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John was born the same year his father died, an only child. He mighthave been raised by his
Uncle William Purvis, since he migrated withWilliam's family. Residences & other events in his life: Abt 1795 Culpeper Co, KY. He joined a party preparing to go westwhich consisted of the family of his uncle, William Purvis, the Burks,and possibly the Ginns, all from Culpeper Co. The journey took themthrough the mountains of MD and PA, then down the Ohio River on aflatboat. Maysville, Mason Co, KY. Leaving the river, the journey wouldcontinue by land after his marriage and a short stay here. 1808 Hardin Co, KY, in the Licking River Valley near Elizabethtown,where son, William, was born. Sarah's brother, James, was in the nextcounty east while her parents were 2 counties away. 1810 Fleming Co, KY. He and Uncle William were the only "Purvisses"in KY according to the census. They were neighbors, just 5 doorsapart. 1811 His father being deceased, he was instead mentioned in the willof his Uncle James Purvis. 11/10/1814 Owingsville, Bath Co, KY. With the US threatened byBritish invasion on all borders, John enlisted in the 28th Inf of KY,commanded by Thomas Owings, and was sent to the Canadian border. Following the War of 1812, he remained in the army for his 5 yrenlistment, serving as Pvt in 3rd Inf, Capt Daniel Baker's Co, becausethe 28th Inf had been disbanded. For his service he received 160acres of land "to be located agreeably to the said act on anyunlocated parts of the six millions of acres appropriated by law forthe original grantees of such military warrants; and this warrant isnot assignable or transferable in any manner whatever." 1819 Bath Co, KY. Returning from the service he returned to farming. 1820 Bath Co, KY. He bought 70 acres of land. 1820 Sva (?) Co, KY. John was the only Purvis in the county atcensus time while William, Charles, and George, were all in Nelson. 1820s He became infected by "Illinois Fever" which was raging in KYand moved on. 8/7/1826 Sangamon Co, IL. John voted at the Springfield Courthouse,the only Purvis listed. 10/3/1826 Sangamon Co, IL. John and a Leroy Hill were named in earlyprobate records in connection with the estate of a Jesse Southwick,both with notes due on 4/1/1829. John sold some land to Thomas Morgan, details unknown. 1828/1829 Sugar Creek Twp, Sangamon Co, IL. John bought the county'sfirst water mill which had been built in 1827 in Section 2 on SugarCreek from A Lathrop. It was then used as a saw mill but he added agrist mill and ran a distillery as well. The distillery, "like othersat that day, was extensively patronized." He sold out to Leroy Hill. He sold more land, this time to Bennet C Johnson, other detailsunknown. 2/22/1830 Springfield, Sangamon Co, IL. Listed among the voters atthe courthouse were John (Pervis) and sons, Isaac, William, andThomas. 5/1830. Shelby Co, IL. County history said that on this date John,his wife and 2 children, George and Malinda, joined sons, James andJohn, who had already settled in the county. However, other recordsas noted below, indicate they moved later. 8/2/1830 Springfield, Sangamon Co, IL. Again voting at thecourthouse was John G Purvis, William, and John Bracken. 1830 John was not listed in the census in either Sangamon or ShelbyCo, indicating he was living with relatives as previously stated. Son,Isaac, was still in Sangamon Co. It is unlikely that John ever owned land in either Shelby or Moultriecounties as no records have been found for him, only the children. Heprobably just came along with the family. |
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Their marriage bond read: "Know all men by these presents that we John Purvis and WilliamShirrel are held and firmly bound unto James Garrard Esqr in the Justand full sum of Fifty dollars Current money to the payment of whichwill and truly be made we bind ourselves our Heirs Executors herebysealed with our seals and dated this 28th day of April 1800. Thecondition of the above obligation is such that whereas a marriage isintended to be had and solemnized between John Purvis and Sarah Ginn.now if their is no legal Cause to obstruct the same then thisobligation to be void else to remain in full force and virture. John Purvis William Shirrel" According to some descendants, the marriage didn't take place untilSept 18, 1800. |
| John's death was the first in East Nelson Twp. |