Van Gundy Family Tree


William S PURVIS [Parents] was born in 1851 in Moultrie Co, IL. He died about 1900 in TX. He married Elizabeth Underwood on 23 Mar 1882 in Sullivan, Moultrie Co, IL.

He was not listed with his father's family in the 1870 census although he would have been only 18 years old.

William was 12 years older than wife, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth Underwood was born in 1864. She married William S PURVIS on 23 Mar 1882 in Sullivan, Moultrie Co, IL.

They had the following children:

  F i Rosie E PURVIS was born on 19 Sep 1887. She died on 16 Nov 1892 in Moultrie Co, IL. She was buried in Jonathan Creek Cem, Moultrie Co, IL.

Thomas IRWIN was born about 1735. He died on 2 Dec 1799 in Salsbury Twp, Lancaster Co, PA. He married Rachel (Irwin).

His will was proved 3/15/1802 and named wife, Rachel, and children: William, Samuel, Rachel, and Mary. Executors were sons, William and Samuel.

Rachel (Irwin) died about 1813 in Lancaster Co, PA, by Rev Henry Matthews. She married Thomas IRWIN.

Her will was probated in 1813.

They had the following children:

  M i William IRWIN died on 26 Oct 1809.
  M ii Samuel IRWIN died in 1822/1842 in Lancaster Co, PA, by Rev Henry Matthews.

Residences & events:

1757 Sadsbury Twp, Lancaster Co, PA. His tax assessment was 1 pound 14 shillings for unspecified property. In the same twp were Gideon and Josiah Irwin while James Irwin was in Leacock twp in 1758.

1799 He and brother, William, were co-executors of their father's estate.

Probate dates of 1822 & 1842 were recorded for Samuel Irwin estates.
  F iii Rachel IRWIN was born about 1762. She died before Jun 1824.
  F iv Mary IRWIN died after 1799.

Her father mentioned her in his will, there was no mention of a husband at that time.

William Sr PURVIS [Parents] was born about 1729 in St George's Parish, Spotsylvania Co, VA. He died in 1812/1813 in Bath Co, KY. He married Elizabeth (Purvis) about 1750.

Residences & events:

1782-1787 Culpepper Co, VA. He and son, William, were the only "Purvesses" listed in that county's record of taxpayers. He was a tobacco farmer. Unlike his brothers, neither he nor his son, had any slaves.

1795 KY Some researchers say that was the year he and William moved on.

1799 Fleming Co, KY

1811 He was mentioned in the will of brother, James.

1813 Bath Co, KY, where he died. The date of his arrival there is unknown.

The appraisal of his estate was recorded on 7/13/1813 in Bath Co, KY.

Elizabeth (Purvis) died after 1813 in KY. She married William Sr PURVIS about 1750.

She was mentioned in the appraisel of William's estate in 1813.

They had the following children:

  M i Capt James PURVIS was born in 1752. He died in Nov 1811.
  M ii Col John PURVIS was born in 1755. He died before May 1777.
  M iii William Jr PURVIS was born in 1758. He died on 4 Dec 1835.
  F iv Susan PURVIS was born in 1759.
  M v Charles PURVIS.

Residences & events:

1820 Nelson Co, KY. He was counted there at census time, along with his father and brother, George.

John PURVIS [Parents] was born in 1690 in Middlesex Co, VA. He died in Jan 1740 in Spotsylvania Co, VA. He was buried in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex Co, VA. He married Elizabeth (PURVIS) after 1718.

Other marriages:
NICHOLLS, Winifred

John was a tobacco farmer.

Residences & events:

Middlesex Co, VA.

11/2/1700 He was mentioned in a will that his father witnessed for a John Sheare.

1711 He and brother, George, apparently had a difference of opionion with their mother about their father's estate and sued her. The suit was later dismissed when the difference was resolved.

From Middlesex Co Court Abstracts:

3/3/1712 "in an action of debt between William Stanard, plaintiff, and John Purvis, defendant, Judgement for plaintiff for 463 lbs of tobacco. The attachment which the Sheriff obtained against the estate of John Purvis for his non-appearance at the suit of William Stanard, is discontinued."

Same date "in an action of debt between John Townsend, plaintiff, and John Purvis, defendant, the defendant appeared in the Sheriff's Custody and confessed judgment for 800 lbs of tobacco and cask. At plaintiff's motion, ordered that the defendant remain in the Sheriff's Custody till he be thence lawfully discharged."

3/31/1718 A notation in Christ Church vestry minutes recorded an order that one of the church wardens take care of John's newly born twins, indicating his wife's death and, either his incapability of caring for them while working, or his absence. The whereabouts of the other children is unknown.

10-7-1719 Vestry records ordered reimbursement given to two men who were caring for John's son, George, and another child.

Bef 1720 Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania Co, VA. It is possible John was preparing to bring the family to the new home at the time of his wife's death. He accumulated a large amount of land there.

9/28/1728 He acquired 770 acres "on the branches of Terry's Run. Beginning at three white oaks by a horse lick in the fork of a branch."

2/4/1730 St George's Parish, Spotsylvania Co, VA. He transferred the above 770 acres to a carpenter named Phillip Walters in addition to 5000 lbs of tobacco. Considering the family tradition that a Purvis had built the first wood frame house in Fredericksburg, this transaction may have been compensation to the carpenter for building his house, a sign of his success as a tobacco farmer. He also helped all his sons become prosperous planters and farmers.

Elizabeth (PURVIS).Elizabeth married John PURVIS after 1718.

On 2/4/1729 she acknowledged her right of dower in the land deed transferrifng 770 acres of land to Philip Watters.

They had the following children:

  M i Francis PURVIS was born about 1725. He died on 6 Jan 1789.
  M ii James PURVIS was born about 1727. He died on 18 Dec 1797.
  M iii William Sr PURVIS was born about 1729. He died in 1812/1813.
  F iv Susan PURVIS was born about 1730 in Spotsylvania Co, VA. She died about 1815.

Capt James PURVIS [Parents] was born in 1752 in Culpeper Co, VA. He died in Nov 1811 in Frederick Co, VA. He married Cassandra Briscoe in Berkeley Co, VA.

Facts concerning his life have been confused with his Uncle James Purvis, especially in connection with spouses and children.

Residences & events:

Culpeper Co, VA

9/5/1775 He joined the Rev War efforts with the 1st VA Regt of the Continental Line and was soon promoted to Sgt.

8/4/1776 Returning home on recruiting duty, he enlisted his brother, William, to serve in his company along with their brother, John.

3/7/1777 He was appointed Ensign, a rank he held for about a year while his unit engaged in the fighting around Philadelphia.

2/18/1778 On this date, he resigned under pressure because he could not discharge the duties of an officer due to his inability to read or write.

1/1779 Following discharge he received enough learning to obtain a commission as lieutenant in the Regt of State Guards, being stationed this date at the VA constitution convention, and soon after in command at the Albermarle Barracks, guarding British prisoners taken at Saratoga.

10/8/1779 He was promoted to Capt in Crockett's State Regt. He marched from Shepherdsville, VA, to Louisville, KY, where the unit served as frontier guards against the Indians. The regiment was disbanded 6/1781. For his efforts he received warrants for 7,187-20, 000 acres of land in KY (the number depending on which family history is being read) but he never moved there.

Abt 1785 Berkely Co, VA, where he rented a plantation and married Cassandra.

Frederick Co, VA. Shortly after the marriage, they moved where he would be a planter until his death.

1832 He was remembered by a fellow officer, Capt Henry Bedinger, as "an uneducated man, but of sterling worth."

In his will he mentioned siblings, William and Susan, and nephew, John, son of John Purvis, deceased.

Some family listings have 10/1811 as his death date.

Cassandra Briscoe.Cassandra married Capt James PURVIS in Berkeley Co, VA.


William Jr PURVIS [Parents] was born in 1758 in Culpeper Co, VA. He died on 4 Dec 1835 in Fleming Co, KY. He married Female (Purvis) about 1781.

Other marriages:
BURK, Jane

Some of the children listed may belong to the first wife.

Residences & events:

8/4/1776 Culpeper Co, VA. He was enlisted by his brother, Sgt James Purvis, in the 1st VA Regt of the Continental Line, the same unit as brother, John. He participated in the battles against the British in the middle states, being in the battles of Brandywine Creek, PA; Monmouth Courthouse, NJ; the storming of Stony Point, NY; as well as several minor skirmishes.

1777-8 Valley Forge, PA. He was there during the famed winter encampment.

8/1/1779 Smith's Clove, NY, was where he received his discharge.

Culpeper Co, VA. Returning home he married for the first time and returned to farming.

1782-1787 Culpeper Co, VA. William and his father were the only "Purvesses" listed in county taxpayers records.

Fall, 1795 In preparation for moving west, he sold his land. A party was formed of the Burk family, his second wife's kin, and nephew, John Purvis. They journeyed through the mountains of MD and PA, then by flatboat down the Ohio River to KY.

Maysville, KY. Disembarking, they continued overland to Flemingsburg, KY.

Fleming Co, KY. William eventually bought a 197 acre farm along the Licking River and began farming again.

1810 Fleming Co, KY. At census time, William and John "Purviss," were the only ones by the name in the entire state, both residing in this county as neighbors.

1820 Nelson Co, KY. He had moved, according to the census taker. Living in the same county were son, George, and Charles. John was in Sva (?) Co.

Mid 1820s Gettin on in years, he remained behind when some of the relatives moved on. Several of the Burks in-laws apparently traveled with the group, being listed in Sangamon Co, IL, in the 1830 census.

Female (Purvis).Female married William Jr PURVIS about 1781.

They had the following children:

  M i George PURVIS was born in 1783. He died about 1865.
  F ii Nancy PURVIS was born in 1786. She died in 1848.
  M iii James PURVIS was born in 1785. He died about 1852.
  F iv Jenny PURVIS was born about 1787. She died in 1847.
  M v William PURVIS was born in 1788. He died in 1866.
  F vi Eleanor "Nelly" PURVIS was born about 1790. She died about 1850.

William Jr PURVIS [Parents] was born in 1758 in Culpeper Co, VA. He died on 4 Dec 1835 in Fleming Co, KY. He married Jane BURK on 19 Jul 1792 in Culpeper Co, VA.

Other marriages:
(Purvis), Female

Some of the children listed may belong to the first wife.

Residences & events:

8/4/1776 Culpeper Co, VA. He was enlisted by his brother, Sgt James Purvis, in the 1st VA Regt of the Continental Line, the same unit as brother, John. He participated in the battles against the British in the middle states, being in the battles of Brandywine Creek, PA; Monmouth Courthouse, NJ; the storming of Stony Point, NY; as well as several minor skirmishes.

1777-8 Valley Forge, PA. He was there during the famed winter encampment.

8/1/1779 Smith's Clove, NY, was where he received his discharge.

Culpeper Co, VA. Returning home he married for the first time and returned to farming.

1782-1787 Culpeper Co, VA. William and his father were the only "Purvesses" listed in county taxpayers records.

Fall, 1795 In preparation for moving west, he sold his land. A party was formed of the Burk family, his second wife's kin, and nephew, John Purvis. They journeyed through the mountains of MD and PA, then by flatboat down the Ohio River to KY.

Maysville, KY. Disembarking, they continued overland to Flemingsburg, KY.

Fleming Co, KY. William eventually bought a 197 acre farm along the Licking River and began farming again.

1810 Fleming Co, KY. At census time, William and John "Purviss," were the only ones by the name in the entire state, both residing in this county as neighbors.

1820 Nelson Co, KY. He had moved, according to the census taker. Living in the same county were son, George, and Charles. John was in Sva (?) Co.

Mid 1820s Gettin on in years, he remained behind when some of the relatives moved on. Several of the Burks in-laws apparently traveled with the group, being listed in Sangamon Co, IL, in the 1830 census.

Jane BURK.Jane married William Jr PURVIS on 19 Jul 1792 in Culpeper Co, VA.

They had the following children:

  M i Thomas PURVIS was born in 1794. He died about 1885.
  M ii John PURVIS was born in 1795. He died about 1855.
  F iii Permelia PURVIS was born in 1801. She died about 1853.
  F iv Susan PURVIS was born in 1803 in Fleming Co, KY. She died on 17 Aug 1852 in Fleming Co, KY.

Supposedly Susan never married but had 4 sons prior to her death.
  M v Samuel PURVIS was born in 1809. He died about 1855.
  M vi Matthew PURVIS was born in 1811. He died about 1890.

George PURVIS [Parents] was born in 1783 in Culpeper Co, VA. He died about 1865 in Ralls Co, MO. He married Sarah Franklin on 24 Sep 1812 in Bath Co, KY.

Other marriages:
Patrick, Unity

Residences & events:

Abt 1812 Fleming Co, KY, where he bought a farm on the Licking River.

1822 He sold the farm in preparation for moving west.

Fall 1822 NE MO. He settled where he would spend the rest of his life, becoming a substantial farmer.

1860 Ralls Co, MO. At census time he had property = $4500/700.

Sarah Franklin.Sarah married George PURVIS on 24 Sep 1812 in Bath Co, KY.

They had the following children:

  M i Phillip PURVIS was born on 5 Apr 1813. He died before 1887.
  M ii Henry PURVIS was born in 1814.
  F iii Lucy PURVIS was born about 1816. She died about 1848.
  M iv William PURVIS was born in 1822. He died after 1900.
  M v Robert PURVIS was born in 1825. He died on 9 Feb 1864.
  M vi George Washington PURVIS was born in Oct 1833. He died in Mar 1907.
  F vii Mary J PURVIS was born in 1835.
  F viii Elizabeth PURVIS was born in 1836.
  M ix Reuben M PURVIS was born in Jan 1838 in Ralls Co, MO.

Residences & events:

As a sympathizer of the southern cause, he served with several Confederate units and was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Ark; Lexington, KY; Kirksville & Newark, MO.

7/28/1862 Monroe Co, MO. Reuben enlisted in the Confederate Army with Co M 1st NE MO Cav, CSA.

10/6/1862 Ralls Co, MO. He was captured by Union forces and was sent to a Federal camp at Alton, IL, where he spent most of the rest of the war.

2/18/1864 Alton, IL. He gained his freedom by posting $1000 bond.
  M x Allen J PURVIS was born in 1842 in Ralls Co, MO.

He married 3 times.

Residences & events:

Early 11/1864 Brother, George, reported that Allen was conscripted into the Confederate forces under Gen Price as the two were making molasses. Whether Allen went willingly or not is unknown.

Shortly after he was back, either on a mission or as a deserter. George later alleged that Allen and a man named Fagin were trying to surrender to Union forces at Fagin's house when a group of Federal forces surprized them and during the mayhem, Allen was shot. Apparently the wound was not fatal as evidenced by the next item.

1880 Salt River Twp, Ralls Co, MO

George PURVIS [Parents] was born in 1783 in Culpeper Co, VA. He died about 1865 in Ralls Co, MO. He married Unity Patrick on 15 Sep 1831 in Ralls Co, MO.

Other marriages:
Franklin, Sarah

Residences & events:

Abt 1812 Fleming Co, KY, where he bought a farm on the Licking River.

1822 He sold the farm in preparation for moving west.

Fall 1822 NE MO. He settled where he would spend the rest of his life, becoming a substantial farmer.

1860 Ralls Co, MO. At census time he had property = $4500/700.

Unity Patrick.Unity married George PURVIS on 15 Sep 1831 in Ralls Co, MO.


James PURVIS [Parents] was born in 1785 in Culpeper Co, VA. He died about 1852 in Cole Co, MO. He married Sarah Garrard on 31 Mar 1808 in Fleming Co, KY.

Other marriages:
Hood, Elizabeth

Residences & events:

Fleming Co, KY

1820s MO. At least 3 of his children stayed behind when he moved west.

1832 Montgomery Co, MO.

1850 Cole Co, MO where he was living with his second wife.

Sarah Garrard.Sarah married James PURVIS on 31 Mar 1808 in Fleming Co, KY.

They had the following children:

  M i Francis PURVIS was born about 1809. He died on 27 Aug 1891.
  F ii Mary PURVIS was born on 18 Jan 1810.
  F iii Elizabeth PURVIS was born in Jun 1817.

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