Barnwell Co., South Carolina, Equity Records Implied Marriages
Box 29, Group 58, Frames 414, living in 1837
Elizabeth Creel, William Condra
Jemmima Creel, John Tindal
Lavici Creel, Edward Still
Sarah Creel, Stephen Lee
The following is the text of a hand written letter by J.F. Purswell. I didn't correct spelling errors and noted where words had been crossed out and inserted. S.M.
Copy of J.F. Purswell letter - 1931
by Allbe Alsbrooks Rogers.Hightower Texas
January 1931Mr. J. F. Purswell
Age 77I am the oldest one living by this name and I will undertake to show
according to my ability from the begining of the name until now.
For the sake of my children and grandchildren to show my relation.
My great (another great struck through) grandfather was a Scottish sailor
named Henry (Henry inserted) Purs and when he stopped sailing he stoped in America
and he married a woman by the name of Well and they put their names
together that gave us our name Purswell.
They then had one son and he married and had one son and he married
a Stinner (Stivender inserted), which was (great struck through) grand
mother and they had two girls, two boys. My father William Purswell
was the oldest boy. He married a Condra (struck through, Condry inserted),
his brother married a Vinson, his oldest sister Jane married a Wise.
His youngest sister Mellisie married a Etheridge and they had two
boys, Daniel and Olenzo. her husband died and she married a Runnels.
They had two sisters and one married a Hicks and the other married a
Zorne. She had two brothers dead and two living in Florida.
My Grandmother Purswell had two sisters. Fannie married a Hollman.
Sennie married a Creel. The name of my relation are: Stinner, Hollman,
Purswell, Creel, Condray, Hicks, Zorne, Underwood, Price, Thomas, and
are gone to east Florida. I don't know who they married. There is one
large family in South Florida and East Florida Creel (he sometimes
spells it Crell), Purswell, Hicks, Zorne, Condry all originated from
South Carolina in Early days and settled in Barba (crossed out and Barbra
inserted, crossed out and Barbour inserted) and Heny (crossed out and Henry
inserted) co. Alabama. Some of thes younger ones went to east Florida.
My own children, I have seven children living, four dead. My oldest
child Mollie married Tom Metts, she had five children, 3 girls, two boys,
two living 3 dead. Frank Metts is the oldest boys name and married
Leota Simmons and they have two boys living and one girl dead. Annie
Bell Metts 2nd child married Frank Jahos (or Johos). They had two
children both boys. Many Metts, the fourth child married Frazier Loyd.
They had one child, a girl. Edgar Metts youngest married Bessie Jordan,
they have two boys one living and one dead.
My 2nd child Mellisie Purswall married T. J. Walker and they had
ten children, nine living & one dead. The oldest girl Lizzie Walker married
a Hubert Garrison. and they have five children four living one dead.
The second child Albert Walker married Grace Money.
They had 3 children all living. William Walker the third married Fannie
Money and they have one boy living, Fannie his wife is dead.
Maudie Walker the fourth child married Edward Stanfield and they
have four children living. Ora Walker fifth child married Harry Fenley
they have three children 2 dead one living.
Ada Purswell3rd child married Ben W. Goss, they have five children
3 dead, 2 living.
Lula Purswell fourth child married Marrcan (sp?) Ott and they had
3 children, 2 dead, 1 living. Julia Ott married Charlie Taylor & they
have 3 children.
Lee Anna Purswell 5th child married Ed. J Hale, and they have four
children 3 living & 1 dead.
Ella Purswell 6th child married Jobe Stegval & they have 3 children,
2 living & 1 dead. She then seperated & married Jessie Goss & they have
four children living.
W. A. (Allie inserted) Purswell 7th child married Mussouri Walker.
They have 6 boys 2 girls - 1 baby dead.
Clarence Purswell the oldest married Dora Eavens & they have 1 girl.
He seperated & then married Mattie Reaves & they have 1 child. Clara
Purswell 2nd child married Stanley Mizell (or Mizeel). They have 2
boys, one girl, one girl one boy & girl dead.
T. J. Purswell 8th child married Cassie Walker & they have 10
children all living - 6 boys & four girls - Lucian Purswell their oldest
married Ola Mae Buckner - they have 1 child a girl.
I was born Barbour co. Ala, twelve miles South of Eufaula Ala and
lived there until 13 yrs of age & then moved into lower of Dale co. Ala
and when 19 yrs of age then married A. E. Dean then moved to Texas in
1873 - 1905 my wife died was buried in the County line Church in San
Jacinto co. In 1917 I married Amelia (Millie inserted) Singleton and
maiden was Atwell and in 1929 she died, and was buried in Davis Cemetery
in Jasper co. And the 13th day of last June I was 77 yrs old. I am now
alone waiting for my time to come, which won't be long, and a member of
Premitive Baptist Church at Couty line
John F. Purswell1870 Census, Evergreen, San Jacinto County, TX:
Purswell, John F. Head W M Jun 1853 47 M 25? AL AL SC (I'm guessing at the date and age as they are unreadable).
Purswell, Mary Elizabeth? Wife W F Sept ? ? M 25? 1 GA ? ?
Purswell, Allen Son Male W ? ? ? S TX AL GA
Purswell, John Son M W July 1885 14 S TX AL GA
Purswell, Lula Dau F W Apr 1887 13 S TX AL GA
Purswell, Leannie Dau F W Aug 1889 11 TX AL GAPurswell, Ella Dau F W Apr 1891 9 TX AL GALiving in the next house down from Tom Metts and family.
1880 Census, Distr. 2, San Jacinto County, TX:
John F. TURSEWELL Self M Male W 27 AL Farmer SC AL
Ann E. TURSEWELL Wife M Female W 32 GA Keeping House GA SC
Mary E. TURSEWELL Dau S Female W 4 TX AL GA
Malissa E. TURSEWELL Dau S Female W 3 TX AL GA
William A. TURSEWELL Son S Male W 1 TX AL GA
Ada C. TURSEWELL Dau S Female W 1M TX AL GANote: The 1880 census is from the LDS transcription. I guess the transcriber thought the P looked more like a T.
1920 Census, 3-J Pct, Liberty County, TX:
Purswell John S. Head M W 66 AL SC AL Farmer General
Purswell Amilia Wife F W 65 M GA GA GA Housewife
Tombstone reads:
Purswell, John F. June 13, 1853 January 25, 1941 Dying is but going home.
John F. Purswell calls her A.E. Dean in his 1931 letter.
The following is the text of a hand written letter by J.F. Purswell. I didn't correct spelling errors and noted where words had been crossed out and inserted. S.M.
Copy of J.F. Purswell letter - 1931
by Allbe Alsbrooks Rogers.Hightower Texas
January 1931Mr. J. F. Purswell
Age 77I am the oldest one living by this name and I will undertake to show
according to my ability from the begining of the name until now.
For the sake of my children and grandchildren to show my relation.
My great (another great struck through) grandfather was a Scottish sailor
named Henry (Henry inserted) Purs and when he stopped sailing he stoped in America
and he married a woman by the name of Well and they put their names
together that gave us our name Purswell.
They then had one son and he married and had one son and he married
a Stinner (Stivender inserted), which was (great struck through) grand
mother and they had two girls, two boys. My father William Purswell
was the oldest boy. He married a Condra (struck through, Condry inserted),
his brother married a Vinson, his oldest sister Jane married a Wise.
His youngest sister Mellisie married a Etheridge and they had two
boys, Daniel and Olenzo. her husband died and she married a Runnels.
They had two sisters and one married a Hicks and the other married a
Zorne. She had two brothers dead and two living in Florida.
My Grandmother Purswell had two sisters. Fannie married a Hollman.
Sennie married a Creel. The name of my relation are: Stinner, Hollman,
Purswell, Creel, Condray, Hicks, Zorne, Underwood, Price, Thomas, and
are gone to east Florida. I don't know who they married. There is one
large family in South Florida and East Florida Creel (he sometimes
spells it Crell), Purswell, Hicks, Zorne, Condry all originated from
South Carolina in Early days and settled in Barba (crossed out and Barbra
inserted, crossed out and Barbour inserted) and Heny (crossed out and Henry
inserted) co. Alabama. Some of thes younger ones went to east Florida.
My own children, I have seven children living, four dead. My oldest
child Mollie married Tom Metts, she had five children, 3 girls, two boys,
two living 3 dead. Frank Metts is the oldest boys name and married
Leota Simmons and they have two boys living and one girl dead. Annie
Bell Metts 2nd child married Frank Jahos (or Johos). They had two
children both boys. Many Metts, the fourth child married Frazier Loyd.
They had one child, a girl. Edgar Metts youngest married Bessie Jordan,
they have two boys one living and one dead.
My 2nd child Mellisie Purswall married T. J. Walker and they had
ten children, nine living & one dead. The oldest girl Lizzie Walker married
a Hubert Garrison. and they have five children four living one dead.
The second child Albert Walker married Grace Money.
They had 3 children all living. William Walker the third married Fannie
Money and they have one boy living, Fannie his wife is dead.
Maudie Walker the fourth child married Edward Stanfield and they
have four children living. Ora Walker fifth child married Harry Fenley
they have three children 2 dead one living.
Ada Purswell3rd child married Ben W. Goss, they have five children
3 dead, 2 living.
Lula Purswell fourth child married Marrcan (sp?) Ott and they had
3 children, 2 dead, 1 living. Julia Ott married Charlie Taylor & they
have 3 children.
Lee Anna Purswell 5th child married Ed. J Hale, and they have four
children 3 living & 1 dead.
Ella Purswell 6th child married Jobe Stegval & they have 3 children,
2 living & 1 dead. She then seperated & married Jessie Goss & they have
four children living.
W. A. (Allie inserted) Purswell 7th child married Mussouri Walker.
They have 6 boys 2 girls - 1 baby dead.
Clarence Purswell the oldest married Dora Eavens & they have 1 girl.
He seperated & then married Mattie Reaves & they have 1 child. Clara
Purswell 2nd child married Stanley Mizell (or Mizeel). They have 2
boys, one girl, one girl one boy & girl dead.
T. J. Purswell 8th child married Cassie Walker & they have 10
children all living - 6 boys & four girls - Lucian Purswell their oldest
married Ola Mae Buckner - they have 1 child a girl.
I was born Barbour co. Ala, twelve miles South of Eufaula Ala and
lived there until 13 yrs of age & then moved into lower of Dale co. Ala
and when 19 yrs of age then married A. E. Dean then moved to Texas in
1873 - 1905 my wife died was buried in the County line Church in San
Jacinto co. In 1917 I married Amelia (Millie inserted) Singleton and
maiden was Atwell and in 1929 she died, and was buried in Davis Cemetery
in Jasper co. And the 13th day of last June I was 77 yrs old. I am now
alone waiting for my time to come, which won't be long, and a member of
Premitive Baptist Church at Couty line
John F. Purswell1870 Census, Evergreen, San Jacinto County, TX:
Purswell, John F. Head W M Jun 1853 47 M 25? AL AL SC (I'm guessing at the date and age as they are unreadable).
Purswell, Mary Elizabeth? Wife W F Sept ? ? M 25? 1 GA ? ?
Purswell, Allen Son Male W ? ? ? S TX AL GA
Purswell, John Son M W July 1885 14 S TX AL GA
Purswell, Lula Dau F W Apr 1887 13 S TX AL GA
Purswell, Leannie Dau F W Aug 1889 11 TX AL GAPurswell, Ella Dau F W Apr 1891 9 TX AL GALiving in the next house down from Tom Metts and family.
1880 Census, Distr. 2, San Jacinto County, TX:
John F. TURSEWELL Self M Male W 27 AL Farmer SC AL
Ann E. TURSEWELL Wife M Female W 32 GA Keeping House GA SC
Mary E. TURSEWELL Dau S Female W 4 TX AL GA
Malissa E. TURSEWELL Dau S Female W 3 TX AL GA
William A. TURSEWELL Son S Male W 1 TX AL GA
Ada C. TURSEWELL Dau S Female W 1M TX AL GANote: The 1880 census is from the LDS transcription. I guess the transcriber thought the P looked more like a T.
1920 Census, 3-J Pct, Liberty County, TX:
Purswell John S. Head M W 66 AL SC AL Farmer General
Purswell Amilia Wife F W 65 M GA GA GA Housewife
Tombstone reads:
Purswell, John F. June 13, 1853 January 25, 1941 Dying is but going home.
1900 Census, 8 Justice Pct, Montgomery County, TX:
Purswell, D. M. Head W M Feb 1873 27 M 8 AL GA GA Farmer
Purswell, Sallie Wife W F Apr 1873 27 M 8 4 4 TX
Purswell, Munroe Son W M Apr 1893 7 S TX AL TX
Purswell, Fred Son W M Jan 1895 5 S TX AL TX
Purswell, Arthur Son W M Mar 1897 3 S TX AL TX
Purswell, Mamie Dau W F Sep 1899 8/12 S TX AL TX1910 Census, 6 Pct, Liberty County, TX:
Purswell, Daniel M. Head M W 37 M1 18 AL AL AL English Laborer Saw Mill
Purswell, Sallie Wife F W M1 18 8 8 TX KY MS English Housekeeping
Purswell, Monroe Son M W M W 17 S TX AL TX English Schoolboy
Purswell, Fred Son M W 15 TX AL TX English Schoolboy
Purswell, Arthur Son M W 13 TX AL TX English Schoolboy
Purswell, Mamie Dau F W 11 TX AL TX English Schoolgirl
Purswell, Herbert Son M W 9 TX AL TX English Schoolboy
Purswell, Floyd Son M W 6 TX AL TX English
Purswell, Mack Son M W 4 TX AL TX English
Purswell, Lowis Son M W 1 TX AL TX English1920 Census, Cleveland, Liberty County, TX:
Purswell D. M. Head M W 46 M AL US US Laborer Carpenter? (illegible)
Purswell S. E. Wife F W 46 M TX KY MS None
Purswell Floyd Son M W 15 S TX AL TX None
Purswell Mack Son M W 13 S TX AL TX None
Purswell Louis Son M W 10 S TX AL TX None
Purswell Robert Son M W 8 S TX AL TX None
Purswell Marguarett Daughter F W 2 11/12 TX AL TX None1930 Census J-Pct 6, Liberty County, TX:
Purswell, Dan M. Head O $3,000 No M W 56 M 19 No Yes AL US US Yes Road Engineer County
Purswell, Sallie Wife-H F W 55 M 18 No Yes TX GA KY Yes None
Purswell, Margarite Dau F W 13 S Yes Yes TX AL TX Yes None
McElvain, Sarah Mother in law F W 89 Wd MS MS MS None
Birth and death dates from Social Security Death Index
1850 Census, Bath County, KY:
Sarah McIlvain 38 F 1500 KY
William McIlvain 25 M Farmer KY
Gilbert McIlvain 20 M Farmer KY
Caroline McIlvain 17 F KY
Rosy A. McIlvain 16 F KY
Alchibald L. McIlvain 13 M
Isabella McIlvain 4 F KY
Louisa McIlvain 2 F KY
John McIlvain 6/12 M KY1870 Census, Tarkington Prairie, Liberty County, TX:
McIlvain Gilbert 39 M W Farming KY
McIlvain Sarah A. 29 F W Housekeeping MS
McIlvain Clara R. 12 F W TX
McIlvain Gilbert M. 10 M W TX
McIlvain Martha E. 4 F W TX
McIlvain Thomas E. 1 M W TX1880 Census, District 2, San Jacinto, Texas:
Gilbert MCILVAINE Self M Male W 49 KY Farmer MD KY
Sarah MCILVAINE Wife M Female W 39 MS Keeping House NC NC
Clara MCILVAINE Dau S Female W 21 TX Asst Housekeeper KY MS
Gilbert MCILVAINE Son S Male W 19 TX Farmer KY MS
Martha MCILVAINE Dau S Female W 14 TX Asst Housekeeper KY MS
Thomas MCILVAINE Son S Male W 12 TX Works In Farm KY MS
Mary MCILVAINE Dau S Female W 9 TX KY MS
Sarah MCILVAINE Dau S Female W 7 TX KY MS
John MCILVAINE Son S Male W 4 TX KY MS
Elias THOMAS Other S Male W 38 MD Farmer ENG MD
1880 Census, District 2, San Jacinto, Texas:
Gilbert MCILVAINE Self M Male W 49 KY Farmer MD KY
Sarah MCILVAINE Wife M Female W 39 MS Keeping House NC NC
Clara MCILVAINE Dau S Female W 21 TX Asst Housekeeper KY MS
Gilbert MCILVAINE Son S Male W 19 TX Farmer KY MS
Martha MCILVAINE Dau S Female W 14 TX Asst Housekeeper KY MS
Thomas MCILVAINE Son S Male W 12 TX Works In Farm KY MS
Mary MCILVAINE Dau S Female W 9 TX KY MS
Sarah MCILVAINE Dau S Female W 7 TX KY MS
John MCILVAINE Son S Male W 4 TX KY MS
Elias THOMAS Other S Male W 38 MD Farmer ENG MD
1880 Census, District 2, San Jacinto, Texas:
Ambrose DEAN Self M Male W 53 GA Farmer NC GA
Mary A. DEAN Wife M Female W 54 NC Keeping House NC NC
Marion DEAN Son S Male W 19 AL Farming GA NC
Asa DEAN Son S Male W 17 AL Farming GA NC
John J. DEAN Son S Male W 12 AL Works In Farm GA NC
1880 Census, Daleville, Dale County, AL:
Henry PURSWELL M Male 25 AL Farmer
Nancy PURSWELL M Female 33 AL Keeping HouseWhere are James Jr. and Molly in this census? Strange.
1900 Census, 7 Justice Pct, Montgomery County, TX:
Purswell, Henry Head W M Mch 1855 45 M 18 AL AL MS Farmer
Purswell, Nancy Wife W F Jan 1860 40 M 18 2 2 AL AL GA
Purswell, Edgar Son W M Feb 1883 17 S TX AL AL Tie Hauler(Note the difference in age of Nancy from the 1880 census)
Living next door to Moss (Moses) Bradshaw and Mary Penelope Purswell Bradshaw and two dwellings down from Thomas Musgrove and Adona (Purswell).
1910 Census, 7 J Pct, Montgomery County, TX:
Purswell, Henry A. Head M W 54 M2 27 AL SC SC English Farmer
Purswell, Nancy Wife F W 65? or 45? (hard to read) M1 27 AL AL AL English None
Purswell, William S. Father M W 80 Wd SC SC SC English None1920 Census, 8 J Pct, Montgomery County, TX:
Purswell James H. Head M W 66 M AL SC AL Farmer General Farm
Purswell Nancy H. Wife F W 73 M AL SC GA None
1880 Census, Daleville, Dale County, AL:
Henry PURSWELL M Male 25 AL Farmer
Nancy PURSWELL M Female 33 AL Keeping HouseWhere are James Jr. and Molly in this census? Strange.
1900 Census, 7 Justice Pct, Montgomery County, TX:
Purswell, Henry Head W M Mch 1855 45 M 18 AL AL MS Farmer
Purswell, Nancy Wife W F Jan 1860 40 M 18 2 2 AL AL GA
Purswell, Edgar Son W M Feb 1883 17 S TX AL AL Tie Hauler(Note the difference in age of Nancy from the 1880 census)
Living next door to Moss (Moses) Bradshaw and Mary Penelope Purswell Bradshaw and two dwellings down from Thomas Musgrove and Adona (Purswell).
1910 Census, 7 J Pct, Montgomery County, TX:
Purswell, Henry A. Head M W 54 M2 27 AL SC SC English Farmer
Purswell, Nancy Wife F W 65? or 45? (hard to read) M1 27 AL AL AL English None
Purswell, William S. Father M W 80 Wd SC SC SC English None1920 Census, 8 J Pct, Montgomery County, TX:
Purswell James H. Head M W 66 M AL SC AL Farmer General Farm
Purswell Nancy H. Wife F W 73 M AL SC GA None