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George and his activities were well documented, probably because ofhis wealth, influence, position,
and participation in every communityof which he was a part. The family Bible and other family histories do no include FrancisMarion as one of George's sons. Residences & events in George's life: KY 4/1/1830 Shelby Co, IL. On history states that he and brother,James, were the second to arrive in the county, being joined shortlyby their father and sister. Another says he came with his father,joining brothers, James and John. He did arrive in IL in 1830 according to "Kentuckians in Illinois." He served on the second petit jury of the area with brother, John. 7/6/1836 Sangamon Co, IL. George bought bought 2 tracts of federallands, each containing 40 acres, paying $1.25/acre. One tract waslocated at S13 T13N, the other at S17 T13N. His place of residence atthat time was recorded as Shelby Co. 8/10/1838 Shelby Co, IL. George began amassing his vast landholdings by patenting one parcel on this date as did brothers, John,Thomas, and William. 1/1/1839 He was subpoened and testified in a court suit betweenSolomon Chaplain vs Lydnor Bonem on a trespassing charge. 1840 Shelby Co, Il. In the census, he was 20-30 and had lost hiswife. Living with him were 1 male under 5 (William), 2 females under5 (the twins), and 1 female 5-10 (Hulda). Living next door wassister, Mahala, who lived next to sister, Malinda Standifer. Brother, Isaac, also lived nearby. 1841-3 Shelby Co, IL. George bought items from several estate salesduring this period. 10/18/1842 He bought another 40 acres of federal land in Sangamon Coat the same S17 T13N, again paying $1.25/acre. His residence wasrecorded as still Shelby Co at that time. 3/11/1844 Moultrie Co, IL. He had moved when he purchased 40 acresin Clay Co, IL, from a federal land sale. The land was located at S18T03N and he paid the standard $1.25/acre. 6/10/1848 Moultrie Co, IL. George patented another piece of land. 1/7/1850 No residence was recorded for him nor was the price, when hebought 159.68 acres at S6 T13N in Moultrie Co at another federal landsale. 8/21/1850 In the census he was living with his second wife and 6children. Living with the family were orphaned relatives he wasraising: nieces, Vienna and Mary Bracken, daughter of ElizabethPurvis Bracken, and nephew, James Purvis, son of Thomas. George was afarmer with property = $1320 12/30/1850 Moultrie Co, IL. George was involved in a land deedtransfer. 1/21/1852 His name appeared on a summons for failure to pay a note,and again on 2/1852, no mention whether he was the debtor or creditor. 6/1/1854 Again he paid $1.25/acre for 40 acres of federal landlocated at S9 T13N in Moultrie Co, the same county of his residence. 3/1/1855 He patented a third piece of land and later the same year,was listed on the taxpayer list for the county. 5/8/1858 His name was on a promissary note recorded at thecourthouse. 12/20/1858 He was mentioned in a file in probate court records. 12/19/1859 He was administrator of the county court and listed in thecounty treasurers report. During this time period when the roads were muddy most travelers tookshort cuts on firmer ground. One history says Abraham Lincoln oftencut through George's property to water his horse from George's well. 1/19/1860 He received a summons for jury duty in a sanity inquest andreturned the verdict of insanity on a H. Dixon. 1860 Sullivan, Moultrie Co, IL. In the census, he was a farmer withproperty = $9255/2000 and had a large family of 12 children ranging inages from 26 to 6 mo plus 2 farm hands, one of which was his nephew,Marion Purvis. His future dauther-in-law, Emma Wooten lived 3 doorsdown with her parents. The Addison McPheeters family lived next doorto the Wootens. Since he held several county offices, his name was recorded inconnection with those dealings: 9/3/1860 In the county treasurer's report and again 12/1864. 3/18/1861 Reappointed administrator of the county court. 7/9/1864 In connection with notes and judgments collected. 1865 Involved in the sale of land for taxes. 1/15/1866 He filed estray papers for an unspecified animal and again12/1866 for 2 heifers. Also that year he petitioned for a bridge atJonathan Creek, and paid school taxes on his property at T13 R6 on 8/2and 9/2/1866. 4/1867 George was co-surety on a justice bond. 1867 He sold some land. 1868 He was listed in a juror treasury report and again in the countytreasurer's report. 3/31/1869 Still building his empire, he purchased 2 tracts ofrailroad land, both located at S18 T13N, one containing 160 acres, theother 40, paying $9.00/acre. His place of residence was not recorded. 7/30/1869 His property was among the list of taxable lands. 1870 E Nelson Twp, Moultrie Co, IL. In the census George was one ofthe wealthiest men in the county with property = $21,000/6000. Stillliving at home were 12 children ranging in ages from 36 to 4. 9/2/1871 He paid a school tax for his property at T13 R2. 12/22/1871 His name was on the bond for East Nelson Coll, and yetagain in the co treasurer's report. 5/31/1872 He bought more railroad land in Moultrie Co, another 40acres for $9.00/acre. It was located at S20 T13N. 9/30/1873 He got a bargain from the railroad this time, buying 40acres at $8.00/acre, located at S8 T13N. In the records of McMullin Funeral Home are the following entrieswithout mention of the deceased: Ord by George Purvis 16 June 1879 - 1 large #1 coffin & box$18.00 Paid $5.00 cash 16 Sept 1879 Paid $5.00 cash 18 Nov 1879 Paid $8.00 cash (no date) Ord by George Purvis 4 Feb 1880 - 1 large #1 case & box $20.00 Paid $10.00 cash 4 Feb 1880 Paid $10.00 cash (no date) 1875 E Nelson. George was listed in the atlas among the township's1021 residents as a land owner along with brother, William, andWilliam's 2 sons. 1880 E Nelson Twp, Moultrie Co, IL. At census time George still hada large family and was listed as a farmer. Son, John, and his 2 yearold daughter were also living there as well as a farm hand, GeorgeFields, 20. Brother, William, was 3 doors down the road. 1881 He was still living at the same place where he had settled in1830 according to the history of the county. |
| Their marriage was the first in E Nelson twp and other family membershave the marriage on 3/19/1833. |
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George didn't waste any time finding a new mother for his small children, marrying Mahala only 2 months after Cassie's death. However, they were still living in separate houses next door to each other at census time. |