and is buried in Zoar United Methodists Church cemetery, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.


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[1] Sale of Land for Taxes - William J. Purvis, The Messenger and Intelligencer, Wadesboro, Anson County, North Carolina, United States, 3 & 10 January 1888, Page 3, Right two columns of page. Sale of Land for Taxes, 30 acres, .59 cents Taxes due.